Nicknamed as the Garden city and known as the Silicon Valley of India, Bangalore is ideal not just for its pleasant weather but also for some of the most captivating weekend getaways surrounding it in its vicinity.
Whether you want to unwind yourself by heading into the unknown to explore, experience and discover yourself a little more or just prefer to put your feet up and relax by the beach, these offbeat places have a lot to offer for its travelers in terms of nature, adventure and delectable food.
If you are someone looking for a break from your monotonous schedule and wish to make the most of your weekend break with family or friends then here is a list of some of the best and budget-friendly offbeat weekend getaways from Bangalore for a truly blissful weekend retreat.
Table of Contents
8 Best Weekend Getaways from Bangalore To lesser-known Places
Agumbe
Known as the ‘Cherrapunji of South India’ for receiving heaviest rainfall after Cherrapunji, Agumbe is a small high altitude village situated in the Thirthahalli taluk of Shimoga district.
This place is surrounded by thick and dense rainforest and picturesque waterfalls like the Barkana Falls, the Jogigundi Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Koodlu Theertha falls and the Onake Abbi Falls, making it one of the pleasing and favorite destinations for nature lovers and photographers.
The Sunset point is a treasured spot for tourists to watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea. Another popular tourist destination is the Sri Venugopala Krishna Swamy temple.
Agumbe also offers good trekking options for adventure enthusiasts. Trekking through the hills here gives you a glimpse of the beautiful waterfalls that flow through the jungles.
Distance from Bangalore: 348Kms
Dandeli
If you are looking to get rid of all the hustle of city life and would love to dive in the wildness of nature, Dandeli is the place to visit. The calm and quaint town of Dandeli is a refuge for both nature lovers and adventure junkies.
One of the highlights of this place is the River rafting through the winding and white waters of Dandeli on River Kali and is a must-do. Apart from rafting, some more water activities include Kayaking, Coracle boat ride, Jacuzzi bath in the Rapids, water zorbing and River crossing. 
Dandeli is an idyllic destination for a tranquil overnight jungle camping. Wildlife safari in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary gives you an enthralling experience in observing the scenic beauty of the deep forests and the exotic and majestic animals in their natural habitat.
It is also a sheer paradise for bird watching as you can find both local and migrating birds which include Kingfisher, peacock, egrets, hornbills, etc. For added adventure and adrenaline rush, consider adding canoeing, trekking, Mountain biking to your list.
Distance from Bangalore: 462Kms
Gokarna
A very touristic place centered around temples on the coast of Karwar, Gokarna presents the ideal blend of serenity and magnificence that helps you relax and rejuvenate both your mind as well as the body.
Gokarna is mainly known for its immaculate beaches, historic temples, delectable food, and astonishing landscapes and is a heaven for beach lovers and hippies.
Gokarna Beach, Om Beach, Half Moon Beach, Kudle Beach, Paradise Beach, Nirvana Beach, Baada Beach, Small Hell Beach, Belekan Beach, Alvekodi Beach are the popular beaches in this place. Some of the activities that you can indulge in and cannot afford to miss here include yoga, surfing, jet ski, snorkeling, kayaking, camping, etc.
One of the most liked things to do in Gokarna is to go on a beach trek. You can hear the humming of waves as you trek through beaches and will be smitten by the breathtaking landscapes as you move into dense forests. I can tell you this one of the best weekend getaways from Bangalore as it has got something for everyone
Distance from Bangalore: 487Kms
Hampi
Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and located at a distance of 353kms from Bangalore, Hampi is home for architectural delight with a rich and vibrant history. Popularly known as the city of ruins, Hampi is situated on the banks of river Tungabhadra and was the capital of the Vijaynagara Empire.
This place is every Backpackers fascination and a paradise for wanderlust folks. Ideally referred to as the temple town, the city is renowned for its massive, beautifully carved, splendid and magnificent temples and monuments, making it as one of the most visited tourist attractions in India. 
