3 Days in Bengaluru
Planning 3 days in Bengaluru? Discover Bengaluru's royal heritage, serene gardens, and spiritual landmarks in this unhurried 3-day itinerary, blending history, nature, and local flavors. It includes a detailed day-wise schedule, activities, meal suggestions, transportation tips and an estimated budget to help you plan your trip with less guesswork.
Day 1
Day 1
Explore the city's regal past and green spaces, starting with the majestic Bangalore Palace, the historic Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, and the lush Lalbagh Botanical Garden. End with a leisurely evening at Cubbon Park and a glimpse of the illuminated Vidhana Soudha.
Activities
- Bangalore Palace
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
- Lalbagh Botanical Garden
- Cubbon Park and Vidhana Soudha (evening view)
Meals
- •Breakfast at MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room)
- •Lunch at a local Kannadiga restaurant
- •Dinner at Koshy's or a rooftop restaurant
Day 2
Day 2
Delve into spirituality and local culture with visits to the Bull Temple and ISKCON Bangalore, followed by a relaxing afternoon at the serene Manchanabele Dam. Return to the city for a peaceful evening, perhaps exploring a local market.
Activities
- Bull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi)
- ISKCON Bangalore (Sri Radha Krishna Temple)
- Manchanabele Dam (optional day trip)
- Local market stroll (e.g., Chickpet or Commercial Street)
Meals
- •Breakfast at a traditional South Indian eatery
- •Lunch at a vegetarian restaurant near ISKCON
- •Dinner at a local biryani joint
Day 3
Day 3
Embrace nature and adventure with a sunrise trip to Nandi Hills, followed by a visit to the exotic Bannerghatta National Park. If time permits, consider a scenic drive to Ramanagara or Savandurga for a short trek, but keep the pace relaxed.
Activities
- Sunrise at Nandi Hills
- Bannerghatta National Park (safari and zoo)
- Optional: Ramanagara or Savandurga viewpoint
- Relaxing evening in the city
Meals
- •Breakfast at Nandi Hills or en route
- •Lunch at a resort or park canteen
- •Dinner at a local specialty restaurant
Detailed Timeline
Day 1
8 activities
Morning
Breakfast at MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room)
Start the day with a traditional South Indian breakfast at MTR, a legendary eatery since 1924. Try the rava idli, dosa, and filter coffee. Expect a queue on weekends; arrive early. Cost: ₹200–₹400 per person.
Bangalore Palace
Explore the Tudor-style Bangalore Palace, built in the 1870s-80s for the Wadiyar family, inspired by Windsor Castle. Wander through opulent rooms, ornate ceilings, and a sprawling garden. Entry fee: ₹500 for Indians (₹250 for students), ₹1000 for foreigners. Audio guides available. Allow 1.5–2 hours. Note: Photography inside is restricted.
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
Visit the Indo-Islamic wooden palace built in the 1780s-90s, once part of Bangalore Fort. Admire the ornate teak pillars, floral motifs, and balconies. Entry fee: ₹20 for Indians, ₹200 for foreigners. It's a small site; spend about 45 minutes. The palace is in a bustling area, so keep belongings secure.
Afternoon
Lunch at a local Kannadiga restaurant
Enjoy a traditional Karnataka thali with dishes like ragi mudde, sambar, and palya. Head to a restaurant like 'Karnataka Bhavan' or 'Hallimane' near the palace. Cost: ₹300–₹500 per person. After lunch, take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Lalbagh.
Lalbagh Botanical Garden
Spend a leisurely afternoon in this 240-acre garden founded in the 1760s under Hyder Ali and expanded by Tipu Sultan. Visit the glasshouse modeled on London's Crystal Palace, the ancient 2000-year-old tree, and the tranquil lake. Entry fee: ₹50 for Indians, ₹300 for foreigners. The garden is vast; wear comfortable shoes. Allow 2–3 hours.
Cubbon Park
Stroll through the 300-acre Cubbon Park, laid out in 1870, adjoining the High Court and Vidhana Soudha. Enjoy the lush greenery, statues, and the historic bandstand. It's free to enter. You can also visit the nearby Visvesvaraya Museum (closed Mondays) if interested. Spend about an hour.
Evening
Vidhana Soudha (exterior view)
Walk to the Vidhana Soudha, the Neo-Dravidian granite building completed in 1956, housing the state legislature. It's not open to casual tourists, but the view from outside is impressive, especially when illuminated after sunset. The best photo spot is from the Cubbon Park side. Note the contrast with the Attara Kacheri (High Court) opposite.
Dinner at Koshy's or a rooftop restaurant
For a colonial-era vibe, dine at Koshy's on St. Mark's Road, a heritage café since the 1940s, with continental and South Indian dishes. Alternatively, choose a rooftop restaurant like 'The High Ground' for city views. Cost: ₹500–₹800 per person. After dinner, return to your hotel for a restful night.
Day 2
7 activities
Morning
Breakfast at a traditional South Indian eatery
Start with a hearty breakfast at a local spot like 'Vidyarthi Bhavan' in Basavanagudi, famous for its crispy dosas. Arrive early to avoid long queues. Cost: ₹150–₹300 per person. Then head to the Bull Temple.
Bull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi)
Visit this 16th-century Dravidian-style temple built by Kempe Gowda I, housing a monolithic granite Nandi statue. The temple is serene and less crowded in the morning. No entry fee, but donations are welcome. Dress modestly and remove footwear before entering. Spend about 45 minutes.
