32 Best Tourist Places to Visit near Mangalore (2024)

Halebidu is one of the best heritage sites in Karnataka. About 34 km from Chikmagalur, and 211 km from Bangalore, it is among the most visited places as part of Chikmagalur tour packages.

Halebidu is famous for the beautiful Hoysala Temples of Hoysaleswara and Kedareswara built in 1121 AD. These are the most important places to visit as part of Halebidu tour packages. Hoysaleswara Temple is one of the three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the other two being the Belur temple & Somnathpur temple. The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal-like polishing. Halebidu is one of best places to visit near Bangalore.

Another popular place to visit in Halebidu is the Kedareswara temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built by King Ballala II, it was decorated with sculptures and panels in typical Hoysala style.

Distance from Mangalore: 169 Kms

Kemmanagundi is one of the popular hill stations in Karnataka. About 62 km from Chikmagalur, and 246 km from Bangalore, it is among the best places to visit near Bangalore.

Breathtaking views of the valleys amidst mountain streams and lush vegetation are the main attractions of Kemmanagundi tour packages. Situated at an altitude of 1434 m on the Baba Budan range, the region is covered with plantations of coffee and tea along with thick bamboo groves forming a dense forest cover. Raj Bhavan, Z point, Rock garden, Hebbe Falls, Kalhattagiri Falls, Baba Budan Hill, Bhadra Tiger Reserve, Shanti Falls, and Hebbe Falls are the most poular place to visit in Kemmanagundi.

Kemmanagundi is also popularly known by the name of KR Hills, named after the Mysore King Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. Kemmanagundi is one of the top attractions you must include in Chikmagalur packages.

Distance from Mangalore: 209 Kms

Formed over Sharavathi River, Jog falls is the one of the highest plunge waterfalls in Karnataka and among the top places to visit near Hubli. It is situated about 152 km from Hubli, and 400 km from Bangalore.

Locally known as Gerusoppe Falls, Jog Falls is one of the best waterfalls near Bangalore to visit as part of Karnataka tour packages. The Sharavathi River flowing over a very rocky bed about 250 yards wide, 253 m deep and the water comes down in four distinct falls known as Raja, Rani, Rover, and Rocket. The four cascades merge to form the huge waterfall. The Raja Fall pours in one unbroken column sheer to the depth of 830 ft. Halfway down it is encountered by the Rover, another fall, which rushes violently downwards to meet the Raja. A third falls, the Rocket, shoots downwards in a series of jets; while the fourth, the Rani, is a quiet fall over the mountainside.

A narrow path from viewpoint leads to the bottom of the falls. The view is amazing from the bottom and the showering sizzles of the falls at the bottom are really worth the effort. Unchalli Falls, Bennehole Falls, Yana and Banavasi are among the must include places in Jog Falls tour packages.

Distance from Mangalore: 216 Kms

At a distance of 137 km from Bangalore, 35 km from Mysore & 50 km from Shivanasamudra Falls, Somnathpur is well known for the breathtaking Prasanna Chennakesava Temple, one of the three famous & finest representations of Hoysala architecture (other two being temples at Belur & Halebid). This is one of the three Hoysala temples nominated for UNESCO World Heritage Site status. This is one of the popular tourist places to visit near Bangalore & Mysore and one of the wonderful weekend getaways from both the cities. The Hoysala temples are known for minute & intricate carvings and sculptures with metal like polishing. It is one of the well known Karnataka tourist places and also one of the best places to experince Mysore Tourism.

Located on the banks of Cauvery River, Chennakesava Temple was built in 1268 by Somnatha, a general of King Narasimha III. The temple stands on a raised platform like other Hoysala temples. The temple comprises three shrines and three wonderfully carved peaks with a common Mandapa. The three sanctums once housed beautifully carved idols of Keshava, Janardhana and Venugopala. Today, the idol of Lord Kesava is missing but the other two are still worshipped by the visitors.

The Somnathpur temple is famous for its elaborate and ...

