36 Weekend Road Trips To Astonishing Destinations From Bangalore

Located in the Southern region of Karnataka, Bangalore lies in the centre of East Coast, West Coast, Southern Most Tip, Eastern Ghats, Western Ghats & many National Parks of the Country. If you are looking for weekend getaways to rejuvenate yourself, then here is a list of 36 trips (with one-way distance) that you can take from Bangalore:

1. Mysore (145 km)

Mysore, which also served as the capital of the Kingdom of Mysore for nearly six centuries, is a beautiful and peaceful city enriched with cultural values and a modern lifestyle.

Places to visit: Mysore Palace, Brindavan Garden, KRS Dam, Chamundi Hills, Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, Karanji Lake, St. Philomena's Cathedral, Srirangapatna

2. Shravanabelagola (145 km)

Shravanabelagola, situated in the Hassan district of Karnataka, is one of the most important pilgrimage destinations in Jainism. A 57 ft. Gomateshwara Bahubali statue, located on the hill, is so tall that it can be seen from 30 km away.

Places to visit: Vindhyagiri Hill, Chandragiri Hill

3. Yercaud (205 km)

Yercaud is a small hill station nestled in the Eastern Ghats in the Salem District of Tamil Nadu. The town is like a paradise surrounded by flora and fauna.

Places to visit: 32-km Loop Road, Yercaud Lake, Pagoda Point, Kiliyur Waterfall, Tipperary View Point, Lady's Seat, Anna Park

4. Bandipur National Park (220 km)

Bandipur National Park, located in the Chamarajanagar District of Karnataka, is a tiger reserve & the largest habitat of the Wild Elephants in South Asia. It is a route to the major tourist destination of Ooty & is banned for traffic from 9 PM to 6 AM.

Things to do: Jungle Safari, Jungle Lodges, Jungle Trek

5. Madumalai National Park (230 km)

Mudumalai National Park, located in the Nilgiris District of Tamil Nadu, is also a tiger reserve that shares its boundary with Bandipur National Park on the north. It is also banned for traffic from 9 PM to 6 AM.

Things to do: Jungle Safari, Jungle Lodges, Jungle Trek

6. Nagarhole National Park (250 km)

Nagarhole National Park, located in Kodagu district and Mysore district in Karnataka, is another tiger reserve spread south towards Kerala.

Things to do: Jungle Safari, Jungle Lodges, Jungle Trek

7. Chikmagalur (245 km)

Chikmagalur, located in Karnataka, is settled on the foothills of the Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka. The city attracts tourists from around the state for its pleasant and favorable hill station climate, tropical rainforest & coffee estates.

Places to visit: Seethalayanagiri, Mullayanagiri, Dabdabe Falls, Honnammana Halla Waterfalls, Baba Budangiri, Coffee Museum, Hirekolale lake, Hebbe Falls

8. Coorg (250 km)

Coorg, officially known as Kodagu, is a hill town in Karnataka. It is well known for its breathtakingly exotic lush greenery, forest-covered hills, spice & coffee plantations.

Places to visit: Namdroling Monastery(Golden Temple), River Rafting, Abbey Falls, Talacauvery, Raja’s seat, Honnamana Kere Lake, Tadiandamol Peak, Coffee Plantation

9. Wayanad (280 km)

Wayanad is the most prominent hill station in Northern Kerala. It is home to a few of the existing tribals, the lush green forests, astonishing waterfalls, clean rivers & earth dams.

Places to visit: Chembra Peak, Soochipara Waterfalls, Phantom Rock, Edakkal Caves, Kuruvadweep, Banasura Sagar Dam, Lakkidi View Point

10. Ooty-Coonoor (265 km)

Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a popular hill station located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu. Coonoor, the second largest town, sits next to its superior and contributes equally to the charm of Nilgiris.

Places to visit: Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, Tea Factory & Museum, Botanical Garden, Avalanche Lake, Emerald Lake, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Dolphin's Nose View Point, Lamb's Rock View Point, Sim's Park

11. Coimbatore (310 km)

Coimbatore, located on the banks of the Noyyal River, serves as the gateway to the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu. The city is one of the biggest industry setups of South India and is home to many ancient & modern temples.

Places to visit: Adiyogi Shiva Statue, Vydehi Waterfalls, Velliangiri Hill Temple, Marudhamalai Hill Temple,Gedee Car Museum, TNAU Botanical Garden

12. Valparai (465 km)

Valparai is a hill station on the Anaimalai Hills range of the Western Ghats in the Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu. It stands majestically with Green Spread Mountains and forest all around.

