Gopalpur: A Complete Travel Guide 2023!

If you are looking to get away from the usual hustle and bustle of commercial tourist places in Odisha then the serene beaches along the shores of Gopalpur might just be the peaceful holiday destination that you’ve been looking for. 

Explore the southern coastal town in the southern Ganjam district of Odisha which was once a fishing village, later transformed into a trading port under British rule, and is now a well-known site of tourist interest that receives thousands of tourists on a yearly basis. 

Here we’ve mentioned some of the widely searched queries relating to Gopalpur and included useful directions for visiting this beautiful place in our detailed travel guide of Gopalpur. 

Location

Gopalpur is a coastal town that is listed as a nagar panchayat or Notified Area Council,  situated on the Bay of Bengal coast in Ganjam district which is in the southern part of Odisha. 

Located just 15 km from the city of Berhampur, Gopalpur is now a bustling commercial port that is a famous beach city and tourist destination. 

Gopalpur Climatic Conditions

Between October to March, it is winter in Gopalpur which is considered to be the ideal time for visiting the city. Temperatures fall to 16 degrees celsius during the night while daytime peaks around 25 degrees Celsius. 

The winter time is also special because of the variety of migratory birds visiting Lake Chilika situated nearby, which brings a host of bird lovers to the city during this time. 

Between March to June, it is summer in Gopalpur and temperatures can soar as high as 45 degrees, making it very much undesirable for tourists during this period. The summer heat can be so intense as to bother even the locals at the place during that time. 

Months July to September is usually monsoon season in the city which brings relief from the searing summer season. The average annual precipitation levels are around 119 cm which is considered mid-range. 

What Languages Do People In Gopalpur Speak?

The local language spoken in Gopalpur is the same as that of the state – of Odia. 

Travelers can manage with Hindi for talking to locals while English might be commonly known by most travel guides, hotel staff, rental service dealers, etc. 

Some locals may also speak Bengali and some of the other south Indian languages as well. 

What Is Famous About Gopalpur?

Gopalpur is famous for its beautiful beaches and natural landscape that is complemented by picturesque surroundings for people who want to be in touch with nature. Beaches are usually filled with stalls that put out homemade sea shell works, lamps, small gift items, and fancy crafts. Being close to the sea one can find a variety of sea shells like calico scallops, cats eye, tulip shells, cockle shells, and many others. 

“Sky above, sand below, peace within. If there’s heaven for me, I’m sure it has a beach attached to it.”
~ Jimmy Buffett

Stroll along the sun-kissed beach & bask in solitude away from the bustling city life. Gopalpur On Sea awaits.https://t.co/TkOTxcBIRk#OdishaTourism pic.twitter.com/92364nEPpq

— Odisha Tourism (@odisha_tourism) September 12, 2021

Gopalpur attracts nature-loving tourists every year who wants to explore the pristine beaches and scenic coastline views of the city. The place is also famous for water sports such as scuba diving, windsurfing, water scooters, rowing, etc. 

Tourists Attractions/ Things To Do

Beaches In Gopalpur

Gopalpur Beach is considered to be the most popular tourist spot in the city. A peaceful cashew-nut tree covering the surroundings opens up to the endless sea which offers the perfect weekend getaways for tourists in the state. 

Tourists can climb the old lighthouse located at the beach which offers an amazing view of the entire town and parts reaching up to Chilika Lake. 

The Gopalpur Beach Festival

The Gopalpur Beach festival is a highly coveted 5-day annual event organized by the Ganjam District Hotel Association.

It features attractive exhibitions of the local culture through arts and performances like dancing, singing, and native cultural programs. 

Visit The Chilika Lake

The Chilika Lake is a famous tourist destination that is located just 45 km from the town of Gopalpur.

The lake is home to hundreds of migratory bird species that are known to visit the lake every year during the winter season and offer the perfect bird-watching experience to those who are interested in it.

Shakuntala Market 

Located just 1 km off from the city center, the Shakuntala market is the perfect shopping place for exclusive tribal handicrafts, silk products, coir mats, and various other souvenir pieces

Best Time To Visit Gopalpur  

November to February is considered to be the best time to visit Odisha city due to the cooler climate during that period. Temperatures in summer can go up to 40 degrees and more which is not preferable for travel.

During winter the temperatures in Gopalpur are usually around 16-20 degrees celsius which is perfect and the moisture levels are also lower. 

The migratory birds visit during the winter season to Chilika lake which is another thing that attracts more tourism to the city during that period. 

How To Travel Within Gopalpur?

You can avail of the services of the public buses run by the OSRTC (Odisha State Road Transport Corporation) to travel within the places in the city.

There are also private buses and minivans and other commercial vehicles that run these routes like autorickshaws and private cabs. You can even find and book cycle rickshaws as well in the city. 

How To Reach Gopalpur 

By Plane

You can book a flight to the Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneshwar which is the closest airport to the city of Gopalpur. It is situated around 180 km away from the city for which you can access various private and public transportation facilities available connecting the city. 

By Train 

The Berhampur railway station is the closest one to this place, which is just 16 km away. You can find trains that go through the Howrah-Chennai line which passes by Gopalpur connecting major cities across the country. You may need to book your tickets earlier if you are coming from faraway cities. 

By Road

You can get to This plane by road easily from the town of Berhampur which is only 16 km away. The OSRTC operates several buses connecting the two cities regularly. There are also private taxis and cabs that can drive you into Gopalpure from nearby locations. 

Food And Accommodation

If you love seafood then you are going to love the various Odiya cuisines in Gopalpur. Being a coastal town the options for seafood are very diverse ranging from prawns, shrimp, crabs, etc. to big fish. 

The local beachside stalls and food joints are favorite places for experiencing the local seafood cuisines in the city. 

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