Hampi Tourism (2021) - India > Top Things To Do, Reviews

"The abode of bygone ruins, rusty colors and fascinating landscape"

Hampi Tourism

Hampi, the city of ruins, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated in the shadowed depth of hills and valleys in the state of Karnataka, this place is a historical delight for travellers. Surrounded by 500 ancient monuments, beautiful temples, bustling street markets, bastions, treasury building and captivating remains of Vijayanagar Empire, Hampi is a backpacker's delight. Hampi is an open museum with 100+ locations to explore and a favourite way to see the city from the perspective of its history.

Hampi was the capital of the Vijayanagar empire around 1500 AD, and by some accounts, the second largest city in the world at that time. Over the next centuries it fell out of importance, and now you can explore the ruins of a lot of temples and other structures spread out over a vast area. The terrain around Hampi is as mysterious as the ruins itself - the city is surrounded by boulders of different sizes, and you can climb to the top of them with a little effort to get a stunning view of the entire city and the geography. It is located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River. Famous for its massive, beautifully carved temples, especially the Virupaksha Temple, dedicated to the patron deity of the empire. You can also find remains of the old aqueducts, canals and military barracks and stables here. Hampi was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1986 and many efforts have been taken to restore the lost glory of the place - very limited (if any) modern establishments are allowed in the main area, which gives an authentic feel to the ruins.

Places To Visit In Hampi

Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

Vithala Temple

Lotus Palace

Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple

Hampi Bazaar

Hippie Island

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Top Hotels In Hampi

Gopi Guest House

8.2 (442 reviews)

$ 14 onwards

Shankar Homestay

9.2 (226 reviews)

$ 28 onwards

Heritage Resort Hampi

8.1 (447 reviews)

$ 73 onwards

Rocky Guesthouse

8.5 (288 reviews)

$ 6 onwards

Evolve Back Hampi

9.2 (170 reviews)

$ 195 onwards

Hyatt Place Hampi

7.6 (454 reviews)

$ 51 onwards

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The Enchanting Ruins

Covering an area of 30 square kms, Hampi has a large number of monuments which are preserved in excellent condition. The Virupaksha and Vitthala temples are the most famous and do-not-miss monuments, but take a walk (or cycle) through the city for hours, and you'll be happy to see a lot of less popular temples/palaces and other buildings which are equally as fascinating. Most of the ruins are located in the northern part of the city, just south of Tungabhadra river, and the rest of them are scattered all across the city.

History of Hampi

The first settlements in Hampi date back to 1 CE. The Emperor Ashoka’s Rock Edicts indicate that the region was once under Mauryan influence. A terracotta sealing and a Brahmi inscription have been recovered from the excavation site. Both belong to the 2nd century CE. The historically and architecturally dominated site has also been besieged by the Deccan Muslim Sultanate. The Vijayanagara Empire had a heavy flow of trade with Hampi being the main centre. Due to this many Hindu and Muslim rulers were attracted towards the small town. Different rules and different empires have resulted in the vibrant culture of people of Hampi. The ancient town has its fame for its archaeological importance. The ruins, concert halls, bazaars, and boulders speak of the greatness of Vijayanagara Empire.

Here is a deep dive into the History of Hampi

Culture and Religion

Pilgrims delight and backpackers holidaying spot is rich in culture which remains unaffected by westernization in the modern-day. The culture has been restored and preserved by UNESCO as the small town has been declared as the world heritage site. The culture is a clear reflection of people's beliefs and lifestyle. Theatrics, music, and dance are all the integrated parts of Hampi's culture. The town has preserved concert halls where the traditional music gatherings have left their imprints. The culture of Hampi, rich and vibrant is tied to its roots. The architecture in Hampi speaks of the traits of both Hindu and Muslim architecture.

Temples like Krishna Temple, Hazara Rama Temple, and Pattabhirama temple are flanked with Hindu, Muslim and Jain architecture. Religion: Hinduism in Hampi richly followed within 2 sets, first being the Saivites and the second being the Vaishnavites. The former group worships Lord Shiva, the destroyer and the latter group worships Lord Vishnu, the preserver. The minds of people are even enriched with the teachings of Jainism. The remaining lot shows faith in Islam as Hampi once was even ruled by Muslim emperors.

Language

Kannada is the official language of Hampi. The locals understand Hindi and a few common English words. Communication should not be a big problem as there are foreigners who have settled in Hampi after falling in love with the place. Basic knowledge of Hindi words will help you to make others understand your needs.

Shopping

Hampi Bazaar or Virupaksha Bazaar Hampi Bazaar is in front of the Virupaksha Temple. The bazaar during the ancient times was a thriving marketplace. The old pavilions on either side of the market still exist. It was once the centre for flourished trade. Even though the market now has lost its lustre it is famous among the tourists visiting the town. Today, it stands as an image of glorious past and encroaches with small shops and restaurants. In the bygone era, precious items such as jewellery, precious stones, and silk clothes. Today, Hampi Bazaar offers the tourists with artefacts, handicrafts, embroidered shawls, stone figurines, traditional costumes, antique coins and colourful bags. One can enjoy lovely morning strolls before the hustle-bustle of the evening market. One should buy stuff with Lambani prints as it is the speciality of the place.

The Bazaar turns into a vivacious place during Hampi Utsav. It is a centre of all festive happenings. There is a huge inflow of tourists during the season of festivities.

The flea market in Hampi is a great opportunity for travellers to grab junk jewellery, cotton clothes, and leather books.

