I love places that go beyond pretty destinations; places that are laced with history and stories– the feeling of walking along the same path that the Maharajas once took, running my hands through the intricate carvings that adorn the ancient walls, and even curiously skimming through the little ASI boards that detail the history of the monument! So, when I had the chance to pick the next destination, I knew I had to pick Hampi.

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a place that has witnessed the rise and fall of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. In the 14th century, Hampi was a bustling fortified city and the proud capital of the Vijayanagara Empire. Back in 1500 CE, it held the distinguished title of being the world’s second-largest city, drawing traders from Persia, Portugal, and other faraway lands. However, in 1565, the once-proud city was conquered, pillaged, and left in ruins by the Mughals. 

My experience of exploring Hampi was fun and beautiful! But I still wish I had an itinerary. It was a new place. It was an impromptu trip. And I only had three days in Hampi. So, I did not have much time to explore and research. Since I couldn’t find one, I thought of making one!

How to reach Hampi?

I took a flight from Mumbai to Bangalore (I had some work there), but you can take a train that’ll directly drop you off at Hospet, the closest station to Hampi.

From Hospet, you’ve got a couple of ways to get to Hampi. You can opt for the local buses, which are cheaper but might require a bit of patience – usually not more than a 30-minute wait. Or you can take an auto, but they cost around 1000 INR or more. I went for a mix of both since I didn’t want to wait around for too long and didn’t want to spend too much.

The local bus from Hospet will drop you off on the temple side of Hampi. However, if your stay is on Hippie Island like mine was– you can catch a bus from Hospet to Huligi. That’s what I did. Then, I treated myself to some delicious dosas, just a couple of minutes away from where the bus dropped us, and hopped in an auto from there. This way, I managed to keep my travel expenses under 400 INR (for two). 

Where did I stay in Hampi?

I decided to call the ‘Stay Chill Hampi’ my home for two days. If you’re looking for a peaceful stay in Hampi, this is the place to be! It is surrounded by sprawling paddy fields on all sides. Considering the budget and the experience, I would say this is one of the best places to stay in Hampi, with biodegradable and eco-friendly bamboo huts that offer not just comfortable accommodation but also a genuine connection to nature.

At just 1200 bucks (for two) per day, it was a steal! We stayed for two days here, and on the third day, we kept our bags at their cafe- Gravity Cafe to explore the final bits of our trip. Oh, and about the food – it was simply delicious. The staff? Really helpful!

There was one problem: mosquitoes. Since it was the monsoon season and the guesthouse was surrounded by paddy fields, they were everywhere. However, the management provided nets around the bed and coils to help. Just to be clear- the mosquitoes are only a problem during the monsoons.

Now, to the main part- 

The Itinerary

Day 1: Hippie Island

My adventure in Hampi kicked off on Hippie Island. True to its name, it’s a laidback and fun spot. The island is especially known for its coracle rides in the Sanapur Lake (I skipped this– saw it, didn’t feel it was worth it), boulder climbing, and, of course, pretty sunset spots (although they don’t come without a hike!). It was also popular for its cafes, but since the demolition, it’s not as happening as it used to be.

Coming back to the itinerary. Here are all the places that I visited on my first day:

Hampi Falls

I hopped on my scooter and took a short ride from my hotel to the falls. Then a quick 5-minute walk, and I was in front of a waterfall (kind of a waterfall). It’s a pretty spot with less crowd, but if you don’t have the time, skip it!

Valikote Cave

Next, I headed to Valikote Cave, also called the Sugriva’s cave by the locals. The cave is said to be the home of the legendary monkey warrior, Sugriva, who hid the jewels dropped by Sita when Ravana abducted her. Later, he met Rama and Laxmana nearby, by the riverside, in their search for Sita. The rock at the locale, known as Sita Konda, even bears patterns reminiscent of Sita’s costume.

While entering the cave is possible, there isn’t much to see inside, as it’s more of a tiny alcove than a proper cave. There is also a Durga Temple nearby if you have the time to visit. It’s a personal opinion, but I would recommend going here in groups– didn’t feel too safe.

