On the western limit of Karnataka, Mangalore is a bustling port city with beautiful beaches, historical buildings, and quaint red-tiled houses. An important trading town since ancient times, today Mangalore is India’s 9th largest port. A picturesque city, Mangalore is an interesting blend of the old and new, traditional and modern. With plenty of sightseeing and interesting cuisine, any visitor to Mangalore will not return disappointed. Coconut groves add to the charm of this bustling city with its bustling markets.

How to Reach Mangalore?

By Air : Mangalore International Airport located approximately 20 kilometers north-east from the center of the Mangalore city, near Bajpe. This airport offers domestic flights to Goa, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Chennai and Kozhikode. International services are provided by Air-India Express to Doha, Kuwait, Sharjah, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat.

By Rail : Mangalore is a major railway junction and is well connected to the rest of India by several trains. The main station is the Mangalore Central Railway Station (Mangalore Railway Station) in the heart of the city. You can catch the Malabar Express, Mangalore Mail, Parasuram Express and Matsyagandha Express from this station. The other station is Mangalore Junction at Kakanadi.

By Road : Mangalore is extremely well connected by road to the rest of India. Two important national highways (NH 17 and NH 48) pass through Mangalore. There are state-run and private bus services to Mangalore from all parts of Karnataka as well as neighbouring states such as Kerala, Maharashtra and Goa. If you choose to drive to Mangalore, you will come across scenic vistas on the coastal highway.

Best Time to Visit Mangalore

The best time to visit Mangalore would be from September to February when the temperature is ideal for sightseeing, relaxing at the beach or indulging in other outdoor activities.

Summer and monsoon seasons are best to be avoided, as it gets very hot and humid during summer and the heavy rainfall during monsoon plays havoc with sightseeing plans.

So, pack your bags and head to Mangalore, to enjoy and unwind at the sea shore during the winter months.

Things to do in Mangalore

Mangalore has lots of sites and religious structures. The things to do list include visits to these religious structures. Drive or walk by the shore line of the rugged sea or simply enjoy the beach. Shop till you drop in Mangalore. Buy coir and coconut handicrafts, metal idols, jewellery etc and after shopping treat yourself with some spicy Mangalorean cuisine. Don’t forget to try some really spicy and sumptuous coconut based seafood and non-vegetarian curries.

Places Near Mangalore

Gokarna and Jog Falls are couple of interesting places near Mangalorethat you can visit from here on a day trip.

Gokarna, 220 km away is beach-utopia for you if you are looking for minimal luxury but maximum privacy, with only the shining sun, white surf and clear beaches for company. Along with nearby Udipi, this also is a sacred place for Hindus. The Mahabaleshwar Temple has a very holy lingam that was reputedly rescued by Shiva’s elephant headed son Ganesh.

Jog Falls is 232 km away, and these Falls are the highest in India and simply spectacular. These days, the river Shravati has been dammed further upstream, thus reducing the volume of water. The area is still beautiful though and good for a spot of trekking.

Hotels in Mangalore – Choice is Yours

There are numerous hotels in Mangalore ranging from 3-star, 4-star and 5-star deluxe to budget hotels.