Best One Day Trips from Bangalore – 48 Amazing Places (2024)

Bangalore, the world's 4th largest tech hub is not just about corporate campuses, traffic, and beer, it is also a perfect city for professionals with a wanderlust spirit. If you are one of them, this list of best one-day trips from Bangalore should help you quench your wanderlust one day trip at a time.

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All distances are 1-way and the journey gets longer as you scroll down the list!

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The Top 48 Places near Bangalore for One-Day Trip

Here's a snapshot of all the places I will cover in the post. To make the most of your day trips I have created perfect day-trip itineraries combining various places in the list on the same route.

So in the itineraries I described below you may see temples and waterfalls in one day trip, trek to a fort and watch sunset at a lake on another. Let's jump in to check out the details.

One Day Trips from Bangalore within 50 km

There are many lakes and hills near Bangalore within 50-60 km. Personally, I love going on long drives far away from the city, but if you are taking your kids or older parents with you, you may prefer a relaxed trip. These are also suitable for trekking spots like Savanadurga, Skandgiri and more. The ones I listed below are slightly less crowded than the above.

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1. Bannerghatta National Park

Distance: 45 km | Things to do: Picnic, Water Sports | Duration: 4-5 hours

Located within 25kms from Bangalore City, many would argue that Bannerghatta National Park is very much within Bangalore. However, that shouldn't prevent you from spending an entire day in this wonderland rich with a variety of flora and fauna spread across 65000 acres including the Banerghatta Biological Park (currently operating as an independent entity).

Apart from the sanctuary that is home to a significant number of protected lions and tigers, the premises also include a zoo, a butterfly park and a lake for boating. It is a great choice for one day outing in Bangalore with kids.

Bonus!

After an exhilarating experience in the national park you can drive to Thottikallu waterfalls, just 10 km away from here.

Book a tour of Bannerghatta National Park

2. Manchinbele Dam and Big Banyan Park

Distance: 45 km | Things to do: Picnic, Water Sports | Duration: 4-5 hours

This is the easiest weekend getaway from Bangalore, a favorite among corporate junkies yet surprisingly devoid of the crowd on the weekends. Originally constructed for irrigation purpose, the place is now famous for water-sports and corporate team-building activities. If you are not into this type of thing you can simply park your car away from the entrance, walk on the hills and enjoy the beauty of nature. The view of the blue water blending with the clear blue sky is spectacularly serene. It is also a great picnic spot for family and friends.

Read about our day trip to Manchinbele

Bonus! On your way back you can head to Dodda Alada Mara, the 400-year-old Big Banyan Tree near Bangalore. Covering 3 acres area, this is one of the largest trees of its kind and is home to a beautiful park. Another place you can add to this one-day trip is a beautiful lake Nelligudde kere.

3. Ramnagaram Night Trek or a day trip from Bangalore

Distance: 55 km | Things to do: Trekking, Camping| Duration: 12 hours

This is the place where the famous dacoit Gabbar Singh used to live with his gang.

Yes, Ramnagaram is the shooting location of the legendary Indian movie “Sholay” but this is not its only claim to fame. Amidst the dense forests stand the granite hills that you can never miss being awestruck at. A trek to the peak will take roughly 2-3hours for rookies. This is also one of the few places that are still open for night trek and camping near Bangalore.

You can easily start the early morning at 5 am and reaching a peak at night and waking up to the golden sunrise is an experience you do not want to miss.

One Day Trips from Bangalore within 100 km

There are many exciting places to visit around Bangalore within 100km. These include picnic spots, hill-tops, medieval forts, and ancient caves.

4. Nandi Hills

 

Distance: 67 km | Attractions: Nature, History | Duration: 4-6 hours

Home to historic temples Nandi Hills became a fortress and summer retreat of Tipu Sultan. Prisoners are said to have been thrown to their death from what is known as “Tipu’s Drop” now. But today it known for its panoramic views. Sitting at an altitude of 4849 ft, Nandi Hills is the most popular day-trip destinations from Bangalore.

