Bangalore: Gardens, Cafes, and City Life

Bangalore (Bengaluru) is known as India’s tech hub, but it’s also got a laid-back, green side — wide tree-lined streets, old gardens, and a genuinely great food and café scene.

Getting there

Bangalore has a major international airport and is well connected by rail to most of South India.

Highlights

  • Lalbagh Botanical Garden — a huge, well-maintained garden with a glasshouse and a rock formation older than the city itself
  • Cubbon Park — a green escape right in the middle of the city, good for a morning walk
  • Bangalore Palace — a Tudor-style palace that feels out of place (in a good way) amid the city
  • MG Road & Brigade Road — for shopping and the city’s café culture
  • Nandi Hills — a popular early-morning day trip just outside the city for sunrise views

Where to eat

Bangalore does South Indian breakfast exceptionally well — dosa, idli, and filter coffee at any of the old-school “darshinis” (quick-service eateries).

Practical tips

  • Traffic can be heavy, so plan travel times with buffer
  • The weather is pleasant most of the year, making it a good any-season destination