Things to do in Hampi

Hidden by time and the renown of other Indian cities, the ruins of Hampi have gone unnoticed for decades by many travellers. If you decide to get away from the hustle and bustle of the big cities and go deep into the heart of the country, you’ll be amazed at what there is to see and discover in Hampi. In the south of the country, rising up over 30 square kilometres, you’ll find the archaeological complex of Hampi.

This temple complex, immersed in the tropical landscapes and incessant vegetation characteristic of the area, has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, thanks to the beauty that remains intact to this day. Its rugged charm, with huge boulders as the centrepiece of the complex and winding rivers that feed the rice fields of the area, are undoubtedly the elements that make Hampi magical. If you’re still not convinced, read on because you still have a lot to discover about the so-called ‘City of Victory’.

What are the best things to see in Hampi?

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

1. The Virupaksha Temple

While there are many hidden corners of the Hampi complex, there are some that stand out above others, and certainly one of the must-see temples in Hampi is the temple Virupaksha. Its detailed façade is a priceless work of architecture that is sure to break the mould. Built around the 7th century, this temple stands alone as a World Heritage Site, making it a must-see stop in the Hampi complex.

This temple is dedicated to the god Shiva and is one of the largest. It consists of a main sanctuary, different chambers and numerous courtyards. Probably one of the highlights (or at least one of our favourites) is the whole set of ponds in the courtyards. In addition, its main tower is unmistakable, towering above the rest of the complex’s structures. Remember that you’ll have to pay an entrance fee, but don’t worry, it’s not overpriced.

2. The Temple of Vittala

Known for the incredible architecture that floods its walls and shapes its halls, the Vittala Temple is another must-see for the ruins of Hampi. This is, along with Virupaksha, one of the largest buildings in the Hampi complex. It is located near the Tungabhadra River, where its walls are reflected in the flowing water.

With its impressive rock structures, the Vittala temple is certainly one of the most striking of the entire complex. Inside are numerous sculptures dating from the Vijayanagara era and the predominant style of the temple is of Dravidian origin, as in many South Indian constructions. If you want to go inside, remember that the doors are open from 8.30am to 5pm. Admission is completely free.

3. The King’s Swing

Following the main path of the Hampi ruins, through the rock piles and following the course of the river on the left, you’ll come to a very peculiar spot in the complex. This is the unmistakable King’s Swing, an arch that stands out from the rest of the surrounding buildings and has a unique history.

Located southwest of the Vittala Temple, this famous arch was used centuries ago, supposedly by the Vijayanagara kings, for special occasions throughout the year. The king would climb on it along with all the treasures he possessed to weigh himself. It is also said that during the process, the king was given all kinds of food, as the king would later give part of his wealth to the monks of the temple. If you want to visit this curious building, you can do so every day of the week without paying an entrance fee.

4. The Temple of Hazara Rama

On our last stop at the ruins of Hampi, we headed to another of the impressive monuments that make up the complex: the Hazara Rama Temple. Built in honour of the god Rama, this shrine was for a long time the family home of the Vijayanagara empire, as it was also situated in a very favourable location for it.

It owes its fame not only to its history, but also to the reliefs and various decorations that adorn its walls. With halls of imposing black columns, the magnificence of this temple is unquestionable. It is easily accessible, and we definitely recommend adding it to your list of things to see in Hampi. The good point, it is not too big, as well as being free of charge.

How can I get around Hampi?

In the following sections, we’ll answer the question of how to get to Hampi. But also, you’re probably wondering how do I get around Hampi? The truth is that it is a splendid place to visit, but the complex is enormous. That’s why we’ve come up with a few different options for getting around the ruins.

The first option is the easiest: walking. If you choose this option, we recommend that you draw up a route of the temples to be visited and dedicate several days to the route. This is a perfect way to save money and enjoy a route at your own pace. You can also do this route by bicycle or motorbike. This will allow you to do the route at your own pace in a very affordable way. Finally, there are also rickshaws, a kind of bicycle driven by another person that will help you learn more about the history of the place.

What to see in 2 days in Hampi?

The truth is that the sheer number of temples you can see in Hampi is impressive. So, it can be difficult to choose what to see in a couple of days. Personally, we recommend that you choose the temples you want to see wisely and also choose the right method of transport to use, as this can save you time.

We recommend visiting the Virupaksha, Hazara Rama and Vittala temples, as well as the King’s Swing (as you may have already read). But if you have more time or prefer to visit other locations, other temples to see include Hemakuta and the Hampi Ganeshas. Finally, another great option is the Krishna Temple.

Where to stay in Hampi?

To make your travel process a lot smoother and less stressful, we’ve put together a short list of our favourite places to stay in Hampi. There are two main areas to stay in Hampi: the old town and Hampi Island.

• Lazy Panda: A fabulous, austere and perfectly located accommodation. The price for a two-person room is usually around €56.
• Coconut Tree Guest House & Restaurant: Surrounded by greenery and typical wooden houses, this guesthouse is a real treat. Prices are usually around €56.
• Hyatt Place Hampi: A fantastic hotel, with great views and an even bigger pool. It’s priced at around €151 for two nights.

How to get to Hampi?

This question is easy to answer: it depends. If you’re travelling directly to the south of the country from Spain, you’ll be able to stop off at one of the main airports and then end your journey in Hyderabad. There are direct flights to this city, but be sure to do your own research. Hyderabad is a good place to fly from for a tour of southern India and is the closest airport to Hampi. If you’ve decided to travel to northern cities such as New Delhi, we recommend combining several express trains (or overnight trains). But you can also opt to fly south.

Yet it’s still a few hours’ journey from Hyderabad. We recommend travelling by train to Hospet, a town just 13km from Hampi. From there, you can finish the journey by road with an organised road trip. If you’ve decided to take private transport, just drive to the remote town.

What to consider before travelling to Hampi?

• A visa is required for travel to India. It can be obtained online and is usually granted in less than a week. The cost is around €70.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The city is safe, but you are advised to exercise caution and keep an eye on your belongings.
• The official currency of India is the rupee.
• The traffic is crazy, if you can avoid it, don’t drive.
• Driving is part of everyday life, so be prepared.
• Best to avoid eating at street stalls and drinking tap water.
• Don’t try to see the whole country in one trip, India is huge. If you have to choose, it’s best to start in the north.
• The climate varies a lot from one area to another. If you’re going to the mountains the best time is summer, but for the rest of the country, travel is recommended between December and March.
• Beware of scams, they are very common.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Hampi?

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all the possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat. You can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference.
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map. You can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post.
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you’ve visited on your trip to the app. Recommend other travellers what to see in Hampi.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Hampi