7 Best Hampi Sunset and Sunrise Points You Shouldn’t Miss

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Stunning Hampi Sunset Points

1. Hemakuta Hill

Hiking difficult level : Easy
Nearby attractions : Sasivekalu Ganesha, Virupaksha temple and many food joints
Location : South Hampi, Get directions on Google Map

The most beautiful sunset viewing point in all of Hampi is Hemakuta sunset point.

Hemakuta is a group of monuments where the famous Sasivekalu Ganesha and other temples are located.

A bit ahead of Sasivekalu Ganesha, if you walk up after parking your vehicle, you arrive at a Mantapa – it is totally owned by the Langurs.

Crossing the Mantapa, you find yourself on the open boulder hill. You’ll spot at least a dozen small stone shrines and other pavilions here. To the right, you’ll be greeted with the mighty sight of Virupaksha Gopuram.

You can walk to the hill’s edge to observe the intricate details. I must have stared at it for at least 15 minutes, observing the details. Behind Virupaksha temple, you see smaller yet beautiful temples where locals play cricket as the sun sets.

At Hemakuta sunset point, there’s this charming small shrine “Gudi” and a dried Plumeria tree in the middle of the hill. Instead of the crowded cliff edge, I prefer sitting in front of this shrine.

This spot is usually taken up by photographers or those who meditate and chant. From here, you can catch the magical sunset between the Plumeria branches, painting Hampi golden pink. You won’t want to leave!

2. Hippie Island

Hiking difficult level : Medium
Nearby attractions : Sanapur Lake, Anegundi
Location : North Hampi, Get directions on Google Map

Want to visit one of the coolest sunset points in Hampi? Head to Hippie island.

It’s always buzzing with hippies, adding to the cool vibe. We’ve been there twice, and there’s always some amateur musicians jamming away during sunset, which is pretty awesome.

The hike is no sweat, just stroll past some huts in the rice fields.

What’s really neat about Hippie Island is all the greenery?lots of paddy fields and banana plantations, giving it a laid-back feel. And you can’t miss the Virupaksha Temple, shining like a star on the horizon.

3. Anjanadri Hill

Hiking difficult level : Hard
Nearby attractions : Sanapur Lake, Anegundi
Location : North Hampi, Get direction on Google Map

Anjanadri Hill, also known as Anjaneya Hill by the locals, is where the fearless Monkey God, Hanuman, was born. It surely is one of the beautiful places in Hampi to witness sunset.

Adventure and strength are totally Hanuman’s vibe, so making it to the hilltop, believed to be his birthplace, is like a mini adventure in itself.

You can plan to watch sunset when you make a day trip to Anegundi village – It is closer to it.

You’ll spot the whitish hilltop from a distance, with its winding trail of over 500 steps just waiting to be tackled. It’s a pretty steep climb.

Once you reach the top, all that effort will be worth it. You’ll find local ladies selling homemade refreshments like buttermilk and Goli soda.

After a quick sip, you’ll reach the Hanuman Temple with its white walls and orange flag flying high. And the view from up there? Absolutely stunning?paddy fields and the Hampi ruins spread out before you.

Remember, Anjanadri Hill is super sacred for Hindus and a buzzing religious spot. You’ll find more pilgrims than tourists. So dress respectfully while going to Anjanadri.

4. Sanapur Lake

Hiking difficult level : No hiking
Nearby attractions : Anegundi, Hippie island
Location : Get direction on Google Map

Sanapur Lake makes it to every visitor’s must-visit place list for its scenery, coracle rides, and cliff jumping. But I say it is one of the quietest places in Hampi to watch the sunset.

Not many refer to Sanapur Lake as a sunset viewing point.

Because you don’t see the sun setting here, but the sight of the sky turning from yellow to pinkish-orange, darkening the silhouette of rocky mountains, and turning the lake water bronze-gold is fantastic.

You can choose to stay beside the road on the lake bund or on the shores. By then, all the tourists who came for jumping and boat rides would have left.

