places to visit in hampi at night

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Explore the Beauty of Hampi by Night

November 5, 2017 by madur

Hampi by Night is an awesome way to explore the beauty of the city. Hampi boasts of being one of the most visited tourist spots in India. The erstwhile seat of the Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi reflects the grandeur and magnificence of a bygone era through its numerous monuments. The ruins and the rugged landscape of this ancient city are a delight to explore at any time of the year.

Virupaksha Temple Hampi at night. Image courtesy Kenyh Cevarom

Hampi especially comes alive during the annual cultural festival called the Hampi Utsav or the Vjaya Utsav. The 3-day festival arrests attraction due to the rich cultural extravaganza that unfolds in Hampi at that time. One of the biggest attractions of the Hampi Utsav is the tour of Hampi by night, which promises to offer a splendid experience to the visitors.

Hampi by Night – Experience the grandeur of Hampi in the moonlight

The majestic ruins of Hampi have always attracted people from far and wide. The architectural splendour of the temples and monuments has been witnessed by countless people during the day. But the Hampi Utsav provides you an opportunity to see them by moonlight.

Whether you are a connoisseur of music, art, and dance, or a history enthusiast, you cannot let go of this unique prospect. Hampi gets a vibrant look during the festival. Being illuminated with bright lights, the monuments can transport you to a different era altogether.

Illuminated Sasvikal Ganesha at Hampi. Image courtesy Ravi basarihalli

What to expect on a tour of the illuminated ancient city?

‘Hampi by night’ is an expedition conceived by the Hampi World Heritage Management Authority (HAWAMA) and the Department of Tourism. It is a guided tour that enables tourists to take a stroll through the glorious monuments of the ruined city in the evening. The five-hour tour allows visitors to walk through the artistically illuminated city and get a taste of its rich heritage. During the tour, visitors will be able to learn about the awesome history and myths of the monuments with the help of individual headsets and audio notes.

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi. Image courtesy Vedamurthy J

Major attractions of the ‘Hampi by Night’ tour

‘Hampi by Night’ will take visitors through a heritage tour of 19 illuminated monuments. There will be a laser light and sound show at each monument. The aim of such shows is to explain the rich history and the significance of the monuments in an attractive manner.

Among the monuments and temples that are a part of the Hampi by Night tour are the Virupaksha Temple , Sugriva caves, Vishnu Temple, the ancient bridge, Achyutaraya Temple, Varaha Temple , Narasimha temple, Achyuta Mantap, elephant stables , and the Lotus Mahal . Apart from the temples, the tour will also include a visit to the illuminated bazaars of Hampi like the Virupaksha Bazaar .

Elephant Stable, Lotus Mahal, Hampi. Copyright Karnataka.com

What is so unique about the ‘Hampi by Night’ tour?

Heritage walks as well as sound and light shows are not a new concept in the tourism history of India. So, what makes the guided tour of Hampi by Night so special? Well, Hampi by Night is a first of its kind heritage tour in India. The tour involves the projection of special lighting effects onto the façade of the monuments and temples.

This is synchronised with live or recorded narration and music that dramatizes the history of the place. The light and sound shows in other places of India are of a static nature. The Hampi by Night tour stands to change that. Watching the glorious ruins with a light and sound system at night is a one of its kind experience that will enthral visitors.

If you plan to be a part of the Hampi Utsav, we suggest you do not miss out on the golden opportunity to explore the beauty of Hampi during the night. The tour of the illuminated city is sure to leave you with lasting memories of one of the most famous empires in India and the grandeur they left behind.

• Hampi Utsav
• About Hampi
• Hampi Utsav Highlights

Places to Visit in Hampi at Night

1. hampi's sunset point.

Though primarily known for its sunrise views, the sunset point in Hampi offers a stunning sight at dusk. The changing colors of the sky over the ancient ruins create a mesmerizing scene.

2. Achyutaraya Temple

This temple is located near the Kodandarama Temple and offers a serene atmosphere at night. The temple is beautifully illuminated and provides a peaceful environment for a quiet evening.

3. Matanga Hill

If you're up for a bit of a hike, Matanga Hill offers a breathtaking view of Hampi at night. The climb can be steep, but the view from the top is worth it.

4.   Tungabhadra River

The riverside in Hampi is serene and peaceful at night. You can take a walk along the riverbank or sit by the water to enjoy the tranquility.

5. Hemakuta Hill

For a panoramic view of Hampi under the moonlight, head to Hemakuta Hill. It's a popular spot for sunset views as well, but staying a bit longer to see the town at night can be rewarding.

6. Vithala Temple

Another stunning temple complex in Hampi, the Vithala Temple is known for its exquisite architecture, especially the stone chariot. Visiting this temple at night can be a magical experience.

7. Virupaksha Temple

This ancient temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the oldest functioning temples in India. The temple complex is beautifully lit up at night, creating a mystical ambiance.

8. Hampi Bazaar

The bustling market area of Hampi comes alive at night with shops and street vendors selling a variety of goods. It's a great place to stroll and soak in the local atmosphere.

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Attractions to Visit in Hampi

Here are some of the best places to visit in hampi:, quick navigation.

Virupaksha Temple

The temple is so constructed that its main entrance faces east and homes to two courtyards. No sooner you enter the temple, there is a statue of Nandi with three heads. There is a pillared hall in the center which is reckoned as the Ranga Mandapa. In case you are an international traveler, you have to register yourself at a police outpost with all your essential details. Mostly, this temple remains crowded in December; whereas it celebrates its annual festival in February and it is one of the best places to visit in Hampi. Location : South banks of Tungabhadra river, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: Virupaksha temple is open for the visitors from morning 9:00 am to 13:00 pm. After about 4 hours, again the doors are open visitors from 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees. However, you can hire a guide to give you complete information about the temple at its footsteps for a nominal charge of 50 INR. Click Here to Book Now:   Green Planet Dubai Tickets Planning a trip to Hampi? Checkout & Book:   Hampi Tour Packages

Vijaya Vittala Temple

Vijaya Vittala Temple or Vijaya temple of Hampi amongst the ancient Places to Visit In Hampi worthy of visiting. There are fantastic stone structures all around, and the pillars here appear as if they are playing music. This is true architectural excellence of Hampi as it exemplifies remarkable creativity and the beauty of architecture’s imagination. The architecture of this temple dates back to the Dravidian era and reflects South Indian traits. Three towering gateways are encircling the temple along with high compound walls. Maha Mantapa, Stone chariot, musical pillars are amongst the tourist attractions of this Vijaya Vittala Temple. Location:  8FRG+W3H,   Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The doors of Vijaya Vittala Temple are open from morning 08:30 am to evening 18:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees to this temple Check Out:  Best Resorts in Hampi Also Checkout & Explore:   Places To Visit In Thailand

Lotus Mahal

Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal exhibits an explicit architectural design amongst all the other Hampi tourist places. It is so called as it more or less resembles the shape of a lotus flower. Central dome of this Mahala resembles the bud of lotus and the balcony and passages as petals. The roof illustrates a multi-layered design reflecting and Indo architectural style. There are around 24 pillars to provide excellent support to the arched windows of this palace. Location: SH 131, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The Lotus Mahal Hampi is open for visitors from morning 08:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: The entry fees of Lotus Mahal Hampi is fixed at 10 INR per Indian, 250 INR per foreigner and no charges for children below the age group of 15 years. Also Recommended:   Best Trekking Tours in Hampi for an adventurous experience

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is present at a distance of around 2km from the famous Virupaksha temple. This temple is a part of a cave standing at the peak of a hill and is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman. Also, the Tungabhadra river flows through the steps of this hill. Here, you can find Lord Hanuman indulged in a state of deep meditation. Within a distance of five minutes from here, you can find another temple dedicated to Lord Srinivasa. In case you feel hungry, you can approach small stalls nearby selling either mangoes, biscuits or cucumbers. It is best if you plan on your itinerary to this place in between October to March. Location:  8FM9+89H, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can visit this temple at any point during the daytime. It takes around one hour to cover your entire visit here. Price: There are no entry fees here. Also, you can easily take in your cameras here to capture some beautiful pictures of this place. Do Checkout: Best Hampi Tour Package From Bangalore

Hampi Bazaar

When you have a day reserved at leisure, do not forget to try a shopping hand at the Hampi Bazaar. It spreads more than a kilometer and the road that passes through this market exhibits pavilions on both roadsides. Alternatively, this shoppers stop is known as Virupaksha Bazaar which is one of the best Places to Visit In Hampi,  Towards the eastern side, you can find a street to be occupied by the local villagers. There is a large Nandi bull statue at the east end of this Hampi Bazaar street. Nearby pavilion exhibits photos of Hampi right from the ancient times. Location: Hampi Bazaar St, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can stop and shop at any time from morning 06:00 am to night 11:00 pm. Price: No one is going to charge you any expense for your visit to Hampi Bazaar. However, if you are a shopaholic, do not forget to carry a reasonable sum as the place has many things to attract your tender heart.

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Queen's Bath

Reckoned as a large bath of Hampi, Queen’s Bath exemplifies the Vijayanagara's architectural excellence. It lies close to one of the most awful places to visit in Hampi- the Royal Enclosure. Although built around 500 years ago, this magnificent structure still remains intact in its construction. It’s simplest exterior perfectly blends with an ornate interior to embrace its overall appearance. It a rectangular building admeasuring around 30 square meters and has a large sunken bath at its center. It may interest you to find arched corridors all around this Royal bath. Location:  8F7C+9X9,   Karnataka 583239 Timings: Queen’s bath is open for visitors from morning 08:30 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: Entry to the Queen’s bath is free from all charges. Suggested Read:   Best Things to Do in Hampi

Matanga Hill

Out of all the places to visit in Hampi, Matanga Hill is the one which is most talked about. It represents the highest point of Hampi, and it’s a picturesque destination for the travel photographers to capture some aerial vies of Hampi. North portion of this hill terminates into Tungabhadra river where you have another religious place to visit-Kodanda Rama temple. Towards the south of this hill, you have a twisting valley with a zigzag Turthu canal. Low-lying Northern section exhibits a trekking trail that connects straightaway to Hampi bazaar. Location: 8FJ9+M83, Hampi, Karnataka Timings: There are no specific timings to climb on the Matanga Hills. However, tourists make it a point to climb this hill early in the morning to capture the allure of sunrise and carry ahead with their downward journey in the evening after sunset. Price: Climbing Matanga Hill is absolutely free of cost.

Elephant Stables

Elephant Stables is amongst the significant tourist places to visit in Hampi to witness a little to absolutely no destruction. It is a long building homing to a series of dome-shaped chambers which once were used for the parking of royal elephants. These chambers are around 11 in their total count; some of which are interconnected. The whole building gives a symmetrical appearance, and the central hall tower reflects the shape of most of the temples here. This central hall has five domes on either side of it which reflects an Islamic style of architecture. Location:  8FCF+C3X, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The doors of this Elephant Stables are open from early morning 08:30 am to evening 05:30 pm. It takes around an hour to complete your visit here. Price: There is an entry fee of 10 INR for Indians and 250 INR for foreigners. Entry for children up to the age group of 15 years is absolutely free of cost.

Monolithic Bull

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Badavilinga Temple

Badavilinga Temple is a beautiful temple of Lord Shiva and one of the most visited Hampi tourist places. It lies close to the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and homes to a beautiful Linga carved out of a black stone. The linga is around 3 meters high and dates back to the era of the Vijayanagar Empire. This linga lies within a small stone chamber of this temple with only a single narrow opening and is without a ceiling. The pedestal is circular in shape and reflects as the Yone Pitha of Lord Shiva Linga. Location:  8FH5+PJC, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: Badavilinga Temple doors are open for the devotees from morning 05:00 am to night 09:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees to make your visit here.

Zanana Enclosure

Once reckoned as a secluded area for the Vijayanagara Kingdom’s royal ladies, Zanana Enclosure reflects a sprawling compound with tall walls. Lotus Mahal is the center of attraction of this place. You can either step in through its northern entrance or through its north-eastern entrance. Zanana Enclosure homes to three watchtowers each standing at eastern, south-eastern and northern ends of this magnificent structure. The entire architecture here reflects an Indo-Islamic style. Lotus Mahal, queen’s palace’s basement, treasure building, and water pavilion are some key attractions of this place. Location:  8FCC+88X, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: This place is open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm Price: Entry fee here is 10 INR per Indian, and for foreigners, it is 250 INR.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

Most significant of all the religious statues in Hampi, Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is the amongst the next best Hampi tourist places to visit. Here, the figure of Lord Narasimha sits on a coil of a snake with seven heads in a Yoga position. This statue has an image of Goddess Lakshmi on his lap. It takes around one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here. The best time to visit this temple is in between October to February. Location: Southern end of Hemakuta group of temples, Hampi, India Timings: You can easily make your way inside Lakshmi Narasimha Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees here. You can click photographs of the temple without any charges.

Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

You are going to find a lot of Indian Sloth Bears here at Daroji Sloth bear Sanctuary. Hillocks here are rough enough and are dotted with a lot of boulders. The Sloth bear count here goes to around 120. However, the sanctuary also accounts for other species. Tiger, Leopard, Mongoose, Pangolins, Star Tortoise, and Spotted Deer are some other animal species found here. This sanctuary alone exhibits around 90 bird species, 27 butterfly species, and a watch tower at the center. Location: Seetharama Tanda, Karnataka 583215 Timings: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is open from 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm on all days. Price: For Indian tourists, the entry fee is 25 INR while the foreigners need to pay a sum of 100 INR. If you are eager to bring in your own two or four wheelers, you will have to pay additional charges accordingly.

Old Palace (Gagan Mahal)

This Gagan Mahal dates back to the 16th-century era. Although significant portions of this palace are currently under ruins, it is still amongst worthiest places to visit in Hampi. The palace is small and yellow in color with decorated windows and encircled all over by four beautiful towers. Once here, you can march towards Sarovara Laxmi Temple, Sabari Caves, Nava Brindavana, Durga Temple, and other nearby religious places of importance. It is best to visit here anywhere between October to March. However, take care that there is no public transport here to ride around. Location: Anegundi, Karnataka 583227 Timings: This Gagan Mahal is open for all 24 hours. It takes approximately one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here. Price: There are no entry fees here.

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Hemakuta Hill Temples

Hemakuta Hill is a vastly stretched zone offering an astounding view of the sprawling ruins, temples, and archways. This is the next best place to watch the sunrise and sunset as tourists find it easier to reach to its top position. Virupaksha temple, Moola Virupaksha temple, Krishna temple and shrines of Lakshmi Narasimha and Badivilinga are some of the best places to visit in Hampi. These temple architectures are entirely different and date back to the era of Vijayanagara king rule. These group of temples has three chambers conjoined to resemble a pyramid roof. Location: Centre of the city, Hampi, India Timings: You can climb the Hemakuta Hill temple at any time from dawn to dusk. Price: There are no entry fees to reach and adore the ancient beauty of Hemakuta Hill Temple. You May Also Like: Best Homestays in Hampi for a relaxing stay

Achyutaraya Temple

The last one to go down in the list of places to visit in Hampi is the Achyutaraya Temple. This temple lies amidst the Matanga Hills and Gandhamadana. This temple exhibits Vijayanagar’s architectural elegance and homes to a beautiful idol of Lord Tiruvengalanatha. All towers, pillars, and walls of this beautiful temple are exquisitely carved and ornamented. The main shrine of this temple is situated amidst a rectangular concentric structure. Location:  8FJC+Q26, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: The doors are opened for a visit from 05:30 am to 01:00 pm. Again, in the evening, the doors are opened from 05:30 pm to 09:00 pm. Price: No entry fee is charged for entry to this temple.

Hazara Rama Temple

This beautiful temple marks its presence at the central focus of a royal area and is dedicated to Lord Rama. The walls of this temple are eager to illustrate the entire Ramayana flow before its visitors. Once you reach here, you can find bas relics of both Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna. Also, do not forget to miss on the remnants illustrating a Dasara celebration. Towards its northern side, you may find a sprawling lawn widely stretched apart. The temple has two huge getaways and the interior homes to sculpted columns. Location:  8F99+4G2, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: Reaching this temple is no longer a whammy situation as the doors are open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. It hardly takes two hours to complete your visit here. Price: There is no entry fee being charged by the temple authorities.

Archaeological Museum

A tiny yet worthy of visiting museums, Archaeological Museum of Hampi accounts for the best Places to Visit In Hampi to spend some time with. This museum accounts for four principal sections each dedicated to a different exhibit. The first section exhibits Hampi model, the second section shows sculptures and idols dedicated to Hampi ruins. The third section exhibits tools, arms, and ammunition. The fourth section exhibits artifacts dating back to the pre-historic and post-historic era. Location: Kamalapur Road, Hampi, India Timings: You are free to take a dig at the beauty of this Archaeological Museum from morning 10:00 am to evening 05:00 pm. Price: Per head you need to pay around 5 INR as entry fees. Entry is free for children under the age of 15 years. Photography is permitted only for the lawn exhibits. Also Checkout:  Things To Do In London At Night

Riverside Ruins

Close to a river edge of Kodandarama Temple are a couple of lingas carved on a flat rock surface. The arrays of this Shiv Linga contains around 100 to 1000 such lingas. A little away from this array is Lord Vishnu’s carved sculpture. Also, you can find a lot of tiny shrines that are submerged here and rock surfaces reflecting carved motifs. Be extremely careful while you step on the slippery rock surfaces especially in the monsoons. If the river is stable, you can head towards this place through a coracle ride at a nominal charge of around 25-50 per head. Location: N ear the Kodanda Rama Temple, Hampi. Timings: You can visit riverside ruins at any point of time. Yet, if you plan to take a coracle ride here, you must cross-check with its availability in accordance with your chosen time of visit. Price:  There is no entry fee.

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Underground Temple-Prasanna Virupaksha Temple

Underground Shiva Temple’s every single piece of the structure reflects a perfect blend of mythology and history. This is amongst the only places to visit in Hampi lying under water. The central portion of this ancient shrine always lies immersed in water. According to local beliefs, it is the Tungabhadra river which flows through the interior of this temple through canals. There is the main hall, a courtyard, a small hall that leads to the innermost sanctum. All around the temple is a lush green lawn where you can sit and relax for some time. Location: Hampi Main Bus Stand, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: There is no time restriction to reach here. However, it is always better to visit here before sunsets. It will hardly take around 30 minutes to complete your visit to this temple. Price: The temple authorities won't be charging you for an entry to this temple.

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Krishna Temple

Built by Krishnadevaraya, Krishan temple of Hampi is the sign of Orissa campaign’s success. This temple is amongst those hand-picked places to visit in Hampi which are globally reckoned for their exquisite carvings. The love of Krishnadevraya for art and architecture is quite evident from the beauty of this place. For the original idol of this place, you need to head towards Chennai’s State Museum. The temple campus is encircled all over by massive pillars and small shrines. Towards its eastern side, lies a grand hall. You can grab a fresh banana from the Banana plantations that mark their presence to the south zone of this temple. Location: Bellary, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can seek blessings here at Krishna Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: No authority here will demand any form of entry fees from you. However, photography is restricted only in the premises.

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Kadalekalu Ganesha

Homing to one of the largest statues of Hindu deity Ganesha, Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is the famous holy shrine of South India. It is situated on the slopes of well-known Hemakuta Hills, and its towering statue is about 4.6 meters high. The temple features a statue carved out from a single massive stone, and the belly of Lord Ganesha resembles a Bengal gram. Entire hall of the temple homes to slender granite pillars and exhibit fictitious characters. The carvings of these pillars reflect the Vijayanagara architectural style of art. Location:  8FM6+4FQ, Hampi, Karnataka 583239 Timings: You can visit this shrine of Lord Ganesha from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. Price: There are no entry fees to lead your way to this Kadalekalu Ganesha temple.

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Stepped Tank

Stepped tanks here are considered to be sacred tanks for a holy bath before visiting any religious place of importance. Once a while,  they were centers for festival celebrations. There are steps on all four interior sides of such tanks so that you can step down to get in and out of the water. The stepped tank at the Royal center is geometrically larger in its dimensions and is carved out from a green diorite with a complete absence of drainage system. The stepped tank is constructed from black schist stones. Location: Hampi, Karnataka Timings: You can take a dive in the water of these stepped tanks at any time before the sun sets. Price: No entry fees for the stepped tank visit.

Tungabhadra River

Rising from the Western Ghats, Tungabhadra River flow towards the south-east and meets the Krishna river in Andhra Pradesh. Being a perennial river, the water level of this river takes a compelling look in monsoons. Tungabhadra Dam is an ongoing project here to aid in the infrastructure development of this region. After you complete your visit to the Virupaksha temple, you can march ahead to this river from the back of the temple. Throughout your journey, you can easily sip in sweet and tender coconut water. Do not forget to miss on your coracle ride while you plan on your Tungabhadra itinerary. Location: Vijayanagara Ruins, Hamp, Karnataka Timings: There is no specific timing to visit the Tungabhadra river. However, for the coracle ride, you need to reach here before sunset. Price: There is no entry fee to visit either the Tungabhadra river or dam. Coracle riding might charge you per head accordingly.

Pushkaranis of Hampi is sacred tanks in association with the Hampi temples. Pushkarani reminds you to take a precise note of ancient town planning and architectural style of the Vijayanagara era. Many of these pushkaranis served as the event venue for their annual boating festivals. During such celebrations, the idols of both Gods and Goddesses are taken out for a coracle ride. Majority of these Pushkarani’s are surrounded all over by explicitly beautiful pillars and arcades. Location: Pushkarani are found near to Royal Enclosure, Virupaksha temple, Krishna Bazaar, Pattabhirama temple. Timings: You can walk-in here at Pushkarani throughout the day. It takes around 20 to 30 minutes to complete your visit here.  Price: There are no entry fees here at Pushkarani. Both photography and videography are allowed.

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Sasivekalu Ganesha

This Lord Ganesha’s statue derives its resemblance from that of the mustard seed, which is referred to as Sasivekalu in the local dialect thereby leading to its name. This statue is located on the Southern foothill of the Hemakuta and is almost half the size of Kadalekalu Ganesha located on the Northern slope of the same hill.

This statue derives inspiration from an incident of Hindu mythology when one day Lord Ganesha had eaten so much food that his stomach almost burst. So in order to protect his stomach the Lord tied a snake around his belly. On this statue one can see the figure of the snake carved in front of his stomach.

This monolithic statue measure 2.4 metres in height and is carved out of a huge boulder. There is an open pavillion built around the statue, which is believed to be constructed by a trader from Chandragiri (present day Andhra Pradesh) in the memory of Narsimha II the mighty Vijaynagara king. Similar to the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple, this temple too is considered to be one of the important places to visit in Hampi.

Royal Enclosure

The present day fortified area or the Royal Enclosure of Hampi was once the seat of power of the Vijaynagara rulers. In current times this Royal Enclosure is basically a wide open ground consisting of a number of small shelters.

Some of the important structures in here are spread across hundreds of square metres of land and consists of a number of interesting and important relics. Some of the important structures of the Royal Enclosure are the King’s Audience Hall or the 100-Pillared Hall, stepped tank, an underground chamber and the Mahanavami Debbie to the commonly called Dossier Platform.

