It has been a few months since we moved, and I am settling into a new routine and slowly finding my way around the city that was once so familiar. But living here is so different from visiting. I am in no hurry to do things or cross the city to meet people or attend events. I am taking things at my own pace and doing what I do best—slow living. we attended a thindi walk across Cubbonpet to Chamrajpet, and it was so much fun~ Looking forward to exploring other places either on my own or with friends… So, if you, like me want to experience the true soul of Bengaluru, skip the suburban tech parks for a day. The heart of the city lies in a stunning contrast: the breezy, shade-dappled avenues of the Central Administrative Area and the chaotic, colorful, historical labyrinth of Old Bengaluru.

You can easily split this route into two parts—spending a quiet, culture-filled morning around Cubbon Park, followed by an energetic afternoon diving deep into the trade lanes of Chickpet.

Morning: Green Canopy, Science, and Fine Art

Start your day early when the city air is crisp and the tree canopy is alive with birdsong.

Cubbon Park & Library ➔ NGMA ➔ MAP ➔ VITM Museum

1. Cubbon Park & The State Central Library

Start with a slow walk under the bamboo groves and massive mahogany trees of Cubbon Park. Right at its center sits the Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall, a striking, crimson-red European-style building constructed in 1915. It houses the State Central Library, featuring over 300,000 books, classic Tuscan columns, and high arched windows. It feels like stepping into a peaceful, forgotten era.

2. National Gallery of Modern Art (NGMA)

Located a short distance away on Manikyavelu Mansion grounds, NGMA is housed in a restored heritage mansion surrounded by mirror pools and ancient trees. It features an incredible collection of early modern Indian art—including works by Raja Ravi Varma, Amrita Sher-Gil, and Rabindranath Tagore—alongside a quiet courtyard café perfect for a mid-morning coffee.

3. Museum of Art & Photography (MAP)

For a complete contrast to NGMA’s heritage feel, walk over to MAP, one of Bengaluru’s newest cultural landmarks. Spanning five floors, MAP bridges classic Indian art with contemporary photography, pop culture, textiles, and interactive digital installations.

4. Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum (VITM)

Located right along Kasturba Road on the edge of Cubbon Park, this museum is a nostalgia trip for locals. Dedicated to Bharat Ratna Sir M. Visvesvaraya, it’s packed with hands-on physics gear, aviation models, an engine hall, and a space technology gallery.

➕ New Addition: Venkatappa Art Gallery & Government Museum

Right next door to VITM on Kasturba Road sits the Government Museum (built in 1866, one of the oldest in India) and the adjacent Venkatappa Art Gallery. It’s a quick, budget-friendly stop to view ancient stone sculptures, Roman coins discovered near Bangalore, and traditional Mysuru paintings.

Midday: Forts and History

Head southwest from the park zone toward the historic core built by the city’s founder, Kempe Gowda I, and later fortified by Hyder Ali and Tipu Sultan.

Bangalore Fort ➔ Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace

5. Bangalore Fort

What remains of the original stone fort is a massive, ornate granite gatehouse (the Bengaluru Kote). Walking through these thick stone arches gives you a sense of the heavy siege operations fought here during the Anglo-Mysore Wars.

6. Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace

A five-minute auto-rickshaw ride from the fort takes you to this stunning 18th-century wooden structure. Built entirely of teakwood with carved pillars, painted arches, and balconies, it served as Tipu Sultan’s summer retreat. The surrounding lawns offer a quiet breather before you step into the city’s busiest markets.

Afternoon: Markets, Sarees, and Bazaar Energy

This is where the quiet green spaces give way to loud, narrow, scent-filled market streets.

KR Market ➔ Chickpet Wholesale Lanes

7. KR Market (Krishna Rajendra Market)

Step into one of the largest wholesale flower markets in Asia. The basement and ground levels are a sea of marigolds, roses, jasmine, and lotus blossoms stacked high in woven baskets.

8. Chickpet Market

Chickpet has been a commercial hub for over 400 years. Its narrow, winding alleys (petes) are famous for wholesale bargains.

Saree & Fabric Shopping: Whether you’re looking for authentic Kanjivaram silk, soft Mysore silk, organza, or raw cottons, stores like Raja Market and the sprawling lanes around Avenue Road have thousands of designs at wholesale prices.
Silver & Brass: Nearby Raja Market is lined with tiny shops selling traditional silver jewelry, brass lamps, and pooja items.