Smoking and Drinking Policy

Hampi is a town known for its religious beliefs. Therefore, alcohol consumption and smoking are completely prohibited in the temple town. The town is dry and you cannot afford to drink during your stay as it would affect the religious beliefs of the natives. In case you want to then you have to travel to Hippie Island via boat which is 5 minutes away across the river. Sipping a bottle of beer with non-vegetarian food by your side is possible here.

Restaurants and Local Food in Hampi

Amid the ruins of the Vijayanagara Kingdom in lies a huge variety of South Indian cuisine. The rise in inbound travelling has lead to the opening of restaurants serving a flattering variety of cuisines from all over the world. But being a town of temples, one bank of Tungabhadra River accommodates the temples due to which nonvegetarian food is completely prohibited on that side.

The restaurants offer cakes, cookies, pita bread and, hummus. Therefore, just in case you find a need to linger your taste buds on some continental dishes you can choose to visit these restaurants. Do not forget to give clear instructions, if any, about the food being ordered to the person in service.

If you are a fan of pasta you should try homemade pasta by a small home run restaurant, Suresh. The pasta is known for its unique flat, thick and long shape. With Indian spices, the pasta reaches further heights in its taste.

Some popular restaurants
Try some vegetarian thalis at Mango Tree and Suresh.

Vegetarian and Vegan Restaurants- Mango Tree, Laughing Buddha, Funky Monkey Restaurant, The Goan Corner, The Bridge, Tibetan Kitchen

Asian and Israeli- Chill Out In Bamboo Restaurant, Hampi Roof Restaurant, Funky Monkey Restaurant, Tibetan Kitchen, Nargila Guesthouse Restaurant

All of the restaurants are concentrated in the small markets on both sides of the Tungabhadra river - although the northern side definitely has a lot more variety and better cafes. You will find a lot of restaurants serving Italian (pasta/lasagna/pizzas) and Israeli (lafa/shakshouka) food, along with the usual Indian food.

Most of the cafes here are very laid back, so expect leisurely service and a chill ambience with pleasant music and some scenic views. If you would like to get a good view, crossing the river to the north side is definitely worth the effort - there are some cafes with a view of either the river or the rice fields.

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Suggested Itinerary for Hampi

Day 1: Reach Hampi by mid-day. Visit the Virupaksha Temple and spend some time near the Tungabhadra river in the evening. If you are staying on the island, then take a ferry and go to that side and spend rest of your evening there. You can also visit the local handicrafts stores and spend some time in cafes.
Day 2: Rent a cycle or a moped and start on a city tour by yourself. Take a local city map and visit all the points by yourself at your own pace. If you have another day in hand, then you can spend more time at each of the heritage sites.

Best Time to Visit Hampi

Commuting within Hampi

Hampi Photos

Old Ruins around Virupaksha Temple, Hampi

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FAQs on Hampi

What is famous about Hampi?

Well preserved and maintained heritage/tourist spots. Very beautiful and serene atmosphere. Riverside. Good food and a bit of hippie culture. You can walk or cycle around the town.

What is not so good about Hampi?

Limited options of staying within the town. No direct channel of transport from major cities. Public transport is available only till Hospet. Going to the island via river could be difficult in rainy seasons when the water level is high.

Who should visit Hampi?

People interested in history and ancient architecture, backpackers. Ideal for school/college excursions.

What is the best time to visit Hampi?

The winter months of October to February is the best time to visit Hampi. The weather remains moderately cool except for peak afternoons but mostly perfect for exploring the World Heritage Site. Some of the most important festivals including Vijaya Utsav (Festival of Hampi) is celebrated in the month of November.

Hampi is mostly moderate and dry throughout the year. The summers bring soaring high temperatures and therefore, March to June is a bad time to visit. Monsoons get average but inconsistent rainfall, keeping the temperatures a little low but humid. One may choose to visit Hampi during the monsoons which begin in July and go on till September. The region seldom receives heavy downpours, but it is advisable to stay away from the slippery terrains to avoid accidents.
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What is the local food in Hampi?

What is the best way to reach Hampi?

Hampi is well accessed by road and rail. Although the railway station is in Hospet, 12 km away from Hampi, one can take a local bus or an auto-rickshaw from the Hospet railway station to Hampi town. The nearest airport at Hubli(143km) is not preferred by most visitors.

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What are the things to do in Hampi?

The top things to do in Hampi are Virupaksha Temple, Hampi, Vithala Temple, Lotus Palace, Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Hippie Island. You can see all the places to visit in Hampi here

What are the places near Hampi?

The top places near to Hampi are Goa which is 283 km from Hampi, Masinagudi which is located 36 km from Hampi, Gokarna which is located 246 km from Hampi, Bangalore which is located 289 km from Hampi, Pattadakal which is located 97 km from Hampi

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Hampi Reviews

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Ratul Bhowmik

1 year ago

Hampi is a awesome historical place of archeological importance. 3D2N is a must for this place..."Link Hidden"

Arun Gopidas

1 year ago

Love this place. The calm and peace you get over here is totally worth it. Pretty cheap, and makes you want to stay there forever. Keep at least a week to chill over here: "Link Hidden"

Anjali Vij

2 years ago

Hampi is an architectural marvel that has been built entirely from stones. It is also relevant to the Ramayana which I wasn't aware of until the guide informed us. Also, the city itself doesn't have much to offer apart from old ruins and structure. It is also advisable to not visit the city in summers because its really hot and traveling around the city is the biggest hassle. The architecture is definitely interesting, especially the carvings. Overall, it could have been a better experience if I had visited in some other month.

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