10 best places to visit in Karnataka for a weekend trip

Beaches, hill stations, or historical places, Karnataka is blessed with all of them. It is one of the richest states in terms of culture, landscapes, and natural resources. Let’s see some of the best places to visit in Karnataka!

The mighty Western Ghats run parallel along with the Konkan coast all the way from Mangalore in the south bordering Kerala to Karwar in the north bordering Maharashtra. These mountains are a lifeline for not just Karnataka, but also Tamil Nadu, Andhra, and Telangana. They block monsoon clouds and cause tremendous amounts of precipitation that lead to the formation of east-flowing rivers like Cauvery, Tunga, Bhadra, etc. The banks of these rivers are home to a rich culture and famous historical and mythological places like Hampi, Sringeri, Mysore, Srirangam and the list goes on and on.

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Western Ghats. – Karnataka

The mountains are also a source of plenty of west-flowing rivers like Mandovi, Sharavathi, Kali, Aghanashini etc., which form gigantic water bodies like Jog Falls and Dudhsagar before merging into the Arabian Sea. They are the lifeline for the rich amount of vegetation that thrives in western ghats which are older than the Himalayas. Such is the importance of western ghats that they are considered as one of the eight hotspots of biodiversity in the world by UNESCO. They help in power generation, irrigation, source of drinking water to millions of people as well as tourism. People of Karnataka love these mountains so much that they gave a special name called “Malenadu”.

Let us look at the list of top 10 places in Karnataka that one can go for a fantastic weekend trip:

Destination Distance from Bangalore Distance from Hyderabad Activities and highlights
Hampi 350 Km 370 Km Camping, Trekking, Ruins, Monuments, History, Temples, Cafes, Hillocks, Sunsets, Lake, River, Coracle ride, Food.
Coorg 270 Km 800 Km Nice climate, View points, Kaveri river, Waterfalls, Tibetan monastery, Estates, Homestays, Trekking, Elephant Camp.
Sakleshpur 230 Km 770 Km Coffee estates, Homestays, Waterfalls, Trekking, Camping, Backwaters, Open top jeep ride, Great food, View points.
Gokarna 480 Km 650 Km Beach trek, Camping on Nirvana Beach, Bonfire, Waterfalls, Caves, Fort, Shacks, Temple, Flea market, Amazing sunsets.
Mangalore 350 Km 820 Km Beaches, Shopping, Water sports, Lighthouse, Amazing food, Cashew shopping, Temples, Churches.
Agumbe Rainforest 350 Km 720 Km Waterfalls, Streams, Lake, Forest homestays, View points, Trekking, Camping, Photography, Good food.
Chikmagalur 250 Km 650 Km Highest points of Karnataka, Waterfalls, Coffee estates, Camping, Trekking, View points, Reservoir, Belur temple, Food.
Dandeli 460 Km 560 Km Water adventure sports (Kayaking, Swimming, Boating, White water rafting, Jacuzzi etc), Camping, Eco Park, Caves.
Kodachadri with Udupi 410 Km 730 Km Jeep ride, Spellbinding sunset, Fort, Rainforest pools, Forest homestay, Beach, Water sports, Ferry ride to Island.
Mysore with Bandipur 220 Km 780 Km Palace, View points, Rich culture, Dam, Gardens, Temples, Lake, Bird sanctuary, Forest safari, Wildlife spotting.

Hampi

Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river, Hampi is a place of rich history and mythology. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara dynasty ruled by Sri Krishnadevaraya. It is also said to be “Kishkinda” which is the Monkey kingdom in Ramayana. The ruins and monuments of Hampi were declared as UNESCO world heritage sites. The other side of the river is Hippy Island, which is an offbeat place and backpacker paradise that attracts travelers from across the world, especially from Israel. There are many interesting things to do in Hippie Island like camping in tents, trekking, etc. Overall Hampi is an amazing combination of hillocks filled with boulders, monuments, ruins, temples, laid back cafes, arts, and shopping. The sunsets here have their own charm, especially from atop these hillocks. The season starts in June and goes all the way till early summer. It is one of the must-visit places for a weekend trip from Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Mumbai.