Places to visit: Monkey Falls, Nallamudi Viewpoint, Karumalai Balaji Temple, Karumalai Annai Velankanni Church, Aaliyar Dam, Chinnakallar Falls, Loam's View Point, Tea Estates

13. Kodaikanal (465 km)

Kodaikanal is a hill town in the Dindigul District of Tamil Nadu. It’s set in an area of granite cliffs, forested valleys, lakes, waterfalls & grassy hills.

Places to visit: Kodai Lake, Dolphin's Nose, Mountain View Point, Echo Point, La Salette Church, Coaker's Walk, Pillar Rock View, Guna Cave, Pine Tree Forest, Poombarai Village

14. Munnar (495 km)

Munnar, also known as the Kashmir of South India, is a hill station in the Western Ghats mountain range in Kerala. Munnar is famous for the valleys covered with tea plantations established in the late 19th century, hiking trails.

Places to visit: Eravikulam National Park, Anamudi View Point, Tea Museum, Mount Carmel Roman Catholic Church, Mattupetty Dam, Echo Point, Top Station, CSI Christ Church, Blossom International Park, Attukkad Waterfalls

15. Vagamon (555 km)

Vagamon is a small hill station in the Idukki district of Kerala. The town, surrounded by valleys on all sides, is a gorgeous hill station where one can enjoy the experience of paragliding.

Places to visit: Vagamon Lake, Vagamon Meadows, Pine Hill, Kurisumala, Mundakayam Ghat, Pattumalai Church, Maramala Waterfalls

16. Kochi (550 km)

Kochi is a coastal city in Kerala. It has been a port since 1341 when a flood carved out its harbor and opened it to Arab, Chinese and European merchants.

Places to visit: Fort Kochi, Mahatma Gandhi Beach, Willingdon Island, Veeranpuzha Lake and Backwaters, Marine Drive, Santa Cruz Basilica, Cherai Beach

17. Alleppey (595 km)

Alleppey, a city on the Laccadive Sea in Kerala, is best known for the houseboats, backwaters, a network of tranquil canals and lagoons & clean beaches.

Places to visit: Houseboats, Alleppey Backwaters, Alappuzha Beach

18. Varkala (680 km)

Varkala is located in the Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala & is the only cliff beach in India. It is also known as the Pearl of the Arabian Sea.

Places to visit: Varkala/Papanasam Beach, Varkala Cliff, Varkala Lighthouse, Varkala Tunnel

19. Thiruvananthapuram (685 km)

Thiruvananthapuram, commonly known as Trivandrum, is the capital of Kerala. It is an ensemble of age-old heritage, culture & quaint urban charm with many scenic places to visit.

Places to visit: Neyyar Dam & Wildlife Sanctuary, Poovar Island, Veli Beach, Padmanabhaswamy Temple, Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Shanghumukham Beach, CSI Christ Church, Jatayu Earth's Center

20. Kovalam (725 km)

Kovalam is a coastal town in the Thiruvananthapuram District of Kerala. It is famous for its three adjacent crescent-shaped shallow water and low tidal beaches.

Places to visit: Lighthouse Beach, Eve's/Hawah Beach, Samudra Beach, Kovalam Lighthouse

21. Kanyakumari (665 km)

Kanyakumari, a city in Tamil Nadu, is the southernmost town in mainland India & is famous for its beaches, temples, iconic monuments.

Places to visit: Kanyakumari Beach, Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Thiruvalluvar Statue, Thanumalay Temple - Sthanumalayan Kovi, Kumari Amman Temple, Lord Subramanya Temple, Vattakottai Fort, Sanguthurai Beach

22. Tirupati (250 km)

Tirupati, located in the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, is known for Lord Venkateshwara Temple that is one of the most visited pilgrimage centers in the country.

Places to visit: Sri Venkateshwara Temple, Padmavathi Temple, Govindaraja Temple, Kodandarama Temple, Akasaganga Teertham, Kapileswara Temple, Kapila Theertham

23. Chennai (350 km)

Chennai, on the Bay of Bengal in eastern India, is the capital of Tamil Nadu. The city is one of the largest cultural, economic & educational centers of South India. It is famous for the temples, museums, monuments, culinary delights & urban coast.

Places to visit: Marina Beach, Government Museum, Breezy Beach, Marundeeswarar Temple, Valluvar Kottam, Elliot's Beach, ISKCON Temple, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Vivekananda House, VGP Golden Beach

24. Pondicherry (310 km)

Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry, is a Union Territory surrounded by Tamil Nadu. It is a lively destination that offers everything like colonial architecture, popular eateries & cafes, beaches, a beautiful seaside promenade.

