The Ultimate 2-day itinerary for Hampi

Last updated on April 7th, 2021 at 11:41 am

Looking for a 2-day itinerary for Hampi? This post will guide you through the best places in Hampi.

Hampi is located in the Indian state of Karnataka. It was the capital of Vijayanagar empire of medieval India. In the present times, we get to see the ruins of the glorious past.

Hampi is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is well-known for its historical value, stunning architecture, top-class engineering.

Also Read : Top Things to Do in Chikmagalur, Karnataka

When to Visit Hampi

October to February is the best time to visit Hampi when the weather is cooler in India. Hampi can get very hot in summers because the rocky structures and the stone ruins radiate heat

You can also plan to visit Hampi during yearly carnival – “Hampi Utsav”. Hampi Utsav is a celebration of life and culture in Karnataka. It is hosted in the first week of November.

How to Reach Hampi

By Road:

Car:

Hampi is an approximately 6-hour car drive from Bangalore and hence it makes for a sought-after weekend destination for people in Bangalore.

Bus:

Hampi is well connected by Bus routes with other places in Karnataka. There are buses operated by the State-run Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC). There are inter-state buses as well which connects Hampi with Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and Goa.

You can book online bus tickets beforehand:

KSRTC Online Bus Ticket booking

RedBus Online Tickets

By Train:

The nearest Railway Station is the Hospet junction which is approximately 13 KM from Hampi. Hospet Junction is a major station. It is well connected with Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Goa.

You can book your train tickets from the official website of Indian Railways.

Where to stay in Hampi

There are several good hotels, homestays and guest houses in and around Hampi. You can check in Booking.com for the review.

One recommended location for staying at Hampi is near the Hampi Bazaar which is close to all major attractions.

For our stay at Hampi, we narrowed down to Radisson and Hyatt Place and finally stayed at Hyatt Place.

Hyatt Place Hampi

Hyatt Place is located at 45 mins car-driving distance from the main historical center. This means you need to travel up and down to reach the historical center.

We drove down to Hampi from Bangalore and hence had access to the car, Alternatively, you can request Hotel authorities to arrange for the same. They will happily oblige.

2-Day Itinerary for Hampi – points to note:

Let’s talk about the itinerary for Hampi now.

Hampi boasts of yester-year architectural ruins and several temples. This itinerary will take you through the not-to-miss destinations.

Opt for a guided tour while exploring Hampi. Although not essential to book a Guide beforehand, you can check with the hotel you are staying in to arrange for a guide.

Or else, you can reach your first destination and get a guide from there itself. Always go for the ones who display Government registered identity cards.

The rich history of Hampi calls for a guided tour to travel back in time and for a more enriching experience.

Day 1 of itinerary for Hampi :

Day 1 of Itinerary for Hampi is a combination of history, shopping and relaxation. It starts with Virupaksha Temple.

a) Virupaksha Temple

Virupaksha temple is the only temple in Hampi where daily puja is performed. The temple is dedicated to Lord Virupaksha, a form of Shiva.

It was built during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagar empire. The temple is particularly fascinating owing to its architectural pattern. Note that Photography is allowed in the temple complex but prohibited inside the temple.

b) Hampi Bazaar Street

Hampi Bazaar street is located just next to the Virupaksha temple. It’s a long stretch of not-so-wide road dotted with flea market style small shops.

All sorts of knick-knacks are available here, ranging from stone artifacts, banana fiber crafts, embroidered cloth bags, leather purses, and inexpensive stoles/T-shirts.

It’s a great place to collect some souvenirs.

The street also has some good restaurants to settle down for lunch.

We went to Mango Street (as recommended by a locale) and tried a variety of options. They have cuisines ranging from North Indian to South Indian dishes as well as Pizza.

The restaurant has different seating arrangements including a sit-on-the-floor-and-dine option for an authentic royal experience – this one has some waiting time though.

c) Coracle Ride at Tungabhadra River

After a sumptuous lunch, head on to the banks of the Tungabhadra river for the coracle ride. It is just a Km away from Virupaksha temple.

Coracles are round-shaped boats made from bamboo and plastic.

Initially, I was a little skeptical whether to take the ride or not. It turned out to be a fascinating experience eventually.

You can go for a 30 minute or a 1-Hour ride.

We went for the 30-minute ride across the river where the helmsman elaborated about the temples within the rocky structures. The rocky structures has mythological significance dating back to the Ramayana.

