Hospet Tourism And Travel Guide

Hospet is a thriving city on the banks of the Tungabhadra River, a short distance from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the ancient ruined city of Hampi. Apart from being known for its places of interest, Hospet is also known as the Iron City, a moniker for the iron ore mines that you'll find dotted along the city's landscape.

Hospet not only provides a thoroughfare to Hampi, but has also tourist places of its own, like the Tungabhadra Dam, temples to Shaneshwara and Panchamukhi Hanuman and any number of virgin hills and ancient forts and dams in the neighbourhood that you’d love to discover. If you would like to discover the tourism in Hospet, our travel guide will help you plan a good trip.

Hospet is accessible directly by train and by road. The easiest way to reach Hospet would be by train.

By Air:

You could take a flight to the Kempegowda International Airport at Bengaluru and a connecting domestic flight to the Jindal Vidyanagar Airport at Toranganallu. Take a cab from the airport to Hospet.

By Train:

There are a number of trains from most major Indian cities to Hospet. The city centre is about 2 km from the rail station.

By Road:

There are Government and private buses that run between most major cities to Hospet, due to the proximity of the tourist site of Hampi. You could also book a cab for the journey by road.

Getting Around:

There are plenty of government buses that operate within the city. There is a bus stop outside the railway station that can take you to the main bus stand. You can also use auto rickshaws or cabs for transit.

The ideal time to visit Hospet is the winter season, from November to February.

Summer(March-May):

Summer is very hot in Hospet. The rocky barren landscapes of Hampi radiate the summer heat. Not the perfect time for climbing the rocks of Hampi.

Monsoon(June-September):

Hospet receives average rainfall during these months. The season is quite good to travel, as the countryside comes alive with the rains. But certain activities like, coracle crossing over on the Tungabhadra for instance or trekking on the Matanga Hills, might have to be abandoned.

Winter(November-February):

Winter has the perfect weather for you to go sightseeing. Abandon yourself in adventure tourism including trekking and rock climbing. Hospet in winter turns colourful and vibrant as tourists throng to Hospet and Hampi for the Hampi Utsav.

Chitradurga Fort:

Visit the Kallina Kote or Chitradurga Fort on your way to Hospet from Bengaluru. Strategically built with military precision, the Chitradurga Fort and the temples within are heritage treasures.

Tour the Hippie Island:
Unwind in the northern parts of Hampi, across the Tungabhadra, which is called Virupapur Gadde. Or more modernistically as Hippie Island. The place is surrounded by the Tungabadra on all sides and the only access to the island is by coracle or a motorcycle ride from Hampi through Hospet.

Bird Watching:
Go bird watching in late winter at the backwaters of the Tungabhadra. It’s the time when Greater Flamingos fly in to the wetlands of Hospet.

Coracle on the River:
The coracles of Tungabhadra carry not only men but their machines, too. Take a ride across the river, as it gushes along through the ruined town of Hampi.

Riverside Stroll:
The Tungabhadra River is the lifeline of these ancient cities of Hospet and Hampi. Take a stroll along the river’s edge watching the water birds and the sunset over the horizon. It’s a serene peaceful break from the humdrum of city life.

Trekking:
Trek up the Matanga hill, said to be where during the times of Ramayana, Sage Matanga had his hermitage. You’d get a glorious view of the Tungabhadra and the ruins spread over the countryside.

Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary:
There are quite a number of Sloth bears here along with mongoose, jackals and hares. It’s remarkable to watch the bears in their locale among the naturally formed boulder caves. The Daroji Sanctuary is about 19 km from Hospet.

During peak tourist seasons, you find Hospet packed with tourists who are visiting the city or on way to Hampi. Hospet offersa wide variety of cuisines. There are multi cuisine restaurants, budget ones or even street stalls serving up delicious idlis, dosas and spicy bondas. You have the traditional rice and saaru made of lentils and Jolada roti or Jowar rotis accompanied by spicy chuteys and dhals. Otherwise try South Indian meals on banana leaf, North Indian thalis, biriyanis, Chinese and Continental food.

Staying in at Hospet should not be a problem as you’d find a number of budget and luxury hotels like Malligi or Priyadarshini, very close to the Hospet Railway Station and KSRTC Bus Station. Otherwise there are some resorts that are on the way enroute to Hampi. These resorts offer fun filled activities to keep you entertained during your stay, along with spas, swimming pools and indoor games.