1. Badami
Beautifully carved sandstone cave temples, fortresses, and engravings surround the Agastya Lake in a valley of craggy red sandstone. Badami, formerly known as Vatapi, is a pleasure for archaeologists. The best example of traditional temple architecture in India is Badami, which is part of the Aihole-Badami-Pattadakal UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is situated in the Karnataka district of Bagalkot.
Badami, which was once the Chalukyas’ royal capital, is home to several Dravidian architectural masterpieces that combine elements of both North and South Indian architectural design. The Badami Caves are home to one Jain temple and three Hindu temples. A well-liked pastime here for those seeking excitement is rock climbing.
2. Mysore
Known as “The City of Palaces,” Mysore, or more accurately Mysuru, is one of the most significant locations in the nation in terms of historical eras. Its history is filled with tales of its glittering royal lineage, beautiful architecture, famous silk sarees, yoga, and sandalwood, to mention a few. Situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills, Mysore is the third-most populous city in Karnataka, attracting millions of visitors annually due to its abundant cultural legacy. The magnificent Mysore Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is a must-see, is the main attraction.
One of the three biggest Princely States in the former Indian British Empire was Mysore. One of India’s most magnificent palaces, the Mysore Palace still commands respect today. Every inch of the Mysore Palace drips with opulence and intricate details, and every room you visit stands out in terms of its elaborate architecture, beautiful paintings, rich colors, and stained-glass windows. The palace is a well-known tourist destination that sees thousands of visitors mill in and around it every day. Every Sunday at dusk, the palace is magnificently illuminated for the Dussehra celebrations.
The Ashtanga School of Yoga is another well-liked feature of Mysore. This attracts tourists and yoga enthusiasts from all over the world to experience this Mysore-born form of yoga.
3. Hampi
The city of ruins, Hampi, is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Travelers can enjoy this historical site, which is located in the state of Karnataka amid the shaded depths of hills and valleys. Hampi is a backpacker’s paradise, surrounded by 500 historic sites, stunning temples, lively street markets, bastions, the Treasury Building, and intriguing remnants of the Vijayanagar Empire. Explore more than 100 locations within Hampi, an open museum that offers a unique perspective on the city’s past.
Around 1500 AD, Hampi served as the capital of the Vijayanagar empire and was reportedly the second-biggest city in the world. It lost significance during the ensuing centuries, and today you may explore the ruins of numerous temples and other buildings dispersed throughout a wide region. The surrounding landscape of Hampi is just as enigmatic as the ruins themselves; the city is encircled by rocks of varying sizes, and with a little effort, you can go to their summits for a breathtaking perspective of the surrounding countryside and the city as a whole. On the banks of the Tungabhadra River is where it’s situated. renowned for its enormous, exquisitely carved temples, particularly the Virupaksha Temple, which honors the empire’s patron goddess. Old aqueducts and canals can also be found here, along with the ruins of medieval military barracks and stables. Since Hampi was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986, great efforts have been made to preserve the once-great site’s splendor. Very few, if any, contemporary buildings are permitted in the main area, maintaining the ruins’ genuine ambiance.
4. Gokarna
Beach lovers and hippies are drawn to Gokarna, a Hindu pilgrimage town in Karnataka, because of its immaculate beaches and stunning scenery. Gokarna, which is located on the Karwar coast, draws millions of visitors each year who come here seeking serenity and leisure. The beaches outside of town, such as Kudle Beach and Om Beach, offer a distinct experience from town life.
The majority of international visitors are scattered throughout palm-fringed beaches, with very few Indians in sight. Gokarna is not a typical tourist destination. Everything on the beaches moves at a leisurely pace, making them ideal for a leisurely vacation. Gokarna is a ‘one of a kind’ location in the nation, surrounded by clean beaches, palm and coconut trees, and the ocean.
5. Udupi
The seaside town of Udupi in Karnataka is well-known throughout the nation for its South Indian eateries and vegetarian food. In addition to its serene beaches, undiscovered forests, and exquisitely carved old temples, Udupi is home to Manipal’s educational center. Udupi, which is 60 kilometers from Mangalore, is well-known for its stunning beaches and temple culture.
You may experience the best of both worlds when riding through this district, which is surrounded by the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea. Since this is a holy town, the Krishna Temple is among the main draws. Locally, Udupi is also referred to as Shivalli and Rajata Peetha.
Udupi boasts some of the most exquisite beaches in Karnataka. Due to its unique seaside lifestyle, a plethora of water sports, and beach shacks serving some of the best seafood in Southern Karnataka, Malpe Beach is a popular tourist destination. You may catch a boat to St. Mary’s Island, which is well-known for its black rocks, from here.
