I’ve lived in Bangalore for almost a decade and by now you probably know that I always have to be on the go. Over time, we learned to plan our time such that we could fit in a couple of weekend getaways from Bangalore into our packed schedule.
Trust me! If you live in this city, you really need to get away from it for a bit. The traffic alone drove me insane and while it was an inconvenience it was not a deterrent to escaping the city life.
Luckily, Bangalore is pretty central in its location. That means that there are loads of weekend getaways from Bangalore that you can embark on. I’ve written an extensive list of places to visit near Bangalore. These however do not take your time constraints into consideration.
So in this post, I’m going to talk about all the locations that make sense to cover as weekend getaways from Bangalore. So yes! I will talk about staycations in the outskirts of the city and about places that do not exhaust you when you drive to them. This list is also great if you have a long weekend holiday.
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Weekend Getaways From Bangalore Within 100 Kms
1. Kanakapura
Distance From Bangalore: 63 kms
Where To Stay:
Kanakapura is a short drive away from the center of the city and is one of the top weekend getaways from Bangalore. This is because Kanakapura is known for its lush greenery and temples. While it is still not a rural escape, Kanakapura is pretty and worth the while.
In fact, you will find that there are a lot of camping opportunities in the area. Plus there are some luxury accommodations too. In case you don’t want to rough it that is. The best part is since it is just a short distance away, you don’t have to tire yourself out driving. That way you don’t need a vacation from a vacation!
Oh and the best part is if you don’t want to drive, you can always take the metro to Kanakapura!
2. Ramanagra
Ramanagra is one of popular weekend getaways from Bangalore among adventure lovers!
Distance From Bangalore: 75 Kms
Where To Stay:
We visited Ramanagra as part of a camping trip. Shawn thought that camping under the stars was a pretty romantic way to spend the weekend. I must say that it was pretty interesting. The Ramanagara Beta (hill) is the biggest attraction of the area. Our moonlight trek took us right up to the top and we camped on top of the hill.
You can also choose to stay in the area and trek up the hill during the early hours of the morning. I wouldn’t recommend a mid day hike because it gets really hot. The views from on top are definitely worth the effort. We caught sunrise from the top which was one of those experiences that I’ve carried with me!
Ramanagra can be done within two days as it is just 75 kilometers away. It doesn’t require a long weekend for this trip which is why it is one of the best active weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Weekend Getaways From Bangalore Within 200 kms
3. Lepakshi
Lepakshi is another one of the weekend getaways from Bangalore for temple lovers.
Distance From Bangalore: 123 kms
Where To Stay: Most people head to Lepakshi as part of a day trip. If you want to cut the distance down a bit, I would suggest staying closer to Nandi hills. Signature Club Resort is a great place on the way
Lepakshi is in Andhra Pradesh. Despite being in another state, it is not too far away from the city and is one of the popular weekend getaways from Bangalore. Lepakshi is famous for its three shrines that are dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu and Lord Veerbhadra. For many, this is a pilgrimage spot.
Others come to visit the Lepakshi temple because of its ancient architecture and its hanging pillars. It has some cave chambers that are really worth checking out too. Don’t forget to visit the footprint which the Hindus believe is made by Maa Sita. You should also not forget about the bull sculpture that is a prominent part of the temple area too.
4. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
Looking for a place to watch the birds near Bangalore?
Distance From Bangalore: 135 kms
Where To Stay: The Grand Mercure Mysore is a great place to spend the night.
If you are an avid bird lover then the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is a place that will definitely interest you. While you can technically visit the sanctuary and get back in a day, it is a tiring ride. I should know because we’ve done it.
What you can do is combine it with Mysore which is not much further. That way you can sit and enjoy the Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary through the day and crash at a hotel in Mysore at night. I would recommend packing a picnic lunch with you.
Oh and the park is an excellent place if you are planning weekend getaways from Bangalore with children because there are lots of places for kids to run around. There is a lot of shaded spots for you to relax at too.
5. Mysore
You can’t go wrong with weekend getaways from Bangalore to Mysore!
