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Hampi

Hampi

heritage site · Karnataka

Hampi is an archaeological site in the open air, spread along the boulder-strewn Tungabhadra in Vijayanagara district.

State
Karnataka
Type
Heritage Site
Best season
Winter
Things to do
3+

Hampi is an archaeological site in the open air, spread along the boulder-strewn Tungabhadra in Vijayanagara district. It covers over 41 square kilometres, and all of it is the ruined imperial capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. There are palaces, military bastions, long straight bazaar streets and stone temples of great complexity. The carvings of the Hazara Rama Temple and the stone chariot at the Vittala complex are as fine as medieval South Indian sculpture gets. The whole landscape is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A short history

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, one of the largest and richest empires in Indian history, at its peak in the 14th-16th centuries rivalling contemporary Rome in size. It fell in 1565 after the Battle of Talikota, when a coalition of Deccan sultanates sacked and burned the city over six months, leaving the ruins seen scattered across the landscape today.

Why Hampi matters

A UNESCO World Heritage Site — the ruined capital of the Vijayanagara Empire scattered across a boulder-strewn landscape.

How many people come

10 lakh

monument complex in 2023 · ASI/Karnataka Tourism (estimate)

When to go

October to March, when winter days are comfortable enough for walking the site in the open.

Why visit

Hampi was the Vijayanagara capital until an alliance of Deccan sultanates sacked it in 1565, and nobody moved back in, which is why so much of it survives. Three days minimum. Hire a bicycle, and cross the river by coracle for the quieter side.

Cultural notes

As the capital of the wealthy Vijayanagara Empire between the 14th and 16th centuries, Hampi was one of the largest and richest cities in the world. Its builders took Dravidian temple forms and worked Islamic design into them, and the result belongs to nowhere else.

How to reach

The closest airport is Jindal Vidyanagar Airport at Toranagallu (35 km away), though Hubli Airport (170 km) is widely used. The main railway station is Hospet Junction, 13 km away, with regular local transport and taxis on to Hampi.

Hampi in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Hampi

Take the whole plan, or add any single stop.

Virupaksha TempleDay 1

Day 1

Virupaksha Temple

The one temple in Hampi that never stopped functioning, with a fifty-metre gopuram over the bazaar street. The temple elephant is walked down to the river to be washed each morning, which is worth getting up for.

Matanga Hill

Day 1

Matanga Hill

The highest geographic point in the ruins, accessible via a steep stepped trail and famous for panoramic sunset views over the entire stone landscape.

Vittala Temple Complex

Day 1

Vittala Temple Complex

The stone chariot is a Garuda shrine rather than a vehicle, and its wheels once turned. The musical pillars in the hall are now roped off — too many people struck them. Come at opening; this is the most visited thing in Hampi.

Day 1

Hemakuta Hill sunset

Hemakuta Hill sunset

Day 2

Day 2

Royal Enclosure & Lotus Mahal

Royal Enclosure & Lotus Mahal

Day 2

Queen's Bath & Elephant Stables

Queen's Bath & Elephant Stables

Day 2

Coracle ride to Anegundi / Hippie Island

Coracle ride to Anegundi / Hippie Island

Hampi guide & itineraries

Hampi is perfect for

heritagebackpacker-workationcouples

What & where to eat

Fresh juices

Fresh juices

Bazaar refreshments

fruit

fruit

Bazaar refreshments

South Indian thali

South Indian thali

Banana-leaf meals in Hampi Bazaar

Filter Coffee

Filter Coffee

South Indian breakfast

Dosa

Dosa

South Indian breakfast

Jolada Rotti meals

Jolada Rotti meals

North-Karnataka sorghum flatbread with spicy sides

Hippie Island cafe fare

Virupapur Gaddi

Hippie Island cafe fare

Traveller cafes across the river

Nearby getaways

Hospet

~30 min

Badami/Aihole/Pattadakal

Badami/Aihole/Pattadakal

~3 hrs

Hyderabad

~6 hrs

Things to do

How to spend your time in Hampi.

Coracle ride to Anegundi

Coracle ride to Anegundi

Cross the Tungabhadra to Hippie Island

Popular attractions

The places in Hampi most people come for.

Vittala Temple Complex

Vittala Temple Complex

Attraction

Matanga Hill

Matanga Hill

Viewpoint

See all attractions

Frequently asked questions

Why is Hampi famous?

It is the UNESCO-listed capital of the Vijayanagara empire - a boulder-strewn landscape of temples, palaces and the iconic Stone Chariot.

How many days for Hampi?

2 days: the sacred centre and the royal ruins, plus a sunset and a coracle ride.

Been to Hampi?

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