Bengaluru
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At a glance
- Country
- India
- Region
- Karnataka
- Population
- 8.4 million
- Best time to go
- October to February
- Main airport
- Kempegowda International (BLR)
- Coordinates
- 12.97°N, 77.59°E
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Overview
Bengaluru, still often called Bangalore, is India's technology capital and one of its most cosmopolitan cities. At around 900 metres above sea level, it has a mild climate that made it a favourite of the British and now of start-up founders.
The traffic is legendary, but so are the parks, the South Indian breakfasts and the craft beer. It is also a good starting point for the palaces of Mysore and the hills of Karnataka.
Things to see
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Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Shmunmun assumed (based, Public domain Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Historic gardens laid out in the 18th century, with a glasshouse modelled on London's Crystal Palace.
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Photo: Augustus Binu / facebook, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cubbon Park
A large green park in the city centre, framed by red colonial buildings and busy with walkers in the morning.
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Photo: Chuggingtrails, CC BY-SA 4.0 Bangalore Palace
A Tudor-style royal residence with turrets and battlements, inspired by Windsor Castle.
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Photo: Shrishailctalukar, CC BY-SA 4.0 Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
A teak palace from the 18th century with carved arches and a small museum, near the old fort.
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Photo: Yashaswi.jayakumar, CC BY-SA 4.0 Vidhana Soudha
The imposing granite seat of the state legislature, floodlit on Sunday evenings.
Things to do
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Photo: Sangram Keshari Senapati, CC BY-SA 4.0 South Indian breakfast
Queue for crisp masala dosas and idlis at long-established restaurants in Basavanagudi and Malleshwaram.
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Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 2.0 Craft beer
Bengaluru has more brewpubs than almost anywhere in India, clustered around Indiranagar and Koramangala.
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Photo: Sakshiawasthi09, CC BY-SA 4.0 Sunrise at Nandi Hills
An early drive north to watch the sun rise over the clouds from an old hill fort.
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Photo: Muhammad Mahdi Karim, GFDL 1.2 Day trip to Mysore
The ornate Mysore Palace, especially when lit up, is about three hours away by train or road.
Find tours
Where to stay
MG Road
Central, with good hotels, shopping and the Metro on the doorstep.
Hotels in MG RoadIndiranagar
Leafy and fashionable, full of restaurants, bars and boutiques.
Hotels in IndiranagarKoramangala
A young, lively area popular with tech workers, with plenty of places to eat.
Hotels in KoramangalaMalleshwaram
A traditional neighbourhood with temples, markets and classic eateries.
Hotels in Malleshwaram
Getting around
The Namma Metro avoids the worst traffic. Auto-rickshaws and app taxis cover the rest; allow plenty of time at peak hours.
The airport is about 35 kilometres north of the centre, around an hour by taxi or by the airport bus service.
When to go
October to February is dry and pleasantly cool. March to May is warmer, and the monsoon brings regular rain from June to September, though rarely extreme heat.
Plan your trip to Bengaluru
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.