Bengaluru itinerary

Plan 01

1 day in Bengaluru

1. 01

   Day 1: Parks and the civic heart

   Start early at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, arriving just as it opens so you have the lawns and glass house to yourself. Spend about two hours wandering the manicured beds and temple ruins. Have breakfast or coffee at a nearby café, then head to Vidhana Soudha for its neo-Dravidian facade and the government museum inside. Take lunch and rest. In the late afternoon, visit Cubbon Park and walk through its tree-lined paths, then end with a stroll through Indiranagar's shops and restaurants as the evening cools.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 02

2 days in Bengaluru

1. 01

   Day 1: Gardens and civic monuments

   Spend the morning at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, including the glass house and the temples within its grounds. Have a late breakfast or early lunch at a café in the garden area. Visit Vidhana Soudha and its government museum in the early afternoon, then walk through Cubbon Park. If you have energy, visit the Visvesvaraya Museum. Spend the evening exploring Indiranagar's markets, cafés and restaurants.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temples, markets and neighbourhoods

   Begin with the Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, a modest but atmospheric shrine set into a rocky outcrop. Walk through the Basavanagudi neighbourhood to see old houses and local life. Visit the Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara in the morning. Have a long lunch. In the late afternoon, walk through Russell Market or Mathikere Market to see the energy of Bengaluru's produce and spice trade. End with dinner at a local restaurant or the evening aarti at Dodda Basaveshwara Temple if you time it right.

Guides for the stops on this route

Plan 03

3 days in Bengaluru

1. 01

   Day 1: Gardens and museums

   Start at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, spending a full morning there. Lunch nearby. Visit Vidhana Soudha and its museum in the afternoon. Take an evening walk through Cubbon Park and explore Indiranagar's shopping area as the light softens.

2. 02

   Day 2: Temples and neighbourhoods

   Visit Bull Temple in Basavanagudi, then walk through the neighbourhood to see old architecture and local life. Stop at Dodda Basaveshwara Temple. After lunch and rest, explore the markets near City Station: Russell Market or Mathikere Market. End the day with an evening visit to Sri Harmandir Sahib Gurudwara or Halasuru Someshwara Temple for their quieter evening hours.

3. 03

   Day 3: Day trip and evening explorations

   Take a day trip to Nandi Hills, about 1.5 hours north, for a morning visit to the hilltop temple and views across the Deccan. Return to the city by mid-afternoon. Spend the evening at Ulsoor Lake watching the sunset, or visit Rambagh and its historic structures. End with a sunset or evening walk through Koramangala or the small neighbourhood parks.

Guides for the stops on this route

Pacing

Make the plan work for everyone

• Bengaluru's elevation (900 m) and cooler mornings make it pleasant for older travellers compared to the plains. Still, avoid midday exertion in April–May.
• Lalbagh, Cubbon Park and Visvesvaraya Museum are level and comfortable. Bull Temple and Dodda Basaveshwara involve some stairs but nothing steep.
• Hire a car and driver for the day. Many sights have poor public transport connectivity, and the distances between neighbourhoods make taxis or autos a constant necessity.
• Hospitals and pharmacies are concentrated around Indiranagar, Koramangala and near Vidhana Soudha. Note the nearest one to your hotel.
• Book restaurants in advance if dining out, especially in Indiranagar and Koramangala. Local tiffin restaurants (lunch only) are cheaper and cleaner than many street options.
• Early mornings are the best time to see Bengaluru—cooler, less traffic, and sights are less crowded. Plan major activities for 7–11 a.m.