Best Museums And Art Galleries In Bangalore, India

1. Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum

The Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum links basic scientific principles with new and innovative technology. It comprises of several exhibition galleries that specialize in a range of topics, from mechanical and electronic sciences to space and biotechnology. Notable highlights include a jet aircraft engine, replica of dinosaurs, model of the Wright Brother’s flyer, exhibits demonstrating the basics of machines, and a gallery highlighting the Indian Space Program’s achievements. The museum also has a 3D theatre, a sky observation program, a telemedicine facility, an auditorium and a science show hall, for visitors to explore and experience the science and technology in a different dimension.

Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum

Address: Near Chinna Swamy Stadium, Kasturba Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Website: Visvesvaraya Industrial & Technological Museum

Opening hours: 9:30am - 6pm

Price: 0.58 USD (40 INR)

2. Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath presents the visual art heritage of Karnataka in an intriguing way through its 18 galleries. Various artefacts in the forms of sculptures, folk art and traditional paintings are on display. Highlights include Mysore-style paintings, Karnataka’s leather puppets and Gond tribal art. The gallery also hosts exhibitions of artwork by renowned artists, including Nicholas Roerich, Svetoslav Nikolayevich Roerich and HK Kejriwal (to name but a few). Every year during January, a cultural event known as ‘Chitra Santhe’ is held here - it showcases works of art by up-and-coming artists from across the country.

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Address: No.1, Art Complex, Kumarakrupa Rd, Kumara Park East, Seshadripuram, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Website: Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10am - 5:30pm

Price: 0.73 USD (50 INR)

3. HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum

Operated by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, the HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum is the first museum of its kind in India. It presents visitors with the history and growth of Indian aviation sector in a modern and unique way, through a display of various helicopters, fighter jets, aircraft, flight simulators, aero engine models and photographs. Aircraft and helicopters on display range from glorious 1940s models to modern-day jets. If you’re an aviation aficionado, this is a must-visit spot!

HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum

Address: HAL Old Airport Rd, Near HAL Police Station, Sector 3, Marathahalli, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560037

Website: HAL Heritage Centre and Aerospace Museum

Opening hours: 9am - 4:30pm

Price: 0.44- 0.73 USD (30-50 INR)

4. National Gallery of Modern Art

The National Gallery of Modern Art houses over 500 works of art in several forms, from sculptures to paintings, photographs and graphic prints. It primarily showcases artwork by pioneer Indian artists, such as Jamini Roy, Rabindranath Tagore, Amrita Sher-Gil and Raja Ravi Verma, along with some leading contemporary artists. In addition to a permanent collection, the gallery also organizes national and international exhibitions. It is also very active in the local community, hosting film screenings on art and culture, as well as workshops for children. After perusing all that artwork you’ll feel hungry (or probably need your caffeine fix), make a pit stop at the museum’s cafe.

National Gallery of Modern Art

Address: 49, GF, Manikyavelu Mansion, Palace Rd, Vasanth Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560052

Website: National Gallery of Modern Art

Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 11am - 6:30pm

Price: 0.29 USD (20 INR) for Indians; 7.26 USD (500 INR) for Foreign Nationals

5. Government Museum

Founded in 1865, the Government Museum is one of the oldest surviving museums in the country. It also happens to be the second oldest museum in South India and is comprised of 18 galleries displaying artefacts from across two sections - archaeology and geology. You can find old jewellery, coins, Neolithic pottery, sculptures and paintings from different time periods and kingdoms, making for an interesting and varied collection. It also has a model of the fort that belonged to Tipu Sultan, the most famous ruler of the Kingdom of Mysore. The show-stealer of the museum, however, is the Kannada language inscriptions, including Atakur inscription dating back to 949 C.E., Halmidi inscription of 450 C.E. and the Begur inscription from 890 C.E. The museum building is an attraction in itself, with neoclassical architecture and lush garden surrounding it.

Government Museum

Address: Kasturba Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 10am - 5pm

Price: 0.29 USD (20 INR)

6. Venkatappa Art Gallery

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reveur Art Gallery (@painting_heaven_)

The Venkatappa Art Gallery features artwork by a well-known artist from Karnataka, K. Venkatappa. You can find paintings, POP bas reliefs, musical instruments and sculptures. The space also holds collections from the state’s other renowned artists, including KK Hebbar and Rajaram; plus there are exhibitions that profile and promote contemporary artists. Tie your visit with a tour of the nearby Cubbon Park for a fabulous day out.

Venkatappa Art Gallery

Address: Kasturba Rd, Ambedkar Veedhi, Sampangi Rama Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Opening hours: Tues - Fri & Sun: 10am - 5pm

Price: 0.15 USD (10 INR)

7. Indian Music Experience

The Indian Music Experience is the first interactive music museum in the country that captures the journey of Indian music, from its origins to the present day. It is spread across four levels and comprises of eight galleries filled with exhibits spanning several musical genres, from folk music and Hindustani classical to contemporary independent music and everything in between. Over 100 indigenous instruments, huge sculptures like tubular bells and humming stone, mock recording studio, and a sound garden are permanent exhibits in the museum. You can also play instruments here and create your own music.

Indian Music Experience

Address: Opp.Wood Rose Club, Brigade Millennium Ave, JP Nagar 7th Phase, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560078

Website: Indian Music Experience

Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 10am - 5pm

Price: 3.63 USD (250 INR) for Indians; 7.26 USD (500 INR) for Foreigners; 2.18 USD (150 INR) for Children

8. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

At Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium, you can come face-to-face with the wonders of the scientific world. Inside, there is a dome-shaped auditorium that hosts a lot of shows on topics like theory of natural selection, the universe, space and stars. The top-quality sound system adds fantastic surround sound to your travels through the scientific world. Most shows are presented in English, but some are available in the local language (Kannada) as well. Besides the featured shows, there’s a science park, a small eatery, and a stall selling science-related books and toys.

Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

Address: Sri T, Sankey Rd, High Grounds, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Website: Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium

Opening hours: Tues - Sun: 10:30am - 5:30pm

Price: 0.51 USD (35 INR)

9. Gandhi Bhavan

Spend an afternoon learning about the life and work of Mahatma Gandhi, revered as the Father of the Nation, at the Gandhi Bhavan. This museum has a gallery with his personal belongings, letters and rare photographs that showcases his life from childhood to his last days, and explains how he became the leader of the Indian Independence Movement which gained worldwide attention. There’s also a library and an auditorium where meetings and special programs associated with him are often held.

Gandhi Bhavan

Address: Kumara Park East, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Website: Gandhi Bhavan

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 5:30pm

10. Kempegowda Museum

Housed in a well-preserved heritage building, the Kempegowda Museum is dedicated to the memory of the Bangalore city’s founder, Kempegowda. It outlines the history of the city through unique pieces and artefacts dating from the 1500s onward. The museum’s pièce de résistance is its glassed floor, which has a 19th-century Bangalore heritage map printed on it. Visitors can walk over it and learn more about the city’s past. Other noteworthy displays include a fibreglass statue of Kempegowda, and old photographs of temples and forts built by him.

Kempegowda Museum

Address: Field Marshal Cariappa Rd, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm

Price: No entry fee

Go museum-hopping

Bangalore is home to a plethora of museums and art galleries that will give you a chance to learn about the city’s history, folk art, science, music, and more. If you have questions as a tourist for Bangalore, check out our FAQ page for everything you need to know!