10 Best Places to Visit in Mysore (2019): Be Ready to Be Captivated by the Magnificence of This Former Royal City

Mysore is a very famous place which is situated in the southern city of India Karnataka. If You are visiting Bangalore then you should not miss an opportunity to visit this city of palaces. Mysore is visited by those people who love to explore and feel the adventurous classic royal architecture, Those who are art lovers. The city has a historical background. As it is having a large number of palaces due to which it is known as the 'City of Palaces'.

There are more than 10 best places to visit in Mysore but that is not the only reason to visit this beautiful and regal city. If you are planning to visit Mysore then plan your trip around Dasara because the celebrations here aren’t like any. They have this grand festival of Dasara in Mysore which is quite popular and you should try to be a part of it.

This festival is as old as 400 years and celebrated in full grandeur and glory. So, make sure that you get to witness all the fun and entertainment of this festival.

Mysore is also known as the City of Palaces and it is quite fitting for this city of royals. Some of the most popular palaces here are Jagan Mohan Palace, Karanji Vilasa, Mysore Palace, Aloka Palace and many more.

Of course, you won’t be able to visit them all on your trip but make sure to visit the popular ones at least. The palaces here are very well maintained in all their glory. The city is also beautifully planned with open spaces and water bodies which makes it even more beautiful to visit.

Mysore is not just another concrete jungle and this is why it is a must-visit this place. From plenty of natural spaces to amazing food, Mysore offers one of the best combinations to its visitors. Being in South India, you can discover a huge variety of Dosas here as well as all the other delicacies.

Moreover, there are plenty of gardens and parks here along with lakes so you will never be missing out on a view while enjoying your meal.

Mysore is a beautiful city. It's full of natural beauty as well as man-made beauty. There are many places to see near Mysore as the weather remains conducive to travelling throughout the year.

The cafes, bustling markets, Mysore zoo and the magnificent Mysore Palace are not going to let you sit idle for even a moment here. Although there are many places to see in Mysore still there are 10 Best Places to visit near Mysore from 50 to 500 km.

Mysore Palace is hands down one of the most popular places to visit in Mysore. There is simply no reason to dislike this place as it is a remarkable example of stunning architecture and glorious style. This is also known as the Amba Vilas Palace and known to be the official residence of former Royal Family of Mysore.

Of course, there are other palaces in Mysore but none of them come close to this beauty. Built-in 1912, Mysore Palace is also known to be one of the biggest palaces in India.

It remains open to visiting from 10 am to 5.30 pm and there is also an entry fee to visit this palace. Apart from the beautiful interior and gorgeous beauty, this palace is also known for its light and sound show as well as its grand Dussehra celebration too.

Somanathapura is a small town located on the banks of river Kaveri and the temple here is known as Somanathapura temple or Chennakesava temple. This stunning temple is popular for its beautiful Hoysala architecture which is unique and mesmerizing.

The temple remains open to visitors from 9 am to 5 pm and there are some charges to enter. The temple was built in 1258 CE and despite being so ancient, it still stands strong.

The temple is dedicated to the beauty of Lord Krishna and not only tourists but locals also come to visit this place. Apparently there are no idols inside the temple as they got destroyed still people from all across India come here to witness the marvel of the temple’s architecture. You should try to visit this temple in the morning time.

Lalitha Mahal Palace is the second largest palace in Mysore and the structure looks quite like the smaller version of Mysore Palace. It was built in 1921 and the architecture of this palace resembles that of St. Paul Cathedral in London.

The stunning architecture is the main reason that it captures the attention of people. The palace remains open to visit from 10 am to 6 pm and there is also an entry fee to visit this palace.

However, the Lalitha Mahal Palace is converted into a heritage hotel and this is why tourists can only visit its ground floor now. So, if you are in Mysore for a quick getaway then it won’t take you long to visit Lalitha Mahal Palace. You can also enjoy staying here too.

One of the most popular places out of all the 10 best places to visit in Mysore here on this list is Chamundi Hills. You can spot a huge crowd here on weekends as people come here to relax and to be a part of the beauty and calmness of nature here.

This spot attracts quite a lot of tourists and the hills even have a temple of Sri Chamundeshwari Temple which remains open from 7 am to 9 pm every day.

We would recommend you to visit Chamundi Hills in the evening so that you can capture some beautiful shots and enjoy the perks of nature at the same time. You can reach the summit point either by road or by stairs but for more fun and exotic experience you should go for the latter one.

Mysore Zoo or Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens is one of the topmost Zoological Gardens in India. Maharaja Chamaraja Wodeyar established this zoo in 1892 but after freedom, it was handed over the government. Over time, this zoo got developed a lot and currently, they try to create a natural habitat for the animals living in it.