➕ New Addition: Avenue Road Antique Book Stalls

Running right along Chickpet, Avenue Road is famous for hundreds of pavement book vendors and tiny secondhand shops. You can find out-of-print classics, academic texts, and rare paperbacks stacked floor-to-ceiling along the heritage shopfronts.

🍽️ Local Food Stops Along the Way

No trip to this side of town is complete without stopping at iconic eateries:

Location	Must-Try Food	What Makes It Special
Near Cubbon Park	Filter Coffee & Masala Dosa at Central Tiffin Room (CTR) or MTR (Lalbagh/Near Fort)	Decades-old heritage spots serving crispy, ghee-laden dosas.
Inside Chickpet	Kesari Bath & Chow Chow Bath at SGS Non-Veg / Hotel Janatha	Fast-paced local joints hidden inside tight market lanes.
Near KR Market	Dilpasand & Lychee Milkshake at Bakeries on Avenue Road	Old-school sweet treats to recharge your energy while shopping.

Practical Tips for the Trail

Best Day to Visit: Tuesday through Saturday. Museums are generally open, and Chickpet is fully active (note that many Chickpet wholesale shops are closed or operate short hours on Sundays).
Getting Around: Cubbon Park to MAP/VITM is easily walkable. To get from Cubbon Park to Chickpet or KR Market, take the Namma Metro (Green Line) directly to Chickpete Metro Station or KR Market Station to avoid narrow-lane traffic.
Shopping Tip: Carry cash for small vendors in Chickpet, and wear comfortable walking shoes—you’ll easily log 10,000+ steps traversing the market alleys.

The OG Heritage Eateries Trail

Sampling classic local eateries along this route turns a sightseeing stroll into a true culinary pilgrimage. Here are legendary institutions near Cubbon Park and Chickpet that have been feeding Bengaluru for generations:

Mavalli Tiffin Rooms (MTR) (Since 1924): Located near Lalbagh (a short hop from the fort), MTR is the birthplace of the Rava Dosa. Stepping inside feels like entering a 1950s time capsule. Order the classic Masala Dosa with pure ghee served in a silver jug, accompanied by a piping-hot silver cup of Filter Coffee.
Koshy’s Fine Dining (Since 1940): Positioned right off Cubbon Park on St. Mark’s Road, Koshy’s has hosted politicians, artists, and journalists for decades. It retains its vintage charm with wooden furniture and retro ceiling fans. Stop here for Mutton Cutlets, Fish Chips, or a classic Filter Coffee while soaking in the old-world intellect layout.
Airlines Hotel (Since 1968): Tucked away on Lavelle Road just outside Cubbon Park, this open-air drive-in setup under massive banyan trees is a local ritual. Grab a stone bench for crispy Vadas, Chow Chow Bath, and strong South Indian coffee outdoors.
Sri Govinda Rao Military Hotel (Since 1908): Tucked deep inside Cottonpet/Chickpet, this is one of Bengaluru’s oldest “Military Hotels” (historically serving non-vegetarian fare to soldiers). Famous for its spicy Mutton Donne Biryani, Paya (trotter soup), and Keema Balls, cooked over traditional charcoal stoves.
SGS Non-Veg Gundu Pulav (Since 1982): Hidden in the inner alleys near Balepet/Chickpet, this tiny, high-energy joint serves its signature Gundu Pulav—spiced rice cooked with tender meat balls served on fresh banana leaves.
Laxman Melagiri Mess (Old Tharagupet): Located near Chickpet’s grain market, this tiny, non-descript mess serves authentic, fire-spiced Kannada-style meals, Kali Dosa, and Khara Bath to local merchants at rock-bottom prices.

Updated Food Route Map

Area	Heritage Spot	Iconic Dish	Vibe
Cubbon Park Edge	Koshy’s	Mutton Cutlet & Coffee	High ceilings, dark wood, nostalgic intellect hangout
Lavelle Road	Airlines Hotel	Vada & Filter Coffee	Open-air garden dining under massive trees
Chickpet Alleys	Sri Govinda Rao Military Hotel	Mutton Donne Biryani & Paya	Fast-paced, rustic, rich spicy flavors
Balepet / Chickpet	SGS Gundu Pulav	Meatball Pulav	Packed, standing/quick-seated local market crowd

Old-World Charm Meets Modern Culture: Cubbon Park and Chickpet