11 Must-Visit Getaways from Bangalore for the Perfect Weekend: February, 2024

This year, give the conventional stay-home-during weekends routine a break. Make the most of non-working days with solo trips or romantic weekends with bae instead! Yes, we strongly urge you to call in sick (or not) this weekend, and get away from the hubbub of the city!

 

From stately ruins and beaches to hill stations and jungles, you have a plethora of options when you decide to embark on a romantic adventure without spending hours travelling.

 

So without any further delay, let's jump right into the list of the 11 best weekend getaways near Bangalore! 

 

1. Coorg

Popularly known as the Scotland of India, Coorg is replete with infinity pools, spellbinding villas, mouth-watering local cuisines and lush greenery. And if you are a coffee lover too, then you should make a beeline for the hilltops where you can sit sipping tumblers of filtered coffee with your special one.

Image Courtesy: Travel Holi CQ

 

In addition to all this, you’ve got yourself a thriving blend of adventure, relaxation, and pleasure, everything at pocket-friendly prices. You’ll have a gamut of spots worth exploring, making it an ideal place for a quick weekend getaway near Bangalore! 

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 6 Hours

Highlights: Stunning Sights, Varied Wildlife, World-Cass Coffee

Best time to visit Coorg: October to April

 

 

2. Chikmagalur

This picturesque gem is ideal for discovering the succulent coffee plantations and pleasant climate that surrounds the city of Bangalore! Chikmagalur is recognised for adventurous hiking trips and enthralling activities that will spike up the adrenaline rush. Another eminent enchantment that Chikmagalur is known for is its "Planters' Life" and Bababudan Giri ranges.

Image Courtesy: Thrillophila

 

Chikmagalur falls amongst the best-underexplored getaways near Bangalore which has garnered a lot of attention from tourists. The literal meaning of the Chikmagalur is the “Land of Younger Daughter” and this stunning destination constitutes beautiful mountain regions and rugged terrains coupled with expansive lowlands. 

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 5 Hours

Highlights: Best Coffee, Cascading Water Falls, Rich Surrounding Greenery

Best time to visit: September to May

 

Planning a road trip?

 

 

3. Gokarna

If you are craving chill-beach Goa vibes, we have a cheaper, and less-commercialised alternative for you... just a few hours away from the city of Bangalore! With idyllic beaches that are unsullied by litter and pristine waters as the perfect backdrop for a romantic time, Gokarna should definitely be on your to-visit list for weekend getaways near Bangalore.

Image Courtesy: Vagabond Experiences

 

Walk alongside the seashore, revel in the sea breeze and guzzle a few cold beers with your loved one. For a greater secluded experience, you can get away to close-by Halfmoon and Paradise beaches if you are not in the mood for the more popular spots of Kudle and Om beach. Acquire a cottage close to the beach and you could even watch the sunset or the dawn together this year!

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 9 Hours

Highlights: Cheap Goa, Budget-Friendly Beach Shacks, Laid-Back Beaches

Best time to visit Gokarna: October to March

 

 

4. Mangalore

Mangalore city is often proclaimed as the "heart of Karnataka" and it is nestled between the blue waters of the Arabian Sea and the green exalted hills of the Western Ghats. Some water sports activities, dolphin-spotting, and perfect lazy beach days are what you may look forward to at Mangalore.

Image Courtesy: Agoda

 

We recommend you propose a weekend of beach-hopping and experience the sun and sand together with your soul mate by heading to Mangalore this weekend!

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 8 hours

Highlights: Mouth-Watering Mangalorean Cuisine, Historical Architecture, Rome Of The East

Best time to visit Mangalore: September to April

 

 

5. Kabini

Kabini should definitely be on your radar when you're looking to get away from Bangalore for a weekend, especially if you are a nature and wildlife enthusiast. Kabini proffers you with an assortment of things to do while taking a break from the monotonous rut of city life.

Image Courtesy: Thrillophilia

 

Perhaps the most fascinating thing about this place is the balance of conventional norms and modern, liberal culture. Visitors of Kabini usually set off on adventurous safari trips and indulge in idyllic bird watching. There are also mud integrated walls and cottages on offer, with posh features like an open-air bath with a view of backwaters and a lake.

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 5 hours

Highlights: Wildlife Sanctuary, Rich Flora Aand Fauna, Hidden Gem

Best time to visit Kabini: November to June

 

Planning a road trip?

