Once a leafy cantonment under the British Raj, today’s Bengaluru is India’s tech capital—an energetic city where nineteenth-century bungalows shade third-wave coffee bars, and glass offices rise beyond ancient temples. It’s famous for its gardens (Lalbagh and Cubbon Park), thriving microbreweries, and a dining scene that spans benne dosas to multi-course modern Indian tasting menus.

In a week, you can dive into Bengaluru’s heritage corridors—Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, KR Market’s marigold-laced lanes—then relax in its parks and explore creative neighborhoods like Indiranagar and Koramangala. Add a day trip to Mysuru (Mysore), the old Wodeyar capital, to see one of India’s most dazzling palaces and its storied markets.

Practical notes: early mornings are best for parks and markets; dress modestly for temples; Bengaluru traffic is real—cluster sights by area. UPI and cards are widely accepted, but carry some cash for small eateries (“darshinis”). For flights, compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com; for trains in India, check schedules and book on Trip.com Trains.

Bengaluru

Bengaluru rewards unhurried wanderers: step from a 200-year-old market into a sleek gallery, sip a filter coffee at a standing counter, then sample new-wave Indian plates by night. The climate is kind, the trees generous, and the pace (outside rush hour) pleasantly human.

• Top sights: Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, KR (City) Market, Vidhana Soudha, National Gallery of Modern Art, Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum, ISKCON Temple.
• Neighborhoods to savor: Church Street and Brigade Road (bookstores, cafés), Indiranagar and Koramangala (restaurants and bars), Malleshwaram and Basavanagudi (old Bengaluru vibes), Whitefield (HAL Museum, live jazz at night).
• Eat & drink: Benne dosa at CTR, idli-vada at Brahmin’s Coffee Bar, classic meals at MTR, Andhra thalis at Nagarjuna, coastal seafood at Karavalli, modern plates at Lupa, craft beer at Byg Brewski, live jazz and brews at Windmills Craftworks.
• Fun fact: Bengaluru’s “Garden City” moniker is literal—Lalbagh’s glasshouse hosts biannual flower shows drawing tens of thousands each Independence Day and Republic Day week.

Where to stay (handpicked): For five-star grandeur and gardens, choose The Leela Palace Bengaluru. For a stylish, central option near MG Road, check Taj MG Road, Bengaluru. Great-value boutique pick: Treebo Trend Raj Premier. Prefer apartments? Browse stays on VRBO Bengaluru or hotels on Hotels.com Bengaluru.

Getting in: Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is 45–75 minutes from the center, depending on traffic. Compare fares on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com. The metro (Purple/Green lines) and ride-hails are best for moving around.

Day 1: Arrive, Settle Into Green Bengaluru

Afternoon: Arrive at BLR and transfer to your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a leafy stroll through Cubbon Park, passing the red-brick State Central Library and glimpses of Vidhana Soudha’s dome. Grab a classic South Indian “tiffin” at Airlines Hotel—open-air seating under rain trees—think crisp masala dosas and strong filter coffee.

Evening: Browse Blossom Book House on Church Street (a Bangalore ritual), then amble its café-and-pub stretch. Dinner at Lupa (chef-driven, house-made pastas and wood-fired plates) or old-school institution Koshy’s (continental-Indian classics, storied ambience). Nightcap at Copitas (Four Seasons)—consistently ranked among India’s top cocktail bars.

Day 2: Lalbagh, Tipu’s Palace, and Old Bengaluru Eats

Morning: Be at Lalbagh Botanical Garden by 7 am: stroll the glasshouse, lake, and 3,000-million-year-old peninsular gneiss rock. Breakfast after at the original MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Rooms)—try rava idli (invented here during WWII), khara bath, and filter coffee.

Afternoon: Visit Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace (Teak pillars and frescoes) and the nearby KR Market; the flower market’s dawn bustle is legendary, but afternoons still brim with color. Lunch ideas: Nagarjuna for Andhra meals on banana leaves or Shivaji Military Hotel for iconic donne biryani (spicy, leaf-bowled).

