Set in a boulder-strewn landscape along the banks of the Tungabhadra River, Hampi was once the capital city of the mighty Vijayanagara Empire. However, many believe the town predates the kingdom as it was mentioned in the epics "Ramayana” and the “Puranas” as "Pampa Devi Tirtha Kshetra." Today, the UNESCO World Heritage Site houses monuments and temples that tell the story of grandeur and ruin, with the Royal Centre housing structures that appear like erstwhile palaces, baths, pavilions, royal stables, and temples for ceremonial use.
But if you want a taste of something different, you’re in luck! Hampi’s cultural and natural treasures extend to a museum, an art lab, a sunset point, and more. Here are five offbeat places to visit in Hampi beyond the temples.
Tucked away in Kamalapura village, the Archaeological Museum takes visitors on a journey through time—making it a top place to visit in Hampi. One of the museum's standout features is a model of Hampi's topography, created to scale, that showcases the landscape's hills and rivers.
This small yet significant museum holds a treasure trove of artefacts. In the first gallery, you can find sculptures of the Shaivite faith. These include incarnations of Hindu deity Shiva as Virabhadra, Bhairava and Bhikshatanamurti, as well as deities like Shakti, Ganesha, Kartikeya and Durga. The second gallery showcases antiquities such as arms and armour, copper plate grants, metal objects of religious utility, and brass plates. The third gallery houses coins from the Vijayanagara dynasty in various denominations, both gold and copper. Lastly, the fourth gallery houses relics from the prehistoric and protohistoric periods, medieval hero stones, and sati stones. It also houses stucco figurines, iron objects and shards of porcelain retrieved from archaeological sites.
Address: Daroji-Kamlapura Road, Kamalapur - 583221
The Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is a first-of-its-kind reserve in India that protects and conserves sloth bears. Spread over 82.7 square kilometres, visitors can see the nocturnal animal from specially-made machans. The animals are threatened due to illegal mining in fragmented areas of the adjoining forests, so many rescued domestic bears from Daroji and surrounding areas are brought here for refuge.
The sanctuary is also home to hyenas, wild boars, pangolins, porcupines, jackals, leopards, star tortoises and monitor lizards. A drive through the scrub jungle also provides opportunities to sight endemic species of birds, such as the painted spurfowl, yellow-throated bulbul, sandgrouse, stone-curlew and peafowl.
Address: Seetharama Tanda - 583215
Launched in February 2024, the Hampi Art Labs was founded by the JSW Foundation—the social development arm of the JSW Group, one of India’s leading business houses. The facility spans nine acres and comprises exhibition spaces, studios, apartments for residencies, gardens and a café, making it one of the top places to visit in Hampi.
The building sits amid the Tungabhadra River, craggy hill ranges and intriguingly large boulders. Currently, an exhibition titled “Knots that Bind” is on show, depicting the creativity, materiality and solidarity among women handloom weavers.
Address: Opposite JSW, Vidyanagar Township, Gate, Toranagallu - 583275
Founded in 2008, KRSMA Estates is a vineyard that produces top-quality wines like Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Sangiovese. Their state-of-the-art winemaking has received numerous felicitations, including the New Zealand International Wine Show Bronze Award in 2012 for their Sauvignon Blanc, and the gold star at the China Wine and Spirits Awards in 2013 for their Cabernet Sauvignon. Located near Tavargeri's hills, visit the vineyard to sample premium wines and buy a some vino for your loved ones.
Address: SH 29, Zhoolkunti - 583279
Sunset Point on Hippie Island is one of the best places to visit in Hampi. This destination offers breathtaking views of the setting sun. If you are lucky, you can catch a group of musicians jamming along, making it the ideal background score to accompany the spectacular vista. This spot is also known for its beautiful sunrises and lush green rice fields.
Address: Anjanhalli - 583234
