History, Art And The Masala Dosa: 10 Things To Put On Your Bucket List In Bangalore

We may have been a small, rather nondescript town, till much after Independence, but that doesn’t mean we don’t have our history! You can acquaint yourself with the city at the 16th century Bangalore fort or at Tipu’s Summer Palace. You can take in the beauty of stately Bangalore Palace or study the many examples of architecture from the British Raj, including, Mayo Hall and the Government buildings on Nrupathunga Road. Of course, no trip to Bangalore can be called complete without a visit to the Vidhana Soudha, the seat of the State Government, and the equally iconic Attara Kacheri.

Tip: Hit up areas like Basavangudi, Ulsoor, Shivajinagar,  Cook Town, and Malleshwaram to check out remnants of old houses and other buildings too. 

India’s most-renowned painters and its budding talent of edgy artists – all find a home in Bangalore. The stunning Manikyavelu Mansion, in Vasanth Nagar, houses the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA). Here, you can walk through pristine galleries showcasing the work of the country’s greatest artists from Abanindranath Tagore to MF Hussain and Raza. In the recent past, Bangalore’s flyovers and buildings have served as canvases to upcoming street artists thanks to the St+Art festival. Apart from that Chruch Street has an ever-changing set of street art (apart from the beloved metro station). Shilo Shiv Suleman's mural on MG Road is also worth seeing, as is the one inside KR flower market. If you have time on your hands, head to Malleshwaram to check out the street art based on a Bengaluru Moving project. 

The busiest side of town, the pete is a maze of markets that are worth exploring. Historically, this has been the market area of town around the Bangalore Fort. For the shopaholic, there are wholesale shops selling everything from silk sarees to fresh produce and vintage pens. No really, between Chikpete and Avenue road, there's nothing you can't find there - and it's usually pretty cheap too. In the wee hours of the morning, you can also check out a stunning flower market. And once the sun sets, you can chomp your way through a bustling food street. We recommend wearing a comfy pair of shoes, carrying sun (and rain) protection and a bottle of water as you go exploring. Since parking is scarce, use public transport to get there and back. 

Bangalore’s drink of choice is, undoubtedly, the beer. So much so that the pub capital (us!) has the largest microbrewery in the Asia (Byg Brewsky - Hennur), and even the world in fact (Ironhill - Marathahalli). With over 60 microbreweries, we also hold the position of having the largest number of microbreweries in the country! For those of you who’d like to go old school, India’s pub capital offers a delightful array of beer pubs where you can tank up on pitcher after pitcher without causing a dent to your pocket. Beer lovers can also pick from the city’s burgeoning list of craft breweries that includes the likes of Toit and Arbor Brewing Company.

Ghee-laden and fried to a crisp, Bangalore’s masala dosas are one of the city’s best culinary offerings. You can step into iconic establishments like Vidyarthi Bhavan or MTR and Shri Sagar for their divine masala dosas. If it's a dosa trail you seek, we've rounded up some of the best places for them too here. Fluffy idlis doused in chutney or sambhar should also be on your must-have list. Veena Stores and Brahmin’s Coffee Bar serve the downiest versions of this breakfast staple. Crispy, hot vadas are also available aplenty for thindi time, and here are some of the best spots for them. Regardless, it’s mandatory to wash it down with a piping hot cup of filter kaapi.

The perfect picnic spot is right here in the city! The Bannerghatta National Park is popular with the young and the not-so-young too. Once you get there, you can start off your trip with a safari ride where you can encounter tigers, lions, and bears. Then, you can tour the zoo that includes majestic elephants, a variety of birds, and even a snake park. End your trip, with a stop at the colourful Butterfly Park. If you're open to going on a weekend getaway from Bangalore to spot wildlife in their natural habitats, there are plenty of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks within a few hours of the city that you can drive to.  

Tip: For a truly immersive experience, book a stay at the Jungle Lodges by Bannerghatta National Park.

The green spaces in Bangalore might have shrunk over the years but we’ve managed to go hang on to a few gems. In South Bangalore, there is Lalbagh that’s been around since the 18th century. At the heart of the city, there’s the lush Cubbon Park that’s home to countless trees, an aquarium, and iconic statues. On weekends, you can participate in a host of events and activities that are usually free too! That being said, every area in Bangalore has a park nearby, and if you're looking to explore those check out this list. 

Tip: Head to Lalbagh between March and May to enjoy blooming Jacarandas, Cassia, Mayflowers and a host of colourful trumpet flower blooms; December to February, head to Cubbon Park to catch a glimpse of the vibrant, pink Tabebuia tree by the library, and the rose garden on the other side. 

You’ll never be bored when you are in Bangalore, that’s for sure. Theatre lovers can head to Ranga Shankara (and other spaces) for plays in English and in regional languages too. At Alliance de Francais, Jagriti Theatre, Chowdiah Memorial Hall and a host of others, you can sign up for plays, independent movie and documentary screenings among other things. For cultural events of all sorts, head to Bangalore International Centre, Lahe Lahe, Rangoli Art Centre and others. If music is what you're looking for, there's Fandom, The Indian Music Experience and Hard Rock Cafe are great options. And don’t forget to check out the colourful flea markets that happen over the weekends. 

Book lovers, you’ll hit the jackpot in Bangalore. Those of you who love reading can browse through endless racks of new releases and second-hand books at the legendary Blossoms or Bookworm on Church Street. You can find regional language gems at places like Atta Galatta, Goobe’s and Select Bookstore. If you're looking to get curated book recommendations and subscriptions, Champaca should be your go-to. Here's a list of our favourite bookstores in Bangalore.

Sitting just outside the city are the majestic Nandi Hills – the site of many a picnic, bike ride, and trek. Bangaloreans also love catching sunrises and sunsets at this picturesque locale. Not in the mood to travel that far? Then the city’s lakes make for excellent spots to soak in the sun. Ulsoor Lake (great for sunsets), Sankey Tank, Yediyur Lake all make great options. 

With inputs from Ahalya Acharya