Revered as a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site in India, Hampi is a city in Karnataka’s Vijayanagara district. It is set among a surreal landscape of giant granite boulders along the Tungabhadra River. This city was once the wealthy capital of the Vijayanagara Empire from the 14th to 16th centuries. It is known as an open-air museum of some of the incredible temples, royal monuments, and their ruins. If you thought exploring this city would need almost a week, well, let us tell you that you can actually explore it in two days! Yes, you read that right. To help you better, here is a 2-day itinerary to explore Hampi with a complete day-wise plan. Check it out!
Places To Visit In Hampi On Day 1
You should start your first day at Hampi by visiting the most famous attractions, which everyone will ask you about back home. So, make sure you consider our suggestions and plan accordingly!
1. Vijaya Vittala Temple
Vijaya Vittala Temple is the best place to start exploring Hampi. The temple is known for its marvelous architecture, stone structures, and musical pillars. Being the main attraction here, one can hear musical notes if they tap on the pillars. However, since the temple is already partially ruined, the government has prohibited tapping the pillars to prevent further damage. While you’re here, don’t miss out on the stone chariot pictured on the 50 Rupee note. The chariot is actually a shrine dedicated to Garuda, Lord Vishnu’s escort!
We suggest you have an early breakfast and try to reach the temple by 8:30 am. The temple complex is huge, and there’s a lot to explore (your visit can take about 3 hours). So, make sure you carry enough water to avoid dehydration, and snacks if required.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: 8:30 am to 5:00 pm every day.
2. Virupaksha Temple
Located about 9 km (24 minutes) from the Vittala temple, the Virupaksha temple can be your next stop. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is said to have been functioning since the 7th century AD. The present magnificence of the temple can be credited to the Vijayanagara kings. Its pillared halls, courtyards, and shrines give us a glimpse into the advanced architecture of the era. Make sure to visit the Bhuvaneshwari shrine in the temple complex where you can see beautiful relief work and highly ornate pillars.
If you want to cover as many places as you can during your first day, try to reach here before 1 pm since the temple remains closed from 1 pm to 5 pm. After your visit to the temple, you can have lunch and head to your next destination.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: 6 am – 1 pm and 5 pm – 9 pm every day.
3. Tungabhadra Dam
After a 45-minute drive from the Virupaksha temple, and all the walking and exploring since morning, it’s time for you to relax and enjoy the view of the majestic Tungabhadra dam. The well-maintained gardens here will provide you with the best environment to enjoy some peace and quiet. Being a biodiversity hotspot, you’ll get to spot many migratory birds, otters, and softshell turtles at this huge reservoir.
Tungabhadra Dam is a haven for birdwatching. You’ll get to spot birds like combed ducks, Indian spot-billed ducks, herons, and pygmy geese. So, we highly recommend you carry your cameras and binoculars to get the best experience while you are here!
Entry Fee: INR 20 per person.
Timing: 8 am to 7:30 pm every day.
4. Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple
Constructed in the 16th century, the Kadalekalu Ganesha Temple is located at a distance of 30 minutes from the Tungabhadra dam, and this could very well be the next spot to explore. Here you can see one of the largest Ganesha statues in Hampi, which was carved out of a single boulder! You’ll also be able to view the Hampi Bazaar and Matanga Hill from the temple.
The temple and its premises offer some of the best views in Hampi so make sure you capture them well. If you want to have a little shopping experience, you can head to Hampi Bazaar after your visit to the temple. From embroidered shawls to stone carvings, this is the best place for you to pick up your Hampi souvenirs.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
5. Matanga Hill
What better way to end your first day in Hampi than witnessing one of the most beautiful sunsets? You can get an amazing bird’s-eye view of Hampi from the highest point of the city, which is Matanga Hill. Located just 4 minutes away from the Kadalekalu Ganesha temple, make your way to the hill to enjoy a blissful evening.
Climbing the hill can take about 30 minutes and it’s best to carry a mini torch with you to guide you on your way back. Also, make sure not to loiter at the top for too long after sundown since this is not a well-lit area. If you’re tired, you can skip climbing the hill.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: Open 24 hours.
