Nearest City – Berhampur
Places to visit in & around Berhampur – Click Here
🌴 Welcome to Gopalpur-on-Sea! 🌊
Your trip to Gopalpur Beach is not just about golden sands and the calm Bay of Bengal – the region around is filled with hidden gems that blend nature, culture, and history.
✨ Why Tourists Love It Here
✔️ Beaches for leisure & seafood at Yummies Restaurant Gopalpur (Order in advance for availability)
✔️ Lakes for boating & water sports
✔️ Hills for trekking & myths
✔️ Temples for spirituality
✔️ Waterfalls & valleys for raw beauty
📌 Tip for Visitors: Start with nearby beaches and lakes if you’re on a short trip (1–2 days). If you have more time, head towards the hills and waterfalls (3–5 days) for a deeper experience of South Odisha.
1. Gopalpur Sea Beach (0 km)
- Significance: Famous for its golden sand, calm waters, sunrise/sunset views, and historic port town charm. Perfect for beach walks, seafood, and relaxation.
GOPALPUR PARK – Lawn, Nearby Bridge, Adventure Sports, Kids Playing Area – Direction – Click Here
200 meter from Main Sea Beach
Wooden Bridge & Board Walk – Its a beautiful place for strolling and enjoying the Sea, view is really good, but whether it is open or not you need to check – Direction – Click Here, entry was through Eco Retreat
2. Old Lighthouse, Gopalpur (0.5 km)
- Significance: British-era lighthouse offering panoramic views of the Bay of Bengal. Best spot for photography and history lovers.
3. Sri Jagannath Temple, Gopalpur (1 km)
- Significance: A serene shrine dedicated to Lord Jagannath, an important place for local devotion and cultural connect.
4. Taratarini Temple, Purushottampur (28 km)
- Significance: One of the ancient Shakti Peethas of India, located atop a hill. Devotees believe it grants prosperity and protection.
5. Buddhakhol Caves, Buguda (66 km)
- Significance: Buddhist heritage site with caves, stupas, and ancient carvings, set amidst waterfalls and greenery.
6. Aryapalli Beach (8 km)
- Significance: Less crowded beach, known for casuarina groves and calm atmosphere — perfect for a peaceful retreat.
7. Chilika Lake (Rambha side) (45 km)
- Significance: Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon, paradise for birdwatchers, dolphins, and boating experiences. Rambha side is known for pristine islands.
8. Narayani Temple, Khalikote Hills (35 km)
- Significance: Scenic temple dedicated to Goddess Narayani, nestled inside forests and hills. Great for trekking and picnics.
9. Berhampur City (16 km)
- Significance: Commercial hub of South Odisha, famous for Berhampuri Silk Sarees, street food, shopping, and temples.
10. Taptapani Hot Spring (68 km)
- Significance: Natural sulfur hot spring with reputed medicinal properties. Surrounded by tribal villages and forests.
11. Kavi Samrat Upendra Bhanja’s Birthplace, Kullada (70 km)
- Significance: Birthplace of legendary Odia poet Upendra Bhanja, with a cultural center and temple.
12. Rushikulya River Mouth (Olive Ridley Nesting Site) (30 km)
- Significance: World-famous nesting site for Olive Ridley Turtles, best visited during nesting season (Dec–Feb).
13. Mahuri Kalua Temple (30 km)
- Significance: A popular Shakti shrine among locals, known for its strong spiritual vibes.
14. Padmanavpur Handloom Village (25 km)
- Significance: Traditional weaving village, where you can witness the making of Berhampuri Silk Sarees.
15. Tampara Lake (40 km)
- Tampara Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in Odisha, stretching several kilometers in length. Located just off NH-16 near Chhatrapur, it offers a perfect blend of nature, leisure, and adventure.
- ✨ Significance & Attractions
- Boating Paradise 🚤: The lake offers paddle boats, speed boats, and houseboat rides for families and adventure seekers.
- Water Sports Hub 🏄: Recently developed with jet skiing, zorbing, kayaking, and banana boat rides, making it a major water sports destination in South Odisha.
- Scenic Beauty 🌿: Surrounded by lush greenery and casuarina groves, it’s a peaceful retreat away from the busy town life.
- Eco-Tourism Development 🌏: Promoted by Odisha Tourism, with cottages, picnic spots, and food courts nearby.
- Birdlife 🐦: Seasonal migratory birds are seen, making it a spot for casual birdwatchers.
- Historical Note 📖: Locals believe the lake’s name comes from “Tampra” meaning “lotus leaf”, hinting at its natural lotus-filled beauty in the past..
16. Pati Sonapur Beach (36 km)
- Significance: Virgin, lesser-known beach with stunning views where the Bahuda river meets the sea.
17. Nirmaljhar (60 km)
- Significance: Natural stream and sacred water body, famous for its spiritual ambience and green surroundings.
18. Chandragiri Tibetan Monastery, Gajapati (95 km)
- Significance: Known as “Mini Tibet”, it houses one of the largest Tibetan monasteries in Eastern India.
19. Jaugada Fort (Asoka’s Rock Edict) (50 km)
- Significance: Historical site of Ashokan inscriptions, representing Odisha’s ancient Buddhist heritage.
20. Black Pagoda, Palur (15 km)
- Significance: Remains of an ancient port lighthouse temple, locally known as “Kala Pagoda”, historically important for sailors.
Extended Attractions Around Gopalpur Sea Beach
(In addition to the earlier 20 sites, here are more destinations worth visiting, categorized by theme and distance.)
