Things to Do in Bengaluru in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Bengaluru
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Pre-monsoon greenery makes the city's parks and gardens absolutely stunning - Cubbon Park and Lalbagh are at their most lush before the heavy rains arrive, and morning temperatures around 22°C (72°F) make early walks genuinely pleasant
- Mango season is in full swing and you'll find dozens of Karnataka varieties at Gandhi Bazaar and Russell Market that never make it to export markets - Alphonso, Totapuri, and Raspuri at ₹80-200/kg (roughly $4-10 for 2.2 lbs)
- Fewer domestic tourists compared to winter months means shorter lines at Bangalore Palace and Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, plus easier restaurant reservations at popular spots in Indiranagar and Koramangala
- Hotel rates drop 20-30% compared to peak season in December-January, and you'll find better availability at mid-range properties around MG Road and Whitefield without advance booking
Considerations
- Afternoons get genuinely uncomfortable - that 32.8°C (91°F) combined with 70% humidity makes outdoor sightseeing between noon and 4pm pretty miserable, and air conditioning becomes non-negotiable for accommodation
- The 10 rainy days listed might be misleading - May sits in this weird pre-monsoon period where you'll get sudden late afternoon thunderstorms that can flood low-lying areas like Silk Board and Marathahalli within 30 minutes, disrupting traffic completely
- Power cuts become more frequent as the city's grid strains under AC demand, particularly in older neighborhoods - expect 1-2 hour outages every few days, which matters if you're working remotely or need reliable wifi
Best Activities in May
Early Morning Heritage Walks in Pete Area
May mornings between 6-9am are actually perfect for exploring Bangalore's oldest quarter around KR Market and Chickpet. The temperature sits around 22-24°C (72-75°F), vendors are setting up their flower and spice stalls, and you'll see the city before the heat becomes oppressive. The pre-monsoon light is gorgeous for photography. This is when locals do their serious walking, and you'll have the Bull Temple and Basavanagudi temples practically to yourself before 8am.
Indoor Museum and Gallery Circuit
May's afternoon heat makes this the ideal month to explore Bangalore's air-conditioned cultural spaces. The National Gallery of Modern Art, Government Museum, and newer spots like MAP (Museum of Art and Photography) in Kasturba Road are blissfully cool. Crowds thin out significantly after lunch as locals avoid midday travel, so you'll get 2-4pm slots almost to yourself. The MAP opened in 2023 and has quickly become the city's best rainy-day backup plan.
Craft Beer Brewery Tours in Whitefield and Sarjapur
Bangalore's craft beer scene exploded over the past five years, and May afternoons are when locals retreat to taprooms. The industrial areas around Whitefield and Sarjapur Road house a dozen microbreweries offering tours and tastings. You'll learn about brewing in tropical conditions, sample seasonal wheat beers perfect for the heat, and the AC is cranked up. Tours typically run 4-7pm, catching the post-work crowd but avoiding dinner rush.
Nandi Hills Sunrise Excursions
The drive to Nandi Hills 60 km (37 miles) north becomes worth it in May because you're escaping the city heat entirely. At 1,478 m (4,850 ft) elevation, sunrise temperatures hover around 18°C (64°F) - genuinely cool and often misty. Leave Bangalore by 4:30am, catch sunrise around 5:45am, and you're back by 10am before the afternoon heat. The pre-monsoon clouds create dramatic photography conditions. This is a weekly ritual for serious Bangalore cyclists and runners.
Evening Food Tours in Malleshwaram and Basavanagudi
May evenings between 6-9pm are prime time for Bangalore's street food scene. The temperature drops to bearable levels around 26-28°C (79-82°F), and these traditional neighborhoods come alive with dosa carts, chaat stalls, and filter coffee joints. You'll try seasonal summer foods like neer dosa and raw mango preparations that locals crave in hot weather. The occasional evening drizzle actually adds to the atmosphere rather than ruining plans.
Day Trips to Shivanasamudra Falls
May sits right before monsoon, and interestingly the falls are still flowing well from the previous season's rains while crowds remain minimal. The 135 km (84 mile) drive takes you through rural Karnataka, and the falls area is noticeably cooler than Bangalore. You'll see the twin falls - Gaganachukki and Bharachukki - without the monsoon crowds that arrive June onwards. The water volume is decent enough for dramatic photos but safe enough for closer viewing.
May Events & Festivals
Bangalore International Film Festival
This week-long celebration of independent and international cinema typically runs in late May at multiple venues including Orion Mall and Suchitra Film Society. You'll catch premieres, retrospectives, and panel discussions with filmmakers. It's become a major event for South Asian cinema, and the AC theaters provide perfect refuge from May heat. Passes sell out for popular screenings.