Best Tourist Places to Visit in Karnataka: Karnataka is a state located in the southwestern region of India, which expands around 2 lakhs sq km. Home to over 6 crore people living in 31 districts, Karnataka is a diverse state with rich culture and history. This state houses some of the most popular historical, religious, natural and adventurous destinations that attract a huge number of tourists each year.
This blog aims to cover the best places to visit in Karnataka. You can refer to it to curate your next travel itinerary and fully explore all the interesting places in this state.
One great benefit of vacationing in Karnataka is that you will never get bored. Due to its landscape and geography, Karnataka has some of India’s most diverse and fascinating tourist destinations. Here are some famous places in Karnataka to visit:
1. Bengaluru
Over the years, Bengaluru has evolved from being India’s garden city to the country’s Silicon Valley. With good weather and beautiful parks and lakes for sightseeing throughout the year, you can explore more places to visit in Bangalore. and make your vacation wonderful and filled with fun by visiting hill stations near Bangalore.
- Best Time to Visit- October to February
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 2-3 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹32,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Cubbon Park, Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore Palace, Vidhana Soudha, Nandi Hills
- Things to Do- Shop at MG Road and UB City Mall, participate in Go-Karting, paddle over Ulsoor Lake, explore Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, and go out for drinks at the many breweries located here.
How to Reach-
- By Plane– Bengaluru International Airport
- By Train- Bangalore City and Yeshwantpur Junction
- By Road– Private and government buses stop at the Bangalore Bus Stand
Also Read: Best Waterfalls in India
2. Coorg
Coorg is one of the most popular hill stations not only in Karnataka but in the entire country. Its official name is Kodagu. Coorg is situated amidst magnificent mountains in Karnataka. It has a misty landscape at all times of the year.
- Best Time to Visit- September to June
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 2-3 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹34,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Coffee Plantations, Abbey Falls, Namdroling Monastery, Raja’s Seat, Iruppu Falls.
- Things to Do– Trekking along coffee estates, staying at a homestay, exploring nearby towns like Gonikoppal and Pollibetta, eating local Coorgi food like Coorgi Chicken, going for white river rafting at Barapole River.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is Mangalore international airport, 111 km away.
- By Train- Coorg does not have a railway station; the nearest station is at Mysore, which is 95 km away.
- By Road- Coorg is well connected via roads. You will easily find private and KSRTC deluxe buses from Mangalore, Mysore and Bengaluru.
Also Read: Best Tourist Places in India
3. Hampi
Hampi or Hampe is a small ancient hamlet in Karnataka and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It houses the ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire, with almost 500 ancient monuments and temples surrounding this small village. People consider Hampi to be of the best places in Karnataka because of its historical relevance.
- Best Time to Visit- October to March
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 2-4 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹25,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Lotus Palace, Hampi Bazaar, Virupksha Temple, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Elephant Stables
- Things to Do- Take a Coracle ride, see the Monolith Bull and the Big Shivlinga, go rock climbing, visit the Archaeological Museum, go biking riding and cliff jumping.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest Airport is JSW Vidyanagar Airport in Toranagallu, which is 40 km away.
- By Train- Hospet Junction is 13 km away from Hampi.
- By Road- You will find buses and cabs from Bengaluru and Hospet.
4. Mysore
Indian people often refer to Mysore as the “city of palaces” as it was once home to the Mysore Maharajas. Besides its magnificent palaces, Mysore is also famous for its silk, sandalwood and Mysore Pak. There are also many palaces, temples and historical places to visit.
- Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹25,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens, Mysore Zoo, Somnathapura Temple, Shuka Vana
- Things to Do- Book a 3-hour open jeep safari in Mysore, shop for Mysore Pak and Mysore silk sarees, take a yoga class at one of the many yoga classes in Mysore, and go for a picnic at Karanji Lake.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is at Coimbatore, 147 km away.
- By Train- Mysore’s railway station is located at the heart of the city, and you will find trains stopping here from almost every major city in India.
- By Road- Mysore is 139 km away from Bangalore. You will easily get private and state buses to Mysore from Bangalore.
5. Mangalore
Mangalore is one of the major places to visit in Karnataka besides Bengaluru. The Arabian Sea surrounds it on one side and the Western Ghats on the other. This city has some of the best beaches in Karnataka. You can chill at one of these beaches, enjoy the cool sea breeze, and watch palm trees sway.
- Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹29,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Kudroli Temple, Kadri Park, Panambur Beach, Ullal Beach, St Aloysius Chapel
- Things to Do- Visit Sultan Battery for an amazing view, pray at the various temples and play golf at Pilikula Park and Golf Course.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Mangalore International Airport (18 km)
- By Train– Most trains stop at the Mangalore station.
- By Road- Mangalore is well connected to Bengaluru, Mysore and Goa via private buses and cabs.
6. Gokarna
If you love palm trees, pristine blue seas and clean golden sand, you must visit Gokarna for your next holiday. Initially, it was a popular Hindu pilgrimage town, but it has become a famous place for beach lovers in recent years. It has some of the best beaches in entire Karnataka.
- Best Time to Visit– October to March
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 2-3 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹25,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Mahabaleshwara Temple, Om beach, Paradise beach, Kudle Beach, Gokarna Beach
- Things to Do- Go for beach trekking, eat at Namaste Café, try various water sports, explore Mirjan Fort, and go on pilgrimage.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is Goa International Airport which is 106 km (3 to 5 hours) away.
- By Train- A small railway station is 10 km away from the main city of Gokarna. The nearest well-connected station is at a 20 km distance in Ankola.
- By Road- You will find direct buses and taxis to travel to Bengaluru and Mangalore.
7. Belur
Situated on River Yagachi in Karnataka’s Hassan district, Belur is one of the best places to visit in Karnataka. Along with Halebidu, located just 16 km away, these places form twin temple cities. Belur houses some of the most exquisite temples in Karnataka that represent the artistic brilliance of the 12th-13th century Hoysala empire.
- Best Time to Visit- October to March
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹22,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Gravity Pillar, Madanikas, Chennakeshava Temple, Veeranarayana Temple, Kappe Chennigaraya Temple.
- Things to Do– Visit Halebidu, take a trip to Yagachi dam, go on pilgrimage, shop at local stores for souvenirs, and eat at local eateries.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is in Mangalore, which is 168 km away.
- By Train- Hassan’s railway station is the nearest, located 27 km away.
- By Road- You will find regular buses commuting to Belur and Halebidu from all major cities in Karnataka.
8. Srirangapatna
Srirangapatna is a small island village which is located beside River Cauvery. Just 18 km away from Mysore, this place had served as the historical capital of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan. Here you will see some amazing architectures that exhibit the Vijayanagar building style.
- Best Time to Visit- July to March
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹25,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit– Dariya Daulat Palace, Tipu Sultan Fort, Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Karighatta Temple, Balmuri Falls
- Things to Do- Eat local cuisine, shop at local stores, go for a picnic at Dodda Ghosai Ghat, and explore the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is the Mysuru Airport, 32 km away.
- By Train- Srirangapatna has a railway station of its own, the Srirangapatna junction.
- By Road– Buses and taxis to all major cities are available here.
9. Chikmagalur
Tourists often refer to this place as the “Coffee Land of Karnataka” as there are many coffee plantations located here. This place is situated at the foothills of Mullayangiri Range. If you are looking for a quick retreat, this is one of the beautiful hill stations in Karnataka.
- Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
- Ideal Vacation Duration– 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹20,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit– Baba Budangiri, Mullayangiri, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Hebbe Falls, Coffee Plantations
- Things to Do– Take a tour of the Coffee Museum, visit the National Coffee Research Centre and take home some locally grown coffee, take a trip to Kudremukh National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and try river rafting at Bhadra River.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Mangalore International Airport is 105 km from this hill station.
- By Train- Chikmagalur has a railway station of its own and is well connected with trains from most parts of Karnataka
- By Road- You will easily get taxis and private and state buses to Chikmagalur from all the major cities in Karnataka to Chikmagalur.
10. Udupi
A coastal town in Karnataka, Udupi is well renowned for its vegetarian food, unexplored forests, magnificent beaches and most importantly, beautiful ancient temples. Udupi is also the place where the educational hub Manipal is located.
