Mangalore

Flanked by the Arabian Sea on one side and the Western Ghats on the other side, the magnificent port city of Mangalore is a popular tourist destination. Located at the confluence of the Netravati river and Gurupura river, Mangalore or Mangaluru holds some local monikers. In the Tulu language, it is referred to as Kudla and in the Konkani language, it is called Kodiyal. Find numerous historical places to visit in Mangalore adding to the importance of the city. Not to forget the scrumptious Mangalore food which remains a favourite for thousands of tourists. The scenic places to visit in Mangalore comprise ancient temples, sunny beaches, manicured parks and imposing monuments. A city of warm people and friendly culture, Mangalore is open to visitors from all over the world. The locals may also direct you to their favourite places to visit in Mangalore.

Mangalore Overview

When to Visit Mangalore?

You must understand the impact of seasons to decide on the best time to visit Mangalore. The summers in this port city see high humidity and get breezy at night. Mangalore temperature during summer can go up to an uncomfortable 40 degrees. Mangalore weather during the monsoons cools down a lot but the city faces heavy rainfall. The temperature during daytime in winters can be as high as 34 degrees while the lowest Mangalore temperature is around 20 degrees. Going by all considerations, the winter season from October to February is the best time to visit Mangalore. The lower temperature and dry Mangalore weather in the wintertime are just right for various expeditions. You can travel around all the places to visit in Mangalore without exhaustion.

How to Reach Mangalore? 

All the places to visit in Mangalore are quite well-connected by roads. NH 66 is the coastal road that passes right through the city. You can reach Mangalore by state buses and private transport from Bangalore, Mysore, Goa, Mumbai or Kochi. You do not need to worry about the best time to visit Mangalore or connecting journeys if you travel by train. Mangalore junction receives trains from major cities. Mangalore International Airport serves the city, though located at a distance of about 15 Km away from the heart of the city. Avail cabs and autorickshaws to tour places to visit in Mangalore city and surrounding areas.

What are the Things to See & Do in Mangalore?

Your activities in Mangalore can be broadly divided into four praying at its numerous temples, sampling Mangalore food, indulging in adventure activities and sightseeing various places to visit in Mangalore. The city has many temples and you should try to visit most of them. When visiting the beaches, enjoy all the beach adventures and water sports. Mangalorean cuisine is delectable and you cannot miss it. Try vegetarian, non-veg, snacks, main course, thali meals and many more options of your preference. Visit ruins of forts and monuments, spend time in museums and parks and shop till you drop.

Places to Visit in Mangalore

Mangaladevi Temple

Mangaladevi is the presiding deity in Mangaladevi Temple. The city of Mangalore derives its name from Goddess Mangaladevi, a form of shakti. There are other deities in surrounding shrines within the campus. The beautiful, Kerala-style architecture and its revered deities make this temple one of the foremost places to visit in Mangalore.

Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple

An exquisite Dravidian architecture is what catches your eye when you visit Kudroli Gokarnanath Temple. This 1912 temple is dedicated to a form of Lord Shiva. It flaunts a 60 ft tall golden tower and colourful murals. It is one of the auspicious places to visit in Mangalore.

St Aloysius Chapel

Dedicated to Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, St Aloysius Chapel is a stunning building resembling the architecture of Rome. Built on Lighthouse hill by Italian Jesuit Antonio Moscheni, the church flaunts beautiful paintings showcasing historical events. Make sure to include this in your list of places to visit in Mangalore.

Sultan Battery

One of the historical places to visit in Mangalore, you will find Sultan Battery a bit isolated. Ruler Tipu Sultan built this watchtower to look out for invaders from the Arabian Sea. The view of the sea from the tower summit is spellbinding. After taking proper security measures, witness the underground weapon chambers, climb to the top of the tower and take photographs of spectacular sunsets to appreciate this location.

Panambur Beach

Panambur Beach is one of the top beach destinations among places to visit in Mangalore. This pristine beach lives up to the reputation of one of the cleanest beaches. Swim, stroll on the sands, sunbathe or enjoy beach sports. Host of the International Kite Festival, Panambur Beach holds sand sculpture and boat race competitions too. Find numerous food stalls that serve lip-smacking seafood on the beach.

