Bengaluru—still affectionately called Bangalore—blends 16th‑century history, British-era boulevards, and India’s tech heartbeat into an easygoing city with spring-like weather most of the year. Nicknamed the “Garden City,” it’s defined by tree-shaded lanes, sprawling parks, and a coffee culture that fuels early mornings and late-night conversations.

Across a week, you’ll wander Lalbagh’s botanical heritage, people-watch in Cubbon Park, step through palaces, and taste the city’s soul in its tiffin rooms and dosa institutions. Evenings hum with rooftop lounges and microbreweries, while day trips open doors to Mysuru’s palatial grandeur and Nandi Hills’ sunrise vistas.

Practical notes: October–February is ideal; June–September brings refreshing monsoon showers. Dress modestly for temples; UPI and cards are widely accepted. For flights to Bengaluru (BLR), check Trip.com or Kiwi.com; city transport is easy with Namma Metro, BMTC buses, and app cabs.

Bengaluru

The capital of Karnataka marries Kannada heritage with cosmopolitan style. Top sights include Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, KR (City) Market, Vidhana Soudha and the red-brick Attara Kacheri. For culture, visit the Indian Music Experience and the HAL Heritage Centre & Aerospace Museum.

Food is a journey: benne (butter) dosas at CTR Shri Sagar, crisp masala dosas at Vidyarthi Bhavan, rava idlis at MTR, Andhra thalis at Nagarjuna, donne biryani at Shivaji Military Hotel, and coastal classics at Karavalli. Evenings shine at Byg Brewski, Windmills Craftworks, and classic cafés like Koshy’s.

• Stay: Browse VRBO Bengaluru stays or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Top picks: Splurge-worthy The Leela Palace Bengaluru (old-world opulence and gardens), smart-value Treebo Trend Raj Premier (central, clean), and business-leisure favorite Taj MG Road, Bengaluru (great location for MG Road/Ulsoor Lake).
• Getting here and around: Book flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For Indian trains (e.g., to Mysuru), check Trip.com Trains. From BLR airport, BMTC Vayu Vajra buses run 24/7 (~₹250–₹350), or take app cabs.

Day 1: Arrival, Cubbon Park Stroll, and a Taste of Old Bangalore

Afternoon: Land and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs in leafy Cubbon Park (Bandstand, bamboo groves, and the red Attara Kacheri backdrop for photos). Pop into the stately State Central Library area for a quick look at colonial-era architecture.

Evening: Dinner at Karavalli for coastal Karnataka specialties—meen pollichathu (fish in banana leaf), crab in Mangalorean masala, and fluffy appams. Prefer classic café vibes? Koshy’s serves cutlets, appam–stew, and old-school charm. Nightcap at Skyye rooftop (UB City) for lit-up city views, or keep it mellow with a filter coffee at Indian Coffee House.

Day 2: Palaces, Old Pete (Market) Lanes, and Dosa Legends

Morning: Be at KR (City) Market by 6–7am for its technicolor flower market—one of India’s best for photos. Breakfast at Brahmin’s Coffee Bar (idli–vada with coconut chutney; strong filter coffee) or CTR Shri Sagar (golden benne dosa).

Afternoon: Visit Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace (teak pillars and painted arches) and the nearby Bangalore Fort remnant. Swing by Bangalore Palace to see Tudor-inspired interiors and photographs tracing Wadiyar royal history. Lunch at MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms) near Lalbagh—try rava idli (invented here) and set dosa.

Evening: Golden-hour photos at Vidhana Soudha and the red courthouse. Dinner around Gandhi Bazaar at Vidyarthi Bhavan (masala dosa served the old way on stacked plates) or Shivaji Military Hotel for peppery donne biryani. End with iconic VB Bakery cream buns and khara buns.

Day 3: Gardens, Aerospace, and Rooftop Views

Morning: Wander Lalbagh Botanical Garden—seek the centuries-old Peninsular Gneiss rock and the glasshouse modeled after London’s Crystal Palace. Coffee break at open-air Airlines Hotel (dosa under rain trees).

Afternoon: Explore the HAL Heritage Centre & Aerospace Museum for India’s aviation story—engine galleries and aircraft displays. If you prefer music and interactivity, the Indian Music Experience Museum lets you mix tracks and trace Indian genres.

Evening: Stroll MG Road–Church Street (book hunting at Blossom Book House; street murals). Dinner at Nagarjuna Residency Road for Andhra meals served on banana leaves—gongura mutton, nattu kodi, and ghee-laced rice. Finish with cocktails and a view at The 13th Floor (Barton Centre).

Day 4: Nandi Hills Sunrise and Bengaluru Bazaars

Morning: Leave by 4:30–5:00am for Nandi Hills (~60–75 min by car). Watch the sun spill over rolling hills and the 18th‑century Tipu’s Drop. Breakfast on the way back at Indian Paratha Company or Nandi Upachar.

