Mysore Travel Guide

The city of Mysore has a lot of options for stay in form of hotels clearly classified under three categories - luxury, midrange and budget. This is the reason why every kind of traveller finds his/ her hotel of choice pretty easily here. If you are a luxury seeker, we suggest that you book a stay in places like The Windflowers Resorts Spa, Fortune JP Palace, Royal Orchid Metropole and more. Budget and midrange hotels also have options in form of properties like Gitanjali Homestay, The Green Hotel, LA VILLA Guest House and Casa Meridian. Most hotels in Mysore are heritage buildings that have been restored in accordance with the needs of a modern day traveller.

• Mysore’s most lavish hotels

• Mysore mid-budget and budget hotels

Mysore is very rich when it comes to the city’s culinary heritage. The traditional veg restaurants in ,ysore serving south Indian dishes rule the scene even today though pizzas, burgers, pastas, Subway sandwiches and hearty north Indian fare complete with kebabs and butter chicken have made a foray into the food world of Mysore. One thing that is very important to note here is the fact that vegetarian food is still the most preferred food item here. When in Mysore, make sure you visit these places like Vinayaka Mylari hotel, Mysore masala dosa, Hanumanthu Mess, Biryani haven, By The Way, Tiger Trail, Cafe Aramane and Malgudi Cafe to get the taste of the land in its rawest form.

• 10 things to eat and drink in Mysore

  Time was when Mysore was known mostly for its dosas and by-two coffee. Strangely, and fortunately old timers will say, that has not changed much. Vegetarian still rules and coffee tastes better if it is split or in Mysore lingo, ‘by two.’ Many of the old places still exist, going strong and dishing out what they do best, and giving newer and swankier places a royal run for their money.

• Mysore restaurants that you cannot skip

When you are in Mysore you are so close to royalty that you feel like a king of lost land itself. The reason behind this is simple; almost all the major places to visit in Mysore are related to some story of history and glory. In this city, you are never too far away from a heritage building or a mansion with royal connections and lineages. There is a reason why Mysore is called the City of Palaces! The iconic Mysore palace continues to be the face of all the heritage buildings of the city but there are other places also that will take you a step closer to royal living. These places include Jaganmohan Palace, Royal Orchid Metropole, Clock Tower, Gun House, Town Hall, Wellington Lodge, Rajendra Vilas Palace, Karanji Mansion, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Crawford Hall, Brindavan Gardens, St.Philomena's Church, Jayachamarajendra Art Gallery, Shri Chamundi Temple and Srirangapatna.

• Exploring St. Philomena's Church in Mysore

• Popular royal buildings and heritage sites besides the Mysore Palace

• Places to visit in Mysore beyond royalty and heritage

• 7 attractions that make Mysore proud

The first impression that comes to anyone’s mind when someone mentions Mysore is of royal palaces, heritage buildings, royal structures and regal atmosphere. And to a great extent, it is true and real. It is hard to think beyond royalty in Mysore but the fact remains, the city is actually much beyond it! Once you are done with your meeting with the palaces and forts, time to take a detour and explore the activity side of the city. Take time out to a see silk saree being woven, a yoga session, witness how sandalwood oil is extracted and go for a flora and fauna expedition in Karanji Lake Park. You can otherwise see a horse race, take a heritage walk or go shopping at Channapatna Crafts Park.

• The splendours of the royal Mysore Dasara

  There’s pomp and show, music and dance, fun and frolic, gaiety and above all, royalty—Mysore Dasara is all this and much more. Dasara (referred to as Dussehra and Navratri in other parts of the country) enjoys a unique status of a state festival in Karnataka (Nada Habba, meaning festival of the state or land), being celebrated in every household.

• Fun and offbeat things to do in Mysore

• The most amazing things to do in Mysore

As is the case with most cities, Mysore is also under the invasion of consumerism and modern day commercial development. With every passing day, the city is witnessing gradual growth in its shopping culture. Call it the new age trend of shop till drop or the increase in disposable income, Mysore has been high on a shopping spree. The locally produced items of the place find mention in the things to carry back home list. These items include silk sarees, sculptures, sandalwood products, Mysore betel leaves, Coffee powder, Mysore rosewood inlay artefacts, Mysore painting, Channapatna toys and incense sticks. The major shopping areas of Mysore include Devaraja Urs Road, Sayyaji Rao Road, Gandhi Square and KR Circle.

• A guide to shopping in Mysore

The days in Mysore will be taken by the heritage walks you are going to take along the alleys of the stunning palaces and forts. But what about the tired evenings? Well, for that also, Mysore has an answer in form of several bars and pubs. Nightlife in Mysore might not be as happening as say, its neighbour Bangalore but it is there with all the means that is needed to take your travel fatigue off. Take a night out to rejuvenate your senses with the drink of your choice and light music. Visit places like Opium Bar, Infinit, The Road and Neptune Bar and Lounge.

• Ward off your travel fatigue in the nightlife hubs in Mysore

  Mysore has a very heritage touch to it, thanks to years of royal lineage and regal stories. Spend your days exploring the remnants of a past that had seen glorious days.

Mysore has no dearth of sights and sounds but too much of palaces and forts might take a toll on you. So once you are done with the heritage city's mansions and gardens, it is time to head out of the city limits to get a taste of what lies beyond the borders. There is abundance of history, heritage, culture, nature, wildlife, scenic beauty and much more, and visitors will be spoilt for choice. From the fertile land of Coorg to the historical town of Srirangapatna, from heritage areas such as Belur-Halebid and Somanathpur to the temple towns of Melkote and Shravanabelagola, from the thick forests and staggering wilderness to the birding destinations of Ranganathittu and Kokkrebellur from the cultural landscape of Janapada Loka to the quaint town of Bylakuppe – there are lot to keep you busy for a weekend.

• Weekend trips from Mysore

• Go tripping around Mysore

• 24 hours in Mysore

  Mysore is one of the most visited cities in the country, attracting travellers not only from India but all across the globe. Travellers primarily frequent the city for its famous palaces, beautiful gardens, ancient temples and classic art galleries.

• 48 hours in Mysore