Why should I visit Mysore? Did you ever wonder about this? You should already have packed your bags and left! Mysore (or Mysuru) is worth it. In this article, I will give 5 reasons why you should already have packed your bag.
What to expect in this article:
About my trip to Mysore
When my boyfriend was still living in Pondicherry, we wanted to visit a place outside Tamil Nadu. We had someone in Bangalore and heard a lot about Mysore, so we were curious about it. Mysore is also known as the “Cultural Capital of Karnataka.” Its famous because of the majestic palace, greenery and silk sarees. it’s a destination that feels both royal and laid-back at the same time.
Compared to other Indian cities Mysore is calmer, which makes it perfect if you want to escape that.
We visited Mysore after an overnight train from Pondicherry (yes, with actual beds and air-conditioning, it was a good experience), and the city instantly won us over. It already started with all the greenery and calm and it only got better.
Here are some reasons why you should put Mysore on your travel list.
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1. The breathtaking Mysore Palace
Let’s start with the beauty of the city: Mysore Palace. This place is absolutely gorgeous! The architecture, stained-glass windows, golden thrones… every room looked different and gorgeous. It was the first palace I visited in India and it did not disappoint.
For this Dutchie only paying 100 rupees (1 euro) to enter is incredible. To hand in your shoes costs 2 rupees (20 eurocents). In the Netherlands, I would easily pay 25 euros to enter…
Be aware that this is the one spot in Mysore where it can get crowded. We entered when it just opened, but after an hour, it got super crowded. Which is understandable, as it is a gorgeous palace.
Now, I have made thousands of photos and it is hard to just pick a couple to show here. Every room is different and did I already say how many details you can see here? I have been to many palaces and this is one of my favorites.
2. Calm streets
One of the biggest surprises about Mysore was how peaceful it felt. Many Indian cities are noisy and chaotic, but Mysore is different. And that is very welcome. The streets are clean (which is special for India) filled with trees, and there is not much traffic. We could actually walk around without being overwhelmed by honking horns and crazy traffic. This is special for India. At some places, I feel terrified to walk by myself. Mysore could actually also be a good start for any traveller who wants to visit India for the first time.
We rented a scooter and even on the road, it was not as busy as in many other cities. My bf was driving, so I could be the passenger princess and enjoy nature and views around me, especially to Chamundi Hill Temple, which I will tell more about in the next paragraph.
Don't forget to book an activity in Mysore
3. Chamundi Hill Temple
PThe climb to the temple is also an experience, with colorful markets going up and cows (like always), walking everywhere.
Then let’s talk about the real stars/devils of the hill: the monkeys. They are everywhere, and they are cheeky! We saw them stealing bananas and even wallets, which they brought on top of the temple. No way, that lady was getting her wallet back… I have seen these monkeys in many countries in Asia and I am not a big fan of them.
P.s. for more tips about Mysore, check out TripandTales.
4. Famous Mysore silk
Mysore is famous all over India for its silk sarees. The tradition goes back hundreds of years and it is a real craft. The sarees are shiny, smooth, and made in bright, bold colors and even in Pondicherry, I saw them everywhere at Pothy’s (a big and famous clothes store).
I was just happy to admire the fabrics, but unfortunately, I did not have enough time to shop around. Such a pity and now I would like to return.
Next to sarees, there is a huge shopping street in Mysore that is fun to walk around. We did that at night and had a blast.
5. The amazing food scene
Yes the food!! We are foodies and felt like Mysore had some western vibes regarding good coffees. But we also snacked on vada in the afternoons, and when we wanted something sweet, we found Mysore Pak, yum!
Next to that, there was Sapa Mysore, which quickly became our favorite hangout. After days of Indian food, biting into a fresh croissant or sourdough pizza felt so good! Especially because most things in India are spicy, but they did not. I will speak about food more below.
How to get to Mysore
The first question is how you can get to Mysore. Luckily, Mysore is well-connected and easy to reach. We took the night train from Pondicherry to Bangalore, which was cool and my first experience with trains in India. We made a reservation beforehand and had a small cabin, 2 bunk beds, which we had to share with another family.
The AC made it comfortable and I would actually recommend trying a night train at least once during your India travels, it’s budget-friendly and so authentic. It is not at all like the trains you see online, but do make a reservation in one of the higher classes with AC. After some days in Bangalore, we took a normal day train to Mysore, also with AC and very comfortable.
Next to that, Mysore is just a three-hour ride from Bangalore. You can go by bus, private taxi, or even rent a car if you’re brave enough for Indian roads. The closest airport is in Bangalore.
How to get around Mysore
The best way to see Mysore? Rent a scooter. Honestly, this was one of our favorite things. The traffic here is calmer and cleaner than in other Indian cities. On some points, there was no one on the the highway, like how!? We felt safe, relaxed, and free to stop whenever something caught our eye. This is also how we got to Chamundi Hill Temple and stopped at some of the good views.
Of course, tuk-tuks are also everywhere if you prefer not to drive yourself. They are cheap, fun, and always ready to take you where you want. But for us, the scooter made Mysore extra special. And yes, even this Dutchie, normally glued to a bicycle, happily traded two pedals for an engine here 😉 Still, in India, my boyfriend always drives. In Mysor,e I could have tried though!
Where to eat in Mysore
Let’s be honest: one of the best parts of traveling in India is the food. And Mysore did not disappoint!
For breakfast, the city is full of tiny eateries serving dosa, idli, and vada with coconut chutney and sambar. They are fresh, cheap, and delicious. Sometimes spicy, so next to that, Dosa was my standard meal.
Don’t leave without trying Mysore Pak. This sweet is made with ghee, sugar, and chickpea flour. It’s rich, soft, and melts in your mouth. A bit too sweet for my liking, but still nice!
For a modern twist, we loved Sapa Mysore. It’s a hip café that could be in any European city. This is a nice welcome to the always Indian food for me. They had sourdough breads, pizzas… And again, it has a green and peaceful environment.
Once I have my own house, I also want this map!
Where to stay in Mysore
We chose to stay at Raccoon Rooms, and it turned out to be perfect for us. The location is central and the rooms are comfy without being expensive. They offer free breakfast at the rooftop, so you can see all over the city. I think that’s what I loved most. It had also an international vibe, as we saw many couples / backpackers from everywhere.
How many days in Mysore ?
We stayed in Mysore for two full days and we think it is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights without rushing. In 48 hours you can easily visit Mysore Palace (you can’t miss this!), climb up to Chamundi Hill, walk through the green and clean street, do some shopping and enjoy quietness before heading to busier Indian cities.
If we had more time, we might have tried to visit the nearby Brindavan Gardens as a day-trip.
Final thoughts about Mysore
My boyfriend and I both fell in love with Mysore. We often look back at it with warm feelings and might even want to visit it again in the future, who knows. The palace is absolutely gorgeous, the streets are clean and green, a bit modern, great for shopping and the temple you can be entertained by monkeys. In our opinion, Mysore should be more well-known, although we don’t want tourists to flood the place 🙂 So, are you packing your bag already?
Did you like reading this article? Have you been to Mysore? I would love to know, so make sure to message me on my social media or leave a comment below.
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