Bangalore—officially Bengaluru—is India’s “Garden City” and its tech powerhouse, where 18th‑century history brushes against café culture and microbreweries. Built by Kempe Gowda in the 16th century and shaped by Mysore’s Wodeyars and the British, the city rewards explorers with parks, palaces, and a phenomenal breakfast scene. It’s also the gateway to Mysuru and Nandi Hills if you’re planning a longer Karnataka itinerary.

In two days, you can greet dawn amid the jasmine-scented KR Market flower bazaar, stroll the glasshouse at Lalbagh Botanical Garden, trace Tipu Sultan’s battles, and sample crisp ghee-laced dosas. Evenings glow on Church Street and MG Road, where indie bookstores, artisanal coffee, and modern South Indian restaurants keep the energy high.

Practical notes: Traffic is real—use the Namma Metro (Purple/Green lines) where possible. Dress modestly for temples and carry small bills or UPI for auto-rickshaws. October–February is the most pleasant season; summer afternoons call for shaded parks and iced filter coffee.

Bangalore

Welcome to a city that balances Cubbon Park’s banyans with bold architecture like the granite Vidhan Soudha. You’ll find royal echoes in Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, and living tradition in Basavanagudi’s Bull Temple and old sweet shops. Food-wise, breakfast is a civic ritual—think paper-thin masala dosas and fluffy idlis chased with piping filter coffee.

• Top sights: Lalbagh Botanical Garden, Cubbon Park, Bangalore Palace, Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, KR Market (flower market), Bull Temple (Dodda Basavana Gudi), MG Road–Church Street, Indiranagar.
• Local flavors: Benne (butter) dosa in Malleswaram, Andhra thalis on Residency Road, donne biryani at military messes, and late-night kebabs at Empire.
• Fun fact: India’s first craft microbrewery boom began here; many taprooms pair regional ingredients with hop-forward styles.

Where to stay (curated picks near MG Road/central):

• The Leela Palace Bengaluru — opulent urban resort feel; superb Indian fine dining. Book via Hotels.com.
• The Oberoi, Bengaluru — lush gardens and teak-lined rooms on MG Road; beloved for its alfresco Rim Naam. Book via Hotels.com.
• Taj MG Road, Bengaluru — polished, walkable to Church Street and the metro. Book via Hotels.com.
• Taj West End — heritage estate by Cubbon Park; a serene, central base. Book via Hotels.com.
• Treebo Trend Raj Premier — straightforward comfort near city action. Book via Hotels.com.
• Hotel Empire International — budget-friendly with a beloved late-night restaurant downstairs.

Browse more stays: Hotels.com: Bangalore | VRBO: Bangalore

Getting in and around:

• Flights to BLR (Kempegowda International): Compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com. Airport to MG Road: 45–90 minutes by app cab (~INR 1,000–1,600); the KIA airport bus to central stops is budget-friendly.
• Trains (within India): From Chennai ~5–6 hrs; from Mysuru ~2.5–3.5 hrs. Check schedules/prices on Trip.com Trains.
• Local transport: Namma Metro connects MG Road, Cubbon Park, Majestic, Jayanagar, and more. Autos accept UPI; insist on the meter or agree a fare before starting.

Day 1: Leafy Landmarks, Filter Coffee, and a Street Food Night

Morning: Arrival day—take it easy. If you’re in early, warm up with a stroll through Cubbon Park: leafy avenues, heritage bandstand, and the red-brick State Central Library backdrop for photos. For a light South Indian breakfast near MG Road, try Indian Coffee House (retro servers, crisp dosas) or Matteo Coffea on Church Street for pour-overs and cold brews.

Afternoon: Head to Lalbagh Botanical Garden to see the Victorian-style glasshouse and centuries-old trees; the lake walk is ideal in late afternoon. Coffee break at Brahmin’s Coffee Bar (steaming idlis with coconut chutney; stand-and-eat tradition) or Third Wave Coffee if you prefer specialty espressos. Then tour Bangalore Palace—Tudor turrets, wooden ballrooms, and royal portraits; allow 60–90 minutes (camera fees apply).

Evening: Dive into a guided street food adventure where you’ll sample Karnataka and pan-Indian snacks—think masala dosa, akki rotti, holige, and chaats—while learning the stories behind them: Street Food walking tour in Bangalore with a food evangelist.

