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

In the summer months, the best places to visit in Odisha during summer are within its Eastern Ghats’ hill stations and on the Konkan Patrol’s coastline. The best time to visit Daringbadi (the “Kashmir of Odisha”), located at 915 m (3000 ft) above sea level with an average temperature below 29 C (84 F) depending on where you go within Bhubaneswar and Sambalpur, will be during summer when temperatures exceed 40 C (104 F). Find out about eight great places for summer travel to Odisha along with information about activity options, average hourly temperatures, and directions to get to each location.

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.

You can also explore our affordable Jagannath Puri Tour Package designed for Budget Travellers.

Why Odisha Rewards Summer Visitors

The summer in Odisha is from March to June with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius during the summer months. Malkangiri had a record of 43.2 degrees Celsius in the summer of 2019 because of heat waves and is therefore typically the best location to visit during this time period. In addition, the Eastern Ghats hill stations are enjoying their lush resources before the start of the monsoon in July, and safaris to Similipal and Satkosia can take place at this time, Irrawaddy dolphins are visible while swimming in the Chilika Lake lagoon, and Puri Beach has its best celebrations. Visiting any of these locations in Odisha during the summer will provide an opportunity for early morning activities, evening breezes, and time to relax from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. on a summer day.

1. Daringbadi

Daringbadi is regarded as a premier destination within best place to visit in Odisha during summer due to its intriguing location in the Kandhamal district of the Eastern Ghats (915 metres above sea level), and is referred to throughout India as “the Kashmir of Odisha.” With summer temperatures consistently being recorded at 22-29 degrees Celsius year round, Daringbadi is, in fact, the only summer location within Odisha that can be considered truly cool for visitors, as opposed to just being relatively comfortable. While there are many factors contributing to this, the most prominent include its picturesque scenery characterized by vast expanses of pine forest, coffee and spice plantations; numerous waterfalls including the Putudi & Dasingbadi waterfalls; and the Doluri River flowing through the valley. As such, Daringbadi represents the #1 destination for anyone seeking to escape from the heat of summer within Odisha by enjoying cooler summer-like 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

Odisha’s highest point is Deomali Peak (1,672 metres) in The Eastern Ghats of India and is surrounded by Koraput District which has one of the richest tribal culture resources in India. Together they form one of the most rewarding best places to visit in Odisha during summer for those willing to take the longer trip south toward the southern end of India. Summer temperatures at both Deomali and Koraput are between 22°C to 32°C (72°F to 90°F), and the coolness of the dense rainforest type approach road leading to the peak, and the very high grassland type area immediately surrounding its summit, make the air temperature noticeably cooler than any other place in the interior of Odisha. Another advantage of Koraput’s tribal haats (large open markets) operating every week is that they attract people from many of the nearby Koraput, Bondo, and Kandha Tribes. Visitors can witness traditional dress and styles worn by all tribes visiting the Koraput haats, making this one of the most culturally rich summer vacation destinations within the state of Odisha.

• 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 not only one of the the best places to visit in Odisha during summer; it is also among the most important historical pilgrimage towns along India’s eastern seaboard. Only 60 kilometers from Bhubaneswar, Puri boasts a 7-km coastal beachfront with golden sands and the world-famous Jagannath Temple, one of Hinduism’s four sacred Dhams. Because of the combination of these two attributes, Puri is both a destination for vacationing by the sea and as a place for pilgrims to visit. Puri experiences a range of 28-36 degrees Celsius during the summer months, although the sea breezes from the Bay of Bengal keep mornings and evenings very pleasant on Puri Beach. During the Rath Yatra, held either June or July, millions of devotees travel through Puri and help pull Lord Jagannath’s chariots through the town, creating one of the largest religious gatherings 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

Visiting Similipal National Park (Similipal) during summer is more than just a look into the life of a kaleidoscope of wildlife, it’s also an experience of a phase of colorful variety. Being a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, Similipal contains more than 2750 km of sky-high masts of Sal and Bamboo trees and is home to tigers, elephants, leopards, Gaur, and the rare melanistic tigers (Black Tigers), whose likeness has been captured at Similipal more than anywhere else on our planet. The forest trails are most easily navigable while in their dry and fast state, and animals are congregated around the rivers of Budhabalanga and Khairi; therefore, it is easier to see an animal while out in the early morning during a safari at Similipal.