Since the Royal Enclosure is pretty large a good amount of walking is required to have a look at the entire place. Any kind of vehicles whether manually or automatically driven are not allowed inside the area, so it is advisable to visit this place during early morning or in the evenings, as the atmosphere at these times are more pleasant.

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People Also Ask About Hampi

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The most common means of local transportation in Hampi is auto-rickshaws. There are also car rental agencies that you can approach in order to get around. The roadways in Hampi are easy, accessible and non-congested. If you want to cross the river in order to reach Virupapur Gaddi, then boats are your only option. The boat fare may vary from INR 50 to INR 100, depending on the time during which you are crossing the river.

What can I buy in Hampi?

Though Hampi is famous for its rich and historical architecture and heritage sites, this city also boasts of great handicrafts and interesting artefacts. Some of the signature items you can collect from Hampi are- - Stone Artefacts and sculptures - Lambani crafts - Leather crafts - Various handmade musical instruments - Crafts made of banana fibre - Local Hampi clothes that are locally hand-made.

Is alcohol allowed in Hampi?

Alcohol consumption is strictly prohibited in Hampi. But the region across the river is considered as a more modern version of the town. With a predominant hippie culture, beer and non-vegetarian foods are allowed for consumption and purchase as well.

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Things to do in Hampi: Exploring the Site of Archaeological Ruins

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Top things to do in Hampi

Here is the list of 25 things to do in hampi: exploring the site of archaeological ruins, 1. visit the unesco world heritage site of virupaksha temple.

The Virupaksha temple (or Prasanna Virupaksha temple) is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra river at Hampi, Karnataka. Built during the 7th century, the beautiful architecture and history of the temple contributed to it being recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The temple is abode to one of the forms of Lord Shiva called Lord Virupaksha. You will find beautiful stone inscriptions dating back to the 7th century on the walls of the temple as proof of its rich heritage. Architecture-lovers and history-buffs, be sure to add this activity in your list of top things to do in Hampi!

2. Marvel at the Architecture of Vithala Temple

The most impressive structure in Hampi, the Vithala Temple dates back to the 16th century and is a truly splendid example of rich architecture. The famous stone chariot, which has become an iconic symbol of the architecture of Hampi, is located inside the premises of this temple. The temple complex is spread over a huge area. The main gate has an impressive arch with carvings, and opens in a large courtyard which has the famous stone chariot in the center. Visiting the beautiful temple is one of the best things to do in Hampi.

3. Go All Out at Hippie Island

Virapapur Gadde or Hippie Island is a small island situated across the Tungabhadra river. It takes 5 minutes to travel to the island via coracle or boat. The last boat for the island leaves at 5.30 pm. The backpacker's delight, Hippie Island (Virupapur Gadde) is an epitome of scenic beauty and is known for laidback ambient and lodges. It has shacks and cafes which operate from October end to mid-March. They serve awesome food along with chilled beer, and most of these have a great view of either the river or the beautiful rice fields. The island is a pure delight and you should definitely include visiting here in your top things to do in Hampi.

4. Witness a Mesmerizing Sunrise at Matanga Hill

This hill is described as the location of the hermiatge of the Saint Matanga during the Ramayana, hence is appropriately named. This is an ideal spot for those looking for some trekking excitement, as it is the highest peak in Hampi. However, the most popular activity here is watching the beautiful sunrise or sunset views, which is also one of the most beautiful experiences and one of the best things to do in Hampi.

Top Hotels In Hampi

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5. Enjoy a Coracle Ride

When in Hampi, you absolutely have to get hold of a coracle and ride in one. It is one of the few places in the country where you can get such an experience and we gurantee that it is going to be a lot of fun. You can rent a coracle at really economic rates and cross the rates in the ferry that looks exactly like the one in olden days. This is one of the most exciting experiences and things to do in Hampi.

6. Experience the Thrills of Rock Climbing

Hampi is always full of rock climbers who are climbing up the boulders with their crash pads around. The landscape is ideal for rock climbing and bouldering since there are granite craigs and boulders all around. Bolting is limited, so carry a crash pad along.

7. Try Your Hand at Cliff Jumping

Apart from wandering at the several ruins, Cliff Diving is one of the prime activities and things to do in Hampi. Especially popular among adventure buffs, the activity is enough to give you a divine adrenaline rush. However, there are signs to stay clear of crocodiles and specific points where you will be safe from them.

8. Shop for Local Souvenirs at Hampi Bazaar

This bazaar is facing the Virupaksha temple and hence is also known as the Virupaksha Bazaar. Various artifacts are available here including antique coins, shawls, bags etc. Most tourists purchase souvenirs here. Wildly popular in the olden days, today the bazaar stands as a testimony to the rich history of Hampi. People also visit here for morning walks. Walking down the bazaar is one of the popular things to do in Hampi.

9. Offer Prayers at the Monkey Temple

On top of the Anjaneya Hill, at a distance of 2 kilometres from the Virupaksha Temple , the beautiful Yantradharaka Hanuman Temple also known as the Monkey Temple is present inside a cave. The temple being 500 years old is dedicated to Lord Hanuman. Being one of the most famous attractions of the Anjeyanadri Hill, the Monkey Temple is considered as a sacred spot for all the Hindus and visiting here is one of the top things to do in Hampi, even among the tourists.

10. Explore the Magnificent Elephant Stables

The Elephant Stables served as an enclosure for royal elephants back in the day of the Vijayanagra Empire. Built in the Indo-Islamic architectural style, eleven domed chambers are seen here with a particularly decorated one which served as an enclosure for the musicians during any performances. Exploring these magnificent stables is one of the topmost things to do in Hampi.

11. Admire the Rich Ruins of Queen's Bath

A part of the Royal Enclosure, this aquatic enclosure was the Royal bath during the times of the Vijayanagra Empire. It was built in such a way that no outsiders could enter the bath, and has lost much to ruins at the date. However, it still stands in all its glory and making a visit here is one of the topmost things to do in Hampi.

12. Spot the Bears at Daroji Bear Sanctuary

Established in 1994, this sanctuary was converted from a thorny forest to a lush green area which is now inhabited by Sloth Bears. Approximately 120 sloth bears accompanied by various other wildlife species like jackals, leopards and wild boars are found here. You can spot the exotic wildlife and have a wonderful view from the watch tower that is situated inside the premises of the sanctuary itself. Make sure to absolutely include this activity in your bucket list of things to do in Hampi.

13. Browse the City Markets

Market browsing is one of the top things to do in Hampi. The stone carvings by local artists are a good piece of memorabilia to take back from Hampi. Apart from the local souvenir, idols of gods and goddesses, and other knick knacks. You can also shop for Lambani Crafts, leather crafts, musical instruments, banana fibre relics and the like.

14. Visit the Magnificent Kadalekalu Ganesh Temple

Kadalekalu Ganesh is an important religious attraction in Hampi. The temple has traditional stone architecture and is located on Hemakuta Hill and has a huge 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha which is a believed to be one of the largest in the world. The reason why the attraction is called Kadalekalu is because the belly of the deity is chiselled to look like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram). This is one of the top tourist attractions and making a visit here is one of the topmost things to do in Hampi.

15. Seek Blessings at Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This temple features the biggest effigy in Hampi, of Narasimha sitting on SeshaNaag i.e. the seven headed snake acting as a shelter to him. The idol of Goddess Lakshmi is placed along with that of Narasimha. Considered one of the most important excavations in Hampi, making a visit here is also one of the best things to do in Hampi. It is a major tourist attraction and is visited by pilgrims and travellers alike.

16. Explore the Riverside Ruins

Riverside Ruins have a splendid cluster of Shivalings carved on flat rocky surface, in addition to several shrines dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other Hindu deities, some of which are partially submerged. These Ruins are in a row of 108 lingas and a sqaurish 1008 lingas and can be spotted all across the gorge. The excitement of identifying the idols is an experience to remember.

17. Rent a Bike and Ride Across Town

Riding a bike across town is a whole new way to experience the local life, green fields and local culture. This is one of the most popular activities and things to do in Hampi, among the tourists. Other than being a fun activity, it allows you to explore the town on your own. You can relax by the meadows or try delicious food at the local markets. Be sure to capture all these memorable moments in your camera.

18. Explore the Magnificent Zenana Enclosure

The Zenana Enclosure was primarily the Women's Quarters. A part of the Royal Enclosure, this was a place especially for the Royal women i.e. the Queen and her friends and companions. This palace is the biggest excavation that has been done in Hampi. The south east corner has the Lotus Mahal.

19. Explore the Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

The Hemakunta Hill houses a temple complex, many of them dedicated to Lord Shiva. These are all protected by a fort, providing a secluded atmosphere. One of the top tourist attractions of the city, the temple complex is also one of the most important excavations of Hampi. Visiting here is one of the prime things to do in Hampi.

20. Witness the Old World Charm of Old Palace

The Old Palace, surrounded by a fort, and is in ruins as of today. It is located in Anegondi, for which kingdom this palace served as the center. Also known as Gagan Mahal, the palace now serves as the administrations' building. However, it still maintains the old-world charm, and some parts boast of incredible beauty.

21. Visit the Stone Paltform- Mahanavami Dibba

Mahanavami Dibba is one of the most incredible structures and one of the top touristy things to do in Hampi. This structure served as a focal point from where the Vijayanagara kings ruled their Kingdom. Various aspects of courtly life are depicted on this huge structure, including a gem studded throne. Although mostly in ruins, the platform still has damaged carvings on the side of the walls.

22. Visit the Extravagant Achyutraya Temple

This temple is also known as the Tiruvengalanatha Temple, after the main deity, a form of Lord Shiva. It has modern architecture in comparison to the other temples of Hampi. Many carvings here depict mythological legends, seen on pillars, walls and monolith blocks.

23. Appreciate the Beauty of Hazara Rama Temple

Hazara Rama Temple, a mesmerizing temple dedicated to Lord Rama, is located in Hampi Village in the south-western Indian state of Karnataka. The breathtaking view of the temple and its intricate carvings attract tourists from all over the world. From a distance, one will notice the beige granite temple under the clear blue skies. As you stroll leisurely through the magnificent temple complex, do make it a point to observe the extensive sculpted narrations of the Ramayana on its inner walls. One can notice the various avatars sculpted all over the temple and in numerous inscriptions.

24. Admire the Relics at the Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum in Hampi preserves the relics of the Vijayanagar Empire and offers wonderful insights in the ancient culture. The museum houses a number of artifacts, remains, and other exhibits found during excavation. Especially popular among the history buffs, visiting the museum is among the top things to do in Hampi.

25. Visit the King's Balance

King's Balance is an ancient 15th century attraction which was used to weigh the king with the royal Jewels every year on special occasions. The jewels were then donated to the temple priests. The structure has intricately carved pillars. It is made of granite and the pillars support a stone beam that has hoops which were used to suspend the balance.

This post was published by Aqsa Aleem

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Essential Hampi – A Brief Guide to Hampi

The perfect break from India’s bustling cities, our brief guide to Hampi looks at how to get the best out of your visit to Hampi.

This is a guest post contributed by Karen Turner of Wanderlusting K . All photos in this post are copyright to Karen unless otherwise stated.

This post may contain compensated affiliate links. More info in our disclosure .

Visiting Hampi, Karnataka

One of my favorite places that I visited in India had to be Hampi. 

This ancient city destroyed by the Mughal empire was one of India’s biggest medieval cities with more than 500,000 residents.  It was long covered up by banana plantations, however, its recent UNESCO recognized status is likely to draw visitors to its quiet beauty. 

Hampi truly still shines as a destination for history lovers, wannabe Lara Craft archeologists, and Hindus looking to step back in time. I hope that these Hampi tips help you prepare for your trip go off without a hitch.

How to get to Hampi

If you’re visiting Hampi, it’s easy to take the overnight train to/from Bangalore or Mysore. (It is possible to fly from Bangalore or Mysore to Hubli, which is three hours away.)

The train does not run every day, so be sure to check the schedule. Those looking for a bit of comfort will want to book first-class for a bit more privacy and the ability to lock the door at night while you’re sleeping.  If you can sleep well under any conditions, second-class AC or third-class AC work well enough and save you quite a bit of money.

Your train will arrive at Hospet Junction, which is the closest station to Hampi . We paid 1,600 rupees for our one-way journey in third-class air-conditioning on the train from Mysore to Hampi and 4,000 rupees for a one-way train journey in first-class for two people.

From the train station, it’s a 20-40 minute ride with a rickshaw to Hampi Bazaar.  This newly constructed village surrounding the ruins was constructed after UNESCO officials said that the village of Hampi was too close to the ruins.  It’s otherwise a very quiet and peaceful place surrounded by banana plantations and sugarcane plantations. It’s hard to imagine the ruins as you travel here by rickshaw.  We were picked up by our guesthouse with a smiling driver with a card for a small fee.

If you’re travelling from Goa to Hampi you can take the Howrah Express train from Vasco da Gama station in Goa to Hospet, passing through the stunning Dudhsagar waterfalls. If trains are full, there are several bus services available, the most recommended AC Volvo service being run by Paulo Travels . Search and book train tickets here .

Or you can book a tour from Goa such as this one .

How Long to Spend in Hampi

We spent two full days and one night in Hampi, with arriving in the morning and departing in the evening on the second day.  It was just enough time, but I’d recommend giving yourself more time, especially if you’re a climber.

Three full days and two nights would have been perfect as two days felt rushed, or three nights if you really want to slow down and savour the experience.

Where to Stay in Hampi

Accommodation at Hampi is split between Hampi Bazaar which is close to the ruins and home to most of the budget accommodation, or Hospet has some more upmarket options.

Accommodation in Hampi Picks:

– Gopi Guest House (Budget) – Great views on a budget – click here for rates

– Padma Guest House (Budget) – Alternative great value option in Hampi Bazaar with air conditioning – click here for rates

– Evolve Back Hampi (Luxury) – Beautiful award winning high end accommodation, in the grounds of a palace just 4km from Hampi – click here for rates

We stayed at Gopi Guest House , which took care of all the details for us from our pick-up at Hospet to finding us a driver to explore the ruins to our final drop-off with an ATM detour.  They also happily fed us drinks with an incredible view of Virupaksha Temple to savor as you enjoy a fresh mango juice. 

Listening to the temple music as the sunset was absolutely one of the most memorable moments of our trip.  Gopi Guest House was a quintessential Indian guest house: The basics with air conditioning with warm hospitality. 

For a bit of luxury, look outside of Hampi Bazaar at hotels such as Evolve Back Hampi .  

Visiting the Temples at Hampi

Hampi is absolutely beautiful to explore, however, you’ll be exposed to the sun quite a bit as there’s little shade. Be sure to wear sunscreen and bring plenty of water with you.  

Hampi is a sprawling site of 3.2 acres. 

Although you could walk it, enter the 21st century and hire a rickshaw to take you around.  We hired a driver via our guesthouse for one day to wait for us outside of the temples as we explored them on your own. 

You can pick up books in town about history and guide yourself, or you can opt for a true guide who will walk you around the sights who will accompany you in your rickshaw. You’ll pay less for simply a rickshaw driver. 

Be warned that the rickshaw drivers can be a bit overly enthusiastic outside the site and you’ll be asked by what seems like a million drivers if you need a ride if you pop out of a temple without a driver next to you.   

If you have a bit of a fear of monkeys, Hampi can be a bit of a challenge as monkeys are in many parts of the park, however, they were not generally aggressive. Still, take caution in interacting with monkeys.

One of the most famous temples in Hampi is the Monkey Temple , the birthplace of Hanuman.  Not surprisingly, there are lots of monkeys.  Many people come here for the view close to sunset although be careful and watch out for sunglasses and other shiny things that the monkeys like to grab.

The Vittala Temple and the most famous monuments of Hampi are included in the Hampi ticket, which costs 600 rupees for foreigners (2019) and less for Indian nationals. This also includes admission to the Lotus Mahal and the elephant stables, definitely a highlight.  I also loved the step-well.

Similarly, it might be worthwhile to step into the impressive Virupaksha Temple , a beautiful 7th-century temple.  The shoe fee is 2 rupees although there is a camera/video fee.

It should be noted that the Virupaksha Temple has a temple elephant. The temple elephant stands all day blessing pilgrims to this temple and a deeper dig into the animal welfare of temple elephants led me to choose not to get an elephant blessing. Please research this issue!  If you want to see Lakshmi in a happier environment, she takes a bath in the mornings in the river–and she is a typical elephant at this moment. 

Any decent guide will cover most of the attractions in one day. I found the architectural museums less interesting than the actual sights, but those into history might enjoy them more. I especially loved the quiet Underground Shiva Temple, which gave me some serious Lara Croft vibes.

Many of the temples in Hampi are free to visit, so be sure to ask your guide to cover all of the paid admission sites (e.g. Lotus Mahal) within one day to maximize your ticket.  You can visit the rest on a second or third day. It’s said that UNESCO will be making more notable changes in the coming years to Hampi to make it more tourist-friendly. 

Practical Tips for Hampi

Hampi Opening Hours : Most temples and sights are open from morning until dusk. After this point, security guards will kick out everyone who is around. Although various things online mentioned about sunrise and sunset, be aware that access might not be allowed if it’s too dark out.  The view from sunset point Hemakuta was lovely without being too far from Hampi Bazaar. 

What to Wear for Visiting Hampi: You’ll be walking a lot while in Hampi, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes with a good grip.  You’ll be walking up boulders, within abandoned temples, and along stone paths, which can be slippery if wet.  Although many of these temples are abandoned, visitors should still be aware that these are still religious sights important to many Hindus and Indian visitors.  It’s best to cover up with a long breathable skirt or loose trousers. The heat might get to you, even in winter!

Solo Female Travel in Hampi: Solo female travelers should be okay in Hampi, however, they should be careful exploring more remote parts of Hampi on their own.  Some caves and temples can be very dark/remote. It’s very easy to meet fellow travelers at guesthouses, so don’t be afraid to strike up conversations as it will bring down the price and allow you to have a travel companion.

Money at Hampi : Most importantly, we highly recommend bringing all the cash that you think that you’ll need with you.  We spent over 5,000 rupees ($70 USD) for two full-days with touring Hampi, all meals, all drinks bouldering for one, transit to/from the station, and our accommodations with a view of the temple.  There are ATMs in Hospet and notably, the State Bank of India ATM is the best for foreign cards. 

Where to Eat & Other Things to do in Hampi

We had a nice thali lunch at Green Restaurant where you can sample the local vegetarian specialties. Western options were also available here and food was prepared with filtered water.  This is close to the Lotus Mahal.

In the Hampi Bazaar, my favorite restaurant was Mango Tree Restaurant with its reclined seats, comfy pillows, and delicious juices.  It should be noted that alcohol is illegal in Hampi.

Across the river, you’ll find Hippie Hampi or the village of Virupapura Gadde. You can cross the river in a traditional riverboat for a small amount. Many of the more hippie-oriented things are on this side of the river, including Hampi’s most famous places to boulder. The rocks surrounding Hampi are famous for bouldering. 

While in Hampi, you’ll want to look up Hampi Adventures (next to Pradeep Campsite) .  Tom is a great climber who intimately knows many of the bouldering routes, so call him at least a day before to see if you can come with if you can boulder.  (Tom and Jerry used to run a bouldering outfit together, but have now split off into Golden Boulders and Hampi Adventures just down the road from each other. Both are located across the river from Hampi Bazaar. 

You can rent all the essential bouldering equipment (crash pads, chalk, shoes) from them, but bring your own exercise clothes!

Final Thoughts

Overall, Hampi was a dreamy destination away from the hustle and bustle of other Indian cities.  If you are visiting the south of India, it is worth making a detour for Hampi, especially once you experience your first sunset here…

This is a guest post by Karen Turner from Wanderlusting K, an adventure travel blog. All photo copyrights belong to Karen Turner unless otherwise stated.  The usage of these images without permission for commercial usage is NOT permissible.

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A Complete Hampi Travel Guide 2021: Hampi Itinerary & Tips

Hampi is an incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site located by the Tungabhadra River in Karnataka, India. The ancient city’s boulder-strewn landscape delights the eye; lush paddy fields and serene lakes soothe the soul, and the timeless ruins with their impressive history and architecture amaze the mind.

Here is a Hampi travel guide with a solid itinerary to maximize your time, details of how to get there, places to stay in Hampi, how to get around and tips for your visit!

Before we start, let us tell you that the face of Hampi has changed in the last year. If you’ve read or seen any content on Hampi before landing on our Hampi travel blog, then note that Hippie Island and restaurants like Mango Tree in Hampi don’t exist anymore. Because of this, your Hampi itinerary could look a lot different from what you had initially planned. Luckily for you, this blog post is from our visit after these changes so you’ll get the most updated information.

Brief Hampi History

Hampi was the capital city of the mighty Hindu Vijayanagar Empire for over 200 years (around 1336 AD to 1565 AD) covering all of southern India south of the Tungabhadra river. The city was an important centre of trade since it controlled both cotton and spice trade routes of Southern India and traded gold, pearls, and other precious items by the kilo. The rulers fortified the kingdom and used their wealth to build an impressive city with beautiful palaces, temples, monolithic statues, markets streets, and monuments.

After the death of the empire’s greatest king, Kishnadevaraya (reigning period 1509-1529), the kingdom soon fell to the combined armies of the neighbouring Muslim rulers of the Deccan. The city was ravaged and plundered and now lies in ruins.

In around 1 CE (the era of the Ramayana) this area was called Kishkinda – the kingdom of monkeys. The Hindu God Hanuman was born in the area!

When to Visit Hampi

Hampi’s main tourist season is in winter from October to February. To avoid crowds, you can also visit in March (explore early morning and evening) and September (rains slow down and Hampi is very green). Know that in the rainy season, however, you will not be able to take a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra due to the strong current!

We have only travelled to Hampi in these off-season months and it turned out to be awesome. Lots of peace when exploring the ruins.

How to Reach Hampi

Flight: Toranagallu (11 km), Bellary (61 km) and Belgaum (191 km) are the nearest airports to Hampi. However, since flights are limited to these locations, it would be best to fly to Bangalore (351 km) and then take a bus or hire a car and drive for around 6 hours to Hampi. Book your flight here .

Car: Hampi is at a drivable distance from major cities like Bangalore (351 km or 6 hours), Hyderabad (385 km or 7.5 hours), and Panjim Goa (346 km or 8 hours). We love this method of transport and have always gone on a Hyderabad to Hampi road trip. The drive is a pleasurable one with vast fields and bouldered hills. 

Bus: You can book an overnight bus to Hampi in all cities mentioned above like Bangalore, Hyderabad and Goa. You can book this on Redbus. If living in the neighbouring town of Hospet, you can catch a local KSRTC bus to Hampi which takes about half an hour.

Train: Hospet Railway Station, located about 12 km from Hampi is the nearest station. It is directly connected to major cities like Bangalore, Hyderabad, Goa, etc. From Hospet, you can take a local bus to Hampi which takes about half an hour.

Days Required to Explore Hampi

You need a total of at least three days to see the main sights of Hampi – Two days to explore the heritage area side and one to explore the other side of the river – Anegundi, Anjaneya Hill, etc.!

Four-five days is ideal for a slower, more comfortable, visit!

Places to Stay in Hampi

To make the most of your time in Hampi, it is best to stay at a distance of 0-10 km from Hampi – the closer the better! Know that Hampi isn’t a town in itself. Locals live in a small village called New Hampi but the location doesn’t have any hotels or accommodation. So, you will have to opt for the area near Hampi or at nearby villages.