Evening: Tour Bangalore Palace (Tudor-style turrets; audio guides give royal backstories). Dinner at Karavalli—coastal Karnataka and Malabar recipes like kane rava fry, Alleppey fish curry. Rooftop views at Skyye in UB City if you fancy one last glance at the skyline.

Day 3: Science, Art, and Church Street Culture

Morning: Fuel up at Brahmin’s Coffee Bar (idli with coconut chutney, no sambhar needed) or CTR/Shri Sagar for a legendary benne (butter) dosa. Explore the hands-on Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum—engaging for adults and kids alike.

Afternoon: Dive into Indian modern art at the serene NGMA (National Gallery of Modern Art). Shop crafts at Cauvery Handicrafts Emporium on MG Road—sandalwood, Bidriware, silk. Coffee break at Matteo Coffea on Church Street or Third Wave Coffee.

Evening: Indiranagar food crawl: consider Burma Burma (vibrant Burmese veg menu), Stories – The Brew Chapter for casual bites, or Vidyarthi Bhavan if you missed it (arrive early; it’s a pilgrimage). Dessert at Corner House—the “Death by Chocolate” sundae is a local rite.

Day 4: Sunrise at Nandi Hills and Village Arts

Morning: Leave by 4:30–5:00 am for Nandi Hills (60–90 minutes). Watch mist lift over the Deccan—carry a light jacket. On the way back, detour to Nrityagram Dance Village near Hessarghatta (check schedules; weekends often have open rehearsals) or relax by Hessarghatta’s pastoral landscapes.

Afternoon: Return to town for a late brunch at Airlines or a hearty thali at Oota Bangalore (regionally rooted Karnataka menu). Rest or browse boutiques on Indiranagar’s 12th Main.

Evening: Koramangala night: burgers at Truffles, coastal bites at Anand Seafood, or pizzas at Brik Oven. For brews, head to the expansive Byg Brewski (Sarjapur) with water features and a lively atmosphere; book ahead on weekends.

Mysuru (Day Trip)

Just 145 km from Bengaluru, Mysuru is the former royal capital famed for its Indo-Saracenic palace, sandalwood, silk, and the heady aroma of jasmine in the Devaraja Market. It’s elegant, compact, and perfect for a richly packed day.

• Highlights: Mysore Palace (illuminated on Sundays/holidays), Chamundi Hill, Devaraja Market, St. Philomena’s Cathedral, colonial boulevards, traditional sweet shops (Mysore Pak).
• Dining: Vinayaka Mylari (soft dosas with coconut chutney), Hotel RRR (veg/non-veg meals—biryani is a staple), Guru Sweets (Mysore Pak).
• Getting there: Early morning Vande Bharat or Shatabdi trains take ~2h 15m–2h 45m, typically $4–10 each way in AC classes. Book on Trip.com Trains. Private car takes ~3.5 hours one-way; expect $70–100 day hire depending on vehicle.

Considering an overnight? Browse stays on VRBO Mysuru or Hotels.com Mysuru.

Day 5: Mysuru Palaces, Hills, and Markets (Full-Day Excursion)

Travel: Depart Bengaluru early (~6:00 am). Train to Mysuru Junction or private car via NICE Road–Mandya corridor.

What to do: Prioritize Mysore Palace (interiors open by late morning), then head to Devaraja Market for jasmine strings, spice mounds, and oil-perfume stalls. If time allows, drive up Chamundi Hill for city views and the Nandi statue, or step into St. Philomena’s Cathedral for its soaring neo-gothic nave.

Guided tour options (pick one):

• Mysore Walking Tour - Stories, Culture and Food galore!

  

  Story-forward exploration through palace precincts, old neighborhoods, and snack stops—great if you love context and conversation.

