Hampi

Sense of place

Hampi does not reveal itself all at once. Temple towers rise between improbable boulders, small roads curl through banana plantations, and the Tungabhadra keeps the ruins company. Give the landscape time: the most memorable moments happen between monuments.

Field note

Arrive for the ruins. Stay for the strange, golden landscape between them.

Essentials

• Best time — October to February. Clear days and kinder afternoons.
• Getting around — Bicycle or scooter. Hire locally; keep one slow day on foot.
• Stay — Hampi or Anegundi. Choose the ruins side or the quieter north bank.
• Don't miss — Sunset at Hemakuta. Go early and stay until the rocks turn amber.

Tread lightly

Temple areas are sacred spaces. Dress respectfully, carry water, and never climb protected ruins.

Overview

Best time to visit

• November - February

We love it for

• The unique landscape - boulder lands, paddy fields, riverside, ruins
• Beautiful Sunrise and Sunset views
• Very Short Hikes and Boulder hikes
• Relaxed stay in huts and chill in the shacks

Things to do

• Stay in cottages / shacks amidst paddy fields, boulder views or riverside
• Enjoy sunrise / sunset and short hikes
• Coracle ride (sunrise / sunset) and Cliff jumping
• Visit historical heritage monuments and ruins - Temples, Ruins, Stone Chariot, Dolmens
• Relax / chill in the Cafes

Map

Basapatna

Gangavathi

Kadibagilu

Hanumanahalli

Basapur

Anegundi

Sanapur

Bukkasagara

Ventakatapura

Kamalapur

Distance chart

• Virupaksha Temple — Iconic Temple; Time: 1 h
• Matanga Hill — Short Hike - Sunset / Sunrise; Time: 2 h 30 m
• Hemakuta Hill — Temple / Sunset point; Time: 1 h
• Royal Enclosure — Monuments / Ruins; Time: 1h 30 m
• Achutarya Temple — Ruin / Temple; Time: 45 m
• Malyavanta Hill — Temple / Sunset; Time: 1 h
• Anjanadri Hill — Temple / Sunrise / Short Hike; Time: 2 h
• Hirebenekal — Megalithic Dolmens / Ancient; Time: 2 h
• Sanapur Lake — Lake / Coracle ride / Cliff Jump; Time: 2 h
• Hippie Island Sunset Point — Sunset Point; Time: 1h
• Bala Anjaneya Temple — Temple / Short Hike / Sunset; Time: 1 h 20 m

Travel times from Sanapur

• Sanapur Lake — Travel time: 5 minutes
• Bala Anjaneya Temple — Travel time: 5 minutes
• Anjanadri Hill — Travel time: 7 minutes
• Vittala Temple — Travel time: 35 minutes
• Malyavanta Hill — Travel time: 35 minutes
• Royal Enclosure — Travel time: 40 minutes
• Virupaksha — Travel time: 45 minutes
• Hemakuta Hill — Travel time: 40 minutes
• Hirebenekal — Travel time: 60 minutes
• Matanga Hill — Travel time: 45 minutes

Travel times from Hampi Main / Kamalapur

• Sanapur Lake — Travel time: 45 minutes
• Bala Anjaneya — Travel time: 50 minutes
• Anjanadri Hill — Travel time: 40 minutes
• Matanga Hill — Travel time: 15 minutes
• Virupaksha — Travel time: 15 minutes
• Hemakuta hill — Travel time: 15 minutes
• Royal Enclosure — Travel time: 15 minutes
• Malyavanta Hill — Travel time: 10 minutes
• Vittala Temple — Travel time: 10 minutes
• Hirebenekal — Travel time: 60 minutes

Things to do

Things to DO

Sunrise @ Anjanadri

Sunset @ Matanga Hill

Monolithic Dolmens Hirebenekal

Coracle ride / Cliff Jump

Sunset @ Malyavanta

Sunset @ Bala Anjaneya

Things to do

Things to DO

Vittala temple

Virupaksha Temple

Royal Enclosure

Sunset @ HippieIsland

Sunset @ Hemakuta Hill

Stay & eat

Stay

• Recommended to stay at Sanapur side (Basapur / Sanapur / Hanumanahalli) to enjoy the real vibe of hampi stay amidst the beautiful landscape
• Stay options are available near Hampi Main also which is close to the Temple and Ruins side of Hampi
• Most of the stays are Hut Stays amidst Paddy Fields / Surrounded by boulders / River side
• White Sand Hampi — 9878595262
• Hampi nature cottage — 9875856926

Eat

• Hampi Mostly has cafes to chill and relax mainly for lunch and dinner
• All areas has small local restaurants serving tasty local dishes and budget friendly

Tips

Tips

• Hampi is hot during day. Plan for early morning or evening hikes and afternoons can be spent relaxing in cafes or nearby lake side
• Monkeys are everywhere, so take care of belonging all the time
• Recommended to hire a 2 Wheeler to fully enjoy the narrow hampi village roads and canal side roads
• Local Shops in villages sell petrol. Petrol pump is available near Anegundi if you are staying in Sanapur Side and Near kamalapur / Venkatapura if you are staying in Hampi Main side
• ATMs are avialable in Anegundi / Basapur (not reliable) and Venkatapura / Kamalapur ( more reliable)
• There is no hospital Facility. Gangavathi has the nearest hospital facility. However you can get doctors to visit and check with locals / cafe people to avail
• Docotr on Call (Sanapur) — 985632569
• Hampi Police station — Near Hemakuta Hill
• Petrol Pump — Anegundi