Best Places to Visit in Odisha During Summer: 8 Destinations Worth the Heat in 2026

The best places to visit in Odisha during summer are its Eastern Ghats hill stations and Konkan-facing coastal stretches, where Daringbadi at 915 metres, known as the Kashmir of Odisha, keeps summer temperatures under 29 degrees Celsius while the plains of Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur cross 40 degrees. This guide covers the 8 best places to visit in Odisha during summer, with what to do, temperature details, and how to reach each destination.

Odisha in summer is a state of two experiences. The plains get genuinely hot from April to June, but the Eastern Ghats hill stations, the forested wildlife corridors, and the sea-breeze-cooled beaches all deliver something genuinely rewarding for those who plan around the heat.

Best Places to Visit in Odisha During Summer: Quick Overview

The best places to visit in Odisha during summer span the Eastern Ghats hill belt in the south and west, the wildlife reserves of the north, and the coastal Bay of Bengal stretching the full length of the state.

For a broader look at Odisha’s range, our guide to the most coldest place in Odisha covers the state’s coolest destinations by season. Our offbeat places in Odisha guide covers the lesser-known corners that summer crowds never reach. And for those interested in Odisha’s remarkable heritage, our historical places in Odisha covers the full temple and monument circuit.

Why Odisha Rewards Summer Visitors

Odisha’s summer runs from March to June with temperatures in the plains ranging from 32 degrees Celsius in March to above 40 degrees in May. The state recorded Malkangiri at 43.2 degrees Celsius during a particularly intense summer heat wave, making the coastal belt and Eastern Ghats the only genuinely comfortable parts of Odisha during peak summer. However, summer also brings distinct advantages: the Eastern Ghats hill stations are at their most lush before the July monsoon, Similipal and Satkosia are accessible for safaris, Chilika Lake’s Irrawaddy dolphins are visible year-round, and Puri Beach is at its most festive. The best places to visit in Odisha during summer all reward early morning activity, sea-breeze evenings, and the patience to rest through the midday heat.

1. Daringbadi

Daringbadi is the best place to visit in Odisha during summer and the coolest hill station in the state, known across India as the Kashmir of Odisha. Sitting at 915 metres in the Kandhamal district Eastern Ghats, Daringbadi records summer temperatures between 22 and 29 degrees Celsius, making it the only destination in Odisha where summer feels genuinely cool rather than merely manageable. Pine forests, coffee and spice plantations, cascading waterfalls including Putudi Waterfall and Dasingbadi Waterfall, and the Doluri River flowing through the valley create a landscape that is both beautiful and refreshing. As a best place to visit in Odisha during summer, Daringbadi is the unanimous first choice for anyone seeking the state’s coolest summer air.

• Summer Temperature: 22 to 29 degrees C; the coolest of all best places to visit in Odisha during summer
• Things to Do: Trek the pine forest trails around Daringbadi hill station; visit Putudi Waterfall and Dasingbadi Waterfall; walk the coffee and spice plantation trails; see the Hill View Point for panoramic Eastern Ghats views; visit Doluri River for a cool riverside morning; birdwatch in the surrounding forest
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 300 km, approximately 5 to 6 hours by road
• Best for: Families, couples, trekkers, nature lovers, those wanting the coolest best place to visit in Odisha during summer

2. Deomali and Koraput

Deomali is the highest peak in Odisha at 1,672 metres in the Eastern Ghats, and Koraput district surrounding it is one of the richest tribal cultural zones in India. Together they form one of the most rewarding best places to visit in Odisha during summer for those willing to make the longer journey to the deep south. Summer temperatures at Deomali and Koraput range from 22 to 32 degrees Celsius, and the densely forested approach road and the high elevation grasslands around the peak keep the air noticeably cooler than anywhere else in inland Odisha. Koraput’s tribal haat (market) held every week draws Koraput, Bondo, and Kandha tribal communities in traditional dress, making this one of the most culturally distinctive best places to visit in Odisha during summer.

