Because of its proximity to eastern and weastern ghats, there are a lot of getaway places from Bangalore you can visit on weekends and weekdays as well. Getting away from the daily grind and the mundane can do a lot of good for your stress, health and creativity. Everybody could use a break once in a while, whether it’s just a one day trip from Bangalore or a 3-4 days holiday.
So, if you want to escape the city for a while and travel to some quiet and fun places, chill with nature, trek, camp or just tour around, then read on!
Nearest getaway places from Bangalore
Savandurga hills – 60 km (via magadi)
Regarded as one of the largest monolithic rock formations in Asia, the ride to Savandurga hills itself is a wonderful experience. It’s one of the most popular and nearest getaway places from Bangalore.
Surrounded by the Arkavathi river that leads to Manchanabele Dam, Savandurga hills is home to some of the rare species of birds – like yellow-throated bulbul; leopards, and bears.
Savandurga hills challenge trekkers as it is quite hard to climb. Nonetheless, it’s worth it as your efforts to climb the hilltop are rewarded with a spectacular view of Savandurga. There are no steps to make the climb easier and measures need to be taken while attempting the trek. It’s advisable to carry safety gears, drinking water, and wear the right shoes. There is a temple and a pond at the foothill.

It’s best to start trekking in the early morning hours. Avoid if it’s going to be a hot or a rainy day. Best time to trek is between November-January. A small hotel serves home-cooked meals down the hill to energize you when you come back from the trek. Savandurga hills is one of the best places for trekking in Bangalore.
- Best time to visit: All year round
- How to get there: via NH 48; Book a car or go by private vehicle
- Travel time: Max 2 hours
- Sights to see: Fort Nandi Temple, Manchanabele Dam.
Lepakshi – 130 km
A 500-years old place rich in mythology, Lepakshi has an interesting legend behind its name. It is said that when the bird Jayatu fell here after a gruelling fight with Ravana, Rama came running to him, and said compassionately, “Le pakshi!”. It means, ‘Rise, Bird!’. A lot of legends in and around this place are from Ramayana.
Built during the Vijayanagara Dynasty, the artisans of that time have glorified the walls with sculptures of gods and goddesses. The temple is dedicated to Veerabhadra Swamy. The pillars inside are cleverly engineered, and one of it floats! Yes, that’s right. It does not touch the ground and a sheet of paper or a thin cloth can be passed from one end to the other.

At the backside of the temple, a shivling rests under the multi-headed snake. There’s also a huge footprint said to have been imprinted by Sita, and it is always covered by water.
Do visit the place to experience other remnants of legends. It’s perfect for an interesting one day trip from Bangalore.

- Best time to visit: October-February
- How to get there: Through NH-7 route, by car or rent a cab
- Travel time: Max 3 hours
- Sights to see: Lepakshi Nandi temple, Veerabhadra swamy temple.
Melkote – 130 km
On the way to Mysore lies a beautiful lesser-known place rich in ancient architecture built during the Vijayanagara dynasty. The melukote village lies on top of the Narayanagiri hills. The Yoganarayana temple on the top of the hill is a popular pilgrimage centre.
The sun rays peer through the clouds and dance on the hills, showing off its vegetation, highs & lows, the shadows, and the village in the distance. You can witness this on the hill under a gazebo.
Melkote is known for two main temples – one at the top of the hill, Yoganarayan temple and Cheluvanarayana temple. On the way to Cheluvanarayana temple, you will come across a Kalyani, a water tank with steps on the borders. Inhabited by large black fishes. It’s quite calming to watch them and feed puffed rice. If you’re lucky, you might find Dasayyas dressed in colorful attire, playing a flute or singing praises of God.
After immersing in spiritual experience, visit the bazaar for shopping wooden toys, Janapada khadi (quite famous), sarees, and more. You will also meet interesting locals who would make great subjects for photography.
- Best time to visit: All year round
- How to get there: via Mysore road, NH 48 and NH275; rent a car or ride your own
- Travel time: 3 hours
- Sights to see: Danush Koti, Melukote village, Cheluva Narayana Swamy Temple, Kalyani.
Popular getaway places from Bangalore
Mysore – 180 km
For a perfect blend of traditional and modern culture, visit Mysore, the closest popular getaway places from Bangalore. It’s budget-friendly too. The royal charm of Mysore attracts visitors from all over the country and the world. Ruled by the Wodeyar Kings, Mysore is rich in culture, architecture and art & crafts.
The drive up to the Chamundi hills is a fun one! There’s a lot of turns that will make your ride groovy. It’s best to go in the early morning. Coming down the hills, at the base lies a beautiful lake called Karanji, where you can relax and go boating. There’s a wide area of park, kid’s play area and churumuri carts scattered around.

