10 Best Places to Visit in Odisha

Formerly known as Orissa, the state of Odisha is yet to reach the top of the travel ladder in India. For a place rich in heritage tourist places and culturally enriching locales, it is sad that not many know about these things or about what a fine trip a travel plan to Odisha would make. Be it the long list of excellent and untouched beaches or the plenty of temples, Odisha does come with the beauty and serenity of a traveller's dreams! The vibrant state is perfect for all kinds of indulgences, be it visiting religious sites and pilgrimages or gallivanting off in the broad beaches or even resting in the sun-kissed lakes of Odisha, you would surely have the time of your life here!

Indulge in the splendor of Odisha heritage and culture by planning a trip to the state. And don't worry about list of places to visit in Odisha or tourist attractions in Odisha as we have you covered on that front. In fact, we have compiled a set of top places to visit in Odisha which would surely enhance your trip.

Bhubaneswar

Rightfully tagged as the Temple City of India, the state capital Bhubaneswar does come as the classic example of urbanization interspersed with history and heritage. Udayagiri and Khandagiri caves, temples of Mukteshwar, Dhauli Hills, Ratnagiri Buddhist Excavactions are just some of the places to visit in Odisha's capital Bhubaneswar. Needless to say, you would definitely have the time of your life, indulging in the cultural beauty of the place. You can also find plenty of good accommodation choices in Bhubaneswar.

Puri

The temple town of Puri nestled in the coast is easily one of the best tourist destinations in Odisha. The brown and golden beaches of Puri with access to the most famous temple, Puri Jagannath Temple,gives Puri a very popular stature in the list of places to visit in Odisha. You can rest your body on the beaches of Puri following a long day of touring through one of the original Char Dhams, the Jagannath temple. Check out the cool sea-view hotels that you can find in Puri for the best experiences. Let the salty sea breeze soothe your senses.

Konark

Did you know that the Konark Temple in Odisha is part of the seven wonders of India list? An archaeologist's paradise, the Konark Sun Temple is a major tourist attraction in Odisha. The excellent architecture of the temples which come with a very unique appeal to them gives Konark its edge. Plus, the origin stories of the temples in Konark further add to the thrills of visiting the neighbourhood. It is a perfect place for all kinds of people, be it individuals engrossed in archaeology or art patrons.

Cuttack

One of the most popular places to visit in Odisha is the vintage city of Cuttack. The moment you enter the city, you will notice how the vibe changes completely. There are many cool locales that you can check out here during your visit. Right from the pilgrim centres (which are aplenty, let us tell you that), forts, museums, lakes and even islands. Yes, you heard that right! The trip would surely be one of a kind experience for you!

Bargarh

Do not be surprised to see so many temple suggestions as Odisha is the land of spirituality. Besides the more popular tourist places to visit in Odisha that have illustrious temples, Bargarh is a less popular tourist destination. Nevertheless, it does hold some captivating sights and also holds a significant in the epic tale of Ramayana. You can learn more about the same when you visit the temple as we wouldn't want to spill all the beans right away.

Jeypore

Temples might be the prime tourist attractions in Odisha but the state also has enough neighbourhoods to cater to the nature enthusiasts. Jeypore is one such place that is perched on a rocky yet green mountain with exhilarating waterfalls. The green biosphere reserve is also known to have one of the highest peaks in the state. Perhaps you could pack yourself a basket of sandwiches and head straight to the place for a fun trek session and picnic by the waterfall!

Barbil

Another quaint waterfall awaits you in Odisha. Although Barbil is one of the lesser known tourist destinations in Odisha, the lack of tourist crowd here would benefit you. Luxuriant forests decked with extensive green trees and breathtaking views is sure to leave you amazed! Not to mention how you can also visit some other attractions in Barbil such as Hawa Mahal, Thakurani Hills and Murga Mahadev Waterfalls, among the other cool tourist spots in Odisha.

Paradip

A very popular tourist spot in Odisha, Paradip, often spelled as Paradeep is a very popular sea port of India which is located in the southern coastal regions of Odisha. The port is perched on the confluence of the Mahanadu and the Bay of Bengal which forms quite a visual spectacle. From cool lighthouses to beaches and sanctuaries, there are plenty of amazing neighbourhoods located near Paradip that you can check out during your visit.

Rourkela

Following Bhubaneswar, Rourkela is one of the other largest cities of the state and has plenty of tourist attractions in Odisha. Although much of the city's popularity comes from the steel plant and industrial sector, you would be thrilled to see some of the cool vintage parks, waterfalls and dams that bring about a fun spin to the otherwise serious city. Plus, with opportunities of pilgrimage, trekking and shopping, you would surely have a great time exploring Rourkela.

Sambalpur

With Hirakund dam as the biggest tourist attraction in Odisha, Sambalpur also gets its moments of fame when looking at top places to visit in the state. Sambalpur's beauty comes from the abundance of natural setting with green grasses, tall trees and magnificent natural backdrop. You can find plenty of cultural and nature-based sites here to give your cameras something to remember Odisha by! Take up a safari to explore the Ushakothi Wildlife Sanctuary or visit the interesting Cattle Island, when in Sambalpur.

Odisha does have ample number of places to visit. But it is always best to have a handy list of tourist places to visit in Odisha for the best experience.