11 Things To Do In Shimoga That Will Make You Fall In Love With The City In 2024!

What does an unheard of city does to you? Does it make you curious? Does it make you want to explore it? Well, what if we told you there is one such city in the very beautiful Karnataka? Yes, there is! Shimoga (Shivamogga) is one of the most gorgeous cities in Karnataka. It is widely known for its beauty and attractions which brings in a lot of visitors throughout the year. Shivappa Nayaka Palace Museum and the Sacred Heart Cathedral are two of the attractions that people check out when they visit this beautiful city but there are many other interesting things to do in Shimoga. For animals and nature lovers, the Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary can be a cherry on the cake as the sanctuary shelters elephants, tigers, and panthers. At the Northwest of Shimoga are quite mighty and towering Jog Falls.

11 Best Things To Do In Shimoga

If you were wondering what is there to do in Shimoga then let us be your guide. There are some of the most interesting experiences that await in Shimoga for you. Let us go ahead and read about the activities and adventures in and around Shimoga, Karnataka.

Jog Falls: Witness The Marvel Of Nature
Kodachadri Trek: Satiate The Thirst For Thrill
Dabbe Falls: A Feast For The Eyes
Kundadri Trek: Get Closer To Nature
Sakrebailu Elephant Camp: Witness The Wild
Gudavi Bird Sanctuary: Play Around With The Birds
Ikkeri: Marvel At The Architecture
Agumbe: Spectate The Views
Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: Into The Wild
Tyavarekoppa: For Safari
Madhugiri Fort: Stroll Around The Man-Made Wonder

1. Jog Falls: Witness The Marvel Of Nature

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The second highest and tallest un-tiered waterfall in the country, Jog Falls is in Shimoga and visiting the place is one of the best things to do in Shimoga. It is located at the border of Shimoga and Uttar Kannada, and it is also known as Jogada Gundi or Gerusoppa falls. It is surrounded by dense forests and cascades down the rocky cliffs from a height of 253 mt. Formed by Sharavathi River, the waterfall is amazing. As an addon, it comes along with the foamy water and makes for a heavenly sight. For the trekkers, one can surely trek down to the Watkins platform to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the amazing cascade, and you can even try swimming in the plunge of a pool that forms at the base.

Ideal For: Weekend getaways
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: Entry Fee Rs 10/- per head
Timings: 07:30 AM- 09:30 PM
Location: The border of Shimoga and Uttar Kannada

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2. Kodachadri Trek: Satiate The Thirst For Thrill

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Out of all the places in Shimoga, Kodachadri tops the chart as to witness the beauty of the verdant rolling hills & valleys, and widespread flora & fauna is certainly a pleasure for the eyes and without a doubt one of the most amazing things to do in Shimoga Karnataka. Unmatched views of the surroundings and the serene and scenic spots are ideal for trekking and hiking. Its located behind Mookambika Devi temple and is endowed with rare and exotic wildlife including endless bird species like Malabar Langur, Indian Rock Python, and Pied Hornbill.

Ideal For: Trekking, sightseeing, waterfall visit, kayaking, bonfire, and swimming.
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: Open 24 hours
Location: Situated within Mookambika National Park in the town of Hosanagara

3. Dabbe Falls: A Feast For The Eyes

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Almost every visitor has undoubtedly praised one of the popular tourist sites that go with the name of Dabbe Falls visiting which is one of the best things to do in Shimoga city. It is located in Hosagadde Village and owns a gushing stream that plunges from a height of 110 mts. The best time of the year to visit this wonder is particularly during monsoon as the sound of the fall, lush green environs and serene trek up to the foot of the stream it allures a large number of tourists as who wouldn’t miss experiencing the paradise once in their lifetime.

Ideal For: Photography and bird watching
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: No Timings
Location: It is located in Hosagadde Village.

4. Kundadri Trek: Get Closer To Nature

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It is the current hotspot for dedicated adventure lovers, is located at 3200 feet, this viewpoint offers a nice view of valleys and forests. It is certainly one of those places renowned and recognized for picnic and trekking which are actually some of the best things to do in Shimoga. To add more to the list, visitors can visit the age-old Jain temple that is located at the top of the hill and is considered to be a holy place amongst the Jainism followers. It is not just one of the trekking spots in the country and is renowned for being the best because of its fascinating natural beauty.

Ideal For: For adventure enthusiasts and pilgrimage destination
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: No Timings
Location: Kundadri is located at a distance of approximately 80 km. from the Shimoga and about 20 km from Thirthahalli.

