Often when people think of spending their vacations on beach destinations, the first location that comes to mind is the party capital of India, Goa. Goa has lovely beaches, shacks, and delicious coastal cuisines. But visiting Goa during vacations could be very expensive and too crowded as it is one of the best beach destinations worldwide.
Mangalore on the other hand has got equal serene and secluded beaches with a smaller crowd. This smart city has so much to offer without burning a hole in our pockets, it is sure to give you a memorable, soothing experience.
Read further to know the top places to explore in Mangalore to have the best excursion! By the way for your information, Mangalore is also called Kudla, Kodiyal, Maikala, Mangalapuram, and Kodeyala in the different languages spoken here.
Taking a Stroll Along the Beaches of Mangalore
There is an abundant number of beaches in and around Mangalore. For the first timers, I highly recommend tourists visit the famous Tannirbavi beach. One of the best ways to reach the beach is, to reach a historical place called Sultan Battery from where you can take a ferry ride that leads to Tannirbavi beach.
You can also visit Tannirbavi Tree park, where one can find life-size statues representing Mangalore culture and lots of medicinal trees and plants.
The historical place is basically a watch tower built during the British invasion. It was built by Tipu Sultan in the year 1784. An interesting fact about this small tower is that it used to be a major arsenal of the ruler, from where he could avoid Britishers to enter Mangalore through the sea route. It is also believed that the tower has a secret underground route that leads to Mysore which was ruled by Tipu Sultan himself, and is restricted by Indian tourism authorities. Do visit the watch tower to get a panoramic view of the sea.
Mangalore’s Wildlife: A Celebration of Nature
Mangalore is known for its greenery and tourists can witness this when they come down to Mangalore via road, rail, or air route. There are many parks and gardens which give an effect as if the city is covered with a green carpet. Renovations keep happening in these parks so that visitors can have a better experience.
Kadri Park is one of the famous parks in the city located on Kadri Gudde (Kadri Hill). The Kadri Park Road looks so beautiful after a renovation that it gives you vibes of some international destination. Inside the park, there are a lot of swings and slides for children to play on. The park is meant for health-conscious people too. Kadri Manjunatha Temple and Pandava Caves are located very close to Kadri Park.
Pilikula Zoo also is the best example which gives tourists a closer look at the rich flora and fauna of Mangalore.
Exploring the Religious Landmarks of Mangalore
This renowned port city has not only clean and serene beaches but is home to some of the ancient religious shrines which have been there for many centuries. There are many must-visit divine Temples in and around Mangalore, like Mangaladevi Temple, Kudroli Gokarnath Temple, etc which can definitely give you tranquility and inner peace.
Milagres Church, the Rosario Cathedral, and St Aloysius Chapel are some of the ancient churches of Mangalore which have stunning architectures.
Zeenath Baksh Jumma Masjid and the Dargah of Hazrat Shareef ul Madni are popular mosques here.
The Best Restaurants in Mangalore for Authentic Local Cuisine
Regardless of whether you are a Pure Vegetarian / Non-Vegetarian / Eggetarian or even Vegan, Mangalore has a variety of cuisines to offer each kind of foodie. From breakfast to evening snacks or dinner, you can experience Mangalore’s take on every dish. Some of the restaurants even offer Pure Jain food.
Lip-smacking Masala Dosas, steaming hot Idli Sambhar, Bisi Bisi Goli bajje, soft Neer Dose, and the Famous Mangalore Buns are prepared every freshly in some of the popular hotels like Woodlands, Taj Mahal, Janata Deluxe Pathumudi, Anmol, etc. Famous food vloggers like Rocky and Mayur, Kripal Amanna, and Harish Bali have visited and tasted different dishes here.
If you are a non-vegetarian, then you are going to have a fantastic experience here. Mangalore is known for yummy Chicken and Seafood delicacies. Kori roti, chicken sukka, chicken ghee roast, Anjal fish fry, the list is endless. Visit Machali, Gajalee, Mamamaas, Giri Manja’s, Maharajas, Shetty Lunch home for authentic non-veg cuisine of Mangalore.
Exploring the Best of Mangalore Adventure
Mangalore Surf Club is a surf school here that offers surf lessons to adults and kids. It is located on Tannirbavi beach. It can be a fun and thrilling experience for adventure seekers.
Mangalore Horse Riding Academy is another place in Kadri, where people can learn horse riding. Kayaking in River Shambhavi is a paradise for adventurers.