Distance from Mangalore: 289 Kms

Sakleshpur is a quaint hill station in the Hassan district of Karnataka. Situated at an altitude of 3061 feet, Sakleshpur is one of the least explored hill stations in Karnataka and among the must include tourist attractions in Karnataka tour packages. It is about 151 km from Mangalore and 220 km from Bangalore.

Lies in the Malnad region, this beautiful hill station is very popular for its fascinating mountains, scenic beauty, and pleasant weather as well, which are the must-experience things to do as part of Sakleshpur holiday packages. Manjarabad Fort, Sakleshwara Temple, Agni Gudda Hill, Magajahalli Waterfalls, Betta Byraveshwara Temple, Hemavathi Dam, and Pandavar Gudda are some of the popular places to visit in tourist places in Sakleshpur. Besides, this lesser-known hill station is famous for trekking activities in Bisle Reserve Forest Trail and Kumara Parvatha trail, in which one can explore the rich biodiversity of the place.

Sakleshpura is the gateway to the Western Ghats from Bengaluru & Hassan side. Sakleshpur is among the major producers of coffee and cardamom output in India.

Distance from Mangalore: 131 Kms

Earlier known as Cannanore, Kannur is one of the top beach destinations in Kerala as it is famed for its vibrant culture and pristine white beaches that are relatively undiscovered. It is about 113 km from Madikeri, 138 km from Mangalore, 270 km from Kochi, and 311 km from Bangalore. It is one of the famous places to visit in Kerala.

Cradled in the lap of nature, the beautiful town of Kannur has a plethora of sightseeing options in the form of beaches, historical monuments, and ancient temples. St. Angelos Fort, Thalassery Fort, Muzhappilangad Beach, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Payyambalam Beach, & Valiyaparamba Island are the top tourist places in Kannur. Muzhappilangad Beach is the longest drive-in beach in Asia where tourists can get an opportunity to drive up to a length of 4 km on the beach during their Kannur tour.

Also, Kannur is well known for its handlooms and is often described as the land of 'loom and lore'. Besides, Kannur enjoys the credit of having been the cradle of many colorful folk arts and folk music of Kerala. Apart from being culturally rich, Kannur is a valuable asset to the country as it is having Indian Naval Academy, Asia's largest Naval Academy. Kannur can be visited along with Coorg tour packages.

Distance from Mangalore: 144 Kms

Shravanabelagola is one of the most popular Jain places of pilgrimage in Karnataka. About 83 km from Mysore, and 140 km from Bangalore, it is one of the popular places to visit near Bangalore.

Shravanabelagola is famous for the Bahubali Statue, among the must include places in Shravanabelagola tour packages. With a height of 58 feet carved out of a single block of granite, the statue is supposed to be the tallest monolithic stone statue in the world. Gomateswara temple, Odegal Basadi, Tyagada Kamba, Siddhara Basadi, Chennanna Basadi, Akhanda Bagilu, Chamundaraya Basadi, Chandragupta Basadi, Chandraprabha Basadi, Kattale Basadi, and Parshwanatha Basadi are importantplaces to visit in Shravanabelagola.

Once in 12 years, Shravanabelagola celebrates the Mahamastakabhisheka festival which attracts thousands of devotees and tourists from all over India. Shravanabelagola can also be visited along with Mysore tour packages.

Distance from Mangalore: 213 Kms

At a distance of 179 km from Kochi, 124 km from Palakkad, 176 km from Coimbatore, 113 km from Thrissur, 158 km from Ooty, 241 km from Mangalore, 352 from Bangalore, 376 km from Trivandrum and 213 km from Mysore, Kozhikode (also known as Calicut) is a city in the state of Kerala. It is the 3rd largest city in Kerala and the headquarters of Kozhikode District.

The name Kozhikode is said to be derived from Koyil (palace) Kotta (fort). This is known by various names, for the Arabs it was Kalikat, for the Chinese it was Kalifo. Tipu Sultan, during the conquest of Malabar, unsuccessfully attempted to change the name of the city to Firozabad. Malayalis have always preferred to call it Kozhikode. With the Arabian Sea on the west and Wayanad Hills on the east, Kozhikode is a popular places to visit in Kerala.

