Places to visit
Mysuru Palace (Amba Vilas)
๐๏ธ Agrahara, Mysuru
The seat of the Wadiyar dynasty and the city's crown jewel. The present Indo-Saracenic palace, designed by Henry Irwin, was completed in 1912 after a fire destroyed the earlier wooden one. On Sunday and holiday evenings, and through Dasara, it is lit up by nearly 100,000 bulbs.
Mysuru Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens)
๐๏ธ Ittige Gudu, Mysuru
๐ About 2 km from Mysuru
Founded under royal patronage in 1892, it is one of the oldest zoos in India. Shaded walking loops lead past giraffes, elephants, big cats and a large collection of birds.
St. Philomena's Cathedral
๐๏ธ Lashkar Mohalla, Mysuru
๐ About 2 km from Mysuru
A soaring neo-Gothic cathedral, completed in 1956 and inspired by Cologne Cathedral. Its twin spires reach about 53 m, and the stained-glass windows and crypt are worth a quiet visit.
Chamundi Hills & Chamundeshwari Temple
๐๏ธ Chamundi Hills, Mysuru
๐ About 13 km from Mysuru
Rising above the city at roughly 1,000 m, the hill is crowned by the Chamundeshwari Temple dedicated to the city's guardian goddess. Pilgrims climb the 1,000-plus stone steps, passing the giant monolithic Nandi carved in the 17th century, with sweeping views over Mysuru.
Brindavan Gardens
๐๏ธ KRS (Krishnarajasagara)
๐ About 21 km from Mysuru
Terraced, symmetrical gardens laid out below the Krishna Raja Sagara dam across the Kaveri. Evenings bring the famous illuminated musical fountain show, a favourite with families.
Jaganmohan Palace & Art Gallery
๐๏ธ Agrahara, Mysuru
๐ About 2 km from Mysuru
Built in 1861, this palace housed the royal family while the main palace was rebuilt. Today it is the Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, with paintings by Raja Ravi Varma, musical instruments and royal artefacts.
Karanji Lake
๐๏ธ Siddhartha Layout, Mysuru
๐ About 2 km from Mysuru
A peaceful lake and nature park with walking paths, boating and one of the largest walk-through aviaries in India, plus a butterfly park. A lovely spot for early-morning birdwatching.
Kukkarahalli Kere (Kukkarahalli Lake)
๐๏ธ Manasagangotri, Mysuru
๐ About 3 km from Mysuru
City lake created in 1864 under the Wadiyars, with a shaded 3.5 km walkway and winter birds.
Mysuru Rail Museum
๐๏ธ Yadavagiri, Mysuru
๐ About 3 km from Mysuru
An open-air museum opened in 1979, displaying vintage steam and diesel locomotives, coaches and the Maharani's royal saloon carriage. A small toy train makes it a hit with children.
Lalitha Mahal Palace
๐๏ธ Siddhartha Layout, Mysuru
๐ About 5 km from Mysuru
A gleaming white palace built in 1921 by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV to host the Viceroy of India. Styled on St Paul's Cathedral in London, it now operates as a heritage hotel.
Vijayanagar Water Tank Food Street
๐๏ธ Vijayanagar, Mysuru
๐ About 8 km from Mysuru
The city's best-known evening street-food stretch, with dozens of stalls (about 5โ10 pm).
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna
๐๏ธ Srirangapatna
๐ About 15 km from Mysuru
Ancient Vishnu temple on a Kaveri island, at the heart of the old fort town.
Balmuri Falls
๐๏ธ Balmuri
๐ About 17 km from Mysuru
Wide, gentle cascade over a Kaveri check dam; a classic picnic spot.
Daria Daulat Bagh (Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace)
๐๏ธ Srirangapatna
๐ About 17 km from Mysuru
Teak summer palace of Tipu Sultan with painted murals, set in gardens.
Gumbaz (Tombs of Hyder Ali & Tipu Sultan)
๐๏ธ Srirangapatna
๐ About 17 km from Mysuru
Domed mausoleum of Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan with carved ebony and ivory doors.
Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary
๐๏ธ Srirangapatna
๐ About 18 km from Mysuru
Kaveri river islets full of nesting storks and pelicans; boat rides past crocodiles.
Edmuri Falls
๐๏ธ Edmuri
๐ About 19 km from Mysuru
Quieter twin cascade on the Kaveri, about 2 km past Balmuri.
KRS Dam (Krishnaraja Sagara)
๐๏ธ KRS (Krishnarajasagara)
๐ About 20 km from Mysuru
Stone dam across the Kaveri designed by Sir M. Visvesvaraya and completed in 1931, forming a huge reservoir.
Karighatta Srinivasa Temple
๐๏ธ Srirangapatna
๐ About 20 km from Mysuru
Hilltop Srinivasa temple near Srirangapatna with views over the Kaveri valley.
KRS Backwaters (Meenakshipura)
๐๏ธ Meenakshipura
๐ About 25 km from Mysuru
Quiet reservoir shore known for wide sunsets and coracle rides.
Srikanteshwara Temple, Nanjangud
๐๏ธ Nanjangud
๐ About 25 km from Mysuru
Huge Shiva temple on the Kapila river, one of the region's most visited.
Gunja Narasimha Swamy Temple, T. Narasipura
๐๏ธ T. Narasipura
๐ About 30 km from Mysuru
Old Narasimha temple on the Kaveri bank at T. Narasipura, with a tall gopura.
Tirumakudalu Sangama & Agastyeshwara Temple, T. Narasipura
๐๏ธ T. Narasipura
๐ About 30 km from Mysuru
Sacred confluence of the Kaveri and Kabini by the Agastyeshwara temple; it hosts a Kumbh Mela.
Chennakeshava Temple, Somanathapura
๐๏ธ Somanathapura
๐ About 35 km from Mysuru
UNESCO-listed 13th-century Hoysala temple with exquisite stone carvings.
Kunthi Betta
๐๏ธ Pandavapura
๐ About 35 km from Mysuru
Twin rocky hill near Pandavapura, a popular short trek with views over the fields.
Talakadu Temples
๐๏ธ Talakadu
๐ About 47 km from Mysuru
Ancient temples half-buried in sand dunes on a bend of the Kaveri.