Things to do in Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Be enthralled by a Jagriti Theatre show

Founded in 2011, the Jagriti Theatre (tel: +91 80 4124 2879; www.jagrititheatre.com) is a 200-person music and performing arts space dedicated to showcasing productions from around the world. The shows certainly have a Bangalore vibe, even though most of them are performed in English.

Eat ’til you drop at Basavanagudi

If food is your bag, spend a relaxed afternoon perusing the many street food joints of Basavanagudi. Just make sure you don’t skip breakfast that morning. Even if you visit when you’re not that hungry, the sights, sounds and smells exuding from one of Bangalore’s most vibrant bazaars will soon whet your appetite.

Paraglide over the Nandhi Hills

Situated just outside of Bangalore sit the sprawling Nandi Hills, which reach the dizzy heights of 1,478m (4,851ft), high enough to reach the clouds above. Xtacee Paragliding Club (tel: +91 80 2665 2427; www.flynandi.com) offers tandem paragliding for the best view of the hills down below.

Place a wager at the Bangalore Turf Club

Horseracing is a popular pursuit in India. One of few turf tracks in the country, Bangalore’s Turf Club (tel: +91 80 2226 2391; www.bangaloreraces.com) remains among the best venues to see the horses compete. You can flutter your spending money away during its two seasons: summer (May to August) and winter (November to April).

Tackle the Anthargange hills

Tour operators Thrillophilia (www.thrillophilia.com) can take keen hikers to the Anthargange hills, just outside of Bangalore. This world of scattered rocks and all-encompassing vistas rises as high as 1,226m (4,021ft). Cave exploration, rappelling, rock climbing and even night treks await.

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Featured Hotels

Hotel Empire International

A budget hotel with an unbeatable location right in the heart of Bengaluru, Hotel Empire International is close to the shops and traveller hangouts of MG Road. All rooms are clean and offer air conditioning, safety deposit lockers, and TVs. There’s also internet access and a respectable in-house restaurant.

Iris Hotel

Small but perfectly formed, the Iris offers a big package on a modest floorplan. Its contemporary rooms are compact yet comfortable and include LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. There’s even a small pool, in-house spa and business meeting rooms, all in a great location near Mahatma Gandhi Road.

The Taj West End

This stylish, old mansion was built in 1887 and started life as a boarding house, but soon became a lavish retreat for Bengaluru’s wealthiest colonial rulers. Luxuriously refurbished and surrounded by an 18-hectare (45-acre) garden, the hotel drips with character. There are two pools, a gym and beauty parlour, as well as fine dining at the Mynt, Blue Ginger and Masala Klub restaurants.

Vivanta by Taj – Yeshwantpur

Soak in the space that's right in the centre of Bengaluru’s business and entertainment areas. The lobby of this luxurious hotel in Bengaluru is a unique mix of chic and classic. This is where sophisticated business travellers can find intelligent work environments and vibrant leisure options in one hot spot.

Gateway Hotel

Many pick this upscale downtown hotel for its superior restaurant, the delectable Karavalli, but the rooms are just as tasteful. The setting here is calm, and the location is perfect for shoppers with their sights on MG Road. They even offer a jetlag service for international guests.

Hotel Ajantha

Hotel Ajantha is a reliable budget hotel in a handy central location, right near the midst of the shopping bustle on MG Road. It also has decent facilities for the price it charges. Although the rooms won't win any design awards, they are clean and well looked after.

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