We have stayed at below given (first two) Hampi resorts and hotels and highly recommend them in terms of location.

Clarks Inn – Located in Kamalapur Town 4.7 km from Hampi’s main attractions, it makes for an ideal place to stay. Small but well-appointed rooms with an in-house restaurant and a small pool! Perfect for those who’ll spend their days exploring and look for only basic comfort in their accommodation. We booked this for only Rs.2000 per night making it a super budget stay, but per our understanding prices are not so low during season time. Check prices and book property here .

Heritage Resort Hampi – Located 7 km from Hampi, this resort is a great mid-range option for families and couples looking for a relaxed and comfortable stay amongst nature. Large rooms, great food at the restaurants, happy hours, evening entertainment, amazing greenery (lots of mango trees) and a decent-sized swimming pool make this stay option one of the most ideal resorts in Hampi. Check prices and book this property here .

Evolve Back Hampi – For the ultimate luxury, opt for this Hampi resort located 9 km away. The architecture of the resort is inspired by that of the Vijayanagar Empire. You’ll feel like you’re staying in a palace. We haven’t stayed here but would love to someday! Check prices and book property her e .

If you’re on a tight budget and don’t care much about worldly comforts, opt for a homestay. You’ll not only save money but also have an authentic local experience.

How to Get Around Hampi

Having your own set of wheels is super convenient. However, if you can’t do that, hire an auto-rickshaw for the day.

You can also opt to hire rickshaws to transport you from one location to the other but this might be more time consuming and you may not find rickshaws outside all points of interest especially if travelling out of season.

Earlier, scooters used to be available for rent, but now due to the demolition of the hippie area, we are not sure if it is possible. It would be best to enquire about scooter hire at your accommodation or ask guides in the Hampi area on Day 1.

Hampi Itinerary – 3 Days

Here is a 3-day Hampi itinerary that will help make the most of your time.

Day one’s itinerary has been written assuming you will be reaching by mid-day or morning, checking into your accommodation and stepping out only after lunch.

If you type Hampi on Google Maps, it takes you to the main Hampi area consisting of Virupaksha Temple and Hemakunta Hills. This is the area you should explore today to get a flavour of what Hampi is all about.

Park your car at the Virupaksha Temple parking or take an auto till there and start your walking adventure for the day. You won’t need a vehicle till after sunset to go back to your hotel.

Sri Virupaksha Temple

Dedicated to Virupaksha, an incarnation of Shiva, this is the most popular and probably the oldest temple in Hampi as it was built in the 7th century (most other sites were built in the 15th century). It is a must-visit for two reasons:

• It is the only working temple in main Hampi
• You get to meet and get blessings from an adorable elephant called Lakshmi.

As you approach the temple, you’ll be welcomed by a beautiful gold Gopuram. Leave your shoes on the left side of the entrance (Rs.2), buy your ticket (Rs. 25 per person), and hire a guide (Rs. 200). You’ll start at a serene courtyard, admire vegetable paintwork on the roof of the main temple, gape at a fascinating opening in the wall that works like a pinhole camera, see a charming kund, and various temples dedicated to other Hindu gods.

The visit should take about half to one hour.

Hemakuta Hills

When we think about Hampi, the Hemakuta hills is what comes to mind. It is a hilltop (made of one huge rock) dotted with several temples and smaller boulders. While the most iconic place to visit here is the Moola Virupaksha Temple just a 3-min walk from Virupaksha Temple, we say don’t sweat it. Just climb the hill and explore on your own though we must mention we love the frangipani tree at the Hemakuta Hanuman temple. Watch the sunset sitting on one of the cliffside benches (google sunset point Hemkuta) or anywhere else that appeals.

Remember the sun doesn’t set at the horizon but much above it due to the haze in the area. Don’t miss the sunset thinking you have a lot of time. Also, as soon as the sun sets, get ready to leave. If you don’t, a police guard will usher you out.

Wondering why this is important? Well after sunset, bears and leopards freely roam the Hampi area. You wouldn’t want to serve yourself as dinner to these animals 😛

Vijaya Vitthala Temple

The Vithalla Temple is dedicated to Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. It is the most popular, beautiful and fascinating structure in Hampi and attracts a significantly large crowd. Therefore, it is best visited first thing in the day.

The temple opens at 8:30 AM so ensure you’re at the parking by 8:15 AM. Since the temple complex is at a distance of about 1.3 km from the parking, you will have to choose between the two options for getting to the temple – a 15-minute walk or a golf cart ride for Rs. 10 per person. We recommend you walk to the temple visiting various sites on the way and take a golf cart when exiting to save time and energy for the rest of the day.

While walking to the temple’s entrance, you will see the Pushkarni (water tank), Guduregombe Mandapa (temple), and lastly structures that used to be a marketplace. At the entrance buy a ticket (Rs. 40 per person). Keep the ticket safely as it is used at some other sites you’ll be visiting today as well.

On entering the walled temple complex through the gopuram gate, you’ll immediately notice the stone chariot that is featured on India’s Rs. 50 notes. A marvel! Further, you’ll see the Nritya/Ranga mandapa (dance hall) that has musical pillars. When tapped, these pillars that are made of a single piece of resonant stone, make musical sounds. It’s an absolute wonder! This mandapa is shut for maintenance so you may be shown this phenomenon at another mandapa.

After your visit, check out the King’s balance nearby (300 metres) or head directly to the Queen’s Bath (in the Royal Centre) which is about 5 km from here.

The visit should take about 1-1.5 hours.

Royal Centre

Hampi is divided into two – the Royal Centre and the Sacred Centre. Today, for the first half of the day, you’ll be exploring buildings in the royal centre that houses the palaces, durbars, tanks, residences, and baths used by the royals of the empire. Start at Queen’s Bath the first building in the Royal Centre area.

Queen’s Bath

The Queen’s bath makes for a short and interesting visit. Constructed in Indo-Islamic style, the structure has a simple exterior and an ornate interior with a colossal sunken bath. Due to its distance from the royal enclosure, it is believed to be a pleasure complex. Arched corridors and ornate balconies are what makes this place worth the visit. An owl and owlets are often found inside the empty bath. An additional delight!

After exploring the bath for about 15-20 minutes, head to the Royal Enclosure located 550 metres from the Queen’s bath. Better to take your vehicle instead of walking it if you have one!

A guide is not necessarily required to explore this structure and as such, you won’t find any outside it.

Royal Enclosure

The royal enclosure was the seat of power of the Vijaynagara Empire. In its heydays, this 59000 square meter area housed 45 buildings including the great platform, durbar halls, tanks, and underground chambers.

The main places to see in the Royal Enclosure are:

Mahanavami Dibba (Great Platform) – This 3 tier 8-meter-high platform is the only structure in the enclosure that still stands as it did back then. The raised platform was used by the king to view the Navami/Dussehra celebrations. There are beautiful war carvings at the lower sidewall of the structure.

The Underground Chamber  – This is where spies were held for questioning. It is constructed in a manner that left spies wondering where they are and was made soundproof with flowing water above.

The Stepped Tank  – This is a 5-tiered super-symmetrical and aesthetic 7-metre deep tank that was used for ritual bathing before prayers by the royals. It is different from other tanks in Hampi as it is made of black schist stones to heat and purify the water.

It’ll take you about 30-45 minutes to see the above three structures. Other structures in the enclosure are absolutely ruined so we did not see them. But if you wish you see them anyway then you’ll take about an hour!

Next, proceed to the Hazara Rama Temple located 280 metres from the Royal Enclosure.

Hazara Rama Temple

The Hazara Rama temple is a small but beautiful temple that was used only by the royal family. As the name suggests, it is dedicated to Vishnu in his aspects as Lord Rama. Since the geographical area is a part of the epic Ramayana, it isn’t tough to reason why there exists a temple entirely dedicated to showcasing Ramayana stories on its walls. The pictorial stories are almost like a comic strip carved along the exteriors of the main shrine. The temple also has black marble pillars that are unlike any other in the city.

The Hazara Rama Temple will take about 20-30 minutes to explore.

Zenana Enclosure

Now, proceed 500 meters along the dirt path to the Zenana Enclosure, a fortified and secluded area for the then royal ladies including the Queen. Per our guide, this structure was primarily used to house the royal women and protect them in times of war. The area was protected by eunuchs and the only man allowed inside was the king.

The main attraction here is the Lotus Mahal built in Indo-Islamic style. You aren’t allowed to step inside which doesn’t matter much as the beauty can be appreciated from outside itself!

You’ll take about 10 minutes here.

Elephant Stables

Just through a pathway from the enclosure, located right outside it, is the famed Elephant Stable. This structure used to provide shelter to the royal elephants, clearly showing their importance in the empire. The architecture has fluted arches topped with Jain, Hindu and Muslim style domes. The secular nature of this Hindu empire was something we appreciated a lot.

You can explore the stables and just sit in the garden and relax for a bit. It will take another 15-20 minutes to explore this area.

Lunch and Relaxation

It’ll be around lunchtime by now. So, head to your hotel, grab a bite and relax for a bit before heading back to explore.

Note that all the famous restaurants you must have heard of do not exist anymore so eating at your hotel restaurant is a good option. If you don’t want to head back to the hotel, ask a guide for information on where to eat.

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple

This temple is dedicated to Lord Narasimha, one of the ten avatars of Lord Vishnu, and Goddess Lakshmi as well who was his consort. It is the largest monolith statue in Hamp – an imposing sight! You’ll take about 5-10 minutes here.

Badavilinga Temple

Located a few steps away from the Narasimha Statue is this giant shrine for Shiva. At 3 metres, it is the largest Linga in Hampi and is made of impressive black stone. Another 5-10 minutes are required to admire this structure.

Kadalekalu Ganesha

Next visit the Kadalekalu Ganesha, a 4.6-meter statue, the belly of which resembles a Bengal gram. The temple is a beautiful stone structure decorated with ornate tall granite pillars (that reminded me of Roman ruins for some reason). This Ganesha statue was worshipped by the royals.

This structure is located on Hemakuta hills 450 meters from the Narasimha statue. It will take about 10 minutes to visit.

If you’re a devout Ganesh follower or simply would like to see another Ganesh statue, then you can also visit the Sasivekalu Ganesha – a 2.4-metre high statue of Ganesha that has a snake wrapped around it (to prevent it from bursting due to over-eating per mythology). This Ganesha statue was built for the common people of the kingdom. It is located just 170 meters away from Kadalekalu so you can visit both statues with just 15 minutes to spare.

Coracle Ride on the Tungabhadra River

The coracle ride on the Tungabhadra river was our favourite experience and we’re sure you will enjoy it too. The evening is the best time for a coracle ride as the area is in shade in the evening.

The round boat (coracle) is rowed on the river between massive boulder-strewn cliffs on either side. It is incredibly serene and so hypnotising that you’ll forget you’re in present-day India. You’ll see flowing water, boulders, temples perched precariously atop these boulders and some even submerged in the water. The boatman will tell you about these temples and tell you other interesting facts about the area. Then he will ask you for permission and spin the boat. Shut your eyes and enjoy as the world rotates around you!

We only did the half an hour ride and weren’t completely satisfied, so I suggest you do the whole one hour ride.

The coracle ride costs Rs. 400 per person for half an hour and Rs. 750 per person for an hour.

Sunset at Kamalapur Lake

For sunset, just sit on the benches on the banks of Kamlapur Lake (you’ll see this from the road itself while going from Hampi to Kamalapur) and enjoy as the sun dips and the birds fly by! You’ll only be able to do this if you have your vehicle as there is no transport available in the area.

Phew, that was a long day. It feels longer than it was but for sure it will be tiring. Sleep early to be rejuvenated for the next day’s adventures.

Matanga Hill

Do a sunrise climb to Matanga Hill that has a small Veerbhadra temple at the top. The view from the hill is incredible. You’ll see vast expanses of paddy fields, mountains, scattered boulders, Hemakuta Hills with all its temples, Virupaksha Temple and Achutaraya Temple. You might also be shown a cave on your way up. The hike to Matanga hill is not to be missed!

I suggest hiring a guide for this hike since the path is not defined. As it is just through rocks, it is exposed and slippery in some areas so it is ideal to have someone knowledgeable and confident guide you up. Besides that, the hike isn’t gruelling at all! It takes 40 minutes to reach the top. You will have to start the hike between 5:30 AM-6 AM but confirm the time with your guide first. The hike back down is is a relatively easy one through proper stairs.

It is always better to do this hike at sunrise than at sunset due to the danger of bears after dark!

Have Breakfast and Change

It’ll be around 8:30 AM-9 AM by now. Go back to your hotel to change out of your sweaty hike wear and have breakfast. If you want to catch a little nap (like we did) you can do that too and head out by 10:30 AM -11 AM. You will not be coming back to the hotel until after sunset!

If you don’t care about hotel breakfast, then explore Achyutara temple (below) first before going back to change, as it is located right beside Matanga Hill.

Achyutaraya Temple

We didn’t visit this temple ourselves (despite plenty of requests to our guide), however, it is a great place to visit as far as I know. It is a temple dedicated to Lord Tiruvengalanatha, a form of Vishnu. The pillars and walls of the temple have exquisite carvings and ornamentation. The temple is secluded so few people visit!

Park your car/ get off at the Virupaksha Temple parking. Now head toward the opposite side of Virupaksha temple. You’ll see the Hampi Bazaar on either side and the Monolithic Bull at the base of the hill before heading to explore the temple. The visit will take an hour or so.

Note that this temple cannot be visited after 5 pm as leopards have often been stopped after that time, so visiting during the daytime is ideal!

Lunch at Baba Café

Head to the other side of the river for a relaxing lunch at Baba café. This café is reminiscent of the hippie island days with a similar vibe. Due to it’s awesome location amongst nature, the cafe makes for a great place to have some beer and international fare.

Attractions around Anegundi

Visit temples at Anegundi only if you’re religious or into the Ramayana. We only visited these because our guide had planned today’s itinerary with no interference from us. As per us, these temples are not architecturally beautiful – just regular temples.  

• Chinthamani Temple: Chintamani Temple is a Shiva Temple visited by Ramayana enthusiasts. It is the spot from where Ram aimed and shot his arrow to kill Baali during his fight with Sugreev. The temple is worth considering for all due to its epic location beside the Tungabhadra.
• Pampa Sarovar Temple: Pampa Sarovar is a sacred lake for Hindus – one of the 5 sacred lakes (Panch Sarovar) in Hindu mythology. The temple is constructed where Pampa (a form of Parvati) punishes herself to show her dedication to Shiva. If you’re not into mythology, consider visiting only from November to December when lotuses are in full bloom at Pampa Sarovar Lake.
• Anegundi Fort: The Anegundi with its many gates, tombs and temples (Ganesha Cave Temple and Durga Temple) is a sprawling fort that once used to guard the region.

Another famous spot is Sanapur Lake. Again, we did not find it worth the visit. This is where cliff jumping took place. However, per our guide cliff jumping is now banned as several people have lost their lives while at it. If you wish to cliff jump, do ask the locals before attempting it. We did a coracle ride here too but it paled in comparison to the one on the Tungabhadra. Do a coracle ride here only in the Monsoons when coracle rides in the Tungabhadra are not possible due to the strong current.

You can do all the things mentioned above if they appeal to you. Else, simply drive around the area through lush paddy fields. This is the bit I loved. Riding a bike here (if available) is an excellent option!

Anjaneya Hill

This hill is known to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman! There is a Hanuman Temple on top of the hill which takes about 2 hours to climb through a well-defined shaded path. Check the sunset time on google and start your hike up well in time to be able to explore the temple and see a spectacular sunset from the top!

This brings us to the end of the three days Hampi itinerary. If you have more time on hand you can consider visiting the  Krishna Temple near Kamalapur, the Underground Shiva Temple  or the  Tungabhadra Dam  at a distance of 27 km from Hampi. The dam’s premises has a Japanese style garden that makes for a pleasant visit.

Read our post on the 25 best places to visit in and around Hampi for more details or options for things to do.

Hampi Travel Tips

Photography : Drones, tripods, high-resolution cameras, and any out of the ordinary camera equipment is not allowed at Hampi’s sites. We carried our DSLR without issues, however. You aren’t even allowed to sketch, paint or draw at the sites. Per our knowledge, you can do all of this on the other side of the river – Anegundi and surrounds.

Guide : Hire a guide to understand the ancient ruins better. A full day guide cost around 2000 per day but due to COVID, some may ask about 1500 per day. However, while they make navigating the ruins of Hampi a breeze and make you understand the structures better, they also kind of put pressure on you to hurry up in order to show you as much as possible.

If you’re okay with that, do use full day guides. Honestly, we felt it was a bit rushed. 

Photographers, bloggers and vloggers would be better off hiring guides at specific structures. Follow this itinerary and hire guides at Vithalla Temple, Royal Center, and for the Matunga Hill hike. 

When hiring one, ensure he/she speaks your language fluently. Ours wasn’t very fluent in English or Hindi so sometimes it got very difficult to understand what he was explaining.

Google Maps : Download offline maps of the area on Google Maps to navigate easily. The internet is quite sketchy in Hampi.

Cash : Keep cash on you to pay for things like tender coconut, sugar cane juice, entry tickets, guide hire, coracle ride etc. While UPI is widely accepted, it doesn’t work a lot of times because of bad internet.

Shoes : Wear comfortable walking or sport shoes as you’ll be walking all day and hopefully even hiking. 

Clothes : Wear comfortable clothing in Hampi. There are no restrictions on what you wear to temples. However, it will be better to dress appropriately (cover midriff and knees) to not hurt the religious sentiments of worshippers. 

Day Bag Items : Important things to carry in your day bag for exploring Hampi:

• Sunscreen : Physical sunscreen without a white cast
• Some light snacks to eat in case you get hungry midway – We always carry Whole Truth Minis for a quick but healthy bite.
• A filled reusable water bottle (at least one each per person). We particularly like collapsible bottles to save space or the thermos type bottlesto keep water cold .
• A reusable straw for drinks on the trip. Think tender coconut and sugar cane juice. Yum!

Hope this Hampi travel guide mentions all that you were looking for. Comment below if you thought our Hampi travel blog post was helpful. Also, do tell us if we are missing any information you’d like mentioned in the post.

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Vittala Temple / Vijaya Vittala Temple

#1 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 9 km (or 2.3 km by walk) from Hampi Bus Stand and 5.5 km from Kamalapura Bus Stand, Vittala Temple is an ancient monument located on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River in Hampi. It is one of the largest and the most famous structures to visit as part of Hampi tour packages . The Vijaya Vittala or Vittala Temple is the most famous and popular tourist places to visit in Hampi . This temple is famous for its Stone Chariot and Musical Pillars. It was built around the 15th century AD during the reign of King Devaraya II (1422 - 1446 AD). Several portions of the temple were expanded and enhanced during the reign of Krishnadevaraya (1509 - 1529 AD). This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu in the form of Vittala. The temple is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. This predominant monument of Hampi is a major .....

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Virupaksha Temple

#2 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 400 m from Hampi Bus Stand, Sri Virupaksha temple is a Hindu temple located at the western end of Hampi Bazaar in Hampi. It is the most famous and important temples in Hampi, and among the must include places in Hampi Packages . Virupaksha Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is renowned as one of the most sacred pilgrimage in Karnataka . Virupaksha is an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and among all the surrounding ruins, this temple is intact and is still in use. This temple is also called the Pampapathi temple and is one of the most places to visit in Hampi . Situated on the southern bank of the Tungabhadra River, it is a part of the Group of Monuments at Hampi, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. According to history, this temple has been functioning uninterruptedly ever since .....

Sri Krishna Temple / Bala Krishna Temple

#3 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hampi Bus Stand, Sri Krishna temple is situated on the Hampi main road. Krishna temple is one of the important places to visit in Hampi , and among the Group of Monuments which is currently listed as a part of the World Heritage Monuments by UNESCO. The temple is situated close to the Virupaksha Temple . According to the history, Bala Krishna Temple was built by Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire in 1513 AD. He built this temple to commemorate his victory over Prataparudra Gajapati, the ruler of the eastern kingdom of Udayagiri (now Orissa) which is mentioned in the inscriptions on the slab. The main idol installed in the temple was the figure of Bala Krishna and now it is preserved in the State Museum at Chennai. This temple was built in Panchayathana style with two enclosures. Built-in the center of .....

Mahanavami Dibba / Dasara Dibba

#4 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Mahanavami Dibba or The House of Victory is a beautiful stone platform situated inside the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. It is also known as Dasara Dibba and is one of the most impressive structures to be visited during your Hampi Trip . Mahanavami Dibba was built by King Krishnadevaraya in 1513 AD after his conquest over the kingdom of Udayagiri, present-day Orissa. The grand platform was used as a stage by the kings to watch the army march past, the war games, and the royal procession that were held during the Mahanavami festival, also known as the Dasara festival, hence the name Mahanavami Dibba. It is one of the most fascinating Hampi tourist places . Dasara Dibba represents the typical Vijayanagara style of architecture. The stone platform is about 12 m in height. The huge structure is a square platform with .....

Hazara Rama Temple

#5 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Hazara Rama Temple is a beautiful temple located at the center of Royal Enclosure. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Hazara Rama Temple was built in the early part of the 15th century by Devaraya II. The term Hazara Rama literally means a thousand Rama and refers to the large number of Ramayana panels depicted on the walls. This temple is believed to be the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara.. It was originally built as a simple structure within a rectangular complex. It consisted of only a sanctum, a pillared hall and an ardha-mandapa. Later the temple structure was renovated to add an open porch and beautiful pillars. The pillared hall has unique black stone pillars which are raised on a stone platform at the center of the hall. The interior of the temple has richly ornately columns. An empty pedestal with three holes signifies that the temple once had idols of Rama, Lakshmana and Sita. Hazara .....

Pattabhirama Temple

#6 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1.2 km from Kamalapura Bus Stand and 5 km from Hampi, Pattabhirama Temple is situated near ASI museum in Kamalapura. Along with the Virupaksha and Vittala temples, the Pattabhirama temple represents the creative temple-building ventures of the Vijayanagara rulers. Though it contains two inscriptions of King Achyuta Raya, the temple is believed to have been constructed well ahead of his regime. Dedicated to Lord Rama, this temple is known for its intricate architecture. It was a prominent destination for devotees during the period of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Pattabhirama Temple is situated in the center of a huge rectangular enclosure. The east-facing sanctum has a three tier vimana with an antarala, maha-mandapa and ardha-mandapa. The large and square maha-mandapa is a finely built structure with tall and slender composite pillars of various types and is the best example of Vijayanagara style architecture. To the east of the ardha-mandapa is the usual .....

Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

#7 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 600 m from Hampi Bus Stand, The Hemakuta group of temples is a cluster of ancient temples situated on the Hemakuta hill in Hampi adjacent to Virupaksha Temple . Hemakuta, literally meaning golden hillock is one of the most charming hillocks in Hampi. It is dotted by over fifty structures of different types including temples, mandapas, galleries, and gateways of various sizes. Hemakuta Hill offers an excellent view of Hampi Bazaar and Virupaksha temple. The Hemakuta hill has three entry points, one on the south-eastern side, one on the south, and the other on the eastern side of the hill which leads to the street near the Virupaksha temple. There are more than 35 temples on Hemakuta Hill. These temples are built in the pre-Vijayanagara and Vijayanagara periods (9th to 14th century AD). These are referred to as Jain Temples, but many of these temples are dedicated to Lord Shiva. Two of the .....