• 6-Hours Mysuru Cultural Tour with Guide and Transportation

  

  Efficient palace–temple–market circuit with a local expert and comfy transfers; ideal for first-time visitors on a day trip.

• Mysore Palace + Jaganmohana Art Gallery + Devaraja Market = Mysore Heritage Walk

  

  For art lovers—adds the city’s prized gallery to the palace-and-market trio.

Eating in Mysuru: Breakfast dosas at Vinayaka Mylari; lunch at Hotel RRR (biryani and Andhra-style meals); snack on Mysore Pak at Guru Sweet Mart. Return to Bengaluru by evening (trains every hour; 2.5–3 hours; ~$6–10 in AC Chair Car).

Day 6: Aviation, Whitefield Jazz, and Shopping

Morning: Head to the HAL Heritage Centre & Aerospace Museum—vintage aircraft, detailed exhibits, and a glimpse into India’s aviation evolution. Coffee at nearby Third Wave Coffee (multiple outlets).

Afternoon: Browse Phoenix Marketcity or VR Bengaluru for retail therapy. Late lunch and soundcheck-time beer at Windmills Craftworks (Whitefield)—excellent in-house brews and a library-like dining room.

Evening: If there’s a live jazz set at Windmills, stay; otherwise, head back toward central Bengaluru. Dinner at Farmlore (advance booking; hyper-local seasonal tasting menu) if you want something special; alternately, keep it relaxed with shared plates at Sly Granny (if operating during your dates) or hearty Andhra fare at Nagarjuna.

Day 7: Temples, Malleshwaram Bites, and Departure

Morning: Pay a quick visit to the hilltop ISKCON Temple for morning aarti and sweeping city views. Swing by Malleshwaram for a last dosa at CTR or idlis at Veena Stores, then browse 8th Cross for brassware and bangles.

Afternoon: Last-minute souvenir run on Commercial Street (fabrics and kurtas) or a calm walk through Cubbon Park if you prefer greenery to shops. Depart for BLR (allow ample time for traffic; 1.5–2 hours at peak).

Evening: Fly onward. Compare fares and timings on Trip.com Flights or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-On: Hampi from Bengaluru

If ruins and boulder-strewn landscapes call, consider extending your stay for Hampi (UNESCO-listed capital of the Vijayanagara Empire). For a hassle-free plan that departs from Bengaluru and includes flights, guides, and hotels, see this 3-day option:

3 day private tour of Hampi from Bangalore by flight with guide and hotel

If you have a full extra day in Hampi itself (not same-day from Bengaluru), these on-the-ground tours are excellent:

• Hampi Heritage Hues: Uncover the Majesty of Vijayanagara Empire

  

• 1 day private tour of Hampi world heritage site in car with professional guide

  

Transit snapshot & costs (approx.):

• Airport–central Bengaluru: 45–75 min by taxi; $15–25 depending on time and car type.
• Metro: Great for MG Road/Church Street, Indiranagar, Majestic, Lalbagh, and KR Market areas; fares $0.30–$1.
• Bengaluru–Mysuru: Train 2.25–2.75 hours; $4–10; book via Trip.com Trains. Private car: 3–3.5 hours; $70–100 day hire.

Wherever you land each evening, Bengaluru feeds you well: from darshini counters and dosa legends to coastal feasts and brewpub gardens. Keep mornings early for parks and palaces, afternoons for museums and shopping, and evenings for conversations over craft beer or classic filter coffee.

Accommodation quick links: The Leela Palace Bengaluru | Taj MG Road, Bengaluru | Treebo Trend Raj Premier | VRBO Bengaluru | Hotels.com Bengaluru

In seven days, you’ll taste Bengaluru’s best: dawn walks in storied gardens, street-side dosas, palace tours, indie bookstores, and craft brews—plus a regal Mysuru day trip for good measure. It’s a thoughtful rhythm of green spaces, culture, and food that leaves time to linger where you fall in love.