Heritage
Bangalore Palace
A turreted, Tudor-revival palace built in 1887 for the Mysore royal family, still privately owned by the Wadiyars. Completed in 1887 for Chamaraja Wadiyar X, Bangalore Palace was styled after Windsor Castle with battlemented towers, arched verandahs and Gothic wood-panelled interiors spread across some 45,000 square feet. It remains private property of the Mysore royal family, and its manicured grounds display royal-era portraits, carved furniture and hunting trophies while regularly hosting concerts and exhibitions.
Weather & Best Time to Visit
Overview
Completed in 1887 for Chamaraja Wadiyar X, Bangalore Palace was styled after Windsor Castle with battlemented towers, arched verandahs and Gothic wood-panelled interiors spread across some 45,000 square feet. It remains private property of the Mysore royal family, and its manicured grounds display royal-era portraits, carved furniture and hunting trophies while regularly hosting concerts and exhibitions. Bangalore Palace sits at an elevation of 936 m and is typically explored in about 1-2 hours. The most favourable months to visit are December, January, November, and July, when conditions are best suited for sightseeing. Nearby points of interest include The Armoury Gallery, Durbar Hall, and The Banquet Hall. Other notable highlights include wooden carved ceilings in the Durbar Hall, stained glass windows with peacock motifs, and victorian-era chandeliers in the ballroom. It falls within Bengaluru, Bengaluru Urban district, and Karnataka, India.
Highlights
- Wooden carved ceilings in the Durbar Hall
- Stained glass windows with peacock motifs
- Victorian-era chandeliers in the ballroom
- Royal portraits of the Wadiyar dynasty
- Sprawling lawns around the fortified towers
- Gothic arches and turreted exterior views
Getting There
Things To Do
Walk the Palace Perimeter Wall Path
Take a gentle stroll along the outer boundary wall (outside the main gate) to see the palace’s rear turrets, the old guard rooms, and the iron gates with royal emblems. This is a low-effort loop that offers a different perspective of the fortress-like design, and you can rest on the stone benches under the rain trees.
30 minutes
Guided Heritage Walk through the Palace Interiors
Stroll through the ornate Durbar Hall, banquet rooms, and royal bedrooms, where guides point out carved woodwork, stained glass, and vintage portraits of the Wodeyar dynasty. You’ll learn how the palace’s Tudor-style turrets and battlements were inspired by Windsor Castle.
1.5 hours
Visit the On-Site Souvenir and Craft Kiosk
Browse small stalls near the ticket counter that sell miniature palace replicas, postcards, and local Karnataka handicrafts like sandalwood carvings and silk scarves. It’s a quick, shaded stop to pick up a memento without leaving the palace premises.
20 minutes
Admire the Royal Collection of Art and Antiques
View the palace’s permanent display of eclectic European and Indian paintings, antique furniture, and old hunting trophies, including a grand piano and crystal chandeliers that belonged to the royal family. Look closely for the faded frescoes on the upper walls that depict scenes from Hindu mythology.
45 minutes
Attend a Special Exhibition or Cultural Event (Seasonal)
The palace often hosts temporary art exhibitions, classical music evenings, or vintage car displays in its inner courtyard, especially during winter months. Check the board at the entrance for current schedules, as these events allow you to see parts of the palace not usually open.
1 to 2 hours
Photography Session in the Palace Courtyard and Gardens
Capture the dramatic red-brick facade with its crenellated towers, arched verandas, and manicured lawns from the outer grounds, which are open for visitors. The best shots are from the front driveway, where the full castle-like silhouette stands against the sky.
30 minutes
Travel Tips
Carry your own water bottle, hat, and light snack, but eat outside the palace
There are no food stalls inside the palace, and the nearest cafés are about a 10-minute walk away. Bring sealed water bottles and a few biscuits or fruits in a small bag—you can sit on the lawns near the exit for a quick break, but avoid eating inside the heritage halls to keep them clean.