• Summer Temperature: 22 to 32 degrees C; Deomali summit significantly cooler than Koraput town
• Things to Do: Trek to the Deomali summit for Eastern Ghats panoramic views; visit the weekly tribal haat market at Koraput for Bondo, Koraput, and Kandha tribal encounters; explore the Jagannath Temple and Rani Gumpha in the Koraput area; visit the Kolab Dam reservoir; explore the Tribal Museum in Koraput for the region’s indigenous heritage
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 550 km, approximately 9 hours by road; nearest airport at Visakhapatnam (160 km)
• Best for: Trekkers, tribal culture seekers, nature lovers, those wanting the highest and most remote best place to visit in Odisha during summer

3. Puri Beach

Puri is the most accessible of the best places to visit in Odisha during summer and one of the most historically significant pilgrimage towns on India’s eastern coast. Just 60 km from Bhubaneswar, Puri combines the golden sand of a 7-km beach with the extraordinary Jagannath Temple, one of the four sacred Dhams of Hinduism, in a setting that makes it simultaneously a beach destination and a religious pilgrimage site. Summer temperatures range from 28 to 36 degrees Celsius, but the Bay of Bengal sea breeze at Puri Beach makes the mornings and evenings genuinely pleasant. The famous Rath Yatra festival held in June or July sees millions of devotees pulling the chariots of Lord Jagannath through the main road, turning Puri into one of the most spectacular religious spectacles in India.

• Summer Temperature: 28 to 36 degrees C; sea breeze from the Bay of Bengal makes mornings and evenings comfortable
• Things to Do: Walk Puri Beach at dawn and dusk for the sea breeze; visit the Jagannath Temple (Hindus only in the inner sanctum); attend Rath Yatra if visiting in June or July; eat fresh seafood at the beach-facing restaurants; take a boat to Satapada for Irrawaddy dolphin sightings; visit the Sudarshan Craft Complex for Odisha pattachitra painting
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 60 km, approximately 1.5 hours; the most accessible best place to visit in Odisha during summer
• Best for: Pilgrims, families, beach lovers, cultural travellers, those combining Puri with Konark as a single day trip

4. Similipal National Park

Similipal National Park in Mayurbhanj district is one of the most rewarding best places to visit in Odisha during summer for wildlife enthusiasts. Covering 2,750 square kilometres of sal and bamboo forest, Similipal is a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and home to tigers, elephants, leopards, gaur, and the rare melanistic tigers (black tigers) that have been photographed here more consistently than anywhere else on earth. Summer is when the forest trails are at their clearest and the animals concentrate around the Budhabalanga and Khairi rivers, making wildlife sightings more predictable in the early morning safari hours.

• Summer Temperature: 25 to 38 degrees C; forest canopy and river valleys significantly cooler than surrounding plains
• Things to Do: Morning jeep safari through Similipal for tiger, elephant, and melanistic tiger sighting opportunities; visit Barehipani Falls (399 metres) and Joranda Falls (181 metres), two of Odisha’s most dramatic waterfalls inside the park; trek the forest trails with a guide; visit the Chahala meadows for gaur and deer sightings; birdwatch along the Khairi River
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 250 km, approximately 5 hours; nearest railhead at Baripada (60 km from the park entrance)
• Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, trekkers, those wanting the most biodiverse best place to visit in Odisha during summer

5. Chilika Lake

Chilika Lake is Asia’s largest coastal brackish water lagoon at 1,100 square kilometres and one of the most rewarding best places to visit in Odisha during summer for bird lovers and nature enthusiasts. The lake sits between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats foothills and its Irrawaddy dolphins, visible from Satapada, are one of the most unusual wildlife experiences in India. Summer months bring migratory birds back to their home ranges and the lake is quieter and more accessible than during the peak December to February migration season. The Nalabana Bird Sanctuary inside the lake, the Kalijai Temple on an island, and the fishing villages along the lake shore make Chilika one of the most layered best places to visit in Odisha during summer.