The most popular and interesting sightseeing options in Hampi are the famous Virupaksha temple, Vittala temple, Archeological museum, Sugriva caves, Achyutharaya temple, Lotus Mahal, Kamalapura, Anegondi. And not to forget the iconic stone chariot in Hampi which represents the grandeur, creative and architectural perfection of the Empire.
You definitely cannot miss the Hampi Utsav which is an annual cultural festival that happens in the month of October-November.
Distance from Bangalore: 343Kms
Kabini
Another rejuvenating and refreshing destination for a weekend getaway famous for its wildlife and birdlife is the Kabini. Also called Kapila, it is one of the major tributaries of the Cauvery River and constitutes the south-eastern part of Nagarhole National Park.
The Kabini Wildlife sanctuary is one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka and provides shelter for many endangered species and has an ample variety of flora and fauna which is an absolute retreat for wildlife enthusiasts, nature lovers, and photographers. There are tigers, leopards, deer, sloth bear, elephants here and spotting the Black Panther is a great sight indeed.
From waking up to the chirping of birds, going on a Jungle Safari , enjoying Trekking and nature walks in the forest, boating in the backwaters of the River Kabini, visiting the coffee and spice estates of Kuttu this place has a lot to offer for its visitors.
Distance from Bangalore: 212Kms
Karwar
One of the excellent holiday options in the list is the port city in Uttara Karnataka district with ecotourism, Karwar also known as ‘Kashmir of Karnataka’. Situated at the point where river Kali meets the Arabian Sea, Karwar is one of the green cities of India.
Being a coastal area, fishing is a major occupation of the people living here. Karwar is a laid-back and less crowded place and it is best known for its seafood cuisine. 
Some of the popular and must-visit places here are Rabindranath Tagore beach, Devbagh Beach, Binanga Beach, Karwar Beach, Tilmatti Beach, and Majali Beach, Sadashivgad Fort, Kali Riverbridge and Estuary point, Warship Museum, Oyster rock Lighthouse.
You can take a leisure boat ride from the Kali River to Anjanadip and Devagadaguda islands and can also go for Snorkelling and Dolphin spotting in Karwar. If you are a water enthusiast, Karwar is the place you should be visiting next.
Distance from Bangalore: 529Kms
Honnemaradu (Sharavathi Valley)
Deriving its name from the Honne Tree and with the literal meaning of Golden Lake, Honnemaradu is a small cozy village situated on the blue backwaters of River Sharavathi. Camping here is one of a kind experience and it is allowed in the island nestled in the center of the lake.
The main attraction here is the water sports like canoeing, kayaking and coracle rides admired by water fanatics. The lake is close to ancient temples like Aghoreshwara Shiva temple at Ikkeri and Sri Chowdeshwari temple in Sigandur ideal for those looking for a spiritual getaway.
You can rest on the banks and observe innumerable birds and butterflies fly by as Honnemaradu is a sublime place for bird watching.
Distance from Bangalore: 400Kms
Kodachadri
A place of nirvana for trekkers and declared as a natural heritage site by the Government of Karnataka, Kodachadri is the 13th highest peak of Karnataka and is nestled in the Western Ghats of South India. This mountain peak is covered with dense forests and is 78 km from Shimoga district.
Kodachadri is predominantly famous for trekking and is home for picturesque waterfalls and captivating landscapes. At the top of the peak is the famous Kollur Mookambika temple devoted to the Ancient Goddess Mookambika and is believed to be the place of origin of the Goddess.
Catching a glimpse of blazing sunrise and sunset from the peak is an enthralling experience. The places of interest here are Sarvajna Peeta, Ganesha Guha, Hidlumane Falls, Arasinagundi Falls, Nagara Fort, and Belakallu Theertha.
Distance from Bangalore: 414Kms
Then what are you waiting for? Pack your bags and head to these lesser-known and unexplored serene weekend getaways from Bangalore.
Also, read: Best things to do in Gokarna
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