Things to Do in Udupi

On the top of the list of exquisite unexplored beaches in India is the Malpe beach. The pristine white sand, pleasant weather, the delectable food shacks here and the sea walk make Malpe Beach an ideal spot for a quick escape.

The land where Vasco De Gama set his first foot, the land whose geological importance is immense and whose beauty is spectacular, is St. Mary's Island, Karnataka. A quaint island off the coast of Udupi, St. Mary's Island is an island of white sand beaches, rock monoliths and great wildlife.

Considered to be one of the most famous pilgrimage sites in South India, the Krishna Temple or the Udupi Sri Krishna Matha is one of the most auspicious temples dedicated to Lord Krishna. The prayers and process of the whole worship occur only through a silver-plated window with nine holes called the Navagraha Kitiki.

Located between Mangalore and the town Udupi, Kaup (Kapu) beach is another pristine and relatively untouched beach. There is a lighthouse here, constructed in 1901, which is open every day for an hour from 5:30 AM. Many beautiful Airbnbs around the beach make for the perfect quiet getaway.

Located by the Malpe Harbour, the Sea Walk is one of the most popular tourist attractions of the region. Visitors get to view the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea on one side of the 450m walkway, with the backwaters of the Swarna River on the other side.

Located 7.5 kms from Delta Beach, the Kemmannu Hanging Bridge is a hidden tourist attraction in Udupi. Built originally to connect the two banks of the Swarna River, it has now become a location for a number of adventure sports.

Cycling is one of the best activities to indulge in if you visit Udupi and its coastal areas. The pleasant weather and good roads make it a fun activity while helping one enjoy the changing scenery and stunning views while allowing one to interact with the friendly locals.

The pristine sandy beaches of Udupi call for a reposing beachside vacation with your significant ones. Below, we have curated a list of outstanding beach resorts in Udupi that will allow you to stay in some beautiful handcrafted creations, enjoy watersports, sunsets and savour fresh seafood delights & authentic Mangalorean cuisine.

Also known as Sita Falls, Kudlu Falls is famous for its picturesque beauty. The waterfall cascades down the Western Ghats from a height of 150 feet amid a dense green cover of the hilly terrain. It requires a moderate level of trekking through the green zone to reach the enchanting waterfall.

The popular items of the platter here are Upma, a wide variety of dosas, Bisi bele bath (a spicy preparation of rice), Idlis, Rasam, Goli baje, Payasa, Kheer, Pelakai Halwa ( Jackfruit Halwa) and countless more. Some restaurants to try are Woodlands, Mitra Samaj, Kediyoor Gazebo Restaurant, and Thimmappa Fish Hotel for amazing fish dishes.

Devoted to Lord Shiva, this temple must be visited by all devotees before visiting the Krishna Temple, as it is also located next to it. The history of this temple dates back to over 900 years and is older than the Krishna Mutt.

The amazingly gorgeous beaches in Udupi are a treat to the eye as they are unexplored and untouched by commercialization or mainstream tourism. Boasting of golden sands and immaculate shores, these beaches offer beautiful sunrise and sunset views and are a perfect place to spend some quality time with your friends and family.

The St. Lawrence Shrine Basilica in Karkala, Udupi, attracts tourists and pilgrims worldwide. Built-in 1759, this Gothic church inspires awe amongst visitors thanks to its towering spires, twin gates and plush lawns. A pond on the premises adds serenity to the church.

Established over 40 years ago by Dr SS Godbole, the Manipal Museum of Anatomy and Pathology MAP houses a vast collection of over 3000 specimens. Divided into two sections, the anatomy section is where one can find the skull of an elephant, the skeleton of a cobra, and exhibits of human body parts.

Anejari Butterfly Camp is an exciting little attraction amid the dense foliage of the Mookambila Wildlife Sanctuary. Nature lovers can spend ample time watching beautiful butterflies and birds in their natural habitat or go on soothing nature walks.

Surrounded by the Arabian Sea on one side and the Western ghats on the other, Udupi is a pilgrim centre and is the most important city in Karnataka after Bangalore and Mangalore. Being a pilgrim centre, one of the most important attractions here is the Krishna Temple. Udupi is also known as Rajata Peetha and Shivalli locally.

Located in the Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, Jomlu Teerth is a waterfall formed by the mesmerising River Sita. The fall cascades down a rocky terrain from 20 feet in the middle of the dense natural reserve. The music made by the gushing water body and the birds singing their hearts away is sure to captivate one and all.

One of Karnataka's most unique and treasured shrines, the ancient temples of Varanga are located in the Varanga village, Hebri Taluk of Udupi. An abode of art, architecture and heritage is truly a paradise for lovers of history and culture. This cluster of three temples; namely Neminatha temple, Varanga Matada Basadi and Varanga Kere Basadi, is a must-visit in Udupi.

Timings :  8:30 AM to 1:00 PM, 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM

Boat Charges : INR 10

Surrounded by water on three sides, Kodi Bengre Beach is a perfect attraction for beach lovers. With the Suvarna River draining into the Arabian Sea, it forms a delta and hence it gets its name as Delta Beach and is also known as a 'sangama' point.

Nestled in the Western Ghats of Udupi, these semi-evergreen and evergreen forests have been named after the Lord Someshwera, whose temple lies in the sanctuary area. Receiving the highest rainfall in Karnataka, the Agumbe Ghat in Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary is known as the Cherrapunji of Karnataka.

Although Udupi is relatively a smaller town, it has quite a few interesting listings in its shopping manual. It is widely known for its world-famous Udupi cuisine, so one is bound to find most shops selling many culinary items from snacks, juice extracts, spices and oils used in authentic Udupi cooking.

The birthplace of Sri Madhavacharya, a Dvaita philosopher, this village has a number of attractions that depict or mark the events and life of the philosopher. here you can find a Banyan tree that was grown by him and the Madhava Mandir.

Well known for the Manipal University, this town is home to multiple educational institutions founded by Dr T M A Pai. It is located in the Malabar coast region with the Arabian Sea at a touching distance of 8km. Apart from the Manipal University campus, this place also houses the international headquarters of Syndicate bank and a regional IT hub.

Coin Museum Corp Bank, also known as Corporation Bank Heritage Museum, has an extensive collection of coins from various dynasties dating back to 400 BC. One can also get extensive knowledge about banking history in India since 1906. The Corporation Bank's founder's house was remodelled to establish the heritage museum as a 'Financial Temple'.