Undoubtedly one of the country's most beautiful parks, Bengaluru's Cubbon Park is drenched in British colonial charm and sits in the heart of the city. A popular attraction of the garden city, as Bengaluru is called, the park is famous for housing an imposing red-coloured British-era library, statues, museums, an aquarium, a tennis academy, a toy train and numerous pavilions. Sprawling over an area of 300 acre, the park has well-maintained jogging tracks, comfortable benches, shady groves, flowering trees, water fountains and beautiful walkways. The Cubbon Park serves as an ideal spot for joggers during the early morning hours and the evenings. It is the perfect place to enjoy the amazing climate that Bengaluru is blessed with. Officially known as Sri Chamarajendra Park, Cubbon Park dates back to 1870 and is a must-visit spot in Bengaluru. The Vidhana Soudha and the High Court are among the few important buildings that lie on the park's periphery.

Towering over the city of Bengaluru, Nandi Hills is a popular weekend getaway for city-dwellers and tourists. Covered in low-hanging clouds and shrouded by mist, Nandi Hills is a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers, who are enthralled by its breathtaking beauty and picturesque surroundings. The Nandi Hills View Point gives a sweeping view of the underlying scenery and makes for a great picture spot. You can also visit Tipu's Drop Point, which is perched upon a hill. It is said to be the place from where prisoners were pushed off by the army of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore. The point is also the best spot to enjoy a panoramic view of the Nandi Hills. Dating back to the 9th century, the Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, also known as the Nandi Temple is among Karnataka's oldest temples. It draws visitors for its splendid architecture and peaceful environment. History lovers can head to the summer residence of king Tipu Sultan, also known as Tashk-e-jannat. Build with wood, the temple is known for its beautifully carved arches, painted walls, high ceilings and pillars.

Internationally renowned as a centre for botanical artwork and conservation of plants, Lalbagh is one of the most scenic gardens in the state. Sprawling over an area of 240 acre, the park draws visitors in large numbers with its popular glass house and also serves as a home for as many as 1,854 species of plants. The glass house plays host to the biannual flower show held here as an extension to the Republic Day and Independence Day celebrations. The Lalbagh once served as the private garden of Mysore's ruler Hyder Ali and was initially built in Mughal style over an area of 40 acre. The British transformed the park and gave it its current look. A visit to the park makes for an interesting exploration for tourists.

Mekedatu makes for a great one-day trip from Bengaluru and is visited by a large number of city-dwellers and tourists for its unique sight of River Cauvery cascading through a narrow gorge. Bordered by lush green landscape, the river flows through a narrow and deep ravine of hard granite rocks. A prime spot here is the sangam, the confluence of rivers Arkavathi and Cauvery. Tourists can also visit the beautiful Sangameshwara Temple, which is flocked by devotees throughout the year. Other important attractions in Mekedatu include Shivasamudram Falls and Kallahalli Sri Srinivasa Temple. The word Mekedatu means goat's lap in Kannada. The place was so named because the gorge through which River Cauvery flows is so narrow that even a goat could leap over it. The best time to visit Mekedatu is during the winter season.

Get off the busy city streets for a while and head to this scenic waterbody nestled at the heart of the city. Ulsoor Lake draws visitors for its picturesque surroundings, leisurely boat rides, tranquil waters and several little islands. Hire a cruise from the boat club at the lake and traverse through the pristine waters as you explore the myriad hues of the islands and soak in tranquility. Located in the northeastern fringes of the city, Ulsoor Lake was built by Kempe Gowda II, a ruler of the Vijayanagara empire, in the 2nd century.

The lake draws huge footfalls during the Ganesha Festival celebrated in the months of August and September. You can also visit the recreational complex near the lake or go for a swim in the well-maintained pool. Other nearby attractions include a gurudwara, considered to be the largest in the city and a temple dedicated to Lord Subbaraya.

One of the most popular and scenic getaways from Bengaluru, Muthyala Maduvu or the Pearl Valley makes for a truly enchanting experience. Surrounded by a picture-perfect landscape lined with verdant hills, the valley serves as an ideal picnic spot. The prime attraction of the valley is a majestic waterfalls that drops from a height of 90 m. When the water rushes through the flora of the valley, it creates an illusion that the drops of water are a string of pearls and that is how the valley got its name. The valley is nothing less than a paradise for bird-lovers and one can spot a wide variety of avian species here. Tourists can also visit a small temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Pearl Valley also draws trekkers and adventure enthusiasts in large numbers as its open forests and mountain ranges provide ample trekking opportunities.

Spread over an area of 1,000 acre, the man-made Hesaraghatta Lake is a popular picnic spot in the city. It is not only an ideal scenic getaway from the city but also attracts bird-lovers in large numbers. Some of the popular migratory and avian species you can spot include paddy field pipit, kingfisher, pond heron, magpie robin, black drongo, brahminy kite, black kite, cormorant and egret. The lake also provides the perfect setting for taking blissful nature walks. One can also visit the Government Aquarium and the popular dance village, Nrityagram, which was set up by renowned classical dancer Protima Bedi.

This freshwater lake was created across the Arkavathi river in 1894 to meet the increasing water needs of Bengaluru. The scenic spot was conceptualised by the then Dewan of the erstwhile Mysore state, Sir K Seshadri Iyer and MC Hutchins, Mysore's chief engineer at that time.