Also Read: Hampi Travel Guide For First-Timers: Ruins, Treks & Budget Tips
Places To Visit In Hampi On Day 2
Day 2 should always be reserved for some peaceful and quaint places. That’s the unspoken rule of 2-day trips! The following places in Karnataka’s cauldron of history are guaranteed to give you a laid-back yet enjoyable experience.
1. Anjaneya Hill
Start your second day by climbing the white trail of zigzag steps of Anjaneya Hill. At the top of the hill, you can visit the temple of Lord Hanuman, after whom the hill is named. You’ll be able to spot the ruins of Hampi from here as well, along with patches of paddy fields and coconut plantations.
It takes about 45 minutes to climb up, so we suggest giving yourself an early start and getting to the top by 6 am to get a tranquil experience from up there. Although the hill climbing experience can be fun, take care of your belongings, and don’t let the cheeky monkeys outsmart you!
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: 6 am to 9 pm every day.
2. Pattabhirama Temple
Located about 30 minutes (19 km) away from Anjaneya Hill, the Pattabhirama Temple is as big as the Vittala Temple. This is another temple that boasts beautiful architecture, with intricate pillars and ornate ceilings. On the second day of your trip, you’d like to visit someplace less crowded. Since this temple is a bit off the usual tourist trail, it’s the best place to enjoy the Vijayanagara architecture in peace.
If you go to the east end of the temple compound, you’ll be able to spot a market street, which is almost non-existent today. A huge market used to be held here back in the day. Further ahead you’ll see a large Pushkarini temple tank, which was used to cater to the temple rituals. The street is not accessible to visitors now and the main entrance is closed. So, the current entrance is through the southern wall. It is one of the best places to visit in Hampi.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm every day.
3. Archaeological Museum At Kamalapura
Consider the Archaeological Museum an extension of your visit to the Pattabhirama temple, because it’s located just 12 minutes (5 km) away from the temple. Here you’ll find a rich collection of relics, coins, artifacts, sculptures, and several other amazing treasures from the bygone days of Hampi. The glory of the Vijayanagara Empire is reflected in the items preserved in this museum.
Photography and videography are not allowed inside. So, take your time to go through all four sections of the museum and view everything that’s on display. The first section contains two models of Hampi’s topography and in the second section, you’ll find a large collection of sculptures from Hampi ruins. The third section has several tools, coins, documents, and other artifacts, while the fourth section contains the oldest of all exhibits in the museum. Here you’ll also get to see excavation photographs. Viewing all of this will take you about 2-3 hours.
Entry Fee: INR 5 per person (free for children under 15 years of age).
Timing: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm every day (except Fridays and national holidays).
4. Royal Enclosure
After wandering around, it’s now time to visit the heart of Hampi, the Royal Enclosure. Located just 10 minutes away from the Archeological Museum, visiting this once-upon-a-time abode of Vijayanagara kings and queens is a great way to end your trip.
This was once the center of the Vijayanagara Kingdom and it houses a lot of interesting structures. Most structures here are made of granite and soapstone. One thing that you’ll notice in the granite platforms of the palaces here is the detailed carvings of flowers, geese, humans, and demon faces.
You’ll also get to see Islamic influence in the architecture of the Lotus Mahal, watch towers, and elephant stables. Don’t miss out on the stepped tank, which is one of the most well-preserved structures in the Royal Enclosure. Exploring the Royal Enclosure can take a lot of time so we suggest hiring a cycle within the enclosure to save time and make your visit more delightful.
Entry Fee: No entry fee.
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm every day.
Also Read: Exploring Hampi Before The Monsoon On A Budget
unstumbled Author’s Note
Hampi is surely one of those places that must be on every traveler’s bucket list. As someone who has explored Hampi, I would say make sure you avoid taking auto-rickshaws everywhere. You can rent mopeds or scooty instead to navigate all the places. Also make sure that your itinerary is such that you reach a hill by the time its 5:30 PM, so that you can catch the glimpse of one of the most mesmerizing sunsets of your life.
Summing Up
Here you go! We have given you the perfect itinerary to explore Hampi in just two days. Now all you need to do is call up your tribe, pack your bags and leave your homes to explore one of the most unique;y beautiful destinations in India. Make sure you save this itinerary or even share with your friends to help them plan their trip better!