• Summer Temperature: 26 to 36 degrees C; lake breeze creates a noticeable cooling effect across the water
• Things to Do: Boat to Satapada for Irrawaddy dolphin sightings in the lake channel; visit Nalabana Bird Sanctuary by boat; take a ferry to the Kalijai Temple island; watch local fishing communities at work along the lake shore; visit Rambha Bay for the finest lake panoramas on the south shore
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 100 km, approximately 2 hours
• Best for: Birdwatchers, wildlife lovers, families, those wanting a serene lakeside best place to visit in Odisha during summer

6. Konark Sun Temple

Konark Sun Temple is one of the finest best places to visit in Odisha during summer for heritage and architecture. The 13th-century temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was conceived as a massive chariot of the Sun God Surya with 24 intricately carved wheels and seven horses. The temple’s sandstone structure stays naturally shaded in its lower carvings sections and the massive surrounding archaeological park with its manicured lawns and tree cover creates a cooler microclimate than Odisha’s plains. Summer visitor numbers at Konark drop significantly compared to winter, giving you the extraordinary wheel carvings, erotic panels, and celestial sculptures in relative quiet. As a best place to visit in Odisha during summer, Konark is the most architecturally significant.

• Summer Temperature: 28 to 38 degrees C; visit between 6 AM and 10 AM for the coolest conditions and best photography light on the sandstone
• Things to Do: Explore the Sun Temple chariot wheel carvings early in the morning; visit the Archaeological Museum within the complex; see the Dance Hall (Natya Mandap) sculptures; attend the Konark Dance Festival in December if combining with winter travel; walk the surrounding archaeological park for the full temple complex experience
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 65 km, approximately 1.5 hours; easily combined with Puri (35 km) on the same day
• Best for: Heritage lovers, history enthusiasts, photographers, those combining this best place to visit in Odisha during summer with Puri

7. Mahendragiri

Mahendragiri is a sacred mountain in Gajapati district at around 1,517 metres in the Eastern Ghats, the second highest peak in Odisha and one of the most spiritually significant best places to visit in Odisha during summer. The peak is associated with the Mahabharata as the spot where Parashurama, the sixth avatar of Vishnu, performed penance, and the Mahendragiri Shiva Temple at the summit draws pilgrims throughout the year. The dense forest covering the approach to the summit and the high elevation keep summer temperatures at 24 to 34 degrees Celsius, making this one of the cooler inland best places to visit in Odisha during summer. The surrounding landscape of Gajapati district is remarkable for its tribal cultures and cashew plantations.

• Summer Temperature: 24 to 34 degrees C; Eastern Ghats elevation and forest cover keep it significantly cooler than Odisha plains
• Things to Do: Trek to the Mahendragiri summit and the Shiva Temple; photograph the panoramic Eastern Ghats views from the hilltop; visit the forest-covered approach trail for birdwatching; explore the nearby Gopalpur-on-Sea beach 60 km away for a coastal extension; visit the Tara Tarini Temple nearby, an important Shakti Peetha
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 480 km, approximately 8 hours
• Best for: Pilgrims, trekkers, heritage lovers, those wanting a spiritually significant best place to visit in Odisha during summer in the Eastern Ghats

8. Satkosia Tiger Reserve

Satkosia Tiger Reserve and Gorge Sanctuary on the Mahanadi River is one of the most dramatically beautiful best places to visit in Odisha during summer for wildlife and river adventure. The gorge, carved by the Mahanadi River through the Eastern Ghats over millennia, is 22 km long and at some points 1 km deep, creating one of the most spectacular river canyon landscapes in eastern India. Summer is when the Mahanadi’s water level drops, exposing rocky river banks where gharials, mugger crocodiles, and river otters bask in the early morning. Tigers, leopards, and sloth bears are resident in the surrounding forest.

• Summer Temperature: 28 to 40 degrees C; river and gorge microclimate cooler than surrounding plateau
• Things to Do: Boat safari through the Satkosia gorge for gharial, crocodile, and bird sightings; jeep safari in the forest buffer zones for tiger and leopard encounters; trek the nature trails above the gorge for canyon views; visit the gharial breeding centre at Tikarpada; camp in the forest rest houses for a full wilderness experience
• Distance from Bhubaneswar: 160 km, approximately 3 hours by road
• Best for: Wildlife enthusiasts, adventure seekers, those wanting the nearest tiger reserve as a best place to visit in Odisha during summer from Bhubaneswar

How to Reach the Best Places to Visit in Odisha During Summer

Bhubaneswar is the main gateway for all best places to visit in Odisha during summer, well connected by air, rail, and road to the rest of India. Most destinations are accessed from Bhubaneswar by road or a short connecting train.