The most popular sight in Mysore is the magnificent Mysore Palace. The intricate designs and artworks inside are worth seeing. The Jaganmohan palace, an art gallery close by has an amazing collection of paintings from Raja Ravi Verma and other famous Indian artists.
Add Shuka Vana to your travel itinerary. It’s a rehabilitation centre that houses so many species of parrots. Some are imported, really big and colorful. There’s a place inside where they will come perch all over you and you can get a photo clicked!
- How to get there: Buses and trains are available from Majestic.
- Travel time: By road – 2-3 hours, by train – 3.5 hours.
- Sights to see: Chamundi Betta, Karanji Lake, Shuka Vana, Jaganmohan Palace, Mysore Palace, Lotus Mahal.
Sakleshpur – 230 km
Nothing gives you solace and happiness like this hill station which is absolutely mesmerizing with abundant verdancy, mist, and the breath-taking scenery. You will surely forget all your worries once you lie on the grass on top of the hill.
The clouds, the view, and the satisfaction from trekking is all the therapy you need. There are many resorts and homestays you can book. And waking up to the view of green hills hidden by fog is splendid! You can book a jeep ride that gives you an experience of Jumanji: jungle edition.
It’s best to go trekking early in the morning and carry necessary gears, hydrating fluids and wear proper shoes. The vastness of the hills offers endless adventures for travel geeks.
- Best time to visit: October-February
- How to get there: Buses are available from Bangalore or you can book a car. Route: NH48, NH75
- Travel time: 4-5 hours
Gandikota – 280KM
A unique place in south India distinguished by rocky formations and gorges resembling the Grand Canyon, Gandikota is a heaven for thrill-seekers. A landscape you will not find anywhere else in India, it is especially spectacular at sunrise and sunsets.
The two gorges are separated by the river Penna which is about 300 ft wide, the most during monsoon. The orange light from the sun during sunrise hits the rocks and bounces off, illuminating the entire gorge. The view sets Gandikota apart from the mainstream hills in south India, so you will not be disappointed coming here.
You can explore around the gorge and watch the sun go down between them, pitch some tents and sleep open on the rocks under the sky. Make sure to carry some insect repellants.
Extreme precautions need to be taken while trekking. Avoid it if it’s going to be a rainy day or a hot day. Book hotels in advance if you are going to stay here, at Haritha Resorts, or just camp on the rocks (better option). For more information, read this blog.
- Best time to visit: Winter
- How to get there: via train to Tirupati from Bangalore and a local bus to Gandikota/rent a car to get you there
- Travel time: 7 hours by road
- Sights to see: Fort ruins, Juma Mosque, Charminar.
Ooty- 260km
Regarded as the queen of hill stations, Ooty’s ecological grandeur is quite surreal and hypnotising. There are plenty of lovely resorts, bubble tents that make your stay in Ooty magical!
The hills are covered by Eucalyptus, pine trees and coffee plantations. With pleasant weather all year round, it is a favourite destination among many travellers. In the monsoon season, the lush forest blooms with rare flowers and species of plants. You can spot big cats, pythons, panthers, and other wild animals. In the summer, the bright blue skies illuminate the mountains and the grass is greener. From the top of the hill, you can catch the panoramic picturesque view of Ooty.