Ugra Narasimha / Lakshmi Narasimha Statue

#8 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 800 m from Hampi Bus Stand, Ugra Narasimha Temple is located south of Sri Krishna Temple in Hampi. The Lakshmi Narasimha statue is one of the most imposing sculptures found in Hampi . The specialty of the sculpture is that it is the largest monolith statue in Hampi with a height of 6.7 m. It was carved in 1528 AD during the rule of Krishnadevaraya. The protruding eyes and the facial expression are the basis for this name. This is considered to be among the most important monuments found in Hampi and is visited by a large number of people throughout the year. Lord Narasimha is sitting on the coil of a giant seven-headed Adisesha (guardian snake of Lord Vishnu) and the lions guard the sides of the idol. The heads of the snake act as the hood above his head. The Lord in this temple is in cross-legged yoga position with the belt supporting the knees. The original statue contained the image of goddess Lakshmi, consort .....

Hampi Bazaar

#9 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

Hampi Bazaar is located beside the Hampi Bus Stand and located in front of the Virupaksha temple. It is also known as Virupaksha Bazaar. About a kilometer long, the eastern side of the bazaar ends at the foothill of Matanga Hill. Hampi Bazaar is a unique attraction of Hampi. Both sides of the street have a series of very old pavilions, some single storied and others two storied. These buildings were once the part of a booming market and houses of the upper class merchants. The arcades are open structures with no doors. It was once a place where merchants used to sell precious stones, jewellery, silk clothes, etc. during Vijayanagara rule. It was also a market where cows and horses were traded. The Hampi Bazaar still functions as a market place, though it is no longer as attractive as it was. The western end of the street has been encroached by a number of shop owners and small restaurants. These shops that sell items like ethnic clothes, bags and pooja artifacts. A huge Nandi, .....

Lotus Mahal

#10 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hazara Rama Temple, 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, Lotus Mahal is situated within Zenana Enclosure, a secluded area reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara Empire. This is also known as Chitragani Mahal and Kamal Mahal. Lotus Mahal is the primary attraction of the Zenana Enclosure. Shaped like a lotus flower from the top, the archways of the structure resemble petals of a lotus and provide the whole structure the shape of a half-open lotus. The central dome is carved in the shape of a lotus bud. Lotus Mahal is built in Indo-Islamic style. The two storied structure is symmetrically laid out, with equal projections on four sides. The base of the structure resembles Hindu temple style while the upper superstructure is Islamic in architecture with pyramidal towers. The upper floor of the Mahal has balconies with arched windows. The arches of the ground floor are recessed and ornate. The walls are protected .....

#11 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 22 km from Dharwad, 57 km from Gadag, 76 km from Dandeli, 100 km from Belgaum, 102 km from Sirsi, 104 km from Badami, 147 km from Gokarna, 169 km from Karwar, 177 km from Panjim, 183 km from Shimoga, 205 km from Murudeshwar, 210 km from Ballari, 361 km from Mangalore, 406 km from Bangalore, 435 km from Mysore, and 527 km from Hyderabad, Hubli, officially known as Hubballi, is a city in the Indian state of Karnataka. It is one of the must include places in Karnataka tour packages , and among the best places to visit near Kolhapur . Hubli or Hubballi is one of the fastest-growing cities in the state of Karnataka, and the second-largest city in the state after Bangalore. Lying on the 'Golden Quadrilateral' this multi-faceted city is also known as the cultural, educational, and music capital of the state. The city boasts numerous monuments and monasteries, ..... Distance (From Hampi): 170 Kms Trip Duration (From Hampi - Including Travel): Full Day .....

Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy Temple

#12 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 2.5 km from Kamalapura Bus Stand and 6 km from Hampi, Sri Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy temple is located atop the Malyavanta Hill. This temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. Malyavanta Raghunathaswamy Temple was constructed by Krishnadevaraya of Vijayanagara Kingdom. According to mythology, Lord Ramachandra and his brother Lakshmana stayed here during the rainy season, in their search of Sita. This 16th century temple was built around a huge boulder in Dravidian architectural style. The east facing temple consists of a sanctum, porch, a large pillared pavilion and a large pillared hall with a large courtyard. There are two gopuras at the temple's entrance. The main shrine consists of Lord Rama, Lakshmana and Sita's idols with the idol of Lord Hanuman kneeling close to them, all carved out of a single boulder. A gap found on the floor is filled with water, which is said to be made by Lakshmana with his arrow. Right behind the temple is a cave temple dedicated to .....

Achyutharaya Temple

#13 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1 km from Hampi Bus Stand & 500 m from Hampi Bazaar, Achyutharaya temple is located between the Gandhamadana hill and Matanga hill. It is one of the last grand creations of the Vijayanagara dynasty before the fall of the empire. This temple has been built during King Achyuta Deva Raya, by an officer Salakaraju Tirumaladeva. Achyuta Deva Raya was the younger brother of Krishna Deva Raya and succeeded him in 1529. The main deity of the temple is Lord Tiruvengalanatha, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple was originally named Tiruvengalanatha temple but gradually came to be known as Achyutaraya Temple The temple was built in Vijayanagara style architecture. This temple complex has two enclosures, each marked by an entrance tower. The main temple is situated within the second enclosure. The main temple consists of a garbhagriha, an antarala, sukanasi, a rangamandapa and an ornate Kalyana mandapa. The Kalyana mandapa of the temple is a spacious structure .....

Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple

#14 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 250 m from Hampi Bus Stand, The Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is situated on the slope of the Hemakuta Hill in Hampi . It is a remarkable monolithic statue and one of the most popular tourist sites in Hampi. Kadalekalu Ganesha is one of the largest statues of Lord Ganesha in Hampi. The giant Ganesha statue is 4.6 m (15 feet) tall and was carved out of a single boulder. The belly of this statue resembles a Bengal gram (Kadalekalu in Kannada) and hence the statue has been given the name of Kadalekalu Ganesha. The temple of Kadalekalu Ganesha is a beautiful stone structure. A sanctum is built around the statue. The pillared hall in front of this sanctum is decorated with tall and beautiful pillars. The sculptures on the pillars are depicted with mythological characters. The pillars are constructed in the typical Vijayanagara style of architecture. One of the pillars has a carving depicting naughty infant Krishna hiding .....

Royal Enclosure

#15 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, The Royal Enclosure in Hampi is a huge fortified area that was once the heart of the Vijayanagara Empire. This was the place where the royal family of the Vijayanagara Empire used to reside and the durbar used to be performed. Spread over an area of 59,000 square meters, it is believed to have once housed over 45 buildings, all used by the royal family. This center was separated from the main Hampi center by an irrigation canal. The sprawling area was protected by double walls. It had three entrances, two on the northern side and one on the western side. The Royal Enclosure contains the ruins of several palace bases, water tanks, temples, ornate platform and canals and many other structures. Unlike the temples, which were constructed with stone, many of the palaces were built out of wood. The most impressive structure in the Royal Enclosure is the Mahanavami .....

Stepped Tank

#16 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 100m from Mahanavami Dibba and 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand, The Stepped tank is located in Durbar Area in Royal enclosure of Hampi. This famous Stepped Tank was excavated by Archeological Survey of India during 1980-1983. This tank is very ornate and one of the most beautiful monuments of Hampi. The Stepped Tank is constructed using finely finished blocks of black stones. This Tank was probably used by the royals for religious purpose. The beautiful tank is about 22 square meters and about 7 meters deep. It has five distinct tiers, each fitted with steps set in a pleasing pattern. The marks on the tank and individual blocks indicate the direction of flow of water. The water to this tank was drawn through the intelligently designed stone channels which are well preserved till date. Timings: 6 AM to 6 PM

King's Audience Hall / Durbar Hall

#17 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, The King's Audience hall, also known as Durbar Hall is located inside the Royal Enclosure at Hampi. It is a ruined structure whose remnants can be spotted on the western side of the Mahanavami Dibba or Dasara Dibba. The King's Audience Hall was built during the time of the Vijayanagara Empire. According to the famous historian Abdul Razzak, who visited Hampi during the reign of Devaraya II, the King's Audience Hall was one of the most magnificent buildings in Hampi during that time. It is believed that this is the place where the king addressed his administration and the public. The King's Audience Hall was a huge building built with huge blocks of stone and wood. The structure has a ruined stone stairway at the rear of the hall that suggests it might have been a two storied building. The super structure is not present right now. Vestiges of pillar sockets and bases show that it was originally a .....

King's Balance

#18 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 10 km from Hampi Bus Stand (or 1.5 km by walk) and 6 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, King's Balance is located southwest of Vittala Temple , at the end of the Kampa Bhupa's Path in Hampi. It is one of the best places to visit in Hampi. King's Balance is also called Tula Bhara or Tula Purushadana. It is regarded as one of the unique monuments of Hampi. It consists of two lofty carved granite pillars about 15 feet high supporting a stone beam about 12 feet in length. It has three hoops on the underside from which the balances or scales are hung. One of the pillars has a bas-relief depicting a king and two queens, possibly Krishna Deva Raya and his consorts. The structure appears like an archway. According to the legend, the balance was used by the king to weigh himself with gold, gems, silver, and precious stones and distributed to the temple priests on certain occasions like Solar .....

Queen's Bath

#19 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand and 3 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Queen's Bath is located close at the entrance of the Royal Enclosure in Hampi. The Queen's Bath is believed to be constructed by Achyuta Raya for the women of the royal family of Vijayanagara. Built in Indo-Islamic style, the Queen's Bath is an elaborate structure with a simple exterior and an ornate interior. It is a rectangular building and is surrounded by ornate balconies, each having a set of three windows. Each arched bay surrounding the bath is decorated with intricate carved stucco ornamentation on the ceilings and the vaults placed above the arched bays. The depth of the pool is 6 feet and has stone steps leading to the bottom of the tank. This 30 square meter structure is surrounded by a moat on all sides and a bridge like structure is made to reach the pool. Probably this was designed to prevent people from entering the area when the royals were bathing. The Queen's Bath is an empty .....

Zenana Enclosure

#20 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hazara Rama Temple, 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, The Zenana enclosure is located near the Royal Enclosure at Hampi. This was a fortified and secluded area reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara Empire. The structures of the Zenana Enclosure are designed in the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. Zenana Enclosure has several structures such as the Lotus Mahal, Basement of the Queen's Palace, Water Pavilion, Treasury Building and the Watch Towers. The major attraction inside the enclosure is the Lotus Mahal. Apart from this, there are remains of water pavilion with a decorated platform in the center and Elephant Stables. The Queen's Palace is located at the middle of this area. This is the largest palace base excavated in the Hampi ruins so far. The Royal Treasury Building is a rectangular structure that is located in the north-western corner of the enclosure. The enclosure is surrounded by a fortifying .....

Elephant Stables

#21 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 500 m from Hazara Rama Temple, 3.5 km from Hampi Bus Stand and 2 km from Kamalapur Bus Stand, Elephant Stable is an ancient monument located just outside the Zenana Enclosure in Hampi. The Elephant Stable is an impressive structure that was used to provide shelter for the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is one of the very few structures not suffered the damage during Deccan Sultanate attack on Hampi and is a major attraction among the tourists. This is a beautiful example of Indo-Islamic architecture. There are 11 domed tall chambers. The whole building looks symmetric with respect to this central hall. The center chamber is specially decorated and big. The other 10 domes represent the Islamic style of architecture. Each of the domes was decorated with ornate plaster on the interior as well as the exterior. Metal hooks on the inside roof can be seen. The elephants were tied to these hooks from the center of the ceiling. At the rear of .....

Vira Harihara Palace

#22 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 3 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Vira Harihara Palace is an ancient structure located within the fortified area of the Royal Enclosure, south of Hazara Rama Temple in Hampi. Only the ground level of the structure can be seen today. The base of this palace, along with a number of other residential structures is located inside a compound. The area was also called the Mint, based on the mention in one of the chronicles by the travelers who visited this capital in the 15th century. It is believed that the palace belonged to Harihara Raya II, the third king of the Vijayanagara Empire. The Palace is said to have been constructed in the 14th century. After Harihara II, the palace was used by the subsequent kings of the Vijayanagara Empire. The entry to the building is through the eastern side of the wall. The original boundary walls protecting the palace still remain. The tiered foundations showcase the architectural skills of the Vijayanagar craftsmen. It is believed that .....

Matanga Hill

#23 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 1 km from Hampi Bus Stand, Matanga Hill is located at the eastern end of the Hampi Bazaar. It offers a breathtaking view of the ruined city and the beautiful landscape below. Matanga Hill is one of the major places to visit in Hampi. Being the highest point in Hampi; this is the best spot to get an aerial view of Hampi and its surroundings. There is a small temple on the top of Matanga Hill. On the way down there is a small cave marked where it is believed that Sugriva, ruler of Kishkinda, used to hide. According to mythology, Matanga Hill is one of the holy places described in the epic Ramayana as the base of Saint Matanga. It is also the place where Sugriva benefited from the magical protection of the sage Matanga who had placed a curse of death on Vali, if he dared enter the area of Matanga Hill. Being the highest peak in Hampi, the hill is a trekker's delight and offers pleasing views of the entire town below. There are many trekking paths that .....

Archeological Museum

#24 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 300 m from Kamalapur Bus Stand and 4 km from Hampi Bus Stand, The Archaeological Museum at Kamalapur is dedicated to the ruins of Hampi and surrounding places. The sculptures from various locations of the Hampi ruins were collected by British officers and housed earlier at elephant stables. The first museum of Archaeological Survey of India was established here in 1972. The antiquities were shifted to a modern building at Kamalapur. This museum exhibits elegant replicas of Krishnadevaraya and his queens greeting the visitors at the entrance. The Museum houses a large collection of sculptures and artifacts spread across four galleries. The first gallery of the museum contains two scaled models of Hampi along with all historical monuments. The larger model presents a complete topography of the region along with the monuments and temples located on it. It also displays the hills and rivers in Hampi. It provides an excellent idea about the various attractions .....

Mahadeva Temple - Itagi

#25 of 25 Places to Visit in Hampi

At a distance of 26 km from Koppal, 43 km from Gadag, 70 km from Hampi, and 79 km from Badami, Mahadeva Temple is an ancient temple situated at Itagi in the Koppal district of Karnataka. It is one of the popular heritage temples in Karnataka, and among the popular places to visit near Hampi as part of Hampi Tour Packages . Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Mahadeva Temple at Itagi was built in the year 1112 CE by Mahadeva, a commander (dandanayaka) in the army of the Western Chalukya King Vikramaditya VI. It was constructed on the general plan of the Amruteshwara Temple at Annigeri. The Mahadeva Temple has the same architectural components as Amruteshwara but there is a difference in their articulation. The well-executed sculptures, finely crafted carvings on walls, pillars, and the tower make it a good example of complete Western Chalukyan art which speaks volumes about the taste of the Chalukyan artisans. An inscription dated 1112 CE .....

Most Asked Questions on Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March. This is also the time for exploring the archaeological ruins of Hampi. This is the busiest season in Hampi and often hotels run full and tourist places are crowded.

Hampi usually requires complete 2 days to visit the most important attractions. Hampi can be mixed with near by wonderful destination like Badami, Pattadakal, Aihole by adding few additional days to your trip.

Budget of Hampi trip depends on the trip duration and category of hotel you choose for your stay along with the kind of vehicle you prefer. Hampi tour packages offered by Trawell.in start from as low as INR 7250 per person for a 2D/1N trip and from INR 9000 per person for 3D/2N vacation.

Ensure to cover most important places to visit in Hampi like Vittala Temple, Virupaksha Temple, Sri Krishna Temple, Mahanavami Dibba, Hazara Rama Temple, Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex, Lotus Mahal and Hampi Bazaar. If you have time, you can dedicate a day to visit near by places like Badami, Pattadakal. Hampi is famous for archaeological ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar.

Hampi is a must include place in many treveller's list as this world heritage site is famous worldwide for its incredible hitorical ruins, sprawling landscape of enormous boulders and fascinating rock formations. Once the flourishing kingdom of mighty Vijayanagara kingdom, it is housed as many as 2,000 spectacular monuments. It is also packed full of exciting things to do and see like coracle ride on Tungabhadra River and do some trekking to Matunga hill to witness mesmerizing sunrise and senset.

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26 Places To Visit In Hampi

Located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi is a historical and mythological city in the Bellary district of Karnataka. A dynamic and dramatic place, Hampi is dotted by several temples, ruins of palaces, remains of aquatic structures, ancient market streets, royal pavilions, bastions, royal platforms, and treasury buildings that randomly pop up.

The rich cultural heritage of the place and its stories of prosperity armed with its spectacular landscape make Hampi a truly deserved UNESCO World Heritage Site.

History of Hampi:

(C) Portrait Whiskey

Hampi is full of stories both from the historical past as well as from the mythological anecdotes. The history of the place gradually mingles with the folklore and then subtly blends with mythology. As per the historical evidence, Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire that was established by Saint Vidyaranya in 1336 AD with the help of two of his disciples, Hakka Raya and Bukka Raya. From 1323 to 1565 for almost 200 years, four dynasties ruled over the place and made the Vijaynagar empire one of the richest and famous empires. However, the empire was brutally attacked by the Deccan Sultans during 1565. They looted and ransacked the city for almost six months leaving only mass destruction everywhere. The glorious city gradually lost its strategic importance and became a ghost city.

Best time to visit:

Hampi can be visited all-round the year. However, October to February is considered to be the best time to visit as the weather is pleasant and great for roaming around the city. You also can visit the place during monsoon, but you have to be careful walking on the boulders as they become quite slippery. If you want to know more about the rich culture of Kannadigas, you must visit Hampi during Vijaya Utsav which is held during the first week of November, for 3 days.

This festival is also known as Hampi utsav and is the grandest of all the festivals celebrated in this region.

In this article, Priyanka has talked about her beautiful vacation to Hampi. You'll enjoy it.

How to reach:

Hampi is well-connected to different places of the country via road, rail, and air.

Hubli Airport is the closest domestic aerodrome to Hampi. It is approximately 166 km away from the main city. Bangalore Airport is the nearest international airport which is about 350 km from Hampi.

The nearest railhead to Hampi is Hospet which is about 13 km away. From Hospet, you can take an auto to Hampi.

Hampi is well connected with major cities and towns of Karnataka by bus services. Several Govt., private, and tourist buses ply regularly from neighboring cities and towns.

If you are a backpacker, this travel guide about Hampi is just for you.

Getting Around Hampi:

(C) Adarsh Valamary

The real pleasure in exploring Hampi comes from on the bicycle or by walking around. You will get bicycles for rent at a very cheap rate, around Rs. 100 per day without gear and Rs. 150 per day with gear. You can also get moped for rent at Rs. 200 per day. However, you will not get scooty and bikes for rent at the temple side of Hampi. At the opposite side of the river, you may get scooty and bikes for rent at Rs.250-400/- per day depending upon your vehicle.

Also, you can take auto rickshaws to see the various places in Hampi. It may cost you around Rs. 1200 per day.

If you're short on time, this two-day itinerary can help you make the most of your time.

Do you want to learn more about the places to visit in Hampi? Here is a list of top 26 places to visit in Hampi to make your holidays remarkable.

1. Virupaksha Temple

Sree virupaksha temple.

(C) Adarsh Sudheesan

Sri Virupaksha Temple is a 7th-century Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, an incarnation of Lord Shiva, and is thought to be India's oldest functioning temple. The temple is built in such a way that the main entrance faces east and there are two courtyards within it. A statue of Nandi with three heads greets you as soon as you enter the temple. In the centre, there is a pillared hall known as the Ranga Mandapa.

Timing: Virupaksha temple is open for the visitors from morning 9:00 am to 13:00 pm. After about 4 hours, again the doors are open visitors from 17:00 pm to 21:00 pm.

2. Monolithic Bull

The Monolith Bull, or Nandi, is a great piece of ancient architecture situated in a two-story pavilion near the east end of the Hampi Bazaar. This huge structure, which mythologically is the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is placed just opposite to the famous Virupaksha Temple. This Monolithic Bull, although partially mutilated, exhibits a coarse style of carving. The statue is so beautiful that it attracts a large number of visitors every day.

Timings: One can visit the Monolithic Bull at any given time of the day.

3. Vijaya Vitthala Temple

Vijaya vitthala temple.

(C) Siddhesh Mangela

The Vijaya Vittala Temple, built in the 15th century, is the largest of all historical sites in Hampi. This humungous temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is the best places to visit in Hampi. There are fantastic stone structures all around, and the pillars here appear as if they are playing music. The magnificent stone chariot demonstrates remarkable ingenuity and the elegance of architecture's imagination, and it is true architectural greatness of Hampi. The architecture of this temple dates back to the Dravidian era and reflects South Indian traits.

Timings: The doors of Vijaya Vittala Temple are open from morning 08:30 am to evening 18:00 pm.

4. Matanga Hill

Matanga hill.

(C) Rakesh Thanikachal

Out of all the places to visit in Hampi, Matanga Hill is the one which is most talked about. It is Hampi's highest peak and a magnificent location for travel photographers to get aerial views of Hampi. North portion of this hill terminates into Tungabhadra River, where you can visit the Kodanda Rama temple, another sacred site. A twisting valley with a zigzag Turthu canal may be found to the south of this peak. A hiking trail passes through the low-lying northern part and leads directly to Hampi market.

Timings: There are no specific timings to climb on the Matanga Hills. Tourists, on the other hand, make it a point to climb this hill early in the morning to see the sunrise and then return later in the evening after sunset.

5. Zenana Enclosure

Zenana enclosure.

(C) Nomadic Joy

Zenana Enclosure is a vast property with thick walls that was once thought to be a private retreat for the Vijayanagara Kingdom's royal ladies. Lotus Mahal is the center of attraction of this place. You can enter by either the northern or north-eastern entrances. The Zenana Enclosure has three watchtowers, one each on the eastern, south-eastern, and northern sides of this remarkable building. The entire building is built in an Indo-Islamic style.

Timings: This place is open from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

6. Lotus Mahal or Kamal Mahal

Lotus mahal hampi.

(C) Nandhu Kumar

Lotus Mahal, considered as one of the most attractive places to visit in Hampi, manifests a stunning architectural design. The central dome is designed like the bud of lotus, and the balcony and passages look like its petal. The roof illustrates a multi-layered design reflecting and Indo architectural style. The palace is surrounded by 24 pillars that provide support to this magnificent structure.

Timing: The Lotus Mahal Hampi is open for visitors from morning 08:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

7. Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

Sri hanuman temple.

(C) Daniel Haupstein

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple is present at a distance of around 2km from the famous Virupaksha temple. This temple is devoted to the Hindu deity Lord Hanuman and is part of a cave on the top of a hill. The Tungabhadra River also runs through the hill's steps. Lord Hanuman can be seen here in a deep state of devotion. The serene and picturesque ambience of this temple offers mesmerising views of sunrise and sunset, making it one of the perfect places to visit in Hampi and around.

Timing: You can visit this temple at any point during the daytime. It takes around one hour to cover your entire visit here.

