Hampi, a world heritage UNESCO site, was voted as one of the top 50 places to visit in the world in 2019.
In 2019 alone I went twice, once solo and once with a group.
On both occasions I stayed on hippie island or as some locals like to call it the “the indecent side.”
Best time to visit
November — February. Hampi is inland and stands on boulders — making it scorching hot in the summer months.
Daytime during winter months can be harsh too, so picking the right time to travel is essential.
Getting there
By train: In my opinion this is the best option from Bengaluru. You can travel at night and maximise your time.
You will get off at Hosapete Junction which is a 30 minute rickshaw ride from Hampi and will cost between Rs. 80 –250 depending on your bargaining skills.
Pro-tip: To get confirmed reservations book 3/4 weeks in advance.
By flight: Hubli airport (143 kilometers) is the closest airport. However, I would not recommend this unless you are flying from other domestic locations beside Bangalore & Hyderabad.
By bus: Check out redbus.in, KSRTC, MSRTC & APSRTC for buses. There are daily buses plying to Hampi from both Hyderabad & Bengaluru.
Where to stay?
Hampi can be divided into halves – either side of the Tungabhadra River.
- Market side
- This is where all the ruins, temples, architecture and ancient history is. It is cheaper in comparison but it is busy, lacks privacy and doesn’t have as many open areas and the stay options are limited.
- Hippie island
- Hippie island is quiet with mostly foreign tourists but expensive when compared to the market side. It is a 2-minute motorboat ride
On both sides you will find cafes, restaurants and home stays. My personal preference is to always stay on hippie island as it is a lot more scenic and feels like a vacation.
The last boat to Hippie island runs at 5:30 pm, any later and you will have to shell out a bit more to get to the other side.
Unique experiences
For a first time traveller there is a lot to do and experience.
However, there are some experiences that even seasoned travellers might not be aware of. Below is my list:
Visit a vineyard
That’s right, you can visit KRSMA vineyard which is located approx. 2 hours from Hampi.
Standing over 250+ acres of land off which 40 odd acres is used for cultivation, it is one of the best vineyards in India.
Here you can experience the whole process of wine making, get a taste of their exotic wines and try the local cuisine as part of the tour.
They also offer volunteering opportunities during the harvest season.
Call them to find out more about such opportunities.
Getting there: The best way to get there is by car. We rented an SUV for Rs. 3600 inclusive of everything, however, solo travellers can rent a Royal Enfield and make it into a day trip.
Click here for the exact location.
Note: Speak to the vineyard before you start to avoid a wasteful journey.
Sunset in Hampi
Sunsets in Hampi are mesmerising and for the best experience you can choose one of the two places:
- Sunset point: It is an easy climb of about 7-10 minutes and can be done in flip-flops as well. Here you can jam with a group of drummers & musicians during twilight.
- Hanuman temple: A steep 30 minute hike over 700 odd stairs. It is the highest point in Hampi. From here you can get a glimpse of the entire town, boulder formations and the serpentine Tungabhadra.
Tungabhadra river bank
Tungabhadra riverbank is uninhabited in a lot of places. Most guest houses are facing the river and morning walks along the banks are serene, peaceful and quiet.
You can practice yoga or even get greeted by dogs, cattle and tons of birds.
Do not enter the river as the currents can be strong in several places and also the possibility of crocodiles in the river.
Ruins
Dotted by several temple complexes, bazaar, a heavily guarded mint, archeological sites and majestic structures, the ruins at Hampi are the main attraction.
Get a glimpse into the life of the Vijayanagara empire that showcase the grit, hard work and determination through which they shaped the culture and landscape of this ancient kingdom.
For historians and archeologists this place is a gold mine. Most ruins were constructed between the 14th and 16th century but Virupaksha (Shiva) temple has had recorded history from the 7th Century making it one of the older structures in the region.
Food
The food in Hampi was a bit of a dampener as most places bombard you with a similar menu.
There isn’t much thought given to the food with a few exceptions on the market side.
The food on the market side is cheaper and consists mostly of local fanfare.
If you are looking for a tourist location with great food choices across the spectrum then you should consider Dharamshala. The food here will blow your mind.
Last words
Hampi is dreamy and one of the best places to transport you to ancient India. It is beautiful beyond words and a travellers dream. If you happen to be in the southern part of the country, do make it a point to visit the jewel.
If you have been to Hampi and agree/disagree with my evaluation, please feel free to comment and share.
