10 Beautiful Weekend Getaways Near Bangalore

Hampi is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India located near Hospet town in the Karnataka state . Hampi is charismatic even in its ruined state, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Vast stretches of boulder-strewn hills make the backdrop of Hampi unique.Dotted around the hills and valleys are 500 plus monuments. The characteristic 'Yali' image carved on a composite pillar.
The characteristic ‘Yali’ image carved on a composite pillar.
Among them are beautiful temples, basements of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, treasury buildings.., the list is practically endless. Hampi is a backpacker’s paradise, the same way a pilgrim’s delight

One of South India’s most famous tourist destinations, Mysuru (which recently changed its name from Mysore) is known for its glittering royal heritage and magnificent monuments and buildings. Its World Heritage–listed palace may be what brings most travellers here, but it’s also a thriving centre for the production of premium silk, sandalwood and incense. These days ashtanga yoga is another drawcard, attracting visitors worldwide with its reputation as one of India’s best places to practice yoga.

Coorg also called as Kodagu is derived from the local version Kodavu and the people of Kodagu. According to ancient scripts the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. Coorg is sometimes misspelled as “Koorg” and “Coorge”.Coorg is located in the south-west part of Karnataka bordering Kerala. Coorg measures 96 km (north-south) in length and 64 km east-west in breadth. The area of Coorg district is 4102 sq. kilometers and the population estimated in 2001 was 545,322, increasing 11.64% from 1991 to 2001, and 5.75% from 1981 to 1991.

Wayanad, the green paradise is nestled among the mountains of the Western Ghats, forming the border world of the greener part of Kerala. Clean and pristine, enchanting and hypnotizing, this land is filled with history and culture. Located at a distance of 76 km. from Kumarakom-bird Sanctuarythe sea shores of Kozhikode, this verdant hill station is full of plantations, forests and wildlife. Wayanad hills are contiguous to Mudumalai in Tamil Nadu and Bandhipur in Karnataka, thus forming a vast land mass for the wild life to move about in their most natural abode.

Puducherry (formerly called Pondicherry and generally referred to as ‘Pondy’) was under French rule until 1954 and some people here still speak French (and English with French accents). Hotels, restaurants and ‘lifestyle’ shops sell a seductive vision of the French-subcontinental aesthetic, enhanced by Gallic creative types whose presence has in turn attracted Indian artists and designers. Thus Pondy’s vibe: less faded colonial-era ville, more a bohemian-chic, New Age–cum–Old World hangout on the international travel trail.

The enchanting fragrance of coffee……. The aroma of fresh cardamom, Black pepper and Coorg honey..... The holy river Cauvery…… The air is noticeably cool. It is perhaps, this climate and hilly terrain of Coorg, that inspired the British to occupy this area for over 100 years and they called it as Scotland of India. It is also known as the Kashmir of the south India for its scenic beauty. With its austere beauty, this god gifted, pollution free, calm and quiet land of mountains cordially invites you to experience its hospitality to make this holiday of yours an interesting chapter in your life. The wooded slopes, eccentric villages, colourful scenery and rugged landscape of Madikeri have fascinated tourists until today. Endless mountain ranges, ridge after ridge of slopes laden with forests rising to the sky, give Coorg its unique & irreplaceable character.

Chikmagalur is situated in south western part of Karnataka. Chikmagalur literally means "The town of the younger daughter" in the Kannada language. The district is named after its headquarters town of Chikmagalur. The major commercial crop is coffee. The hill stations around Chikmagalur are famous summer retreats since they remain cool even during summers. Mullayanagiri, the highest peak in Karnataka is 12 Kms away from Chikmagalur. The district is dotted with many holy spots and tourist places. Number of rivers originates from the hills of Chikmagalur district and flow in all the seasons.

The River Cauvery is hardly what one would call tame. Its course includes gorges, waterfalls, rapids, dense forests and much more. The Bheemeshwari Adventure and Nature Camp is a paean to this majestic river. A wonderful mix of delightful nature and wild adventure, this camp is close enough for easy access and far enough to cut yourself off from the everyday humdrum.

Hassan District is one of the 30 districts of Karnataka state located in the south-western part of Karnataka in India. The district has had an eventful and rich history. In the past, it reached the height of its glory during the rule of the Hoysalas who had their capital at Dwarasamudra, the modern Halebeed in Belur Taluk. The district, noted for its enchanting natural scenic beauty is also a veritable treasure-house of Hoysala architecture and sculpture, the best specimens of which are at Belur and Halebeed. Shravanabelagola, in Channarayapatna taluk, which is studded with Jain moduments, is a renowned centre of pilgrimage for the jains.

Known for the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world, the town of Murudeshwar gets its name from the Hindu god, Shiva. Located in Bhatkal taluk in the state of Karnataka, it is a beach town on the western coast of India. The western most point of the town is the landmass that juts out of the mainland to form a small peninsula about 2 km west of the Murudeshwar Temple. The temple is on a hill known as Kanduka Giri.

A serene village in Kasaragod district, Bekal is a land with a storied past. Here the ancient forts and golden beaches whisper to the wind legends unknown to mankind. The sun kissed beaches, the regal forts, majestic hills, meandering rivers and the rich cultural tradition of this land all pale in comparison to the ancient stories it has to share. To preserve the rich heritage, natural vegetation and the pristine charm of this quaint village, the Government of Kerala has started the Bekal Resorts Development Corporation Ltd (BRDC). It is a venture intended to make Bekal a 'Beach Tourist Destination' at par with international standards.