Uttara Kannada District or `North Kannada` is one of the biggest districts of the Indian state Karnataka. The headquarters of the district has beautiful places. The ruins of an ancient fort can also be seen here. There are lots interesting tourist places in Uttara Kannada. Some of these places are given here:

Karwar in Uttara Kannada District
Karwar is the headquarters of the Uttara Kannada district of the Indian state Karnataka. It can be reached after a thrilling journey through 160 km long road through the scenic sylvan settings from Hubli. Wild animals inhabit the region in abundance. Beautiful hills and valleys characterize this area.

Karwar Beach is situated on the shores of Arabian Sea. There is also an enchanting beach with the fir tree groves providing a cool canopy. The beautiful waters are intermittently scattered upon with docile islets, known as the Oyster Rocks. It is about 11 km from the city of Karwar. A lighthouse can also be seen here. A large number of domestic and foreign ships can be seen here.

Gokarna in Uttara Kannada District
This is a popular pilgrim centre on the Arabian Sea shore. It is situated about 56 km from Karwar and 252 km from Mangalore. The famous Mahabaleshwar temple stands here, which is revered almost on par with the Lord Shiva Temple at Varanasi. This serene temple is considered as a heaven on earth and attracts a large number of pilgrims from far and near. The Shivaratri Festival is a grand event here. Buses ply from important places like Bangalore, Mangalore and Mysore to Gokarna. The KTDC runs hotels to provide accommodation to the tourists.

Ankola in Uttara Kannada District
It is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Venkataramana. It hash two grand chariots wonderfully made out of wood. Ankola, which evokes Sarpamalika, the king who ruled in the 15th century also has a small beach for a delightful dawdle. This place is near Gokarna.

Sonda in Uttara Kannada District
It is situated about 35 km from Sirsi in the Sirsi taluk. It was a popular Jain centre, which hosts the `Samadhi` of the great scholar Bhattakalanka. A monastery called the Swarnavalli Mutt is also found here. The `Smartha` tradition is practiced here. There are also two ancient temples dedicated to Lord Trivikrama and Lord Sankaranarayana found here.

Ulvi in Uttara Kannada District
It is situated about 32 km from Yellapur. This place is renowned for the serene Gavi Mutt, which consists of a series of caves filled with an air of calmness. It is said that the Sharanas have lived in these caves. One of the caves is named after Akka Nagamma. The remains of a ruined fort can also be seen here.

Banavasi in Uttara Kannada District
There is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Mudhukeswara found here. This Lord is said to be a variation of Lord Shiva. It is situated on the banks of river Varada. This place had for quite some time been the capital of the Kadamba rulers. There stands a once magnificent fortress near the river.

Magodh Waterfalls in Uttara Kannada District
It is situated about 19 km from Yellapur. The energetic waters of the magnificent river Gangavathi fall down through 600 ft giving rise to these ravishing waterfalls. The visitors come here and get smitten by the luxurious natural beautifications. Accommodation can be availed at the Tourist Home run by the KTDC.

Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttara Kannada District
It is situated about 40 km from Karwar, 76 km from Dharwad and 104 km from Belgaum. This sanctuary covers an area of 128 sq. km. It is filled with a large amount of teak and bamboo plantations. This sanctuary is located at an altitude varying between 375 and 685 meter above sea level. Lots of elephants, bisons, sambars and the fierce big cats such as the tigers and cheetahs grace the sanctuary. A variety of fascinating birds can be seen flocking around during the migratory season. There are also a couple of watchtowers wherefrom one can have a convenient view of the magnificent creature of the sanctuary. The nearest airport is Belgaum, which is about 152 km from here. Buses are available from Belgaum District and Bangalore to Dhandeli. It can also be reached by train from Alnawar.