8. Hippie Island

Sunset point.

Hippie Island, named by its colourful lifestyle, is among popular places to visit In Hampi. The little island of Virapapur Gadde is located across the Tungabhadra River. This island, known as a backpacker's paradise, is picturesque and popular with both residents and tourists for its laid-back atmosphere and cosy accommodations. This site is also known for hosting sunset jam sessions with musical instruments in order to create a lively party-like ambiance.

Timing: Daily 7:00 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

9. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple or Ugra Narsimha temple

Lakshmi narasimha temple.

(C) Debjani Paul

This temple is amongst the most significant and religious places to visit in Hampi, also known as the Ugra Narsimha temple. Lord Narasimha is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu who is half-man and half-lion. The figure of Lord Narasimha is seated in a Yoga pose atop a serpent coil with seven heads. This statue has an image of Goddess Lakshmi on his lap. It will take you around an hour to an hour and a half to complete your visit here.

Timings: You can easily make your way inside Lakshmi Narasimha Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

10. Badavilinga Temple

Badavilinga temple.

Badavilinga Temple is a magnificent Shiva temple and one of Hampi's most popular tourist attractions. It is located near the Lakshmi Narasimha temple and is home to a stunning black stone Linga. The linga is approximately 3 metres tall and dates from the Vijayanagar Empire. This linga is housed in a small stone chamber within this temple that has only one narrow opening and no ceiling.

Timings: Badavilinga Temple doors are open for the devotees from morning 05:00 am to night 09:00 pm.

11. Queen’s Bath

Queen's bath place.

(C) Sandip Kalal

This spectacular and massive old building, which was most likely a royal bathing facility for the erstwhile king and his wife, puts the clock back and is one of the major places to visit in Hampi. The beauty of the ruins of Queen’s Bath gets to you the moment you lay your eyes on the amazing architectural style of this ancient royal pool. The Queen's Bath in Hampi welcomes you with a large courtyard at the front with a dome-shaped roof, balconies with small windows, and a rectangular pool constructed of bricks in the centre with open blue sky.

12. Achyutaraya Temple

Achyutaraya temple.

(C) Karuna Akurathi

Achyutaraya Temple lies amidst the Matanga Hills and Gandhamadana. This temple was built in 1534 AD and was named after the main deity who is a form of Lord Shiva. The temple displays the architectural magnificence of Vijayanagar and houses a lovely idol of Lord Tiruvengalanatha. All towers, pillars, and walls of this beautiful temple are exquisitely carved and ornamented. The main shrine of this temple is situated amidst a rectangular concentric structure.

Timings: The doors are opened for a visit from 05:30 am to 01:00 pm. Again, in the evening, the doors are opened from 05:30 pm to 09:00 pm.

13. Elephant Stables

Elephant stables.

Elephant Stables is amongst the significant tourist places to visit in Hampi for seeing little to no destruction. It's a long structure with a number of dome-shaped chambers that were formerly used to store royal elephants. The elephant stables are made up of 11 chambers, and the size of the structure astounds visitors. The entire structure is symmetrical, and the central hall tower is shaped like most of the temples in the area. This central hall has five domes on either side, reflecting an Islamic architectural style.

Timing: The doors of this Elephant Stables are open from early morning 08:30 am to evening 05:30 pm. It takes around an hour to complete your visit here.

14. Hazara Rama Temple

Hazara raama temple.

This gorgeous temple is dedicated to Lord Rama and is located in the heart of a royal area. The temple's walls are eager to display the complete Ramayana story to its visitors. You can find bas relics of both Hindu deities Lord Rama and Krishna once you arrive. Also, don't miss out on the fragments depicting a Dasara celebration. A huge lawn, widely spread out, may be found on its northern side. The temple has two huge getaways and the interior homes to sculpted columns.

Timings: Getting to this temple is no longer a problem because the doors are open from 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. It will take you less than two hours to finish your visit here.

15. Hema Kuta Hill Temple Complex

Hemakuta hill temple.

Hemakuta Hill is a vastly stretched zone offering an astounding view of the sprawling ruins, temples, and archways. Because tourists find it easier to reach the summit, this is the next best place to watch the sunrise and sunset. Mula Virupaksha Temple, part of the Hemakuta Hill Temple complex, is one of Hampi's most well-known attractions.

Timings: You can climb the Hemakuta Hill temple at any time from dawn to dusk.

16. Kadalekalu Ganesha

Kadalekalu ganesha.

(C) Avin CP

Kadalekalu Ganesha temple is a well-known South Indian holy site that houses one of the largest statues of Hindu deity Ganesha. It is located on the slopes of the well-known Hemakuta Hills, with its 4.6-meter-high monument. Lord Ganesha's tummy is shaped like a Bengal gramme, and the statue was cut out of a single enormous stone. The entire hall of the temple is home to thin granite pillars and displays fictitious characters. The Vijayanagara architectural style of art is reflected in the sculptures on these pillars.

Timings: You can visit this shrine of Lord Ganesha from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

17. Sasivekalu Ganesha

Saasivekaalu ganesha.

(C) Nisha Jagadesh

The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple, which is located on the south side of Hemakuta Hill, gets its name from the resemblance between Ganesha's belly and the mustard seed known locally as Sasivekalu. This statue was inspired by a Hindu mythological tale in which Lord Ganesha ate so much food that his tummy nearly burst. As a result, the Lord tied a snake around his stomach to safeguard it. The figure of the snake is sculpted in front of his stomach on this statue. This monolithic figure stands 2.4 metres tall and was carved from a massive boulder. The monument is surrounded by an open pavillion, which is thought to have been created in remembrance of Narsimha II, the mighty Vijaynagara ruler, by a trader from Chandragiri (modern-day Andhra Pradesh).

Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (all days)

18. Stepped Tank

Stepped tank.

(C) Sumit Mangela

Stepped tanks are regarded as sacred tanks in this area, and are used for a holy bath before visiting any religious place of importance. They were once the focal points of festival events. Steps are provided on all four interior sides of the tanks, allowing you to enter and exit the water. The Royal Center's stepped tank is geometrically greater in size and is made out of green diorite with no drainage system. Black schist stones were used to build the stepped tank.

Timings: You can take a dive in the water of these stepped tanks at any time before the sun sets.

19. Hampi Bazar

Hampi bazaar.

Located in the foothill of Matanga Hill, Hampi Bazaar is one of the popular places to visit in Hampi. Virupaksha Bazaar is another name for this shopping destination. When you have a free day, visit the Hampi Bazaar and try your hand at some shopping. It stretches for more than a kilometre, with pavilions on both sides of the road that runs through it. A street occupied by the local peasants can be found on the eastern side. At the east end of this Hampi Bazaar Street stands a big Nandi bull statue.

Timings: You can stop and shop at any time from morning 06:00 am to night 11:00 pm.

20. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary

Daroji sloth bear sanctuary.

(C) L. Shyamal

Daroji Bear Sanctuary is a protected forest area where you may see beautiful Indian Sloth bears wandering around, climbing trees, and interacting with one another. The hillocks here are tough enough, with a lot of rocks strewn about. The number of Sloth bears in this area is estimated to be approximately 120. Other animal species found here include the tiger, leopard, mongoose, pangolins, star tortoise, and spotted deer.

Timings: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is open from 04:00 pm to 06:00 pm on all days.

21. Sanapur Lake

Sanapur lake.

Sanapur lake is one of the most popular places to visit in Hampi. This lake, about 5 kilometres from Hippie Island, is encircled by massive rocks and stones. Tourists come here to relax and enjoy the cold wind, making it one of the loveliest sites in the region. Cliff jumping or a coracle ride are two of the most popular activities available here. Tourists also often come here for picnics. The water here is very clean, so even a swimming session here can make you feel rejuvenated.

Timing: Open throughout the day

22. Gagan Mahal

Gagan mahal.

The Gagan Mahal was built in the 16th century. Despite the fact that large elements of this palace are lying in ruins, it is still one of the most worthwhile places to visit in Hampi. The palace is tiny and golden in colour, with adorned windows and four lovely towers encircling it. You can march to Sarovara Laxmi Temple, Sabari Caves, Nava Brindavana, Durga Temple, and other important religious sites nearby once you arrive.

Timings: This Gagan Mahal is open for all 24 hours. It takes approximately one to one and a half hour to complete your visit here.

23. Krishna Temple

Sri krishna temple.

The triumph of Orissa's battle is symbolised by the Krishan temple of Hampi, which was built by Krishnadevaraya. This temple is one of the hand-picked places to visit in Hampi that are known for their superb sculptures all over the world. The splendour of this site demonstrates Krishnadevraya's enthusiasm for art and architecture. The original idol of this location may be found at Chennai's State Museum. Massive pillars and modest shrines surround the temple campus on all sides. A large hall can be found on the eastern side of the building. You can get a fresh banana from the banana fields that line the temple's southern perimeter.

Timings: You can seek blessings here at Krishna Temple from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm.

24. Palace of Vira Harihara

Another one of the historical Places to Visit in Hampi is the Palace of Vira Harihara. This palace was once a massive edifice, with only the foundation base plans remaining within the Royal Enclosure's guarded region. The base of the former palatial structure evokes admiration and imagination of the Vijayanagar rulers' grandeur and royal lifestyle. The remaining ornate base with elaborate carvings once supported the massive superstructure of the palace, and now is lost to the ravages of time and history.

Timings: Daily 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

25. Archaeological Museum

(C) vkiran_2000

The Archaeological Museum of Hampi is one of the top Places to Visit In Hampi to spend some time with, despite its small size. This museum is divided into four sections, each of which houses a distinct exhibit. The first section features a model of Hampi, while the second section features sculptures and idols dedicated to the ruins of Hampi. Tools, weapons, and ammo are on display in the third area. The fourth section features items from the prehistoric and post-historic periods.

Timings: You are free to take a dig at the beauty of this Archaeological Museum from morning 10:00 am to evening 05:00 pm.

26. Prasanna Virupaksha Temple

ಶ್ರೀ ಪ್ರಸನ್ನ ವಿರುಪಾಕ್ಷ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ / underground shiva temple.

(C) Sachin Shari

This is a huge temple that is built below the ground level. The temple is very cool due to the closeness to the ground water and is very well maintained. Inside, there's a huge shiva linga to offer your prayers to. Also, one can find huge amount of bats hanging on the ceiling. Do make effort to light your phone torches and have a look at the bats-filled-ceilings. The temple is so quiet and peaceful, you might want to end up sitting there for an entire day!

Timing: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days of the week

You can plan an unforgettable vacation now that you know the best places to visit in Hampi. Hampi is intriguing, lovely, charming, and, of course, captivating in every way. So, what do you have to lose? Plan a trip to Hampi with your family, friends, or solo, and have a fantastic vacation.

Think we missed out on something? Tell us about it in the comments below. Or write about it here on Tripoto .

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11 Awesome Things to Do In Hampi + Places to Visit + Video (India)

by Drifter Planet | Oct 25, 2015 | India , Most Popular Blog Posts

Here’s our travel guide for Hampi in Karnataka, India. This post has information about how to reach Hampi, how to travel internally, where to stay and top places to visit in Hampi.

A unique destination which is a pilgrim’s delight, a backpacker’s haven, a historian’s riddle and a geologist’s venture – Hampi in Karnataka has it all! Except for one thing . We did not see a single resort and we hope it remains this way.

Hampi is a small town in Karnataka, India. We arrived here by catching a train from Goa to Hospet. From Hospet, we rented a tuk tuk from to Hampi. None of the guidebooks or pictures had prepared us for the strange beauty of this place.

Hampi is known for its ruins, temples and many spectacular viewpoints but there’s so much more than that. For us, the best thing about Hampi was its natural beauty.

There are many amazing places to visit in Hampi but most of the people just come here for a day or two, visit the temples and then head to their next destination. Yes, Hampi has amazing temples but please don’t miss so many other things it has to offer.

If you’re visiting Hampi for the first time, then I’d recommend you stay here for at least four days or even longer. Don’t stay in the main Hampi town next to the temples but stay on the other side of the river on Hippie Island . Yes, there is a river island that you can reach very easily within minutes on a public boat.

The real name of this Hippie Island is actually Virupapur Gaddi. The public boat doesn’t run at night, which is ok because there is nothing to do in the main Hampi town at night. However there’s always something fun to do on the Hippie Island.

Hampi Travel Video

Want to join San and I on a virtual trip to Hampi? If you don’t want to read the whole post about things to do in Hampi, then you can just watch this video that was filmed there. It starts with our train journey with Indian Railways, our entry into Hampi’s Hippie Island, sunset point, many viewpoints, heritage landmarks and cliff jumping.

Things to do and Places to Visit in Hampi

01) visit hampi’s temples and ruins.

Hampi’s Ruins – things to do in Hampi

A walk around Hampi’s main town will leave you awestruck. Every turn has a monument and every single one of them has a story to tell. Heard of the Hindu epic Ramayana? Well, Hampi is believed to be the setting for various parts of it.

The ruins are a UNESCO world heritage site . Hampi was the ancient capital of Vijayanagara, also known as “A Forgotten Empire”. It was one of the richest and largest cities in the world during its prime. What’s more, the first historical settlement in Hampi dates back to 1 CE!

Hampi’s Mysterious History

If you’re looking for places to visit in Hampi in one day, then your first stop should be these temples and ruins.

02) Climb Hampi’s Giant Boulders and Try Bouldering

Hampi’s Giant Boulders

Most who know about Hampi, know it because of its ruins and the mythology associated with this picturesque village.  However, not many know about Hampi’s fascinating geology.

Those that have visited have been charmed by numerous boulders which form hills, valleys, riverbeds… practically everything here.

Hampi’s AWESOME Boulders

Nature has placed Hampi’s boulders in such a way that they appear to be arranged in different structures. It is said that these rocks have one of the oldest surfaces on the planet.

The ancient city of Vijayanagara had a distinctive style of architecture by utilizing and cutting the boulders. For us, this was the most interesting aspect of this place.

Read: 7 Colorful Flea Markets of Goa

03) Visit the Hippie Island in Hampi (+ Stay in a Hut)

Our Hut in Top Secret River View on Hippie Island Hampi stay

Hippie Island – wow, doesn’t the name sound awesome? This is the nickname of the tiny island which is across the river, also known as Virupapur Gaddi.

While the pilgrims stay in the main Hampi town, the backpackers generally choose this little river island. Let’s get one thing right – this is NOT the place for you if you like luxury. You can enhance the experience of your visit tremendously if you’re open to staying in a simple hut here.

Our cute little hut with a hammock was in a place called Top Secret River View , which we could only reach by walking through a trail that started from the ferry drop point. Too bad this place doesn’t exist anymore but you can try try  Hema Guest House  or   Murali Homestay, Hampi .  Both of them are in the same area.

04) Climb Matanga Hill – Hampi’s Best Viewpoint

Matanga Hill Viewpoint – San admiring the view

Hampi has many different hills that you can climb for some stunning views of the entire area! Many of these viewpoints are well known and some even have a story to tell!

Our favorite was Matanga Hill which is at the center of Hampi and is the highest point. On top of the hill is an ancient Veerabhadra Temple and there are steps that lead to the roof of that temple.

At the time we visited, we were the only ones on top and got to enjoy a few hours in savoring in the breathtaking view. Do not carry a lot of things with you because at several points, you will need to use your hands and legs to climb like a monkey.

There is a massive monolith Nandi statue at the entry point of the hike that goes on top of Matangal Hill. Nandi is a bull that is associated with Hindu God Shiva.

Apart from Matanga hill, there are many other viewpoints that you can access by climbing on the hills. They are easy to spot because you will see some people around. Out of everything, this was one of my favorite things to do in Hampi.

View from Sunset Point, Hippie Island in Hampi

05) Visit Anjaneya Hill – the birthplace of Lord Hanuman a.k.a. Monkey Temple

Monkey Temple on Anjaneya Hill in Hampi by Drifter Planet

Although not technically Hampi, this place is in the nearby village Anegondi which is easy to reach from Hippie Island. It is believed to be the birthplace of Lord Hanuman. Unlike the Matanga hill, this place is easy to climb because of the presence of proper steps.

Steps Leading to Anjaneya Hill (Monkey Temple) – things to do in Hampi

There is a Hanuman mandir on the top of the hill – temple hat is dedicated to the monkey warrior God. Be sure to keep your belongings in your pockets or bags because this hill is full of monkeys who like “borrowing” things from humans. The view from the top is breathtaking with several paddy farms, banana trees and Hampi’s ruins.

Stunning View from Anjaneya Hill, Hampi by Drifter Planet – places to visit in Hampi

06) Join the Sunset Jam Session at Sunset Point on Hippie Island

Sunset Jamming on the Rocks in Hampi

When in Hampi, you can catch a stunning sunset view from almost everywhere. Whether you’re sitting by the ghat next to the river, or climb on one of the hills, or visit Jain Temple near Hemkuta hill – it’s beautiful to see how the rocks emit a reddish hue when the sun sets.

When we visited Hampi, our best sunset experience was from a little hill on Hippie Island known as “Sunset Point”. It is away from the main area. An hour before the sunset, it’s usually buzzing with the sounds of percussion, strings and a few other hand held musical instruments. There are usually no parties in Hampi but the sunset jam session will satisfy your “party” craving.

Sunset Point, Hippie Island in Hampi – places to visit in Hampi

Read: 11 Hippie Destinations in the Himalayas

07) Cliff jumping in Hampi – Jump off a cliff to swim with a crocodile

Cliff Jumping in Hampi, Karnataka – fun things to do in Hampi

Wait, what? Cliff jumping in Hampi? We did not believe when we heard it. We rode around the hippie island and came across many water bodies – river, reservoir and a lake! We saw many painted signs that said it’s unsafe to swim in the water because of a crocodile. We did not want to be a crocodile’s meal. We spoke to a lot of locals and they mentioned that they have never seen a crocodile all these years while living there.

However, we reached Sanapur Lake and asked around for the cliff jumping point just out of curiosity. Upon reaching the jumping point, we couldn’t hold back and JUMPED.

Cliff Jump Hampi, Karnataka

The water was in an enclosed area so it didn’t make sense for a crocodile to hang around that area.

Hampi cliff jumping

Two jumps and a few hours later, we felt revitalized because the water appeared to be clean. Do this at your own risk!

A little chat with a few locals revealed that there probably isn’t really a crocodile in the reservoir but the signs were put after many visitors often made this area their “party spot”. The weather in Hampi is extremely hot, even during the winter months so most likely you will want to swim here to cool off.

08) Ride a Scooter Around Hampi and See Rice Paddies

San Trying his best to look scared while I rode a scooter in Hampi

What better way to enjoy sprawling lush landscapes than riding a moped (or bike) through them? This was the highlight of our trip.

Believe it or not, I’m terrible with motorized two wheelers but riding a rented moped on Hampi’s empty roads was simpler I thought! A moped is easier to ride as compared to a scooter.

San feeling possessive about his little moped after I rode it around

You have to experience it understand how amazing it feels. The roads in Hampi and around are narrow. If you stay on Hippie Island, you can drive to the other areas such as Sanapur Lake (where we cliff jumped), Anjaneya Hill (monkey temple), the nearby village Anegundi and around. The best part is that the road is usually empty and there is natural beauty on both side of the road. You will see lush green paddy fields (see my video), forgotten temples and little children playing with no care in the world.

This is exactly why I noticed everyone riding a moped had an ear to ear smile on their faces! This is a must! Also, we discovered some places to see around Hampi which were not mentioned in many guidebooks while riding around aimlessly.

Stunning Pond in Hampi – We discovered this while riding around aimlessly on the scooter

09) Ride a ferry on Tungabhadra River  –  Hampi’s RED river with statutes on the rocks

Hampi’s Red Tungabhadra River and Statues peeking out from the rocks

Yes, the river does have red water! What’s more, every rock peeking out of the river had some statue or the other. This is the same river that you cross to reach Hippie Island from Hampi by ferry. This ride lasts for only 5 minutes. Please keep in mind that the ferry schedule keeps changing. On our visit, we were informed that the ferry only runs from 6 am to 6 pm. 

Talking about the ferry ride, you should read this travelers bad experience in Hampi – specially the second point.

10) Hampi Has Cute Cafes – Make the Most of Them

Top Secret River View in Hampi (Shhhh! Don’t tell anyone about it 😉 )

With the abundance of colorful cafes, we never got to eat at the same place twice. The best cafes were on the Hippie Island. We loved our meals in Top Secret River View, Laughing Buddha and Hema’s café.

Most of them have board games that can keep you occupied for hours. We ended up meeting a bunch of interesting travelers in these places. Hampi’s main area has only a few of them out of which Chill Out Café and Mango Tree stood out.

Chill Out Cafe in Hampi

11) Meet Hampi’s Lovely locals

Cute Local Kids in Hampi

The locals of Hampi charmed us with their hospitality and warmth. After living in a city, the friendliness of the simple minded residents here was a refreshing experience. The grownups appeared to be shy but the children approached us many times to introduce themselves. Strangely, the teenage boys were notoriously flirtatious! Most of them spoke excellent English.

Hampi’s cute locals

BONUS: See some crazy sights!

We can’t predict what you will see but we can assure you will witness some crazy sights like we did.

We saw this cheeky monkey who was totally in love with its own reflection!

This monkey was totally checking himself out!

We saw a few locals riding a round boat in Hampi that resembled a basket. It is a coracle and we later found out that these boats are very common in Karnataka. You should totally try to ride one in Hampi if you’re there.

Basket Boat in Hampi, Karnataka – Places to visit in Hampi

Hampi’s unique round boats – don’t they look like baskets? These boats are a common sight all over Karnataka.

We saw this shiny green bug on our walk from the ferry point to our hut! Does anyone know what it’s called?

Shiny Green Bug in Hampi

Places to Stay in Hampi and Hippie Island:

The pilgrims stay in the main town where as the backpackers head to the Hippie island . I highly recommend  Hema Guest House , where you can stay in a cute hut for around INR 500 per day with hammocks in the balcony. I love the food and the garden area at  Hema Guest House . You can also try Murali Homestay, Hampi  on Hostelworld – where a room costs around INR 800 per night for two.   Or, you can try looking for deals for both Hema guest house and Murali homestay on Agoda.

Book Now (DEALS): Agoda.com or Booking.com for Hema Guest House Book Now (DEALS): Agoda.com or Booking.com for Murali Homestay

If you want to treat yourself to a fancy place, you can check out Shiva Vilas by Welcome Heritage  on Agoda. A lavish room here costs just about $100 and can go up to $250 depending on your choice. I usually end up finding the cheapest prices on Agoda but I prefer booking.com because they offer free cancellation on most of the bookings, while Agoda offers it only on some of them. This has saved my life (and money) many times.

Check deals for Shiva Vilas: Agoda.com   for Shiva Vilas

How to Reach Hampi

I’m going to give you information about how to reach Hampi from the below two major destinations in India. In case you’re traveling from Delhi , then the easiest way to reach Hampi is to fly to Bangalore and then do the remaining journey by train.

Bangalore to Hampi

If you’re traveling from Bangalore to Hampi, then you can do most of this journey on a train to either Hospet or Toranagallu. From any of these train stations, you need to take a tuk tuk to Hampi. The name of the station in Bangalore from where you can take the train is Yelahanka Junction and the station code is YNK.