Afternoon: Shop Commercial Street for fabrics and footwear; drop into the state-run Cauvery Handicrafts for sandalwood carvings, Bidriware, and silk. Coffee at Third Wave or Blue Tokai nearby.

Evening: Head to Indiranagar or Koramangala for dinner: burgers at Truffles, seafood feasts at Sana-di-ge, or modern Indian at neighborhood bistros. For a sprawling garden-brewpub experience, try Byg Brewski Brewing Company (massive ponds, smoky grills, and solid IPAs).

Day 5: Full-Day Mysuru (Mysore) Royalty—Guided Day Trip

Trade Bengaluru’s bustle for Mysuru’s regal rhythm on a curated, all-day excursion. Expect ornate palaces, hilltop temples, markets, and stories of the Wadiyars and Tipu Sultan. Typical driving time is ~3.5 hours each way; India’s Vande Bharat train can do it in ~2–2.5 hours (check Trip.com Trains for schedules).

Recommended tour: Full Day Private Guided Tour of Mysore — Palace, Chamundi Hill, Devaraja Market, and more with expert narration.

Where to eat in Mysuru: Breakfast dosas at Vinayaka Mylari (pillowy, ghee-kissed), a homely vegetarian thali at RRR, or mutton pulao at Hanumanthu. Grab Mysore Pak at Bombay Tiffanys before returning to Bengaluru.

Optional add-on if you stay later: Mysore Palace + Jaganmohana Art Gallery + Devaraja Market = Mysore Heritage Walk for a deep-dive into art and marketplaces.

Day 6: Museums, Neighborhood Cafés, and Live Jazz or Craft Beer

Morning: Explore the National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA) for Indian modern masters in a serene heritage setting. Coffee crawl: try Matteo Coffea on Church Street for cold brews or a classic South Indian filter coffee at Bharathi Coffee Bar.

Afternoon: Dive into local design stores around Ulsoor/Halasuru and walk by Ulsoor Lake. Lunch at Meghana Foods (fiery Andhra biryani; the boneless “Natti” chicken is beloved) or The Only Place for pies and steaks with Bengaluru’s old-guard vibe.

Evening: Two great ways to end: book a table at Windmills Craftworks (Whitefield) for a jazz performance, tender brisket, and lagers; or stick central at URU Brewpark (green pockets, grills, and sours). Dessert? Corner House “Death by Chocolate” is a citywide rite.

Optional full‑day alternative (coffee lovers): Head to Coorg for beans and spices with the Mercara Gold Coorg Coffee and Spice Estate Tour.

Expect ~5–6 hours’ drive each way; consider staying overnight if you choose this.

Day 7: Basavanagudi Heritage, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Visit the 16th‑century Bull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi) and amble through Bugle Rock Park. Breakfast at Vidyarthi Bhavan if you missed it earlier; otherwise try Taaza Thindi for soft idlis and crispy vadas.

Afternoon: Pick up silk sarees and spice mixes around Gandhi Bazaar. Lunch at Nagarjuna or a final dosa at MTR. Head to the airport with buffer time—weekday traffic can be heavy; BMTC Vayu Vajra buses are reliable and air-conditioned (~₹250–₹350), or book an app cab.

Getting Between Sites, Costs, and Tips

• Metro: Namma Metro Purple and Green lines cover MG Road–Whitefield and North–South spines. Tokens ~₹10–₹60 per ride.
• Cabs/Autos: Ola/Uber are plentiful; autos are great for short hops (ask for meter or app booking).
• Entrance fees (approx.): Bangalore Palace ₹240–₹560 (Indian/foreigner tiers), Tipu’s Summer Palace ₹25–₹300, HAL Museum ₹50–₹250; parks mostly free or minimal.
• Temple etiquette: Shoulders/knees covered, remove shoes; photography may be restricted inside sanctums.

Optional Extension: UNESCO Hampi (Heritage Capital of the Vijayanagara Empire)

If you can add a day or two, Hampi’s boulder-strewn plains and temple ruins are unforgettable. Fly or overnight train to Hosapete; hire a guide to connect the mythology and history.

Heritage Trip to Hampi — a storytelling-rich exploration of Virupaksha Temple, Vittala Temple’s musical pillars, and riverside ruins.

If you prefer a turnkey experience, consider a fly-in multi-day option like a 3‑day guided Hampi package (also available from Bengaluru).

Where to Book and How to Plan: For flights, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For train ideas in India, check Trip.com Trains. For stays, compare Hotels.com or browse VRBO Bengaluru, including standouts like The Leela Palace Bengaluru and Taj MG Road, Bengaluru.

Summary: In seven days, Bengaluru’s rhythm will feel familiar: sunrise walks, dosa-fueled mornings, palace corridors, leafy parks, and lively evenings with craft brews and conversation. The Mysuru day trip crowns the week with royal spectacle—leaving you plotting a return for Hampi’s timeless stones.