Mangalore (Mangaluru) is a port city on Karnataka's coast, sitting on the estuary where the Netravati and Gurpur rivers meet the Arabian Sea. The town has been a trading hub for centuries — Arab merchants came here for pepper and spices long before the Portuguese arrived — and the port remains central to the city's character.
The cityscape is a mix of terracotta-roofed houses, whitewashed churches, temples, and mosques, all nestled among coconut palms. The old Bunder area near the port has the most atmosphere. St. Aloysius Chapel, with its walls and ceiling entirely covered in frescoes, is worth seeking out. The Kudroli Bhagavathi Temple is the city's most vibrant Hindu site, particularly spectacular during Navratri.
Ullal Beach, 10 km south of the centre, is a long stretch of sand with views across the estuary. Mangalore is also the gateway to the Western Ghats — the hill stations of Coorg (Kodagu) and Chikmagalur are a few hours inland. The Pilikula Nisargadhama complex makes for a good half-day out.
The local cuisine is distinctive: Mangalorean fish curry, neer dosa (thin rice crepes), and kori rotti (chicken with crispy rice wafers) are regional specialties you will not find easily elsewhere. The city is well connected by air, rail, and road to Bangalore, Goa, and Mumbai.