Huge crowds queue up for tickets from 5 am to see the gorgeous sunrise. Nandi Hills is also famous for ancient Hindu temples, cycling and paragliding.

Book a private excursion to Nandi Hills

5. Mandargiri – A short one day trip from Bangalore

Distance: 67 km | Attractions: Temple, Panoramic views| Duration: 4-6 hours

Just 67km away from Bangalore, accessible through a 1-1.5 hour drive through the amazing Tumkur road lies one of the really off-beat places for travel lovers in Bangalore.

Dotted with 1000-year old Jain temples this round hillock also offers a spectacular sunset for nature enthusiasts. The large rocks on the hill and the peacock feather design of the Jain temple provide perfect “Instagramic” backdrop for your photos. You can also visit for a small trekking opportunity to keep yourself fit.

6. One day trip from Bangalore to Antargange Caves and Hoskote

Distance: 69 km | Attractions: Trek,Cave exploration| Duration: 6-8 hours

Antargange in Kolar is one of the most popular attractions for adventure-loving youngsters. At an altitude of 1712 meters, it offers spectacular views and thrilling experience of cave exploration.

The 3 km trek will take 2hours uphill, after which you can visit the temple Kashi Vishweshwara. If you are not too tired on your way back, you can complete this one-day trip from Bangalore with a tour of the historic fort area of Hoskote.

7. A trip to Avalabetta and Gudibande Fort- Two short treks in a day

Distance: 90 km | Attractions: History, Nature| Duration: 9-10 hours

On a regular weekend, a drive to Avalabetta will take 2-2.5 hours. After that, a 1.5 km trek will lead you to the cap-shaped rock-cliff, an attractive point for photography. Unless you visit in the dry summer months you will get to see a pond at the hill-top which adds to the beauty. Note that the path to the hilltop is blocked now for many months due to some accidents.

After descending from the peak you can either drive back home (why the hell? ) or drive just 24km ahead to reach the Gudibande Fort. This is a massive 17th-century fort with well-preserved walls, which can be reached by a flight of steps. Personally, I (and all 3 of my travel buddies in the trip) liked the Gudibande fort way more in all respects – no crowd, interesting architecture, cave temples, and panoramic view.

Read about our trip to Avalabetta and Gudibande fort from Bangalore.

One Day trips from Bangalore within 150 km

Let me tell you there are too many options for a one-day trip from Bangalore within 150 km, too many to list in one single post. Below are some of the most scenic trails from Bangalore.

9. One Day Trip from Bangalore to Madhugiri 

Distance: 110 km | Attractions: History, Nature| Duration: 9-10 hours

Madhugiri is the second largest monolith in Asia, a feat that deserves attention in itself. However, perched atop the hill is a historic fort of the Vijayanagara empire. The Madhugiri Fort has some of the earliest water tanks of India which were built to harvest rainwater.

The trek to Madhugiri fort is of moderate difficulty but the grandeur of the fort and the views from the hill-top will make it worthwhile.

Check out the list of best forts in India chosen by travel experts.

10. One Day Trip to Sangam, Mekedatu and Chunchi Falls

Distance: 115 km | Things to do: Scenic drive, Nature| Duration: 8-11 hours

A scenic 2-hour drive away from Bangalore lies the beautiful natural spot, the confluence of the two most important rivers of Karnataka – Arkavathi and Cauvery. On your way, you will drive through winding uphill road lined with seasonal trees on both sides which look surreal in summer when they dry-up. It was a hot summer afternoon when we visited the place, but it was still throbbing with travelers. 

Drive just 4km from here to reach Mekadatu to see the stunning natural designs formed on granite rocks formed by the river Cauvery cutting through it for thousand years. On your way back you can also trek to the Chunchi Falls. A trip covering all these three locations will take 10 hours.

