Written by the Seenary team from what we know of this place, to get Stories started. Travellers' own stories appear beside it.
Hampi is a landscape first and a ruin second: granite boulders the size of houses, a river winding between them, and the remains of the Vijayanagara capital scattered across it all. Three days is the right length. One for the temples and the bazaar street, one for the royal enclosure and its stone marvels, and one to cross the river and do very little. Hire a bicycle or a scooter and go early; the stone holds the afternoon heat.
Day by day
Day 1 · The sacred centre
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Virupaksha Temple · Culture
The living temple at the heart of Hampi, still in daily use. Go early, before the crowds and the heat.
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Hampi Bazaar · Culture
The long colonnaded street in front of the temple. Walk it to the monolithic Nandi at the far end.
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Vittala Temple · Culture
The stone chariot and the musical pillars. Allow a couple of hours; the walk in along the river is part of it.
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Matanga Hill · Nature
Climb it for the sunset over the boulders and the temple below.
Day 2 · The royal enclosure
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Lotus Mahal · Culture
A small, elegant pavilion with its own gardens. One of the few roofed buildings left.
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Elephant Stables · Culture
Eleven domed chambers in a row. Easy to pair with the Lotus Mahal next door.
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Queen's Bath · Culture
A sunken pool with ornate balconies, a short way from the enclosure.
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Hemakuta Hill · Nature
Low, easy to climb, scattered with small temples. The best sunset for anyone who skipped Matanga.
Day 3 · Across the river
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Sanapur Lake · Nature
A reservoir ringed by boulders on the Anegundi side. A coracle ride is the classic way to see it.
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Anjaneya Hill · Culture
A long flight of steps to a hilltop temple with a wide view of the river and the fields. Go early.
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Anegundi village · Culture
Older than Hampi itself and much quieter. Walk its lanes, then find a shady place to sit.