ISKCON Bangalore (Sri Radha Krishna Temple)
Drive to the majestic ISKCON temple in Rajajinagar, one of the largest ISKCON complexes in the world. Explore the main shrine, the cultural center, and the 'Gopala's' restaurant. Entry is free, but a small fee for camera (₹50) may apply. The complex is vast; allow 1.5–2 hours. Note the temple's architecture and the peaceful ambiance.
Afternoon
Lunch at a vegetarian restaurant near ISKCON
Enjoy a pure vegetarian meal at 'Gopala's' within the ISKCON complex or at nearby 'Sattvam' restaurant. Try the thali or paneer dishes. Cost: ₹200–₹400 per person. After lunch, you can also visit the temple's gift shop for souvenirs.
Manchanabele Dam (optional day trip)
If you're up for a scenic drive, head to Manchanabele Dam, about 40 km west of the city. The dam offers a peaceful reservoir with views of the Savandurga hills. It's a popular spot for picnics and photography. No entry fee, but parking may cost ₹50. The drive takes about 1.5 hours each way. Alternatively, if you prefer to stay in the city, visit the nearby Dodda Ganesha Temple or the Basavanagudi market.
Return to the city and explore a local market
After returning, take a relaxed stroll through Chickpet or Commercial Street for shopping. Look for silk sarees, handicrafts, and trinkets. Bargaining is common. If you're not shopping, enjoy a coffee at a local café like 'Indian Coffee House'.
Evening
Dinner at a local biryani joint
End the day with a flavorful biryani at a well-known spot like 'Biryani Zone' or 'Meghana Foods'. Try the chicken or mutton biryani with raita. Cost: ₹300–₹500 per person. After dinner, return to your hotel.
Day 3
8 activities
Morning
Early morning departure to Nandi Hills
Set off early (around 4 AM) to reach Nandi Hills (about 60 km from Bengaluru) in time for sunrise. Hire a cab or drive; the journey takes about 1.5 hours. The hilltop is about 1,478 meters above sea level. Entry fee: ₹50 for Indians, ₹500 for foreigners (subject to change). Carry a light jacket as mornings can be cool.
Sunrise at Nandi Hills
Witness the spectacular sunrise from the summit. Explore the ancient hilltop fort, the Amrutha Sarovar lake, and the Tipu's Drop viewpoint. Spend about 2 hours soaking in the views and fresh air. There are small stalls for tea and snacks, but it's best to carry water.
Breakfast en route or at Nandi Hills
Have a light breakfast at the hilltop stalls or at a restaurant on the way back, such as 'The Nandi Upachar' near the foothills. Try idli-vada or upma. Cost: ₹100–₹200 per person. Then proceed to Bannerghatta National Park.
Bannerghatta National Park
Visit this national park (about 25 km from Nandi Hills, but 50 km from city center) known for its zoo, safari, and butterfly park. Opt for the bus safari to see lions, tigers, and bears. Entry fee: ₹100 for Indians (zoo), ₹400 for safari. The park is large; plan to spend 2–3 hours. Note: The safari may have long queues on weekends; book tickets online in advance.
Afternoon
Lunch at a resort or park canteen
Have lunch at the park's food court or a nearby resort like 'Bannerghatta Jungle Lodge'. Options include simple Indian meals. Cost: ₹200–₹400 per person. After lunch, you can visit the butterfly park (extra fee) or take a short nature walk.
Optional: Ramanagara or Savandurga viewpoint
If you're not too tired, drive to Ramanagara (about 50 km from Bannerghatta) or Savandurga (about 30 km further). Ramanagara is famous for its rock climbing and was a filming location for 'Sholay'. Savandurga is one of Asia's largest monoliths. You can enjoy a short trek or just admire the views. No entry fee for the viewpoint. Return to Bengaluru by evening.
Evening
Return to Bengaluru and relax
Head back to the city, arriving by early evening. Freshen up at your hotel and rest. If you have energy, take a short walk in your neighborhood or visit a nearby mall like Orion Mall for some last-minute shopping.
Dinner at a local specialty restaurant
Enjoy a farewell dinner at a popular restaurant like 'Toit' (for craft beer and pub food) or 'Karnataka Sangha' for authentic local cuisine. Try the 'Kori Gassi' (chicken curry) or 'Bisi Bele Bath'. Cost: ₹500–₹800 per person. After dinner, return to your hotel and pack for departure.
Food Recommendations
MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room)
South Indian vegetarianMust Try: Rava idli, filter coffee
₹200–₹400
Vidyarthi Bhavan
South Indian vegetarianMust Try: Crispy dosa with chutney
₹150–₹300
Meghana Foods
Biryani and North IndianMust Try: Chicken biryani, Andhra-style curry
₹300–₹600
Transportation Tips
- Use app-based cabs (Uber/Ola) for convenience and to avoid parking hassles; they are widely available and reasonably priced.
- For day trips to Nandi Hills or Bannerghatta, hire a cab for the full day (around ₹2,500–₹3,500) or self-drive if comfortable.
- Bengaluru's metro is efficient for covering central areas like Cubbon Park and Lalbagh; use it to avoid traffic, but for outlying spots like ISKCON and Bull Temple, cabs or auto-rickshaws are better.
- Traffic can be heavy during peak hours (8-10 AM and 5-9 PM); plan your travel to avoid these times, especially for long-distance drives.
Budget Breakdown
Total Estimated Per Person
₹15,000–₹25,000 for 3 days (excluding accommodation)
Accommodation
₹3,000–₹6,000 per night for a mid-range hotel
Food
₹1,500–₹2,500 per day for meals
Transport
₹1,500–₹2,500 per day for cabs/auto
Miscellaneous
₹1,000–₹2,000 (entry fees, souvenirs)
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