11. Day Trip to Jayamangali Blackbuck Conservation Reserve

Distance: 117 km | Things to do: Vineyards, Wildlife| Duration: 7-8 hours

Jayamangali blackcuck conservation reserve is located in the Tumkur district of Karnataka, at the border of andhra Pradesh. Besides blackcucks it is famous for beautiful vineyards. The arid grasslands provide a great location for photography. These endangered species is a dark colored antelopes indigenous to India. It is also the state animal of Andhra Pradesh.

12. Day trip from Bangalore to Hogenekkal Falls and Forests 

Hogenekkal falls is wide plunge formed by the Kaveri river in Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu. It is a charming perennial waterfall and one of the most popular places near Bangalore for one-day trips despite its distance.

You can also take a coracle or boat ride in the river here. Unlike Shivanasamudra, Hogenekkal still allows tourists to reach till the bottom of the waterfall. Since it is a perennial fall, it is the best time to visit is between October – March. The water gets extremely muddy in monsoon.

Distance: 124 km | Things to do: Scenic drive, Nature| Duration: 8-11 hours

13. One Day Trip to Kaigal Falls via Chhota Ladakh

We trekked to Kaigal Falls on our way to Horsley Hills. That's not a bad idea, but I've a better plan for a one0day trip combining Kaigal Falls with Chhota Ladakh.

Dodda Ayur earns its name “Chhota Ladakh” from the rustic beauty of a barren moon-like terrain at a high altitude. A charming lake was formed in the hills through a natural process of rainwater that collected in the stone mining quarry.

It's a picture-perfect picnic spot just 56km away from Bangalore is one of the best places to visit near Hoskote.

However, you can drive further from here to the Kaigal Falls, located about 40 KMs from Chhota Ladak. It involves a leisurely hike through the forests leading to a seasonal waterfall.

This is the perfect itinerary for a scenic one-day trip near Hoskote.

14. A day trip from Bangalore to Lepakshi 

Distance: 130 km| Attractions: Temple, Architecture | Duration: 6-8 hours

Lepakshi is a historical town in Andhra Pradesh which is home to the iconic Veerabhadra Temple. The temple is an architectural masterpiece which has so many mysteries surrounding it. Did you hear of a temple with a hanging pillar? This is that temple.

Apart from this, you can find the giant Nandi Statue (a monolithic bull structure) and the Jatayu theme park. These 2 attractions apart from the great temple are enough to keep you engaged for 4-5 hours at Lepakshi, if not more.

Book a deeply engaging private Lepakshi day trip from Bangalore.

15. One Day trip from Bangalore to Shivasamudra

Distance: 135 km | Attractions: Nature| Duration: 8 hours

Drive about 30 km more from Talakadu and you will reach this picturesque village Shivanasamudra which is home to the Barachukki and Gaganachukki falls. These perennial waterfalls have been consistently ranked among the 100 most beautiful waterfalls in the world. Best time for a trip to Shivanasamudra is in monsoon. Unlike Hogenekkal, the water is not muddy here in the rains.

Book a trip to Shivanasamudra and Somnathpura Temple

A trip to Shivasamudra via Manchinbele Lake is one of the best routes for long drives around Bangalore. The one day trip from Bangalore to Shivanasamudra can also be clubbed with Talakadu instead.

16. Shravanabelegola – Tallest monolithic statue in the world

Distance: 143 km | Attractions: Heritage, Active Pilgrimage| Duration: 10 hours

Shravanabelegola is most famous for the Gomateshwara Bahubali temple which has a 58 ft statue of Mahaveer Jain – the tallest monolithic statue in the world. The temple is accessible via a flight of 620 steps.

The temple dates back to 983 A.D. but is in such a great condition that it is hard to believe its age. Apart from the architectural wonders, the temple also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the town.

There are many other old temples which you can explore here, all of which date back to 800-1000 years. For a history-seeker this is a great destination for one day trip near Bangalore.

17. A One Day trip from Bangalore to Horsley Hills

Often dubbed as the Ooty of Andhra Pradesh, Horsley is a beautiful hill station only 140 km from Bangalore. Vibrant blossoms greet you on your way leading to the Horsley Hills. There are two viewpoints which offer a great panorama.

