Ruined capital of the Vijayanagara empire, spread among granite boulders by the Tungabhadra.
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Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site with more than 1,600 monuments spread over about 40 square km of boulder country beside the Tungabhadra river. It suits people who like history, temple architecture, cycling, easy hill climbs for sunrise and sunset, and slow travel. Budget travellers and families both do well here, as costs are low and most sights are close together.
Trip planner
Plan from your city
Photos
Virupaksha Temple and the boulder landscape of Hampi from aboveVittala TempleVirupaksha Temple and the old bazaar streetRuins of the royal court quarterGranite hills and greenery around Hampi
Photos from Wikimedia Commons. Select a photo for its author and licence.
Best time to go
When
What to expect
October to February
The best time. Days are about 20 to 30 C and dry, with cool evenings. Late December and January get crowded.
March to May
Very hot, often 38 to 42 C, with little shade among the ruins. Sightseeing is only comfortable early in the morning. Rooms are often discounted.
June to September
Monsoon. The landscape turns green and prices are low, but paths are slippery and coracle crossings stop when the river runs high.
Sights and activities
1
Virupaksha Temple
A working Shiva temple with a gopuram about 50 metres high, at the head of the old Hampi Bazaar street. It is the main place of worship in Hampi.
Distance
About 400 m from Hampi bus stand
Entry
Free; camera fee of about 50 rupees
Timings
About 6 am to 1 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm (sources differ slightly on the afternoon break)
The best known monument in Hampi, with the granite Stone Chariot shrine and the hall of musical pillars. A battery buggy runs from the parking area to the temple.
Distance
About 2 km on foot from Hampi bus stand, longer by road
Entry
40 rupees for Indians, 600 rupees for foreigners; the same ticket covers the other ticketed ASI monuments
The highest viewpoint over the ruins, just east of Hampi Bazaar, with a small Veerabhadra temple on top. The climb takes about 20 to 30 minutes and is best at sunrise.
Round basket boats cross the Tungabhadra near Virupaksha Temple to the north bank, where the old village of Anegundi and Anjaneya Hill (570 steps) lie.
Distance
Crossing point is near Virupaksha Temple; Anegundi is about 22 km by road
Entry
Crossing about 30 to 50 rupees per person; a 30 minute sightseeing ride costs more
Timings
About 7 am to 5.30 pm; stopped when the river is high in the monsoon
KSRTC and private overnight buses run from Bengaluru (about 340 km, 6 to 8 hours), Hyderabad, Goa and Mysuru to Hosapete; local buses and autos cover the last 13 km to Hampi.
By train
Hosapete Junction (Hospet) is the nearest station, about 13 km from Hampi. Overnight trains run from Bengaluru and Hyderabad.
By air
Jindal Vijayanagar Airport at Vidyanagar is the closest, about 40 to 45 km away, with limited flights. Hubballi Airport is about 143 to 166 km away (3 hours or more by road) and Bengaluru airport about 340 km.
Where to base yourself
Stay near Hampi Bazaar and Virupaksha Temple for walking access, or in Kamalapura (5-8 km away) or Hosapete (13 km) for larger hotels.
Getting around
Bicycles rent for about 100 to 150 rupees a day and suit the flat stretches between the bazaar and the royal area.
Mopeds and scooters rent for about 300 to 400 rupees a day; rental vehicles are regulated, so use only licensed ones with black plates and yellow numbers.
Auto rickshaws are the usual way around; single trips cost about 100 to 300 rupees and a full day of sightseeing was quoted at about 600 to 800 rupees.
A car with driver costs about 2,500 to 3,500 rupees a day.
Coracles cross the river for about 30 to 50 rupees per person, cash only.
A battery buggy to Vittala Temple costs about 20 rupees each way.
Often combined with
Places people usually visit on the same trip, and how long it takes to get between them.
Guesthouses and homestays near Hampi Bazaar or across the river
₹500 to ₹1,500
Mid-range
Hotels in Kamalapura and Hosapete, including the KSTDC Mayura
₹2,000 to ₹5,000
Luxury
Heritage and boutique resorts around Kamalapura
₹8,000 to ₹35,000
Food
Small cafes around Hampi Bazaar serve thalis for about 80 to 150 rupees and cafe meals for about 200 to 400 rupees. Mango Tree is a well known vegetarian restaurant. Cafes on the north bank also serve Italian and Israeli food.
Try these
South Indian thali (rice, sambar, vegetables and curd, often with refills)
Jowar roti (flatbread of sorghum, a north Karnataka staple)
Holige (sweet stuffed flatbread)
Banana flower curry
Filter coffee
Banana pancakes and Israeli dishes such as shakshouka at traveller cafes
The village near Virupaksha Temple is almost entirely vegetarian and serves no alcohol, so vegetarian food is easy to find.
Daily costs
Budget level
Stay per room
Food per person
Local transport
Budget
₹800
₹400
₹150 per person
Mid-range
₹3,000
₹800
₹800 per vehicle
Luxury
₹10,000
₹1,500
₹3,000 per vehicle
Per day. Travel to and from your city is added in the planner above.
Permits and documents
No permit is needed. Buy the ASI ticket (40 rupees for Indians, 600 rupees for foreigners) for the ticketed monuments, and carry a photo ID. Tripods may need permission.
Safety
By day
Safe and well visited, with ASI guards at the main monuments. Heat is the main risk; carry at least 1.5 litres of water and a hat, and watch for monkeys taking food.
At night
The ruins are unlit and autos thin out after about 6 pm. Avoid isolated boulder areas after dark and carry a torch if you come down a hill late.
Solo women
Regarded as one of the safer places in South India for solo women. Muggings have been reported on the Matanga Hill path at dawn, so climb with others.
Roads
The road from Hosapete is short and in ordinary condition. Paths over the rocks are slippery in the monsoon, and coracle crossings stop when the river is high.
Emergency numbers
112 (all emergencies)
Practical
Mobile network
Jio and Airtel have the best coverage.
ATMs and cash
Very limited in Hampi; one source reports a single SBI ATM at the bazaar and another reports none. Withdraw cash in Hosapete. UPI works at many cafes and hotels but coracles are cash only.
Fuel
There are several petrol pumps in and around town. Fill up in Hosapete, 13 km away. Small shops sell petrol by the litre at a higher price.
Medical
The nearest hospitals are in Hosapete, 13 km away.
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