10 Splendid Places To Visit In Hampi (+ 5 Epic Things To Do)

Did you know that Hampi was once the richest city in India with marvellous temples, trading markets and massive fortifications? It used to be one of the largest cities in the world and the capital of the Vijayanagara empire in the 14th century.

However, in 1565, the Deccan Muslim rulers destroyed the city and looted its wealth leading to the fall of the Vijayanagara empire.

What remains now is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the world’s largest ‘open-air’ museum.

Huge boulders and archaeological ruins with a rich history mark the entire landscape of Hampi today. The city’s architecture is so unique that you’re bound to feel intrigued and curious as soon as you land in Hampi.

I visited Hampi with my friends for a few days, and in this guide, I walk you through the 10 splendid places to visit in Hampi that you can include in your itinerary. I’ve also included the 5 epic things to do in Hampi to make your trip more engaging.

Where is Hampi?

Flanked by the Tungabhadra river, Hampi is an ancient city located in the central part of Karnataka. The closest city to Hampi is Hospet, at a distance of 13 km.

Due to its geography, the distance from Hyderabad (372 km) and Bangalore (342 km) to Hampi are similar.

On the other side of the Tungabhadra River is Hippie Island, also known locally as Virapapur Gadde. As the name suggests, it is a completely different place from Hampi in that it attracts a lot of solo travellers and backpackers, especially from foreign countries. 

10 splendid places to visit in Hampi

The good thing about Hampi is that you can dedicate different days to covering different areas of Hampi.

For example, you’ll find all the major attractions in the central area of Hampi.

The remaining attractions are located in the Kamalapura area which you can cover on the second day.

You can dedicate the third day to exploring Hippie Island opposite Hampi.

Depending on where you’re staying, you can decide how you want to cover the destinations in Hampi. Having said that, let’s take a look at the top 10 places to visit in Hampi (in chronological order) according to different areas for your convenience.

Top 5 places to visit in central Hampi

1. Vijaya Vittala Temple

While Vijaya Vittala Temple is 11 km away (half an hour) by road from central Hampi, I’ve included it here as it’s similar to other places in central Hampi. After covering the Vijaya Vittala Temple, you can come back to central Hampi and cover the remaining four places.

Also, if you’re staying at Hampi or Hippie Island, you can also hire a ferry to the Vijaya Vittala Temple as it’ll save more time as compared to driving around.

This temple is one of the two main temples in Hampi. It was built in the 15th century AD and is dedicated to Lord Vishnu.

There is a large gopuram (temple tower) at the entrance of this complex and a stone chariot in the middle flanked by small temples across the complex. 

The architecture of this well-preserved temple will make you wonder how the engineers at the time were able to create such complex structures without access to modern technology or machinery.

Beautiful inscriptions and carvings on the temples and structures here showcase many events from Ramayana, different avatars of Vishnu, foreign traders in Hampi and so on.

Fun fact: The stone chariot, which is the highlight of this temple, is depicted on the INR 50 note.

Another attraction of this place is the musical pillars. You can create music by tapping your hands on the musical pillars.

I suggest you hire a guide for this place as without one, you won’t be able to appreciate the genius architecture behind this place. You can hire a guide from the temple complex itself.

It is recommended that you visit this temple early in the morning to avoid crowds.

From the parking lot, there is a distance of 1 km to the temple complex that you can cover either on foot or by hiring a battery-operated buggy.

The ticket you purchase here can also be used to visit other sites in Hampi, like Lotus Mahal, Elephant’s Stable and the Archaeological Musem (more on them later).

2. Virupaksha Temple

One of the most popular places to visit in Hampi is the Virupaksha Temple.

It is the only functioning temple in Hampi and the oldest functioning one in India.

Built-in the 7th century AD, this temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, was continuously expanded throughout the centuries, especially during the reign of the Vijayanagara empire.

Virupaksha Temple is a massive complex overlooking the Tungabhadra river and comprises two gopurams (temple towers), one at the entrance and one at the back.

You’ll be blown away by the complex Dravidian architecture and the intricate carvings on the structures here. To have the best experience, I suggest you hire a guide here as well to give you some historical, architectural and scientific context behind this temple.

Do not forget to visit the ‘hidden spot’ which has an ancient pin hole from where you can see the inverted shadow of gopuram! It is at the back side of the temple.