Arrange a pre-booked van or auto for pick-up and drop-off at the main gate
The parking area is a short but uneven walk from the palace entrance, and there is no shaded waiting area. For groups with seniors, pre-arrange a private vehicle to drop you right at the ticket gate and pick you up from the same spot, and keep the driver’s number handy for an easy exit.
Book tickets online in advance to skip queues
Purchase your entry tickets on the Karnataka government tourism website or at the counter early in the morning. For senior and group travellers, this saves at least 30–45 minutes of standing in the sun, and you can also check for senior citizen or group discounts.
Wear flat, non-slip shoes and use the provided audio guides
The palace has marble floors, uneven steps, and long walkways inside, so sturdy footwear is essential. Ask for the audio guide at the entrance—it lets you move at your own pace, and you can rest on the benches in the courtyard while listening, instead of straining to hear a live guide.
Visit during the first hour after opening for cooler, quieter halls
The palace opens at 10:00 AM, and the interiors can get stuffy and crowded by midday. Arrive by 9:45 AM, use the washrooms before entering, and plan to finish your tour by 12:30 PM to avoid peak heat and tour bus rush.
Frequently Asked Questions
There is a small café and a few snack kiosks near the entrance and in the garden area, but they offer limited items like tea, coffee, and packaged snacks. Clean restrooms are available near the ticket counter and at the exit, but they are basic, so it’s wise to use them before entering the main building.
Photography is allowed inside the palace, but only with a paid camera ticket (around 210 rupees for a still camera). Video cameras and tripods are not permitted inside, and flash photography is banned to protect the interiors; mobile phone photography is allowed without extra charge.
The palace is open to visitors from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM every day of the week. The entry fee for Indian nationals is around 230 rupees, while foreign nationals pay about 460 rupees; camera charges are extra, so carry cash or a card for the ticket counter.
Most visitors spend about 1 to 1.5 hours exploring the palace and its grounds. Audio guides are available in English, Kannada, and Hindi at the ticket counter, but there are no fixed human guides; you can also hire a private guide outside for a small fee if you prefer a personal narration.
The ground floor of the palace is mostly accessible with ramps, but the upper floors and some courtyards have stairs without lifts. There are benches and shaded gardens outside the palace where seniors can rest, but inside, the walk is about 30-40 minutes, so wear comfortable shoes and take breaks as needed.
Suggested Itineraries
2 Days in Bangalore Palace
Day 1
Begin your exploration with a deep dive into the heart of the city’s royal heritage. Spend the morning at the majestic Bangalore Palace, marvelling at its Tudor-style architecture, intricate woodcarvings, and sprawling grounds. In the afternoon, ease into the local culture with a visit to the nearby Cubbon Park and the State Central Library, perfect for a leisurely stroll under old trees.
- Guided walk through Bangalore Palace interiors, including the Durbar Hall, banquet hall, and the collection of royal portraits and artefacts.
- Relaxed stroll through Cubbon Park, enjoying the shaded lawns and colonial-era statues.
- Visit the Attara Kacheri (High Court building) and the red Gothic-style building from outside, with a short photo stop.
Day 2
On your second day, complement the palace visit with the city’s other iconic landmarks and green spaces. Start with a morning visit to the Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, a beautiful Indo-Islamic structure, then move to the serene Lalbagh Botanical Garden for a peaceful walk among rare trees and the glasshouse. End your day with a visit to the vibrant KR Market for a taste of local life, followed by a relaxed evening at a traditional Karnataka-style meal.
- Explore Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, with its teak pillars and ornate balconies.
- Morning walk through Lalbagh Botanical Garden, including the 300-year-old tree and the iconic glasshouse inspired by London’s Crystal Palace.
- Short visit to KR Market (Krishnarajendra City Market) to see fresh flowers, spices, and local produce; optional stop at the nearby Dodda Ganapathi Temple.
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