Things To Do On A Trip To Hampi | Stories by Soumya

13 Best Things To Do In Hampi India


Last Updated on October 30, 2022 by Soumya

Hampi was the ancient capital city of the Vijayanagara Kingdom of South India in the 14th century AD. It is located in the Ballari district of Karnataka and today, is home to the Hampi Group of Monuments, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The place is dotted with ruins of all kinds: temples, palaces, private baths, elephant stables, and much more! Sometimes it can get overwhelming on what to see and what to miss, especially if you are a first-timer. If you are in a similar predicament about what to do on a trip to Hampi, then you must read this.

Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya

Here’s a list of things that your trip to Hampi should definitely include.

Hampi is like a novel written in stones. Huge boulders and rocky mountains dot an arid landscape. The scenery is mostly a mix of blue and brown interrupted by moments of green. In the middle of all this, you spot precious temples and pillared mandapas carved out of local granite giving the entire place an austerely exquisite feeling.

You cannot help but wonder why the Rayas of the Vijayanagara Empire chose to build their capital here. The answer comes right out of my Class 7th history book. The location of Hampi was strategic. It was bordered by Tungabhadra on one side and cliffs on the other three. No doubt, it made an invincible capital.

If you are planning a trip to Hampi and are looking for the perfect itinerary, then why not have a look at the highlights of my recent trip to this beautiful place. We covered Hampi in 2 complete days and this is the best of what my itinerary included.

Explore the Vijaya Vittala Temple and its Musical Pillars

Vijaya Vittala Temple and The Musical Pillars of Hampi | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Chariot-shaped shrine at Vijaya Vittala Temple – Must-do on a trip to Hampi

A visit to the Vijaya Vittala Temple was my favorite thing in Hampi. Exploring the intricate carvings and the famous musical pillars of this iconic temple was the most exciting thing I did on this trip. Vijaya Vittala houses a chariot-shaped temple in the courtyard which has been inspired by the Sun Temple at Konark. The temple is utterly magical and a must-do for every tourist – new and old. 

Click here to read my detailed travel guide to Vijaya Vittala Temple and the mystery behind its musical pillars.

Be amazed by the King’s Balance

 Kings Balance | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
The King’s Balance at Hampi

Behind the Vijaya Vittala Temple lie the remains of numerous other temples easily accessible by a dusty trail. Walk a few minutes on this trail and you will be face-to-face with an imposing frame that supposedly functioned as the King’s balance in the olden days. On days of celebration, the King would sit on one side of the balance while grains and gold would be weighed on the other and distributed amongst the king’s subjects.

Go for a coracle ride on the Tungabhadra

Coracle Ride in Hampi  | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
On the coracle in Hampi

An interesting and adventurous thing to do on a trip to Hampi is to go for a coracle ride on the Tungabhadra. Coracles are round boats made of bamboo and plastic and are steered by a helmsman. At a place called Chakratirtha, you can ride a coracle, enjoy the breeze, and explore some beautiful, rock-cut temples on the river flanks.

Click here to read all about my coracle ride on the Tungabhadra river and learn how to make the most of yours.

Visit the Virupaksha Temple for its stunning murals

Virupaksha Temple | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
One of the best things to do in Hampi – visit Virupaksha Temple.

The Virupaksha Temple is one of the most important temples in Hampi. The shrine has been around since the 7th century but got its current form sometime in the 15th century. Worship is still offered here. What I found really striking about this temple were the murals from centuries ago that adorn the ceilings of the Ranga Mandapas. Here, you will also find the idol of a 3-headed Nandi bull (unique to only this temple in India) and intricate carvings all over the walls and pillars.

Click here for a detailed travel guide on Hampi’s Virupaksha Temple and the secret behind its inverted shadow.

Spend some time at the Hemakuta Group of Temples

Hemakuta Group of Temples  | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Hemakuta Temples – also known as the Jain Temples of Hampi

The Hemakuta Group of Temples are located on a hill right behind the Virupaksha Temple. It is a cluster of smaller temples, more than 35 to be precise, mostly dedicated to Lord Shiva. Very often, they are referred to as Jain Temples of Hampi because of architecture similar to Jain temples of Western India. Exploring these in detail can take close to 3 hours. 