He also took us under a big boulder which acts as a natural air-conditioner. Towards the end of the ride, he spun the coracle very fast! It was an amazing experience.

Coracle ride is very safe and there are no chances of overturning.

d) Sunset at Hemakuta Hills

Hemakuta Hills are close to the Virupaksha Temple. It us one of the best places in Hampi to see the sunrise and sunset. A cluster of temples dedicated to Lord Shiva are found at the hilltop.

Hemakuta hills are not very high and offers a fairly easy climb.

Visit the Hemakuta hills for a panoramic view of Hampi.

Day 2 of itinerary for Hampi:

Day 2 of itinerary for Hampi covers historical spots and winding up the day with something very trendy!

a) Vijaya Vitthala Temple

Vitthala Temple is probably the most famous attraction of Hampi. The temple was built in the 16th century and is dedicated to Lord Vittala (Lord Vishnu), this structure is an architectural wonder and a historical marvel.

As you approach the temple (which is approximately 1 KM away from the main gate), you will get to see ruins of Vijaynagar empire on both sides. The carvings on stones and the architecture speak volumes of the life and happenings of the bygone time.

The moment you enter the temple complex, you will get to see the over-sized statue of a chariot right in the middle.

Stop by here and take some time to admire the beauty of the carvings on the chariot.

The complex has other structures as well like the musical pillars.

b) Queen’s Bath:

Queen’s Bath is another heritage structure that used to be the private bathing chamber of the royals.

It is rectangular in shape and surrounded by open windows on each side.

The saying goes that when the queens used to take bath here, their maids would wait at the windows with various floral fragrances and sprinkle on the queens as they came nearer to the windows.

c) Royal Enclosure

Very near to the Queen’s Bath is the Royal enclosure, a huge fortified area that used to be the center of the Vijayanagar empire.

Manavami Dibba is the first thing you get to see as you enter the royal enclosure . It is a viewing platform used during Dusshera celebrations.

The square shaped “Pushkarini” (ancient water tank) is equally interesting. It was most probably used for religious purpose.

The symmetrical structure, provision of ensuring fresh water into the tank and the numbered steps speak volumes about top-class engineering minds of that time.  The archaeological department excavated this in 1984.

There’s an underground chamber as well that lies between the King’s pavilion and Pushkarini. It was by the king for secret meetings with his ministers.

d) Lotus Mahal

This lotus-shaped structure inside the Zenana enclosure is another fine example of architectural wonder. A series of water pipes inserted below the roof ensured cool interiors during the hot summers.

Elephant stable

Walk a little ahead of Lotus Mahal and you will get to see the elephant stable. It used to provide shelter to the royal elephants.

Take a lunch break now before gearing up for the next destination.

e) Hippie Island

Post lunch break, head on to the Hippie Island.

Tungabhadra river divides Hampi into two parts – the historical Hampi where you find the ruins and Hippie island or Virpapura Gadde. Hippie island gives you Goa type vibes and is a perfect place to unwind after a hectic day.

 It has lot of cool cafes and eateries to spend some good time.

Tread the offbeat

If you are staying at Hyatt Place and have 2-3 hours in hand in any of the 2 days, you can explore the industrial town of Vidhyanagar. Hyatt Place, Hampi is located inside the industrial town and you get access to the township only if you are staying at Hyatt. Otherwise, it is not open to external visitors.

What makes the township starkly different from the rest of Hampi is the lush green landscape and some great modern architecture.

Geographically speaking, Hampi has a dry and rocky landscape. But the moment you enter the Township, be ready for a lot of greenery.

The township is equipped with all facilities like Shopping Complex, Multiplex, Sports Complex including a small museum dedicated to the work of the Jindals. Jindals are an industrial family of India and founder of this steel city.  The museum is easily identifiable from a distance owing to some modern architectural installations.

There is also a duck-feeding waterbody next to the museum, where you can take a short break & feed the duck. If traveling with young kids, they are surely going to love this activity.

The Township is very safe, and you can take a stroll and experience the uniqueness.

Final Thought on itinerary for Hampi:

This 2 – day itinerary for Hampi will orient you with this magnificent historical place. As I mentioned earlier, India has lot to offer over and above the Taj Mahal.

Have you been to Hampi? Comment below to let me know about it!