13 Awesome Places to Visit in Karnataka

Karnataka is a state that is blessed with varied landscapes. On one hand you have the coast and on the other side are rivers and lakes. Beautiful landscapes and a welcoming hospitality have made Karnataka a popular tourist destination in India.

The state has many places to explore and enjoy tourist activities. While all of them are good, there are a few places that stand out. Here is our guide to the best places to visit in Karnataka.

Popular Tourist Places in Karnataka

1. Bangalore and Nandi Hills

From a trendy nightlife to shopping, adventure sports and sightseeing, in Bangalore you have a lot to do and see.  There are nice places to see near Bangalore too, one of them is the Nandi Hills. The hills are frequently visited by adventure sports lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. Trekking is a popular pastime activity at the Nandi Hills.

• • Best Time to Visit: October to February

• • Places to Explore: Cubbon Park, Commercial Street, Bull Temple, Malleswaram, Lalbagh Botanical Garden

• Great For: Sightseeing, Nightlife, Adventure Sports

2. Coorg

Coorg is excellent for a short getaway in Karnataka. The hill station is well known for its coffee plantations that are great for exploring. The exotic scenery and the lush hills in Coorg are ideal for trekking. There are some great places to see too and you can enjoy delicious yummy local food in Coorg.

• • Best Time to Visit:  October and March

• • Places to Explore: Namdroling Monastery, Talakaveri Temple, Mallalli Falls, Talakaveri

• Great For: Trekking, Nature Walks

3. Hampi

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is famous for its ancient temples and ruins of the Vijayanagar Empire. Being a small city, Hampi can be explored in a day. You can either walk or choose to go on a cycle to tour the city.

In Hampi, you can shop for handmade bags, leather crafts and musical instruments, too.

• • Best Time to Visit:  September to March

• • Places to Explore: the Virupaksha Temple, Matanga Hill and the Achyutaraya Temple

• Great For: Shopping, Sightseeing

4.  Mysore

Mysore is a city entrenched in royal history and it is a popular tourist destination in Karnataka. The city is blessed with stunning temples and enthralling buildings and there is a lot of opportunity for sightseeing in Mysore.

The city is also great for shopping, with lovely local products. On the outskirts of Mysore is the Chamundeshwari Temple, an ancient temple that has cultural connections with Mysore.

• • Best Time to Visit: October to March

• • Places to Explore: Mysore Palace, Chamundeshwari Temple

• Great For: Sightseeing

5. Gokarna

Gokarna is Karnataka’s answer to Goa. The beaches in this town are fantastic and great for a day out in the sun. You could choose to laze around or indulge in a few water sports at the beaches.

There are ancient temples to see, too. The place is well connected by road and rail to important places in Karnataka and Goa, so getting here is pretty easy.

• • Best Time to Visit:  October to March

• • Places to Explore: Om Beach, Mahabaleshwara Temple, Mirjan Fort

• Great For: Beaches, Sightseeing, Adventure Sports

6. Chikmagalur

If you need to escape the city life, we suggest packing your bags and heading out to Chikmagalur. A haven of relaxation, the weather is nice for most parts of the year and the lush green surroundings set the right note for adventure sports. If you love coffee or long walks, visit one of the pristine coffee plantations in Chikmagalur.

• • Best Time to Visit: September to April

• • Places to Explore: Manikyadhara Falls, Kudremukh

• Great For: Relaxed Holidays, Nature Trails

Other Tourist Places in Karnataka

7. St. Mary’s Islands (Coconut Island)

Beautiful and scenic, the St. Mary’s Island near Udupi is a nice place for a holiday, the place is a haven of peace and quiet. The beach on the island has pristine white sand, gorgeous rock formations and sky-blue sea. There are a few local shops selling food and other necessities, besides this, there is nothing much on the island.

• • Best Time to Visit: September to February

• • Places to Explore: The Beach

• Great For: Relaxed Holidays

8. Nagahole National Park

The Nagahole National Park is a large wildlife reserve in Karnataka. This place is home to many wild animals and plants. The best way to explore is by embarking on the jeep safari that is held daily. There is also a small section in the park that is often used for trekking.

• • Best Time to Visit: August to January

• • Things to do: Go on a jeep safari

• Great For: Trekking

9. Belur

Belur is a great place to explore in Karnataka. The town is home to amazing temple and constructions with traces of typical Indian architecture. Most of the temples in Belur were constructed during the reign of the Hoysala Empire. Although the town was attacked my Mughals, most of the temples still remain intact to this day.

A must visit the site in this town is the Belur Temple Complex, this is where the main temples in Belur are situated.

• • Best Time to Visit: November to February

• • Things to do: Temple spotting

• Great For: Sightseeing

10. Halebid

Halebid is located close to Belur and is yet another temple town in Karnataka. The main temple in Halebid is the Hoysaleswara Temple.

The unique feature of this temple is that it has two shrines on one platform. Most temples in Halebid are beautiful constructions with excellent artwork and inscriptions.

• • Best Time to Visit: October  to March

• • Things to do: Temple spotting

• Great For: Sightseeing

11. Murudeshwar

Located on the south coast of Karnataka, Murudeshwar is a beach town. Here you can see the second largest Shiva statue in the world. The coastal town is noted for its temples and architecture as well.

Other major attractions in Murudeshwar are water and adventure sports and beaches. There is also the Murudeshwar Fort to explore.

• • Best Time to Visit: September to March

• • Things to do: Adventure Sports, Temple Spotting  

• Great For: Sightseeing

12. Kabini

Kabini offers tourists a unique wildlife experience. Besides spotting a variety of wildlife species, at Kabini, you can enjoy adventure sports as well. Boating, river rafting and elephant rides are three popular adventure sports that one can enjoy at Kabini.

• • Best Time to Visit: September to March

• • Places to Explore: Kabini Wildlife Sanctuary, Kabini Dam

• Great For: Sightseeing, Wildlife Excursions

13. Dandeli

Dandeli is a haven for adventure sports in Karnataka. The place offers tourists magnificent water sports facilities. In the waters of Dandeli, you can enjoy rafting, boating and canoeing down thrilling rapids. The place is also great for sightseeing, nature trails and wildlife spotting. There is a crocodile park in Dandeli as well as a lake where you can fish.

• • Best Time to Visit: September to March

• • Places to Explore: Crocodile Park Kali River

• Great For: Sightseeing, Watersports

These places complete our list of the best tourist places to see in Karnataka. Do you agree with us on this list? Would you add in some places or hidden gems that are yet to be explored? We would love to know your thoughts in the comments section below.