Mangalore lies between the Arabian Sea and the Western Ghats. The city's notable temples and buildings include the Mangaladevi Temple, Kadri Manjunath Temple, St Aloysius Chapel, the Rosario Cathedral, Milagres Church, Dargah of Hazrat Shareef ul Madni at Ullal and the Zeenath Baksh Jumma Masjid in Bunder.

The city is known for beaches such as Panambur, Tannirbhavi, NITK Beach, Sasihithlu beach, Someshwara beach, Ullal beach, Kotekar beach and Batapady beach.Panambur and Thannirbhavi beaches attract tourists from across the country. Panambur beach has facilities including food stalls, jet ski rides, boating and dolphin viewing and trained beach lifeguards and patrol vehicles ensure the safety of visitors.