5. Sakrebailu Elephant Camp: Witness The Wild

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While travelling with family and friends, Sakrebailu Elephant Camp is certainly the best and top place to visit located near Shimoga and visiting it is one of the best things to do in Shimoga Karnataka. Its located on the Thirthahalli Road roughly 14 km from the main city and can be reached in local buses and private cabs. It has over 50 elephants leaving it to be an enthralling opportunity for interacting with these friendly creatures. Visitors can enjoy watching the elephants bathing, playing and being fed and trained by Mahouts. One can also experience a herbal garden tour followed by bird watching tours and get indulged in trekking and campfire. It is a rare and utmost pleasure to watch the animals living in their playful nature and here in Sakrebailu Elephant Camp the visitors can live up to these expectations throughout the year.

Ideal For: watching elephants
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: Indians:INR 30/-; Foreigners: INR 10/-
Timings: 8:30 am to 11:00 am (Preferably better to reach the place before 9 in the morning to see the elephants bathing).
Location: Sakrebailu is situated at a distance of approximately 14 km from Shimoga on the Thirthahalli Road.

6. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary: Play Around With The Birds

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For ornithologists, Gudavi Bird Sanctuary is certainly a paradise and is one of the top things to do in shimoga. It is a mesmeric and one of the most frequently visited tourist places. It rests beside Gudavi Lake and is the habitat of more than 48 species of birds. It is open throughout the year but its highly preferable between June and December in pursuit of spotting varieties of birds like a black-headed crane, little grebe, jungle fowl, bittern, white-headed crane, white ibis, and Indian shag. Without a doubt, it’s one of the most serene places to visit in Shimoga, Karnataka. Birds are one of the finest creatures that ever existed in this world, and the visitors are always welcome to witness their beauty while on their tour to Shimoga.

Ideal For: Bird watching and nature lovers
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: For Indians:INR 50/- ; For Foreigners: INR/- 300
Timings: From 09.00 am to 06.00 pm
Location: Located Shimoga district (in the Soraba Taluk) in the State of Karnataka.

7. Ikkeri: Marvel At The Architecture

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It a temple town located close to Shimoga and is famous for Aghoreshwara Temple which boasts of luxuriant surroundings and serenity and visiting it is one of the top things to do in Shivamogga. Its located on a hilltop while the temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and since its existence, it has earned the reputation to allure tourists for its divine ambiance and splendid views of the surrounding valleys. Visiting Ikkeri is for obvious to be added in the list of free things to do while one is touring Shimoga, Karnataka. It’s a true escape from the city’s hustle and bustles one who seeks to find deep pleasure and peace of mind. Money can’t buy all the happiness in the world but some places can and Ikkeri is the example of one those places where the visitors can leave all their worries behind and get lost amid the utmost beauty of nature.

Ideal For: Temple visits
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: No Timings
Location: Ikkeri is situated in Sagara taluk about 6 km to the south of Sagara.

8. Agumbe: Spectate The Views

Image Credit: Shashidhara halady for wikipedia

It is known to be a small and picturesque village in Shimoga which is surrounded by lush green rainforests and verdant slopes. The photogenic sunset, Barkana waterfalls, and Gopalkrishna Temple are the prime attractors in Agumbe. Again, it’s a perfect destination for peace seeker and nature lovers. As a matter of fact, this place is rightly labeled as “Cherrapunji of the South” because of the heavy rainfall it receives. Many visitors, including artists, visit here for work or pleasure as pictures and visiting the place is surely one of the best things to do in Shivamogga.

Ideal For: Nature Lovers, Experience Seekers, and Adventure Seekers
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: Rs/- 5
Timings: From 10.30 am to 06.00 pm
Location: Agumbe Rainforest Research Stations has situated 6 km from SH 1, past Agumbe Police Station.

9. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary: Into The Wild

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It is well known to the visitors for a quick and refreshing break. This wildlife reserve is surrounded by the Western Ghats and is located at the border of the Shimoga and Chikmagalur, on the banks of Bhadra River offering some of the best wildlife sighting experiences making it to vouch for one of the top things to do in Shimoga. It’s the perfect place to spot tigers, elephants, jackals, spotted deer, panther, sambar, barking deer, sloth bear, crocodiles, and snakes throughout the year. Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary is a home to exotic birds like hornbill, paradise flycatcher; racquet tailed drongo, and butterflies. Besides wildlife, visitors can also indulge in island camping, safari, rock climbing, and trekking in the sanctuary which are some of the most thrilling things to do in Shivamogga.

Ideal For: Day outing
Activity cost/Ticket fee: Rs/- 400 per person (per person for jeep safari (max 5 persons)
Timings: 6:30 am to 8:30 am and 4:00 pm to 6:pm
Location: Located 23 km (14 mi) south of Bhadravathi town and 38 km (24 mi) northwest of Chikkamagaluru town in Karnataka state.

