We’re all in need of a short break every now and again. With increasing stress levels at work and less time to spend with family at home, who doesn’t want to take off for the weekend? Luckily for you, Bangalore has a lot to offer – from exotic spas, rich cultural heritage sites, abundant lakes and the Western Ghats for the nature loving, there’s a lot you can do around Bangalore. So, pack your bags, leave your worries behind and relax at these top five places to visit around you.

• Bannerghatta national park

If you are a photography aficionado, and love to capture realistic experiences in your camera, try a tour of the Bannerghatta National Park. Enjoy the tranquility, the beautiful flora and fauna, and especially the daunting beauty of wildlife. Situated just 22km from the Bangalore City, this park constitutes a natural zoological reserve that is home to various wild animals including lions, tigers and other creatures. It stretches across 104.27 square km of sprawling area that comprises of a zoo, a butterfly park and a biological reserve. It is one of the best weekend getaways that workaholics can consider for a break from your busy Bangalore lifestyle. Also, it is easily accessible, bring just an hour’s drive away.

• Coorg

Coorg will often come across as one of the few places that has the magic to revitalize your body and soul at the same time. The beautiful hill-station of Coorg that lies tucked in the lush Western Ghats, can boast of a greenery-rich destination, bristling with spices and coffee plantations, diverse species of commonly found trees and plants, waterfalls and extremely beautiful streams. You can enjoy its mild climate, which remains constant all the year round. These factors combine to render it the most preferable getaway near Bangalore. The main tourist attractions in Coorg are Nisargadhama, Talakaveri, Abbey Falls, Omkareshwara Temple, Nagarhole, Iruppu Falls, Buddhist Golden Temple and Bhagamandala. Though it is 260km apart from Bangalore, the breathtaking attractions and the tranquility will be well worth the effort, and once there, you will be mesmerized to  choose it repeatedly as a best weekend getaway for  workaholics. It takes around 6 hours to drive from Bangalore to this beautiful destination. Priyanka adds, “Coorg is my favourite. Just that it’s a night away.”

• Chikmagalur

Located at the base of the Mullayanagiri hills, Chikmagalur is believed to be the birthplace of India’s rich coffee culture heritage. It is believed that Baba Budan smuggled seven coffee beans on his way back from Yemen and planted them in Chikmagalur. Opt for a homestay, trek through coffee plantations or visit the many waterfalls Chikmagalur has to offer. Considering it is only 280km from Bangalore, it’s definitely on our top five weekend getaway list. Don’t forget to relax with some refreshing coffee!

• Mysore

Travel to one of the most popular tourist destinations of South India, the city of Mysore, rich is history and its royal heritage. Known for its pilgrimage sites, historical boundaries and marvelous landscaping, and diverse flora and fauna, tourists throng this  city from all parts of the country and from abroad as well.. This flamboyant city echoes the rich and varied history of India from around 700 years back. Its main attraction, the Mysore palace, home to the maharajas of Mysore, with its finest architectural creativities, will leave you awestruck. Mysore boasts of several magnificent monuments, enchanting temples and bustling markets, popular for incense, sandalwood and premium silk produced locally. The other main attractions of this charming getaway near Banglore are Lalitha Mahal, St. Philomena’s Church, Brindavan Gardens, Mysore Zoo, Jayalakshmi Vilas Mansion, Jaganmohan Palace and the beautiful Chamundi hills that offer a great view of the sunset. This interesting weekend getaway is just 180 km from Bangalore, and hence ideal destinations for a weekend travel near the Bangalore city.

• Hampi

A completely different experience from the usual tourist places with hills and mountain ranges, you will enjoy this wonderful getaway near Bangalore that will charm you with its glittering historical sites. One of the significant tourist places in India, Hampi was the capital of the ancient Vijaynagara Empire. The spectacular ancient monuments revealing their architectural excellence are the main attraction of this place, and hence, is has been included in the list of World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. Another impressive tourist attraction is the Vittala Temple complex hosting the stone chariot and the amazing   musical pillars. It is a perfect weekend getaway for workaholics, who require a completely different ambience to relieve stress. At a distance of just 370 kilometers, this is considered as a suitable site for weekend travel near the Bangalore city, and hence considered as one of the perfect 5 weekend getaway near Bangalore for Workaholics.

We also asked our iKeva members to suggest a few places for you to visit. Some of the suggestions we got were Yelagiri and Nagarhole from Md.Rafi, Manager at Nabler and Monika Misra, Founder-iKeva, both of which are also must visits. Now that you have so many options to choose from, simply pack your bags and take off on a much deserved break!