Bangalore (or Bengaluru) is a cosmopolitan city in India with many things on the rise that serve everyone. It is known as India’s IT capital, similar to Silicon Valley in the States. The reason for this is that almost every IT company in India and worldwide calls it home.
While there, I did not feel like Bangalore relied on being known as the IT capital of India. There were a lot of other things I took note of that made this city great! What makes Bangalore an excellent place to visit are activities, like eating at incredible restaurants, meeting up with friends for drinks, and checking out the sites.
I do not drink, but I am a foodie. So, being in a city that not only has excellent Indian cuisine but also cuisines from all around the world makes me happy. If you are an expat living in India, you must travel to Bangalore for a leisurely trip outside of your adoptive city.
You can see the sights and enjoy your time in this city over the weekend. For expats working in India, there are so many holidays you can take advantage of, and I highly recommend you go to Bangalore.
WHERE TO STAY
My husband and I took the trip with another couple who helped with much of the planning, and I was grateful. This was our first time traveling with another couple, and I have to say that we may make traveling with friends an occasional option in the future.
The neighborhood we stayed in was perfect! I believe where you stay during your trip can set you up for success or failure. Staying in a great neighborhood is one of the best tips I can give you.
We stayed in Indiranagar, a neighborhood in east Bangalore at a Bloomrooms hotel. The hotel is inexpensive. This is probably because it mixes a hostel and a hotel. Our stay at Bloomrooms was not the most luxurious, but we did not go to Bangalore to stay in our hotel all day. It was perfect for what we needed: a place to sleep, shower, and store our belongings.
Bloomrooms offers amenities: free wifi, towels, toiletries, room service, and free breakfast (if you book a room with this option).
There is also a bar/restaurant adjoining the hotel. At first, we thought the noise from the bar would be a problem throughout our stay, but once we were in our room, the door quieted the outside noise just fine.
The highlight of staying at Bloomrooms is the location. You have access to one of the city’s newer neighborhoods, which means there are a lot of new shops, restaurants, breweries, shopping, and more. Indiranagar also has a residential side, but the homes I saw were neatly tucked away and secluded from the city’s hustle.
One Weekend In Bangalore
(I omitted one travel night and morning from this guide)
Check out the map of Bangalore below to orient yourself to some of the places mentioned in this post.
DAY 1:
Third Wave Coffee Roasters – A modern cafe perfect for grabbing coffee and a nice pastry before heading to your adventure.
This was an odd trip highlight because it’s a coffee shop. But it reminded me of home. It was also lovely to get away from the busyness of the city and hang out in a place as aromatic as any coffee shop in the States.
Bannerghatta Biological Park – This national park deserves an entire day! You will want to wake up and arrive at the park early before it gets too hot and crowded. As a biological park, Bannerghatta serves as a hub for all things animal-related. There is a zoo, a center for rescued animals, a butterfly pavilion, a pet corner, an aquarium, a snake habitat, and a safari park.
Bannerghatta has something for everyone. If you have been missing the outdoors, you can walk or hike in designated areas. There are even ancient temples in the park for worship.
We arrived at the park at about 11 am and still felt like we did not have enough time to see everything we wanted. I recommend arriving a little after the park opens to get the most out of your experience.
We purchased our tickets for the zoo and safari upon arrival. There is an option, however, to book your activities and excursions online. But I found it was easier to book in person. The tickets to get into the zoo were inexpensive, and the safari price was reasonable. We opted for an air-conditioned jeep, which was fantastic! Going this route meant we had the car all to ourselves.
The zoo itself is really huge, and there are a lot of animals to see. During my visit, they all seemed well taken care of, which was a plus for me. We spent about two hours in the zoo, walking around and taking photos.
Afterward, we went on our safari tour, which lasted about an hour. The driver acted as a general guide, stopping at every designated point to give us basic information. The coolest part of the safari was how close we were to all of the animals in open spaces. Although seeing animals like lions and tigers outside cages can frighten some, I felt very safe during the tour.
Chinita Mexican Restaurant – The story of Chinita is sweet. The owners fell in love with Mexican food while they were living in the States. When they moved back to India, they missed the distinct Mexican flavors and decided to drop everything to start their own Mexican restaurant in Bangalore.