• 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 lagoon, covering about 1,100 square kilometers and one of the most rewarding best places to visit in Odisha during summer for any birder or nature lover. It is located between the Bay of Bengal and the Eastern Ghats in India; if you’re lucky enough to visit Satapada, you will be able to see Irrawaddy Dolphins, one of India’s most unique wildlife experiences. Because it is calmer during the summer than during the peak migration period from December through February, you can expect to see a high volume of migratory species returning to their home ranges.
Chilika has many unique features, such as the Nalabana Bird Sanctuary, Kalijai Temple on an island, and several fishing villages along the banks of the lake. Because of these features, it is one of the best places to visit in Orissa during the summer months.

• 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

The Konark Sun Temple is one of the best places to visit in Odisha during summer for heritage and best architectural design. This World Heritage Site was established in the 13th century to represent the gigantic chariot of the Sun God Surya with twenty-four exquisitely carved wheels and seven horses. The sandstone structure has a naturally sheltered lower portion and provides its visitors with a cooler climate through the use of the surrounding archaeological park, complete with finely manicured lawns and trees. There is much less tourist traffic visiting the temple in the summer than in the winter, allowing you to enjoy Konark’s incredible carved wheels, erotic figures, and all of the celestial sculptures more privately. As the best place to visit in Odisha in summertime, Konark is the most architecturally significant site.

• 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 religious mountain located in Gajapati district at a height of approximately 1,517 meters in the Eastern Ghats. It is the Second Highest mountain and part of Odisha and one of the ideal places to have cooler weather to go in the summer months. The mountain has significance because of its link to the Mahabharata through Parashurama (an avatar of Vishnu), who is said to have meditated on the peak, and the Mahendragiri Shiva Temple located on the top of the mountain attracts pilgrims all year long. Due to the dense forestcovering the path up, and the fact that Mahendragiri is considerably elevated, the temperature in summer is 24-34 degrees Celsius, so Mahendragiri is also one of the cooler places to visit inland during summer in Odisha. The beautiful and diverse region surrounding the peak (district of Gajapati) is full of these types of cool places to visit during the summer, including but not limited to many tribes and a lot of the cashew farming that takes place here.

• 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 are situated on the Mahanadi River and are two of the most beautiful places in Odisha. You can visit Satkosia to take part in a variety of river-based and wildlife adventures throughout the summer. The gorge itself runs for 22 kilometers and has been formed over thousands of years by the flow of the Mahanadi River through the Eastern Ghats (between Bhubaneswar and Ganjam). At some points within the gorge, the Mahanadi is 1 kilometer deep which has created one of the most stunning river gorges in eastern India. Because summer is the dry season, the water levels in the Mahanadi decrease, exposing the rocky river banks – where gharials, mugger (indigenous) crocodiles and river otters can often be found sunning themselves in the early hours of the morning. In addition to these animals, you will also find a variety of cats including Tigers and Leopards living in the forests that surround the gorge; this ecosystem provides habitat for other mammals such as Sloth Bears.

• 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.

Frenzy Holidays ensures a smooth and enriching travel experience from start to finish. You can visit us at Haware Centurion, S07/34, Nerul East, Sector 19A, Nerul, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 400706. For bookings or more information, call +91 7400453140, email [email protected], or visit www.frenzyholidays.com. So pack up and explore India with Frenzy Holidays for an unforgettable journey.

Best Places to Visit in Odisha During Summer: FAQs