Best Shopping Spots in Mangalore for Shopaholics
Hampankatta is a shopping hub for many locals as there are many streets having budget-friendly shops and markets. Lots of food joints are available in Hampankatta where you can sit and relax for a while. The famous malls here are Bharath mall, City Center, and Forum Fiza mall wherein you can go on a shopping spree within the city.
The Symbolism of Mangalore Lighthouse
Built by Hyder Ali, the lighthouse in Hampankatta of Mangalore has historic significance. At the base of the lighthouse, there is a library that has a reading room named after a renowned freedom fighter Karnad Sadashiv Rao.
Another famous lighthouse is Kapu beach lighthouse located in Kaup/Kapu, which is 45km from Mangalore and well connected by roads. The time to visit the lighthouse is from 4 pm to 6 pm. This 130 ft. lighthouse was built on a rock by the East India Company and has stood the test of time.
The Little-Known History of Mangalore’s St Mary’s Island
St. Mary’s Island is also called Coconut Island and Thonsepar. These are a set of small islands discovered by Vasco da Gama when he came to India from Portugal. St. Mary’s Island is located in Malpe which is a quite popular destination now and 60 km away from Mangalore.
They are known for their unique natural rock formations. These islands are 4 miles away from Karnataka’s coast. History has it that, Vasco da Gama on reaching these islands, fixed a cross and named one of these islands after St Mary, the virgin mother of Jesus Christ.
What Makes Mangalore Ice Cream So Special?
Mangalore is fondly known as the Ice-Cream capital of India since several brands of ice cream took birth here. Your journey to Mangalore is considered incomplete if you do not add Pabba’s Ice Cream Cafe to your bucket list of places to explore in Mangalore.
Awarded more than once for making the best vanilla and chocolate ice creams, Pabba’s is one place for people of all age groups to chill.
You may have heard of North Indian thali or South Indian thali! But have you heard of Ice-cream thali? ‘I-thali’ is served here with different flavors of ice cream which you have to enjoy by sharing it with family members so that you don’t find yourself guilty.
The signature ice cream called Gudbud is a must-try here. I-Pizza (ice cream pizza ) is also served here. Pabba’s have got many branches in Mangalore. The most famous and oldest one is in Lalbagh which is there for quite a long time.
Important Celebrations and Annual Events in Mangalore
All national and religious festivals are celebrated with joy in Mangalore just like in other parts of India. Before planning a vacation to Mangalore, make a note of the festivals and events which is celebrated on a grand scale so that you can make more memorable moments.
Mangalore Kite festival ( Once the date will be announced, it will be updated here )
Kodial Theru (Rathotsava) will be held from 24/01/2023- 29/01/2023
Mangaluru Dasara ( usually comes in October ). Almost the entire Mangalore city gets laden with colorful lights to welcome Goddess Sharada. It is the right time to see a totally different Mangalore if you are visiting for the 2nd time.
Also, you can witness ‘Pilivesha’ which is a Tiger dance, performed by troupes during the Mangalore Dasara.
Kambala race (buffalo race held between November to March )
Krishna Janmashtami, Gowri Habba, Ganesh Chaturthi, Deepawali, Easter, Christmas, and Eid are also celebrated with a lot of pomp and zeal here.
Bhoota Kola (worship of the holy spirits as shown in the blockbuster movie Kantara).
How to reach Mangalore?
The coastal town is well connected to all the major cities by road, rail, and air. All three means of transport can give you a unique experience. From Bangalore, one can reach Mangalore via Shiradi Ghat /Charmadi Ghat or come from Mysore and then through the Agumbe route. The roads may be narrower at some points but are equally scenic, especially during monsoons.
Tourists can opt for a Vistadome coach on the train by booking in advance. The special Vistadome coach has a glass top and wide windows. Another specialty is, the coach has 40 reclining and revolving comfy seats to see the green route of the picturesque Western Ghats.
Mangalore Internal Airport is located around 10-15 km away from the city. Before landing on the runway don’t forget to catch a glimpse of the lush green forests and beautiful rivers of Mangalore through.
Other Places To Explore In Mangalore
Some of the other places to explore in Mangalore are:-
- Manasa Water Park
- Soans Farm
- Sammilan Shetty’s Butterfly Park
- Bejai Museum
- Adyar Sun Set View Point