Prayers happen a couple of times a day, and you can even offer bananas to the temple elephant called Laxmi and receive blessings in return.

If you can, try to come early in the morning because this place becomes crowded as the day passes, especially in the evening.

3. Kadalekalu Ganesha and Sasivekalu Ganesha

Carved out of a single block of granite stone, the 15 feet monolithic statue of Lord Ganesha kept at the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is one of the largest in the world, and is another example of the creativity and technique of craftsmen in the ancient era.

The statue is kept in a sanctum with pillared halls.

The belly of Ganesha looks like Kadalekalu (Bengal gram), hence the name. If you notice carefully, the leg of the statue is missing as it was destroyed during the Muslim invasion.

This temple was believed to be meant for the King and his guests. 

Close to 300 metres from the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is the Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple. The statue of Ganesha here is almost half the size of the one found in the other place.

Unlike the other statue, this one is enclosed within an open pillared pavilion. Due to the Muslim invasion, you can see the lower left hand and the trunk of the statue missing.

Its name is inspired by the resemblance between Ganesha’s belly and a mustard seed known locally as Sasivekalu.

This temple was believed to be meant for the public.

You can visit both these places on Hemakunta hill, a rocky terrain close to the Virupaksha Temple.

4. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple and Badavilinga Temple

Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is the largest monolith statue in Hampi.

Built during the 15th century AD, this beautifully-sculpted statue showcases Lord Narasimha, one of the reincarnations of Lord Vishnu, as a half-man and half-lion sitting in a cross-legged position.

It depicts Lord Narasimha in a terrifying form posing on the coil of a giant seven-headed snake called Adishesha. The heads of the snake act as the hood above his head. 

Originally, the statue also had Goddess Lakshmi sitting on the Lord’s lap, but it was vandalised and damaged in the year 1565 during the Muslim invasion. If you look carefully, you can spot the goddess’ hand still resting on his back. 

You can find the separate sculpture of Goddess Lakshmi in the archaeological museum (more on this later) at Kamalapura.

The Badavalinga Temple is right next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. This is another temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

It is a lingam carved out of a single black stone inside a closed chamber. It is submerged in water courtesy of a water canal flowing from Tungabhadra and there is an opening at the top that lets in the natural light.

You can visit both these places together and they’re within 1.5 km of Matanga Hill. 

5. Matanga Hill

A trip to Hampi is incomplete without hiking to Matanga Hill. It is one of the most popular places to visit in Hampi to catch a sunrise/sunset.

Located in the centre of the town near Hampi Bazaar and Virupaksha Temple, it is the highest point in Hampi from where you get a panoramic view of the ruins of Hampi, including the Virupaksha Temple, Monolith Bull and the Tungabhadra River. 

You will forget the pains of climbing this ‘hill’ once you experience the stunning views from the top. I call it a ‘hill’ because it is a heap of rocks and boulders assembled that appear like one. 

It’ll take you around 20-30 minutes to reach the top as you traverse through the carefully-assembled rocks and boulders.

While you can expect some crowds, the best time to visit this place is during sunrise and sunset when the landscape brightens up with various hues of blue and orange in the sky along with the ruins of Hampi in the foreground.

Top 5 places to visit in Kamalapura (5 km from Hampi)

6. Hanuman Temple (Anjaneya Hill)

One of my favourite memories from the trip was the climb and the spectacular landscapes we saw from Hanuman Temple.

Much like Matanga Hill, this is another spot in Hampi famous for its stunning sunrise/sunset views. 

Hanuman Temple is located on top of Anjaneya Hill and it attracts a lot of pilgrims as it is known as the birthplace of Lord Hanuman.

To reach the temple, you need to climb close to 600 steps, some of which are steep and others that are high and narrow.

But the entire effort will be worth it once you reach the top because you’ll see the Tungabhadra river flowing between rocky hills surrounded by paddy fields and both the Virupaksha and Vijaya Vittala temples.

Anjaneya Hill is located at a distance of 2 km from Virupaksha Temple. To reach here, you have to cross the Tungabhadra river by boat or drive to Hippie Island by road.

Beware of your belongings as this temple is host to many monkeys.

The best time to visit this place is during sunrise or sunset and the time taken to reach the top is approximately 20-30 minutes.

