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Hampi Travel Guide

Hampi travel and holiday guide: Travel through the ruins of temples and monuments in Hampi and track back the architectural wonders of the Vijayanagar empire. 

Where is Hampi located and what is it famous forOne of the many temple ruins in Hampi

Hampi, the 14th century capital city of the Vijayanagar Empire, lies in Hospet Taluk of Bellary District in Karnataka, India.

Hampi is situated at a distance of 74 kms from the Bellary City and 13 km from Hospet City in Karnataka.

The ruins of Vijayanagar Empire in and around the village of Hampi are spread over an area of more than 26 sq kms.

They are one of the most fascinating historical sites in Southern India.  

World Heritage Center in Karnataka, India

Hampi is a popular international tourist center. The area of Hampi is protected by the turbulent river Tungabhadra in the north and by rocky granite stones on other three sides. There is a magical quality to the ruins of Hampi even 650 years after the empire of Krishnadevaraya disintegrated. Hampi is famous for its ruins belonging to the erstwhile medieval Hindu kingdom of Vijaynagar and it is declared a World Heritage site.

The monolithic sculptures and monuments along the temples are attractive because of their excellent workmanship. The architecture found at Hampi reflects the Hindu culture and splendor of the Vijayanagar Empire. The rugged landscape adds to the historic ambience of this site.  Hampi may be a little difficult to reach, but this remoteness lends to its charm.

Important Places to see in Hampi

To see all the ruins of Hampi, you need to spend atleast a whole day here. Two days will give you a lot of time to cover the whole place. You can stay at the numerous hotels or resorts here or book a hotel at nearby Hospet town (rooms are cheap in Hospet). Read more about Hampi tourist attractions here

  • Virupaksha temple tower seen from a distanceVirupaksha temple with its 50m high gopuram
  • Hemakunta Hill with ruins of Jain temples and a monolithic Sculpture of Narasimha
  • Vittala Temple
  • Sule Bazaar
  • Achutaraya Temple
  • Purandaradasa Mantapa
  • Royal Center that has Lotus Mahal
  • The queen's bath

Hampi Festival

Every year in November, the Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) organises the grand Hampi Utsava to attract visitors to this far-flung locale. This year’s festival is slated for November 3-5.

How to reach Hampi

Hampi is sited in central Karnataka and is well connected by rail, road and air. It is about 350 Kms from Bangalore

  1. Rail. The nearest railway station is Hospet from where one has to travel another 15 km by road.
  2. Road. Regular bus services are available from Bangalore to Hospet (about 15 kms from Hampi)
  3. Air. Bellary (74 km) is the nearest airport; other convenient airports are Belgaum (190 km) and Bangalore (353 km).
  4. Car: If you want flexibility and convenience in your trip, it is best to book a private car (from Bangalore or any other major city). An 8-seater car will cost you about Rs 8 per kilometer excluding the driver charges. 

Best time to visit Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi is from October to March. (The weather is Ok during these months)

Duration you can spend here

You can easily enjoy 2 or 3 days in this serene atmosphere.

Hotels in Hampi

Hampi offers a few hotels with rudimentary facilities viz, Hotel Mayura Vijayanagar, Pampa Lodge, Naga Lodge among others priced in the range of Rs.60-150 per night.

Hospet has many hotels offering better facilities. Hotel Malligi (Rs 140-700 per night), Priyadarshini (Rs 140-500), among others.

Eating out / Restaurants in Hampi

Numerous small eateries and cafés line the road in the main bazaar area catering to every taste and season – South Indian, North Indian, Chinese, Tibetan, Italian – and include ice cream parlours, fresh fruit stalls etc. This is probably because every second traveller to Hampi is a foreigner.

Traveller's Tips

  • The weather in Hampi is generally very hot (around 42 degrees celcius in Summer). Carry lots of water, sun glasses and wide-brimmed hats. Cotton clothing is advisable
  • The Tunga Bhadra river in the surroundings of Hampi may look silent but the currents are very strong. Do not attempt to swim or get into the water.

Know about the yearly Hampi Utsav festival