Where to Stay in Bengaluru

Indiranagar is Bengaluru's trendiest neighborhood, known for its vibrant nightlife, upscale restaurants, and boutique shopping along 100 Feet Road and 12th Main. This affluent residential area has transformed into the city's social hub, attracting young professionals and creative types. The tree-lined streets retain a neighborhood feel despite the commercial development, with independent bookstores, artisan cafes, and microbreweries creating a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere.

Often called the startup capital of India, Koramangala is where Bengaluru's tech entrepreneurship culture is most visible. This sprawling neighborhood is divided into numbered blocks (1st Block through 8th Block), each with its own character. The area buzzes with co-working spaces, casual dining spots, and a young, ambitious crowd. While primarily residential, it offers excellent infrastructure and has become increasingly cosmopolitan with international residents.

The historic commercial heart of Bengaluru, MG Road and its perpendicular Brigade Road form the city's most iconic shopping and entertainment district. This area represents old Bengaluru charm with colonial-era buildings housing modern retail, from international brands to local bookstores. The excellent metro station makes it a transportation hub, and the tree-canopied streets retain character despite rapid modernization. It's the most tourist-friendly area with numerous hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance.

Once a distant Anglo-Indian settlement, Whitefield has transformed into Bengaluru's eastern IT corridor and a self-contained satellite city. Home to major tech parks including ITPL and numerous multinational offices, it attracts business travelers and has developed its own ecosystem of malls, restaurants, and entertainment. The area feels more suburban and modern compared to central Bengaluru, with wider roads and newer construction. It's essentially a different city within the city, reducing the need to commute to central areas.

Jayanagar represents traditional Bengaluru at its finest—a well-planned residential neighborhood with a distinctly local character. Divided into numbered blocks, it's known for its South Indian vegetarian restaurants, traditional sweet shops, and the bustling Jayanagar Shopping Complex. The area attracts fewer international tourists, offering an authentic glimpse into middle-class Bengalorean life. Tree-lined avenues and numerous parks create a pleasant, peaceful atmosphere despite the urban density.

One of Bengaluru's oldest planned neighborhoods, Malleshwaram exudes old-world charm with its traditional Brahmin heritage and tree-canopied streets. Sampige Road (also called Margosa Road) is famous for its jasmine flower market and traditional breakfast joints serving authentic Karnataka cuisine. The area maintains a slower pace of life compared to newer neighborhoods, with residents often speaking Kannada as the primary language. It's an excellent choice for those wanting to experience traditional South Indian culture while staying in the city.

India's first and largest electronics industrial park, Electronic City is the ultimate business traveler's base if working with tech companies in this zone. Located in the southern outskirts, it houses offices of Infosys, Wipro, TCS, and hundreds of other IT firms. The area is purely functional with modern hotels catering specifically to business needs, offering conference facilities and proximity to offices. While lacking in cultural attractions or nightlife, it serves its purpose efficiently for those whose primary reason for visiting Bengaluru is business in this corridor.

Centered around the picturesque Ulsoor Lake, this neighborhood offers a rare combination of central location and natural beauty. The area has a diverse character, blending Tamil-speaking communities, old Bengaluru families, and newer residents. The lakeside provides welcome green space for morning walks and boat rides, while the surrounding streets mix residential calm with commercial activity. It's less trendy than Indiranagar but offers better value while maintaining good connectivity.

HSR Layout (an abbreviation for Hosur Sarjapur Road Layout) has emerged as a popular residential neighborhood for young professionals and families. Known for its relatively systematic planning with sectors and numbered roads, it offers a suburban feel with urban amenities. The area has seen rapid development of cafes, gyms, and organic stores catering to health-conscious residents. It strikes a balance between the high prices of Koramangala/Indiranagar and the remoteness of outer suburbs.

One of Bengaluru's most affluent and exclusive residential neighborhoods, Sadashivanagar is characterized by sprawling bungalows, tree-lined avenues, and an air of old-money elegance. This quiet, upscale area near Sankey Tank offers a peaceful retreat while remaining close to the city center. The neighborhood has minimal commercial development, preserving its residential character, though this also means fewer dining and shopping options within walking distance. It's where Bengaluru's established elite have traditionally lived.

Basavanagudi embodies traditional Bengaluru culture, famous for the Bull Temple and its old-world charm. The neighborhood's layout follows the ancient plan with narrow streets radiating from the temple, lined with traditional South Indian homes and family-run businesses. Gandhi Bazaar, the area's commercial heart, offers an authentic local shopping experience. This is where you'll find third-generation sweet shops, traditional silk stores, and residents who remember pre-IT boom Bengaluru. The pace is slower, and the culture is distinctly Kannadiga.

A major transportation hub centered around Yeshwantpur Railway Station and Junction, this neighborhood serves as a gateway to Bengaluru for many travelers. It has developed significantly due to its connectivity, with both metro and railway lines intersecting here. The area mixes industrial zones with residential pockets and has a working-class character. While not particularly scenic or culturally rich, it offers practical advantages for those needing easy access to transportation or working in nearby industrial areas.