Book flights to Bengaluru

Bengaluru has a wealth of must-see attractions, including the Bengaluru Palace, which was built in 1887 by Wodeyar King. The palace features a gallery with nearly 1,000 historical photographs, including those of viceroys and maharajahs. With spectacular gardens and seemingly endless rooms, you could easily spend a day here.

However, if you did, you’d be missing out on other attractions, such as Lalbagh Botanical Gardens. Spanning around 240 acres, this is a plant-lover’s paradise, featuring rare subtropical plants and trees, and a stunning greenhouse, built in the style of London’s Crystal Palace.

If you’re travelling with children on your trip to Bengaluru, then you might want to take them to the beautiful Ulsoor Lake. Constructed by Kempegowda II, the lake covers 125 acres, with numerous opportunities for canoeing and swimming.

Your downtime doesn’t have to mean just sitting by a pool. You can fill it with virtually any activity you can think of, from archery and high-rope courses to zorbing (barrelling around in a transparent ball) and paintballing. However, if you’d prefer an activity the whole family can enjoy, visit the Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium. There are two daily shows where you and your family can learn about the stars above Bengaluru.

Alternatively, the Bannerghatta National Park will provide you with a spectacular look at some of India’s wildlife. The best part of visiting the park is the opportunity to ride an elephant. Muthyalamaduvu is another popular place to include in your itinerary, especially if you want to go for a picnic. With a beautiful waterfall and a small temple, you’ll quickly understand why it’s earned the nickname, Pearl Valley.

When you travel to Bengaluru, you’ll discover that food has many forms, from the buzz of street vendors to the refined luxury of fine dining. If you would like to eat like the locals, then look out for the many chaat stalls, selling quick eats such as samosas, pooris and baajis. Some of these have expanded into street-chains and can be found across the city, such as Gullu’s Chat and Sri Salram’s Chats and Juices.

However, if you want to really indulge, there are plenty of high-end eateries that will offer you a culinary journey across India.

It almost goes without saying that if you travel to Bengaluru, you’ll end up visiting a market. Markets are supremely popular in the city, and the perfect venue to get hold of unique hand-crafted items, such as jewellery and silk clothing. Of the many markets, the ones that stand out for choice are Residency Road, Banaswadi Market and Mahatma Ghandi Road.

However, Bengaluru also has more than its fair share of upmarket shopping centres, including Phoenix Market City. This has everything you would expect from a 21st-century mall, plus live music and events throughout the year. It is an intriguing blend of a cultural venue and a designer shopping complex.