History lovers, trekkers and rock climbers all find something to love in this beautiful testament to India’s rich and glorious past. Hampi, located on the banks of the Tungabhadra River was once the capital of the majestic, influential Vijayanagara Empire and during 1500 CE, was the richest city in India at the time. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi sprawls across an awe-inspiring 4,100 hectares and has around 1,600 remains of the last great Hindu kingdom situated in South India.
When it comes to sightseeing in Hampi, there is plenty to see, with spectacular monuments that have withstood the passage of time and still stand tall and proud, inviting you to examine its artwork and inscriptions. The Virupaksha Temple, Vijaya Vittala Temple, Lotus Mahal and Yantrodharaka Hanuman Temple are all iconic structures that will give you a satisfying peek into the past.
Don’t forget to take a break from visiting the monuments to drop by the local bazaars and eateries that dot the ancient city. Sightseeing in Hampi isn’t complete without immersing yourself in its culture. The Hampi Bazaar spreads across two different roadsides and sells a variety of clothes, spices, sculptures and souvenirs that can be carried home as mementoes of this holiday.
Scroll through this page and discover the top sightseeing in places along with bits of trivia that will fuel your interest to visit them!
Are you ready to go sightseeing around Hampi? Grab a pair of comfy footwear and your camera as you drop by these key spots in Hampi that are sure to enthrall you and leave you coming back for more!
At the top of our list is the popular Virupaksha Temple. The main centre of pilgrimage, Virupaksha is considered to be the most sacred temple amongst the ruins at Hampi and is still used for worship by religious followers. The main temple features a sanctum, three ante chambers and halls...
Read more
One of the most extravagant architectural masterpieces in Hampi, the Vijaya Vittala Temple is constructed with a spacious campus, compound walls and enchanting gateway towers.
The temple was named after the Lord Vishnu and its clear from this religious structure that this god was worshipped throughout the city as inferred from...
Read more
An example of Indo-Islamic style of architecture, the Lotus Mahal was once reserved for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire and was also used by King Krishnadevaraya as a council chamber to meet with his ministers. Lotus Mahal is well known for not suffering any major damage during the...
Read more
A cluster of stone temples located at the top of Hemakuta Hill, these religious spots of worship are some of the oldest shrines in Hampi. Some of these temples were constructed in the 9th and 4th century and thus may belong to an era that predates the Vijayanagara Empire. When...
Read more
At the top of our list is the popular Virupaksha Temple. The main centre of pilgrimage, Virupaksha is considered to be the most sacred temple amongst the ruins at Hampi and is still used for worship by religious followers. The main temple features a sanctum, three ante chambers and halls...
Read more
One of the most extravagant architectural masterpieces in Hampi, the Vijaya Vittala Temple is constructed with a spacious campus, compound walls and enchanting gateway towers.
The temple was named after the Lord Vishnu and its clear from this religious structure that this god was worshipped throughout the city as inferred from...
Read more
An example of Indo-Islamic style of architecture, the Lotus Mahal was once reserved for the royal women of the Vijayanagara Empire and was also used by King Krishnadevaraya as a council chamber to meet with his ministers. Lotus Mahal is well known for not suffering any major damage during the...
Read more
A cluster of stone temples located at the top of Hemakuta Hill, these religious spots of worship are some of the oldest shrines in Hampi. Some of these temples were constructed in the 9th and 4th century and thus may belong to an era that predates the Vijayanagara Empire. When...
Read more
We’re so used to whizzing by in cars or buses, watching the world go by in a hazy blur of greens and browns, that we often forget the magic of walking. On foot, the world unveils itself in different hues, showing us small secrets of nature that we miss while we’re driving past. To truly appreciate a new destination, we should travel on our own two feet, discovering trails that wind away from the traditional path, eateries that can’t be found anywhere on Google and vistas that make you feel as though you are flying, but without your feet leaving the ground.
Hampi, on the banks of the Tungabhadra River was once the glorious ancient city of the Vijayanagara Empire. Trekking in Hampi can set your love of history soaring as you walk through its ruins, monuments, temples and palaces. A unique feature of the region is how cleverly the artisans have used the boulders that pepper the landscape in their architecture, splitting the rocks in the middle cleanly, and using these sheets in constructing walls and platforms. While trekking in Hampi, you can gaze down at the city from high rocky hills, taking in the reddish historical remains and the glistening river that lazily winds across the rugged countryside.
A bag-packing paradise, slip on your hiking boots and embark on a journey through history with trekking in Hampi.
Why is Hampi famous?
How far is Hampi from Bangalore?
What are some of the top homestays in Hampi?
What are the top restaurants in Hampi?
What is the best season to visit Hampi?
What are some of the top hotels in Hampi?
What is the oldest functioning temple in Hampi?
What souvenirs can you buy in Hampi?