Best Tourist Attractions of Karnataka
Previously, Karnataka was referred to as the State of Mysore. Karnataka’s beaches, Mysore Palace, Hampi, Badami, Aihole, Pattadakal, Coorg, Shivanasamudra Falls, Jog Falls, various wildlife sanctuaries, etc. are some of the state’s best-known tourist destinations. There are numerous eastward and westward-flowing rivers in Karnataka.
Karnataka, a country renowned for its silks, spices, and sandalwood, makes for an unforgettable experience. Karnataka’s tourism stands out for its wide range of attractions, which include beaches, national parks, and places of worship.
Top 10 Tourist Attractions of Karnataka
1.Bangalore
Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, is known as the “Silicon Valley of India” and is renowned for its beautiful natural surroundings thanks to the numerous parks that surround it. This vibrant Karnataka capital city is a stunning fusion of tradition and modernity, and it exudes energy.
Due to the presence of numerous IT companies, it is known as the industrial city of Karnataka. Nevertheless, the city’s parks and gardens must be its main draw. It also goes by the name “Garden City.” Furthermore, the city has one of the highest growth rates in India, ranking second overall.
Major Attractions of Bangalore
- Bangalore Palace.
- Government Museum.
- Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace.
- Lal Bagh Botanical Gardens.
- Nandi Hills.
- Cubbon Park.
- National Gallery Of Modern Art.
- Ulsoor Lake.
2.Mysore
The second-most populous and third-largest city in Karnataka is Mysore, formerly Mysuru. Mysore, the former seat of the Kingdom of Mysore, is located directly at the base of the Chamundi Hills. Mysore has the title of Cultural Capital of Karnataka thanks to its rich cultural environment.
Mysore is referred to as the “City of Palaces,” the “Heritage City,” and the “Cultural Capital of Karnataka” because of its heritage buildings and palaces, including the well-known Mysore Palace. It is also referred to as “Pensioners’ Paradise” due to its spotless and serene atmosphere.
Major Attractions of Mysore
- Mysore Palace
- Jagmohan Palace
- Karanji Lake
- Melody World Wax Museum
- Railway Museum
- St. Philomena Church
- Chamundi Hills And Chamundeshwari Temple
3. Coorg
A heavenly location, situated halfway between Mangalore and Mysore, is Coorg. With its evergreen forests, spice fields, and coffee plantations, it is without a doubt God’s home. From September to March, the weather is pleasant, attracting a lot of visitors.
Coorg is known as the “Coffee Bowl” of the nation because it produces nearly 40% of all the coffee consumed there. Many refer to this region as the “Scotland of India” due to its breathtaking natural beauty. Despite complaints about environmental degradation, Coorg has managed to preserve its pristine natural beauty.
Major Attractions of Coorg
- Nagarhole National Park
- Abbey falls
- Raja’s Seat
- Dubare Elephant Camp
- Brahmagiri Peak
- Omkareshwara Temple
- Iruppu Falls
4. Hampi
In the fourteenth century, Hampi served as the Vijayanagara Empire’s capital. It was a city with defences. According to records left by Persian and European explorers, particularly the Portuguese, Hampi was a thriving, affluent city with many temples, farms, and trading markets close to the Tungabhadra River.
It is one of the Indian world heritage sites that has been recognised by UNESCO. It is one of the most well-known archaeological sites in India. Royal residences, temples, towers, roads, and statues are all dispersed over a sizable area in the town of Hampi, which is located in a remote area.
Major Attractions of Hampi
- Vijaya Vittala Temple
- Virupaksha Temple
- Lotus Mahal
- Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple
- Hampi Bazaar
- Hippie Island
- Queen’s Bath
- Matanga Hill
- Elephant Stables
- Monolithic Bull
- Badavilinga Temple
- Zanana Enclosure
- Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
5. Mangalore
The city is the largest coastal urban centre in the state and serves as the administrative centre of the Dakshina Kannada district. The Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea form the eastern and western boundaries of Mangalore, respectively.
The magnificent beaches, varied culture, and seaports of Mangalore are well known. Additionally, it is a significant business hub and one of India’s cleanest cities.
