Hubballi and Dharwad lie about 20 km apart and have been run as a single municipal area since 1962. Hubballi is the commercial and railway hub of north Karnataka, with markets, a major junction and an airport. Dharwad is quieter and more academic, home to Karnatak University and a long tradition of Hindustani classical music.
Visitors usually come for specific things. Chandramouleshwara temple at Unkal is a carved Shiva shrine of the Kalyana Chalukya period, and Unkal Lake beside it is an easy place to spend an evening. Siddharoodha Math draws pilgrims from across the region. In Dharwad, the surviving gateways of the old fort recall the many powers that fought over the town, and the Dharwad pedha, a GI-tagged milk sweet, is the local souvenir.
For families and older travellers the twin cities work best as a base for short, flat outings rather than long climbs. Most sights are level and close together, with a hotel in Hubballi or Dharwad as a base. Longer day trips to the Attiveri reservoir for birds and to Kittur Fort add variety, and the cooler months from October to February are the most comfortable.
Before you plan
Hubballi-Dharwad at a glance
- Best months
- October to February is the most…October to February is the most comfortable; April and May are hot, and June to September is the wetter monsoon season.
- Ideal trip length
- 2 days for the main sights2 days for the main sights; 3 days with a day trip to Kittur or Attiveri
- Airport
- Hubli AirportHubli Airport (HBX) on Gokul Road, about 8 km from the Hubballi centre and about 20 km from Dharwad
- Railway station
- Hubli Junction is the main stationHubli Junction is the main station; other stations include Hubli South, Hubli East, Unkal and Amargol, and trains stop at Dharwad
- Getting around
- Autos and app cabs within each cityAutos and app cabs within each city; a hired car is easiest for the 20 km run between the two and for day trips
- Daily budget
- Modest compared with metro citiesModest compared with metro cities; costs depend mostly on hotel and car hire, so check current prices
- Senior comfort
- Good: most sights are level and…Good: most sights are level and close to roads, with queues at busy temples. Day trips involve longer drives.
- Language
- Kannada is the official languageKannada is the official language; Hindi and English are widely understood in hotels and shops
Prices, opening hours and weather change. Recheck live details before booking.
Best time to visit Hubballi-Dharwad: January, February, November, December. Month-by-month weather →
How many days do you have?
Hubballi-Dharwad itinerary
One good day
1 day in Hubballi-Dharwad
Begin at Chandramouleshwara temple and Unkal Lake in the morning, then visit Siddharoodha Math. After lunch and a rest, drive to Dharwad for the fort gateways and finish with Dharwad pedha at Line Bazaar.
Day-by-day plan →Two days
2 days in Hubballi-Dharwad
Visit Siddharoodha Math in the morning, then the Indira Gandhi Glass House Garden. Spend the evening at Unkal Lake and Chandramouleshwara temple.
Day-by-day plan →Three unhurried days
3 days in Hubballi-Dharwad
Siddharoodha Math, the Glass House Garden and Unkal Lake with Chandramouleshwara temple at the end of the day.
Day-by-day plan →