Drop by the Sasivekalu and the Kadalekalu Ganeshas

 | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Sasivekalu Ganesha

Hampi has two famous Ganesha (Hindu God of Wisdom) idols that nobody ever misses on a trip to Hampi. Sasivekalu Ganesha is a huge idol made out of a single rock. This temple is located at the southern side of the Hemakuta Hill. A few minutes away is the temple of Kadalekalu Ganesha that is yet another huge statue of the deity. The sheer size of the idols and the monolithic origins are impressive.

Discover some lost connections at the Krishna Temple

Any trip to Hampi mandates a visit to the ancient Krishna Temple. And that is because of the beauty that the temple itself is. It has some spectacular carvings that are not to be found elsewhere in Hampi. And those temple tops (pictured above) vaguely reminded me of Khmer architecture in Cambodia and Thailand. Was there a connection between the two? Maybe we could find out!

Have a filling lunch at Mango Tree

Mango Tree Restaurant | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Where to eat in Hampi – Mango Tree Restaurant

If you are looking for the best place to eat in Hampi, then I have got your back. Mango Tree, Hampi’s favorite restaurant, is located in the midst of the Hampi Bazaar right in front of the Virupaksha Temple. It serves continental items too in addition to the usual Indian fare. And their fresh fruit juices are extremely good. It is difficult to find non-vegetarian food in Hampi. However, I found really yummy Anda Bhurji (variation of scrambled eggs) at Mango Tree. 

Click here to read all about my review of Mango Tree Hampi.

Visit the Lotus Mahal and the Elephant Stables

Lotus Mahal | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Must-do on a trip to Hampi – A visit to Lotus Mahal

The Lotus Mahal or the Kamal Mahal is one of the most attractive monuments within the “Zenana Enclosure” in Hampi. The Zenana Enclosure is an area that was exclusively reserved for the women of Vijayanagara Empire. And the Lotus Mahal is its center of attraction. The architecture of this building is quite different from the others in the vicinity and with its domes and beautiful archways, it almost resembles a half-opened lotus

Any trip to Hampi is incomplete without a tour of the Royal Elephant Stables. There are about 11 domed chambers that were used to house royal elephants. Intricate carvings dominate the upper half of the arched doorways. The place looks pretty almost like a beautiful necklace. It is quite evident that the king was fond of his animals. 

Take a walk around the Royal Enclosure

Royal Pavilion | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya

A walk around Hampi’s Royal Enclosure is a must-do on any Hampi itinerary. Here you can view the base of the Royal Palace with interesting friezes on it, ornate platforms that were used for entertainment and dances, and a small, inconspicuous labyrinth that was used to hide the king when there were enemies around. An interesting set of monuments dot the area and you are sure to find some intriguing stories here. 

Read our detailed guide on Hampi’s Royal Enclosures.

Check out the Hampi Stepwells

I had recently seen the stepwells of Gujarat and needless to say, I had been impressed. A stepwell near the Hampi royal palace could only entice me to see more. It was huge.

The stepwell was not as elaborate as the ones from Western India but the size and the structure were impressive. It was made of black granite and shone in the sun. But it had none of the carvings and small shrines that the ones in Gujarat and Rajasthan had. 

Stepwell | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Stepwells of a different kind in Hampi


Stepwells in Hampi are called Purshkarinis, tanks built for religious purposes. Small tip: There is another Pushkarini near the Vijaya Vittala Temple made up of white marble that is equally pretty.

Stepwells from Northwestern India date from long ago with a number of elaborate ones being constructed between the 11th – 15th centuries. The ones in Hampi were probably built around the same time or later but are less elaborate, more functional. It is hard not to think of a connection. Would love to learn more if anyone has some ideas.

If you are interested in step wells, you will love this article on step wells of Gujarat.