6. Chikmagalur
Known as the “Coffee Land of Karnataka,” Chikmagalur is one of the most picturesque hill stations in the state and is located in the Mullayangiri Range’s foothills. Because Chikmagalur is home to numerous coffee farms, there is always a hint of coffee aroma in the air. A famous tourist destination and a short getaway for Karnataka residents, Chikmagalur is renowned for its lofty mountains, verdant woods, and serene surroundings—apart from its coffee production.
Chikmagalur is known for its coffee since it is the nation’s leading grower of the bean. Therefore, walking through one (or several) of the many coffee estates in the city is a must-do activity if you enjoy the outdoors as much as coffee. There is practically nothing better than starting and ending your day with the aroma of freshly brewed coffee! Many of these coffee estates provide home stays in addition to guided tours of the plantations.
Chikmagalur is a well-liked destination for hiking, with an abundance of amazing trekking routes, including the Mullayangiri, Kemmanagundi, and Baba Budangiri treks. As the highest peak in all of Karnataka, Mullayangiri is the ideal location to catch a picture-perfect sunrise as it peeks over the mountains.
7. Jog Falls
Jog Falls, the highest waterfall in Karnataka and the second-highest plunge waterfall in India, is a popular tourist destination. Second only to the Meghalayan Nohkalikai Falls, Jog Falls cascades a massive 253 meters (850 feet) in a single fall. But before the monsoon, the flow of the falls is severely curtailed because of the nearby hydroelectricity facility, Linganamakki Dam. For the best chance of witnessing the falls in their entirety, visit during the monsoon season.
The major Shimoga city is two hours’ drive from Jog Falls. This seasonal cascade, also called the Joga Falls or Gerosappa Falls, is divided into four sections: Raja, Roarer, Rocket, and Rani. Some features of the streams served as the basis for their names. Raja is an uninterrupted stream, Roarer is a strong and violent river that gushes down to meet the Raja stream, Rocket flows down in distinct jets and Rani is a tranquil stream with falls in foam. Try to find the streams the next time you’re there!
8. Murudeshwar
The second-tallest statue of Lord Shiva in the world, standing 123 feet, is located in Murudeshwar. This town is a popular picnic destination for people from Kerala and Karnataka, with the Western Ghats dominating the town and the glittering Arabian Sea on three of its sides. Tourists are drawn to Netrani Island mostly by its beaches and adventurous activities.
The most popular locations are the Murudeshwar temple and fort, which captivate visitors with their natural beauty and rustic charm. Because it provides great prospects for scuba diving and snorkeling, nearby Netrani island is also a popular destination for tourists. However, because of human interference, the Murudeshwar beach has grown quite busy and unclean and should be avoided.
9. Bandipur National Park
The Maharaja of Mysore used to hunt in Bandipur National Park, which is located in Karnataka. Later, as part of Project Tiger, it was designated as a reserve in 1974. Since then, these animal-rich deciduous forests have grown in popularity as a tourist destination. In Tamil Nadu, it is 80 kilometers from Mysore to Ooty. A prohibition on traffic between 9 PM and 6 AM has been implemented to protect the safety of the park’s animals due to the numerous wildlife casualties caused by fast automobiles.
It is the country’s first Biosphere Reserve and is situated in the Nilgiris. The park, which occupies 874 square kilometers, is home to several endangered species of animals, including panthers, hornbills, deer, pythons, elephants, and sloth bears. It also has an abundance of teak and sandalwood trees. Mudumalai National Park is only a short distance from Bandipur National Park, which shares boundaries with the Wayanad and Nagarhole wildlife sanctuaries.
10. Kabini
Kabini, which is roughly 245 miles from Bangalore, is most known for the few opulent resorts that surround the Kabini River and the nearby Nagarhole National Park. It should be noted that there aren’t many inexpensive places to stay close to the Kabini River. Popular weekend trips are taken from Bangalore, Mysore, and Mangalore there.
Kabini, formerly a British hunting reserve, is now a popular wildlife destination and home to the majority of Asia’s Asian elephant population. The southeast portion of Nagarhole National Park, known as the Kabini Forest Reserve, is renowned for its spectacular bird and animal life. Additionally, Kabini is home to “Saya,” the most well-known black panther in the world. While it is not impossible to spot him, it is quite uncommon.
In the Kabini jungle, boat safari and jeep safari are the best ways to see tigers, leopards, guars, elephants, and other magnificent animals. One of the greatest locations in India for taking leopard photos is Kabini.