Ultimate 3 Day Bangalore Itineary: A Local’s Guide for 2025

I’ve been to Bangalore more times than I can count, and yet I still discover something new every time I go. What I love the most about the city is that a 3 day Bangalore Itinerary is more than enough to soak up the best sights.

I’ll be the first to admit that Bangalore isn’t always love at first sight, though, especially if this is your first time visiting India. Tourists are often daunted by Bangalore’s noise, traffic, and urbanization. But it won’t take you long to discover that the city also houses plenty of indie art, not to mention a super exciting coffee and beer scene.

Foodies totally have it made since Bangalore is one of the top cities in India for munching your way through some of the best local feasts. Best of all, I noticed that most restaurants are more affordable than in sprawling metropolises like, say, Delhi or Goa.

So, let’s get into it.

Day 1: Start With Old Bangalore Charm

Morning: Explore Basavanagudi And Grab A Classic Masala Dosa Breakfast

Start your trip with a slow stroll through Basavanagudi, one of the oldest neighborhoods in Bangalore. You just can’t miss a visit to Bugle Rock Park, home to some of the oldest rock formations on earth.

From there, you can always walk over to Dodda Ganapathi Temple (Big Ganesha Temple) and Dodda Basavana Gudi (Bull Temple). I was told that the Bull Temple’s Nandi statue was actually carved from a single granite block and measures nearly 5 meters long. You may also spot locals gathering for the morning aarti(prayer ceremony).

Gandhi Bazaar nearby is something of a sensory overload. You’ll find piles of marigolds, jasmine, and kanakambara flowers that locals often buy for temple offerings. This place also features spice shops selling rasam powder by the kilo and stalls selling brightly colored glass bangles.

Grab breakfast at Vidyarthi Bhavan, an old-school South Indian eatery that’s been around since 1943. Locals queue up before it opens at 6:30 a.m. Most people actually go there for their masala dosa. It goes really well with their filter coffee, traditionally served in steel tumblers.

If you’re into cultural shows, head over to Ranga Shankara in South Bangalore. Their evening shows are known for being quite affordable (tickets usually range between ₹150 and ₹250), and they often feature performances in Kannada or English.

Afternoon: Lunch And Craft Shopping in Jayanagar

One of my favorite places to visit in Bangalore is Jayanagar 4th Block. This busy market area features a haphazard collection of street stalls and old saree shops. You’ll also find a couple of modern cafés and bookstores. For me, this is one of the best places to aimlessly potter about in Bangalore, just soaking up city vibes.

 Have lunch at Nandhana Palace, another South Indian restaurant that’s famous for its Andhra thali traditionally served on a banana leaf. It comes with an assortment of curries, unlimited rice, papad (cracker), sambar (spicy sauce), dal, chutneys, and a killer mango pickle that I can’t get enough of!

Local tip: Skip the thali on Sundays: the crowd is insane. Weekdays after 1.30 pm are your best bet for a more relaxed experience.

Evening: Browse Through Indie Bookstores and Enjoy A Karnataka Cocktail

On day two of your Bangalore Itinerary, you may wish to skip the tourist-heavy Church Street and head to Richmond Town, where things are a bit more local and laid-back.

Start with a browse at the Champaca Bookstore & Café. One of my favorite spots in Bangalore, this spot is actually a quaint bungalow that’s been converted into a bookshop. Tucked away under a canopy of trees, this is the kind of place you can disconnect over cake and chai.

Then walk over to The Permit Room, a quirky Karnataka-themed bar that does fun takes on regional food and cocktails. Whenever I’m there, I always order their prawn ghee roast sliders and namma sour (kokum and whiskey cocktail).

Day 2: Garden Mornings, Dosa Crawls And Rooftop Drinks

Morning: Lalbagh Botanical Garden and breakfast at MTR

On day 2 of your Bangalore Itinerary, I suggest that you wake up early and head to Lalbagh Botanical Garden, which opens as early as 6 am. Don’t be surprised if it’s a bit crowded, though. It’s a running joke in Bangalore that half of the city goes there to jog, stretch, or simply meditate under centuries-old trees before starting their day.

After you’ve had your fill of trees and calm, walk or rickshaw over to the Mavalli Tiffin Room(also known as MTR). You’ll find branches all over the city. No surprise here since this is one of Bangalore’s most iconic breakfast joints. They’ve been serving locals since 1924, and the food is as authentic as it gets. In fact, I was told that the iconic rava-idli breakfast was created right there during the war when rice was scarce.

