Mangalore Tourism And Travel Guide

Mangalore aka Mangaluru, the biggest port city of the state of Karnataka, is renowned for its beaches and its cuisine.  The city is historically vibrant, with its roots rolling back to the princely kingdoms of the Vijayanagara Empire and later to the Portuguese, Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan, and finally to the British, after which Mangalore was integrated with the erstwhile state of Mysore, now Karnataka.

The remnants of the city’s history can be seen in the Portuguese and Spanish styled churches and forts, so strategically placed on the beachfront. Mangalore combines the ancient with its temples and the modern with a pulsating nightlife, so much so that, you can experience and explore the two, and fill in your leisure with long walks at the parks, along the freshwater streams or a paddleboat ride at the sea, if you don’t forget that spicy, delicious seafood. If you would love to visit Mangalore, do check out our travel and tourism guide.

It’s so easy getting into the port city, since it has trouble-free access by sea, air, rail and road. The fastest way to reach Mangalore would be by air.

By Ship:

Mangalore is a calling station for cruise ships from many countries around the world. Sailing a cruise ship is fun and docking at a beautiful port city for visiting the attractions is equally good. Most local tour operators arrange for a ground tour of significant attractions around town, before departure.

By Air:

Mangalore International Airport serves domestic flights to most major cities in the country and International flights. You can hire a cab from the airport to the city.

By Train:

You have access by rail to Mangalore through the Southern Railway that connects the city to the states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Otherwise, travel the Konkan Railways running between Maharashtra, Goa and Mangalore in Karnataka, which is one of the most beautiful picturesque breathtaking railways setting in the country.

By Road:

There are KSRTC and private buses from most neighbouring states to Mangalore. It’ll be a pleasure driving up the coconut tree-lined roads, with a pleasant sea breeze blowing in, along the way to Mangalore.

Getting Around:

Mangalore has a number of specially marked buses specific to destinations, either local or to the suburbs. Otherwise you can hail an auto rickshaw or a cab for transport.

Plan a trip to Mangalore anytime from October to March. There are festivals galore and the weather is too fine to be missed.

Summer (March-May):

Apart from cooling off behind the huge boulders at the beaches or swimming in the rivers, there’s nothing much you can do in summer. It’s quite hot and you can cool off by binging on plenty of coconut water. Check out Mangalore's fruit orchards with exotic summer fruits and the chirps of birds gorging on them.

Monsoon (May-October):

Monsoon rains bring in thundershowers. It’s nice to choose a clear day to spend time at the beach, for the waters look lovely during monsoon. But monsoon is not a touristy season in Mangalore.

Winter (December-March):

After post monsoon rains of November peter out, the weather turns cool and clear and is predominantly the best time of the year in Mangalore.

Museum Visits:

Visit The Aloysius Museum for their display of fossils, shells, skeletons and the first car, at St Aloysius College. The museum is open between 9.00am-5.00pm all days.

Hulivesha Dances:

If you plan your trip to Mangalore during festivals, don’t miss out on the Hulivesha (tiger), Karadi Vesha(bear) dances and the Yakshagana form of dance-drama. They are the integral cultural icons of Mangalore, usually a part of temple festivities.

Tour a 3D Planetarium:

Check out the country’s first 3D Planetarium with an 8K digital and optomechanical projector at Swami Vivekananda Planetarium at Pilikula Nisargadhama.

Go Trekking:

Mangalore has some beautiful trekking points, unsullied by civilization. Try the Green Route Trek at Yedakumeri, out of a picture book with waterfalls, mountain brooks and bridges.

Karavali Utsav:
Mangalore celebrates its rivers with the River Festival in winter. A fun filled festivity galore with folk and Western dances, river sports and a flea market, as well.

Beaches and Birds:

Visit the quiet and peaceful Sasihithlu Beach where the river meets the sea. It’s an idyllic spot for watching the birds.

Kadri Hill Park:

Go on a relaxing jog, do yoga or meditate in the Kadri Hill Park, Mangalore’s biggest park. Treat yourself to the Musical Fountain, Toy Train or Laser Show in the Deer Park, close by.

Fishing Festival:

Temple fairs in Tulunadu culminate with the Fishing Festival on the banks of the River Nandhini at Dharmarasu Ullaya Temple in Suratkal. Prayers are offered to the deity, holy Prasad is dropped into the water, and as if on cue, hundreds of eager folk jump into the river with their nets. The fish caught is taken home to be cooked for the day.

Temples in Mangalore would never let the devotees and tourists return home hungry. Annaprasad or food for all is ritualistically served everyday apart from the Maha Anna Samtharpaney or mass feeding during festivals. Or else, Mangalore’s cuisine is deliciously varied with Manglorean Fish Curry, Akki Roti, Neer Dosa, Patrode, Mangalore Buns, Chicken Ghee Roast, the Mangalore Poli and scrumptious varieties of seafood. A piping hot Goli Baje or Mangalore Bajje with a filter coffee goes great on a lazy winter evening.