There are an amazing number of things that you can do in Mangalore that are going to keep you busy through your trip. With the breathtaking Arabian Sea on one side and the Sahyadri mountains on the other, Mangalore never goes short on natural charm. Coupled with manmade wonders, Mangalore offers all those stimulating things that make for an incredible holiday. Check out the city’s malls, visit the temples or the beaches that Mangalore never seems to run short off or trek off to the hills or lounge around in the innumerable parks. Venture into adventure sports. Or spend quality time in one of Mangalore’s food courts. We’ll give you a list of things you can do while in Mangalore. 

Avid trekkers would have a blast trekking up some of the most spectacular hills around Mangalore. Head to Kudremukh in Malnad region, Kumara Hills that is one of the tallest hills of the Western Ghats or Kumara Parvatha, that is about 115 km from Mangalore and one of the most popular trekking sites for tourists from Mangalore. The mountains of the Western Ghats, canopied with lush green forested areas with wild flora and fauna are just waiting to be discovered and photographed.

A beach is a wonderful place to laze around in, picking sea shells, listening to the sound of the frothy waves, as the little crabs go skittering along by the waterside. If that’s what you love, Mangalore has umpteen number of beaches you can relax in after a tired day. Visit Panambur Beach, which goes well with tourists and is rather crowded at times, for its street food. Or trail off to the quiet and secluded Tannirbhavi Beach,with its own park or the Suratkal Beach with its lighthouse and the Sadashiva Temple close by.

While at the beach, indulge in a stretch of adrenaline pumping adventure sports like parasailing, jet skiing, speedboat racing and knock down banana boat rides. Along the Phalguni, Sambhavi and Nandini Rivers, take a break to try your hand at the equally exhilarating kayaking and Stand Up Pedaling. There are surf clubs in Mangalore that will help you run through practise sessions in SUP.

What more than an inspiring trip to a museum to learn more about the past. Visit the museums and art galleries in Mangalore. Take a trip to the Mahatma Gandhi Museum to learn more about India during the Independence era and beyond. The Sreemanthi Bai Memorial Museum, also known as Bejai Museum, has a beautiful display of ancient coins, rare silver, specimens from natural history, inscriptions and artefacts from ancient art and architecture. If you're keen on vintage vehicles, visit the collection of ancient cars and motorcycles called PV Vintage and Classics Museum at Hosabettu. 

Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is a must-see during your visit to Mangalore. The Nisarga Dhama has a tropical forest, set amid the beautiful Pilikula Lake. It has a sanctuary called Dr. Shivarama Karantha Pilikula Biological Park, which is a breeding centre for cobras and also functions as a rescue and adoption centre for wounded wild animals. Check out the Botanical Garden and Aquarium too. Manasa Amusement Park and the Lake Garden with boating facilities are sure to impress children. Visit the Heritage Village to peek at the traditional rural structures of Dakshina Kannada. Pilikula Nisarga Dhama is about 10 km from Mangalore. You can take a bus from Mangalore to Pilikula or hire a cab.

Mangalore does have its places where you can chill out over a Goan Pork sausage, Chicken Pepper Fry or Salt and Pepper Keema Rice or over burgers and kebabs, washed with a cold beer, cocktails or a cappuccino. Some of Mangalore’s best places to hang out are Liquid Lounge, Froth On Top or Café MoJo. Most of them open shop by 11.00am and shut for the day by 11.30pm.

Mangalore is a multi-cultural city with people of many religions and communities making it their home. Apart from Dusshera, Krishna Janmasthami, Christmas and Ganesh Chaturthi, Mangalore sees a variety of socio-communal festivals, including those localised temple celebrations. Kambala Buffalo Race, dedicated to Kadri Manjunath Temple and especially the carnivals at Panambur Beach that includes the International Kite Festival, boat races and sculpture competitions are so remarkable.

Mangalore is renowned for its gold and silver jewellery. You can find ivory, bronze and sandalwood artefacts, furniture made of teak or rose wood, incense, perfumes, handcrafted stuff, good quality cashewnuts, silk saris and typical Manglorean sweets. Walk through the Kudla Central Market for electronics, music and books, Dubai Bazaar for economical electronics and the Mangalore Fish Market for seafood. Hunt for a variety of trinkets made of seashells around Panambur Beach.