Are you planning a 3 days trip to Bangalore? The city has so much to offer you. Well, the Garden city welcomes tourists all through the year. This capital city blends history and heritage with natural beauty and technology. There is something for everyone here.
If you’re on a short visit to the city, you need to plan your itinerary carefully to ensure that you do not miss out on any of the important points of interest. Remember that Bangalore is not a small city and distances and traffic can add up. Hence, try visiting places that are close by together. Here are the things you must do on your trip to Bangalore.
3 Days Trip to Bangalore – Day 1
On day one of your trip, visit the following places:
Bangalore Palace, Palace Road
The facade of the Bangalore Palace does not look like any other Indian palace. Instead, you might feel as though you stepped through a time-travelers portal into England. The palace was originally Rev. Garrett’s home. In 1873, it was bought by Maharaja Chamarajendra Wadiyar X. The palace was designed, constructed and completed by 1878.
Some parts of the palace were added on later by subsequent rulers. The palace is designed in the Tudor style of architecture. It is characterized by fortified battlements, towers and turrets. The palace interiors are decorated with carved floral motifs in wood, relief paintings and patterned walls. The highlights of the palace include stained glass windows, crystal chandeliers, the Wadiyar Coat of Arms, trophies and paintings by Raja Ravi Verma.
Quick Facts
- Visit duration: 2-3 hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 5.30 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 230 (Indians) INR 460 (Foreigners)
- Address: Palace Road, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru – 560052 (MAP)
St. Mary’s Basilica, Shivaji Nagar
3 km from the Bangalore Palace is St. Mary’s Basilica and one a 3 days trip to Bangalore, this should be on your list. This is not only one of the oldest churches in Bangalore but also one of the oldest churches in Karnataka. It is the only church in Karnataka to be made a minor Basilica. The church dates back to the 17th century but the structure present today was built only in 1875.
The church was designed in the gothic style of architecture with multiple columns, arches and spires. The stained glass windows are a sight not to be missed. Mass is held at the Church every day and hence it is advisable to check the timing before one visits.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 30minutes
- Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Msgr. F. Noronha Road, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru- 560051 (MAP)
Bangalore Fort, KR Road
6 km south of St Mary’s Basilica is the Bangalore Fort. The fort was first built as a mud fort in 1537 by Kempe Gowda I. In 1761, it was rebuilt in stone and enlarged by Haider Ali. The fort is designed to have a long perimeter with a deep ditch running alongside. There are 26 towers placed at regular intervals along this perimeter.
The fort has many gates with the Delhi Gate in the north and Mysore Gate in the south being the most prominent. The gates were ornate and large enough for elephants to pass through. Unfortunately, when the British captured the fort, they demolished parts of it. All that remains today is the Delhi Gate and two bastions.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 1 hour
- Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 5 (Indians) INR 100 (Foreigners)
- Address: KR Road, New Tharagupet, Bengaluru – 560002 (MAP)
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, KR Road
Tipu’s Summer Palace. Image courtesy Sanimator2014
Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace was originally contained within the Bangalore Fort. The palace was designed in a blend of Indian and Islamic architectural styles. It was built in the 18th century and was later used as the British secretariat. The palace is built completely in teak wood. A number of fluted pillars support the two-storeyed structure. 4 rooms on the ground floor have been converted into a museum.
The highlights of this museum are a painting of the throne conceptualized by Tipu Sultan, war missiles, the sultan’s clothes ornamented with gold and silver and a number of silver vessels. An art gallery on the premises displays a number of paintings, photographs, pictures, and sculptures of the bygone era.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 1 -2 hours
- Timings: 8.30 AM – 5.30 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 15 (Indians) INR 200 (Foreigners)
- Address: KR Road, New Tharagupet, Bengaluru – 560002 (MAP)
3 Days Trip to Bangalore – Day 2
On day 2 of your trip to Bangalore head to the following places:
Lal Bagh, Lalbagh Road
Bangalore is rightly called the city of Gardens. Lal Bagh is a garden unlike any other. It is spread over 240 acres and has over 1800 plant species growing within it. The garden has been nationally and internationally recognized for its efforts towards plant conservation, scientific study of plants and botanical artwork. Lal Bagh was conceptualized by Haider Ali is 1760.