Down the Nilgiri slopes lies a quiet, calm scenic Emerald lake, a perfect spot for a picnic, bird-watching, and landscape artists. It is one of the lesser explored corners of Ooty, so it’s quite beautiful.
The famous Wenlock Downs is covered by green meadows reminiscent of Bollywood songs from the ‘90s. If you visit during the right season, you can go horse-riding.
- Best time to visit: April-June; September-November
- How to get there: Board a bus from SRS travels or Sam tours & travels.
- Travel time: 7 hours by road
- Sights to see: Nilgiri mountain railway, rose garden, Needle view hill point, Doddabetta peak, Droog fort, and more.
Kabini – 150 Kms
One of the best tourist attractions in Karnataka, Kabini offers visitors the best of nature and comfort. Located along the western ghats, Kabini is rich in biodiversity.
If you are seeking wildlife adventures, visit the elephant safari where you get to ride elephants that take you around the forest and terrains. These gentle giants are harmless and not held captive or chained.
The resorts and stays in Kabini offer trekking activities under the guidance of professionals that will surely detox your system of the stressful urban life. The hills in Kabini have smooth curves that make trekking easy and fun.,Boating is also there to take you around the rivers, which is relaxing.

You can also go shopping around the town in Kabini. The amicable locals welcome you with a smile and offer you tea or coffee. For a short weekend getaway trip, Kabini is one of the best places to go.
- Best time to visit: October-May
- How to get there: Drive from Bangalore via NH275 or rent a car
- Travel time: 5 hours
- Sights to see: Kabini river, jungle safari, Nagarhole national park, Kabini dam.
Shivanasamudra falls – 130km
The second-largest waterfall in India, Shivanasamudra literally means Shiva’s ocean.
Standing in front of the falls, you can feel its gentle breeze, its fierceness, and the majestic roar of the falls. It’s an exhilarating thing to experience. The waterfall looks as though milk is being poured from the top. The Cauvery river flowing through the Deccan plateau suddenly cascades down and splits into two – Gaganachukki and Barachukki. The falls achieve their full splendor when the reservoirs from Kabini and KRS are discharged.
Shivanasamudra is a small island town in Mandya district rich in ancient architecture. The Ranganatha swamy temple is a famous pilgrim for many devotees. The temple displays beautiful architecture and sculptures in the Dravidian style.

The highlight of the island (formed by rivers) is the falls. You can spend a day relaxing and watching the falls that will surely cleanse away the worries and stress from daily life.
- Best time to visit: September – January
- How to get there: NH948 Route, best to go by own vehicleHow to get there: NH948 Route, best to go by own vehicle
- Travel time: 3 hours
- Sights to see: Ranganathaswamy temple, falls.
Wayanad – 270km
In the western ghats away from urban cities lies a paradise rich in biodiversity and serene ecosystems. For those seeking solace to escape the monotonous city life, Wayanad is the best. The rich aroma from the coffee plantation, wet bright green mosses on trees, shoots of grass growing on the roof of buildings, verdant hills, and cloudy skies are some of sights you will likely cherish forever.
Trekking at Edakkal caves is one of the best things to do in Wayanad. Adventure seekers must visit Edakkal caves. There are engravings inside the rock shelter dating back to 6000 BC, one of the oldest in history. The climb up to the caves is a long one

Time stands still when you are boating around Pookode lake, another beautiful thing to experience. Best to visit during winters, the view around the lake leaves the visitors in awe. The quietness, the subtle chill breeze, and greenery around it take you on an unforgettable journey!

For a taste of wildlife, visit the Wayanad wildlife sanctuary and go on a safari. You can even see Nagarhole forest on the way to Wayanad.
- Best time to visit: November-January
- How to get there: Direct buses are available from Bangalore.
- Travel time: 6-7 hours by road.
- Sights to see: Edakkal caves, Pookode lake, Wayanad wildlife sanctuary, Chembra peak, Banasura Sagar Dam.
What’s your most memorable getaway places from Bangalore?
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