Sightseeing:

If you want to do something other than sunbathing and lazing, walk across to the Old Jetty, now in ruins, but once a busy trading hub for sailors and traders. While there, don?t forget to catch the view from the Lighthouse. Dhavaleshwar, 15km away, is another great beach and also has a temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.

If you feel like exploring further, the famous Chilika Lake is 45 km away.  Spread over an area of 1,100 sq. km. it the largest salt water lake in India, and not just an attraction for tourists but a busy fishing centre. Chilika is a great spot for bird watching.

You could also check out the hot sulphur springs at Taptapani, 67km from Gopalpur.

Activities:

Make the best of the unspoilt beach and laze around, surf, swim, or go sailing. Gorge yourself on fresh, cheap and delicious seafood. If you go between December and January, then catch the beach festival held at this time every year.

Tourism Info:

Orissa Tourism Development Corporation
Panthanivas (Old Block)
Lewis Road
Bhubaneswar - 751014
Tel: ( 91-674) 2432382, 2432727, 2432713

Originally known as Paloura, this beach town on the Bay of Bengal, has an interesting and ancient history. It is said to have got its present name from the 18^th century temple of Gopala or Lord Krishna. Gopalpur-on-Sea was an important trade centre in different periods, through the centuries. A very important and wealthy town of the Kalinga Dynasty, its harbour was used to conduct trade in silk and pearls with regions like Sumatra, Java and Bali.