Aihole is widely regarded as the birthplace of Indian temple architectural styles, and the site of the first built temples, as distinct from those carved out of solid rock. It has over a hundred temples, scattered around the village - half of them within the fort walls. The oldest temple here is, perhaps, the Lad Khan temple dating back to the 5th century originally the abode of a Muslim prince, Lad Khan.

The Durga Fort Temple is notable for its semi-circular apse, elevated plinth, and the gallery that encircles the sanctum. Images of Chamundi Devi trampling the buffalo demon, Narasimha and Shiva abound here. The temples within the fort are fine examples of Hoysala, Buddhist, Jain, Dravida, Nagara and Rekhanagara styles. The Museum behind the Durga Temple contains further examples of the Chalukyan sculptors' work.

The Hutchimalli Temple has a sculpture of Lord Vishnu sitting atop a cobra. The Ravana Phadi Cave dating back to the 6th century, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is cut from a large wedge of sandstone. Shiva in several forms is carved both inside and outside the cave. Other remarkable sites are the Konta Temple Complex of four temples, the Uma Maheswari Temple, which houses a beautifully carved Brahma sitting on a lotus, the austere Jain Meguti Temple and the two-storied Buddhist Temple. Within the Buddhist shrine, is a tranquil smiling Buddha on the ceiling, with the Bodhi Tree spreading canopy over his head.