This local specialty basically consists of steamed semolina cakes with plenty of fresh yogurt and veggies added to the batter. It’s super moreish and comforting, especially on a cold winter’s morning!

Local tip: If you want the full experience, order the “special tiffin meal”. It includes a main savory dish, a small sweet treat, and coffee. It’s pretty cheap for what you get too.

Afternoon: Artsy Crawl and Art Detour

Before diving into Indiranagar’s food, stop at the Rangoli Metro Art Center on MG Road. This place is basically a series of open-air art galleries, handicraft shops, and installations that most tourists miss. It’s run by the city’s metro authority and showcases local artists and crafts.

For classic Karnataka cuisine, you can always grab lunch at Sana-di-ge. I totally recommend the kori rotti (crispy rice wafers with chicken curry) and Kane fish fry. I suggest you ask for a whole fried fish. It’s a coastal delicacy that you’ll rarely get outside Bangalore.

Local tip: Ask the staff about patrode, a leaf roll in spiced batter. It’s not always on the menu but worth ordering if available.

Evening: Brewery with a view

If you’ve got some time to kill in the afternoon, I totally recommend a visit to the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum. As the first aerospace museum in India, this place offers an interesting peek into the country’s aviation history. If you ask me, it’s one of the best spots in Bangalore for families with kids.

Nearby, you’ll also find Bangalore Palace, which dates back to the 19^th century. Originally inspired by England’s Windsor Castle, this structure is especially known for its Goth and Tudor architectural styles. It often hosts shows and cultural events, so check their page to see if there’s anything interesting you might want to catch. If you’re interested in the local history, I also suggest a visit to the Bangalore Fort, originally built in 1537 as a mud fort.

Now, there are heaps of great pubs all over the city, but in my experience, the Bangalore Brew Works has the best skyline views and fewer tourists. It’s low-lit, breezy, and the drinks are solid. For me, nothing quite hits the spot like their house wheat beer paired with their spinach and mushroom pizza. They’ve also got local bottled kombucha.

Day 3: Adventures, Markets, And Legendary Biryani

Morning: Bangalore by Motorbike and Cubbon Park

If you’re feeling adventurous, kick off your day with a private motorbike tour that covers the city’s top attractions. Best of all, you can totally customize your own route. I suggest a visit to Cubbon Park, famous for its statues and rare plants. It’s also got a bamboo grove nook and a lotus pond. Cubbon Park is home to monuments and historical buildings like the Central Library and the Cheshire Dyer Memorial Hall.

If motorcycles aren’t your thing, you can always sign up for a Bangalore Heritage Walking Tour that’ll take you through hidden lanes and British-era architecture.

Afternoon: Chickpet market and the Shivaji Military Hotel

Take a quick rickshaw ride to Chickpet, the city’s oldest market. It’s not glamorous, but it’s electric and perfect for travelers who want to enjoy a local experience. It’s got narrow lanes full of sari sellers, flower stalls, copperware shops, and old book vendors. Bring cash, bargain politely, and keep your phone zipped up.

As dinnertime rolls in on the last day of your Bangalore itinerary, head over to the Shivaji Military Hotel, a local legend for their mutton donne biryani (served in dried palm leaf bowls). Just a quick heads up though: in India, “hotels” sometimes mean restaurants, so don’t expect any rooms!

Their biryani is spicy and greasy, but in the best possible way! To enjoy it local style, chase your biryani down with a glass bottle of ice-cold limbo soda. You do want to head there early for this one since there’s often a line and they tend to run out of biryani early.

Evening: Sunset with a view or fire paan finale

Okay, you just can’t leave Bangalore without a fire paan experience. More than the food, it’s an entire cultural experience in its own right! For me, the best place to try fire pan is on VV Puram Food Street, where you’ll find heaps of wall-in-the-hole eateries serving this local specialty. I was quite hesitant to try fire paan for the first time, but rest assured that it looks way more daunting than it really is, despite the bright orange flames!

During this wacky experience, the vendor basically sets a mixture of betel leaf, spices, and nuts ablaze before inserting the whole thing in your mouth. It doesn’t burn – I suspect they fold it over to extinguish the flame just before you close your mouth – but it’s actually super refreshing and flavorful.

A stroll down Food Street might just be the perfect conclusion to your Bangalore itinerary. But if you’d rather end your trip on an adventurous note, you can always embark on a sunset kayaking expedition across Hesaraghatta Lake.

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