Known For : Kudremukh Trek Kudremukh National Park Hanuman Gundi Falls
Kudremukh is a hill station situated in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka and a great place near Bangalore for winters. It is known for the picturesque view of the mountain, a side of which resembles a Horse face and to which it owes its name. Kudremukh also boasts of the beautiful Kadambi Falls and have recently been declared as a Tiger Reserve as part of the Bhadra Tiger Sanctuary.
Best Time: October to May
Known For : Hebbe Falls Kalahatti Falls Z Point
Kemmangundi is another hill station located in this district consists of the tallest peak in Karnataka called the Mullayanagiri of the Baba Budan Giri Ranges. It is known for camping in the bright spaces of the hills as well as for trekking, hiking and rock climbing and makes for an adventurous place near Bangalore for winters.
Distance from Bangalore: 261 km
Best Time: September to May
Known For : Abbey Falls Raja's Seat Mandalpatti
Coorg is a scenic winter destination in Karnataka with undulated hills, sprawling landscapes and colourful scenery. A holy place called Honnamana Kere is a popular tourist destination complete with lake, cliffs and coffee estates. Mallalli Falls is another place not to miss. Trekking, hiking, boating and fishing are some of the activities that are popular activities at this place near Bangalore in winters.
Distance from Bangalore: 270 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Abbey Falls Talacauvery Namdroling Monastery
Madikeri is the capital of Coorg and boasts of places like the famous Abbey Falls whose gushing sound can be heard from afar. Madikeri is also known for its place in history which is represented by the ruins of the Madikeri Fort, Raja’s Seat, Omkareshwara Temple and the garden of Nisargadhama.
Distance from Bangalore: 270 km
Best Time: February to September
Known For : Gomateshwara Statue Chandragiri Hill Temple Bhandari Basadi Temple
Sravanabelagola is one of the most important holy places of Jainism in India. Located at a distance of about 150km from Bangalore, it houses, shrines, places of worship, ancient structures and relics that are steeped in the history of Jainism in India. Vindhyagiri is a hillock, 470metres above the ground and is made out of a single rock formation. There are approximately 660 steps carved in the rock to reach the top where a Jain Math is situated.
Distance from Bangalore: 143 km
Best Time: October to Apr
Known For : Dharmasthala Temple Bahubali Statue Netravathi River Barrage
Dharmasthala is another temple town near Bangalore that house shrines of Manjunatha, Shiva, among others. The Dharmasthala Temple has an unusual feature; it is run by the Jain administration, while the religious duties are conducted by Hindu priests.
Distance from Bangalore: 298 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Vithala Temple Lotus Palace
Hampi is the capital of the once flourishing empire of Vijaynagiri, now in a state of ruins is one of the most exotic locations in India. Around 6 hours from Bangalore, the entire site takes about 3-4 days to completely explore with numerous fascinating view points, structures and architectural marvels. Evenings when it’s too dark to explore can be spent at the Tungabhadra River Dam.
Distance from Bangalore: 342 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Cave Temples Agastya Lake Badami Fort
Badami, on the other hand, was the state capital of the Chalukyas who ruled most of Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. They built the famous Badami Cave Temples. There are four main shrines located around the Agasythya Tank, a Bhutanatha Temple from the 5th century is also located near the Tank. It is a popular holiday place near Bangalore for winters.
Distance from Bangalore: 448 km
Best Time: October to Apr
Known For : Om Beach Mahabaleshwara Temple Paradise Beach, Gokarna
If solitude amidst sand, water and open sky is your love, then there is no better place than Gokarna, the little town nestled between some ancient temples is known for it both. Pilgrims flock to this place near Bangalore for winters to visit the places of worship while tourists find their ultimate escape in the one too many beaches of Gokarna.
Distance from Bangalore: 486 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Murudeshwar Temple Netrani Island Murudeshwar Beach
With its major attraction as the huge Shiva temple, Murudeshwar is a religious site which also serves as the connecting point for popular scuba diving destination Netrani. Murudeshwar is home to the second tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world. With the shimmering Arabian Sea on three sides and the magnificent Western Ghats imposing their presence on this town, it is a favourite picnic spot for the folks from Kerala and Karnataka.
Distance from Bangalore: 488 km
Best Time: October to May
Known For : Vydehi Falls Adiyogi Shiva Statue Kovai Kondattam
One of the largest cities of Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore is a major hub for industry, textiles, and manufacturing, and is also the gateway to several other tourist destinations in South India. However, there is a lot more to Coimbatore than just that. From ancient temples to classy new buildings, from breathtaking mountains to jaw-dropping waterfalls, from a mouth-watering cuisine to pleasant weather all year round, Coimbatore has everything you could possibly need to make for a perfect holiday experience. Coimbatore is a humble town of Tamil Nadu that prides for having the second tastiest water in the world called ‘Siruvani Water‘. It has a motley mix of ancient temples, mosques, museums and water theme parks.
