Once just a plateau resting 8 km east of the Arabian Sea, Manipal is now an evolved educational hub thriving with a plethora of virgin beaches, bridges, night clubs, quirky cafés, and scuba-diving spots, all a mere short journey away from town. By Srushti Kulkarni
The unpopular suburb of Manipal near Udupi in Karnataka comprises mostly fishermen and students. Since it’s far up on the plateau, it is often mistaken for bad cell service and limited lodging options. But there’s loads of natural beauty and undiscovered locations to watch out for.
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From ancient culture, museums, and the second oldest planetarium in Karnataka to quirky cafés and nightclubs, Manipal has something for every age group. You can opt for a quick weekend getaway, a budget holiday, or enjoy a slow vacation exploring different aspects of the city.
Varied Landscapes
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The young crowd of Manipal describes its dear city as another Goa. It has enough cascades, churches, rivers, beaches, and bridges. The location is fringed by the Arabian Sea and nestles in the lap of the Western Ghats. The roads that get steeper and narrower amidst lush greenery on one side and glistening marine on the other.
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Tiger Circle (TC) is the main commercial establishment in the town connecting the Udupi-Manipal Highway. The city centre is a nice shopping area. Continuing straight on the road, we encounter the most famous attraction of this town, Manipal University. Stretched over 300 acres, with 20 constituent institutions, and over 25,000 students, various points of interest are sprinkled across the campus such as the student plaza, innovation building, Edu building, Museum of Anatomy & Pathology and Venugopal Temple to name a few. Housing students from more than 50 nationalities makes the campus a cultural melting pot.
Coastal Delight
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Hardly 7 km away from Manipal’s centre sits a tourist hotspot: Malpe Beach. It is renowned for its events such as the Wine Festival. It also has water sports options, beachside restaurants, and a tranquil sea walk. A 45-mins boat ride away from the coast is a spot where Vasco De Gama apparently first set foot; St. Mary’s Island is an islet with significant geological importance, beaches, wildlife, rock monoliths, and corals worth diving for.
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With a stark backdrop of Kodachadri Hills, Maravanthe nearby has a scenic road running between the sea and the river. Snorkelling, scuba diving, boating, and trekking to the summit of Kodachadri are activities one could indulge in. Or simply watch the sun sink into the sea from its vantage point.
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Kapu beach is your best bet if you want to click Instagrammable pictures, marvel at vistas from a bird’s-eye-view and catch fishermen in action. The freshly accredited Blue Flag beach in Padubidri is an eco-beach offering a sea view, and dedicated facilities for those with infants or specially abled. Equipped with hammocks, recliners, a gym, volleyball space, park, and food stations makes Padubidri Endpoint an amalgamation of peace and adventure.
After a hectic day outdoors, return to one of the luxurious hotels like Sahara International, Hometown Galleria, Country Inn to name a few or retreat to the air-conditioned beachside Airbnbs or unwind at one of the nightclubs for an indulgent end to the day.
Related: Bylakuppe Travel Guide: Discover This Quaint Tibetan Settlement In The Hills Of Karnataka
Srushti Kulkarni
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