Distance From Bangalore: 184 kms
Where To Stay: Grand Mercure Mysore
Mysore is one of my favorite weekend getaways from Bangalore. The city is so much quieter than Bangalore and I love the pace of the city. There are loads of great places to eat. I’m serious! Mysore has some of the best street food in India. I’m literally drooling when I think about the dosas, coffee and idlis.
Aside from the luxury of great accommodation and scrumptious food, there is the grand Mysore palace that draws people from all over the world to this humble city. Brindavan gardens is another iconic tourist attraction.
Aside from this, there are numerous temples and museums that you really should visit if you have time.
Weekend Getaways From Bangalore Within 300 kms
6. Gingee Fort
Gingee fort is one of the easy weekend trips from Bangalore!
Distance From Bangalore: 241 kms
One of the coolest weekend trips from Bangalore is to Gingee fort. For us it was a stop on our way back from Pondicherry. Gingee fort is often called the Troy of the East because it was an impregnable fort.
Set over three hills, this fort gave people an impressive view of the countryside. It is a view that you can still enjoy today. This is because the countryside here is relatively flat.
The path up towards Gingee fort is easy. It is a climb mind you but the steps make it so much easier. There are loads of monkeys that hang around here so keep food stuff stored away or they may pounce!
At the top of the fort, the monkeys are fewer because there isn’t much shaded area. This is where I would suggest hanging around and having a picnic lunch. You’ll have to bring your food though. There isn’t anything around here.
7. Chikmagalur
Distance From Bangalore: 241 kms
Chikmagalur is one of the other hill stations in Karnataka. This is one of the popular weekend trips from Bangalore and you’ll probably hear about it from a lot of people who live in the city. People tend to head here during the hot summers with the hope of escaping the summer heat. The rains however is another great time to visit because everything is green and beautiful.
Chikmagalur has a lot of great places to stay in so you can enjoy your weekend break in comfort. Coffee however is what Chikmagalur is famous for. It is also known for its amazing hiking routes. Malkangiri Peak is a famous spot among nature lovers and anyone seeking an adrenaline rush. If you love gazing at waterfalls then think about heading to Hebbe Falls.
These are just however a few of things to do in Chikmagalur. It easily makes for a couple of weekends. So make sure to put it on your radar.
8. Coorg
The coffee and pepper plantations of Coorg are really fascinating.
Distance From Bangalore: 255 kms
Where To Stay: The Tamara Coorg
Coorg is another one of the popular weekend getaways from Bangalore when it comes to beating the heat. It is not an extremely long journey to this gorgeous hilly paradise BUT to maximize your experience try and plan your trip on a long weekend.
Coorg is famous for its wild natural landscape. There are forests to explore, waterfalls to be enjoyed and even some river rafting. As far as food is concerned, the Coorgi cuisine is really popular. One of the most famous dishes is the Coorgi pork.
Coffee is also grown here so you can head out to some of the coffee plantations to see how coffee is grown and processed.
9. Wayanad
Wayanad is a relaxing place to spend a weekend away from Bangalore.
Distance From Bangalore: 280 km
Where To Stay: Parisons Plantation Experiences by Abad
If the heat is getting to you, why not escape the city and head to Wayanad? Located in Kerala, this is definitely a longer drive but it still remains one of the popular weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Why? Located in the hills, Wayanad is so much cooler. It is covered in green which is so soothing and the noise factor that is so associated with a big city is conspicuously absent!
Plus Wayanad is famous for the Wayanad Wildlife sanctuary which is home to many animals including elephants, leopards and tigers. If you are in the area, make sure to head out on a safari in hope of spotting some of these majestic creatures in the wild!
Let’s not forget about the amazing Keralite food that you can indulge in while you are here.
10. Kanchipuram
You can see why I love the temples in Kanchipuram.
Distance From Bangalore: 280 kms
Where To Stay: Kanchipuram is a small city and has a number of options available when it comes to accommodation. Hotel SSK Grand and Vasanth Villa are great choices.
If you love culture and visiting Indian temples then you really should not miss Kanchipuram. I honestly feel that this is one of the most underrated weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Many people think of Kanchipuram as a pilgrimage spot which is why they head here. Others head here because this little city produces some of the finest sarees in the country. What I loved here however was the numerous temples of Kanchipuram. The structures were huge and beautifully carved with different sculptures all over the place. Many of the temples date back a couple of centuries!
