What to expect
Highlights
- Boating on the island-dotted lake from the state boat club.
- A lakeside walking-and-jogging promenade near MG Road.
- The Ganesha temple and the annual Ganesha immersion here.
Ulsoor Lake
Ulsoor Lake, also called Halasuru Lake, is one of the largest and oldest lakes in Bengaluru, spread over about 50 hectares just east of the city centre near MG Road and the Cantonment. It was expanded to its present form under the Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda’s legacy and later the Wodeyar-era administration.
Practical guide
Plan Ulsoor Lake
Typeheritage
Nearest baseCentral Bengaluru
Best timeOctober to February
Time needed45 minutes to an hour
EntryFree (promenade); boating charged separately
Nearest town/baseCentral Bengaluru
DistrictBengaluru Urban
Place typeheritage
Time needed45 minutes to an hour.
Ulsoor Lake, also called Halasuru Lake, is one of the largest and oldest lakes in Bengaluru, spread over about 50 hectares just east of the city centre near MG Road and the Cantonment. It was expanded to its present form under the Bengaluru founder Kempe Gowda’s legacy and later the Wodeyar-era administration.
The lake is dotted with several small islands and edged by a walking promenade, a boating jetty run by the state and a Ganesha temple on its bank, making it an easy green break in a busy part of the city.
Visiting
Ulsoor Lake — at a glance
TimingsBoating ~9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; promenade open through the day
Best timeOctober to February; morning or late afternoon
Entry: Free (promenade); boating charged separately
Getting here
How to reach Ulsoor Lake
Trinity / Halasuru metro (Purple Line), near MG Road
Island-dotted lake with a Ganesha temple on the bank; no swimming.
Getting there
How to visit
- In the Ulsoor / Halasuru area east of the centre; Trinity and Halasuru metro stations (Purple Line) and MG Road are close.
- Boating is ticketed at the jetty; the promenade is free to walk.
Distance by road
- Mysuru145 km
- Chennai350 km
- Hyderabad570 km
- Mangaluru350 km
- Coimbatore365 km
Road km to Bengaluru Urban; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to February; early morning or late afternoon for walking and boating.
Weather in Ulsoor LakeSeasonal guide
Live forecast loads in your browser.
Visitor notes
- Boating charged separately; the water is not for swimming.
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where Ulsoor Lake is
Photos
Ulsoor Lake in pictures
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What’s near Ulsoor Lake
Good to know
Ulsoor Lake — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit Ulsoor Lake?
October to February; early morning or late afternoon for walking and boating.
What are the entry fee and timings at Ulsoor Lake?
Entry: Free (promenade); boating charged separately. Timings: Boating ~9:00 AM - 6:00 PM; promenade open through the day. Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach Ulsoor Lake?
In the Ulsoor / Halasuru area east of the centre; Trinity and Halasuru metro stations (Purple Line) and MG Road are close. Boating is ticketed at the jetty; the promenade is free to walk.
How much time do I need for Ulsoor Lake?
45 minutes to an hour.
What else is near Ulsoor Lake?
Nearby you can pair Halasuru Someshwara Temple (830 m), Commercial Street (1.2 km), Jumma Masjid (1.4 km), St. Mary's Basilica (1.7 km).
Read next
More stories, legends & guides from Bengaluru Urban
Image credits
- Ulsoor Lake:Ramesh NG from Bangalore, INDIA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.0