The fastest train for this journey is Mysore Sainagar Express, train number 16217 that goes from many stations in Bangalore including Bangalore city junction (SBC), Bangalore Cant (BNC) and Yelahanka (YNK). It leaves Yelahanka at 8:56 am and reaches Hospet at 4:55 pm.

The best option for Bangalore to Hampi train journey is Hampi Express , which takes just 35 minutes longer than the fastest train but you will end up saving so much time because it is an overnight journey. It leaves Bangalore’s main train station (SBC) at 10 pm and reaches Hospet at 7:10 am the next day.

Goa to Hampi

We did our journey to Hampi from Goa, once by train and once by bus. I will give you both the options.

For train, you first have to do the journey from Goa to Hospet and then reach Hampi on a tuk tuk from Hospet. If you’re searching for a train ticket, you need to look from Madgaon, station code MAO (one of the train stations in Goa) to Hosapete Junction, station code HPT.

The fastest train is VSG Howrah Express, train code 18048 that leaves Madgaon at 7:50 am and reaches Hospet at 2:48 pm on the same day. Alternatively, you can also try train number 17420 and 17022 – WSG Tirupati express and WSG Hyderabad express. Both these trains leave Madgaon at 9:35 am and reach Hospet at 5:50 pm. If possible, please take the earlier train because you will end up wasting your entire day in the journey if you take the second one.

From Hospet, the easiest way to reach Hampi is on a tuk tuk (or auto rickshaw as they’re called in India). I have traveled a lot on Indian trains but it was the first time that the tuk tuk driver was inside the train 2 stations before Hospet to negotiate with us. He first came to us and said he can drop us to Hampi for 500, then after a few minutes he said 300 but at the station when he saw I was going to ask the price from the other tuk tuk drivers, he said 250 and drove us there. (You can see him in the video).

The bus journey from Goa to Hampi or Hampi to Goa was really good because it was an overnight journey. This service is run by Paulo Coaches and you will have to visit a local travel agent to book it.

Places to visit near Hampi

Goa is unlike any other place in India because it was isolated by rest of the India for many years. It was under the Portuguese rule while most of the India was under Mughal and British rule, hence Goa is very liberal. I consider myself a Goa expert because I have visited more than 20 times and even lived here with San. You can find all our blog posts about Goa on this page.

Gokarna is in Karnataka and is just below Goa. While Goa is facing over-tourism, most of the Goa afficianados are now heading to Gokarna. It is famous for its Om Beach, yup a beach that’s shaped like ॐ Om.

I have never been to Mysore but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t. It is one of the biggest cities in Karnataka and is along the Chamundi Hills. It is supposed to be one of India’s cleanest and best planned cities. Growing up in India, we often heard stories about Tipu Sultan’s bravery. He was Mysore’s beloved ruler who fought and lost a battle with the British in 1799.

Bangalore is Karnataka’s capital and the most prominent city of this state. As per me, it is also India’s beer capital because United Breweries Group’s is headquartered here. India’s most famous beer – Kingfisher is brewed by the United Breweries Group. The affluent Vijay Mallya (India’s Richard Branson) once had his empire here.  Bangalore has a lot of gardens, lovely locals, an amazing coffee culture and mindblowing food but the traffic situation is hideous.

Have you been to this land of mystery already? If so, let me know what are YOUR places to visit in Hampi and top things to do. I would love to hear what you think about this beautiful village! If you liked this article, please share!

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16 Comments

You can also bicycle through Hampi, which already people have been doing for so many years.

That’s amazing! Do you have any pictures to share?

I loved Hampi, but since I like my comforts, we stayed at the Hyatt just outside the town. That large basket like vessel is called a coracle. We took a ride in one of those with a local.

Awesome. Is Hyatt in Hospet? 🙂 Good to know that you did a boat ride.

Hello there! You people are going great! Cheers to you. I’m planning Hampi this month. I just wanted to know if we have to pre-book those small huts or they are available on the spot? as I’m planning a budget travel, I don’t want to book any resorts or hotels. Please revert Thanks in advance Happy travels!

Hey there, those huts were a part of a place called “Top Secret” and it sadly doesn’t exist anymore. You can prebook Hema’s – the link is in “Where to stay in Hampi” section at the bottom of this post. 😉 Have fun while you’re there.

HI…I was planning to go to Hampi for 2 days. Can you suggest the best possible itinerary?

Hey Aditya, there are many places to visit in Hampi and you may not be able to do everything. Just pick a few things that we have mentioned on our post here – you don’t really need a specific itinerary for visiting Hampi. Hope you have fun there.

What kind of itinerary would you recommend for a solo female traveller?

Hey, that was an amazing read above. Could you tell me if there is anything to do after it gets dark in Hampi, most probably in the main town? Actually, my bus is at 10pm and I am not sure how and where to kill those 4hours. Any suggestion is welcome 🙂

Thank you drifter planet for this awesome post. Just came back to hampi after jumping in sanapur lake. Awwwwesome experience!!!!. Biking on the route in a superbike made it more….

Glad you enjoyed your time in Hampi. Yes the cliff jumping near Hampi is amazing – seriously, it is the one of the most amazing places to visit in Hampi. Also the bike rides are fun. 🙂

Hampi is awesome and you just described the way it is… Keep it up..

Yes, it is awesome and there are so many amazing things to do in Hampi. We’d love to go back and revisit. 🙂

I just stumbled upon this post while researching for a tentative trip to Hampi. How beautifully articulated with stunning pictures. Another convenient way to reach Hampi by road is to rent a self-driving car from Zoomcar and drive down to enjoy the journey as well.

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Hello Travelers!

Namaste, Guten Tag! I'm Sonal from India, living in Germany and exploring Europe. I've been writing about my travels since 2015. I often travel alone (and sometimes with family of 3).

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Last Updated on September 21, 2023 by Drifter Planet

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My 3-Day Budget Trip Itinerary To Hampi With Friends Under ₹15000 Per Head

Although on my wishlist since about 3 years, when I declared my vacation spot to be Hampi, I was surprised to know not many people are aware of this paradise! Here’s a glimpse into my budget trip to Hampi vacation if you’re wondering where and what is Hampi. Once you know, there’s no turning back.

Also Read: 5 Things To Do At Hippie Island In Hampi

How It Happened? Sitting in Grandmama’s Cafe one fine day, my friends and I got to discussing our vacay goals and plans ahead. And the next minute I knew, we were all planning a trip together! Although met with much scepticism, we agreed to lock in Hampi as the destination and boy, are we glad.

Pro Tip: Those balancing a dense work schedule but still wish to travel a lot, here’s what I do. Marry long weekends with smart planning and voila! Your work will never be affected and neither will you have to compromise on travel goals. My Hampi trip was a Republic Day long weekend!

How To Get To Hampi?

We flew to Bengaluru right after office hours and from there booked an Ola Outstation service for 3 days. From here it was an overnight journey to Hampi. This proved to be rather expensive though and I would suggest you book a luxury bus instead from Mumbai to Hospet which takes 14-15 hours.

What’s Hampi? Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, located in the central part of the Indian state of Karnataka, a paradise nesting carefully in ruins, taking you back to a long forgotten time of the Hindu Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th-century.

‘Hampe’ in Kannada, Hampi was formerly known as Pampa, one of the many names of the Tungabhadra river (Where Hampi is situated). Pampa Devi was the goddess of the river and the daughter of Lord Brahma.

Hampi has two sides. Completely opposite to each other in nature. One is Temple side/Hampi side/Hampi Bazar and other is Hippie side also known as Hippie Island which is situated in small Virupapura Gadde village which lets you discover your hippie soul. One is filled with historical relevance and other is super laid back.

Lush green paddy fields, supercool cafes, bakeries and guest houses where you will find backpackers from across the world living like a nomad here.

Where To Stay Shanti Guest House, Gothami Guest House, Bobby One Love, Murali Guest House, Mowgli Guest House, Sunny Guest House, Chill out Café and Guest House, Laughing Buddha, Goan Corer, Hema Guest House etc.

Pro Tip: Don’t look for the deals on hotel booking sites. Just call up the direct number (take it from Google) and book it directly. Yes, you can negotiate as well. We stayed at Bobby ‘One Love’ Guesthouse (Contact: Raghu, 8970076805). Don’t expect luxury! Only basic amenities will be provided.

Where To Eat And What To Do Hippi Island is the place to be for a vast variety of cuisines and tasty dishes. From authentic South Indian food to Spanish, Greek, Israeli, Italian, Singaporean, Indonesian, American & Mexican cuisine, there’s something for everything here!

Note: The only alcohol you’ll find here is cold Beers. Also, non-veg paradise.

I would recommend Hema Café (German Bakery) preferably for breakfast (Multi Cuisine), Mango Tree restaurant for Lunch (They serve delicious Thali and their lemon mint cooler is to die for) and Laughing Buddha for Dinner.

Shopping Scenes Bunch of souvenirs like shawls and cloths, traditional costumes, jewellery, stone figurines, antique coins, replicas of Hampi ruins etc. are what you will find here.

Pro Tip: The best way to move around here is to rent scooters which is usually cheap but expect higher rates in peak season.

Places to Visit

1. Monkey Temple on Anjaneya Hill Awaken the adventurer in you for to get to the top, 520 steps await. But the sun setting over a view of ENTIRE Hampi? Worth the climb. The Temple is the supposed birthplace of Lord Hanuman and hence, the name.

2. Sanapura Lake One of the lesser known locations in Hampi, it is worth visiting. The lake is the backwaters of Tungabhadra river and the ride to get here (10km from Hippie Island) is heavenly. You can also indulge in Coracle rides in these calm waters and hire assistance for cliff jumping. Although many signboards warn of crocodiles, our coracle owner assured us of safety.

3. Virupaksha Temple This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, known here as Virupaksha, as the consort of the local goddess Pampa who is associated with the Tungabhadra River. It is believed to be one of the oldest temples in India where people have been performing continuous worship to God for the last 7 centuries till today.

4. Hemakuta Group Of Temples A rocky hill especially famous for several temples situated on the top of it. This hilltop offers you a lovely scenic view of Hampi and gives a great opportunity to show your photography skills. A lot to explore, a lot to click, a lot to frame!

5. Badavilinga Temple  This is yet another ancient temple featuring a shrine & pedestal with a Hindu linga, surrounded by a pool of water.

6. Statue of Ugra Narasimha The biggest statue in Hampi, this is a fantastic big statue of Lord Narasimha (Nara – man and Simha – lion, a lord combined with a man and lion’s figure) who was the 10th avatar of Lord Vishnu.

7. Sasivekalu Ganesha An enormous statue about 14 ft high of Lord Ganesha. Some big slender stone pillars with many mythological themes carved decorated the front hall of this Statue. Instagram worthy people.

8. Krishna Temple Constructed by the Krishnadevaraya in 1513 to honour lord, Krishna. This temple is one of the best attractions in Hampi. The temple ground is decorated with several stunning Yali designed pillars and impressive carvings of elephant balustrades.

Also, don’t forget to explore the ruins of Krishna bazaar which is right opposite to the temple.

9. Shiva Temple From Krishna Temple head to this unique underground Shiva Temple. For some curious reasons, this temple dedicated to Lord Shiva was built many meters below the ground level. For this reason, almost all the time the sanctum and the core parts of the temple are under water, restricting entry to the inner areas!

10. Vijaya Vittala Temple The architectural marvel, The Vittala Temple or Vitthala Temple in Hampi is an ancient monument that is well-known for its exceptional architecture and unmatched craftsmanship. A must visit for all when in Hampi!

11. Hazara Rama Temple It is one of the important shrines in Hampi dedicated to Lord Ram. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara. The temple is famous for the lovely bas relics and panels depicting the story of the epic Ramayana.

12. Lotus Mahal Also known as Kamal Mahal or Chitragani Mahal, it is one of the only handful and a few astonishing building in Hampi that had not been damaged or destroyed amid the attack on the city.

13. Stepped Tank Also known as Pushkarani, this is a sacred water tank that is attached to the temples. Most of the major temples in Hampi have a Pushkarani built near them.

14. Elephant Stables The Elephant Stables is a wonderful structure that provided shelter to the royal elephants of the grand Vijayanagara Empire.

15. Zanana Enclosure The Zenana Enclosure was a fortified and secluded area reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara Empire.

16. Queen’s Bath The luxurious bath which includes a big verandah with a rectangular pool surrounded by extended balconies and carved domes where Vijayanagara Kings and Queens used to take bath. Although called Queen’s bath, the pool was used by both Kings and Queens.

What We Missed But You Shouldn’t

1. Sunset at Matanga Hill If you are staying on the Temple side, this is the best place to get a mesmerizing view of Sunset or Sunrise and a panoramic view of Hampi. It is a moderate hike up the hills for 45mins to 1 hour, depending on one’s capability.

2. Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary Located about 15km from Hampi, Dorji Sloth Bear Sanctuary was created exclusively for the preservation of the Indian Sloth Bear. Visit this between 2 PM – 5 PM as they slather the honey on the rocks to attract the bears so that tourist can get a good spotting.

Also Read:  6 Places To Go To In India For A Hippie Getaway

Now all you need is a long weekend for a Happy, Hippie, Hampi!

This article was contributed to Curly tales by our reader Prasad Baliram Nakhawa. If you would like to write your story, drop us an email on [email protected]

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10 Cool Things to Do in HAMPI: Chasing Sunsets and Climbing Boulders

Home » Asia » India

Rachel first visited and wrote about this beautiful landmark back in 2014. You can read her original post here . With the help of one of her close friends, Jules, we’ve given this post a much needed update. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Hampi today!

I, Jules, first made a last minute trip to Hampi in 2016 on my last holiday to Goa before I decided to move there. It was a crazy trip squashed in the middle of a jam packed 2 week holiday with 15 people. We decided we didn’t want to be away from Goa for too long so 5 of us thought it would be a good idea to do a rapid overnight trip to Hampi and back. Looking back it was great but wow it was quick with a lot of time spent in the car and I am not sure I would recommend going for that short of a time. Instead I’d spend at least two nights here.

We left at 10am from North Goa and arrived in Hampi after the sun had gone down and actually the boats across the river had stopped. This left us no choice but to take an illegal Karnataka coconut boat (these are explained below) trip across the river in absolute silence and complete darkness so we didn’t get caught by the police. We stayed one night, did one full day of temple sight-seeing, watched one glorious sunset, and got back in the car and drove 8 hours back to Goa.

My second trip to Hampi was in 2017 where I gave myself a more reasonable 2 night stay which included a huge thunder and lightening storm, two glorious sunsets, and some of the same and a few new temples.

Before I tell you all about Hampi, I want to make sure you know about the India Guide ebook which is literally everything you need to know about traveling in India safely and will make sure you see all the best “do not miss” places here on your budget, which can be under $20 a day if you wanted it to.   Buy it here . Read more about the book and see reviews  here .

Hampi is like something straight out of the set of Jurassic Park. The huge boulders don’t seem to make sense. How are they placed in such strange positions? Why aren’t they rolling down hills and squashing all tourists in their paths? Not to mention the sheer size and open landscape of it all. It is literally a magical town where they must have used some form of magic or sorcery to build the temples all those hundreds of years ago… To have all those beautiful boulders scattered around as they are – some are even purposefully balanced on top of another. Apparently some of that magic is erosion but we will come on to that.

If you can fit Hampi into your trip schedule, do not hesitate and if you can’t then you should try and re-work your schedule. Hampi has the right balance between history, beautiful architecture, nature and fun backpacker vibes.

What is Hampi?

Hampi is a UNESCO world heritage site in  Karnataka, India , about 7 hours from  Bangalore  or 10 from  Goa  by overnight bus.

While you can only see it in ruins now, it was once one of the richest cities in the world. Yep, the whole world, not just India. It was the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire for over 200 years. Once upon a time, you would enter an ancient metropolis adorned with temples, palaces, markets streets, and religious monuments. It flourished between the 14th and 15th century with most temples and monuments being Hindu alongside a few Jain temples and one Muslim mosque and tomb.

In 1565, everything changed after the battle of Talikota took place and the city of Vijayanagara was defeated. Armies spent 5 months destroying monuments, and what you see today is what remains.

As Rachel said, unlike Stonehenge, where the attraction is a small area, the entire town of Hampi is the attraction. This city is in the middle of nowhere and you can spend days exploring different corners.

Hampi Travel Tips

When to go to hampi.

Don’t go in the hottest months (April and May) as sightseeing will be unbearable.

How to Get to Hampi

If you are travelling from Goa, a bus can be taken from the bus stands of Mapusa or Panjim, directly to Hospet. This is an overnight bus and takes around 11 hours. Have a look  or on Redbus and if traveling solo think about booking 2 sleeper beds next to each other to avoid having a stranger in your compartment.

The bus stop is also a small market.

Additionally, you can take a daytime train from Vasco De Gama in the South of Goa to Hospet. Check all my tips for booking a train here.  If you want to book, you book here .

Once at Hospet take a rickshaw to your chosen accommodation in Hampi which should be approximately 13km away.

Getting Around Hampi

The best way to explore Hampi is by rickshaw (more on that below).  If you want to stay on the same side of the river as Rachel did, do  not drive there , it’s a huge wrap around. Instead, take the taxi boat across. It only takes 3 minutes, BUT it stops running at 5:00 PM, and there is no way to the other side except to drive for an hour.  If it’s late at night you’re bound to get lost in the jungle as Rachel did!

Where to Stay in Hampi

2020: Please check the area you have booked is not Anegundi, across the river as most places are unfortunately closed awaiting demolition

View From the Room

Another great and slightly more expensive option is Boulders . It is located outside of the main tourist area of Hampi and is approximately 7km from the main World Heritage sites. It is set on the banks of the Tunghbadra River in the Yamini Hills. Perfect for nature lovers and travellers who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the usual India. The accommodation can help with a driver to take you around sightseeing during the day.  Check prices here

Shanthi Guesthouse

Rachel originally stayed at   Shanthi Guesthouse  which was 12,000 INR for 3 nights, although she thinks they could have negotiated better had they not been fairly intoxicated the majority of the time. That price included breakfast and laundry and was in December at peak season (when rates are doubled). The cottages are along the rice paddies and you are GUARANTEED a badass view of the greatest sunset of all time from a swinging porch bed.  Check prices here

Sloth Bear Resort

Another spot Rachel also stayed was at the   Sloth Bear Resort ,  which is part of a National Park and you can, as you might guess, see sloth bears on safari.  Read the review here and check prices here

Mowgli Guesthouse

If you want another option for where to stay in Hampi, Rachel also stayed at   Mowgli Guesthouse   which is pretty identical and has similar reviews online. They have the same exact view from the rooms, which are now called “vista rooms,” as well as many guesthouses in Hampi.

The service wasn’t great. It’s the view that counts. Hampi doesn’t have a lot to offer for accommodation so these are your best bet.  Check prices here

When Rachel’s parents came, these were booked and nothing else looked appealing so they stayed 45 minutes away at the  Hyatt ,  which was in a unique workers complex.  Check prices here

Check here for more places to stay in Hampi

Places to Visit in Hampi

When visiting Hampi, be ready to spend your day exploring temples. There’s a lot, like really a lot, of incredible landscapes to see and unbelievably huge boulders you’ll want to take photos next to. Rachel walked through mazes of boulders wondering how in the hell it all came to be, and when it is your turn, you will be feeling the same. After doing a quick Google search you will find out that geologists state after millions and maybe even billions of years of erosion from rain, sun and wind, the monoliths began to crack, break and fall into what we see today. Still sounds pretty magical!

The Vijaya Vittala Temple is famous for its intricately carved chariot while the  Virupaksha Temple is an impressive 49-meters tall. The Narasimha Statue,  which was Rachel’s favorite and also one of mine, is carved from one single stone, and the  Hanuman Temple  sits on top of a hill. There’s also the underground Shiva Temple which remains partially flooded all year round and many many more temples you’ll want to see!

Rachel wrote that Hampi is said to be the Vanara Sena, or Kingdom of the Apes, which as Hindus believe, is where Lord Rama fought in the  Ramayana . You will understand this reference when faced with the large groups of monkeys trying to steal the bananas you were coerced into buying from the local salesman – be careful!

10 Things to Do in Hampi: What Not to Miss!

From Rachel’s trip with her mom and dad

1. Hire a local rickshaw driver to take you around all the sites for a day

There is a lot see in Hampi so maybe narrow it down. If you have time, split your temple visits across a few days. After a few temples I know we all can feel a bit temple-d out and then miss the beauty of what we are meant to be seeing. My advice would be to find a rickshaw driver you like and ask him to take you to 3 temples, somewhere for lunch and one sunset spot each day.

If you are lucky some rickshaw drivers will tell you information about each temple as you are about to enter it. However, I suggest buying a little information book from the bazaar with facts and pictures of each World Heritage Site to help explain the beauty of what you are seeing. Your rickshaw driver may also have some secret spots to show you, away from the crowded tourist track! And if you are lucky, he might even let you have a sneaky test-drive on the deserted back roads of Hampi. It is definitely more difficult that it looks!

The price you should pay per day really depends on the amount of sites you visit, the distance covered and how much you enjoyed the day. I would suggest between 500 and 800 INR per day per rickshaw – not per person.

2. Take the taxi boat across the river to the “hippie” side of Hampi, Anegundi.

2020 Update: Unfortunately, Anegundi is currently going through some major developments with a majority of the area about to be demolished. Hold off any plans to stay on this side for now and hopefully we will have some good news by the beginning of next season – October.

Don’t forget to  see both sides of the river! As Rachel said, this is so you can take part in drum circles, dread-lock making, and whatever other hippie activities. This also puts you on the side of the reservoir where you can experience the quiet of Hampi. You will usually find a big hippie community with hostels, restaurants, movie nights, bouldering groups, and lots of lovely luscious green rice paddy fields.

3. Catch the sunset from Hanuman Temple on top of the hill

This is a beautiful spot that gives you a 360 degree view over the amazing and unbelievable selection of boulders in Hampi. It is a 572 step climb so don’t make the mistake of trying to conquer this hill during the daytime heat and don’t let the step count put you off as it really is a view you shouldn’t miss. It does get busy at the peak sunset hour so if you are feeling motivated, try and make it for sunrise instead. You will need to hire a rickshaw to take you to this spot – ask for Monkey Temple Hill or Hanuman Temple.

4.  Go cliff jumping and cool off in Hampi’s lake – watch out for the crocs!

Cool off in the large swimming lake a short drive outside the main sites of Hampi. This lake has a huge warning sign for crocodiles painted on the rock but Rachel never saw any and everyone there was swimming. Locals said there aren’t any in the lake, only the river. You’ll see a group of people laying out near the main cliff, and if it’s empty that day, ask a guide where people jump. The water isn’t clear, but people have been jumping from this same place for years! Take a rickshaw or ask the locals for directions to the swimming lake.

Colorful Guests Visiting the Elephant Stables 

5. Be amazed by the size of the Elephant Stables.

The old Elephant Stables are on the same grounds as the Lotus Mahal. Venture inside what used to be where the Maharajahs would keep their elephants and compare the size of these to your usual horse stables. Have a seat in the shaded grassy area with a freshly cut coconut and think about the unlucky soul who had to clean each one.