Lunch at Monkey Paradise

After half a day of continuous traveling, I was hungry. On my way to the next destination, I saw Monkey Paradise. It is an open-seating cafe with pretty views. The food was good. They also have rooms here.

Sri Bala Hanuman Temple

As the day drew to a close, I went on a short hike to the Sri Bala Hanuman Temple. The trek takes you through an uneven path marked with white patched signs for you to follow. A short 15-20 minute hike, and you’ll be at your destination!

This is the best spot on Hippie Island to watch the sunset. You can literally see the entire town from above. I spent an hour here– it was so peaceful and beautiful. 

Day 2: Temple Side

On my second day, I ventured out to explore the famous temples in Hampi. I took a scooty from my hotel in Hippie Island to the ferry point and then a boat for 50 rs to reach the main island. You can also take an auto, but it’s more expensive.

Just remember to start a little early. Begin your day of exploration at around 9 to cover all the major attractions peacefully. I started at 12, and it was hectic! I would recommend you book yourself an auto for the day that’ll take you to all the places! They even tell you the history and story behind each place, so you don’t even have to book a guide. I booked an auto for 1000rs a day (1 pm- 6 pm), but the prices change according to the season, the number of hours, availability, and other factors.

Virupaksha temple 

My day started at the oldest (and I think the only) functioning temple in Hampi – the Virupaksha Temple. This 7th-century architectural marvel, dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, features a sprawling courtyard and towering gateway structures adorned with intricate carvings. It’s really crowded but worth a visit! Meet Laxmi when you are here– the elephant who’s believed to be the incarnation of Lord Ganesha. While I didn’t have a chance to meet her since she was taken to the village for a pooja, you certainly should seek her blessings during your visit! 

The Bhojansala

This was a place I was so excited to show you guys because it’s so random yet so important. What you see here is a community dining area for soldiers. The huge circles are stone plates, and the smaller ones are bowls. The rows sit opposite each other with a channel in between. It might have been used by servers or maybe it was a water duct.

Vitthala Complex

The Vitthala Complex is one of the best places in Hampi and also my favourite. It is so beautiful! The place has these musical pillars that make sounds when tapped (I think it is under renovation rn, but it’s still pretty cool). And then there’s the stone chariot– the monument behind the 50 rupee note. The entry fee is around INR 40, and you can also use the ticket at the Lotus Mahal.

Lunch at Sai Family Restaurant

After roaming around for hours, I was ready to sit down and savour a good meal. The auto guy took us to Sai Family Restaurant, located 10 minutes away from the Vitthala Complex. The food was simple and delicious and was served on a banana plate. We paid around 200 INR for two!

Queen’s Bath

After the hearty lunch, I headed to the Queen’s Bath. This place was likely the private bath for the king and his queens. And it’s also believed to have been a royal pleasure complex. There’s not much to see here, hardly 15 mins and you’ll be out, but it’s beautiful and there’s no entry fee, so it’s worth a visit! I love how people back then used to make everything so beautiful and luxurious- I mean this is basically a bathtub!

Royal Enclosure

Another one of the best places to visit in Hampi – the Royal Enclosure! It used to be the epicentre of the Vijayanagara Empire. It houses the:

• Mahanavmi Dibba: It is a magnificent stone platform, which was constructed during the Vijayanagara era by King Krishnadevaraya as a symbol of his triumph over Udaygiri. This platform was where the King celebrated Dussehra.

• Pushkarani: This is Pushkarani, aka sacred water tank. Many pushkaranis in Hampi were used for rituals and functional aspects of the temple. This one was built for the members of the royal family of Vijayanagara. 

• Secret Chamber: This was a very tiny chamber, but it was sure fun to explore. It is said that this is where the king held confidential meetings and discussions with trusted aides! (I should probably have a secret chamber to talk to my best friend 😂)

Zenana Enclosure

From the Royal Enclosure, I headed to the Zenana Enclosure, a fortified area that once provided privacy and security for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire. As I entered this place, I could almost imagine the laughter, whispers, and secrets that once filled its air. Inside the enclosure, you’ll find the:

• Lotus Mahal: I spent so much time gazing at this structure because it’s so beautiful. It served as a royal pavilion, a council chamber, and a place for the queens to relax. By the way, it is one of the few structures in Hampi that had not been damaged or destroyed amid the Mughal attack.

