Sightseeing Places in Mangalore

An extensive guide to Mangalore sight seeing, list of things to do and list of tourist sight seeing spots such as Beaches, Trekking, Water Sports, Waterfalls, Wildlife, Camping, Farm Houses, Resorts, Boat Houses, Pilgrimage Places, Temples in and around Mangalore, Udupi, Kasargod, Madikeri, Chickmagalur districts. List of best attractions, and must see places to visit with maps, driving directions, photos, trips, videos and more.

Here are the 30 Top Places to Visit in and around Mangalore, Udupi That Every Tourist Must Visit

The city beckons the tourists from around the world, thanks to its magnificent natural beauty and glimpses of local heritage through ancient temples. The best part is that you can manage your itinerary to fit the amount of time that you have at hand. Let us take a quick look at places to visit in Mangalore in 2 days:

30 Places to visit in Mangalore in 2022

1. Jamalabad Fort
Jamalabad fort is every trekker’s favorite. Located at a distance of 65 kilometers from Mangalore, the trails here are medium difficulty level and you can have some marvelous views. You can come to this place over the weekend and spend some quality time for a day or two.

Location: Killoor Road, Belthangady, Dakshina Kannada District

2. Bejai Museum
Also called as the Seemanthi Bai Government Museum by many, this is the only museum in the city and one of the places to visit in Mangalore in 1 day. There is a huge collection of artifacts, weapons, ancient coins, items of daily use, paintings and sculptures, etc., in this museum.

Location: Bejai

3. Sultan Battery
This is the perfect place to visit in the city for the history buffs. The watchtower was built of black stone by Tipu Sultan, to keep an eye on the ships invading through the Arabian Sea. They used to store cannons and gunpowder in the underground chambers. Later, British took it and turned it into a Naval Office. You can climb up to the top of the tower and have a splendid view of the Arabian Sea.

4. New Mangalore Port
This is the 7th largest port in the country and the only major port in Karnataka. You will be able to see medium to large vessels at this port carrying minerals like iron ore, granite, manganese which are mainly exported.

Location: Panambur

5. Pilikula Nisargadhama
Pilikula Nisargadhama is spread over 350 acres of land where there is a zoo, a heritage village, a lake, an amusement park and a sprawling golf course. This is one of the best places to take your family to for a day outing or picnic.

Location: Pilikula, near Moodushedde

6. Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park
Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park is one of a kind of place that you have hardly visited. You will be able to spot around 114 species of butterflies here. Apart from admiring the beauty, you can also enlighten yourself about the need for conservation of butterflies.

Location: Butterfly Park Rd, Manjana Katte Belvai

7. Kadri Hill Park
Kadri hill park is one of the most beautiful places and the largest park in the city where you can find lush greenery, seasonal flowers, and manicured gardens. You can spend a relaxing evening here without much planning and consideration.

Location: Near NH-17

8. Tannirbhavi Beach
It is one of the fantastic places to visit in Mangalore at night. After spending your entire day here, you can witness the picturesque sunset beach and hang out even after dusk. There are shops around the beach from where you can eat and buy stuff.

Location: Near Kuloor

9. Malpe Beach
It is one of the ideal places to visit in Udupi and Mangalore. This beach is comparatively less crowded where you will see golden sand, beautiful palm trees, the clear blue sky, and waters of Arabian Sea. You can opt for swimming or boating in the waters. From here, you can easily reach to St. Mary’s Island.

Location: Malpe, near Udupi

10. Panambur Beach
Mostly popular for International Kite Festival, Panambur beach is a clean beach where you can enjoy a wide variety of water sports. Apart from this, you can also relax at the beach, basking under the Sun.

Location: NH-66, Near New Mangalore Port Trust Panambur

11. Ullal Beach
Ullal beach is one of the best places to visit in Mangalore with family. The beach is surrounded by casuarinas and palm plantations. You can have a wonderful time with your family here, sitting and relaxing at the beach or trying some of the thrilling water sports. There are some shacks at the beach where you can try various local cuisines.

Location: Ullal City

12. Someshwara Beach
It is one of the oldest beaches in Mangalore. You can take a stroll on the golden sands of the beach and unwind. You can also visit the centuries-old Somanatha Temple located near the beach.

Location: Someshwara, Near Ullal

13. Sasihithlu Beach
Sasihithlu Beach is usually an offbeat beach, which is perfect if you are looking for some secluded place complete with sea, white sand beach, and clear blue sky. Karnataka’s surfing festival takes place at this beach, and that time of the year, this beach will not be so secluded.