6. Enjoy views from Matanga Hill after all your temple sightseeing.

This is a slightly more challenging climb that doesn’t have a specific route, more like a climb up along some man-made rock steps. It should take no more than 30 minutes with reasonable fitness and gives you a 360 degree view of Hampi including some of the World Heritage Sites. A great place to see the full beauty of Virupaksha Temple from a distance. Another great spot for sunrise and sunset.

Rachel did it with a guide who gave her some cool bits of information. For example, the statue of Ganesh (who is her favorite god!) has a snake around his stomach. The guide/driver shared that it was to keep him from eating too much food!

7. Get a guide at Vijaya Vittala Temple – Chariot Temple

You are probably sick of being offered guided tours around every single site you visit but if you are going to choose one in Hampi, do it at Vijaya Vittala Temple which is also where the famous carved stone chariot is. I suggest a guide here because they will show you how to play music on the 56 musical pillars (probably/hopefully not all of them) at the Ranga Matapa. If hit in the right way each pillar makes a different note. You can have a try yourself but good luck finding the right pillars!

8. Hire a Karnataka boat and driver to take you out in the lake. Go for a swim!

The boats are traditional fishing boats for the state and are made from trees and tar. Maybe even  buy the boat , like Rachel did.  On the Hampi lake you shouldn’t pay any more than 250 INR for a little boat trip around the lake. These are the same boats that were used to cross over to Anegundi before the introduction of the actual motor boat, and the same boat I had to sneak across the river in on my first trip to Hampi! 

9. Take a break at Mango Tree

On the same side of the river as the Virupaksha Temple there is a great restaurant for backpackers called Mango Tree. Take a break from the Hampi heat and have a mango shake or a thali. Word has spread about this place so it can be difficult to get a seat at peak times.

10. Go bouldering

I am sure you are well aware by now but in case you aren’t, Hampi is full of boulders. All different shapes and sizes that keep you waiting for a dinosaur to pop its head around the corner any minute. If you are feeling like you can’t see another temple or you’re in the mood for a challenge then pay a visit to to one of the few bouldering centres located in Anegundi. Tom and Jerry, Goan Corner – Boulder Centre (also a great hostel) and Sunny’s Bouldering School. We don’t have any personal testimonials but check out their TripAdvisors page for the latest reviews. And if you are lucky you might even get a few dogs to oversee your climb!

Again seeing as this is taking place in Anegundi, we will need to wait for some more information regarding the demolition and update you in October, until then please do contact the centres directly as the boulders will be there, demolition or no demolition.

And there you have it, all the best things to do in Hampi. Have you been? What did you think?

General India Travel Tips

• Can’t go to Hampi, if you can’t get into India. Yes,  you do need a visa , even if you’re only here for a short time. It’s super easy, and  you can get it right on iVisa .
• Don’t forget to get  some travel insurance ! Especially if you’re going to do some of the more adventurous activities. We always recommend World Nomads,  and you can even easily get a quote on the sidebar or  going here .
• For cheap domestic flights ,  compare on Kiwi .
• If you need a phone while in India and you can’t use SIM cards,  try out Trabug .

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49 Comments

Hampi looks freaking awesome! Ah, any place I can wander around on a motorbike is a little bit like heaven for me. Especially when I don’t have to worry about driving into a wall ;) And that cliff jumping looks so fun! Great photos!!

Hampi is definitely on our list! We fly into Chennai at the end of September and have a couple months to travel around India. Would you say Hampi should be visited around the time we arrive (early October) or towards the end of our stay (late November)? We also plan to hit Goa, so if you’re around it would be great to meet up!

It could rain in early October so I would for November because of that – BUT November will have a little bit higher prices (as it is everywhere in India though!) Goa is best to avoid until last in your trip because October is still dead here! Actually I’ll be in Hampi in October :) I have some plans I’ll announce next week!

You have to really tell us now, how many people work for you? One person cannot write so many articles at such a pace :-P

hahahaha now this must be the ultimate compliment! lol I wish I had someone working for me. In the next month my site will be posted on less though, I have a trip to karnataka coming up and basically also am running out of material! Lol

I so wanted to visit Hampi when we travelled around India a few years ago, there just wasn’t enough time to see everything. Plus it was getting to mid April by the time we headed south, it was getting too hot to bear!

I’m definitely heading back to India, and I’m definitely going to Hampi.

You certainly gave it a good amount of justice, it looks amazing! ;)

You’re right April is SOOOO hot here!! It’ll be a good place to stop at next time you’re here though.

It looks beautiful. One of the photos looks straight out of Indiana Jones. Also, I love your dresses in these photos!

Thank you- they are sold at all the tourist places (so I don’t wear them in Goa anymore so the shop owners don’t up the prices on me!) but they are like 200 rs I think? Good deal!

Wow, I would have expected this place to be in Jordan or elsewhere in the Middle East, not India!

It’s a shocker, huh!? It’s so funny just driving through thick jungle from the beach and ending up here… I was like seriously this can’t be real.

A very comprehensive post on Hampi and you cover a lot in a single post. I have been to Hampi and stayed in the same Shanti guest house, it is kind of a hippie magnet. You are so right Hampi the whole town is worth a visit and photographing….

Thank you Prasad, how cool you stayed at Shanti too! it’s one of my favorites, I loved the swings out front.

O my gosh! This looks incredible! I want to go to India someday, so badly. Looks like you’re living the dream, darl! xx

It’s such a wonderful place! Thanks for reading :)

This makes me want to go back to Hampi so bad!! Where can I read more of the story of the boy?? :)

I get to go back again in a month on a tour! So excited. and about the boy… read this one: https://hippie-inheels.com/backpacking-love-stories/

Oh my gosh I have never wanted to go to Hampi so much as I do right now! I didn’t realize there was a hippie side to it.. Looks so freakin gorgeous! And I love the ” The mass quantity of intricate towering Hindu temples on barren sandy land had me envisioning Shiva wondering around having a smoke.” Awesome

Thanks chica! it’s such a cool place. I’m going back in october and also december I’m taking my parents!

Now I will travel to Hampi and the credit goes to you!

Well maybe you can meet me there! I’m going back with goMowgli end of October THEN taking my parents there in December!

I forgot how I ended up on your page (I think I was reading another travel blog and seen a comment you made, then checked out your blog and see you are currently in Goa).

Anyways, really dig reading you thoughts and posts on Hampi. I was there in 2011 and stayed in the Goa area for a few months. I went to Hampi on my own when I decided to leave Goa and finally see the rest of India. Hands-down, Hampi was my favorite place in India! It was so cheap, as I think I was spending about $4 per-day for a private room with bathroom, another $5 a day for a bike and fuel for the day and other then needing about $3-$4 to eat I was good to go. I just meet some really great locals there when I stayed there for a week plus. Best part for me was just renting a moto bike and driving around all day, getting lost and randomly walking into temples I seen. If I return to India, I plan to spend a month there this time and just relax, as the place is so laid back, chilled and a paradise for me to do photos. I came away with some great shots while there, if you want to see any you can here at my blog: http://foggodyssey.com/?s=hampi ).

Anyways, loved ready all your Goa and India post, brought back great memories :)

Thanks for sending that- I’m going to have a look now!

hello together, just came to this webside by chance. I stayed in Hampi together with my wife the first time in 1981, after that in 1984 and it was wonderful, nothing but nature, no electricity, we lifed at the house close to the bus Station in the rocks and I remember the Boom Shankar Tchai shop, there was this very friendly guy, Subramani-baba with his Family.hope I can come buck some time……….. Love Franz

how cool is that!!? funny how you can remember the small things:) awesome

Hello Rachel, thank for writing me back so quick. Well I remember a lot of those times ,because for me they were paradise.I was looking for the simple life just like the Indians lived.There were only 2 tchai-shops, the boomshankar were we met the other 5 western People for over a month,onthe first curve when you go down to the river and the shiva tchai shop about 500 meters situated in an old temple close to the river, there were no parties and nothing we used to play guitars and small drums , exept of us everything was quiet, we had to find our way back home in the absolute darkness, and we went to sleep around 10 o clock because there wasnt any nightlife and nothing to do but smoke and making love, we been on honeymoontrip for half a year, where we travelled about 12.000 km from the north to the very south.Enough story for tonight, see you , love Franz

Reading your post brought back our childhood memoirs when we had visited Hampi along with our parents! its such an amazing place!

Wow that’s so cool. I’m taking my parents in about 1.5 weeks!

Awesome.. n nice picture.. n how is it during new year??

not sure, but heading there again tomorrow AM so will see! almost everythign was booked

Those boats are called coracles!

You’re right!

FYI Talking about Hampi, there’s a movie called ” The Pilgrimage ” , here’s youtube link http://youtu.be/CZ5Cx2EStQc , the movie explores adventures of few climbers from US & the time they spent exploring Hampi

cool thanks, i’ll check it out!

You have a new Fan <3 Just rightly put across about Hampi!

Welcome!! :)

Hi, I am tytas, a doctor from new delhi. Heard about hampi few days ago and looked for it in google but found your website/blog more interesting. So how actually you felt about it? You are really enjoying the hippie part of your life? :)

Hey Rachel. A very nice read. My excitement level just doubled up after going through your blog. I’m actually leaving tomorrow for Hampi. Cheers ;)

Very well described! Your post makes me wish I’d spent far more time there. 2 nights just wasn’t near enough. And my own post is subsequently more lacking in detail!

Wasn’t aware at all about swimming in the lake.. I’ll have to stay on the other side of the river next time.

Hey Rachel, love the post and making me want to Hampi from Goa in a couple of weeks. Will April be totally insufferable haha? Would I be a complete fool to go then?

It will be hot and isn’t the best time to go but there will be less crowds and you can plan to do the sightseeing bits in the early am – it’ll be okay!

Thanks for the awesome article. How about visiting hampi during June end or July beginning?

Hey Rajesh, I haven’t been at that time, but I don’t see why not.

Planning to visit Tarkarli, and Devbag beach as a backpacker from Mumbai in Sept 2017. Any opinions or recomendations?

Thank you for information. Its very useful. will be visiting Hampi in rains, may be August

Hi Rachel, I really loved your post. Is August month a good time visit Hampi? Is 2-3 days time enough for our Hampi and Badami tour?

My favorite destination loved your post hoping to visit

Mango Tree is the only restautant I like in Hampi

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Hampi Itinerary: how to spend 3 days in Hampi

This post is a travel guide with a 3 day Hampi itinerary. Hampi is located in the state of Karnataka in South India. It was the capital of the Vijayanagara empire and is still home to hundreds of ancient temples. The ruins cover a large area and it is easy to be overwhelmed as a first time visitor.

Most backpackers stay much longer than planned, because of the relaxed atmosphere, the slow pace of life and the range of activities available. It would take months to see all the ruins in Hampi and once you get tired of history you could enjoy the outdoors and go hiking or boulder climbing. The rocky landscapes in the area are just as impressive. 

I made this Hampi itinerary after my own trip. I loved Hampi so much that I stayed there for almost a week. For those with less time, I would say 3 days in Hampi is the minimum you need. This way you can see the most important places without rushing things.

Hampi history

It’s hot in the fierce sun and sweat is dripping from my back. In front of me, the rocky landscape of Hampi absorbs the heat and provides little respite from the sun.

It’s the second day of my Hampi itinerary and I am on my way to the Vittala temple. Everywhere I look I see remnants of the old Vijayanagara empire. One of the largest and most powerful empires in medieval India In the 14th century, Hampi was the capital of this vast Hindu kingdom and it was described as a prosperous and wealthy city untill it was defeated by Muslim armies in 1565.

Hampi was a major center of political, economic, and cultural activity during the Vijayanagara Empire and was known for its grand architecture, rich cultural heritage, and impressive monuments. The town was home to many important religious structures, such as the Virupaksha Temple, the Hampi Bazaar, and the Royal Enclosure, which served as the residence of the Vijayanagara kings.

Hampi’s history goes back even further though and people identified the area around Hampi to be the monkey kingdom of Kishkinda as described in the Ramayana. Before the Vijayanagara empire, the Hoysala kings, famous for the Somnathpur temple near Mysore and the Belur and Halebid temples , already built the first religious buildings in Hampi

Nowadays Hampi is a small town catering to backpackers and religious pilgrims that visit the still functioning Virupaksha temple and monkey temple. Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and there are over 1600 remains of temples, palaces, horse stables, ganesh statues and other structures.

A 3 day Hampi itinerary

Hampi itinerary day 1: virupapur gaddi & anegundi.

When making a 3 day Hampi itinerary with the best places to visit in Hampi it is good to realize that the area is dividided by the Tunghabadra river and that the sights are clustered around three centers.

Most places to visit in Hampi are at the side of the bazaar with one cluster around the Virupaksha temple and another cluster around the Royal enclosure. The other side of the river called Virupapur Gaddi also has some interesting ruins and offers a more quiet and peaceful experience.

To cross the river you can take a boat that leaves frequently once full. Virupapur Gaddi also has some nice homestays, good restaurants and plenty of places to rent a bike.And that is exactly what I would recommend you to do on your first day. Driving your motorbike with the wind through your hair among green rice fields is a highlight in itself.

Anegundi village

The first day of our Hampi itinerary we explored Virupapur Gadi. Our first stop was the small village of Anegundi. The Kishkinda Trust is running several projects here to promote rural tourism and to empower the community. The sleepy town remains an off the beaten path destination which is part of its charm and so are it’s green rice paddy’s and palmtrees. On top of that Anegundi has some temples as well.

Durga & Monkey temple

On our wayt back from Anegundi we stopped at the Durga and monkey temple. The temples are still used and a favourite stop for religious pilgrims. The monkey temple is of great importance to Hindus because some believe that the Hindu monkey god Hanuman was born here.

Both temples require an effort to climb endless steps to the top of a hill that offers a magnificient view over Hampi. The Durga temple is less high and less crowded, but the monkey temple offers a better view.

Sanapur Lake

The sanapur lake is a nice spot to end the first day of your Hampi itinerary and watch the sunset. The blue lake surrounded by rocks gets few visitors, but is a great place to visit. Read more in this guide from Our Taste for life about Sanapur lake . 

Hampi itinerary day 2: Hampi by Tuk Tuk

The second day of our Hampi itinerary we were contemplating whether we wanted to hire a motorbike and drive around ourselves or go with a tuk tuk to see the places to visit in Hampi on the Virupaksha side of the river.

We decided that the weather was too hot and treat ourselves on a tuk tuk for the day. This turned out a great decision, because the roads were much dustier and rockier than in Virupapur gaddi. On top of that our tuk tuk driver showed us some temples that were not in our guidebook such as an underground shiva temple and a large statue of Narasimha, the incarnation of Vishnu.

Vittala Temple and stone chariot

The famous stone chariot that is on most pictures of Hampi is in the beautiful Vittala temple. The Vittala Temple is built in the mid-16th century during the rule of King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire. It is one of the well-preserved monuments in Hampi, known for its intricate carvings, rich history, and architectural beauty.

Insider tip : The temple is a long 2 kilometer walk through rocks and boulders, but it is worth every step you take. If you want to escape the heat I would advise you to do this early in the morning or the afternoon. Tuk tuks are not allowed to reach the Vittala temple, but if you really don’t want to walk there is a crowded white tourist van going up and down.

Laxmi Narasimha

Narasimha is a Hindu deity and one of the avatars (incarnations) of Lord Vishnu. He is depicted as a half-man, half-lion being and is considered a fierce and powerful form of the deity. The name “Narasimha” literally means “man-lion,” and the deity is revered for his ability to provide protection and support to his devotees.

The large statue of Narasimha in Hampi is among the largest in Karnataka. Next to the statue is a small temple with a big Shiva lingam inside.

Elephant stables & Lotus Mahal

The former royal palace grounds offer some interesting sights. Not to be missed are the elephant stables and the lotus mahal. These well preserved buildings are known for their unique architecture, which features a blend of Hindu and Islamic styles, including domes and arches, and its intricately carved walls and pillars.

The Lotus mahal was used by the royal women and is believed to have served as a place for relaxation, entertainment, and possibly for holding meetings.

Queens bath and stepped baths

Hampi is a dry landscape and the baths must have involved some advanced engineering. Access to clean drinking water remains a struggle for people in the area, even now. The queens bath is a beauty inside, but the stepped baths used by the citizens of the kingdom are no less impressive.

Hazara Rama temple

Last, but not least of our tour was the Hazara Rama temple. When our tuk tuk driver stopped we almost felt we had seen enough for the day. We were wondering whether to drag our tired bodies into the sun again for one more temple.

But this was not just another temple. This was like a book with the detailed carvings on the walls telling endless stories. Elephants marching forward, women dancing, warriors fighting and horses getting ready for battle.

Tip: The Vittala temple requires a ticket that is also valid for the royal enclosure (lotus mahal and elephant stables) and the archeological museum in Hospet. We visited the museum as part of our tuk tuk tour. My advice is that if you have enough time on the second day of your Hampi itinerary, it is worth having a quick look, but not a must see.

Hampi itinerary day 3: Hampi on foot

Our tuk tuk tour left us in awe, but also tired and overwhelmed. The Virupaksha temple and some Ganesh statues are just accross the river from virupapur gadi and we decided to leave them for the next day. The third day of our Hampi itinerary we explored the area on foot.

Laxmi: the temple elephant

I always have mixed feelings of tourist activities involving elephants. In South India many temples have a temple elephant that hands out blessings to people in exchange for a few rupees.

Laxmi is Virupaksha’s temple elephant and every morning around 8 AM she goes to the river to get a bath. Her caretaker gently washes her and she seems to be enjoying this daily ritual. Still, I feel that a crowded temple is not the place for an elephant.

Virupaksha temple

The Virupaksha Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is worshipped as Virupaksha. The temple is considered one of the oldest and most sacred shrines that dates back to the 7th century. It was a major center of Hindu worship during the Vijayanagara Empire (1336-1565) and continues to be an important pilgrimage destination for Hindus.

Virupaksha temple is thus still functioning and of great importance for Hindus. It is therefore the most crowded of all temples with both people and monkeys. The monkeys are fun to watch, but you should take care if you carry any food items or even just a water bottle.

The monolithic ganesh statues

Behind the Virupaksha temple are two impressive monolithic statues of Ganesh. The hindu god with an elephant head who loves sweets and removes obstacles. Sasivekalu and Kadalekalu Ganesha are an easy walk up the boulders behind the Virupaksha temple and should not be missed.

Hampi itinerary travel tips

The best places to stay in hampi.

There are three places where you can stay in Hampi. First of all there is Hospet which has the nearest railway connection. The town is a transport hub and not very scenic, but offers some decent hotels. It is also convenient if you need to catch an early morning train.

The second option is Hampi bazaar . Here you will find yourself right in the centre of Hampi. However, there is a constant struggle between the hotel owners and the authorities that rather see the hotels go to preserve the archeological heritage.

The third option is Virupapur gadi . You will have to cross the river with a small boat that runs between 7 am and 5 pm, but this is the most scenic and peaceful location. Homestays with good reviews in this area include  Srinivasa homestay , Arjun homestay and Vinayaka homestay

The best places to eat in Hampi

Hampi has no shortage of vegetarian friendly restaurants. Most of them have a laid back atmosphere catering to backpackers on a budget. Again there is a cluster of restaurants around Hampi bazaar and Virupapur gadi.

Hampi bazaar : Mango tree in the middle of a banana plantation is a big favourite among travellers and I understand why. Their thali’s are excellent. For good homemade pasta head to nearby Suresh restaurant.

Virupapur gadi : The food at um cafe was ok, but my main reason for coming back was the relaxed atmosphere and the great view from their rooftop terrace.

When to visit Hampi

Hampi is best visited during the cooler months of October till March. It is also the peak tourist season, so it’s advisable to make advance bookings.

From March onwards it can get unbearingly hot in Hampi and July will bring monsoon rains till September. The area experiences heavy rainfall and many monuments and ruins may be inaccessible.

What to pack for Hampi

Even in the cooler months the sun is strong and there is little shadow among the rocks. Always bring a sun hat and sunscreen to Hampi. Sturdy shoes or sandals are another must for hiking the rocky terrain.

At last bring mosquito repellent . Locally you can buy Odomos that is great against mosquitoes.

Safety in Hampi

During the day hampi is a very safe place. However, the rocky landscape is also the home of snakes and sloth bears. Therefore it is better not to walk around the ruins at night. If you want to see sloth bears you can visit the Daroji sloth bear sanctuary not far from Hampi.

Solo female travel in Hampi

Hampi is not more or less safe for solo female travellers than other touristic places in India. There is no reason not to go to Hampi as a solo female traveler, but it helps to dress conservatively and use your instinct. If it doesn’t feel good it probably isn’t.

Romance and other scams are not unheard of and it is better not to get too friendly with local men that are eager to talk with you or guide you around. Remember, nothing is for free. It is also better not to walk around alone at night in quiet areas. 

How to get to Hampi

Hampi is in the north of Karnataka . The nearest city is Hospet. Hospet is a transport hub with frequent buses and trains to places in Karnataka and beyond. 

If people visit Hampi it is often the only place they visit in Karnataka, but Karnataka has so much more to see. Don’t miss beautiful Mysore with its palaces and great food or the temple beach town of Gokarna . 

Hospet to Hampi : From Hospet you should take a riksha to Hampi (15-20 minutes). If you stay in virupapur gadi take the boat to the other side of the river. The boat runs from 7 AM till 5 PM.

Train to and from Hampi : Hospet has a train station. You can check time tables and book your tickets online directly through the  Indian railways  (IRCTC). Unfortunately this is not always a straightforward process. For a small extra fee you can use  12goAsia  or  Makemytrip . There is a daily nighttrain from Bangalore to Hospet.

Bus to and from Hampi : There are also daily nightbuses From Hospet to Goa or Bangalore. Be aware that some offer a pick up from virupapur gadi included in your ticket. However, this means that you will be stuffed with 6 people in a rickshaw for a one hour journey to a bridge crossing the river to reach Hospet from where the actual bus departs.

It might be more comfortable and quicker to take the last boat (around 5 pm) to the other side of the river and take a rickshaw from there to Hospet on your own cost.

Sustainable travel to Hampi

Hampi is one of the top tourist sites in Karnataka. Karnataka is a beautiful state, but to preserve its culture, it is important to be aware of the possible negative impacts mass tourism can have.

Support the local community:  You can support the community by purchasing goods and services from local vendors, artisans, markets and restaurants. It is better to try South Indian cuisine that uses local ingredients rather than imported foreign foods. South Indian food is very vegetarian friendly and it is easy to follow a vegan diet.

Stay in small scale sustainable hotels : It is also better to stay in locally-owned guesthouses or homestays to support the local economy directly. These accommodations often have a more positive impact on the environment compared to large hotels.

Where possible, I can recommend staying in a homestay for an authentic cultural experience. You might want to bring a small book with pictures of your family to break the ice.

You can also try to look for guesthouses or homestays that prioritizes sustainable practices. That said, environmental awareness is still low. It’s up to you to use water sparsely, turn off lights, air conditioning, and heating when leaving your accommodation.

Use public transport : Karnataka has a well-developed public transportation system. It is easy to reach Hampi by train or bus. Opt for public transport, whenever possible, instead of private cars to reduce carbon emissions.