Note: While Anjaneya Hill is less than 20 km away from Kamalapura, I’ve included it here so that you have another place to witness an amazing sunrise/sunset on the day you visit Kamalapura. The remaining four places are in Kamalapura.

7. Zenana Enclosure

The Zenana Enclosure was a private walled compound with a serene setting reserved for the royal ladies of the Vijayanagara empire. 

Note: The ticket that you purchase from here can be used interchangeably at the Vijay Vittala Temple, Zenana Enclosure, Lotus Mahal, Elephant’s Stable and at Hampi Archaeological museum for a day.

While you can take some visit all the attractions here, make sure you visit the following places at all costs:

Lotus Mahal

Lotus Palace is a two-storied architectural marvel that resembles the shape of a lotus in bloom from the top. It was a secluded area designated for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire.

It used to have channels of water running through the arches of the palace meant to keep the queens cool during the hot summers.

Watch Tower

The troops used to guard the Zenana Enclosure from the watch towers. These towers also served as a vantage point for the ladies.

You can not climb it but can take pictures.

Elephant Stables

Close to the Lotus Palace is the Elephant Stables. It is one of the few structures in Hampi that were not attacked. 

The Elephant Stables were used to provide shelter to the royal elephants of the Vijayanagara empire.

Eleven dome-shaped chambers with lofty arched doorways were used to house the elephants. You can also see the provision for the metal hooks that were used in tying the elephants.

There is an open ground in front of the building that was used for elephant parades.

8. Royal Enclosure

The Royal Enclosure was the heart of the Vijayanagara empire. The royal family used to reside here.

The Royal Enclosure used to house several palace bases, water tanks, temples, canals, secret passages, etc. that are in ruins today.

This is another place where you need a guide for a more immersive experience.

While there are many structures in this huge complex, some of the important ones are:

Mahanavami Dibba/Dasara Dibba

Dussehra was the most celebrated event of the year for the royal family.

The Mahanavami Dibba was a three-tiered stage which served as the viewing platform for the kings and queens to watch cultural events celebrated during Dussehra.

You get a panoramic view of the expansive area within the royal corridor from here.

The sides of the walls demonstrate how Dussehra was celebrated here. You’ll find carvings of horses, warriors, elephants, various hunting scenes, mythology, dance postures, etc. that tell the cultural tale of a bygone era.

Step well

If you’re still not convinced by the creativity and genius of the craftsmen at that time, visit the step well.

Made from black stone, it is a well that is symmetrical in shape and the steps are made in a way such that water flows naturally to the bottom of the tank. It is one of the best architectural places to visit in Hampi that make use of an efficient water management system.

It is no wonder then that it is one of the most photographed attractions in Hampi. 

The step well was a sacred place for the royals. They used to take bath here before visiting any religious place.

Hazara Raama Temple

The Hazara Rama Temple is another architectural marvel like Virupaksha Temple and the Vijaya Vittala Temple that deserves your attention.

Dedicated to Lord Rama, it portrays the story of Ramayana through the stone carvings inscribed on its walls and pillars. 

This temple was meant for the royal families only.

9. Queen’s Bath

One of the lesser-known places to visit in Hampi is the Queen’s Bath, close to the Royal Enclosure.

It is a rectangular-shaped building with a pool in the middle and an open-air ceiling. It is built around a water canal with a garden in the front.

It was used as a bathing place for the queens of the Vijayanagara empire.

There is also a separate room for dress changing. 

Fun fact: There was an ancient canal system that was used to transfer water in the bath chamber and another canal that would take out the used water.

10. Hampi Archaeological Museum (Kamalapura)

Once you’re done seeing all the ruins in Hampi, you can visit the Hampi Archaeological Museum. It’ll give you a summary of all that you learnt about Hampi and help you delve deeper into its history.

The museum houses four different galleries, each covering different aspects of Hampi.

You can find several artefacts here like sculptures of deities, paintings, ancient coins, armoury and photos of Hampi during excavation.

Watch out for the miniature model of the entire geography of Hampi!

You can visit this museum on all days except Fridays when it’s closed to the public.

5 epic things to do in Hampi

The best thing about Hampi is that it is not limited to its rich history and architectural ruins. As a traveller, there are other things that you can indulge in that will make your experience in Hampi more immersive.