 

 

 

6. Masinagudi

Fancy a really wild, green and adventurous getaway from Bangalore with your loved one? Masinagudi is where you should head to. This beautiful sanctuary will give you a whole new meaning to wildlife.

Image Courtesy: Holiday Travel

 

So this weekend, retreat into the deep and dark woods of Masinagudi, brimming with beautiful villas and traditional tree houses. Don’t forget to visit Theppakadu Elephant Camp, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, and Moyar River. Masinagudi is truly rejuvenating and refreshing.

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 5 hours 30 Mins

Highlights: Rich Forests, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Habitat

Best time to visit: October to May

 

Planning a road trip?

 

 

7. Ooty

Nestled amidst the blue Nilgiri mountains and surrounded by all the staples of the most exotic hill stations, this panoramic destination a few hours away from Bangalore, has enough spots that you can get lost exploring with your partner in 2021. 

Image Courtesy: Go Ibibo

 

Ooty is often called the “Queen of Hill Stations” which makes it the perfect getaway site for nature lovers. With soothing temperature throughout the year and captivating antique buildings and churches, Ooty is an ever-growing and one of the most sought-after places for a rejuvenating weekend getaway near Bangalore!

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 7 Hours

Highlights: Tea Plantations, Scenic Spots Everywhere, Homemade Chocolates

Best time to visit Ooty: October to June

 

Planning a road trip?

 

 

8. Hampi

Here's a UNESCO World Heritage Site positioned in the city of Hospet. Hampi boasts of a glorious past and a reinforcing present. Located within the ruins of Vijayanagara, the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi draws millions of visitors every year. Every time you visit Hampi, it's like travelling back in time. 

Image Courtesy: Goa Trip Planner

 

Things you can sight in Hampi include captivating riverside cottages (available at affordable prices), wood-fired pizzas, hammocks to laze around and even riverside picnic spots. Lease yourself a vehicle, hold your partner tight, and set off exploring the monumental ruins of the Vijayanagara kingdom that Hampi is known for.

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 7 Hours

Highlights: Ancient Temple Ruins, Monolithic Sculptures & Monuments, Stunning Medieval Carvings

Best time to visit Hampi: October to February 

 

 

9. Maravanthe

Another great weekend getaway spot from Bangalore, especially for all the beach enthusiasts out there! In addition to being one of Karnataka's most stunning beaches, Maravanthe also has a laid-back, relaxing environment allowing you to unwind with your partner in absolute peace.

Image Courtesy: Reddit

 

For when you feel like you’ve had your fill of the seaside, make sure you set aside some time to take in the splendour of the Padukone Village, often recognized as one of the must-visit locations in Maravanthe.

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 9 Hours 

Highlights: Endless Gorgeous Shores, Picturesque Village,

Best time to visit Maravanthe: September to March

 

 

10. Wayanad

Full disclosure, one weekend simply may not be enough to make the most of this destination. But, if you're an idyllic traveller who enjoys experiencing one spot at a time, it doesn't get better than Wayanad!

Image Courtesy: Trip Advisor

 

Walkthrough the tea estates, go bamboo rafting, go to Soochipara Falls (an astounding three-tiered waterfall surrounded by forests), explore Edakkal Caves (which has pre-historical stories), trek via Chembra peak and take a safari ride through the Wayanad Sanctuary.  Let's just say there's no dearth of things to do when you pay Wayanad a visit!

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 6 Hours

Highlights: Camping & Trekking Trails, Breathtaking Waterfalls, Bird Watching Spots

Best time to visit: October to May

 

Planning a road trip?

 

 

11. Kodaikanal

One of the go-to hill towns for most residents of Bangalore, Kodaikanal is bustling with edgy granite cliffs, forested valleys, tranquil lakes, cascading waterfalls and never-ending grassy hills. 

Image Courtesy: Lonely Planet

 

With plenty to traverse, touch and taste, Kodaikanal offer a multitude of things to do including rowing, hiking, cycling or just good old exploring without any stringent plan. You will also be greeted by a wide variety of local handicrafts and products, that you can perhaps surprise your loved one with!

 

Approximate duration of the drive: 9 Hours

Highlights: Serene Environment, Scenic Tourist Spots, Shopping, Staggering Waterfalls

Best time to visit Kodaikanal: October to March 

 

 

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So that was it, in this list of the most romantic spots for a weekend getaway from Bangalore. So this year, wear your heart on your sleeve and set out with your significant other for the adventure of a lifetime!

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