India GOBest time to visit Hampi
Hampi is a city of bare granite with almost no shade, so the calendar is really about heat. November to February is the season: dry, with afternoons around 29–33°C and nights that drop to 16–19°C. From March the sun takes over the day, April and May average 38°C in the afternoon, and the monsoon months are cooler and green but cut the river crossings.
🟩 Best time · 🟢 Good time · 🟧 Better avoid
Open-sun ruins: comfort Oct–Feb; 42°C Mar–Jun
2024 dam gate burst flooded riverside monuments; coracles cancelled in monsoon
Hampi by season
Temperatures are monthly averages for the area (the nearest weather station is Koppal, at about 564 m); the month-by-month table above has the detail.
November–February: the season
Almost no rain, low humidity by February, 29–30°C in the afternoons of November to January. These are the coolest months for walking the ruins. It is also the season at the Ankasamudra bird reserve, about 40 km away, when the heronry is nesting.
October and March: good, with caveats
October is still humid (around 78%) and can bring the last heavy showers, around 96 mm in the month, with the landscape still green after the monsoon. March is dry and warming fast, to an average 36°C: plan the ruins for early morning and late afternoon.
April–June: better avoided
The hottest stretch, with afternoon averages of 38°C in April and May and peaks well above that. Granite stores heat, and the Royal Centre and the Vittala road have little shade. If this is your only window, start at first light, rest from late morning, and come back out after 16:00.
July–September: the quiet green months
Afternoons fall back to about 30°C and the boulders are framed by green paddy. Rain comes on 6–7 days a month, heaviest in September (around 151 mm). The catch is the river: when it rises, coracles and the motorboat stop, and the north bank (Anegundi, Virupapur Gaddi, Anjanadri) becomes a 25 km road detour over the Anegundi bridge.
Festivals worth timing a trip around
Hampi Utsav (Vijaya Utsava): 3–5 November 2026 (expected). Three evenings of free concerts on stages among the monuments, with the temples lit at night. It is the one time Hampi is crowded at night as well as by day: the dates move from year to year and are announced late, so watch karnatakatourism.org and book a room as soon as they appear. More in festivals in Hampi.
Hanuman Jayanti at Anjanadri, the hill across the river held to be Hanuman's birthplace (a contested claim: Tirumala says the same). Karnataka's Hanumad Vratam falls in Margashirsha, usually December, when devotees climb the hill to end their vow. Anjanadri is a half-day trip at any time of year, so there is no need to plan around it.
How to plan the day in any month
The rhythm that works from October to June.
- Start at dawn — Virupaksha's morning puja, a sunrise on Matanga or Anjanadri, then the open ruins while the stone is still cool.
- Hide at midday — The Archaeological Museum in Kamalapura (closed Fridays), a long lunch, or the shade of a guesthouse.
- Go back out after four — Vittala in the late afternoon, when the stone turns gold, then a sunset from Hemakuta Hill. The monuments close at sunset.
- In the heat, take a rickshaw for the day — One driver and shade between stops beat cycling at 38°C. Agree the list of sites before you start.
FAQ
Which month is best for Hampi?
November to February. December and January are the most comfortable, with afternoons around 29–30°C and nights near 16–17°C.
When should I not visit Hampi?
April to June, when afternoons average 38°C on unshaded stone. In the monsoon the ruins are fine, but the river crossings can close.
Is Hampi worth visiting in the monsoon?
For the green landscape and thin crowds, yes, with afternoons near 30°C. Plan for rain on 6–7 days a month and for the coracles and boats to stop when the river is high.
Is 2 days enough for Hampi?
Two full days cover the sacred centre, Vittala and the Royal Centre. The north bank (Anegundi, Anjanadri, Sanapur Lake) needs a third. See the Hampi itinerary.
When is Hampi Utsav?
Hampi Utsav: 3–5 November 2026 (expected). Book rooms as soon as the dates are announced.
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
The full catalogue, hidden spots and districts on the map, plus “nearby” mode.
Open in India GO