Major Attractions of Mangalore
- Jamalabad Fort
- Bejai Museum
- Sultan Battery
- New Mangalore Port
- Pilikula Nisargadhama
- Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park
- Kadri Hill Park
- Milagres Church
- Sasihithlu Beach
- Kudroli Gokarnath Temple
- Surathkal Beach
- Rosario Cathedral
- Mangaldevi Temple
6.Chikmagalur
Chikmagalur is located on the Deccan plateau in the foothills of the Western Ghats in the Malenadu region of Karnataka. It is the third-highest city in Karnataka due to its elevation of 1,090 metres (3,580 feet) above mean sea level.
The lovely district of Chikmagalur is located in western Karnataka. Its pleasant climate and coffee plantations are the main draws. The Bababudan Giri ranges are another well-known attraction in Chikmagalur.
Major Attractions of Chikmagalur
- Mullayanagiri
- Jhari Falls
- Hebbe Falls
- Kemmangundi
- Z point
- Ayyanakere Lake
- Amrutesvara temple
- Bhadra Wildlife sanctuary
- Baba Budangiri
- Manikyadhara Falls
- Hirekolale lake
- Coffee Museum
7.Bijapur
The district seat of India’s Karnataka state’s Bijapur district is Bijapur, also referred to as Vijayapura. It serves as the administrative centre for Bijapur Taluk. The Adil Shahi dynasty produced many significant historical and architectural monuments in the city of Bijapur.
Major Attractions of Bijapur
- Shivgiri Temple
- Ibrahim Rauza Tomb
- Jumma Masjid
- Uppali Buruz
- Barah Kaman
- Almatti Dam
- Malik-i-Maidan
- The Archaeological Musuem
8. Hubli-Dharwad
In the Indian state of Karnataka, the twin cities of Hubballi and Dharwad are located. After the capital and second-largest city in the state of Karnataka, Hubli-Dharwad constitutes the second-largest municipality in the state of Karnataka in terms of area. The second-largest urban agglomeration in the state after the capital is Hubli-Dharwad.
Hubli is a significant commercial hub for the trade in cotton and iron, in addition to being a well-known historic town. Popular Hubli attractions like Unkal Lake, Nrupatunga Hill, and the Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden must be seen.
Major Attractions of Hubli-Dharwad
- Chandramouleswara Temple
- Banashankari Temple
- Navagraha Teertha
- Nrupatunga Hill
- Unkal Lake
- Indira Gandhi Glasss house Garden
- Siddharoodha Math
9.Gulbarga
In the past, GULBARGA was referred to as “Kalaburgi,” which is Kannada for “stony land.” The Gulbarga district is located in Karnataka State’s northern region. Gulbarga was formerly a district of the Hyderabad-Karnataka area before joining Karnataka State as a result of state reorganisation.
It has well-known religious buildings like the Buddha Vihar, the Sharana Basaveshwara Temple, and the Hazrath Khwaja Banda Nawaz Dargah. Additionally, it has a fort constructed under Bahmani rule. The Haft Gumbaz (consisting of seven domes altogether) and the Shor Gumbad are additional Bahmani structures. The biggest cannon in the world is in Kalaburagi.
Major Attractions of Gulbarga
- Gulbarga Fort
- Khwaja Bande Nawaz Dargah
- The Buddha Vihar
- Sharana Basaveswara Temple
- Chandrampalli Dam
- Haft Gumbaj
- Jama Masjid
10. Badami
It is renowned for both its structural temples, such as the Bhutanatha Temples, Badami Shivalaya, and Jambulingesvara Temple, as well as its rock-cut monuments, such as the Badami Cave Temples. It is situated at the base of a rough, red sandstone outcrop that encircles Agastya Lake in a ravine.
Badami is delightfully hidden between two rocky hills at the mouth of a ravine. Badami’s beautiful sculptures and sandstone cliffs suggest a variety of historical legends. Four rock-cut caves nearby are ornamented with antique, carved pillars and bracket figures made of red sandstone.
Major Attractions of Badami
- Badami Cave Temples
- Agastya Lake
- Badami Fort
- Aihole
- Bhutanatha Temples
- Archaeological Museum Badami
- Akka Tangi Falls
- Lower Shivalaya
- Mallikarjuna Temple
- Upper Shivalaya