However, it was brought to life by his son, Tipu Sultan. Some of the noteworthy features within the garden are the flower clock, tree fossil, lake, Lalbagh rock, and aquarium. The garden also has a glass house that was built in a style inspired by the Crystal Palace in England. Do add this place to your 3 days trip to Bangalore.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 1 -2 hours
- Timings: 6 AM – 7 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 20/-
- Address: Lalbagh Road, Wilson Garden, Near BMTC Office, Bengaluru- 560004 (MAP)
Dodda Ganeshana Gudi, Basavanagudi
This temple, also known as the Nandi Temple is the biggest Nandi Temple in the world. Nandi is a bull who was the attendant to Shiva. The temple was built in 1537 is the Vijayanagara style of architecture. The current tower over the shrine was added on later in the 20th century. The Nandi statue contained within it is a monolith that sits on a plinth. It is approximately 15m tall and 20m long. Over 100kg of butter is used to cover the Nandi statue.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 1 -2 hours
- Timings: 6:00 AM – 12:00 PM, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Bull Temple Road, Basavanagudi, Bengaluru – 560004 (MAP)
Government Aquarium, Shanthala Nagar
Also known as the Bangalore Aquarium, this is the second largest aquarium in India. The aquarium was established in 1983 and has a number of ornamental and exotic fish on display. This includes Siamese Fighters, Red Tail Shark, Catla, Goldfish, Angel Fish, Eels and Freshwater Prawns.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 2-3 hours
- Timings: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: INR 10
- Address: Kasturba Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Shanthala Nagar, Bengaluru – 560001 (MAP)
Commercial Street, Shivaji Nagar
Commercial Street is in the heart of Bangalore. A walk down this road will help you understand the cosmopolitan, inclusive nature of Bangalore. The street is one of the busiest markets in Bangalore. Shops here deal in everything from high fashion and jewelry to electronics. A number of restaurants and cafes are also located here.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: NA
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Tasker Town, Shivaji Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001
Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park, Raj Bhawan Road
The Indira Gandhi Musical Fountain Park is located about 3km east of Commercial Road. The park is known for the musical dancing fountain. A 25-minute show begins each evening at 7 pm. The show is a combination of fountain patterns, visual display, music, color and lights. This fountain was commissioned in 1996 and remains popular even today. Along with the fountain, the park also contains a garden spread over 17 acres.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 30 minutes
- Timings: 10 AM–4 PM, 5–8:30 PM. The Park is closed on Mondays
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Opp Jawahar Lal Nehru Planetarium, Raj Bhawan Road, Bengaluru – 560052 (MAP)
Cubbon Park, Kasturba Road
It is said that if you spend less than an hour in Cubbon Park, you have not seen everything in the park. The park is also known as Sri. Chamarajendra Park. Cubbon Park is just around the corner from the Aquarium and is often referred to as the lungs of Bangalore.
The park is spread over 100 acres and is divided into open green spaces, formal gardens, terraced gardens, a bandstand, lotus pond, bamboo grove, rosary and Ringwood circle. It is home to more than 6000 trees. Parts of the park have motorized roads and hence if you’re short on time, you may choose to drive through the park. A toy train is also operational within the park.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 1-2 hours to walk through
- Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Kasturba Road, Behind High Court of Karnataka, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru – 560001 (MAP)
3 Days Trip to Bangalore – Day 3
On day 3, after the Zoo visit, you can head to the Hulimavu cave temple and end the visit to the city by spending some time at the peaceful at this magnificent temple.
Bannerghatta National Park, Bannerghatta
Technically speaking, Bannerghatta National Park is outside Bangalore but your visit will not be complete until you have been here. This park was founded in 1970 and was declared a national park 4 years later in 1974. Part of the park is a biological reserve known as the Bannerghatta Biological Park. Apart from the safari park, this park contains a pet corner, a zoo, an animal rescue center, an aquarium, a snake house and a butterfly enclosure.
Over 100 bird species have been spotted in the park. The animals that live here include elephants, leopards, seer, the Asiatic lion, Bengal tigers, and peacocks. The butterfly enclosure is India’s first butterfly park. There are over 20 different types of butterflies that live here. Safaris begin at 9 am and take roughly 45 minutes.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: Half a Day
- Timings: 9.30 AM – 5 PM
- Entry Fee: Entry fees vary depending on nationality, days of the week and part of the park to be visited.
- Address: Bannerghatta Road, Bannerghatta, Bengaluru – 560083 (MAP)
Hulimavu Cave Temple, Hulimavu
The Hulimavu Cave Temple is centuries old. The cave was discovered by a contractor who was instructed by a sage in the Nandi Hills to find a similar sage in Bangalore. His search ended when he found Sri Ramanand Swamiji meditating in the cave. Finding a cave with water was a rare phenomenon.
The contractor, Mariappa Swamiji then built a temple within the cave and later a Samadhi for the sage. The temple contains a Shiva Linga in the center with a Devi idol on one side and an idol of Ganesha on the other. The walls of the cave are decorated with carvings and murals.
Quick Facts
- Visit Duration: 1 hour
- Timings: 6 AM – 8 PM
- Entry Fee: NA
- Address: Hulimavu, Bengaluru – 560076 (MAP)
So, pack your bags and plan a 3 days trip to Bangalore. You can rely on KSRTC buses or private taxi services like Ola or Uber to Navigate through the city. You can also book auto rickshaws via Ola or Uber.
Also See
Things to do at Bangalore
- Amusement and Water Parks near Bangalore
- 5 Top Children’s Parks in Bangalore
- Shopping in Bangalore
- Bangalore City Tour – 7 Places to Visit On A One Day Trip
- 5 Interesting Places near Bangalore You Can Reach in Less Than 2 Hours
- About Bengaluru
- The National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore – A Must-visit
Adventure Sports in Bangalore
- Brahmagiri Hill Trekking
- Makalidurga Trek
- Rock climbing in Ramanagara
- Rock climbing in Savandurga
- Rock climbing in Turahalli
- White Water Rafting in Bheemeshwari
- Paragliding in Nandi Hills
- Trekking in Savandurga
Day Trips and Weekend Trips from Bangalore
- 5 Interesting Places near Bangalore You Can Reach in Less Than 2 Hours
- 8 Offbeat Weekend Getaways near Bangalore
- 10 Offbeat Resorts to Stay around Bangalore for a Weekend
- 10 Adventure Camps For A Thrilling Day Trip From Bangalore