Published Date: January 10, 2024
Apart from being called ‘the land of sandalwood’, we prefer calling Karnataka ‘the land of paradise’ in South India. Because the attractions in Karnataka are countless, unique, and adorable.
The state is vastly covered by forests and, thus, houses more than ten wildlife sanctuaries and five national parks. Besides, it includes mesmerizing hill stations that depict the beauty of western ghats, pristine beaches, heritage-rich monumental sites, and divine pilgrimage centers. With no further delay, let’s dive into the top seven places to visit in Karnataka when you plan for your holidays this year.
Top Seven Karnataka Tourist Places To Visit
- Coorg
- Bangalore
- Mysore
- Madikeri
- Chikmagalur
- Hampi
- Gokarna
Explore the South India tour packages from the best travel agency in India!
Coorg
You might have known this hill station either as the highest coffee producer in India or one of the places that receives the highest rainfall. Yes, this is one of the best hill stations in Karnataka that you cannot miss. It has three wildlife sanctuaries and one national park. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year and hence, this is perfect for trekking activities.
Places to visit in Coorg: Talacauvery (Cauvery River origination), Abbey Falls, Thandiyandamole Peak, Omkareshwara Temple, and Dubare.
Best time to visit: October to June
Bangalore
With the penetration of more industries, commercial centers, and IT or tech-based firms, this city has evolved from ‘a garden city’ into ‘the Silicon Valley of India.’ This is the capital city of Karnataka and has many attractions that talk about history. Notably, the chieftain of Yelahanka, ‘Kempa Gowda’ founded the current, modern Bengaluru.
Bangalore city tourist spots: Nandi Hills, Cubbon Park, Vishveswaraiah Museum, ISKCON Temple, Tipu Sultan’s Bangalore Palace, Bannerghatta National Park, Lalbagh Garden, and Vidhana Soudha.
Best time to visit: November to April
Mysore
Mysore has a special place in history, as the state itself was called ‘Mysore State’ earlier. Commonly called ‘the City of Palaces,’ Mysore Palace is the most renowned one. If you’re planning a 3 day trip in Karnataka, then you must choose this city. Dussera, the festival of ‘good over evil’ is celebrated in this city.
Best time to visit: November to June
Attractions in Mysore: Mysore Palace, Brindavan Garden, Chamundi Hill Temple, Srirangapatna, Mysore Zoo and more.
Madikeri
This hill station is profoundly rich in flora and fauna and is declared one of the eight ‘hottest hotspots’ of biological diversity globally. You can reach this tourist spot only by road. Indeed, the best of the Karnataka tourist places!
Places to visit in Madikeri: Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat, Chikli Hole Dam, General Thimmaiah War Museum, Hassan, Mandalpatti View Point, Sri Omkareshwara Temple, and Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary.
Best time to visit: September to April
Chikmagalur
This is one of the most famous hill stations in Karnataka. According to history, Chikmagalur means ‘the land of the younger daughter.’ And there is a place in this hilly landscape called the ‘Hiremagalur’ that means ‘the land of elder daughter.’ Since the 1600s, coffee and tea have been the major occupations here on this mountain.
Attractions in Chikmagalur: Baba Budangiri, Hirekolale Lake, Belavadi, Manikyadhara Falls, Kemmanagundi, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Mulliyangiri, Ayyanakere Lake, and Horanadu.
Best time to visit: October to March
Starline Travels, the leading tour company, offers Karnataka tour packages of your choice and budget. Get your personalized itinerary from them now!
Hampi
It is an ancient village that’s recognized as one of UNESCO’s world heritage sites in India. It is situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra River and was once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 1300s. The Hampi festival is conducted every year in November for two days and it is a must-attend one!
Places to visit in Hampi: Virupaksha Temple, Hemakuta Hill, Vittala Temple, Lotus Palace, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, and Hampi Bazaar
Best time to visit: November to March
Gokarna
It is the best destination if you’re planning a 1 day trip in Karnataka. Though the attractions are fewer when compared to other tourist places in the state, you can get the most out of Gokarna Beach and a handful of temples.
Temples to visit in Gokarna: Sri Mahabaleshwar Temple (House of Atmalinga), Varadaraja Temple, Maha Ganapathi Temple, and Bhadrakali Temple
Beaches to visit in Gokarna: Kudle Beach (the largest), Gokarna Beach, Paradise Beach, Half Moon Beach, and Om Beach.
Best time to visit: November to February
Travel tip: Tourists can combine two cities so that they get to cover the maximum number of sites in a single trip. For example, Bandipur-Mysore and Bangalore Mysore tourist places are the nearby spots and well-known combinations chosen by most travelers.