• Elephant Stables: This place once was home to the empire’s prized elephants.

There are a few other structures here that you can explore. I had to do it in a hurry because I was short on time! 

Underground Shiva Temple

I cannot imagine any of my trips without a mysterious place added to it! And for my Hampi trip, it was the Underground Shiva Temple. It is one of the best places in Hampi, away from the touristy crowds. The temple is dedicated to Prasanna Virupaksha, an avatar of Lord Shiva, and was buried for over 400 years before being discovered in the 1980s. Much of the temple is below ground level and is often submerged in water. I could not go all the way in because there was water and it was really dark. 

Badavilinga

Next, I headed to the Badavilinga, one of the largest Shiva Lingas, standing tall at 3 metres (about 9 feet)! Some part of the Shiva Linga is inside the water. There’s an interesting story behind the name– ‘Badavilinga’ comes from ‘Badva’ meaning ‘poor’ and ‘Linga’ for Shiva. Legend says that the Shiva Linga inside the temple was commissioned by a poor woman, and hence the name!

Narasimha Statue

Located right next to the Badavilinga temple is the massive Narasimha Statue. Carved entirely from a single stone, this remarkable sculpture was vandalized by the Mughals in 1565. The limbs of Lord Narasimha were broken, and the figure of Goddess Lakshmi was separated. Today, you can still see the broken hand as a stark reminder of history.

Sri Krishna Temple

Last on my list for day 2 was the Sri Krishna Temple, a sprawling complex dedicated to Lord Balakrishna, the infant form of Lord Krishna. It was built in 1513 A.D. by Krishnadevaraya to mark his conquest of Utkala, present-day Orissa. Although the original idol of Lord Balakrishna is now housed in the State Museum at Chennai, the temple’s grandeur and architecture are still worth exploring.

Unfortunately, I had to rush, as I had to catch a boat back to Hippie Island, and the service closes at 6 p.m. But if you have the time, visit the Sasivekalu Ganesha Temple and Kadalekalu Ganesha.

Day 3: Last Day- Back To Hippie Island 

Sanapur Lake- Cliff Jumping

Cliff jumping in Hampi is a must-do. One moment you’re gliding through the air with your heart beating loudly, and the next moment, you’re plunging deep into the ice-cold waters of Sanapur Lake. That’s how I felt when cliff-jumping there! I paid 300 INR for 30 minutes.

Anjeyanadri Hill/ Anjani Parvat

My last destination in Hampi was Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple, sitting atop the Anjeyanadri Hill, also known as the Anjani Parvat. Climbing the 575 steps to reach the temple might seem a bit tiring, but the view and the vibe are worth it! The atmosphere was charged with religious energy as the devotees climbed alongside me, chanting “Jai Shree Ram.”

This place is a popular sunrise spot. Try to reach before 6:30 AM to get the best view (no or less crowd). Just watch out for monkeys. They don’t do anything but still keep your belongings safe!

How much did I spend?

I managed to explore this UNESCO World Heritage Site while keeping my expenses in check. For a three-day trip, I spent around 5000-6,000 Indian Rupees (INR), and that covered everything except for my flight from Mumbai to Bangalore.

Travel Tips

• Mosquitoes can be pesky, especially if you’re visiting during the monsoon season. Don’t forget to pack some mosquito repellent to sleep peacefully at night. I didn’t, and let’s just say it was not a good experience.
• Renting a bike is the best way to explore Hampi. Not only is it super convenient, but it’s also cheap. I had to pay only around 300 INR (divide it by two) plus petrol for the whole day!
• Hampi is a relatively safe place for solo travellers. But if you’re looking for a more off-the-beaten-path adventure, going as a group is certainly safer.
• Hampi can be fully explored in 2-3 days. So plan your trip accordingly. You can even consider extending your journey to nearby places like Goa or Bangalore.
• Like other destinations, Hampi can be expensive if you’re not careful! Make sure that you always research prices and ask a couple of different people to get the best deal, especially for transportation.

That’s it for Hampi! I know it’s a bit too much, but this guide has almost everything you need to plan your trip to Hampi!