View the ancient city of Hampi from a vantage point

View of the lost city  | Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Get some of the best views of Hampi

Getting a view of the lost city of Hampi from a raised platform has its own charm. There are a few elevated points in and around the ruins from where you can get a royal view of the residences and guest rooms. The Lotus Mahal and the Elephant stables are also visible in the distance. A view like the one above was a treat to my eyes and soul. Who knows who lived in those rooms, walked through those corridors, and laughed in those gardens! We can only imagine.

Get lost in the solitude of it all

Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya

Hampi is not as crowded as the Taj Mahal or the Gateway of India, the reason being a general lack of accessibility and awareness. The only visitors here seemed to be from Goa, the rest of Karnataka, or Mumbai. There is another more interesting group of monuments nearby at Aihole, Badami, and Pattadakal (a UNESCO World Heritage) which is even less frequented. So, it’s possible to find entire temples to yourself. I loved those moments of solitude among the beautiful stones.

If you loved Hampi, you may love to visit similar historical sites near Ahmedabad. Check them out here.

How To Get To Hampi

You can get to Hampi from Mumbai or Bangalore. We took a flight from Mumbai to Bangalore and then boarded the Hampi Express from Yelahanka Junction – Railway Station in Bangalore. That got us till Hospet and we stayed in Hospet a couple of days and explored Hampi. Hampi is about an hour’s ride from Hospet. And Hospet provides better accommodation and eating options. 

Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya

Best Time To Visit Hampi

The best time to visit Hampi or anywhere close by is between November – February. December and January are the peak traffic months. It gets exceptionally hot in the summers and therefore, summer is definitely not a good time to visit. Even during winters, the sun can be harsh. Hampi is an open museum and there is not much cover from the heat. So, always carry sufficient water, sunscreen, and your hat.

Hampi is a beautiful place. A trip to Hampi was my way of putting to rest a wanderlust that had been triggered long back in middle school when I had spotted the chariot temple of Vijaya Vittala in one of my textbooks. I would love to go back to this beautiful place one day to make more memories. 

Pin It For Later!

Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya
Things To do on a trip to Hampi | Stories by Soumya

Soumya is an acclaimed travel writer who has traveled to 30+ countries and lived in 8 while pursuing her passion for history and culture. Her writings have been published in BBC Travel, Architectural Digest, National Herald, and many more. She loves exploring world heritage sites and has a deep affinity for everything ancient, especially the lost civilizations of Mesoamerica!

21 thoughts on “13 Best Things To Do In Hampi India

    1. Hi there, you need at least 2 days to explore the highlights of Hampi. On day 1, you can see Virupaksha Temple, Hampi Bazaar, Hemakuta Temples, the Ganeshas, and do the coracle ride on the Tungabhadra. On day 2, you can take the trail to Vijaya Vittala Temple, see the Underground Shiva Temple, royal enclosures, Lotus Mahal, and Elephant Stables. That said, seeing all this in under 48 hours can be hectic. Ideally, you should cover this in 3-4 days if you do not want to have really hectic days. Hope this helps.

    2. Hi. My son and me are planning a 2day trip to Hampi. We plan to go Mumbai – Hubli- Hampi . I would like to know whether scooters are available on rent in Hampi and also , which is better – tuk tuk or scooter to travel around . What is the per day cost of tuk tuk?

      1. Hi Jyoti, sorry for the delayed response. I was trying to get some updated info on bike and tuk-tuk hire in Hampi. Apparently, there’s just one guy who rents out scooters in Hampi and charges INR 600 per day for one scooter. He sits on the outskirts (any auto guy can take you to him) and is quite a rude person (as per reviews from some friends who traveled there recently). Obviously, he has the monopoly of bike rentals in Hampi!
        Alternately, you can hire a tuk-tuk for the day for INR 1000-1200 and that usually includes pick up and drop from your hotel in Hospet. I did the same when I visited and tuk-tuks are more relaxing since you are protected from the heat and can leave the driving to a local.

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