Offering travellers an exhilarating mix of natural beauty, adventure and great food – one will be spoilt for choice when choosing among best weekend getaways from Bangalore. While the city itself is a wonderful place to stay, everyone needs to unwind and refresh once in a while and that’s when you’ll thank your lucky stars for the vast variety of scenic weekend getaways from Bangalore.

Here we have mentioned some of those charming destinations below.

Did you know there is a place in India which resembles the Grand Canyon of the US? Yes, you heard it right. At a distance of 280 kms from Bangalore, and on the right bank of the river Penna, is a small hamlet called Gandikota. There is a fort made up of red stones and a deep, rugged gorge. Head to this place and get an unforgettable “Indian Grand Canyon” experience.

Distance from Bangalore: 280 KMS

How to reach: 5.5 hours by car. One can travel by train till Muddanur, the nearest railway station. APSRTC buses ply to Jammalamadugu from Bangalore. From Jammalamadugu private and APSRTC buses go to Gandikota.

Things to do:

• Explore from the viewpoint of Gandikota Fort and Gorge.
• Visit Ranganatha Swamy temple and Madhavaraya Temple

Rocky boulders, dense forests and scenic backwaters sum up the backdrop of Manchanabele Dam. This is one of the best offbeat weekend getaways near Bangalore. The dam is located at the foothills of Savandurga. It is an ideal destination for a long weekend drive from Bangalore.

Distance from Bangalore: 36 KMS

How to reach:  You will reach to this serene destination after a hour long car drive.

Things to do:

• Visit the dam to witness its serenity.
• Go swimming in the backwaters.
• Trek on the hilly tracks and indulge in rock-climbing.

Devanahalli is a small fort town located very close to Bangalore. It is famous for its century old temples and also for being the site of Bengaluru International Airport. There are numerous temples within the fort with impeccable architecture. The area is under vast urbanization process with forthcoming business park, IT Park, Science Park and Aerospace Park.

Distance from Bangalore: 40 kms

How to reach:  An hour drive from Bangalore

Things to do: Visit Devanahalli Fort and Venugopalaswamy Temple

Kabini is located on the backwaters of river Kabini and is a wonderful place to relax and rejuvenate. A boat ride along the backwaters is absolutely stunning and soothing. Take a ride into the jungle and try to spot wild animals. Elephant training camp, safari ride and visit the old temple in the island from the resort are a few must do activities.

Distance from Bangalore: 211 km

How to reach: It’s a 4-5 hour drive from Bangalore. The best way to reach Kabini is by road. The greenery of the surrounding tropical forests along the way to Kabini river makes for an amazing road trip and a comfortable journey through the way.

Things to do:

• Jungle Safari
• Boat Safari at Kabini River
• Visit Nagarhole National Park
• Kabini Backwater View Point
• Stay at Wildlife Resorts

A hill-station enveloped in lush serenity, Sakleshpur is located in the mountain ranges of Western Ghats, in the state of Karnataka. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city, Sakleshpur is an idyllic and offbeat weekend getaway, which will revitalize your senses. There are an ample number of tourist places here that guarantee an indelible experience. Covered with spice, coffee and tea plantations all around, this place is also known for its majestic hill views.

Distance from Bangalore: 221 km

How to reach: Sakleshpur is well connected to other major cities of the country via regular buses. There are regular trains from other major cities of the country to Sakleshpur. Instead of Sakleshpur you can also get flight to Bajpe Airport on regular basis.

Things to do:

• Sightseeing at Bisle View Point
• Hike to Agni Gudda Hill
• Bisle Ghat Trekking
• Betta Byraveshwara Temple
• Pray at Kukke Subramanya Temple
• Visit Manjehalli Waterfalls

Situated on the coast of Karwar, Gokarna is a small town in Karnataka, famous for its beaches and temples. Every year thousands of tourists visit Gokarna in search of spirituality and salvation on one hand and relaxation on the other. The lifestyle and culture near the beaches is completely different from the culture inside the town. Palm clad beaches are dotted with foreign tourists in a majority and very few Indians are seen across. With its pristine beaches, serene landscapes and age-old temples, Gokarna is an offbeat weekend getaway, ideal for people looking to experience nature at its best, hippie culture, yogic lifestyle and spirituality.

Distance from Bangalore: 485 km

How to reach: The nearest airport is at Dabolim in Goa. Ankola (20km) is the nearest railway station for most trains but certain trains like the Matsyagandha Express halt at Gokarna itself. Bus services are also available from Bangalore and Goa.

Things to do:

• Do beach trekking along the 5 major beaches of Gokarna – Gokarna beach, Kudle beach, Om beach, Half moon beach, Paradise beach.
• Visit the famous temples of Gokarna – Mahabaleshwar temple, Aadi Gokarneshwar temple, Ganapati temple, Koti teertha temple.
• Perform or learn Yoga by the beach
• Satiate your taste buds at the famous local restaurants like Namaste Cafe and Prema restaurant.

All in all Bangalore is a heaven for travel lovers. Be it a hill station, beach destination or just a weekend getaway, everything is just a ride away. Also, because of its great connectivity by roads, rail and air, Bangalore is definitely one of the best travel hubs of the country.