Location: Sasihithlu Rd, Haleyangadi

14. Surathkal Beach
Surathkal beach is located quite far roughly 15 kilometers from the port city of Mangalore. The beach, with its lovely rocks that pleasingly punctuate the smooth shoreline, is a prime area for all those wanting to enjoy the delights of the Konkan coast without the need for a flock of people trying to interfere with the delightful sea view. The sunsets here are magnificent, and the journey from Mangalore is very well worth it. Since this beach is sparsely visited by tourists, those taking an interest in water sports have very few options. The gorgeous Sadashiv temple here resides a part of the Shiv Lingam which gives this shoreline its name. A delightful lighthouse accomplishes the scenario of coastline beauty provided by this place.

Location: Surathkal

15. Kapu Beach
Kapu is a beach village in coastal Karnataka. Kapu’s long sandy beaches offer a panoramic view of the Arabian Sea. With its tropical climate and a bevy of attractions that beckon tourists from across the country, Kapu is predominantly known for its greenery that surrounds the beach. One of the main attractions of the Kapu beach is the century-old 130 ft. lighthouse. Other must-see spots in Kapu include the two temples of Goddess Mariamma and the Jain Basadi.

Lighthouse: Kapu lighthouse was built in 1901. Kapu lighthouse is 27 meters tall. Constructed on a rock, the lighthouse has stood the test of time and has guided ships to safety during the days when ships did not have satellite navigation and relied on lighthouses on the shores for warnings.

Kapu light house is open to visitors from 4 PM to 6 PM daily. Visitors may go up the stairs and get a bird’s eye view of Kąpu beach. The lighthouse may be closed during heavy rains for safety reasons.

Beach: The Beach near Kapu lighthouse is worth visiting as Kąpu beach gets fewer crowds compared to other nearby beaches such as Malpe beach or Surathkal beach.

Temple in an around Mangalore and Udupi

16. Kateel Durgaparameshwari Temple

17. Kolluru Temple
As per ancient Scriptures and inscriptions, along with other proofs found in the locality, it is clear that the Kolluru Mookambika Temple has been an abode of Devi Shakthi’s worship for centuries. In an ancient inscription (dated 1481 A D) found here, the source of the Shakthi has been described. Shree Mookambika Devi in the form of Linga is the Adi Shakthi, the Creator and the protector of all forms of life.

18. Dharmasthala Manjunatha Temple
Dharmasthala Temple is an 800-year-old religious institution in the temple town of Dharmasthala in Dakshina Kannada, Karnataka, India. The deities of the temple are Shiva, who is referred to as Manjunatha, Ammanavaru, the Tirthankara Chandraprabha and the protective gods of Jainism, Kalarahu, Kalarkayi, Kumarasvami and Kanyakumari. The temple was reconsecrated in 16th century by Dvaita saint Vadiraja Tirtha by the request of the then administrator of the temple, Devaraj Heggade. The temple is considered unique,[4] Since the priests in the temple are Madhwa Brahmins, who are Vaishnava, and the administration is run by a Jain Bunt family called the Pergades.

19. Polali Raja Rajeshwari Temple
Shree Raja Rajeshwari temple is located at Polali in Kariyangala Village of Bantwal Taluk in Dakshina Kannada District of Karnataka State. Shree Kshetra Polali is in the heart of this village surrounded by high hillocks and wide paddy fields. River Phalguni flows from east on the northern side a furlong way from the temple. It turns left towards south at the back of the temple in the Western side. This place was being called as Pural and the deity in the temple was known as Porala Devi in several old records and ancient epigraphs available.

20. Kudupu Temple
This temple is situated in Kudupu village, which is 10 Kms away from Mangalore City, in the Mangalore-Moodbidri route. This temple is dedicated to Lord Anantha Padmanabha (another form of Lord Vishnu) and famous for serpent worship. Annual festival Shashti is a famous religious ceremony falls in December. Also Nagarapanchami, a worship of sacrificing the milk to Lord Naga is celebrated with great devotion. Main deity Lord Anantha Padmanabha in the main sanctum is faced towards west. Naga Bana (place of serpent deity) though situated in eastern portion of the temple it is also faced towards west. There are more than three hundred of Serpent Idols in this Naga Bana.

21. Kukke Subramanya Temple
Nestled between hills, this pilgrim center is famous for the 5000 years old Kukke Subramanya temple on the banks of Kumaradhara river. The epics narrate how the divine serpent Vasuki and other snakes took refuge under Lord Subrahmanya, in the caves. Here Lord Subrahmanya is worshipped as a snake and pooja is offered to Him, who is merged with serpent king Vasuki. Hence, believed to be the ultimate solace for salvation from any sort of Naga Doshas. A ritual dance called Nagamandala is also performed here.

