Best Weekend Getaway Destinations from Bangalore

While planning a holiday, time-constraint is the biggest trouble for an office-goer. For such people, opting for weekend vacations is the best option. Are you also planning for the same? There are several options from which you can take a pick.

Here is a list of 10-weekend getaways with family from Bangalore:

1. Mysore

Distance from Bangalore-143 km, Time-around 3 hrs

One of the most well-known places around Bangalore, Mysore city is famed for its amazing Dussehra celebrations. The third largest city in the state of Karnataka, is it located at the bottom of the Chamundi Hills. Mysore has both mythological as well as historical importance. Also famed as the state’s cultural capital, the city is home to a number of heritage structures, which are also its main attraction. The ‘City of Palaces’ is flocked  by a crazy number of tourists during Dussehra.

Some of the main attractions of Mysore are the Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens and Mysore Zoo.

2. Chikmagalur

Distance from Bangalore-243 km, Time- 3 hrs and 52 minutes

Translated to ‘the town of the little daughter’, Chikmagalur is a beautiful town that boasts of abundant natural beauty and several scenic locations. This fertile picturesque valley is nestled amidst verdant green coffee plantations. A prime trade and commercial centre in Karnataka, it attracts a lot of tourists because of pleasant climate. A perfect destination for adventure seekers, this hill town offers opportunities for camping and trekking. Baba Budan Giri, Horanadu and Mullian Giri are a must-visit, during your weekend trip.

4. Wayanad

Distance from Bangalore-262 km Time- around 5 hrs

Lush greenery, tranquil environment, cool breeze and lots of natural beauty are the main features of Wayanad making the perfect weekend destination to enjoy with the loved ones. An eco-friendly destination, it has paddy fields, misty mountains and lush plantations. One of the major attractions of Wayanad is the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.  This bio-diverse region is spread in around 2,132 sq km of area in the Western Ghats. With an altitude ranging from 700 m – 2100 m above the sea level, it has been blessed with pristine natural beauty.

4. Madikeri

Distance from Bangalore-263 km, Time- 4 hrs and 42 minutes

Also known as Mercara, Madikeri is a picturesque hill station that is located in Coorg district one of the most popular places to visit around Bangalore. It is surrounded by sprawling lush tea and coffee plantations and green fields.  The capital of Coorg, Madikeri is the right kind of place to enjoy a nice family vacation. Placed at an altitude of 1525 meters, this town has kept intact its old-world charm. During your visit, visiting attractions like Gaddige Raja’s Tomb, Madikeri Fort, Omkareshwara Temple, and Abbey Falls is a must. Thandiyandamole (5729 feet) and Pushpagiri (5626 feet) might not be the highest peaks in the Coorg region but they are 2 of the toughest treks.

5. Bandipur National Park

Distance from Bangalore-217 km, Time- 4 hrs and 4 minutes

Founded in 1931, Bandipur National Park is bordered by Rivers Moyar, Kabini and Nugu. Situated in the Nilgiris, it is one of the most popular wildlife reserves in the Southern region of India. Spread in 874 sq km of land, it was the former hunting ground of the Maharaja of Mysore. Popular for housing a vast variety of exotic wildlife and a number of biomes, it also boasts of a verdant natural beauty in abundance. The other two popular sanctuaries- Wayanad and Madumalai, lie adjacent to it. Four Horned Antelope, Sloth Bear, Python, Pea Fowl, Mouse Deer, Panther, are some of the endangered species in Bandipur.

6. Kudremukh

Distance from Bangalore-330 km, Time- 5 hrs and 55 minutes

Translated to ‘Horse-face’ in Hindi, Kudremukh is a small but enchanting hill station that is placed close to the mountain with the same name and shape depicting a horse’s face. A part of the Western Ghats, it is recognized as one of the world’s top 25 bio-diversity hotspots. Undulating hills, verdant grassland and shoal forests are some of the features of Kudremukh. You can indulge in wildlife spotting at the Kudremukh National Park and trekking on a challenging trek route, beginning from Hebbe falls up to the Z point. Some of the main attractions include Gangamoola, Hanuman Gundi Falls, Kudremukh Peak and Lakya Dam.

7. Coorg (Kodagu)

Distance from Bangalore-239 km, Time-4 hrs and 57 minutes

One of the best hill stations in Karnataka, Coorg is also popularly known as the ‘Scotland of India’. Perched at an altitude of 3500 feet above the sea level, it offers a luxurious holiday with family. Full of lush valleys, coffee plantations, thick teak forests and undulating trekking routes like Pushpagiri and Brahmagiri, Coorg becomes all the more beautiful during the monsoon season. It is a haven for adventure seekers who can partake in various activities such as rock climbing, rafting and fishing. Do visit the Elephant Training Camp.

8. Srirangapatna

Distance from Bangalore-127 km, Time- 2 hrs and 29 minutes

An important destination in weekend packages from Bangalore, the town of Srirangapatna is famed for its religious, cultural and historic significance. As it is surrounded by the river Kaveri, Srirangapatna looks like an egg-shaped island. Indulge in sightseeing including popular tourist attractions like Ranganathaswamy temple, Captain Bailey’s Dungeon, Dariya Daulat Baug, Srirangapatnam Fort, Gumbaz, Sangam and Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

It was the historic capital of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of the kingdom of Mysore.

9. Jog Falls

Distance from Bangalore-380 km, Time-6 hrs and 25 minutes

A little far away from Bangalore, Joger Gerosoppa Falls Jog Falls is the 2^nd highest plunge waterfall in India. Also known as Jogada Gundi and Gersoppa Falls, they are a prime tourist attraction of Sagara in Karnataka. The natural beauty spread around, attracts a large number of tourists every year. Exactly located on the border of Shimoga and Uttara Kannada districts,  this waterfall was founded way back in the year 1800. The area around the fall is perfect for trekking.

10. Pattadakal

Distance from Bangalore-44 km, Time- around 7 hrs

Located on the banks of the Malaprabha River in Bagalkot district, Pattadakal is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India. This town is home to a number of historical and architectural marvels, which are its main tourist attraction.

The extremely popular 10 temples of Pattadakal were erected by the rulers of the Chalukya Dynasty during the 8^th century. Galaganath Temple, Jain Temple, Kasivisvesvara Temple, Mallikarjuna Temple and Sangameshwara temple are some of the main temples here.

Geetika Handa

Geetika Handa is a travel writer who has an interest in sharing her experiences with all. She provides a detailed account of any travel topic she chooses to write on. You can get detailed information and tips about choosing the right kind of holiday packages in the country from her write-ups.