According to history, Kozhikode was under the Chera rulers until 1122 AD. The city of Calicut came into existence in the 13th century when the Ernad King Udaiyavar conquered the area around Ponniankar and built a fort at a place called Velapuram, now known as Calicut. The Europeans called him Zamorin. Interestingly, the name Calicut is derived from 'calico,' the fine variety of hand-woven cotton cloth said to have originated from this place. Vasco Da Gama landed at the Kappad sea shore with three vessels and 170 men in 1498. A monument ...

Distance from Mangalore: 236 Kms

Kasargod is a coastal town in Kerala. About 48 km from Mangalore, 110 km from Coorg, and 369 km from Bangalore, it is one of the least explored tourist places in Kerala, and among the famous places to visit near Mangalore.

Kasaragod packages are a mix of majestic forts, lofty hills, meandering rivers, and golden beaches. Bekal Fort, among the popular places of heritage in Kerala, Bekal Fort Beach, Pallikere Beach, Kappil Beach, and Kanwatheertha Beach are the popular tourist places in Kasaragod.

Besides, Kasargod is also blessed with a dozen estuaries as 14 rivers crisscross the district that nourishing the verdant landscape. Kasaragod can also be visited along with Coorg tour packages.

Distance from Mangalore: 54 Kms

Nestled in the thickly forested Malnadu region of the Western Ghats, Agumbe is one of the most mesmerizing offbeat tourist places in Karnataka, and among the must-visit places as part of Karnataka tour packages. It is located about 112 km from Mangalore and 342 km from Bangalore.

Situated at an altitude of over 2100 feet, the scenic village of Agumbe lies in the Western Ghats belt with some of the last remaining lowland rainforests. The place is nicknamed 'The Cherrapunji of the South' as it receives the heaviest rainfall in the southern part which makes it a perfect home to some of the scenic waterfalls, dense forests, and rivers. Prominent Agumbe tourist places are Sri Gopala Krishna temple, Kunchikal Falls, Barkana Falls, Onake Abbi Falls, Jogi Gundi Falls, Koodlu Theertha Falls, Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, Narsimha Parvatha trek, Kudremukh National Park, Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, etc. It can be visited as part of Mangalore holiday packages.

Agumbe is home to the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, the only rainforest research station in India, and was established as a sanctuary for the King Cobra. It is also the place where RK Narayan has filmed his novel Malgudi Days.

Distance from Mangalore: 98 Kms

Sirsi is a small hill station located in the Uttara Kannada district of Karnataka. About 99 km from Shimoga, 102 km from Hubli, 395 km from Bangalore, it is the main commercial center and a business hub in the Malnadu region, and among the top tourist places in Karnataka.

Situated at an altitude of 2000 feet, Sirsi is surrounded by thick forests and towering hills, among the must-experience things to do as part of Sirsi tour packages. This pristine hill station is also known as 'Gateway of Malenadu' or 'Gateway of Western Ghats'. Unchalli Falls, Vibhuthi Falls, Marikamba Temple, Magod Falls, Benne Hole Falls, Shivaganga Falls, Muregar Falls, Burude Falls, Mattighatta Falls, Manjuguni, Sahashralinga, Sodhe / Sonda, Devimane Ghat, Banavasi, and Gudavi Bird Sanctuary are some of the top place to visit in Sirsi/a>.

Sri Marikamba Jatra is the main festival held every alternate year in March at Sirsi. The fair attracts nearly 5 lakh devotees, tourists, and pilgrims from throughout Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Goa, and Maharashtra. It is said to be the most famous and biggest fair in the state of Karnataka.

Lies at the mouth of the Kali River near Goa - Karnataka Border, Karwar is one of the top beach destinations in Karnataka, and among the must-visit places as part of Karnataka tour packages. It is about108 km from Panjim, and 517 km from Bangalore.

Karwar's tranquil ambiance had inspired the famous poet Rabindranath Tagore and he has dedicated a chapter of his biography to this town. The town has lovely beaches, beautiful temples and Forts attracting a large number of tourists. Karwar Beach, Devbagh Beach, Sadashivgad, Dargah of Peer Shan Shamsuddin Kharobat, Durga Temple, Kaju Bagh Beach, Kurumgad Island, Naganatha Temple, Narasimha Temple, Koodi Bagh Beach, and Venkataramana Temple are the popular places to visit in Karwar.