I’ve been to loads of temples in India and I must say that these were some of the best and most well maintained ancient temples that I have seen in the country. The Kanchi Kailasanathar temple was my favorite here.
It is however important to note that you would be hard pressed to find a non vegetarian meal in the vicinity. Since it is a pilgrimage spot for Hindus, most places around only serve vegetarian food. Do not let that be a deterrent!
Weekend Getaways From Bangalore Within 400 kms
11. Auroville
Auroville is one of the interesting weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Distance From Bangalore: 305 Kilometres
Where To Stay: Auroville is a short drive away from Pondicherry but it does have a couple of guest houses that people use to stay at. We stayed at the Aadhaar Guesthouse in Pondicherry.
If you are looking for weekend trips from Bangalore that are different from the usual, then think about heading to Auroville. This is an experimental township that is located very close to Pondicherry. It was designed way back in 1968 by an architect Roger Anger and was the brainchild of Mirra Alfaasa.
The idea of Auroville is that everyone can live together in unity and despite their background. It is probably one of the most enlightening trips we’ve been on.
While you walk around Auroville, you can see all the different projects that they are working on including growing their own food. Make sure that you drop by the cafeteria and have a meal here. The food is delicious!
12. Pondicherry
The quiet streets of Pondicherry!
Distance From Bangalore: 308 kms
Where To Stay: Aadhaar Guesthouse
Want to head out on a French vacation but don’t have the time to fly across the continents? Don’t worry. You can still get a taste of the French world at Pondicherry!
Years ago, Pondicherry was a French colony. Today it is one of the union territories of India. The city has retained a lot of the French influence. From iconic streets to the delicious crepe and desserts, you can see why it is one of our favorite weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Another thing that I loved is that it was pretty easy to get onto the highway to Pondicherry from Whitefield and the roads were good making the trip to Pondicherry rather pleasant. If you head out on this trip, consider stopping at Gingee fort and Kanchipuram on the way. Auroville is another location you can cover if you are in the area.
13. Hampi
Hampi is one of the best weekend getaways from Bangalore for anyone who loves history!
Distance From Bangalore: 342 kms
Where To Stay: Evolve Back Hampi
Hampi is a UNESCO Heritage site and one really worth visiting. It is luckily one of the weekend trips from Bangalore that you can embark on. Hampi however is one of those destinations that is pretty far away from the city so it definitely should be done as part of a long weekend trip.
Hampi was a fortified city and was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire in the 14th century. The city remained remarkably well preserved and today you can see many of the ruins of many of the temple complexes in the area.
I would suggest avoiding visiting in summer because it gets really hot. In the winter months, it is cool enough to explore the ancient complex without tiring yourself out and you will enjoy the experience so much more!
If you plan on making this a longer trip, you can even head a bit further north and visit the Gol Gumbaz of Bijapur. It is a trip that I highly recommend!
14. Chennai
Chennai is one of the fun city weekend getaways from Bangalore!
Distance From Bangalore: 346 kms
Where To Stay: Radisson Blu Hotel GRT, Chennai
Swapping one big city with another is not a bad idea if you want a change of pace. Chennai is one of those amazing getaways from Bangalore that is really worth heading out on. Why? Because as a foodie I can sincerely say that Chennai has some of the best food in the country! Oh and don’t worry if you are vegan or vegetarian… Chennai has you covered!
In addition to this, Chennai also has a lot of old temples that are very pretty. I highly recommend visiting a few of them. The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is one that you should not miss! The city is also situated on the eastern coast of India which means beaches!
Chennai is also not a very expensive city to live in. This means that it is one of the budget weekend trips from Bangalore.
Other great places that you could also include in your list that are a bit further away are Goa for the beaches, churches and food, Mulki for the surf and Mangalore for the food!
Well there you have it. These are some of our top picks for weekend getaways from Bangalore. Do you have any other locations that you love? Let us know in the comments below because we would sure love to add some more spots to our list!
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- Bangalore to Pondicherry itinerary
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