10. Tyavarekoppa: Go For Safari

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It was started in the year 1998 and had the renowned Tiger and Lion Safari leading it to be a well-known picnic spot for all kinds of travelers. Various wildlife species including lions, tigers, deer, sloth bears and leopards have found home here in Tyavarekoppa since its existence. It has a small canteen, zoo and a children’s park onboard facilitating the family with children to experience a memorable and perfect day outing taking it is one of the best things to do in Shimoga. This place is certainly one of the best places to visit while touring the magnificent Shimoga town. Spending time in this environment can be a memorable moment as it is not every day and we feel privileged and blessed enough to come across so many different kinds of animals under the same roof living in their playful nature. Visiting this place is one of the best activities to do in Shimoga.

Ideal For: Safari
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: Entry Fee: Adults: Rs 30/- per head; Children: Rs 10/- per head
Timings: From – 10.00 AM – 01.00 PM; 02.15 PM – 05.00PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Location: NH 69, Tyavarekoppa, Karnataka 577205

11. Madhugiri Fort: Stroll Around The Man-Made Wonder

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Forts have always been a definite name found in the visitors’ list while they are on tour as they are known to have beauty and calmness in their amazing ways. Visiting this fort is one of the best free things to do in shimoga. Widely known as a “trekker’s paradise”, Madhugiri Fort is overall one of the finest destinations in and around Shimoga, Karnataka. It takes approximately 2-3 hours for climbing the top of the fort. Visitors are advised to carry enough water and some snacks to avoid getting drained and to regain energy while climbing. It can be convenient to carry anything extra than what is required to avoid slowing down of one’s pace. This fort for sure is a site to visit once in a lifetime and a must on the wishlist of activities to do in Shimoga.

Ideal For: Sightseeing and temple visits
Activity Cost/Ticket Fee: No Entry Fee
Timings: No Timings (The Venkataramana Swamy Temple and the Malleshwara Temple are open from 6:00 AM till 5:00 PM in the evening.)
Location: It is located around 43 km north of Tumkur town, and 107 km north-west of Bengaluru city.

How To Reach Shimoga

Image Credits: Amitra123 for Wikimedia Commons

Shimoga is well-connected to all the major parts of the country. It is best to reach Shimoga by taking a flight.

By Air: Shimoga is home to a domestic airport named Shimoga Airport. It is only 20 minutes away from the center of the city. There are no direct international flights available till Shimoga. There are several public transport options available right outside the airport.

By Train: Shimoga Nagar Railway Station is located on the premises of the town and has some direct trains linked to it from Karnataka and other states. Bangalore-Shimoga train Express regularly travels this route

By Road: One can cover the distance by bus and car both when planning to travel by road. This town is well-connected to all the major towns via road including Bangalore, Tumkur, and many more. There are buses reaching the destination from Goa, Kadur, Banavara, etc. at regular intervals too.

Further Read: Shopping In Shimoga: Top Spots, Things To Buy, And Some Tips For A Perfect Retail Therapy!

While taking a trip with your family or friends you will definitely have a good time but the places you travel to and the things you try are what makes it so much better. We hope these things to do in Shimoga were exciting for you to consider it and take a trip to Karnataka.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Things To Do In Shimoga

What is the meaning of Shimoga?

Shimoga or Shivamogga means Shiva-Mukha is referring to “Face of Shiva”.

What is Shimoga famous for?

Being declared as a World Heritage site in 2012, situated in the Western Ghats in Karnataka, Shimoga offers bucolic beauty and refreshing sites to its visitors. Some of the things to do in shimoga karnataka include visiting waterfall, sanctuaries, sunrise and sunset points and zoo with a children park makes it one of the best destinations for trekkers, peace seekers, and nature lovers. Being renowned and recognized yet it remains untouched by industrialization and is also quite famous for its rainfalls that are widely scattered everywhere.

Which are the best trekking places in Shimoga?

Having many, Agumbe Rainforest and Kodachadri has earned its reputation among the trekkers to be the best in the list.

Which are the best places to visit in Shimoga?

Shimoga is a wonder in itself but to name few widely famous places would be Jog Falls, Dabbe Falls, Keladi, Mashugiri Fort and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary which shouldn’t be missed while visiting here.

How can I go to Shimoga?

Flight services to Shimoga Airport are just 20 mins away from the city, and one can even travel via Bangalore-Shimoga train express from Bangalore.

What can I buy in Shimoga?

Sandalwood, sarees with kasuti work and rosewood cravings are known to be famous and unique in Shimoga and comes in all shapes and sizes with different prices respectively.

Can I travel to Shimoga with children?

Of course, it’s a definite yes to travel with children as the place includes children’s parks, zoos and other respected places around where children can experience a pleasant time.

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Seema Gurnani

Exploring new places and trying out new food cuisines are two things that bring Seema all the happiness. Travel freak and a die-hard foodie are the synonyms that define her the best. Popular on social media by the name of ‘PandaReviewz’, lazing around the beaches, exploiting the sunset points, visiting the farthermost villages, exploring the renowned cities, trying out new food cuisines, and blogging about them are few things that keep Seema occupied, and happy!