Karnataka tourism offers an appealing assortment of tourist destinations and everything to offer a discerning traveller. Its diverse tourist attractions include lofty hill stations, tranquil beaches, historical and heritage sites, wildlife sanctuaries and national parks, holy temples, roaring waterfalls, etc. The land of sandalwood, spices, silks, and cultural extravaganza, Karnataka has much to offer tourists.
The four divisions of Karnataka tourism
Karnataka tourism is divided geographically into four parts: North Karnataka, the Hill Stations, Coastal Karnataka, and South Karnataka.
Karnataka tourism: North Karnataka (Heritage & Pilgrimage)
Heritage sites and historical locations consisting of temples, monuments and architectural wonders form a significant part of North Karnataka. The most popular ones include
- Hampi (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
- Badami
- Aihole
- Mahakuta
- Belagavi (Belgaum)
- Ballari
- Bidar
- Gadag
- Pattadakal
- Gulbarga
- Haveri
- Vijayapura (Bijapur)
- Dharwad
Different rulers like the Badami Chalukyas, Rashtrakutas, Kalyani Chalukyas, Vijayanagara, Kadambas, Deccan Sultanates, etc, influenced the heritage structures in North Karnataka. Hence, the influence of their architectural expertise is evident in Hindu temples, Jain Basadis, Buddhist temples, Mausoleums, temple tanks, etc. The Virupaksha temple and the ruins of Hampi, the Badami cave temples, Ravana Phadi cave at Aihole, Mallikarjuna and Kasivisvanatha temples at Pattadakal, Gol Gumbaz at Bijapur, Kamal Basadi etc are a few marvels to name.
Karnataka tourism: Hill stations of Karnataka
The hill stations of Karnataka are undeniably appealing aspects of Karnataka tourism. Undulating hills, lush greenery, mist-kissed peaks, and serene retreats call for an enjoyable holiday. The most sought-after hill stations in Karnataka are Coorg and Chikmagalur. Coorg is known as the Scotland of India. As per popular belief, Baba Budan first introduced coffee in Chikmagalur, India.
These are a few well-known ones, while many others are less explored.
- Coorg
- Chikmagalur
- Kemmanagundi
- Kudremukh
- Agumbe
Karnataka tourism: Coastal Karnataka (Beaches & temples)
Coastal Karnataka, which forms a significant part of Karnataka tourism, comprises beaches and pilgrimage sites. Karnataka’s coastline, Karavali, stretches across three districts: Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada. It stretches 320 km between Mangalore in Dakshina Kannada district and Karwar in Uttara Kannada district. Bhatkal alone has eight beaches. Karnataka’s coastline is formed along the eastern shore of the Arabian Sea. Furthermore, one can see mountains to the east of the beaches of Malpe, Maravanthe, Gokarna, Murudeshwar, and Kumta. The sights are scenic, and tourists can bask in the sun and enjoy the greenery together.
The Netrani island of coastal Karnataka is popular for its coral reef, while S. Mary’s island is well known for its basalt rock formations. Coastal Karnataka stretches to about 300 km and is the seat of Hindu and Jain pilgrimage.
Beaches
Some of the pristine beaches of Karnataka, among the many others, are
- Gokarna Beach (Gokarna)
- Om Beach (Gokarna)
- Kudle Beach (Gokarna)
- Malpe Beach (Udupi)
- Kaup Beach (Udupi)
- Padubidri Beach (Udupi)
- Mattu Beach (Udupi)
- Maravanthe Beach (Kundapur)
- Ullal Beach (Mangalore)
- Surathkal Beach (Mangalore)
- Murudeshwar Beach (Murudeshwar)
- Devbagh Beach (Karwar)
Temples
Karnataka is one of the best places to explore the beauty of temples in South India. Many of its temples date back to hundreds of years ago. Whether you are a pilgrim or simply interested in admiring temple architecture, Karnataka won’t let you complain by any means. Some important pilgrimage centres that form an essential aspect of Karnataka tourism are in Coastal Karnataka. Among its significant temples are
- Udupi (Hindu)
- Gokarna (Hindu)
- Sringeri (Hindu)
- Karkala (Hindu & Jain)
- Moodabidre (Hindu & Jain)
- Venur (Jain)
- Dharmastala (Hindu & Jain)
- Kollur (Hindu)
- Murudeshwar (Hindu)
- Kukke Subramanya (Hindu)
- Kateel Durga Parameshwari (Hindu)
Karnataka tourism: South Karnataka (A unique mix of all)
In terms of Karnataka tourism, South Karnataka is a magnificent mix of temples with Hoysala architecture, Jain monuments, palaces and colonial buildings in Mysore, forts, and wildlife sanctuaries. The Gommateswara statue in Shravanabelagola is very popular and attracts a lot of visitors. Some of the noteworthy places of tourist interest in South Karnataka include its capital city, Bangalore. The city is known for its parks, pubs, restaurants, shopping, etc.