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Hampi – The Hippie City

Coorg

Considered as the biggest hill station in Karnataka, Coorg is a district comprising smaller towns like Madikeri, Tala Kaveri, Kushalnagar, and Somwarpet – each of them has its own tourist attractions. Elephant camp, Namdroling Monastery Golden Temple, and White Water rafting (post monsoons) are famous in Kushalnagar. The most popular town is Madikeri with attractions like Raja’s seat (a viewpoint), Abbi waterfalls, and Fort. Tala Kaveri is the birthplace of the Cauvery river. Coorg is a go-to place for Bangaloreans who are looking for a quick weekend getaway. It has a pleasant climate throughout the year. Coorgie cuisine is famous among non-vegetarians. The highest peak of Coorg called Tadiandamol is a well-known trekking destination along with the challenging Kumara Parvatha trek. A drive through Nagarhole wildlife sanctuary with a visit to Iruppu waterfalls nestled in Brahmagiri hills is another great experience.

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Coorg – The Scotland of India

Sakleshpur

A lesser-known cuisine of Coorg,  Sakleshpur is an offbeat destination if you are seeking solitude and peace of mind. It is famous for its delicious Malnad food, both for veggies and non-vegetarians. Sakleshpur is known for its homestays, nestled in coffee estates, with great hospitality. Easy trekking to Pandavas mountain is a must to capture beautiful views. One can even camp in the tents at the estates. It receives a good amount of rainfall in monsoons with a pleasant climate which is a lifeline for its coffee, pepper, cardamom areca nuts plantations. A dip in the cold waters of Habbi waterfalls is thrilling. There is a star-shaped military structure called Manjarabad Fort that attracts tourists from different corners. An open-top jeep ride to Devil’s hill for sunrise is another breathtaking experience. It is good to travel most of the year barring peak summer – March to May. Sakleshpur is the nearest hill station from Bangalore, easily accessible by road and train.

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Sakleshpur

Gokarna

A one of its kind “Beach trek” overlooking endless views of the Arabian sea is a must in the bucket list of every traveler and trekker. The beaches of Gokarna are separated by hillocks with a thick green cover. Trekkers have to climb up the hill, go through the woods, and climb down to reach the next Beach. It’s a great place for an offbeat beach trip with white sand beaches, pine, coconut trees, beach shacks, and campsites. The town itself has a famous temple, beach, and a flea market. Camping is a great experience on one of the private beaches – especially on Nirvana Beach away from the crowd. Gokarna belongs to the Uttara Kannada district which has more hidden attractions. Vibhooti waterfalls are one of the best places in Karnataka to take a soul-soothing dip. Yana rocks that are formed by volcanic lava stand high in the dense forest. They form natural caves which can be explored by doing a small trek. Gokarna is good to visit throughout the year. While camping is best in summer and winter, staying in shacks is better during monsoons.

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Gokarna Beach Trek

Mangalore

Mangalore is the biggest city on the Konkan coast which is rich in culture, food, and beaches. Tannirbhavi beach and Panambur beach are two of the best beaches. They offer plenty of adventurous water sports like Parasailing, Jet Ski, Banana ride, Bumper ride, etc. along with great varieties of street food. There are pretty temples, churches, and shopping markets dotted around the city. Mangalore is famous for its cashew industries making the best quality nuts. It has a distinct cuisine ranging from varieties of Seafood to vegetarian delicacies like Mangalore buns, Goli Bajji, Neer Dosa, and deserts made of its favorite Coconut. There is an offbeat attraction called Kapu beach with a lighthouse an hour away from the city. Sitting on the rocks at the base of the lighthouse and witnessing a serene sunset in the foreground of relentless waves is an experience to savor. It is very easy to reach Mangalore from anywhere in the country through all modes – road, rail, air, and sea!

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Mangalore

Agumbe Rainforest

If there is a place close to heaven on western ghats, it has to be the Agumbe rainforest located in the heart of the Malnad region. Because of its strategic location it receives one of the highest amounts of rainfall in the country. It can actually give a run for the money to Chirrapunji. A whole new ecosystem comes to life when monsoons hit Agumbe starting in June. It is home to the rare species of reptiles, amphibians, butterflies, mammals, and birds. In fact, Agumbe is called the King Cobra capital of India. One can witness waterfalls, streams, rivers, and lakes at their full glory. Trekking and staying in a forest village homestay are major attractions in Agumbe. Camping is a good option in drier months. The highest point of rainforest called Kundadri Hills and Malgudi days house are frequented by travelers. Agumbe is a feast for nature lovers and photographers. If you wish to get wild and wet in the raw and untouched form of mother nature, Agumbe is the place for you.

