Earlier called ‘Mysore State,’ in 1973, this southern state of India was renamed ‘Karnataka.’ The largest and capital city of the state is Bengaluru. From mighty hill stations to serene beaches and ancient temples to modernized cities, the Karnataka tourist spots are many. The state stands third on the list of most visited states in India. Also, it has more than twenty-five thousand monuments, of which around 250 are nationally protected. That’s indeed a whoa!
The top 7 Karnataka tourist places that you cannot miss
- Hampi
- Coorg
- Chikmagalur
- Gokarna
- Mangalore
- Bengaluru
- Udupi
Hampi
A small village that has much historical importance in the history of the Vijayanagara Empire. Important places to visit include the Lotus Mahal, Elephant Staples, Sri Vitthala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Sanapur Lake, and Anjanadri Hill. Other places to visit are Hampi—Zanana Enclosure, Mathanga Hill, and Stone Chariot. The best months to visit Hampi are from October to April.
Coorg
Coorg is one of the large hill stations in Karnataka, situated on the western ghats. The elevation is about 1400 meters above sea level. It is known for its charming meadows, tea and coffee plantations, sparkling waterfalls, spice plantations, and tropical forests. The place is also known as Madikeri.
Madikeri tourist places are many. To name a few—Mallalli Falls, Dubare Elephant Camp, Honnamana Kere Lake, Abbey Falls, and Madikeri Fort.
Chikmagalur
When compared to other tourist places in Karnataka, this is one of the untapped destinations. Though known for its trekking opportunities, this place has beautiful sightseeing, viewpoints, parks, and dangling waterfalls. The Coffee Museum, Hebbe Falls, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Jhari Falls, Z Point, and Kemmangundi are some of the best places to visit in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. It is a perennial tourist destination that you must try visiting!
Gokarna
Mahabaleshwar Temple and Koti Teertha are the two world-renowned sites in Gokarna. People who love beaches cannot miss this tourist destination in the state. Things to do in Gokarna include beach yoga, a night stroll, a treehouse stay, and a coastal drive along the virgin beaches. Water activities in Gokarna include parasailing, snorkeling, boating, catamaran rides, and river rafting. Avoid visiting this place during hot summers.
Mangalore
It is a coastal town touching the unfathomable Arabian Sea. From historical sites to seafood, everything is distinguished in this place. You can find one of India’s best industrial ports here in Mangalore. Also, this is the only city in the state that has all four modes of transportation.
Major attractions in Mangalore are Kadri Park, Kadri Manjunath Temple, Milagres Church, St. Aloysius Chapel, Pilikula Park, and Sultan Battery Watch Tower. The emerald beaches include Panambur, Ullal, Sasihithlu, and Tannirbhavi.
Udupi
This city is known for its Krishan temple and vegetarian food. Apart from agriculture and fishing, tourism plays a critical role in this city’s economy. Some of the notable tourist places to visit in Udupi (or Udipi) are Sri Krishna Temple, Coin Museum, Malpe Beach, Sri Mookambika Temple, St. Mary’s Islands, Mattu, and Kapu beaches.
Get a personalized itinerary when you plan a trip to visit places in Karnataka from the leading tour agency, Emperor Traveline! Last but not least, let’s come to the capital city!
Bengaluru
Located in the heart of the Mysore region of the Deccan plateau, it is a metropolitan city with a huge population (more than thirteen million people). The important attractions near Bengaluru Karnataka, are Cubbon Park, the HAL Heritage Centre, the Aerospace Museum, Lalbagh Garden, Bannerghatta National Park, Bangalore Palace, and the ISKCON temple. The city is also referred to as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’ as it contributes a huge share to business development.
Conclusion
These seven places to visit in Karnataka are not the only top ones. The state has a lot more top tourist places, like Shimoga, Netrani Island, Mysore, Srirangapatna, Belur, Dandeli, Badami, Kabini, Murudeshwar, Karwar, and Bijapur. Moreover, things to do in Karnataka are not limited to only visiting temples, beaches, and museums but also include trekking, jeep safaris, tasting the different cuisines, etc.
