How to describe Hampi with one word: “Hampiness”. This was the first thing I heard about Hampi as soon as I arrived at my guesthouse. I immediately understood why: Hampi has something magical and peaceful about it, which has to be experienced to be understood. Hampi is a small, quiet town in the state of Karnataka, in south-western India. Hampi has a unique and magnetic charm, stemming from its beautiful picturesque scenery, dotted with paddy fields, rock formations and lakes, and its magnificent architecture and temples. Read the rest of our article below for the 7 top things to do in Hampi!
Interactive map
Hampi is divided into two areas: Hampi Centre, which is the main part of Hampi, where most of the temples are located, and Hippie Island, a quiet island located on the opposite bank of the Tungabhadra River from Hampi Centre. Hippie Island is the perfect place to stay to enjoy a relaxed ambience, alternative living and enjoy cheap accommodation and riverside cafes.
To reach Hippie Island, one can walk a few metres across the river to the right on the boat, which is located here. Alternatively, you can wait for the boat to take you across the river. Once you get to the other side, there will be several tuk tuks waiting to take you to your accommodation. An alternative is to take a tuk tuk directly from Hampi centre, but the journey will take more than 30 minutes and the cost will be around 1,200 and 1,500 Indian rupees.
7 top things to do in Hampi
Time to visit
In Hampi, time slows down, and as soon as you arrive you immediately want to slow down with it. Hampi is not the place to visit in a hurry, because you risk not fully savouring its essence. Four days is the minimum recommended time to do all the things listed below calmly. However, if you don’t have 4 or more days to spare, skipping some things can reduce the time needed to 2/3 days at a minimum.
Things to do in Hampi
1. Visit the many temples and ruins of Hampi
Hampi represents one of the most significant and fascinating places in India from a historical and archaeological point of view. This site, once the capital of the ancient kingdom of Vijayanagara, was destroyed by a league of Muslim sultanates in 1565 AD. At the historic site of Vijayanagara, now a UNESCO site, there are more than 1,600 temples, sculptures, and other religious and architectural structures. These temples represent one of the largest concentrations of historical and religious monuments on a single site in the world!
It can easily take two days to discover just a fraction of the temples and structures that dot the landscape of Hampi. To optimise your visit, you can consider the option of a tuk tuk guide. At a cost of around 1000 rupees, or about 11 euro, for four hours a driver will take you to the most impressive sites. This is especially useful considering that access by motorbike is prohibited within the site, making independent exploration difficult.
However, some of the most impressive temples can be reached on foot, so even if it requires more time and physical effort, walking through the ruins of Hampi is possible, and will allow you to connect intimately with the history and unique atmosphere of this historic place.
The best and unmissable 5 temples of Hampi
These are the 5 most impressive temples and viewpoints that you should not miss:
- Virupaksha Temple: One of the oldest and most significant temples in Hampi, dedicated to the god Shiva. It is still an active place of worship and features a detailed and impressive gopuram (entrance tower).
- Vijaya Vittala Temple: This group of monuments houses the famous Vittala Temple, known for its carved ratha (chariot) and musical mandapa, a hall of columns that produce musical sounds when struck. This site is a 30-minute walk from the centre of Hampi.
- Hemakuta Hill Temple: Hemakuta Temple is an important temple complex located on Hemakuta Hill, near the centre of Hampi. This site is great for watching the sunset.
- Matanga Hill: The highlight of this sacred area is the spectacular panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.
- Krishna Temple: Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple has detailed architectural features and intricate carvings typical of the Vijayanagara style of architecture.
2. Take a refreshing dip in the Tungabhadra River
On Hippie Island, it is possible to visit the beautiful Sanapur Lake. However, swimming in this lake is not recommended as crocodiles and whirlpools are present.
A safer and more relaxing alternative is to head across the road to a natural pool created by the Tungabhadra River. Access is from the White Sand Hampi resort hotel. Here you can swim undisturbed, sunbathe, dive off the cliff, as the water is very deep, and enjoy the sunset. Swimming here is really nice and refreshing, especially if you head to Hampi in the hot season!
3. Climbing
Besides its enlightening archaeological site, Hampi is famous for being a great rock-climbing site. Hampi is in fact considered a bouldering paradise, the region being rich in unique rock formations. These volcanic rocks come in various shapes and sizes, creating multiple routes and challenges for climbers. Climbing against this magnificent backdrop of the area’s historical sites and breathtaking landscapes is truly a unique experience.
These are the main bouldering areas in Hampi:
- Hampi Bazaar: Close to the centre of Hampi and easily accessible
- Hippie Island: On the island on the other side of the Tungabhadra River. There are numerous rocks to climb, often with breathtaking views of the river and surrounding landscapes.
- Anegundi: Less touristy area than Hampi, but with plenty of opportunities for bouldering.