Here are the top 5 things to do in Hampi apart from visiting the ruins:

1. Explore Hippie Island, Hampi

In what is a complete contrast to the ruins and heritages of Hampi, Hippie Island is a small island across the Tungabhadra river with a very laid-back and chilled-out vibe. It will remind you of Gokarna, a beach town in Karnataka which has a similar vibe and culture.

You can expect more foreigners here than Indians during the peak season.

Hippie Island, known officially as Virupapur Gadde, can be accessed by boat from Hampi. It takes only 5-10 minutes by boat and the rates are reasonable. The boating service is available only till 5:30 pm after which it might become difficult and costlier to get a boat.

You have the option of accessing Hippie Island by road but keep in mind that it takes close to 45 minutes to reach here.

Hippie Island runs across the Tungabhadra river and is characterised by paddy fields and coconut trees. There are lots of various homestays, restaurants and shops to keep you occupied.

You can shop for clothes and ornaments, get massages, indulge in yoga and play music among others.

Update: Read this article to know the latest information about Hippie Island.

2. Take a coracle ride in the Tungabhadra river

A coracle is a round boat made with bamboo strips. It can carry 6-8 people at a time and has been around since the time of the Vijayanagara empire.

The ride through this boat is pretty scenic. You will get to see some temples and caves during the ride. 

It typically lasts for less than an hour. Try to bargain because the rates quoted by the boat owners are usually high.

The best time to do this will be during sunrise and sunset.

3. Try bouldering in Hampi/Hippie Island

If you love outdoor adventures, this one’s for you! Bouldering is one of the most popular things to do in Hampi/Hippie Island.

There are shops in Hippie Island run by professional people that help you climb boulders with proper gear. You don’t need to be an expert to indulge in this sport as anyone can do this.

You can check out the Tom and Jerry climbing shop, now known as Golden Boulders, located close to the entrance of Hippie Island.

4. Jump from a cliff into the Sanapur Lake

Cliff jumping is one of the best ways to cool off after visiting the ruins. You can find multiple locations at Sanapur Lake from where you can dive into the water.

Make sure that the level of water is high enough and that you know swimming. You can ask the locals for the diving spots and it is preferable to do it in a place where people are already diving.

5. Stroll at Hampi Bazaar

Hampi Bazaar was one of the first open malls in history that is flanked on one side by the Virupaksha Temple and on the other side by Matanga Hill. It is a one-kilometre-long stretch and has pavilions on both sides of the street.

It used to be the main market during the Vijayanagar empire where merchants used to sell jewellery, ornaments, precious stones, horses, etc. Take a walk through these ruins to be reminded of their rich history.

Note: You can also do this activity while you visit central Hampi.

How to reach Hampi?

There is no direct connectivity to Hampi. You need to get down at Hospet (which is at a distance of 13 km from Hampi) if you’re coming by public transport.

You can find public buses that travel from Hospet to Hampi frequently. You also have the option of hiring an auto from here.

By air

The nearest airport to Hampi is Bellary, 60 km away. If you’re unable to find a flight to Bellary, the next best option would be to take a flight to Bangalore and take the Hampi Express at night from there.

By train

Hospet is the nearest railway station to Hampi. 

There are frequent trains from Bangalore to Hospet every week. Hampi Express is the most convenient option for you if you are travelling from Bangalore to Hampi since you arrive at Hospet in the morning itself.

Similarly, you can find trains from Goa, Hyderabad and Chennai as well.

By bus

Hospet is well-connected to different towns and cities in Karnataka by both public and private buses. You can find inter-state buses from Goa, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra as well.

How to travel in Hampi?

The best way to travel around Hampi is by hiring a two-wheeler, especially if you’re a solo traveller. You can rent a scooter at Kamalapura or Hampi Bazaar. You can also enquire at the place you are staying for a scooty.

The only drawback of hiring a scooty is that you’ll have to search for guides at every destination to know more about that particular place instead of hiring a guide for a full day.

Alternatively, you can hire autos/taxis to take you around Hampi. As they’re locals, they’re well versed with the history of Hampi and can double up as your guide.

In our case, we hired a cab from our homestay and a separate guide (who the driver knew).

