1. Enjoy a day at Malpe beach

Located 66 km (41.01 mi) from Mangalore and about 6 km (3.72 mi) from Udupi, Malpe Beach is one of the finest beaches in the South. With its never-ending stretch of golden brown sand, palm trees, and blue waters, Malpe is akin to a beautiful painting. The wide and pristine area of Malpe makes it suitable for a variety of outdoor activities and water sports. Rent a jet ski to ride with your partner, or take a thrillingly fast banana ride with the family. For 300 INR (4.05 USD), you can take a ferry to St. Mary’s Island. It is a 20- to 30-minute boat ride to the island, giving you ample time to enjoy the views of the port.

Malpe Beach

Address: Malpe, Udupi, State of Karnataka, India

Website: Malpe Beach

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

2. Say a little prayer at Sri Krishna Temple

Udupi is famous as a place of pilgrimage because of the Sri Krishna Temple. The auspicious temple is dedicated to Lord Krishna, a major deity in Hinduism. This temple dates back as far as 1,000 years, and it is unique for its praying pattern. In the Krishna Temple, you can catch a glimpse of Lord Krishna through a window. Prayers and processes only take place through this prescribed silver-plated window referred to as the Navagraha Kitiki.

Sri Krishna Temple

Address: Car Street, Thenkpete, Maruthi Veethika, Udupi, Karnataka – 576101

Website: Sri Krishna Temple

Opening hours: 5am - 9.30pm (daily)

Price: Free

3. Try some dosa at Mitra Samaj

The crispy south Indian Dosa originated in Udupi. It has been around for 1,500 years and each restaurant in Udupi has created its own version and taste of this single delicacy. But essentially, it is a fermented crepe made with a simple batter and black lentil. Dosa is rich in carbohydrates and it has no salt, sugar, or gluten. It makes for a healthy meal as it is also typically stuffed with vegetables and sauces. It has now made its way to the list of ’10 foods to try before you die’, compiled by the Huffington Post.

Mitra Samaj is a vegetarian restaurant near Sri Krishna Temple, famous for its original Masala Dosa. This might be the oldest place in the area to serve an authentic Indian breakfast. From its longevity, you can say this place definitely knows the true essence of what makes a perfectly good Masala Dosa. The restaurant has been around for 60 years and it is said to be the birthplace of Masala Dosa.

Mitra Samaj

Address: Sri Krishna Temple Complex, Thenkpete, Maruthi Veethika, Udupi, Karnataka 576101, India

Website: Mitra Samaj

Opening hours: Thu - Tue: 6am - 9:30pm (closed on Wed)

4. Take a trip to Uppinakudru Island

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

About a 20-minute drive from Kundapura is a beautiful and calm village called Uppinakudru. It’s an underrated island that hasn’t been the focus of tourists and visitors for a long time. Although it has gained attention over the years, Uppinakudru Island has still remained as it was—serene and peaceful. If you want to avoid rowdy crowds and noisy tourist spots, then this might be the perfect solitary haven for you. You can also visit a number of temples when you take a little side trip to this island. Although not as humungous as other temples in India, Gopalakrishna temple is a small but interesting place of worship. For a small island, you’ll definitely have a list of intriguing temples to visit.

Uppinakudru Island

Address: Udupi - 576201

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

5. Laze around Kapu Beach

What sets Kapu Beach apart is its main attraction in the area, which is the lighthouse towering over the beach. The lighthouse used to be open to the public. There is no walkway from the beach other than a few big rocks, but you can use these rocks to cross the beach to get to the lighthouse. However, it is presently closed to the public, so you can now enjoy the lighthouse’s magnificence from afar. Food stalls are also available in the area, so it’s easy to grab a meal and enjoy the scenic surroundings. Laze around the undefiled beach and watch the sunset over the horizon at Kapu Beach for some time out.

A haven of solitude

Udupi is a good place for anyone looking to escape the bustles of a fast-paced urban life. Whether it’s an adventure you seek or peaceful silence, Udupi offers you a chance to commune with nature and with the gods. The clean, wide beaches are ideal for a variety of watersport activities, and they’re perfect if you wish to laze around. With beauty that’s well-preserved and untainted by development and modernity, it’s an eternal favorite for tourists and locals alike. Explore the waterfalls and beaches and take solace in the temples. Udupi is truly a place of retreat for anyone who wants a taste of heaven, even just for a bit.