By Air

• Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar is the main entry point for all best places to visit in Odisha during summer
• Direct flights connect Bhubaneswar to Mumbai (2.5 hours), Delhi (2 hours), Kolkata (1 hour), Bengaluru (2 hours), and Chennai (1.5 hours)
• Multiple daily flights operated by IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, and Vistara serve Bhubaneswar from all major Indian cities
• From Bhubaneswar airport, Puri and Konark are 60 to 65 km by road and reachable in under 1.5 hours
• There is no domestic airport near Daringbadi, Similipal, or Satkosia; Bhubaneswar airport is the departure point for all three

By Train

• Puri Railway Station is directly connected to Bhubaneswar by over 20 trains daily; journey time 1.5 to 2 hours; also connected to Kolkata (8 hours), Delhi (26 hours overnight), and Mumbai (36 hours overnight)
• Bhubaneswar Railway Station is the central hub on the Howrah-Chennai main line; all major expresses stop here including the Coromandel Express and East Coast Express
• Balugaon Station on the Bhubaneswar-Chennai line is the nearest railhead for Chilika Lake, approximately 20 km from the lake shore
• Baripada Station is the railhead for Similipal National Park, 60 km from the park entrance; connected to Bhubaneswar via Balasore on the main line
• Koraput Railway Station is the gateway for Deomali and the Koraput tribal circuit; the Hirakhand Express and Jagdalpur Express from Bhubaneswar reach Koraput in approximately 10 to 12 hours overnight

By Road

• Bhubaneswar to Puri and Konark: 60 to 65 km via NH316; approximately 1.5 hours; both can be combined in a single day trip
• Bhubaneswar to Chilika Lake: 100 km via NH16; approximately 2 hours; best approached from Balugaon or Rambha on the lake’s south shore
• Bhubaneswar to Satkosia: 160 km via NH55; approximately 3 hours; the nearest best place to visit in Odisha during summer for wildlife
• Bhubaneswar to Daringbadi: 300 km via Phulbani; approximately 5 to 6 hours; NH57 until Phulbani then state highway to the hill station
• Bhubaneswar to Similipal: 250 km via Baripada; approximately 5 hours via NH18 and NH49
• Bhubaneswar to Mahendragiri: 480 km via Berhampur and Paralakhemundi; approximately 8 hours on NH16 then state roads
• Hiring a car with driver from Bhubaneswar is the most practical option for day trips to Puri, Konark, and Chilika, and for multi-day circuits to Daringbadi or Satkosia

Practical Tips for the Best Places to Visit in Odisha During Summer

March to May is the best window for the best places to visit in Odisha during summer. June sees the pre-monsoon heat peak and then the arrival of the South-West Monsoon by mid-June, which dramatically transforms the landscape. All outdoor sightseeing at non-hill destinations should be planned between 6 AM and 10 AM and again from 4 PM to 7 PM. Carry at least 2 litres of water per person for any outdoor visit. Similipal safaris require advance booking as summer slots are in high demand. For Daringbadi, book accommodation in advance for April and May as the hill station fills up with visitors from Bhubaneswar and Berhampur during school holidays.

Conclusion

The best places to visit in Odisha during summer range from Daringbadi’s pine-forested 29-degree coolness to Puri’s sea-breeze pilgrimage beaches and Similipal’s melanistic tiger forest. Daringbadi is the coolest best place to visit in Odisha during summer. Deomali and Koraput are the highest and most culturally layered. Puri is the most accessible and most spiritually significant. Similipal is the best place to visit in Odisha during summer for wildlife. Chilika Lake is the most distinctive for dolphin and bird encounters. Konark is the finest heritage experience. Mahendragiri and Satkosia round out a summer circuit that spans sacred peaks, river gorges, and Eastern Ghats forest. Plan around the morning hours, carry water, and let Odisha’s remarkable natural and spiritual heritage deliver a summer trip that rewards every kilometre of the journey.

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Best Places to Visit in Odisha During Summer: FAQs