Summary
- List of tourist attractions in Mangalore
- Notable features of each destination
Mangalore city is known for its tropical natural beauty, scenic beaches, and diverse local heritage.
Surrounded by the Arabian Sea on the West and the Western Ghats on the East, the coastal city attracts tourists from all around the world.
Mangalore is the only city in Karnataka with all 4 modes of transportation i.e. road, rail, sea, and air, making it convenient for travelers to visit.
Nestled alongside the stunning coastline, the destination also has many historical religious sites of worship and vibrant wildlife. It’s the perfect location for a weekend getaway.
Top 10 Places to Visit in Mangalore
Without further ado, we present you with a list of Mangalore’s best tourist spots to help you plan your next trip to the coastal city.
1. Stunning Mangalore Beaches
When we think of beaches, we imagine a beautiful tropical setting with tall coconut trees, golden sand, and clear blue water. Beaches are the most beloved places to visit, making them a perfect holiday destination.
There’s nothing quite like the feeling of sand under your feet and watching the sunset with your family.
The coastal city of Mangalore is well-known for its tranquil and picturesque beaches.
It has a plethora of beaches with rocky formations offering breathtaking views of the horizon.
Some of the popular beaches in Mangalore among locals and tourists alike are Panambur beach, Tannirbhavi beach, Surathkal beach, Someshwar beach, Sasihithlu beach, to name a few.
These beaches provide something for everyone, whether it’s engaging in exciting beach activities, swimming in the open sea, or watching peaceful sunsets.
If you’re looking for places to refresh your mind, these beaches are the best places to visit in Mangalore.
2. St. Aloysius Chapel
Built in the year 1880 by Jesuit Missionaries, this chapel is situated on the campus of St. Aloysius College, at the top of the Light House Hill.
This chapel is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Mangalore. The chapel’s interior is adorned with paintings by Italian Jesuit Antonio Moscheni that cover nearly all of the walls.
The paintings depict the life of Saint Aloysius Gonzaga, to whom the chapel and the college are dedicated. Tourists from all over the world visit the chapel to pay their respects to this holy and cultural site.
3. Kadri Manjunath Temple
The temple is located on the hills of Kadri and is said to have been built during the 10th or 11th century.
The bronze (panchaloha) idol of Lokeshwara in the temple is said to be the earliest of the South Indian temples, standing around 5 feet tall. On its pedestal, there is an inscription dating from 968 A.D.
The annual Jathra Mahothsava of Kadri Manjunath temple takes place in the month of January. The festival begins on the day of Makara Sankranthi and is celebrated for over nine days. Thousands of devotees visit the temple to offer pujas and prayers on these special days.
4. Sultan Battery
Sultan Battery is a watchtower that was constructed by Tippu Sultan in the year 1784. The purpose of the watchtower was to keep an eye out for vessels entering the Gurupura River.
Composed of black stones, the watchtower was designed to look like a small fortress. This tower is now in ruins, having failed to withstand the test of time and weather.
However, the watchtower offers a beautiful view of the backwaters of the Arabian Sea. The historical significance of the place makes Sultan battery one of the most famous places to visit around Mangalore.
This place also serves as a boating point to reach Thannirbhavi beach.
5. Kadri Park
Being the largest park in Mangalore, Kadri park is one of the most famous places to visit in Mangalore. People visit Kadri park in large numbers to watch the musical fountain shows, laser light shows, and flower shows that are hosted throughout the year.
The park also has an excellent walking/jogging trail. There are a lot of fun activities for children, including a play area and a toy train that takes children on a train ride around the park.
No doubt, Kadri park is one of the best destinations in Mangalore to spend some quality time with your family.
6. Pilikula Nisargadhama
It is a multi-purpose tourist destination in Mangalore. Because of the availability of numerous facilities, it attracts a huge number of tourists.
It is an integrated theme park featuring a diverse range of attractions, including cultural, educational, and scientific attractions.
The various attractions in Pilikula include botanical garden, zoo, Manasa water park, science center, 3D planetarium, golf course, and heritage village.
The park covers 370 acres and includes a tropical forest as well as the beautiful Pilikula lake, which offers boating facilities. All these fun activities make Pilikula one of the popular tourist places in Mangalore.
7. St. Aloysius Museum
When was the last time you visited a museum? A walk through a museum can transport us to another era and teach us something new about human history.
So, when you visit Mangalore, make sure to include St. Aloysium museum in your travel plan. St. Aloysius museum or Aloyseum is located on the grounds of St Aloysius College.
The museum was founded in the year 1913, when an Italian Jesuit priest, Chiapi, donated over 2000 different types of minerals, a herbarium, and a collection of Roman coins.
The museum also exhibits the De Dion car, which was the first car used in Mangalore way back in 1906. Various other artifacts are displayed here, such as stone-age tools, postal stamps, domestic and agricultural utensils, drawings of Antonio Moscheni, whale skeleton, and many more interesting items.
A trip to St. Aloysius museum will no doubt be a fun and knowledgeable experience!
8. Kudroli Temple
Kudroli temple, also known as Gokarnanatheshwara temple, is a well-known one of the temples in Mangalore. The structure of the temple has a beautiful Gopuram with stone carved idols of Gods and Goddesses.
These sculptures depict Hindu legends and epics. The Dasara celebrations in Kudroli are well known all over the Dakshina Kannada district.
People gather in large numbers during this time to receive blessings from the goddess Durga. Beautifully decorated life-sized Nava Durga idols are installed within the premises during Dasara time.
It’s definitely a spectacular sight to behold! So make sure to plan your visit to the temple during Dasara time.
9. Rosario Cathedral
Rosario cathedral is also known as the Church of our Lady of Rosary of Mangalore. It’s among the oldest Roman Catholic churches constructed in the Canara region.
It was constructed in the year 1568 by the Portuguese. Every night, the cross on the Cathedral’s dome was lit to serve as a signal for seafarers.
At the church’s entrance is the Portuguese King’s royal stone symbol, which commemorates their landing in Mangalore. In 1851, it was declared as a Cathedral.
It is the only church in the Mangalore Diocese with a dome atop the sanctuary. The Cathedral was further beautified in 1910 by Henry Buzzoni, who was a Jesuit priest.
It is one of the city’s most well-known religious sites, with a rich history and architecture.
10. Summer Sand Beach Resort
If a relaxing weekend getaway is just what you are looking for, then Summer sand resort is one of the best places to visit in Mangalore.
Summer Sands beach resort is located on the coastline of Ullal-Someshwar beach and is spread across 15 acres. It contains 42 spacious villas with terracotta tiles, whose architectural design is reminiscent of the British Era.
Surrounded by lush greenery with a picturesque view of the sea, the summer sand beach resort makes for a perfect seaside retreat.
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for a relaxing weekend by the seaside or planning to visit historical places of significance, Mangalore has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions.
The best time to visit Mangalore is between November and March, before the start of the summer season.
The smart city Mangalore is an up-and-coming technological hub, and it is considered one of the cleanest cities in India. So, you can be sure that your trip here will be a safe and memorable one!