- Best Time to Visit- Throughout the year
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹18,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit– Sri Krishna Temple, Maple Beach, Delta Beach, St Mary’s Island, Manipal
- Things to Do- Go cycling along the beaches of Udupi, explore the Anejari Butterfly Camp, visit the Coin Corp Museum, pray at all the temples here, and try the famous Udupi cuisine.
How to Reach-
- By Plane– Mangalore International Airport is 60 km away from Udupi.
- By Train- Udupi has a railway station of its own which is the Udupi Junction.
- By Road- Buses operate regularly from day to night from places like Mangalore and Bengaluru.
11. Murudeshwar
In Murudeshwar, you will find the second tallest Shiva statue in the world. This statue of Lord Shiva is 123 ft tall and attracts visitors from all over the country. You will also get to see the glistening waters of the Arabian Sea on one side and magnificent mountains on the other side.
- Best Time to Visit- October to May
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹23,500 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar Beach, Murudeshwar Fort, Netrani Island, Bhatkal Beach
- Things to Do- Experience scuba diving at Netrani Islands, city shopping, going on pilgrimage, strolling on the beaches and eating local food.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- The nearest airport is in Mangalore, which is 134 km away.
- By Train- Murudeshwar Junction is well connected with trains that commute from various cities in India.
- By Road- Regular bus services will take you to and from Murudeshwar to other major cities in Karnataka.
12. Agumbe
If you are a fan of Malgudi Days, this will be one of the best places to visit in Karnataka. Agumbe served as the setting for the famous fictional town in the TV series. This small village has a rich bio-diversity and the highest rainfall in South India. That is why it is called the Cheerapunji of South India.
- Best Time to Visit– June to October
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1 day
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹23,500 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Gopala Krishna Temple, Koodlu Theertha Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Onake Abbi Falls, Sunset Point
- Things to Do– Trekking, Go sightseeing, Photography from Sunset Point, River Rafting at Sita River and exploring the lowland rainforests.
How to Reach-
- By Plane– Nearest airport is Mangalore which is 100 km away.
- By Train– Nearest railway station is at Shimoga, which is 90 km away.
- By Road- Taxis and buses will take you to Agumbe from Shimoga.
13. Shimoga
Some people also call this place Shivamogga, a backpacker’s paradise. This place has many picturesque landscapes and magnificent waterfalls. Moreover, Shimoga has pleasant weather at most times of the year. In the past, this place has been home to several great dynasties, so there are several historical places worth visiting.
- Best Time to Visit- July to December
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹25,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Jog Falls, Kodachadri, Bhadra River Dam, Dabbe Falls, Keladi
- Things to Do- Book a Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari, visit Gudavi Bird Sanctuary, go trekking at Kundadari and meet majestic elephants at Sakrebailu Elephant Camp.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Mangalore International Airport is 132 km away from Shimoga.
- By Train- Shimoga has a railway station of its own and is well connected with trains from most parts of Karnataka.
- By Road– You will find public and private transport from all parts of Karnataka and Maharashtra to here.
14. Dandeli
Dandeli is located in Uttara Karnataka’s the Western Ghats. It is filled with lush green forests, and the river Kali passes through this town. You can go river rafting here and try out many other adventurous activities. This is one of the best places in Karnataka to watch black panthers and bison.
- Best Time to Visit- October to May
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1 day
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹18,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Sykes Point, Moulangi Falls, Kavala Caves, Kali Tiger Reserve
- Things to Do– Visit Dandeli Sanctuary, take a Coracle boat ride, go on pilgrimage at the many temples, and try river rafting, kayaking, trekking and rock climbing.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- The nearest airport is 56 km away in Hubli.
- By Train- Alnavar Junction is connected to most major cities and is 23 km away.
- By Road- You will get bus services easily from any other part of Karnataka.
15. Bijapur
Bijapur came into existence during the Kalyani Chalukyas empire, and its name was Vijayapura during that period. Gol Gumbaj is one of the most popular monuments of Bijapur, and people often refer to it as the Taj Mahal of Deccan.
- Best Time to Visit- October to March
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹27,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Gol Gumbaj, Jamia Masjid, Mithari and Asar Mahals, Gagan Mahal, Ibrahim Rauza
- Things to Do- Climb Upli Burj to get a bird’s eye view of the city, visit Bara Kaman, and take a tour of Saath Kabar.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- The nearest airport is 205 km away in Belgaum. Bijapur Airport is currently under construction.
