Hampi is one of the famous world heritage sights positioned in the state of Karnataka in India. Hampi is renowned for its historical beauty, archeological sites, and scenic beauty, and it is a favorite destination that is loved by people all around the world. Being blessed with incredible historical temples, palaces, and natural beauty, it is perhaps one of the best destinations for history lovers and adventure lovers. People of all kinds are sure to find something that interests them, whether they are studying the architecture of the buildings or climbing up the hills of Hampi. In this guide, we will discuss the best tourist attractions in Hampi that would make your trip extra special.
List of The Best Places To Visit In Hampi
While visiting this UNESCO site, do not miss out on these Hampi tourist places to see the architectural magnificence of Hampi.
1. Vijaya Vittala Temple
The Vijaya Vittala Temple, built in the 15th century, is considered the largest historical structure in Hampi. This massive temple is dedicated to Lord Vittala, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, and is a must-see among Hampi tourist attractions.
The astonishing stone chariot, arrays of gigantic pillars in the temple halls, and detailed sculptures are authentic representations of the mesmerizing architecture of the centuries-old Vijaya Vittala Temple.
Timings: 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (all days).
Entry Fee:
- INR 10 for Indian nationals and $5 for foreign nationals.
- Video camera fee: INR 25
Visit duration: Around two hours.
Tip: Arrive as early as possible to avoid crowds and get the most incredible views of the temple.
2. Hanuman Temple
People believe that Lord Hanuman was born at the Hanuman Temple, which is another well-known religious spot. It is on top of Anjaneya Hill. The Temple is about 4 km from Hampi town. To get there, you have to cross a river in a small boat with paddles and then go up some stairs.
This Temple is one of the best places to visit in Hampi and the surrounding area because it has a peaceful and beautiful atmosphere and stunning views of the sunrise and sunset.
- Timings: Open daily from sunrise to sunset
- Entry fee: None
- Duration of visit: around 30 to 45 minutes
- Tip: Do not taunt the animals, and be cautious around the monkeys on the temple grounds.
3. Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple
The Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple is on the south side of Hemakuta Hill. Its name comes from the fact that Ganesha’s belly looks like sevaka, which is another name for mustard seed. It holds a 2.4-meter statue of Ganesha that was cut out of a large boulder stone in a way that looks amazing.
The statue shows a snake around Lord Ganesha’s stomach. The majestic pavilion that surrounds the figure of Ganesha dates back to 1506 A.D., making this temple a popular tourist destination in Hampi.
- Timings: Every day from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: Nil
- Visit duration: approximately 45 minutes.
- Tip: Visit Kadalekalu Ganesha, which is located on the northern slope of Hemakuta Hill.
4. Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
The Statue of Ugra Narsimha, which is part of the ruins of Hampi, is the biggest single-piece statue in Hampi. It is located in the Lakshmi Narasimha Temple. When the Mughals attacked the Vijayanagara Kingdom in 1565, they broke this 6.7-meter-tall figure.
The figure of Lord Narasimha, who is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is half-man and half-lion, shows the god in his fierce form sitting with his legs crossed.
- Timings: Every day from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Entry fee: Nil
- Visit duration: Approximately one hour.
- Tip: Bring a battery backup for your camera because the location is highly photogenic.
5. Hemakuta Hill Temple Complex
Hemakuta Hill is a beautiful spot with many Hindu shrines, broken paths, and the remains of walls that are used to protect the area. One of the best places to see in Hampi is the Mula Virupaksha Temple, which is part of the Hemakuta Hill Temple complex.
- Timings: Open every day from sunrise to sunset.
- Entry fee: Nil
- Visit duration: about 3-4 hours.
- Tip: Do not miss the sunset from Hemakuta Hill.
6. Sri Virupaksha Temple
Hindus believe that Sri Virupaksha Temple, built in the 7th century and dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Lord Shiva, is the oldest temple still in use in India. Also, the temple is one of the most important religious places in Hampi, and a lot of people come from all over India to pray there.
The Virupaksha temple’s site is huge and has a vast courtyard, massive gateway towers, and other old-style buildings that are so grand that they will amaze you.
Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (every day).
Entry Fee:
- INR 5 for Indian nationals and US $5 for foreign nationals.
- Video camera fee: INR 500.
- Still camera fee: 50
- Local guide fee: INR 50.
- Shoe storage- INR 10
Visit time is approximately 1.5 hours.
Tip: Hire a guide to walk you around the temple’s main features, including the submerged Shiva Temple in the Sri Virupaksha Temple Complex.
7. Riverside Ruins
Riverside Ruins is one of the most interesting places to visit in and around Hampi. It has 108 Shiva Lingas cut into flat rocks and a finely carved sculpture of Lord Vishnu lying down.
This group of ruins is excellent for photographers and researchers because it has a lot of small shrines, statues, pavilions, and carved artifacts. One of the best things to do in Hampi is to explore the old buildings. If you are interested in history, this is a great place to go.
- Timings: 06:00 am to 6:00 pm (every day).
- The entry fee is INR 30.
- Visit time is approximately 30-45 minutes.
- Tip: To get the most out of your time at the Riverside Ruins, hire a local guide.
8. Hampi Bazaar
Hampi Bazaar is one of the most famous places to visit in Hampi. It is at the base of Matanga Hill. It is an old street that has been going on for more than a kilometer and has ruins of houses all along it—on both sides of Hampi Bazaar, there used to be busy shops, bars, and homes. Inside the Hampi Bazaar, there is a big Nandi bull and a picture gallery on opposite sides.
The famous Hampi Bazaar takes place every year in the fancy pavilion in front of the Nandi bull figure. Some of the best things to do in Hampi at night are to eat out and shop at local stores.
- Hours: 6 am to 11 pm (every day)
- Entry fee: Nil
- Visit duration: About 1-2 hours.
- Tip: Rent a bicycle and ride it around Hampi Bazaar to see the sights.
9. Archaeological Museum
One of the most exciting places to visit in Hampi is the Archaeological Museum, which has four art rooms with a lot of different objects. You can find old coins, statues, paintings, metal plates, weapons, and images of various Hindu gods here.
This museum has four exciting parts that are all worth seeing. It is fun for kids and history buffs alike.
- Hours: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm (all days except Friday).
- Entry fee: INR 5 per person (children under 15 enter free of charge).
- Visit duration: around 1.5 to 2 hours.
- Advice: Avoid taking pictures outside the museum because that is where you can only take pictures—in the open space outside the galleries.
10. Matanga Hill
From Matanga Hill, you can see the historical sites of Hampi and the area around them in all their glory. It will take you about 30 minutes to walk up the hill to get to Veerabhadra Temple, which is right at the top of the hill. The roof of this temple is, without a doubt, the best place to see the sunrise or sunset over the beautiful scenery of this ancient Hampi town.
- Timings: dawn to dark (all day)
- Entry fee: nil
- Visit duration: Approximately three hours.
- Tip: Bring a compact torch/flashlight because Matanga Hill and the paths leading up to it are not adequately illuminated.
The Bottom Line
Hampi is full of history, culture, and beautiful nature. It is easy to see why Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site: it has beautiful temples, old ruins, and scenery that take your breath away. There is something every tourist can do in Hampi, whether they want to see the beautiful Virupaksha Temple, shop at the Hampi Bazaar, or relax at Sanapur Lake. Get ready for your trip to this lovely place and learn about Hampi’s rich history.
Two days are plenty to explore this World Heritage Site. The area is rich in historical sites, and two days are enough to explore the surrounding areas.
The best time to visit Hampi is between October and February when the weather is favorable enough to explore the city. You can also visit during the monsoon season, but be careful because it gets quite slippery.
Hampi is a relatively safe destination for single visitors. When it comes to the protection of female lone travelers, one should exercise caution anywhere in the globe.
Some of the most excellent Hampi hotels include Kishkinda Heritage Resort, Clarks Inn Hampi, Hotel Gowri, and Thilak Home Stay for a pleasant stay.
The great locations to visit in Hampi include Hanuman Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Tungabhadra Dam, Stepped Tank, Kamal Mahal, Daroji Bear Sanctuary, and others.