- Mysore
- Belur
- Halebidu
- Shravanabelagola
- Srirangapatna
- Melukote
- Talakadu
- Bhadravathi
- Chitradurga
- Devarayana Durga
- Coorg
Major Tourist Hubs in Karnataka
Karnataka is dotted with a number of tourist hubs that provide diverse attractions for the explorers. One of the major tourist hubs of Karnataka is its capital city, Bengaluru. The silicon valley of the country is a melting pot of ethnic diversity. The city stands out with its malls, theatres, parks, lakes, gardens, cafes, pubs, IT companies, palaces, museums, and other attractions.
Mysore, another popular tourist hub, exhibits an influence of the Raj era. It is scattered with architectural splendour and natural beauty. The coastal city of Mangalore remains surrounded by major pilgrimage centres like Udupi, Horanadu, and Dharmasthala. Places like Hassan, Halebidu, Badami, Hospet, and Belur are known for their exquisite temples, forts, and historical structures. They capture the essence of the bygone eras.
The picturesque hill station of Coorg is an ideal destination for a romantic getaway. The plantations and scenic beauty of Chikmagalur have made it popular among tourists from all over the world. But the high point of Karnataka tourism remains Hampi. The ruined seat of the Vijayanagara Empire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands testimony of the grandeur and artistic flair of the opulent empire.
Government Initiatives to Boost Tourism in Karnataka
Karnataka has the maximum number of tourist destinations in the country. It is among India’s top ten tourist destinations. The state has received more than 100 million tourists in the last five years. During this period, the tourism sector in the state witnessed a growth of 50%.
The government launched the Tourism Policy 2015-2020 to encourage mega tourism projects in the state. To further boost the tourism and hospitality sector in Karnataka, the state government has undertaken many initiatives. Some of the major initiatives for Karnataka tourism are as follows:
- Providing infrastructure and other facilities at tourist destinations through Karnataka Tourism Infrastructure Limited.
- Development of tourism facilities in Mysore, Chamarajanagara, Kodagu, and Mandya districts through Cauvery Tourism Development Authority.
- Enabling of investment in the state tourism sector through the Karnataka Tourism Trade Facilitation Bill.
- Enlisting rating agencies to evaluate the quality of service providers in the state tourism industry.
- Allowing cruise tourism at various ports like Belekeri Port, Malpe Port, Karwar Port, Tadri Port, and new and old Mangalore Ports.
- Development of tourism related infrastructure like the Hidkal Dam and the Malaprabha Dam at Belgaum, the Gorur Dam at Hassan, and the Manapalla Lake at Udupi.
- Construction of theme parks at various places in the state.
- Proposals to establish cable cars at Nandi Hills, Madhugiri, Chamundi Hills, and Kemmannugundi Hills.
- Initiatives to facilitate adventure sports at places like Udupi, Mandya, Davangere, and Shivamoga.
- Identification of 46 destinations as part of the project called Adoption of Tourist destinations.
- Providing concessions and subsidies to investors and operators in the tourism sector.