If you’re dining independently, go classic with Vidyarthi Bhavan (golden ghee masala dosa; go early and expect a lively queue) or MTR – Mavalli Tiffin Rooms for rava idli and set dosa in a historic dining hall.

Nightcap options: The Permit Room (South Indian-inspired bar bites; toddy- and spice-leaning cocktails), Byg Brewski Sarjapur for sprawling lakeside microbrewery vibes, or a rooftop drink at Skyye in UB City for city views.

Day 2: Old Bengaluru at Dawn, Temples and Palaces, Choose-Your-Own Afternoon

Morning: Start early in the KR Market flower market—arrive by 6:00–7:00 a.m. to see torrents of marigold, rose, and jasmine garlands assembled for puja and weddings. Continue into Old Bengaluru on a guided heritage walk covering a teakwood palace, forts, and bustling bazaars: Old Bangalore Historical Walk thro Palace, Temples, Fort & Market.

Post-walk breakfast in Basavanagudi: Brahmin’s Coffee Bar for idli-vada-chutney and filter coffee, or CTR Shri Sagar in Malleswaram for benne dosa—ultra-crisp, buttery, and beloved.

Afternoon: Choose one of two paths.
Option A — Culture circuit with a guide: See the city’s greatest hits efficiently with hotel pickup on the Best of Bangalore Private Tour (Lalbagh, Tipu’s Palace, Bull Temple, KR Market, and more).

Break for lunch at Nagarjuna on Residency Road (fiery Andhra meals on banana leaves—don’t miss the gongura mutton and pepper chicken) or Karavalli for coastal Karnataka seafood like kane rawa fry and Mangalorean gassi.

Option B — Nature and wildlife: Escape south to Bannerghatta Biological Park Safari for close-ups of big cats and elephants with transfers arranged.

It’s a half-day commitment including traffic; pack water, sunscreen, and patience for queues.

Evening: Wind down on Church Street: browse Blossom Book House for rare finds, then coffee and dessert at Glen’s Bakehouse (signature red velvet) or Corner House (Death by Chocolate sundae). For a final dinner, opt for Lupa (seasonal Italian from a celebrated chef; house-made pastas) or modern regional plates at Bengaluru Oota Company (coastal and Malnad flavors). Night owls can grab late bites at Empire Restaurant—shawarma, coin parotta, and kebabs after hours.

Want a fully guided day instead?

If you prefer an expert-led arc from temples to tech, book the comprehensive city experience: Discover Bangalore Through the Ages — Guided Tour with Lunch.

It threads ISKCON, Lalbagh, markets, and palaces into a single narrative—ideal if you like history told on the move.

Food and drink cheat sheet:

• Breakfast greats: MTR (rava idli, masala dosa), Vidyarthi Bhavan (paper dosa, chutney), Brahmin’s Coffee Bar (idli-vada), CTR Shri Sagar (benne dosa), Taaza Thindi (value tiffin).
• Lunch: Nagarjuna (Andhra meals), Meghana Foods (biryani; boneless options), O.G. military messes like Shivaji Military Hotel (donne biryani—arrive early).
• Cafés: Third Wave Coffee, Blue Tokai, Matteo Coffea; try traditional filter coffee anywhere serving tiffin.
• Dinner: Karavalli (coastal), Rim Naam at The Oberoi (Thai by a lily pond), Lupa (Italian), The Permit Room (regional small plates), Byg Brewski (craft beer, expansive setting).

Pro tips: For KR Market, wear closed shoes and bring small change for flower strings. At Bangalore Palace and Tipu’s Palace, photo fees are strictly enforced. Sundays are great for parks and Church Street; plan extra time for crosstown traffic on weekday evenings.

Optional day trips if you add time: Mysuru’s grand palace and Somnathpur’s Hoysala carvings make a spectacular add-on day—see these highly rated excursions for seamless logistics: Best of Mysore, UNESCO Somnathpur Temple & Srirangapatna Day Tour

or Day trip from Bangalore to Mysore, Somnathapura & Srirangapatna.

Departure: Aim to reach BLR 3 hours before an international flight, 2 hours for domestic. Leave central Bangalore 4 hours ahead in peak periods; routes can snarl unpredictably.

Summary: In two days, this Bangalore itinerary blends serene gardens, animated markets, palaces, and a street food deep-dive, with options for guided culture or a wildlife escape. You’ll taste the city’s breakfast soul, trace its royal past, and feel its contemporary pulse along Church Street—then fly out wanting one more dosa.