India GOUdupi itinerary: 1, 2 and 3 days
One day covers the core of Udupi: the Krishna Matha and its square on foot in the morning, the temple meal at noon, Malpe beach in the afternoon. A second day adds Manipal or the sea and St Mary's Island; a third goes out of town, to Karkala's Jain monuments, the old Alupa capital at Barkur or the goddess temple at Kollur.
Day 1: the temple town on foot
The Krishna Matha, the tanks and the eight monasteries around them make one compact square: this part is walked, not driven.
- Morning: Sri Krishna Matha
Darshan of the Krishna image through the silver window, then a walk round Car Street, where the temple chariots stand. Dress for the temple: men remove their shirts in the inner temple, and jeans, T-shirts, sleeveless tops and Bermuda shorts are refused (see the dress code). About the temple
- Next door: Anantheshwara
One of the oldest temples in Tulu Nadu, generally dated to the 8th century, where Madhvacharya studied and took his vows. Free. More
- Late morning: the coin museum
The Corporation Bank Heritage Museum on Maruthi Veethika, five minutes from the temple square: more than 1,300 coins, the oldest from the 1st century BC. Free; closed on Sundays and bank holidays; 20–30 minutes is enough. More
- Noon: the temple meal
The free annadana at the Krishna Matha, on a banana leaf in rows on the floor; lunch roughly 12:00–14:30. Prasadam in Udupi
- Afternoon and sunset: Malpe
Malpe beach is 6 km away by local bus or rickshaw. For sunset, Delta Beach at Kodi Bengre, a sandbar at the mouth of the Suvarna, is further along the same road, past the Kemmannu hanging bridge. Malpe beach, Kemmannu bridge
Day 2: pick one half
Both options work with local buses and rickshaws.
Manipal
Hasta Shilpa Heritage Village: some eighteen rescued old houses rebuilt on one site, from coastal merchant homes to a 13th-century shrine; allow two to three hours, closed on Mondays, last entry about 15:45, ticketed. End the day at Manipal End Point, a cliff edge over the Swarna valley that fills with students before sunset. Manipal is 4–5 km from Udupi, with buses every couple of minutes. Hasta Shilpa
The sea, October to May
Start at first light at Malpe Fishing Harbour, when the boats unload and the catch is auctioned on the quay (closed shoes, wet ground). Then the boat from Malpe to St Mary's Island, where the shore is made of hexagonal basalt columns; boats run roughly 09:00–17:00, weather permitting, and not at all from June to September. Carry water: nothing is sold on the island. In the late afternoon, Kaup lighthouse, 15–17 km south, opens for about two hours, usually quoted as 16:00–18:00.
Day 3: out of town
Each of these is a separate day trip; hire a car or rickshaw for the day, since the sites are spread out. More in day trips.
Karkala, about 37 km
The 42-foot Gomateshwara monolith of 1432 on a bare rock hill (go early or late, the granite heats up), the four-doored Chaturmukha Basadi a kilometre away, and on the way the St Lawrence Shrine Basilica at Attur. Pajaka, Madhvacharya's birthplace with four spring-fed tanks and a hilltop temple, is 12–13 km from Udupi and fits the same day.
North: Barkur and the Kundapur temples
Barkur, about 16 km north, was the Alupa capital: temples, a Jain basadi and fort ruins spread through a working town, best with a guide. Further on, Anegudde Vinayaka at Kumbhashi (25–30 km) and the Guddattu cave temple (about 35 km), where the Ayira Koda seva runs around 08:30 and 11:30. Barkur
Kollur Mookambika, about 80 km
One of the great goddess temples of the west coast, at the foot of the Kodachadri hills: 2–2.5 hours each way, so a full day. Queues are long at weekends and during Navaratri. More
Planning by season
November to February is the best window. In the monsoon sea entry is banned and swimming on these beaches is dangerous, and the St Mary's Island ferry does not run from June to September, so the itinerary shrinks to temples, Manipal and the inland trips; Jomlu Teertha falls near Hebri is at its best from September. See best time to visit.
FAQ
How many days are enough for Udupi?
One day covers the Krishna Matha, the temple meal and Malpe beach. Two days add Manipal or St Mary's Island; three allow a trip to Karkala, Barkur or Kollur.
What is there in Udupi?
The 13th-century Sri Krishna Matha and the eight monasteries around it, the older Anantheshwara temple, Malpe beach and St Mary's Island, and the Manipal heritage village.
Can I visit St Mary's Island on a one-day trip?
Yes, from October to May: boats leave Malpe roughly 09:00–17:00, weather permitting. From June to September they do not run.
Is it a good time to visit Udupi now?
November to February is the best season. In the monsoon sea entry is banned and the island ferry does not run from June to September, but the temples are open all year.
How do I get around Udupi?
On foot around the temple square; rickshaws across town (about ₹50–100, agree the fare first); local buses to Manipal and Malpe for under about ₹20.
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