- Màtanga Hill: Màtanga Hill also offers some bouldering opportunities along the trail leading to the summit.
Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially when doing extreme activities. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world. Check out SafteyWing here.
4. Watching the sunset from Hippie Island
Hippie Island is one of the most beautiful and romantic places from which to watch the sunset. Often a meeting place for many backpackers and locals who arrive with guitars, bongos and other musical instruments to play and sing along as the sun goes down. Climbing the rocks and watching the sunset from here is a unique experience!
5. Watching the sunrise from the Anjanadri Betta (Kishkindha) temple
According to Hindu mythology, Anjanadri Betta is the birthplace of Hanuman, the famous monkey-god of Indian mythology. For this reason, the place is considered sacred and attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the country. Apart from its religious significance, the Anjanadri Betta temple also offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the surrounding countryside and the Tungabhadra River. The number of steps to reach the top of Anjanadri Betta is approximately 570-600. Sunrise, with its early morning colours and fewer people, is the best time to enjoy the beauty of this place.
6. Hire a moped and get lost in the rice fields of Hippie Island
As soon as I arrived at my guesthouse, I was immediately told that the best way to explore Hampi is to venture out and get lost among its beautiful paddy fields and palm trees by moped. I couldn’t agree more! We spent half a day exploring the countryside of Hampi, starting from Lake Sanapur and winding our way inland to slightly more remote villages. The views were breathtaking!
Note: Every guesthouse rents mopeds. The moped is essential for getting around Hampi, as there are no or infrequent buses. You will not be asked for any kind of licence to hire mopeds. However, make sure you have travel insurance if you want to drive in Asia. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling around the world.
7. Relax in some guesthouses in the countryside and savour the slow pace of Hampi
On Hippie Island there are countless guesthouses and bars with spectacular views of the countryside or the riverbank. To savour the slow pace of Hampi, explore some of these places and talk to the locals. You can have interesting conversations about the lifestyle in Hampi, their traditions and culture, while sipping some delicious smoothies!
Some of the best places with beautiful views of the paddy fields to try are:
- Wanderlust Hampi: great vibes especially towards the evening
- Hippie land Hampi: beautiful terrace with views of rice fields and mountains
- Rock & Chill Cafe: beautiful view and perfect place to relax
These two restaurants, not because of the view, but they are worth a try!
- Lovely family hotel: cheap restaurant owned by a local family, a meeting point for many backpackers
- Laughing Buddha: slightly more expensive but the design of the place is really nice and the food great
How to get to Hampi
Hampi is well connected and easily reached from the main cities by night buses and trains.
To book night buses in India, we prefer to use the 12go.asia website. It takes the hassle out of going to tour offices in person to book and reserve tickets, and you can check photos and reviews of the buses in advance!
- From Goa: Check the timetable and prices here.
- From Hyderabad: Check the timetable and prices here.
- From Bangalore: Check the timetable and prices here.
When booking trains in India, you can either use the official IRCTC website which in our opinion, is overly complicated to sign up for and use, or book your train tickets on 12go.asia for a small commission fee. We prefer the simplicity of using 12go.asia!
When booking train and bus tickets abroad, we always use 12go.asia. You can check timetables and prices online and it’s often cheaper than booking in person! Check our 12go.asia here.
Where to stay
Hotels in Hampi View all
When to go to Hampi
✅ The best time to visit Hampi is during the cool and dry season from October to early March. During this period the temperatures are temperate and ideal for exploring the area and the archaeological sites.
❌ From April to June, Hampi experiences very high temperatures, with peaks above 40 degrees Celsius. These months are extremely hot and can make travel difficult during the central hours from 11am to 5pm.
❌ July to September is the rainy season, during which Hampi receives moderate to heavy rainfall. While the landscape becomes greener and more lush during this period, the rains can cause transport disruptions and make roads and paths slippery.
Useful information
- When booking any bus or train in Asia, we always use 12.go Asia. It is often easier to book online than in person!
- Travel insurance is a must for any holiday abroad, especially in Asia. Although problems rarely occur, it is better to be covered in case they do. We use SafetyWing and recommend it to anyone travelling the world.
- When travelling abroad we use the WISE international credit card. You can withdraw up to EUR 200 in cash per month free of charge. After that, you only pay a very low fee on withdrawals.
- India is a popular tourist destination, and hotels and hostels are booked in advance, especially in high season. Better to book before you arrive to avoid problems!
What to do next
From Hampi you can take an overnight bus and head to North Goa if you want some action and parties, or south if you want some peace and relaxation by the sea. Read our guide on the differences between North Goa and South Goa here to see which is best for you!
If, on the other hand, you arrive from Goa and prefer to continue your journey south, we recommend heading to the beautiful state of Kerala. Read about our two-week itinerary in Kerala and all the must-sees here!
If you have any suggestions or comments, please do not hesitate to let us know by leaving a comment!
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