- By Train- Bijapur Railway Station is 2 km away from the main city.
- By Road- You will find frequent state and private buses from other parts of Karnataka.
16. Chitradurga
This place is around 200 km from Bengaluru and surrounded by rocky boulders. Chitradurga or Chitrakaladurga has lots to offer its visitors, starting from forts, caves, rivers and forests. The archaeological wonder of the Chalukya era, Chitradurga Fort, makes it one of the best places in Karnataka.
- Best Time to Visit- October to March
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹27,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Chitradurga Fort, Ankali Mutt, Gayatri Jalashaya, Vani Vilas Sagar Dam, Himavat Kedaya
- Things to Do- Banana boat rides, jet skiing, boat rides, canoeing in the river.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is 109 km away in Jindal Vijaynagar Airport.
- By Train- Chitradurga has a railway station of its own.
- By Road- This place is well connected with private and state buses and taxis.
17. Shravanabelagola
This town holds a lot of significance for Jains as it is one of their holiest pilgrimage places. It is famous for housing a 57-metre-tall Gomateshwara Bahubali statue. Shravanabelagola is located between two hills, and they are Vindyagiri and Chandigiri.
- Best Time to Visit- October to April
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1 day
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹20,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Jain Math, Chandragiri Hill Temple, Belagola Pond, Akkana Basadi Temple, Bhandari Basadi Temple
- Things to Do- Visit the Gomateshwara Statue, and go on pilgrimage at Chandigiri Hill Temple.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is at Mysore, which is 97 km away.
- By Train- Hassan railway station is the nearest to Shravanabelagola (47 km).
- By Road- You will get regular buses from Hassan and Mysore.
18. Sakleshpur
Sakleshpur is an offbeat but popular hill station in Karnataka. Many people also refer to this place as poor’s man Ooty. The Western Ghats surround this beautiful town, and you can explore the dense forest and go hiking around this area.
- Best Time to Visit- October to March, May to June
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 2-3 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹18,000 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Bisle Reserve Forest, Sakleshwara Temple, Kukke Subramanya Temple, Manjehalli Waterfalls, Agni Gudda Hill
- Things to Do- Stay at Machaan Plantation Resort, trek to Jenukal Gudda and Pandavar Gudda, explore Raxidi estate, and visit Hemavathi Dam.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Nearest airport is 130 km away, which is the Mangalore International Airport.
- By Train- Sakleshpur Railway Station is just 2 km away from the main city.
- By Road- You will get KSRTC buses and private buses from all major cities in Karnataka.
19. Badami
Badami is a rugged red sandstone valley that surrounds Agastya Lake. It is an archaeological wonder and is full of sandstone monuments. Badami is also a part of UNESCO’s World Heritage Site and, thus, one of the best places to visit in Karnataka.
- Best Time to Visit- October to April
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1-2 days
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹30,500 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Pattadakal, Cave Temples, Agastya Lake, Badami Fort, Archaeological Museum
- Things to Do- Visit the Archaeological Museum, tour Bhuthanatha Temples, go sightseeing, and shop from locals.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- The closest airport is 150 km away in Belgaum.
- By Train- Badami has a small railway station of its own.
- By Road- Buses and taxis are available from most major cities in Karnataka.
20. St. Mary’s Island
This was the first island where Vasco De Gama had first set his foot in India. St. Mary’s is comprised of 4 islands: North Island, South Island, Coconut Island and Daryabahadurgarh. It is just off the coast of Udupi, and you will find regular ferry rides from Udupi to this island.
- Best Time to Visit- October to January
- Ideal Vacation Duration- 1 day
- Average expenses: Starting from ₹25,500 (4 days/3 nights)
- Places to Visit- Vadabhandeshwara Temple, Daryabahadurgarh Fort, Maris Church, Delta Beach Backwaters, Malpe Beach
- Things to Do- Eat local food, walk around the beach, shop from local stores, and watch and hunt for shells on the beach.
How to Reach-
- By Plane- Mangalore Airport is 58km away from Maple, from where you need to take a ferry to St. Mary’s Island.
- By Train- The nearest railway station is Udupi, which is 4km from Maple.
- By Road- Buses and cabs are available from most major parts of Karnataka.