Tannirbhavi Beach

Green palm groves lead to the golden sands of the spectacular Tannirbhavi Beach. Arranged with all facilities such as lifeguards, food stalls, toilets and parking, this clean beach offers breathtaking sunset views. It is very close to Sultan Battery and Tannirbhavi Tree Park is also nearby. You must not miss this location when touring places to visit in Mangalore.

Sammilan Shettys Butterfly Park

Here is an unmissable experience among the places to visit in Mangalore. Sammilan Shettys Butterfly Park is a vibrant place to spend an hour looking around. The 118 species of butterflies include some indigenous species too. This park is for entertainment and educational purposes. Dont try to catch butterflies or harm the environment.

Kadri Hill Park

If you have a soft spot for nature and wildlife, you must make time to visit Kadri Hill Park. This is one of the interesting places to visit in Mangalore for family outings and deserves to be on your itinerary. The lively garden, the animal conservatory and the musical fountain are the top attractions here.

Food to Try in Mangalore

Food is a huge draw when touring the places to visit in Mangalore. There is no doubt that Mangalore food ranks as some of the tastiest cuisines in India. Most of the fare that you would sample here is delicious, but some food items deserve a special mention. You should try Goli Baje which is a fluffy, deep-fried dough ball. It is served with sides of chutneys of different kinds and dry condiments. Churumuri is a spicy, tangy mixture of cooked puffed rice mixed with vegetables and spices. Mangalore buns are fried banana flatbreads that are eaten as breakfast. Another interesting evening snack, gujje podi is the local name for jackfruit fritters. The jackfruits may be unripe or ripe. This snack is great after exploring the numerous places to visit in Mangalore. For the main course, do sample the Neer dosa which are extremely thin and super soft rice pancakes with Chicken sukka (a spicy semi-dry curry) or Prawn gassi (a coconut-based curry). Dont miss the Ghee roast, a special Mangalorean curry. It is prepared with chicken, mutton or seafood. Try the Kori roti which are crispy thin rice wafers served with chicken curry or seafood curry.

Things to Buy in Mangalore

Mangalore has no special items of its own but offers a great shopping experience. Malls and markets are some of the places to visit in Mangalore for exciting shopping experiences. Go for exquisitely embroidered silk sarees and designer jewellery. Most visitors prefer to buy good-quality cashews and other nuts. For more options, visit the Dubai Mall or Empire Mall. Look for toys, home décor and electronic items. Being close to Udupi, places to visit in Mangalore have specific shops selling puja items and you can select various options as per your choice.

Come and fall in love with the beach vibe of Mangalore. You will love the beaches, water sports and temples. Embark on a soul-soothing pilgrimage to Mangalore.

Here are a few quick facts to make your travel safe and easy to Mangalore. Mangalore is a Beach destination. The best time to visit Mangalore is October, November, December, January and February. Since this is the peak season expect a little crowd during this time. June, July, August and September period experiences moderate weather. So, you can easily avoid facing a large gathering.

In peak season the weather is pleasant weather with minimal humidity levels, whereas in off-season the weather is extremely hot weather with temperatures up to 39C. Weather in moderate season is heavy rainfalls with high humidity levels. During Aati Festival, Dussehra, a large number of tourists flock together. The festivals are celebrated in the month of August, September or October,... consecutively. So, if you are fond of bustling streets and localities, choose this time of the year to travel.

If your travel seems incomplete without getting into some fun activities then you will love to get indulged in the beaches, water sports and temples. In moderate season you will love to get indulged in the festive celebrations.

Conclusion

The places to visit in Mangalore offer relaxation, adventure, spirituality and soulful food all in one city. Most tourists prefer to spend the mornings praying and worshipping at the temples and evenings on the beaches. The soul-satisfying Mangalore food will excite all the senses. With the comfort and amenities of a big city, your stay in Mangalore is bound to be very fulfilling.