Karwar Travel Guide

Karwar tourism and holiday guide - Go on a tour of this coastal city in West Karnataka. Explore the numerous beaches, adventure spots, temples and historical monuments.

This travel guide gives tourist information about Karwar and the places to see in and around this town. You can use Karwar as a base to see different sights in Uttara Kannada district. 

About Karwar

Karwar is the headquarters of Uttara Kannada district (also called North Canara / Kanara). It is around 520 kms northeast of Bangalore.

This coastal beach town is slightly a laid back place where the pace of life is bit leisurely and therefore an ideal place to relax.

(Sunset at Karwar Beach. Photo Credit: samkum43)

Located between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea, it is a contrasting blend of lush forests of Western Ghats on one side and scenic beaches and islands on the other.

It is also about 3 hours from India's most famous beach destination in Goa and very close to other beaches like Gokarna, Murdeshwar, Honnavar and Mangalore.

Uttara Kannada has sacred pilgrim centers, historical towns and some of the most beautiful beaches in the country.

Karwar is said to have inspired Rabindranth Tagore to pen his first drama. The Devbagh Beach is a must for beach lovers.     

Climate 

The monsoon in the coast is from June to October.  The temperatures range from a low of about 24*Celsius to a high of about 39 degrees Celsius. The average temperature is about 33 degrees Celsius. Since it is a coastal town, the humidity is high. Best time to visit is between August and May.  

Uttara Kannada cuisine

Basically, the cuisine of Uttar Kannada area is based on coastal food which is spicy sea food and vegetarian meals garnished with coconut. 

How to reach Karwar

Karwar is 107 kilometers from Panjim (Goa), 540 kilometers from Bangalore, 117 kilometers from Dandeli, 881 kilometers from Chennai, 701 kilometers from Mumbai, 268 km from Mangalore.

There are regular buses which connect Karwar to Goa and Mumbai while there is sufficient connectivity through buses to surrounding destinations like Ankola, Dandeli, Hubli, Mangalore and Hassan.

The Konkan railway passes through Karwar and you can find a lot of connecting train from Bangalore and Mangalore stopping at Karwar city. Read more about how to reach Karwar

Tourist attractions around Karwar 

Karwar is used as a base to visit numerous tourist places in Uttara Kannada district.
(Yana limestome peaks. Photo - flickr)

Popular tourist spots in Uttara Kannada district and around Karwar include Murdeshwar (coastal temple), Bhatkal, Banavasi (temples and Jain shrines), Yana (a popular trekking and adventure spot), Honnavar, Gokarna (an alternative to Goa) and Dandeli (trekking) among others. Read more for tourist attractions around Karwar

Tourist attractions in Karwar City 

Karwar is probably Karnataka's most under-rated destination. With picturesque Islands and beautiful beaches, it deserves so much more as a tourism destination in Karnataka. Devbagh Beach (also called as Karwar beach) is the most prominent attraction here.

(Majali Beach in Karwar. Photo Credit: sas_clicks)

There is a resort here run by Jungle Lodges. It is an island located about 3Kms from the mainland and one has to go there by a boat.

Other beaches here, which are not-so-popular, but worth visiting are Binaga beach, Kurumgad Island, Tilgatti beach, Majali beach and Kodasall.

Other scenic and historical destinations in Karwar include Shirve Ghat, Devkar falls, Anshi National Park, Durga Devi Temple, Naganath Temple, Jamba, Sadashivgadh Maratha Fort, St.Joseph's High School, High Church, Maruti Temple, Kali bridge, Nagarmadi falls and Habbu Mountains.

1. Go back to holiday destinations of Karnataka
   
2. or See Udupi, a Hindu Pligrimage town (Krishna temple)
   
3. or Explore the Western Ghats in Shimoga