It will be just one or two travelers who stay near Sanapur lake practicing yoga or simply sitting to watch the sky glowing

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Best Sunrise Viewpoints in Hampi

1. Mathanga Hill

Hiking difficult level : Medium
Nearby attractions : Achyutaraya temple, Courtesans’ bazar, Virupaksha temple
Location : South Hampi, Get direction on Google Map

Fancy watching the sunrise from the highest point of Hampi with Virupaksha Gopuram in the background? Hike to Mathanga Hill. It’s the most famous sunrise viewing spot, so expect a crowd, especially couples on pre-wedding photoshoots.

The mildly challenging 30-minute hike takes you past temples, bazaars, and small shrines. From the top, you’ll see boulder hills stretching to infinity, with the Tungabhadra River glimmering between them.

To the east of Mathanga Hill is Achyutaraya Temple, and to the west is Virupaksha Temple.

For a stunning sunrise, where Achyutaraya Temple is revealed from the darkness, be at Mathanga Hilltop.

If you want to see the sun setting behind Virupaksha, Mathanga Hill is perfect for sunset.

2. Malyavanta Raghunatha Hill

Hiking difficult level : No hiking
Nearby attractions : Vijaya Vittala temple, Kamalapur
Location : South Hampi, Get directions on Google Map

Malyavanta Raghunatha Hill tops my list for the best Hampi sunrise points.

Its hidden location means fewer crowds. The beauty lies in its unique path between two split rocks. From the parking area, you pass through the gap to reach a ruined Mantapa.

An array of stone steps leads to a platform with another ruined Mantapa in front. To your left is the sunrise viewpoint, offering views of banana plantations, boulder hills, and a few stone pavilions.

The temple on the west side, with its resident monkeys, adds charm.

If you’re fit, head to the two-story ruined Mantapa. The floors are adorned with Shiv lingas, so watch your steps. Climb to the top for a spectacular sunrise.

As the sun rises, the River Tungabhadra sparkles, the stones glow, and the temple to the east radiates warmth. Don’t forget to see the Gopuram of the temple behind you turning gold.

After sunrise, visit the beautiful Malyavanta Raghunatha Temple.

3. Near Royal Palace

Hiking difficult level : No uphill hiking
Nearby attractions : Mahanavami dibba, Lotus Mahal and Kamalapur food joints
Location : South Hampi, Get directions on Google Map

While the hills are perfect for sunrise and sunset viewing points in Hampi, you can’t ignore some flatlands.

The flatlands of Hampi boast either rice fields or 500-year-old stone structures. The Royal Enclosure of Hampi, home to landmarks like the famous Queen’s Bathhouse and the stepped tank, is a fine place to visit in the morning.

Watching the sunrise here has three perks. Firstly, you get to see famous spots like Mahanavami Dibba without the crowd. Secondly, you get to meet locals of Hampi jogging, who are super approachable and share their stories of what Hampi was like before and now. And, of course, the third perk is seeing the sun crown over the Dravidian-style temple “Sri Chandrashekhara Gudi“.

I’m not exaggerating, but witnessing the sun rise behind a 500-year-old temple felt like watching a historical drama.

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Few tips on getting to Hampi Sunset and Sunrise spots

• Hampi sunset varies from 6 to 6:30 PM, and sunrise time varies between 5:45 AM to 6:20 AM seasonally. Plan accordingly based on the season.
• The listed spots involve mild to difficult hiking, so wear comfortable shoes.
• Carry snacks and water bottles – None of these places have food joints nearby.
• Having a private vehicle is ideal for reaching these places.
• Renting a two-wheeler is the best way to reach the base of sunset points in Hampi. Rental services aren’t open early in the morning, so consider renting a bike for a day with overnight.

• Speak to your host the previous night; they can arrange auto-rickshaws to take you to the sunrise points. They may charge extra due to the early hours and waiting time until you return.
• Coming a little early to watch twilight hours helps you secure a good spot. But none of these sunset and sunrise watching places get crowded like Oia in Santorini. So, you need not come 2 hours before to reserve seats.
• All sunrise and sunset points in Hampi have strict opening hours. Guards ensure visitors leave the points once the sun rises or sets, following government regulations.

Which of these sunrise or sunset points in Hampi is your favourite? Let us know in the comment section below.