Bangalore is, without a doubt, the best metropolitan city to live in in India. However, living in a big city like Bangalore can still be a little gruesome. With work, projects, assignments, and even homeworks, life can get pretty stressful. And there is no better stress buster than a weekend getaway.

Compiled below is a bevy of weekend getaway near Bangalore within the radius of not more than 300 kilometers.

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A pre-colonial style bridge in Coorg connecting two sides with a river flowing in between

Coorg

Calmly nestled about 270 kilometers from Bangalore, Coorg is the most gorgeous hill station in Karnataka. Also known as Kodagu, Coorg has a lot to offer to its visitors. Spiritual places, waterfalls, Elephant camps, National Parks, hills, lakes, Coffee plantations, Coorg is truly the Scotland of India.

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A leopard seen at the Bandipur National Park

Bandipur

Bandipur is situated approximately 250 kilometers from Bangalore. It is famous for being the home of the most popular National Park in South India. The endangered Royal Bengal Tiger can be seen in Bandipur National Park. One can even see elephants, leopards, spotted deer, bears, monkeys, bisons, etc. Certainly a better getaway to watch wild animals in their most natural habitat than watching them in captivity.

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A bird’s eye view of the Yelagiri Hairpin Bends

Yelagiri

Located about 180 kilometers from Bangalore, Yelagiri is a calm and peaceful hill station in Tamil Nadu. Unlike Kodaikanal and Ooty, Yelagiri is not touristy. The small hill station also offers safe adventure sports like Rappelling and Rock Climbing.

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Clouds on top of Nandi Hill

Nandi Hill

Situated just about 60 kilometers from Bangalore, Nandi Hills is the most popular weekend getaway for Bangaloreans. There is a fortress there which used to be Tipu Sultan's summer palace. It is an ideal place for amateur and novice trekkers. However, it gets pretty crowded during sunrise and sunset.

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Yercaud is a hill station in the Salem District of Tamil Nadu

Yercaud

Yercaud is nestled in Tamil Nadu, about 210 kilometers from Bangalore. It is a better substitute for weekend getaway than Ooty, but it is pretty far from the city. The 32 kilometer Loop Road is an absolute delight for people who like driving, but are tired of the traffic jams in the city. Like most of the hill stations, it has waterfall, lakes, sunset points, etc. It also offers beautiful gardens, and serene parks.

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Ramanagara is where many scenes in the movie Sholay were shot at

Ramanagara

Ramanagara is situated just over 60 kilometers from Bangalore. It is a must visit place for a 'Sholay' fan. Although not much to offer, it is ideal for trekking with kids and senior citizens.

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Two young guns having a fun time kayaking in Bheemeshwari

Bheemeshwari

Bheemeshwari is located just about a hundred kilometers from Bangalore. It is a great place for fishing, river rafting, kayaking, and bird watching. The stay at a jungle lodge is tranquilizing and worth experiencing.

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A view while trekking the Madhugiri Fort

Madhugiri

Situatedless than a hundred kilometers from the Garden City, Madhugiri is one of the most underrated weekend getaways near Bangalore. It is one of the best trekking spots in the state of Karnataka. It houses the second largest monolith in the continent. This place is more like a labyrinth, as most people are oblivious of it.

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The lush green hills of Chikmagalur

Chikmangalur

Nestled in the pristine region of Karnataka, barely 250 kilometers away from Bangalore, Chikmangalur is the birthplace of coffee plantation in the country. Like Coorg, Chikmangalur, too, has a lot to offer to its visitors. There are lakes, waterfalls, Wildlife sanctuaries, hills, centuries old temples, etc. But what makes it a little different from Coorg is that it is never overcrowded with tourists.

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Hogenakkal Falls

Hogenakkal Falls is located just under 200 kilometers from the city of Bangalore. It is one of the oldest waterfalls not just in the country, but also in the world. Legends have it that taking a bath in the water body cures one from various kinds of ailments. During the monsoon season, water gushes down at great speed and looks milky white. One can even go for kayaking in the river beneath the waterfall.

Now stop procrastinating, and pack your bags. Weekend is around the corner. Go out with your family, your friends, or alone if need be. But go.

Photo credit from : makemyhangout.com ,theshootingstar, thrillophilia.com, holidayiq.com, www.escape2explore.com, tripadvisor.com, easytouristguide.com, www.wildwanderers.com, trawell.in, flickr.com

The gorgeous Hogenakkal Waterfalls