Places to visit: Auroville, Auroville Beach, Serenity Beach, Aurobindo Ashram, Rock Beach, French Colony, Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Paradise Beach

25. Kathadi (555 km)

Kathadi is located near Rameswaram in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu. It is one of the most emerging beach destinations in India. Kathadi is still a raw & untouched beach destination with crystal clear water.

Things to do: Beach Resort, Water Sports

26. Rameswaram (585 km)

Rameswaram, a Hindu pilgrimage destination & a part of the Char Dham, is situated on Pamban Island separated from mainland India by the Pamban channel in the Ramanathapuram district of Tamil Nadu.

Places to Visit: Ramanathaswamy Temple, Dhanushkodi Beach, Pamban Bridge, Abdul Kalam House, Kalam National Memorial, Burial Place of Abdul Kalam

27. Mangalore (352 km)

Mangalore is the major port city of Karnataka & is located between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats mountain range. It is a coastal urban settlement with cultural essence like folk music & dance, local cuisines & festivals.

Places to Visit: Panambur Beach, Kudroli Temple, St Aloysius Chapel, Kadri Manjunath Temple, Tannirbhavi Beach, Milagres Church, New Mangalore Port, Ullal Beach

28. Udupi (405 km)

Udupi is a coastal city & one of the fastest-growing cities in Karnataka. It is a center of pilgrimage & also lends its name to the famous Udupi cuisine.

Places to Visit: St. Mary's Island, Malpe Beach, Krishna Temple, Chandramouleshwara Temple

29. Murudeshwar (490 km)

Murudeshwar, located in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka, is home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva (123 ft) in the world.

Places to Visit: Murudeshwar Temple, Murudeshwar Beach, Netrani Island, Murudeshwar Fort

30. Gokarna (515 km)

Gokarna, a small town in the North Karnataka region, is home to a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva & many clean beaches. The coast is popular among backpackers with beachside shacks to stay.

Places to Visit: Mahabaleshwara Temple, Gokarna Beach, Kudle Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Paradise Beach

31. Goa (560 km)

Goa is the smallest state in the country & is the most popular beach destination known for its endless beaches, stellar nightlife, world-heritage listed architecture. It attracts as many international tourists as it does Indians.

Places to Visit: North Goa, Old Goa, Panaji, South Goa, Dudhsagar Waterfalls

North Goa: Baga Beach, Calangute Beach, Candolim Beach, Aguada Fort, Arambol Beach, Vagator Beach, Anjuna Beach, Chapora Fort

Old Goa: Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral, Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception Church

Panaji: Dona Paula, Casino Ship

South Goa: Colva Beach, Palolem Beach, Cavelossim Beach, Mabor Beach

32. Jog Falls (405 km)

Jog Falls, a waterfall in the Western Ghats, is located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka. It is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India. It is best to go during the Monsoon season to see the fall in its full form.

Places to visit: Jog falls, Holebagilu, Sigandhur, Sri Chowdeshwari Temple

33. Dandeli (460 km)

Dandeli is a town located in the Uttar Kannada district of Karnataka. Dandeli is one of the renowned destinations for river rafting in the Southern region of India.

Places to visit: Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary, Honey Park, Supa Dam, Mini Tibet, Syntheri Rocks, Magod Falls, Kavala Caves

34. Hampi (345 km)

Hampi is located in the Vijayanagara District of Karnataka. It was the center of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century. Today, Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage and attracts many tourists from all over the globe because of its history and rich culture.

Places to visit: Virupaksha Temple, Vithala Temple, Lotus Palace, Big Shivalinga, Queen's Bath, Elephant Stables, Monolith Bull, Hampi Bazaar, Matanga Hill, Anjaneya Hill, Hippie Island

35. Gandikota (285 km)

Gandikota, a village situated on the right bank of the Penna River in the Kadapa District of Andhra Pradesh, is popular among tourists because it is home to the Grand Canyon of India.

Places to visit: Grand Canyon, Gandikota Fort, Jamia Maszid, Raghunathaswamy Temple, Madhavaraya Temple, Belum Caves

36. Hyderabad (570 km)

Hyderabad, the capital city of Telangana, is situated on the Deccan Plateau in the northern part of South India. Hyderabad is famous for the historical nizam culture, Andhra cuisines, lakes, temples & mosques.

Places to visit: Charminar, Ramoji Film City, Hussain Sagar Lake, Golconda Fort, Birla Mandir, Lumbini Park, NTR Gardens, ISKCON Temple, Amareswara Temple, Mecca Masjid, Nizams Museum

The itinerary is ready & all you need is the intent to go out there and explore. Please drive carefully & do not litter.

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Note: Credits of all photographs to the original photographers.

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