Distance from Bangalore: 355 km
Best Time: September to March
Known For : Nilgiri Mountain Railway Ooty Lake Emerald Lake, Ooty
The Blue Mountains have always been shrouded in mysticism, and Ooty is no exception to that. For every mountain lover, the very idea of travelling to the city known as the Queen of the Hills holds an allure like no other. Once regarded as the summer headquarters of the East India Company (and for a very good reason), Ooty, also known as Udagamandalam, is a hill station in Tamil Nadu which serves as a very popular tourist destination for anyone looking for a picturesque place to relax and unwind. Coimbatore makes for a good stop on the way towards Ooty, which is a popular place near Bangalore for winters.
Distance from Bangalore: 272 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Kottathavalam Nadukani Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple
Kottayam is another one of the best places near Bangalore for winters, being one of the larger towns of Kerala that has numerous attractions scattered in and around it. Aruvikkuzhi Falls, Vembanad Lake, Thirunakkara Mahadev Temple, St. Mary’s Church to name a few. Culturally rich and naturally enchanting, Kottayam is a destination in Kerala offering a complete package for a perfect vacation. It is an ancient town located on a hilltop bordered with tantalizing Western Ghats on east and green paddy fields and thrilling Vembanad Lake on the west.
Distance from Bangalore: 588 km
Best Time: September to February
Known For : Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Kumarakom Backwaters Thanneermukkom Bund
Situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake, Kerala's largest lake, Kumarakom is a cluster of many small man-made islands reclaimed from the lake. Part of the Kuttanad region, Kumarakom along with Alleppey has beautiful backwater areas and they collectively form the most important tourist centres of Kerala. Holiday packages involving houseboats, traditional Kettuvalloms (rice barges) offer great experiences.
Distance from Bangalore: 583 km
Best Time: October - February
Known For : Kodachadri Jog Falls Agumbe
Shimoga alone prides in having so many attractions that you need a long winter trip to explore all of them. Safaris, dams, sanctuaries, mountains, reservoirs, palace, temples, the Varadhalli hillock, 500-year-old Ikkeri Temple and the world famous Jog Falls, can be found in Shimoga.
Distance from Bangalore: 301 km
Best Time: July to December
If you find time amidst exploring Shimoga, visit Agumbe a small town situated a little ahead of Shimoga; known as the ‘Cherrapunjee of Karnataka’ because it receives the highest rainfall in Southern India. You’ll be greeted with gorgeous rain forests and numerous waterfalls amongst which the Barkana Falls is the 10th highest waterfall in the country.
Distance from Bangalore: 349 km
If the cold is getting to you and you want nothing more than to feel the winter sun upon your shoulders, head to Shivagange and Savandurga and partake in some trekking and rock climbing on the monolithic rock formations here. If you are an adventure lover, this is one of the best places near Bangalore for a winter getaway.
Distance from Bangalore: 48 km
Best Time: November to May
Known For : Trekking in Shivagange Temples in Shivagange
Shivagange, a hillock situated 56 km from Bangalore, is a combination of temples and scenic beauty that makes it both a pilgrimage as well as an adventure spot. From a distance, the hillock looks like a 'Shiva Linga' - A form of Lord Shiva.
Distance from Bangalore: 30 km
Best Time: October to March
Known For : Baba Budangiri Mullayanagiri Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary
If you love the aroma of freshly brewed coffee in the mornings, you are going to love Chikmagalur, which has a perpetual fragrance of coffee lingering in the air. Very famously known as the ‘Coffee Land of Karnataka’, Chikmagalur is situated in the foothills of the Mullayangiri Range in Karnataka and stands at an altitude of 3400 feet. Famous for its tall mountains, lush green forests and its tranquil environment (apart from its coffee production), Chikmagalur is a very popular place near Bangalore for winters and is a quaint getaway from the busy life of the city.
Distance from Bangalore: 245 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
Known For : Gopalaswamy Hills Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
Situated in the state of Karnataka, Bandipur National Park was once the hunting grounds of the Maharaja of Mysore. It was later established as a reserve in 1974, and these deciduous forests rich in wildlife and flora have become a popular tourist attraction since then. Due to a lot of wildlife casualties due to tourist traffic, a ban on traffic between 9 PM to 6 AM has been established to ensure the safety of the animal population.
Distance from Bangalore: 223 km
Best Time: October to May
Known For : Jungle Safari, Kabini Boating in Kabini
And for the end of the list, we have Kabini River Cabin! It is one of those lovely places where you have every option starting from boating on the lovely river Kavery, to experiencing the rich flora and fauna of the Kabini and Nagarhole Wildlife Sanctuaries, this pretty hamlet has it all. The elephant safari and the Kabini dam are too great to miss.
Distance from Bangalore: 169 km
Best Time: Throughout the year
These above-listed destinations are the best places to visit near Bangalore in winters. Which ones have you visited?