Karnataka with its remarkable history, rich culture, enriching tradition, and divine natural abundance is located in the southern part of India. Karnataka has many picturesque hill stations such as Coorg, Nandi Hills, and Agumbe. Souls in an exploration of natural beaches enjoy its scenic seaside destinations like the popular Gokarna, and Om beaches. Karnataka is a growing hub of adventure and water fun activities. One of India’s most visited states, Karnataka is the place to UNESCO World Heritage Sites like Hampi and Pattadakal. The Karnataka tourism places list is endless but you can also see best Karnataka tourist places in a separate post. It is a mesmerizing experience for the visitors to view the majestic monuments that range from large forts, beautiful monuments, and bustling cities to temples.
Culturally distinct and historic Karnataka holds a prestigious position on the map of India. Honored with the presence of some great dynasties like Hoysala, Rastrakutas, and Chalukyas, there are multiple monuments in Karnataka, which are the major tourist attractions. The Statue of Gomateshwara in Shravanabelagola and Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur are two other remarkable heritages that have drawn visitors for ages to Karnataka. This state also has more than 20 wildlife sanctuaries and 5 national parks including the well-known Bandipur National Park in Mysore.
Also, the Festival celebrations in Karnataka are an unusual display of devotion and passion. Similarly, the land of sandalwood, silks, and spices, Karnataka has a vibrant experience in itself. Its rich cultural legacy and striking natural beauty make for an appealing getaway. Those who are looking for a relaxing, historical gateway then visiting Karnataka must be on top of your list. In other words, Tourism in Karnataka is a breathtaking combination of appealing destinations and exciting experiences.
Karnataka Tourism Places List
Karnataka tourism places list has many hubs that provide different charms for travelers and Mysore, Coorg, & Hampi are on the top tourist places list. The silicon valley of the country is also a perfect spot of ethnic diversity. The city stands out with its malls, multiplexes, parks, lakes, gardens, cafes, bars, palaces, museums, and other attractions.
Mysore, famous tourist hub, shows an importance of the Raj period. It is divided with architectural brilliance and true beauty. Similarly, the coastal city of Mangalore remains encircled by major pilgrimage centres like Udupi, Horanadu, and Dharmasthala.
The pleasant hill station of Coorg is also an ideal destination for a passionate getaway. The high point of Karnataka tourism continues Hampi which makes it to our top Karnataka tourism places list. The ruined seat of the Vijayanagara Empire is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It stands testimony of the beauty and creative flair of the wealthy empire.
Below are varied attractions in Karnataka Tourism Places List:
Palaces
Following are some of the palaces in Karnataka, which deserve more attention on account of their great architecture and stories behind how they came to exist.
- Mysore Palace, Mysore
- Bangalore Palace, Bengaluru
- Jaganmohan Palace, Chamrajpura, Mysore
- Lalitha Mahal Palace, Mysore
- Tipu Sultan Summer Palace, Srirangapatna
- Lotus Mahal, Hampi
Forts
The best way to revisit a region’s illustrious past is to walk through its forts. The magnificent structures tell stories of valor, honor, and sacrifice; besides, they cast light on the intelligent techniques of the bygone era, their way of life, and their taste for art and architecture. Some of the well-known forts of the state are:
- Chitradurga Fort
- Srirangapatna
- Mudgal Fort
- Bijapur Fort
- Bidar Fort
- Gulbarga Fort
- Badami Fort
- Bellary Fort
- Kittur Fort
Temples
Karnataka has more than thousands of temples in Bangalore only. Few of these are very old and Aarti(Prayer) is no longer performed because they are under the supervision of the archaeology department, India. And many of its temples date back centuries of years ago. So, if you are spiritual and interested in honoring temple architecture then you should visit the below famous temples:
- Kollur Mookambika Temple, Murudeshwar
- Udupi Srikrishna Temple, Udupi
- Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
- Murudeshwara Temple
- Ranganatha Swamy Temple, Magadi
- Arasikere Chandramouleswara Temple
- Lakshmidevi Temple, Doddagadduvalli
- Brahmeshvara Temple, Kikkeri
- Horanadu Annapurneshwari Temple
- Sri Virupaksheshwara Temple
- Kukke Subramanya Temple, Mangalore
- Manjunatha Temple, Dharmasthala
- Gokarna Mahableshwar Temple
- Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple
- Guddattu Mahaganapathi Temple
- Nagareshvara Temple, Bankapura
Historical Monuments
Karnataka has the second-highest number of nationally preserved monuments in India, and some monuments are also protected by the State Directorate of Archaeology and Museums. Hence, Karnataka is the best place for history lovers to satisfy their wanderlust in India. It is the place to sumptuous architecture, massive mansions still owned by royalty, and holy revered temples, and also UNESCO World heritage sites:
- Group of Monuments at Hampi
- Bidar Fort, Bidar
- Statue of Gomateshwara, Shravanabelagola
- Badami Cave Temples, Badami
- Group of Monuments in Pattadakal
- Belgaum Fort
- Gol Gumbaz in Bijapur
Beaches
The beaches in Karnataka can take your breath away with their exceptional beauty and tranquility. The adventuresome will find lots of water activities to indulge in. The scholars and thoughtful souls will find it mesmerizing just looking at the dignified sunrises and sunsets over the water. Some famous beaches of Karnataka are:
- Om Beach, Gokarna
- Panambur Beach, Mangalore
- Kudle Beach, Gokarna
- Gokarna Beach
- Paradise Beach, Gokarna
- Tannirbavi Beach, Mangalore
- Nirvana Beach, Gokarna
- Half Moon Beach, Gokarna
- Murudeshwar Beach
- Karwar Beach
- Maravanthe Beach, Udupi
- Kodi Beach, Udupi
- Someshwar Beach, Mangalore
- Kaup Beach, Udupi
Hill Stations
First of all, when it comes to hill stations, Karnataka offers some of the best and most beautiful hill stations in the country. Thick forests, natural beauty, fascinating wildlife, and a mild climate are simply a few things you can experience in these hills. Some hill stations, like Coorg, as well as BR Hills offer an amazing experience too. Here’s a list of hill stations in Karnataka you can visit on your trip to Karnataka that will also strengthen your feelings.
- Nandi Hills
- Coorg
- Agumbe
- BR Hills (Biligiriranga Hills, in short BR Hills)
- Kemmanagundi
- Gangamoola
- Kudremukh
- Kundadri
- Kodachadri
- Madikeri
If I talk about weather then Karnataka can be visited throughout the year, although, winter from September to February is the most suitable season to visit Karnataka. It is also the most bustling season and hotels are normally very expensive in this season. Hill stations like Coorg, and Chikmagalur draw large crowds due to summer season and are best travel places around Bangalore.
It usually takes a minimum of 5-6 days to tour top destinations in different circles of Karnataka. However, it is tough to cover all the top places in Karnataka in a single trip due to obvious reason. Also, Karnataka is one of the safest states in India and usually people are very open-minded. It is safe for both national & foreign tourists as well as single women to tour the state.