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Agumbe Rainforest

Chikmagalur

Another famous hill station which is called ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka” is Chikmagalur. Coffee was first brought to India by traders a few centuries back. It boasts the highest peak of Karnataka called Mullayanagiri which can be reached by an easy trek. Chikmagalur is famous for trekking places like Kudremukh, Kurinjal, and Bababudangiri. Another famous attraction is a jeep ride to Buttermilk waterfalls which is good to take a cold shower. Chikmagalur means the town of a younger daughter whose sculpture is beautifully inscribed on the rocks on the outskirts of the town. Camping among coffee estates is one of the best experiences here along with its great food. Close to the town, there is a reservoir named Yagachi that has many adventurous water sports. The town has a Lake named Hirekolale surrounded by a picturesque setting. Located in the same route, Belur temple with Hoysala architecture is the finest example of art unique to India and Karnataka.

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Chikmagalur

Dandeli

A small river town situated in north Karnataka bordering Goa is probably the adventure capital of Karnataka. Water released from a huge reservoir built across river Kali makes way for water sports almost throughout the year. The best of adventure sports like White Water Rafting, Kayaking, Jacuzzi, Zorbing, and River crossing are available in Dandeli. If you are not very adventurous, you can go for milder ones like boating and swimming. Life jackets are mandatory for everything. These sports are organized by tourism board-certified resorts, and hence are completely safe. Dandeli also has few sightseeing spots like Moulangi Eco Park, Syntheri rocks (volcanic formations), and Crocodile Park. There is an offbeat place called Kavala caves an hour away from the town which is famous for offbeat trekking. Camping is the best experience in Dandeli which is surrounded by dense jungle on all sides. Travelers usually visit Karwar after Dandeli which is in the same district.

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Dandeli – The Adventure place

Kodachadri with Malpe

Situated deep in the western ghats, Kodachadri is one of the most beautiful places in Karnataka. There is a 4×4 jeep trail that takes travelers to the peak. The views from the top are absolutely magnificent, especially in the evening at the time of sunset. On a clear day, one can get a glimpse of the Arabian Sea. Hidlumane waterfalls at the base of Kodachadri is a major attraction. Kodachadri is translated to “Jasmine of Hills” because of intermittent patches of Jasmine flowers along the trail. It is a place that shows different colors and shades in each season. There are interesting places around Kodachadri like Nagara Fort and Rainforest water pools, which are good to visit during and post monsoons. Since it is not too far from the west coast, travelers usually give a visit to the popular Malpe beach of Udupi town after experiencing Kodachadri. The beach is famous for its watersports and vibrant crowd. One can take a 20 min ferry ride to reach Saint Mary’s Island off the coast.

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Mysore with Bandipur

Mysore with its rich cultural heritage has many attractions like Mysore Palace, KRS Dam, Brindavan Gardens, Karanji Lake, and many more. The view of Mysore town from atop Chamundi hills is much loved by travelers. There is a beautiful place called Ranganathittu bird sanctuary in the outskirts of town which is a treat for nature lovers and photographers. Mysore can also act as a pit stop for bigger hill stations outside Karnataka like Ooty, Nilgiris, or Wayanad. Bandipur National Park is just an hour’s drive from Mysore town, which was once a private hunting ground of Mysore maharajas. Today, the Forest department organizes Bus and Jeep safaris into the protected wildlife reserve. Spotting wild animals like Tigers, Elephants, Sambar Deer, Wild Dogs, Peacocks, Bison, Leopards, etc at their natural habitat is truly a fascinating experience. Bandipur is located at a tri-junction connecting 3 states – Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. 

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Mysore

All in all, Karnataka is truly a traveler’s paradise that offers a diverse set of experiences and incredible places to visit. It attracts travelers from everywhere in India. Pack your bags, put that traveling cap on! 

Welcome to Karnataka 🙂

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