Locals in Bangalore have no dearth of amazing food, drinks and music, but at some point, all of it gets to you. Work gets monotonous, Friday nights at the bar just don’t seem to cut it, and dancing on Saturday isn’t enough to make you feel better. The only thing that will give your brain a rest is a long weekend trip from Bangalore.
Thankfully the city has a number of choices nearby where you can unwind and give yourself a 3 to 5-day rest. Whether you’re the adventurous kind who loves to trek up rocky mountains or if you just prefer to put your feet up and relax by a beach, there are plenty of places to visit near Bangalore for a long weekend.
Long Weekend Getaways from Bangalore within 300 km
1. Mysore
Once the royal city of Karnataka, Mysore is one of the closest weekend getaways from Bangalore. The city is the perfect escape for history geeks and nature lovers with its lush gardens and historical sites. The best place time to visit is during Dasara when the people come out in large numbers for a massive procession.
- Distance – Mysore is about 150 km from the Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 275
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Mysore via road and rail. There are direct trains to Mysore and you can travel by cab, bus or bike to the city.
- Places to visit – Visit the Mysore Palace, the Mysore Zoo, Brindavan Gardens, Jaganmohana Palace, Sand Sculpture Museum, Chamundeshwari Temple, Blue Lagoon, Rail Museum, Regional Museum of Natural History, and St. Philomena’s Church.
- Things to do – Spend a day in GRS Fantasy Park, try go-karting at Chamundi Hills, eat at Vinayaka Mylari, shop at the Devaraja Market and get a drink at Pelican Pub.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Mysore, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
2. Coorg
Coorg or Kodagu is one of Karnataka’s most popular tourist locations and only an overnight journey away from Bangalore. Located in the Western Ghats, these hills are rich with flora and fauna with three wildlife sanctuary and a national park. With its mist-covered coffee plantations, pleasant weather and clean air, it’s the perfect spot for nature and adventure lovers.
- Distance – Coorg is 263 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 75
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Coorg by road.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in Coorg are the Namdroling Monastery, the Golden Temple, Talakaveri, Raja’s Seat, Abbey Falls, Dubare Elephant Camp, Nagarhole National Park and Irpu Falls.
- Things to do – Take an elephant ride at the Dubare Elephant Camp, watch the sunset at Raja’s Seat, go river rafting at Barapole River, trek to Kopatty Hills, and enjoy a few adventure sports.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Coorg, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
3. Ooty
Ooty lovingly called the ‘Queen of the Hills’ is hill station known for its tea, chocolates and misty hills. This quaint hill town and its neighbors boast of forest-covered hills, lovely weather and is perfect for nature lovers, families and solo travelers.
- Distance – Ooty is 270 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 275
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Ooty via road and rail.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in Ooty are the Government Botanical Gardens, Rose Garden, the Wax Museum, the Chocolate Museum, the Ooty Lake, Doddabetta, Avalanche Lake, and Pykara, among many others.
- Things to do – Take a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway (a UNESCO World Heritage Site), have a picnic by the Pykara Lake, take a boat ride on the Ooty Lake, visit Toda huts in the town. Apart from these, there are many more things that you can do in Ooty.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Ooty, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
Long Weekend Getaways from Bangalore within 300-500 km
1. Pondicherry
Popularly known as Pondy, Pondicherry is a union territory that maintains a culture not seen in too many places in India. History geeks will enjoy this city with its colonial architecture, churches, temples, and statues. A lot of the town preserves that European feel with its systematically planned roads and neighbourhoods.
- Distance – Pondicherry is 321 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 77
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Pondicherry by road, rail.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the city are Auroville, Promenade Beach, Romain Rolland Library, French Institute of Pondicherry, Puducherry Botanical Gardens, Eglise de Notre Dame des Agnes, Rock Beach, and the Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus.
- Things to do – A few things to in Pondicherry, take a boat ride at Chunnambar Boat House, go scuba diving, go on a bicycle tour around the city, and spend a day at the Auroville Ashram.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Pondicherry, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
2. Mangalore
Called the ‘Gateway of Karnataka’, Mangalore is an amazing seaside getaway. The city is a tropical paradise with its beautiful beaches, delicious seafood, and greenery all around. It’s an excellent escape for solo travelerss, couples and families with its numerous attractions and restaurants.
- Distance – Mangalore is 350 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 75
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Mangalore by road, rail and air. You can choose a direct bus to the city or you choose popular modes of travel, such as train or car.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the Mangalore city are Tannirbhavi Beach, Mangaladevi Temple, Panambur Beach, Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park, Pilikula Golf Club, Milagres Church, Someshwara Temple and Beach and NITK Lighthouse.
- Things to do – A few things to do in Mangalore, learn to surf at the Surfing Ashram, try the seafood at Gajalee, shop at Forum Fiza Mall, and spend a day at Manasa Amusement and Water Park.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Mangalore, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
3. Madurai
With one of the oldest histories in India dating back to the 3rd Century B.C., Madurai is fondly called the ‘Athens of the East’. It is the city of temples, Tamil and tradition and is certainly worth a visit.
- Distance – Madurai is 439 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 44
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Madurai by road, rail and air.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the city are Sri Meenakshi Temple, Pazhamudhir Solai, Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, Gandhi Museum, Aayiram Kaal Mandapam, Thirumalai Nayakar Mahal, Vaigai Dam and Idaikattur Church.