You can visit this zoo from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm and the entry fee varies according to the age of the visitor. You can find a lot of reptiles, cats, birds and other species here which makes a total of 168.

Moreover, this zoological garden covers a huge area of 157 acres. So, we would recommend you to visit this place in the morning as you will need most of your day to visit it entirely.

If you are looking for places to visit in Mysore at night then Karanji Lake would be the perfect option for it. Located in the heart of the city, this lake is also known as Fountain Lake and you can always spot a decent crowd here for picnics and relaxation.

There is also a coffee shop by the lake so you can enjoy some coffee with a view. The lake is more than that and you get to explore more than 147 species of birds out here.

Karanji Lake is a wonderful place to sit and relax when you are tired of roaming around the city. You get the best combination of food and nature here which is very much what everyone wants. There is also a butterfly park nearby with more than 45 species of butterflies out there. You can visit the lake from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm.

Brindavan Gardens is like a stunning abode of nature which is situated about 21 km from Mysore. If you are always interested in nature and beautiful landscapes then you should give this place a go.

This well-built garden is situated by the river Kaveri which increases the tourists count here. These gardens aren’t any ordinary landscape but spread across 60 acres and it took 5 years to complete this project.

The lush green terrace gardens and abundance of flora and fauna here are quite remarkable. You are going to feel quite overwhelmed by simply looking at the beauty of this place. The garden is quite entertaining for both kids as well as adults because of its swings and other rides. You can visit it from 6 am to 8 pm with some entry fees.

Amongst all the 10 best places to visit in Mysore in this list, GRS Fantasy Park is the most entertaining one. It is located just 15 minutes drive from Mysore and it is a combination of amusement and water park which is quite fun.

This theme-based park is quite popular amongst locals as well as tourists. You can visit it from 10.30 am to 6 pm and you will need at least 3-5 hours here.

The park offers so many amazing and thrilling rides along with play systems for both kids and adults. There is also a restaurant and gift shops inside the premise so you can enjoy the water slides as well as have some food. You are going to love the decorum here which is quite entertaining and chilling. We would recommend you to visit this park on Sunday.

St. Philomena’s Church is known as the second tallest church in Asia and was started to built-in 1933 by then king of Mysore. This Roman Catholic Church one of its kind and it is quite difficult to find any other church like this in India.

This is the reason that the historic site is visited by so many tourists all around the year. The religious importance and neo-gothic architecture of this church is something that can leave you awestruck for hours. It looks huge and you can click some spellbound pictures out here.

You can visit this church from 5 am to 6 pm and there is no entry fee. Inside the church, you can find the remains of Saint Philomena preserved carefully.

As there are so many palaces in Mysore, we couldn’t resist mentioning one more on this list. One of the most renowned Mysore tourist places, Jaganmohan Palace is another piece of architecture that showcases how majestic the city of Mysore is.

Built-in 1869, this palace still looks new and has a spectacular history attached to it. Mysore Palace might be the most grand but Jaganmohan Palace is the most beautiful one. You can visit it from 10 am to 5.30 pm with some entry charges. This palace is an art gallery where you can spot some of the most exquisite pieces of artwork today. There are as many as 2000 paintings in this art gallery which is no less than a marvellous site.

The places mentioned above are some of the most popular places to visit in Mysore which are go-to places for most visitors. However, if you have time remaining on your trip or you want to explore something different about the city then we have something special for you. We have mentioned some offbeat activities for tourists who are more interested in unusual things.

One of the most popular weekend places near Mysore in Shukavana. This is a rehabilitation centre for birds and a hidden gem in the city. It is home to more than 2000 birds comprising of about 450 species. This place is also known as Parrot Park because of the wonderful and talking parrots here. This place is no less than a heaven for nature lovers and people love spending time here.

Silk sarees and South India are quite synonymous with each other. If you want to take a closer look at how these gorgeous silk sarees are being made and woven together then you can visit the silk factory here in Mysore. Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation Factory offers you to see the preparation of Mysore Silk sarees from scratch to finish. You are surely going to get intrigued by looking at this process.

Hotel Hanumanthu in Mysore is the best place to have some of the most amazing and finger-licking non vegetarian foods, along with a special biryani. No matter how amazing the rest of the 10 best places to visit in Mysore are, nothing can beat the authentic taste of Mysore biryani. From piping hot mutton pulao to trotter soup and Kaima ball fry here, everything is just too good and that too at affordable price.

Mysore is quite popular for its silk sarees, sandalwood products, sweets and a lot more unique items. This is why a visit to its local markets is a must thing to do while you are in the city. You can visit markets like Devaraja Market, Mall of Mysore, Amex Super Market and many more. Don’t forget to buy some sweets from Mysore on your way back home.