A landlocked district, Kolar is the Eastern gateway to Karnataka. It is famous for its erstwhile Kolar gold mines, cool hill stations, with fortresses and lofty temples. The area offers excellent opportunities for adventure sports like trekking, rock, climbing and parasailing. The district headquarters, kolar town is located 65 kms, north east of Bangalore. The town's eminence drew from the nearby Kolar Gold Mines which until recently actively produced a major part of the country's gold.

Kolar is now well known for its silk farming and wool spinning. Places of interest include Kolaramma temple, Antharagange, Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur, Rangasthala, Minakanagurki, Viduraswatha, Mulbagal, Kurudumale, Avani, Virupakshi, Bangaru Tirupati, Chikka Tirupathi, Bethamangala, Budikote, Malur, Masthi, Tekal, Chintamani, Kaivara,Gummanayakanapalaya.