Diverse Attractions in Karnataka
Karnataka has countless natural attractions and man-made wonders to woo tourists. It also offers numerous attractions for those interested in adventure and wildlife activities. Some of the varied attractions of Karnataka tourism are as follows:
Palaces
Karnataka has been under the rule of many empires and dynasties. The rulers left behind their imprints on the landscape of Karnataka through various structures, including many palaces. Even today, the palaces reflect the past glory of those eras. A visit to the palaces in Karnataka will offer you a glimpse into the bygone world of the royalty. Some of the famous palaces of Karnataka are:
- Mysore Palace, Mysore
- Bangalore Palace, Bengaluru
- Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore
- Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, Srirangapatna
- Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore
Forts
The forts in Karnataka are a reflection of the might and strength of the state’s erstwhile rulers. Built by rulers of various dynasties, some of them date back to thousands of years. Vijayanagara, Mysore, Badami, Srirangapattan, Chitradurga, Gulbarga, and many other ancient capitals of the state had grand forts. Some of the well-known forts of the state are:
- Chitradurga Fort
- Bijapur Fort
- Bidar Fort
- Gulbarga Fort
- Badami Fort
- Bellary Fort
- Kittur Fort
- Raichur Fort
Wildlife Sanctuaries and National Parks
The state has dense forests teeming with wildlife. There are 21 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 national parks in Karnataka. They are home to diverse species of flora and fauna. If you are a wildlife enthusiast, you must not miss visiting some of these wildlife destinations when on a trip to Karnataka. A few wildlife sanctuaries and national parks of the state are:
- Bannerghatta National Park
- Nagarhole National Park
- Bandipur National Park
- Anshi National Park
- Kudremukh National Park
- Arabithittu Wildlife Sanctuary
- Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
- Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
- Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary
Historical Monuments and Heritage Sites
The state of Karnataka is the right place for history buffs to travel to. It has more than 25000 historical monuments and heritage sites that are worth visiting. Each monument is a reminiscence of the state’s rich past. When in Karnataka, be sure to check out some of the monuments and heritage sites of the state, such as:
- Hampi Group of Monuments
- Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur
- Raja’s Tomb in Madikeri
- Group of Monuments in Pattadakal
- Badami Cave Temples, Badami
- Ibrahim Rauza, Bijapur
- Somnathpur Heritage Site, Somnathpur
Waterfalls
Karnataka is blessed with gorgeous waterfalls that add to its scenic beauty. One can find various types of waterfalls in Karnataka. Some of them offer a mesmerizing sight throughout the year and some are seasonal beauties. If you are not aware about the fascinating waterfalls of the state, then start with exploring the handful of them mentioned below:
- Jog Falls, Shimoga
- Shivasamudram Falls, Mysore
- Abbey Falls, Coorg
- Dabbe Falls, Shimoga
- Kadambi Falls, Kudremukh
- Iruppu Falls, Mysore
- Jomlu Theertha Falls, Udupi
- Sural Falls, Belgaum
- Viboothi Falls, Karwar
- Honnemaradu Falls, Shimoga
Adventure Sports Destination
For enthusiasts of adventure sports, Karnataka has a lot to offer. With hundreds of trekking destinations, the state is a major draw for trekkers. Rock climbing, white water rafting, boating, coral riding, sky diving, cave exploration, parasailing, kayaking, scuba diving, angling, and biking are some of the other adventure sports that can be experienced across various destinations in the state. If you have the spirit of adventure in you, then you must explore at least a few of the adventure sports destinations of Karnataka, such as:
- Trekking and cave exploration, Anthargange
- Cauvery fishing camp, Bheemeshwari
- White water rafting, Dandeli
- Rock climbing, Badami
- Ranganathaswamy Betta Trek
- Parasailing, Murudeshwar
- Wildlife Safari, Nagarhole
- Rock climbing, Ramanagara
- River rafting, Sitanadi, Agumbe
- Coracle rides, Shivanasamudra Falls
- Cycling to Nandi Hills
- Skandagiri Trek
- Rock climbing, Hampi
- White water rafting, Gokarna
- Kudremukh Trek
- River rafting, Kabini
The list of tourist attractions in Karnataka is endless. Unearth the tourist destinations in the state by embarking on an exciting journey of Karnataka tourism.
Also See
Sightseeing in Karnataka
- Major tourist spots in Karnataka
- Near By Bangalore
- Beaches in Karnataka
- Dams in Karnataka
- Forts in Karnataka
- Rivers in Karnataka
- Water Falls in Karnataka
- Trekking in Karnataka
- Adventure Sports in Karnataka
- Golden Chariot
- Kaveri Tours – 8 Places to See Along the Kaveri River
- Cave Temple in Karnataka – The Top 8 You Should Visit
- Palace Queen Humsafar Express – Connecting Two Historically Rich Cities
- How Hampi and Anegundi Found their Place in Ramayana Circuit