One Day trip within 200km from Bangalore

For longer day trips, it's best to hire a car for full day or drive yourself. Using public transportation may not be the best option as the buses are frequently delayed. Here are my favorite places to visit on a day-trip from Bangalore within 200km, where you can easily drive to.

18. Yelagiri – Hills, lakes and adventure sports

Distance : 159km | Trekking, Nature,Adventure| Duration: 10 hours

With temperate climate and greenery all year round, this hill station in Tamil Nadu is one of the best day trips from Bangalore for adventure lovers. The drive uphill needs a little bit of expertise but the views from 3465 ft are breathtaking.

On our 11-hour trip, we just trekked to Swamimalai Hill-top, had lunch and returned. If you leave early you can visit the Punganoor Lake, Nature Park and telescope observatory. There are a number of resorts and decent hotels to stay overnight if you want to spend more time.

19. Somnathapura and Talakadu – One Day trip from Bangalore

Distance : 160km | Trekking, Nature, Adventure| Duration: 10 hours

Somnathapura and Talakadu are sites with a large number of ancient temples, but most importantly they are architectural hotspots near Bangalore which you would enjoy visiting irrespective of your faith.

In simple words, you can call this mini-Hampi which is accessible in one day trip. 

Your first stop will be Keshava Temple in Somnathpura, an icon of the skills of Hoysala craftsmen. 24km from Somnathpur lies the mythical village of Talakadu, once known as the Benaras of the South.

Talakadu was a Hindu Pilgrimage site which went under dunes of sand few hundred years ago. More than architecture, the natural beauty and folklores are the highlights of Talakadu.

You can end your trip with a magical coracle ride in the serene waters of the Cauvery. The Talakadu Cauvery basin is a great place for a picnic near Bangalore. This is a great one-day outing in Bangalore.

Book a day tour of Talakadu and Somnathpur

If you love history and architecture and visiting Bangalore for the first time, I strongly recommend these guided day-tours for you.

• Bangalore historic excursion
• Day Trip to Shivanasamudra waterfalls and Somnathpura temples
• Day trip to Belur, Hallebeedu, and Shravanabelagola

When in Horsley you can just soak yourself in the natural beauty of the place and once done, you can head to the Horsley Zoo which is home to some amazing wildlife.

Read about our trip to Horsley Hills from Bangalore.

20. Mysore Wildlife – Ranganathittu and Mysore Zoo

Distance: 165 km | Attractions: Wildlife Watching | Duration: 12 hours

Mysore is also the city famous for amazing natural beauty and wildlife. If you have kids, my bet is they will definitely enjoy this Mysore day trip more than the one above. Mysore Zoo is easily one of the best and largest zoo facilities in India. There are many cafes and parks in the zoo, and this is itself could be a great day trip from Bangalore.

However, I love to see the wild in the open, so my favorite is Ranganathittu wildlife sanctuary. Remember to carry your binoculars and a high-zoom camera to feast your eyes with the sight of colorful birds and capture them through your lens.

You can book a guided excursion to Mysore from Bangalore as well.

21. One day trip from Bangalore to BR Hills

Distance: 178km | Attractions: Nature,Sightseeing | Duration: 12 hours

The BR hills are located at the border of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, in the Western Ghats. It is named after the Biligiriranga temple built atop the hill. It is an ecological hotspot with a large variety of wild beasts including sloth bear, antelopes, peafowls and even tigers.

These are not easy to catch a glimpse of though, as they are scattered all over the region. You can, however, see a lot of monkeys and birds in the picturesque wildlife sanctuary. The view from the hill is also a sight to behold.

It is on the same route as Shivanasamudra so you may try to club it with the same.

22. Mysore Iconic – Mysore Palace & Brindavan Gardens

Distance: 181 km | Things to do: Scenic drive, sightseeing, picnic| Duration: 15 hours

The cultural capital of Karnataka and the cleanest city of South India is not a place that you can explore in less than two days. The two iconic landmarks of Mysore are the Mysore Palace, the home to the Royal family of Mysore and the Vrindavan Gardens, one of Bollywood’s favorite Desi location.

