Things to Do in Bengaluru in May

May Weather in Bengaluru

34°C (93°F) High Temp

22°C (72°F) Low Temp

135mm (5.3 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

Pre-monsoon mango season brings the sweetest Alphonso and Badami varieties at peak ripeness, sold fresh on every street corner for ₹50-80 ($0.60-0.95) per piece
Cooler morning temperatures of 22-26°C (72-79°F) make 6am-9am perfect for outdoor activities like Cubbon Park walks and Nandi Hills sunrise trips without the crushing heat of later months
Afternoon thunderstorms provide natural air conditioning and clear the pollution, making post-rain evenings (7pm-10pm) surprisingly pleasant for rooftop dining and street food tours
IT crowd takes summer holidays, meaning popular brunch spots, co-working cafes, and weekend destinations like Coorg are 30-40% less crowded than peak winter season

Considerations

Afternoon heat reaches 34°C (93°F) with high humidity, making 11am-4pm uncomfortable for walking or outdoor sightseeing - you'll need air-conditioned transport and indoor activities during these hours
Sudden thunderstorms can disrupt outdoor plans with zero warning, particularly problematic for day trips to places like Mysore or Hampi where you might get stranded
Increased mosquito activity due to pre-monsoon humidity requires constant vigilance and strong repellent, especially around Ulsoor Lake and during evening activities

Best Activities in May

Sunrise Heritage Walks in Bengaluru Fort Area

May's 5:45am sunrise and cool morning temperatures make this the perfect month for exploring Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace, Bull Temple, and the old Pete area before the heat hits. The golden hour lighting is spectacular for photography, and local vendors serve fresh filter coffee and idli breakfast. Post-thunderstorm mornings have exceptionally clear air.

Booking Tip: Book walking tours 5-7 days ahead through local heritage groups. Tours typically cost ₹300-500 ($3.60-6) per person and start at 6:30am sharp. Look for guides certified by Karnataka Tourism. See current heritage tour options in the booking section below.

Indoor Cultural Experiences and Museum Tours

May's afternoon heat makes air-conditioned venues like the National Gallery of Modern Art, Visvesvaraya Industrial Museum, and Government Museum perfect refuges. Many offer special summer programs and workshops. The recently renovated Bangalore Palace (2024) now has enhanced climate control and extended hours.

Booking Tip: Museum combo passes available for ₹200-400 ($2.40-4.80) and valid for multiple days. Book palace tours online 2-3 days ahead to avoid queues. Most museums offer free WiFi and cafes for extended comfort during hot afternoons.

Hill Station Day Trips to Nandi Hills

May mornings offer crystal-clear views before summer haze sets in. At 1,478m (4,849ft) elevation, it's 8-10°C (14-18°F) cooler than the city. Perfect for paragliding and sunrise photography. Return by 2pm before afternoon storms make the winding roads dangerous.

Booking Tip: Day trips typically cost ₹1,500-2,500 ($18-30) including transport and basic meals. Book 3-5 days ahead as weekends fill up with locals escaping the heat. Choose operators with newer vehicles and experienced drivers for the hill roads.

Evening Food Tours in Indiranagar and Koramangala

Post-rain evenings (7pm-11pm) are magical for food tours when the air clears and temperatures drop to comfortable 26-28°C (79-82°F). May brings seasonal specialties like tender coconut ice cream and mango-based street foods that peak during this month.

Booking Tip: Food tours range ₹800-1,500 ($9.60-18) for 3-4 hours including 8-10 tastings. Book 1-2 days ahead. Look for tours that include both street food and modern restaurants, with air-conditioned transport between locations.

Shopping Mall and Market Combinations

May heat makes enclosed markets like Commercial Street challenging after 10am, but combining early morning market visits with afternoon mall shopping works perfectly. UB City Mall, Phoenix MarketCity offer luxury shopping with perfect climate control during the hottest hours.

Booking Tip: Start with traditional markets at 8am, then move to malls by 11am. Shopping tours cost ₹500-1,200 ($6-14.40) including transport. Many malls offer tourist discount cards. Book textile shopping tours that include fabric markets and modern boutiques.

Brewery and Rooftop Evening Experiences

Bengaluru's craft brewery scene peaks in May evenings when post-storm weather creates perfect conditions for rooftop bars and beer gardens. The city's 40+ microbreweries offer seasonal summer ales and mango-infused cocktails available only during this period.

Booking Tip: Brewery tours cost ₹600-1,200 ($7.20-14.40) including tastings. Book rooftop venues 2-3 days ahead as locals flock to outdoor spaces during pleasant evening hours. Look for tours covering both traditional breweries and modern craft scenes.

May Events & Festivals

Early May

Akshaya Tritiya Gold and Temple Festivals

Major Hindu festival typically falling in early May, featuring elaborate temple decorations and traditional gold shopping. Temples like ISKCON and Bull Temple host special ceremonies and free community meals. Markets extend hours with cultural performances.

Throughout May

Summer Music Festival Season

Multiple venues host indoor music festivals taking advantage of May's need for air-conditioned entertainment. Palace Grounds and various mall venues feature both classical Carnatic music and contemporary artists, often with international headliners.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight rain jacket or compact umbrella - May thunderstorms are intense but brief, lasting 20-45 minutes with heavy downpours

Breathable cotton or bamboo fiber clothing - avoid polyester completely as 70% humidity makes synthetic fabrics uncomfortable and sticky

SPF 50+ sunscreen and UV-protective sunglasses - UV index reaches dangerous levels during 10am-4pm hours

Mosquito repellent with 20% DEET minimum - pre-monsoon humidity creates ideal breeding conditions, especially near parks and lakes

Comfortable walking shoes with good grip - afternoon rains make marble temple floors and outdoor stairs slippery

Portable phone charger/power bank - air conditioning use drains batteries faster, and you'll rely heavily on ride-hailing apps during heat

Light scarf or shawl for temple visits and over-air-conditioned spaces - temperature differences of 15°C (27°F) between outdoors and malls

Electrolyte packets or ORS - easy to get dehydrated moving between extreme heat and air conditioning

Cash in small denominations ₹50-500 notes - many street vendors and auto-rickshaw drivers don't carry change during busy summer season

Antacid tablets - rich local foods combined with heat can cause stomach sensitivity for first-time visitors

Insider Knowledge

Time outdoor activities for 6am-9am and 7pm-10pm windows - locals call the 11am-4pm period 'dead hours' and stay indoors with air conditioning

Post-thunderstorm air quality is exceptional for photos and sightseeing - the 30-60 minutes after rain stops offer the clearest city views you'll get

Mango vendors peak in May with 15+ varieties available - ask for 'Alphonso straight from Ratnagiri' and 'Badami local' for the authentic experience locals prize

Auto-rickshaw meters run faster in traffic, but May afternoon heat means drivers are more willing to negotiate fixed rates for air-conditioned car bookings

Avoid These Mistakes

Planning outdoor sightseeing between 11am-4pm when even locals avoid being outside - you'll be miserable and potentially risk heat exhaustion

Not carrying cash for sudden transport needs during thunderstorms - card machines often fail during power fluctuations, leaving you stranded

Wearing dark colors or synthetic fabrics that trap heat and show sweat stains obviously - locals immediately identify tourists by inappropriate clothing choices