Karwar can be visited along with Goa tour packages. The Karavali Utsav is the biggest cultural event held at the Rabindranath Tagore beach in Karwar for four days.

Distance from Mangalore: 274 Kms

Shimoga, also known as Shivamogga is one of the popular places to visit near Hubli, and among the must-visit destinations as part of Karnataka tour packages. It is located about 97 km from Chikmagalur, 183 km from Hubli,and 298 km from Bangalore.

Shimoga city is famous for its landscapes, waterfalls, and historical places, which are the main attractions of Shimoga holiday packages. Jog Falls, one of the highest waterfalls in Karnataka, as well as India, is the major attraction of Shimoga. Shimoga can be visited along with Chikmagalur tour packages.

Jog Falls, Kunchikal Falls, Barkana Falls, Achakanya Falls, Onake Abbey Falls, Hidlumane Falls, and Dabbe Falls are some of the popular waterfalls in Shimoga. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Agumbe, Kodachadri, Keladi, Tunga dam, Linganmakki dam, Shivappa Naik Palace, the Mandagadde Bird Sanctuary, Gudavi bird sanctuary, Tyarekoppa Lion Safari, and Sakrebayalu Elephant Camp are some of the important tourist place in Shimoga.

Distance from Mangalore: 207 Kms

Hassan is a city and the district headquarters of Hassan district in the Indian state of Karnataka. About 120 km from Mysore, 170 km from Mangalore, and 177 km from Bangalore, it is one of the must include places in Karnataka tour packages. It is considered the architectural capital of Karnataka.

Found by the chieftain Channa Krishnappa Naik in the 11th century, Hassan was the command center of the Hoysala Empire. Hassan is the base station for Haebidu, and Belur tour packages. Dotted with several religious spots as well as monuments, Hassan is an ideal place to explore for history lovers, pilgrims, as well as curious souls. Hasanamba Temple, Nuggehalli Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Shettyhalli Church, Mosale temples, Maharaja Park, Chandramouleswara Temple at Arasikere, Bucheshwara Temple at Koravangala, Lakshmidevi Temple at Doddagadduvalli, and Gorur Dam are the top places to visit in Hassan.

It is here where the plains begin to gently slope into the Western Ghats. Besides, Hassan is close to Belur, Halebid, Chikmagalur, Sakleshpura, and Coorg.

Distance from Mangalore: 245 Kms

At a distance of 12 km from Mallandur village, and 39 km from Chikmagalur, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a protected area and a tiger reserve, situated amidst the Western Ghats in Chikmagalur and Shimoga districts of Karnataka. It is one of the most popular Wildlife Sanctuaries in Karnataka, and among the must-visit places as part of Chikmagalur Tour Packages.

Spread over an area of 490 sq. km, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is also known as Muthodi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Chikmagalur. The region was declared as a natural reserve, known as the Jagara Valley Game Reserve, in 1951 by the Government of Mysore. In 1974, the reserve was named the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary. The Sanctuary boasts of a substantial tiger population and it was declared as the 25th Project Tiger of India in 1998.

The sanctuary is situated in the lush tropical forests of the Western Ghats and accommodates the tributaries of the Bhadra River. The sanctuary gets its name from the Bhadra River and a dam has been built on the river near Lakkavalli. The sanctuary has an elevation ranging from 750 m to 1875 m above sea level. Kallahathigiri is the highest peak in the sanctuary with a height of 1875 m. Lakkavalli village near Bhadra ...

Distance from Mangalore: 170 Kms

At a distance of 60 km from Murudeshwar, 73 km from Udupi, 90 km from Jog Falls and 133 km from Mangalore, Sri Mookambika Devi Temple is a Hindu temple situated at Kollur in Udupi district of Karnataka. The temple is located in the valley of Kodachadri Mountain Peak on the banks of Souparnika River. Kollur is regarded as one of the Seven Mukti Stalas created by Parashurama and the other places are Udupi, Subrahmanya, Kumbasi, Kodeshwara, Sankaranarayana and Gokarna. It is a famous site of pilgrimage in Karnataka and one of the top places to visit near Murudeshwar.