In a round-trip spanning 12 hours, you can easily cover both these places even and even more. I highly recommend visiting the amazing sand sculpture museum in the city. Check out the best Mysore itinerary for different types of vacation.

Mysore is a beautiful city which needs more than a day to explore. Book this 2-day guided tour to experience the best of Mysore in 2 days.

Doable One Day trip over 200km from Bangalore

If you love long drives as much as we do, you may want to push your boundaries and drive over 400 km in a day. The excellent roads of national and state highways of Karnataka make such trips possible. Although I'd always recommend staying somewhere overnight, I'd say that it is doable in a day if you don't have another day to spare.

23. Shettihalli Church – Drowning monument

Distance: 223 km | Attractions: Ruins,Nature| Duration: 9-10 hours

The Shettihalli Church is the ruins of a French Gothic church built in 1860, but the ruins have their own appeal. The Shettihalli Rosemary church is famously called the drowning church as it drowns under the Hemavathi river in monsoon and emerges back in the summer!

In 1960 the villages near the church were deserted due to the construction of the Gorur dam, and the church was left abandoned. The dilapidated roofless church has its own charm and has become a sought after location for photo-shoots, which make you wonder if the church in its former self-was as attractive as the site of ruins.

A peaceful area tucked away from the main city of Hassan, is an ideal place to relax, take a boat ride and watch the sunset. While the distance is more, the road is a breeze and the scenic trails make the drive worthwhile.

24. Temple Trails of Belur and Halebidu

Distance : 227 km | Attractions: Fort, Nature | Duration: 15 hours 

The journey Belur and Halebidu takes you to the 12th century, during the peak of the Hoysala Empire. Start early in the morning to avoid traffic and reach the ancient capital located 220 KMs from Bangalore.

Your first stop is the Chennakesava Temple in Belur, a marvel that took over a hundred years to build.

The temple complex is a treasure trove of intricate carvings depicting animals, dancers, and episodes from epics like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

What sets these sculptures apart is that they're signed off by their creators, often with boastful epithets.

After quick lunch, head to Halebeedu, just 16 KMs from Belur. Here, you'll spend a couple of hours exploring two magnificent temples dedicated to Hoysalesvara and Shantalesvara.

25. One day trip from Bangalore to Gandikota

Distance : 285 km | Attractions: Fort, Nature | Duration: 15 hours 

The last two in this list is for crazy road-trippers who can drive more than 600 km in a day. I recommend these for a one-day trip is due to the dearth of accommodation options nearby.

Gandikota is a village named after a 14th-century fort. The Gandikota fort, in turn, got its name from the giant gorge formed by the Pennar river cutting through the Erramala Hills. Its structure and beauty earn it the name Grand Canyon of India. It's one of the best places near Bangalore for a one day trip. 

If you are into overnight camping you can spend a night at the campsite.

26. A one day trip from Bangalore to Belum Caves

Distance: 300km| Attractions: Ruins, Nature| Duration: 15 hours

Belum caves is a natural cave which is estimated to be millions of years old. There were many vessels and sculptures found inside the caves which date back to the ancient period.

It is the longest cave in the Indian sub-continent that is open to the public and is home to the mysterious Patalganga, a perennial water-flow inside the caves. You can club this with the Yaganti cave temples 44 km away or Gandikota which is slightly closer to Bangalore.

You can also explore Gandikota, Belum caves and other nearby attractions in Andhra Pradesh on a long weekend trip.

Well, these are my favorites among all the amazing places to visit near Bangalore on excursions. Before you leave, I want to share with you the best travel sites for bookings trips in India and seeking some travel inspirations as well.

So, hope you are all excited about your trip to Bangalore now? And dear Bangaloreans, hope you are excited about the next weekend trip.  Please subscribe to our blog updates for more such authentic travel stories.

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