I had been craving Mexican food for a long time, and Chinita hit the spot! First of all, their chips and salsa spread is divine. With their variety of salsas and perfectly crispy chips, they could give Chipotle a run for their money. Now, let’s talk about the main dish. I got the pulled pork tacos, and they were delicious. When people ask the question, “why would you eat Mexican food in India?” my answer is: “when I am home in Hyderabad, I eat a lot of Indian food. Having American food during a vacation is such a treat for me!”
DAY 2:
Costa Coffee – If you need a coffee fix, this is a familiar shop that will get you what you need before you head out for your day!
Krispy Kreme – As an American who is also an expat, I was really happy to see this shop in Bangalore. A little piece (or about a dozen pieces) of home brought me so much joy. If you want a way to connect back home and want an authentic American donut, check out Krispy Kreme. It’s right next to Costa Coffee, and both are a ten-minute walk from Bloomrooms.
Church Street – There are many things to do in and around Church Street. This area is one of Bangalore’s busiest streets in its central business district. The array of book stores is fantastic, and American franchises like Starbucks and Nike exist.
Many restaurants populate the area as well. If you like walking, turn down any street, and you will stumble upon something interesting. That’s my favorite way to travel. Walking and finding things along the way!
UB City – If you are into designer clothes, shoes, and bags, UB City will be perfect for you! At the top of the mall, there are also excellent restaurants. The variety of cuisines served in the area is great!
Bangalore Palace – As an architectural landmark in Bangalore, this palace has a lot of history inside and out. Its mix of Scottish Gothic and Tudor architecture is present throughout the palace’s design. A lot of familial and cultural history is also present within the walls. You would think every record, photo, and portrait was saved since the beginning of time. All of the walls are filled with so many pieces. Seeing everything up close and personal makes it evident that influential people inhabited this landmark.
When you arrive at the palace, be prepared to wait in line for about 10 minutes. You have an option to pay for the tour itself or, you can add the audio recording along with your entry fee. This audio can serve as a tour guide while you walk throughout the palace.
1131 Bar + Kitchen – I have to apologize! In my vlog, I wrote the wrong name down for this restaurant.
After a long day of touring the city, this restaurant gave us a break from walking! We sat on the top floor (the Kitchen) and enjoyed the fresh air. The oxygen was provided by the plant wall which was really nice. I truly enjoyed the food and would definitely eat there again.
*As a tourist, you must pay a tourist fee at most touristic places in India.
More than a Weekend in Bangalore? Here Are Some Other Things You Can Do:
Flower Market (Krishna Rajendra (KR) Market) – The largest wholesale market for commodities in Bangalore.
Tipu Sultan’s Palace and Fort – A great place if you are interested in learning about the history of Bangalore. As a prominent landmark in the city, it is a must-visit if you have time.
National Gallery of Modern Art, Bangalore – Into the art scene when you travel? This gallery is composed of modern Indian art and more!
Food & Drinks near the Indiranagar Neighborhood
Are you a Foodie? Check out this list for more recommendations!
GENERAL THINGS TO KNOW
Uber works well in Bangalore. I use an app called Ola regularly (since Uber doesn’t work on my phone for some odd reason). Ola is just like Uber and is a great backup app.
There is a metro system in the city. I did not use it but was told it was an excellent way to get around the city.
Although Indiranagar is ‘walkable’ the sidewalks are a bit wonky so be careful! And of course, wear comfortable shoes.
The clothing in Bangalore is as cosmopolitan as the city. I wore some of my Indian-inspired outfits during the trip and stood out. A lot of people dress in Western clothing compared to people in Hyderabad. I would still recommend you dress more modestly (i.e. no short shorts, limit cleavage exposure, etc). But it’s up to you!
Most people speak English. The primary language used in Hyderabad (Telugu) doesn’t translate well in Bangalore, so English is a safe option.
Places in Bangalore do not usually open until about 10 am or 11 am.
Bring tissue or toilet paper with you to the Zoo. There weren’t any in the bathrooms when I went.
Bangalore is called the city of lakes because the city has roughly twenty-five lakes.
It’s said that Bangalore has the highest traffic congestion in all of India. However, I did not feel it was worse than Hyderabad’s traffic.
There is an amalgamation of different cultures in Bangalore. This is due to the diverse number of faiths present within the population. There are places of worship like churches, temples, and mosques.
1 comment
Loved this guide! I can’t wait to travel to Bangalore myself!