Leave no trace principle : I encourage you to take all your trash back with you when you visit the temples in Hampi and don’t leave any trash behind. In other words, leave no trace of your visit. Even better is when you bring something to pick up any of the trash that other people left behind.

Respect the culture : Besides environmental concerns it is also important to respect the culture. People will appreciate it, if you dress modestly. Learning a few basic phrases in Kannada, can go a long way in building meaningful connections and to learn more about the local culture. Not everybody is happy to have their picture taken. When in doubt, ask permission.

Disclaimer : This post about the best places to visit in Hampi with a 3 day Hampi itinerary contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!

20 thoughts on “Hampi Itinerary: how to spend 3 days in Hampi”

Hampi is like a treasure trove. There are just so many things to see that one visit is not enough. Glad to see that you explored the other side of the river too. Cheers

Wow Ellis you are a rockstar! You seem to have seen more of India than most Indians I know. Hampi is in my bucket list for a long time but I keep waiting for a long weekend to explore it for 3 days atleast, and somehow end up with another plan when that weekend comes 🙁 This is a fantastic guide. I went to Talakad though in Karnataka which is very close to Bangalore. Did you check out the hippie island in Hampi?

woow this is just beautifully curated post.I am visiting Hampi in upcoming months and this would be so helpful for my travel.I would love to explore anegudi village

Beautiful! I went several years ago but didn’t take many photos and I regret it so much. Love the elephant stables! It was so hot when I went, I remember being drenched in sweat. Love India!

Lovely photos! So many monkeys! We had a great time in Hampi too, we celebrated Holi there and it was great to experience it in a smaller place with some locals. We also went to the swimming hole further up the river because it was soooo hot when we were there!

I’ve never heard of Hampi before but this looks wonderful. I think the relaxed atmosphere would be super appealing.

Hey Ellis you have studied well before describe the place in blog.. and you have taken care every single aspect which need to be cover while visiting this place..

Wonderful Image!! Thank you for sharing valuable information. I enjoyed reading this post. The whole blog is very nice found some good stuff and good information here Thanks for sharing…

Amazing blog! Interesting post, beautiful pictures, A very detailed, inspiring and informative post.

Please note Virupapur Gaddi demolished by government. No homestay and restaurants now. This is for your information

I had the best lassi ever from the Mango Tree restaurant.

Informative and well-written post on Hampi. Ancient temples and monuments of Hampi are worth seeing. We hired a local guide to understand the history behind each of the sites, we visited.

I have been lucky enough to do several trips to Hampi, even if they have all been for short durations. I still have SO much to see there! Your blog takes me back to beautiful memories of this special place

Amazing blog! Interesting post, beautiful pictures.

beautiful picture and nice blog post

Great content! Super high-quality!

nice articles ! keep it up !

Interesting post, beautiful pictures

I am planning to visit Hampi, Badawi n Aihole. Found your blog post useful and good.👍 A local guide would be useful at such historical sites. Keep writing on your journeys. Good luck.

Hampi is famous for its beauty, it’s a upcoming tourist spot in India. Tourism in Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijayanagara, and it is declared a World Heritage site. Hazara Ram temple is a must watch place here.

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2-Day Hampi Itinerary

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• Hampi in 2 days
• 1-Day Hampi Itinerary
• 3-Day Hampi Itinerary
• 4-Day Hampi Itinerary
• 5-Day Hampi Itinerary

Table of contents

Day 1: most popular attractions, day 2: northwest side of town, shree vijaya vitthala temple.

Queen's Bathhouse

Elephant Stables

Lotus mahal, underground shiva temple, virupaksha temple, hampi, shri lakshmi narasimha temple, where to eat, hampi roof restaurant, mango tree restaurant, old chill out ganesh restaurant.

Track your travel spending and split costs with friends

Plan your trip. Keep your budget organized. Split the cost between tripmates. Wanderlog does it all.

Hampi Archeological Museum in Kamalapura

Hazara raama temple, hampi shri krishna swami temple, kadalekalu ganesha, saasivekaalu ganesha, sri malyavanta raghunatha gudi, sanapur lake, suresh restaurant, funky monkey restaurant, chillout bamboo restaurant, sagar hotel hampi.

Don’t forget to pack anything

Stay organized with a to-do list, packing list, shopping list, any kind of list.

Popular road trips from Hampi

What's the weather like in hampi.

It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Hampi for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.

• Weather in Hampi in January
• Weather in Hampi in February
• Weather in Hampi in March
• Weather in Hampi in April
• Weather in Hampi in May
• Weather in Hampi in June
• Weather in Hampi in July
• Weather in Hampi in August
• Weather in Hampi in September
• Weather in Hampi in October
• Weather in Hampi in November
• Weather in Hampi in December

All road trips from Hampi

• Hampi to Bengaluru drive
• Hampi to Mumbai drive
• Hampi to Hyderabad drive
• Hampi to Mysuru (Mysore) drive
• Hampi to New Delhi drive
• Hampi to Chennai (Madras) drive
• Hampi to Jaipur drive
• Hampi to Pune drive
• Hampi to Ooty (Udhagamandalam) drive
• Hampi to Panjim drive
• Hampi to Kochi (Cochin) drive
• Hampi to Agra drive
• Hampi to Munnar drive
• Hampi to Udaipur drive
• Hampi to Pondicherry drive
• Hampi to Kathmandu drive
• Hampi to Kolkata (Calcutta) drive
• Hampi to Ahmedabad drive
• Hampi to Mahabaleshwar drive
• Hampi to Mahabalipuram drive
• Hampi to Kalpetta drive
• Hampi to Madikeri drive
• Hampi to Kodaikanal drive
• Hampi to Chikmagalur drive
• Hampi to Lonavala drive
• Hampi to Varanasi drive
• Hampi to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) drive
• Hampi to Tirupati drive
• Hampi to Jodhpur drive

Explore nearby places

• Hoovina Hadagalli Taluk
• Chitradurga
• Mantralayam
• Chikka Madhure
• Mahadevapura
• Hubli-Dharwad
• Dharmavaram

All related maps of Hampi

• Map of Hampi
• Map of Kamalapur
• Map of Hospet
• Map of Sandur
• Map of Koppal
• Map of Bellary
• Map of Hoovina Hadagalli Taluk
• Map of Bhairapur
• Map of Lakkundi
• Map of Gadag
• Map of Adoni
• Map of Pattadakal
• Map of Badami
• Map of Davanagere
• Map of Davangere
• Map of Harihar
• Map of Chitradurga
• Map of Mantralayam
• Map of Chikka Madhure
• Map of Devanhalli
• Map of Bagalkot
• Map of Haveri
• Map of Raichur
• Map of Shiggaon
• Map of Mahadevapura
• Map of Anantapur
• Map of Hubli-Dharwad
• Map of Saundatti
• Map of Astakatti
• Map of Dharmavaram
• Map of Hosadurga

Hampi throughout the year

• Hampi in January
• Hampi in February
• Hampi in March
• Hampi in April
• Hampi in May
• Hampi in June
• Hampi in July
• Hampi in August
• Hampi in September
• Hampi in October
• Hampi in November
• Hampi in December

Looking for other day-by-day itineraries in Hampi?

Check out our other curated itineraries that are also filled with jam-packed days:

Day itineraries for nearby cities

• 2-Day Hubli-Dharwad Itinerary
• 2-Day Badami Itinerary

• Itinerary + map in one view
• Live collaboration
• Auto-import hotels and reservations
• Optimize your route
• Offline access on mobile
• See time and distance between all your places

Hampi in 2 Days – Itinerary

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from any qualifying purchases, at no additional cost to you.

This post is a Hampi Travel Guide that contains a detailed Hampi 2-day Itinerary.

Hampi, a temple town in Karnataka is a UNESCO world heritage site situated on the banks of the Tungabhadra river. Once the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 14th century, Hampi was known to be a wealthy, prosperous and monumental city. Not only was Hampi the world's second-largest medieval-era city after Beijing, it was also India's richest city at the time. The grandeur of the ancient city is still prevalent in the majestic temples and the striking ruins, perched across a craggy landscape surrounded by lush banana plantations. I had read about and seen countless pictures of Hampi. I kept planning a trip and it kept getting delayed due to some reason or another. My family has a tradition of taking a road trip every January. Guess which place I suggested for our trip!

As the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire are spread over an area of 26 sq. km in and around Hampi, there are 2 options to explore them. If you have limited time then you can cover the more popular/ mainstream sites in 1 day. Whereas, if you wish to soak in the royalty and enjoy the architecture, then a 2 day trip to Hampi is the better option. Keeping both scenarios in mind, I have written about a 2-day itinerary for Hampi. Furthermore, I will be mentioning the sites which can be skipped so that you can squeeze in the important sites in one day. In case you want to see more pictures of Hampi and other destinations, then visit my Instagram profile (@thespicyjourney) .

Table of Contents

How to Reach Hampi

Nearest train station is Hospet junction which is 13 km from Hampi. Hospet is connected to Bangalore, Chennai, Goa, Hyderabed, Hubli, Mysore, Kolkata, Vijayawada, Tirupati, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Kolhapur.

Hampi is well-connected by regular buses to and from Bangalore, Goa, Karwar and Hubli.

A road trip to Hampi from Goa or from other cities makes for a viable option.

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How Many Days to Spend in Hampi?

In all honesty, Hampi is a place to visit on a weekend which is why I've created a blog post for the perfect Hampi itinerary for 2 days. However, if you don't have much time or are just passing by Hampi then you can even cover all the places to visit in Hampi in 1 day itself. On the other hand, if you're backpacking and wish to chill out for a while, then you can end up staying here for much longer, probably around 5-10 days even. So the choice is all yours - you can cover everything in two days or according to your schedule - there are no rules here.

HAMPI ITINERARY - DAY 1

1. Virupaksha Temple

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Virupaksha or Pampapathi temple is the main center of pilgrimage in Hampi. Having been around since the 7th century, the temple started out as a little shrine which was later developed into a vast complex under the Vijayanagara rule. The temple consists of a shrine, a hall with innumerable pillars, three antechambers, courtyards, gateways and a few smaller shrines. The temple has three towers. The nine-tiered eastern tower rises 50 meters and dates back to the first half of the 15th century. Moreover, this tower has been built such that an inverted shadow of the tower falls on the western wall of the temple through a small hole. Ancient India was well-aware of the concept of the pinhole camera! While the northern gopuram has five storeys, the inner eastern gopuram is three storeys high. The temple attracts huge crowds in the month of December for the marriage festivities of Virupaksha and Pampa.

2. Hampi Bazaar

Once a thriving marketplace during the Vijayanagara rule, Hampi Bazaar was a well-planned market area. Located in from of the Virupaksha temple, the bazaar stretches for over 1 kilometer. While in the ancient times, merchants from foreign lands used to sell precious stones, jewelry, silk clothes, today the market still lives on, although it isn't as alluring. The current market has shopkeepers selling handmade jewelry, wall art, embroidered shawls, bags, stone figurines and the likes. Unfortunately, the market was closed down recently so anybody visiting Hampi henceforth can only look at the pavilions and imagine what the market used to look like.

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3. Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum, located 350m from Sri Virupaksha Temple, houses sculptures and antiques from different periods. The museum is in 4 sections.

The first section contains two scaled models of the Hampi topography along with monuments and temples located on it. This gives visitors an idea of the relative locations of the sites. the models also display the hills and rivers in Hampi.

The second section contains a large collection of sculptures and idols collected from the Hampi ruins. Most of these artifacts belong to Shiva worship and Veerabhadra cult.

The third section of the museum contains a collection of arms, coinage, tools, metal objects and other artifacts that were popular during the reign of the Vijayanagara Empire. A noteworthy exhibit in this section are documents made of brass and bundled together as a book using a ring.

In the fourth section you will find several antiquities that date back to the pre-historic and proto-historic eras. These objects are the oldest of all exhibits in the museum.

4. Vijaya Vittala Temple

No Hampi itinerary is complete without a visit to this structure! The most popular and the grandest of all structures in Hampi, the Vittala Temple is dedicated to Vittala, an aspect of Lord Vishnu. The sprawling campus features iconic structures such as the main temple, a stone chariot, pillared pavilions, halls and gateway towers. The temple, built in the Dravidian style of architecture, exemplifies the immense creativity and architectural magnificence possessed by the sculptors and artisans of the Vijayanagara empire.

The front of the temple houses a memorable intricately sculpted stone chariot. The chariot is a shrine dedicated to the eagle God, Garuda . Another interesting structure is the  maha mandapam , which has the most fascinating and famous part of the temple—the musical pillars. Carved out of a single rock, each of the massive pillars emits a different musical tone. The British, curious to discover the secrets of the musical pillars, cut two of them open. However, they were unable to find any device inside the pillars. The two pillars along with the others are still present for visitors to admire.

An extravagant architectural masterpiece, the Vijaya Vittala temple is the most visited and the most photographed site in Hampi. This place just cannot be missed. It's one of the most spectacular sight in Central and Southern India .

5. Saasivekalu Ganesha Temple

A huge statue of Lord Ganesha, carved out of a single rock is the main attraction of the Saasivekalu Ganesha Temple. The enormous statue rises to a height of 8 feet. This idol is seated in a large open mandapa (hall) surrounded by an open pavilion. If you observe carefully, you will find inscriptions on the pillars made by traders from Andhra Pradesh. These inscriptions are as old as 1200 AD and say that this status was build in memory of King Narasimha the Second of the Vijayanagara Empire. This temple is situated just 700 m away from Virupaksha Temple.

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6. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

The Hamekuta Hill Temple Complex is without a doubt, my favorite spot in Hampi. The cluster of ancient temples, archways and pavilions is situated just 200 m from the Saasivekalu Ganesha Temple. Some of these temples dates back to 9 th to 14 th  century and thus belonging to the era before the Vijayanagara Empire was founded. This hill is one of the best places to watch the sun go down. Besides, this hill is much easier to climb than the nearby Matanga hill.

Legend has it that Lord Shiva did penance before marrying a local girl, Pampa. Shiva was impressed by her dedication for him and thus consented to marry her. On this day it rained gold on this hill. Hema in Sanskrit language means gold. The name of the hill thus connects with this legend. Hence a number of temples in this area are dedicated to Lord Shiva, the major one being the Virupaksha Temple at the north of this hill.

Get here at least an hour and half before sunset. The place will be empty for you to click photographs. As sunset gets closer, the place will be swarming with tourists.

HAMPI ITINERARY - DAY 2

1. Queens’ Bath

Start your second day at Hampi with a visit to Queens' Bath. The ornate structure, spread across 30 sq. m has a large sunken open-sky bath in the center. The rectangular bath is surrounded by a big verandah , extended balconies and carved domes. The balconies are decorated with tiny windows and supported by lotus bud tipped brackets. The ancient unassuming building is an epitome of the luxurious life of the royal families.

The bath, although it's named as Queens' bath, was used by both Kings and Queens. In fact, it served as a royal pleasure house. From here, you can move on to the Royal Enclosure and the Zenana Enclosure.

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2. Dasara Dibba

Also known as the Mahanavami Dibba, the Dasara Dibba is an itricately carved stone platform located 650 m from the Queen's Bath. It was build by the King Krishnadevaraya after his conquest over the kingdom of Udayagiri, present day Orissa. The platform is about 12 m in height and played a prominent role during the Navaratri celebrations. The King used to sit atop this platform and watch the celebrations in the form of march pasts, sword fighting wrestling and royal processions. This is the first stop inside the Royal Enclosure.

3. Stepped Tank

Stepped Tank of Hampi or Pushkarni is located just 190 m from Dasara Dibba. A pushkarni is a sacred water tank that is usually attached to a temple. This tank is located inside the Royal Enclosure and is said to be used by the royals during religious ceremonies such as rituals, cleansing and during rites of concretion. The ornate tank is constructed out of finely finished blocks of black stones and displays architectural beauty. The mason marks on the individual blocks of stones mark the direction of flow of water. This tank is a sight to behold and cannot be missed when in Hampi !

4. Hazara Rama Temple

Beyond the stepped tanks, 700 m away lies the resplendent Hazara Rama Temple. The small yet elaborately carved temple is dedicated to Lord Rama. It was once the private temple of the kings and the royal family of Vijayanagara. The relationship between the temple and the royal family is depicted in the reliefs covering the outer surface of the compound walls. They portray pictures of elephants, horses with attendants, military contingents and dancing ladies.

The most stirring feature of the temple is that the walls of the temple carry the entire story of Ramayana carved on stone.

5. Lotus Mahal

The Lotus Mahal, at a distance of 500 m from the Hazara Rama Temple is located inside the Zenana Enclosure. This enclosure was the residential area of the queens. Only lady guards and maids were allowed inside this area. The Lotus Mahal is named such due to the top view of the structure, which resembles a lotus flower. The picturesque palace is a two-storeyed building which is a fine example of Indo-Islamic architecture. The palace is surrounded by trees and a grassy area, making it a scenic site.

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6. Elephant Stables

A stone's throw away from Lotus Mahal lies the Elephant Stable. This impressive long building with a row of domed chambers was used to ‘park’ the royal elephants of the grand Vijayanagara Empire. The whole building looks symmetric with respect to a central hall. The tower of the central hall resembles that of a temple shrine. However, the domes to either side of the central dome are alternately of Islamic and Buddhist style.  All the chambers have high ceilings and have a small opening at the rear from where the mahouts could enter and exit. There is a central hook embedded in the ceiling of the central dome which was most likely used to hook the elephants. Also noteworthy is a hidden staircase which is used to reach to roof of the building. The guards' barracks are located next to the elephant stables.

7. Malyavantha Raghunatha Temple

https://www.instagram.com/p/BesVSVchDXV/

Approximately 4 km from Zenana Enclosure and 4.5 km from Vijaya Vittala temple lies the Malyavantha Raghunatha Temple. According to mythology, Rama and Lakshmana were looking for a shelter during the monsoon season. Rama aimed an arrow in the Malyavanta hill direction. Hence, Rama and Lakshmana stayed here till the monsoon rains are over, before they marched to Lanka along with the army of vanaras . The temple complex is typical of any temple in Hampi. Further along the temple, an archway leads towards a cliff of boulders from where you get a panoramic view of Hampi's open fields. This spot is perfect for taking pictures and idly enjoying the sunset.

1 Day Hampi Itinerary

If you have just 1 day in Hampi, visit only the following Hampi attractions:

• Virupaksha Temple
• Vijaya Vittala Temple
• Queens' Bath
• Dasara Dibba
• Stepped Tank
• Hazara Rama Temple
• Lotus Mahal
• Elephant Stables
• Saasivekalu Ganesha Temple
• Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex

If you have some time to spare, visit the Malyavantha Raghunatha Temple. All of these are doable in one day if you start your day early.

Restaurants in Hampi - Where to Eat

Hampi has some of the finest restaurants and cafes serving scrumptious food. My favourite one is Mango Tree , shown in the picture above. The restaurant is quite popular among the foreign crowd and there's never a time when the place is empty. They serve individual meals, which I think is great. Other popular restaurants in Hampi are Gowthami Guest House , German Bakery , Laughing Buddha and Ganesh Chillout . You'll find a good mixture of Israeli, South Indian and continental cuisine in most places.

Must Read: Top Places to Visit in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry

Where to Stay in Hampi - Hotels in Hampi

Being a popular destination, there's no shortage of hotels in Hampi. Most people choose to stay in Hospete, a tiny city on the outskirts of Hampi.

Find Hotels in Hampi onBooking.com

Did You Enjoy Reading this Hampi Itinerary?

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31 Comments

Been there some years back, but surely a place I would look to visit again. Did you do the throw the coin in the water-body thingy? you ought to have visited the sloth bear sanctuary too. They look cute as teddy bears. Just a bit outside Hampi.

This place is amazing, I want to go back to India right now! Indian temples are so beautiful and I love the stories and legends behind them, like that of the Malyavantha Raghunatha temple.

I’m a massive fan of the Indian mythology too! Do come back to India soon to explore some temples 🙂

I’ve never heard of Hampi but I love your photos of it. Two days seems like the perfect amount of time to spend there. I have always like statues of Ganesha, so I think that would be the sight I’d most want to see.

Thank you Stella. Yes, 2 days was just about right for Hampi 🙂

What an amazing blog! I was in Hampi just a few months ago.. i could literally relive my memories through your blog! Loved it.. ?

Thanks Kanika. Happy to refresh your memory !!

Oh man, my list of places to see in India only gets longer. Hampi looks incredible with all the temples to explore. And that stepped tank is something to marvel at.

Haha India has a never-ending list of monuments, temples, forts and what not. The stepped tank is indeed a marvel and a unique identifier of India.

Loving your dress. These are beautiful architectures. Makes me want to visit India more.

Thank you !! Do try to visit India as soon as you can 🙂

I was in Hampi last November and it was my second time! I can definitely not get enough of that place. One thing is true indeed -you need atleast a week to see it well!

Oh yes!! I wouldn’t mind spending a week there!

Your article reminded me about my journey to hampi few years ago. And I spent there exactly two days. I wish I know your blog back then that would be very helpful information.

I’m glad you liked my blog 🙂 I hope I can inspire more people to refer to my guides and take trips !!

Oh, Hampi! It is such a wonderful place. I had been there last October and it was an amazing trip. I went on a nostalgic trip reading your post. But yes, you need a lot more time to explore and understand Hampi. Loved the post!

Thank you Amrita!! I’m glad you were able to refresh your memory through my blog 🙂

Hampi is on my India’s must-visit places to explore given credit to its history. I have known a little bit about the Vijaya Vittala Temple, but the rocks of the pillars emits music, that must be something to experience. I would love to see the Queen’s bath, its grandeur is imminent.

The musical pillars were out of a fairy tale! It’s forbidden to play music on the pillars now but some guides do it anyways. I’m guilty of listening to it but it was a great experience!!

This looks like such a cool place! I want to visit Hampi and this looks like a really detailed guide. Thanks for sharing!

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Hellow my name is Martinpeado. Wery good post! Thx 🙂

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Hey! I’ve always wanted to visit Hampi. I have visited North India but not the South yet! I’m looking to go back next year and have found this itinerary really helpful! Thankyou so much! Hampi looks a beautiful place. Was it peaceful? Out of curious did you not get temple fatigue seeing that many in one day?

Love Alex xxx

Hey Alex! South India is beautiful and I’m glad you’ll be making your way here soon. I, personally, did not get temple fatigue in Hampi because each of them is quite unique. If you notice all the points of interests mentioned in my post, each location has it’s own backstory, which was quite intriguing. That being said, Hampi is turning into a hippie paradise and you can easily stay here a few days to relax.

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Can you suggest good hotels around Hampi with good food and hygiene taken care off

For mythology lovers, there’s more in Hampi. There is Anjaneya Parvat, believed to be birth place of Lord Hanuman, the monkey god of epic, Ramayan fame, atop a hill with 575 steps. It also gives a 360° panaromic view of the area. Also there is Kishkindha, the abode of Bali & Sugreev as also the cave in which Bali fought a demon. One can also visit Pampa Sarovar, one of the 5 sacred sarovar of hindus, besides which is the place where Sabri fed Ram & Laxman with plumbs and guided them to seek help of Bali to search Sita, called Savari Ashram.

Hi, Your blog served as a reference for me to visit hampi over the weekend on a solo trip. Created a list of places from your blog and visited all of them. Thanks for writing 🙂

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