There are no fixed rates so you would need to bargain with the driver.

At Hippie Island, hiring two-wheelers is the most common practice and it is available almost everywhere.

Best places to stay in Hampi

Most of Hampi’s tourist accommodations are located in the Hampi Bazaar. Apart from that, you can find a few homestays in Kamalapura and many low-cost hostels and homestays on Hippie Island.

Homestays in Hampi

Gopi Homestay

Although this place is a bit far away from the centre of Hampi, you will have a peaceful stay here. The hosts are friendly and will help you sort out your travel plans.

There are no restaurants available nearby but you can always have their home-cooked food. And their breakfasts are complimentary. They have a separate kitchen in case you would like to cook something on your own.

They have an open terrace from where you can get great views of the surroundings.

Srinivasa Homestay

It is located in a village near major tourist attractions with great surroundings. They have a terrace from where you can get scenic views of the village.

The rooms are clean and spacious.

The host is helpful and they provide delicious home-cooked food. They will also help you with your travel plans. 

Abhi Homestay

The host is very hospitable and goes out of their way to help you. You get delicious home-cooked food as well.

The homestay is at a peaceful location. It is near the main tourist attractions of Hampi.

Hostels in Hampi

Murali Homestay

They are located at Hippie Island so you would need to cross the Tungabhadra river or come by road from Hampi to reach here. They will also pick you up from Hampi at an additional cost.

They have mixed dorms apart from private rooms and can also help you with renting a scooty.

The views from the property are picturesque and you will get good home-cooked food here.

Rambo Homestay

It is another homestay located on Hippie Island close to Sanapur Lake. The location of this homestay is beautiful as it is nearby the lake and paddy fields

The host is very helpful and will pick you up from Hampi if you want. You can rent scooters here as well.

The ambience of this place is very laid back and they provide good food at reasonable rates at their restaurant.

Best restaurants in Hampi

Mango Tree Restaurant

If I had to suggest only one restaurant in Hampi, this would be it. You will end up having food from here multiple times because the quality of the food is amazing.

They have a variety of cuisines including Italian, European, Israeli, Chinese and Asian.

Mango lassi is a must-have here.

Note: You will find a lot of restaurants in Hampi, especially on Hippie Island that have good reviews online but from personal experience, the quality of the food that you get at most of these restaurants belies their online ratings.

Best time to visit Hampi

Being a dry region, Hampi has very hot and dry weather in general. The summers in Hampi can go up to 40 degrees.

However, you’ll find that tourists are also less during this time.

In terms of weather, the best time to visit Hampi is from October to March. While the weather remains warm during the day, it is certainly more pleasant as compared to the summer season.

Best travel tips for Hampi

Following are some tips to keep in mind to ensure you have a great experience in Hampi:

• As you will be walking around Hampi from one place to another under the harsh sun, it is imperative to carry a hat to protect your head and sunscreen to protect your skin.
• Make sure to hydrate yourself regularly as you will get tired easily.
• Avoid cotton clothes and wear active and breathable clothes to avoid getting drenched in your sweat.
• Wear sports shoes to walk around comfortably as you will need a good grip when climbing boulders and rocks.
• It is highly recommended to hire a travel guide while visiting the ruins of Hampi. They can tell you the story behind a place and give you some context. You can hire guides from the tourism office at Virupaksha Temple or enquire at the place you are staying.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Hampi is a magical city that’ll take you back to the Vijayanagara empire leaving you with rich memories of an era gone by. Nowhere in India will you see a landscape and a history as striking as the one you see in Hampi.

Apart from visiting the famous ruins of the city, you can also explore other activities like exploring Hippie Island, taking a coracle ride and jumping off a cliff.

Also, while you visit the ruins, make sure you hire a guide who’ll give you context for all the places you visit. You can ask for the same from the place you’re staying at.

Depending on what you’re looking for, all the homestays and hostels will also help you hire a cab/auto or rent a scooty.

You’ll find a lot of homestays and hostels at Hampi at reasonable rates. This will be especially useful for people who love to travel solo or backpack.

Lastly, while you can visit Hampi in the summers and expect a lesser crowd, the weather is much more favourable during winters.

With that said, I hope you found this extensive guide on ‘the 10 best places to visit in Hampi’ useful.

If you have any questions, do let me know in the comments!