This temple is dedicated to Goddess Parvathi. According to Legend, Goddess Parvathi killed a demon called Kamsasuran who lived here and attempted to become powerful through his penance. Devi along with the help of Veerabadra, Ganesha and Shiva initially made him dumb and he came to be called Mookasuran (Mooka means dumb). Later the goddess killed him with her Chakra and called as Mookambika thereafter. The place where Devi killed Mookasura is known as Marana Katte.

The Panchaloha (five metals) image of the Goddess Mookambika is stated to have been consecrated by Adi Shankaracharya during his visit to this place. Devi Mookambika has three eyes and four arms, with chakra and conch in her hands sitting in the padmahasana ...

Distance from Mangalore: 130 Kms

At a distance of 100 km from Mangalore, Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is a sacred Hindu temple located at Kukke near Mangalore. It is one of the most famous temples in Karnataka and among the must-visit places as part of Mangalore holiday packages.

Dedicated to Lord Murugan, Kukke Subrahmanya Temple is one of the important temples of Lord Subrahmanya (Lord Murugan), and among the famous pilgrimage places to visit near Mangalore. This temple is famous for Sarpa Dosha. Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as the protector of all serpents. The epics mention that the divine serpent Vasuki and other serpents found refugee under Lord Subrahmanya when attacked by Garuda.

Pilgrims visiting the temple have to cross the Kumaradhara River and take a holy dip in it before entering the temple. According to Mythology, Lord Kumaraswamy killed the demon rulers Taraka, Shoorapadmasura in a war; and washed his Shakti Ayudha in this river (hence the river is named Kumaradhara). This is also one of the famous places of trekking in Karnataka.

Sarpa Samskara/Sarpa Dosha is one of the poojas performed at this temple by devotees to get rid of the sarpa dosha. Kukke Subramanya can be reached by road from Mangalore and Bangalore.

Timings: 6:30 AM - 1:30 PM & 3:30 PM - 8 PM

Distance from Mangalore: 106 Kms

At a distance of 70 km from Mangalore, Dharmasthala is a sacred town in Karnataka. Situated on the banks of the Nethravathi River, it is one of the famous places of pilgrimage in Karnataka, and among the popular places to visit as part of Mangalore Packages.

The main attraction of Dharmasthala is the famous Manjunatha Temple. This place is also known as Sri Kshetra, and is one of the top places to visit near Mangalore. Dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Manjunatha or Lokeshwara, this temple dates back to 16th Century. It is said that the Shiva Linga worshipped at this temple was procured from Kadri Temple in Mangalore. This place was known as Kuduma and was later renamed Dharmasthala in the 16th century by Vadiraja Swami of Udupi.

The shrines of four Dharma Daivas (Kalarahu, Kalarkaayi, Kanyakumari, and Kumaraswamy) are built well before Manjunatha Temple in Dharmasthala. Lakshadeepotsava celebrated in Kartheekamasa (Nov/Dec) is the main attraction of the temple.

This temple is involved in several social activities, especially, educational institutes for the poor.

Timings: 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM & 5 PM - 8:30 PM

Distance from Mangalore: 75 Kms

At a distance of 7 km from Horanadu, 21 km from Kudremukh, 53 km from Sringeri, 86 km from Chikmagalur, and 93 km from Sakleshpura, Kalasa is a small town located in Chikkamagaluru district of Karnataka. Surrounded by the scenic Western Ghats, it is one of the popular pilgrimage towns in Karanataka, and among the must include places in Sringeri Tour Packages.

Located on the banks of the Bhadra River, Kalasa is home to the Kalaseshwara Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. According to the legend, during the wedding of Shiva and Parvathi in the Himalayas the attendance of the entire pantheon of deities caused a change in the earth's rotation. Lord Shiva requested the great sage Agasthya to travel south and balance the shift of the earth, promising him that he would be able to witness the wedding from where he resides. Kalasa is believed to be the spot where Sage Agasthya resided during the wedding of Shiva and Parvathi. The marriage is celebrated by devotees to this date.