- Things to do – Go temple hopping in the city, visit the mountains that surround the city, shop for sarees from a traditional store and bullion bazaar, eat the original Madurai Idly Shop, and buy a book from the Gandhian Literature Society Bookshop.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Madurai, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
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4. Kodaikanal
Located in Dindigul of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal has earned the name the ‘Princess of the hills’ with its beautiful landscape. It has long been a getaway for people who needed to escape the heat of the plains and continues to be one today as well. The town has a number of scenic attractions that nature and adventure lovers will enjoy.
- Distance – Kodaikanal is 468 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 44
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Kodaikanal by road and rail.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the town are the Kodaikanal Lake, Berijam Lake, Coaker’s Walk, Kurunji Andavar Temple, Bryant Park, Chettiar Park, Shembaganur Museum of Natural Historical, Silent Valley View Point, and Guna Cave.
- Things to do – Trek to the Pillar Rocks, trek to Dolphin’s Nose, take a boat ride on the Kodaikanal Lake, shop from the Anna Salai Market and take a bicycle tour of the town.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Kodaikanal, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
5. Munnar
Nestled away in the mist covered hills of Idukki is Munnar, a popular hill station in Kerala. The town is perfect for honeymooners, solo travelers, families, and groups. There are several protected areas within the hill station that protects wildlife. You can visit them with special permission.
- Distance – Munnar is 480 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 44
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Munnar by road and rail.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the town are Mattupetty Dam, Photo Point, Attukal Waterfalls, Pallivasal Falls, Lock Heart Gap, CSI Christ Church, and the Tea Gardens.
- Things to do – Trek to spots like Echo Point and Top Station, spot wildlife at a sanctuary, take a bike ride on the hills of Munnar, have a picnic at the Lakkam Waterfalls, and try rock climbing and rappelling.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Munnar, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
Long Weekend Getaways from Bangalore – 500+ km
1. Vagamon
Vagamon is another treasure in the Idukki Hills of Kerala. This town remains untouched by commercialization and is still a quiet getaway that’s perfect for adventure and nature lovers. The town boasts beautiful valleys, meadows, pine forests and mist-covered tea estates.
- Distance – Vagamon is 555 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 44
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Vagamon by road. Choose a direct bus to the city or travel by car or bike.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the town are Kurisumala Ashram, the Indo-Swiss Project Dairy Farms, Vagamon Meadows, Maramala Waterfalls, and Mooppanpara.
- Things to do – Attend the paragliding and parasailing festival, go trekking.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Vagamon, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
2. Alleppey
Alappuzha, commonly known as Alleppey, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kerala. It is fondly called the ‘Venice of the East’, thanks to its famous tranquil backwaters, lagoons and clean beaches. It is known for its snake boat race every year during Onam, ayurvedic massages and houseboats.
- Distance – Alleppey is 560 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 544
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Alleppey by road, rail and air.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the town are the Alappuzha Beach, Pathiramanal, Vembanad, Krishnapuram Palace, Revi Karuna Karan Memorial Museum, Alappuzha Lighthouse and Amaze World.
- Things to do – Take a ride on a houseboat, take a tour of the backwater villages, take a bicycle trip around the town, go church hopping.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Alleppey, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
3. Goa
Goa is the perfect definition of a weekend getaway with its beautiful beaches, amazing nightlife, great food and friendly locals. It’s the perfect place for families, couples, solo travellers, and foreigners. Everything from its night markets to beach shacks makes this a great place to travel to.
- Distance – Goa is 558 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 48
- Places To Visit – A few places to visit in Goa are Baga Beach, Basilica of Bom Jesus, Shantadurga Temple, Church of St. Francis of Assisi, Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, Chapora Fort, and Dudhsagar Falls.
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Goa by road, rail and air.
- Things to do – Go church hopping, visit the beaches of North Goa, try a few water sports at Calungate Beach, try the local cuisine, and shop from the Mapusa Night Market.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Goa, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
4. Kovalam
Located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kovalam is a tranquil beach town that will charm city slickers everywhere. The three rocky beaches of this town form the crescent shape of the Kovalam Beach. You can enjoy a dip in the sea, a massage on the beach, and special programs here. You can also enjoy the city’s fresh and delicious seafood.
- Distance – Kovalam is 729 km from Kempegowda Bus Stand via NH 44
- How to get there – You can travel from Bangalore to Kovalam by road, rail or air.
- Places to visit – A few places to visit in the town the Lighthouse Beach, Hawah Beach, Samudra Beach, Vellayani Lake, Halcyon Castle, Neyyar Dam, Kovalam Art Gallery, and Vizhinjam Rock Cut Cave Temple.
- Things to do – Get an ayurvedic massage, try catamaran cruising at the beach, shop for souvenirs at the street markets, attend the Gramam Village Fair, and do a little yoga at Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Dhanwanthari Ashram.
- Where to stay – Book Hotels in Kovalam, prices starting from INR 999/ night.
So the next time you have a long weekend coming, take some time to plan a great vacation. These 12 places are accessible and charming in their own way. Tell us which places you’ve visited and if you think we’ve left something out, share it with us in the comments section.
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