History: Kukke Subramanya is one of the seven holy places created by Saint Parashurama. Divine serpent Vasuki is believed to have taken refuge in Kukke Subramanya while being hunted by Garuda (legendary bird and official vehicle of Lord Vishnu). Lord Kumaraswamy and his brother Lord Ganesha are said to have killed demon rulers Tharaka and Shura Padmasurya in Kumara Parvatha near Kukke Subramanya. Post victory, Lord Kumaraswamy married the daughter of Indra- Devasena. All major gods attended the wedding event, bestowing divine powers to the place.

22. Sringeri Sharada Temple
The Sharadamba Temple at Sringeri (Shringa giri in Sanskrit) is an 8th-century temple, founded by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It housed a sandalwood statue of Sharadamba in a standing posture, which was installed by Adi Shankaracharya until the Vijayanagara rulers and Sri Vidyaranya (12th Jagadguru) installed a seated gold statue of Sri Sharadamba in the 14th century.

23. Horanadu Temple
Annapoorneshwari Temple, a mesmerizing temple devoted to Goddess Annapurna, is located in Horanadu, 100 km from Chickmagalur. The temple is surrounded by dense forests and valleys of the Western Ghats and lies on the banks of the scenic River Bhadra. The temple management has been offering free food or prasadam and shelter to pilgrims and devotees since the time the temple was built centuries ago; hence keeping the motive of the temple alive.

Annapoorneshwari, the goddess of Anna, meaning grain or food, is worshipped in temples at very few locations in India and hence becomes very important for believers. The Annapoorneshwari Temple was constructed by Agastya Maharishi about 400 years ago and has been renovated quite a few times after that but the essence of the temple and it’s working can be seen even today.

Location: Horanadu, near Sringeri, Chickmagalur

24. Hosanadu Temple
The Hosanadu Kodyadka Temple of Goddess Annapoorneshwari is situated in Puttige village of Mangalore Taluk. It is located at a distance of 35 km from Mangalore. The Hosanadu Kodyadka temple is surrounded by evergreen woods rich in natural beauty, with abundance of flora and fauna. The temple premises is spread about 4 acres of land.

25. Kudroli Gokarnatha Temple
In 1912, Sri Narayana Guru established the whole temple for the Billava community, who had been prevented from entering any other temple in the region. Gokarnanatheshwara, Mahadev, is the divine in this temple. The surrounding temples, as well as the primary temple, are constructed in Tamil Nadu décor and thus are adorned with depicting various mythic legends. The mandir is massive, with marble walls and floors all around and various fully equipped marital spaces. All through Dasara, the temple is extravagantly illuminated, and the entire Kudroli street is covered with vendors selling meals and decorations.

26. Kadri Manjunatha Temple
Built in 1068, the Vijayanagar style temple reflects influence of Buddhist architecture. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. You can see the prehistoric evidence and artifacts in the temple.

Location: Kadri Temple Rd, Vasanth Vihar, Kadri

27. Rosario Cathedral
Rosario Cathedral, also recognized as the Church of St. of Rosary of Mangalore, is indeed a 16th-century Roman Catholic church. It is really mesmerizing with such delightful decor, and this is one of the very few locations in Mangalore in which one can locate calmness ahead from the busy and stressful cityscape. The splendid crucifix and atrium of the Church have been shown to be crucial components, something which ships nearing Mangalore Harbor had seen. Each evening, the Crucifix is illuminated and provided as a beam of light for fishermen and seafarers.

Location: Hampankatta.

28. Aloysius Chapel
St. Aloysius Chapel is one of the best places to visit in Mangalore. This church was built in 1800 and known for its captivating architecture and interiors with a view of the Arabian Sea. You will be able to see various beautiful frescos, paintings and sculptures, but the paintings by Italian artist Antonio Moscheni stand out.

Location: P B No 720, Kodialbail

29. Milagres Church

30. Mangala Devi Temple
The Mangala Devi Temple respects Deity Mangala Devi, a personification of Goddess Durga. It was constructed in the year 9000 AD and is presently the ancient temple in Mangalore. The splendid temple tends to attract Durga believers and also visitors coming to the city in great numbers due to its own famous historic monuments. After offering their vows, worshippers could indeed sit and relax or hymn inside the expansive main temple, starting to feel reinvigorated as well as at tranquilly. Mangalore, the city’s name, is based on the temple. The city was also built around the temple, which represents the spatial information.

Location: Mangala Devi

List of Sightseeing Places

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