The Kalaseshwara Temple is located on a hillock, and its main features include a soapstone shrine was built in the Hoysala sculpture style. Meals are provided to pilgrims daily at the temple. Girija Kalyanam is one of the biggest festivals celebrated with great pomp and fervor at Kalasa. It begins on the new moon and continues to the full moon. The procession idol of the Kalaseshwara temple is taken out during the Car Festival or Rathotsava. Shivratri is another important festival of Kalasa.

Kalasa ...

Distance from Mangalore: 118 Kms

At a distance of 29 km from Kudremukh, 42 km from Sringeri, and 70 km from Chikmagalur, Horanadu Annapoorneswari Temple is a famous temple situated in the thick forests of the Western Ghats in the Chikmagalur district of Karnataka. It is one of the popular temples in Karnataka, and among the must include places in Sringeri tour packages.

Sri Annapoorneswari Temple is situated on the banks of River Bhadra and is also known as Sri Kshethra Horanadu. It is believed that this temple was established by Agasthya Maharishi. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Annapoorneswari, one of the incarnations of Goddess Durga. A new idol of the main deity was installed at the temple in 1973. It can also be visited along with Chikmagalur Tour Packages.

The temple is now known as Adi Shaktyatmaka Sri Annapoorneswari Temple. The recently renovated sanctum of the temple is surrounded by Adi Sesha while the Padma Peetha is formed by Ashtagaja, Koorma, and others. The main idol of the goddess is made of gold. The Goddess Annapoorneswari is seen standing on a peetha with four hands, each holding a Shanka, Chakra, Sri Chakra, and Gayathri Mantra. The name Annapoorneswari means feeding one and all. It is believed that a person who seeks Annapoorneswari's blessing will never face a shortage of food in life. It is believed that Lord ...

Distance from Mangalore: 125 Kms

At a distance of 67 Kms from Sringeri, 90 Kms from Chikmagalur and 26 Kms from Kudremukh Town, Kudremukh is one of the best trekking destinations in Karnataka. At an altitude of 1894m, it is one of the highest peaks of Western Ghats and among the top destinations for trekking in Karnataka.

Permission from RFO at Kudremukh town is necessary to do this trek. The trekking is performed inside the national park and camping is not allowed in specific seasons (check with RFO before planning the trek). Though there are several routes to trek Kudremukh peak, the Samse - Mullodi route is quite famous. Mullodi is 12 Kms from Kudremukh via Samse and can be reached by Jeep from Kudremukh. Though Mullodi is starting point of the trek, some people trek from Samse, which is 4 Kms before Mullodi.

The peak is about 14 Kms from Mullodi village and takes about 5 Hrs to trek. Incase the camping is not allowed on the peak, you will need to start early & return to Mullodi by evening (total 8-9 hrs trek) and stay at Mullodi (home stays available).

Distance from Mangalore: 98 Kms

At a distance of 27 km from Kasaragod, 72 km from Mangalore, 77 km from Kannur, Bekal Fort is an ancient fort situated at Bekal in Kerala. Along the shores of the Arabian Sea, it is one of the best-preserved places of heritage in Kerala, and among the must-include places in Kasaragod sightseeing packages.

Spreads over an area of 40 acres, Bekal Fort happens to be the biggest fort of Kerala, and among the famous heritage sites near Mangalore. This fort is more than 300 years old and is believed to have been built in the 1650s by Sivappa Naik of the Ikkeri dynasty. There is also another belief that it was originally built by Kolathiri Rajas and was captured by Sivappa Naik. The fort was occupied by Hyder Ali of Mysore in 1763 AD and later by the British. Being the source of attraction for historians and tourists, the Bekal Fort was declared as a special tourism area by the Government of India in the year 1992.

Among the best Kasaragod tourist places, the Bekal Fort is a keyhole-shaped lofty structure that stands still against the rocky shores of the Arabian Sea. The fort has a zigzag entrance, strategically designed openings on the outer walls, and various underground passageways. The fort has no palaces inside and ...

Distance from Mangalore: 68 Kms