Start with a hearty local breakfast at Shanbag Tiffins in Hospet; popular for quick South Indian tiffin and opens early (typically 6:30–11:00). Good fuel before travelling to Hampi.
Take the short bus or auto ride from Hospet to Hampi (Hampi Bazaar area). Buses run frequently in the morning; autos/tuk-tuks are faster but slightly pricier.
Visit Virupaksha Temple — an active temple and the spiritual heart of Hampi — then stroll Hampi Bazaar with its historic pavements and shops. Temples are generally open from early morning until around 6:00pm.
Short climb to Hemakuta Hill where the huge Sasivekalu Ganesh and nearby Kadalekalu Ganesh statues sit among ruined temples; visit Raghunath Temple in this cluster for fine views and quiet archaeology.
Sit down for a relaxed lunch at a popular Hampi cafe such as Mango Tree or Laughing Buddha; both serve filling Indian and continental options and are open through lunch hours.
Explore the Royal Centre: Queen's Bath, the Public (Royal) Bath, the secret/underground chamber and Mahanavami Dibba — a compact area rich in royal architecture and ASI-managed sites (generally accessible 6:00am–6:00pm).
Head to the Vittala complex to view the famous Stone Chariot and musical pillars; the site is expansive, so aim to arrive by mid-afternoon (ASI areas usually close around 5:30–6:00pm).
Climb Matanga Hill for panoramic sunset views over the Hampi plain — the climb takes 30–60 minutes depending on your pace and is one of the best viewpoints in Hampi. Do check daylight times; access is typically unrestricted but climb with care.
Visit Achyutaraya Temple by the river and take an evening coracle ride across the Tungabhadra near the Achyutaraya stretch — operators run rides near sunset and early evening; book locally for availability.
Return to and check in at Mayura Vijayanagara near the Tungabhadra Dam; dinner at the hotel or a nearby restaurant — a convenient base for an early start or evening dam visit.
Head to the Tungabhadra Dam for an easy evening stroll, dam viewpoints and sunset lighting; the dam area is accessible in the evening and is peaceful after 6pm.
Drive to Sanapur Lake for a calm evening coracle ride on the lake; local operators run rides around dusk and this is a serene contrast to riverside coracles in Hampi. Confirm operator availability and time locally.
Ride north to Anjanadri Hill for the Hanuman temple and panoramic views; the climb is rewarding in the cooler morning hours and early start avoids heat and crowds.
Visit the sculpted Ugra Narasimha and the Badami Linga sculptures, and the Krishna Temple area (small but richly detailed temple) — these monuments are close together and make a compact stop.
Use the afternoon to tick off any remaining smaller sites you requested (Pushkarni, Raghunath Temple, secret corners) or to revisit favourites for photos.