🛕 Temples & Spiritual Sites
21. Bhairabi Temple, Mantridi (20 km from Gopalpur)
- Significance: An important Shakti Peetha dedicated to Goddess Bhairabi. Strongly revered by locals, with mythological and tantric importance.
22. Maa Buddhi Thakurani Temple, Berhampur (18 km)
- Significance: Guardian goddess (Gramadevati) of Brahmapur/Berhampur. Famous Thakurani Jatra occurs every 2 years.
23. Mahuri Kalua Temple (30 km)
- Significance: Popular Shakti shrine, believed to fulfill devotees’ wishes. Visited especially during festivals.
🌄 Hills & Trekking Destinations
24. Mahendragiri Hills, Gajapati (130 km from Gopalpur)
- Significance: Mythologically linked to the Pandavas of Mahabharata. Known for dense forests, hilltop temples (Kunti, Yudhistira, Bhima, Arjuna), and panoramic views. Perfect for trekking and spiritual exploration.
25. Bariapathara Hills, Gajapati (90 km)
- Significance: Scenic hills with trekking trails, waterfalls, and tribal villages. A hidden gem for nature enthusiasts.
26. Daringbadi (Hill Station of Odisha) (125 km)
- Significance: Called the “Kashmir of Odisha”, famous for pine forests, valleys, waterfalls, coffee gardens, and tribal culture. A must-visit for eco-tourism.
💦 Waterfalls & Natural Escapes
27. Harabhanga Waterfall, Kandhamal (Approx. 150 km from Gopalpur)
- Significance: Picturesque waterfall amidst forests, ideal for nature photography.
28. Putudi Waterfall, Phulbani (180 km)
- Significance: Famous waterfall in Kandhamal district, surrounded by dense forest. Best visited post-monsoon.
29. Khasada Waterfall, Daringbadi (130 km)
- Significance: Located near Daringbadi, this is a scenic and less-crowded waterfall, perfect for trekking lovers.
30. Maa Gajalaxmi Temple + Waterfall, Daringbadi (125 km)
- Significance: Temple dedicated to Goddess Gajalaxmi amidst waterfalls and forests. Tribal culture adds to the uniqueness.
🌳 Eco-Tourism & Tribal Culture
31. Coffee Plantations of Daringbadi (125 km)
- Significance: Famous for its coffee and black pepper plantations, offering a unique agro-tourism experience.
32. Phulbani Town & Surroundings (180 km)
- Significance: Known as the heart of Kandhamal, surrounded by hills, rivers, and waterfalls. Perfect for tribal & cultural exploration.
33. Belghar Sanctuary, Kandhamal (190 km)
- Significance: Wildlife sanctuary home to elephants and tribal communities like Kutia Kondh. Great for nature lovers.
1. Beaches Within and Immediately around Gopalpur
1. Gopalpur-on-Sea (Gopalpur Beach) — 0 km
- The main coastal attraction—pristine, golden sands lined with casuarina groves and a historic lighthouse. Known for peaceful sunrises, sunsets, and a rich colonial port history.
2. Rushikulya Beach (Rushikulya Muhana) — ~33 km
- Where the Rushikulya River meets the Bay of Bengal. A mass nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles during winter.
3. Aryapalli Beach — ~16 km
- A tranquil, casuarina-fringed shoreline ideal for solitude and nature walks.
4. Pati-Sonapur Beach — ~43 km
- A serene, relatively virgin beach located near the Odisha–Andhra Pradesh border, where the Bahuda River meets the sea. Calm and offbeat.
5. Dhabaleswar Beach — ~7–8 km, 15 km by Car
- A lesser-known stretch near the Dhabaleswar Temple. Quiet and ideal for a relaxed visit.
🗓 Suggested Itineraries from Gopalpur Beach
1-Day Itinerary (Relax & Explore Nearby) for Gopalpur
- Morning: Sunrise at Gopalpur Sea Beach 🌅
- Visit Old Lighthouse & Jagannath Temple
- Afternoon: Seafood lunch at Yummies Restaurant 🍤
- Evening: Quick trip to Aryapalli Beach (8 km) for sunset 🌊
2-Day Itinerary (Spiritual + Scenic) for Gopalpur
Day 1: Follow 1-day plan.
Day 2:
- Morning: Drive to Taratarini Temple (28 km) ⛰️
- Afternoon: Explore Berhampur City (shopping + food)
- Evening: Return to Gopalpur & relax at beach cafés.
3-Day Itinerary (Nature + Culture) for Gopalpur
Day 1 & 2: Same as above.
Day 3:
- Morning: Visit Chilika Lake (Rambha) for boat rides & birdwatching 🦢
- Afternoon: Stop at Narayani Temple, Khalikote Hills
- Evening: Return via Rushikulya River Mouth (if turtle nesting season).
4-Day Itinerary (Adventure & Hot Springs) for Gopalpur
Day 1–3: Same as above.
Day 4:
- Morning: Drive to Taptapani Hot Spring (68 km) 🛀
- Afternoon: Visit Padmanavpur Handloom Village on way back.
- Evening: Enjoy local food and cultural vibes at Berhampur.
5-Day Itinerary (Extended Heritage Trip) for Gopalpur
Day 1–4: Same as above.
Day 5:
- Morning: Visit Jaugada Fort (Ashokan Edict) + Khallikote Palace Ruins 🏰
- Afternoon: Drive further to Nirmaljhar
- Evening: Optional long trip to Chandragiri Monastery (95 km) if interested in Tibetan culture.