1. Nandi Hills

A favorite getaway for the city folks, Nandi Hills is an ancient hill fortress nestled at an altitude of 4,849 feet (1478 meters), on the outskirts of Bangalore. It is one of the popular places where crowds congregate at sunset (as well as at sunrise). Sunset chasers can trek or drive to its summit for the unparalleled views of the city and surrounding landscape, which are particularly fantastic when the dusk approaches. Even on cloudy days, the view is spectacular as you are above the cloud line and can see the shimmering sun peering through the sea of clouds that line the sky.

Nandi Hills

Address: Chikkaballapur Taluk, Chikkaballapur 562101, India

2. Ulsoor Lake

Spanning a vast 123.6 acres (50 hectares), Ulsoor Lake, also known as Halasuru is among Bangalore’s most visited attractions. It consists of several islands, making it one of the largest lakes in the city. To soak in its beauty, take to the water via boat - particularly during sunset, which is a grand affair. You’ll see the waters of the lake reflecting bright orange sunset like a mirror. Visitors can also a picnic along its embankment or go for a romantic stroll around the lake.

Ulsoor Lake

Address: Ulsoor, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560042

Website: Ulsoor Lake

3. Kaikondrahalli Lake

Spread over 48 acres (19.42 hectares), Kaikondrahalli Lake is a great place to watch the sunset in peace and quiet, as tourism has still not penetrated here, making the experience more special and magical. The rays of the setting sun merge with the water surface, creating a whimsical palette of colors - a sight to behold. To birdwatcher’s delight, it is home to a wide variety of migratory birds. Keep an eye out for white-throated kingfisher, spot-billed pelican, painted stork, Asian koel, rose-ringed parakeet and purple herons (to name but a few). We recommend visiting during dusk in January, as Bangalore’s sky resembles a painting with hundreds of rosy starlings beautifully blocking the bold-stroked sky.

Kaikondrahalli Lake

Address: Valliyamma Layout, Harlur, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560103

Website: Kaikondrahalli Lake

4. Sankey Tank

Located right in the heart of the Malleshwaram, Sankey Tank is a picturesque man-made lake that was built in the late 19th century to provide water to the residents of Bangalore. Contrary to its initial purpose, today, it serves as a popular hangout spot for youngsters, couples, and families with kids. While it is quite busy with runners and nature lovers in the mornings, it is in the evenings, around sunset, that the lake really comes alive. You can hop on a pedal or motorboat and cruise about the gentle waters of the lake, which are stained orange and red by the setting sun. There is also a swimming pool, paved walkways, landscaped gardens and lakeside benches where you can sit at leisure and watch the sun go down. You can conclude your trip with dinner at one of the fine-dining restaurants located nearby - try North and South Indian cuisine at Sattvam Restaurant.

Sankey Tank

Address: Sadasivanagar, Near The Vyalikaval Circle, Bengaluru, India

5. Hesaraghatta Lake

Located 18 kilometers (11.18 miles) to the north-west of Bangalore, Hesaraghatta Lake is a man-made lake that was established in the 19th century to meet the water demands of the residents of the city. Fed by Arkavathy river, the lake still carries out its initial function, in addition to being a popular place among photography enthusiasts, who come armed with their lenses to capture the sunset. When the sun begins to descend, it envelops the entire lake in a rusty orange and yellow glow. It is also a paradise for twitcher, as several native and migratory birds can be spotted here, including brahminy kites, white-breasted kingfisher, little egrets, painted storks, and many more.

Hesaraghatta Lake

Address: Bengaluru, Karnataka 560089

Website: Hesaraghatta Lake

6. Skandagiri Hills

Situated 62 km (38.52 miles) from the city, Skandagiri Hills is another perfect spot for a magnificent sunset. There is a hamlet named Kalavara located at its foothills from where you can enjoy the sunset. But for the best experience, we recommend taking on the Skandagiri night trek up the hill which is moderately easy and can be done within four to five hours (both ascending and descending). Once you reach the top, what’s in store for you is the panoramic view of the city with the sun dipping into the horizon that is unparalleled.

Skandagiri Hills

Address: Suddahalli, Karnataka 562103

7. Siddara Betta

Located about 100 km (62.13 miles) from Bangalore, Siddara Betta is a rocky mountain that is most visited by trekkers, rock climbers as well as pilgrims who come here to pay homage to the shrine of Lord Shiva that is carved inside a cave. The trek to the pinnacle of the hill is rocky and steep, which makes it a bit challenging. But the beautiful mountain views and lush landscape on the way up to make it all the more worthwhile. For a truly breathtaking experience, aim to be at the top for dusk as the view of the sunset is divine. Expect a glimmering sun peeking out above the clouds and casting a shadow onto the mountains, a vision unlike any other.

Siddara Betta

Address: Halenijagal, Karnataka 562111

8. Hebbal Lake

Located in north Bangalore, Hebbal lake is one of the oldest and popular lakes in the city. Many of the city folks come here for a leisurely walk in the morning and get an up-close view of the beautiful birds like kingfishers, herons, egrets, pelicans and more that call it home. But those who stay until the sundown will be granted with equally beautiful experience as the sun projects hues of orange, violet, and red onto the lake, making for an awe-inspiring spectacle.

Hebbal Lake

Address: NH-7, Bellary Road, Outer Ring Road, Bengaluru, India

9. Anthargange

Literally meaning ‘Ganges from deep’ in the local language, Anthargange (also known as Antara Gange) is a rocky mountain located in the Kolar district, about 70 km (43.49 miles) from Bangalore. It consists of several boulders and caves - and you can explore them via trekking. While it is possible to do the trek in the morning, but we recommend going for the night trek as the view from the top gets much more enticing during sunset hours. You can also camp here, enjoy a bonfire and watch the sun move gently across the sky.

Anthargange

Address: Vibhuthipura, Karnataka 563101

10. Ramanagara

Surrounded by hillocks, Ramanagara is a small town located about 50 km (31.06 miles) from Bangalore. It is a popular spot among nature lovers, birdwatchers and folks who like to trek and climb. The terrain here ranges from easy to moderate, and once you reach the summit, you can soak in the beautiful view of the hillocks and its surrounding greenery that gets much more captivating during sunset.

Ramanagara

Address: Bangalore-Mysore Road, Karnataka 562159

11. The 13th Floor

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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The 13th Floor is a rooftop bar that offers unobstructed views of the city, which are even more incredible when the sun goes down. You can enjoy a drink and chow down on Asian food while gazing up the sun sinking through the cloud formations and dusk turning into night.

The 13th Floor

Address: Barton Centre, 84, MG Road, Haridevpur, Shanthala Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001

Website: The 13th Floor

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 4pm - 11:30am; Fri - Sat: 4pm - 1am; Sun: 12pm - 12am

Price: 25 USD onwards

Enjoy the mesmerizing sunset views in Bangalore

While Bangalore Palace and other tourist attractions may offer scenic views, there is still nothing quite like the fiery orange sky at sundown. Fortunately, there are plenty of spots in and around Bangalore where you can witness this spectacular show. Check out our above list of the best places to watch the sunset in and around Bangalore, India, that will have you Instagramming like never before.