Dating in Bhubaneswar: first dates and weekend trips
Updated · by the SwipeTrip team
Bhubaneswar mixes a planned, green new city with an old town of more than a thousand years of temples. Dates here can be a garden walk, a sunset at the Peace Pagoda or a plate of dahibara aloo dum, and the beaches of Puri, the Sun Temple at Konark and the lagoon at Chilika are all close.
First date ideas in Bhubaneswar
Ekamra Kanan
Nayapalli
A large botanical garden with a lake, rose gardens and plenty of shade. An easy, public first meeting.
Udayagiri and Khandagiri Caves
Khandagiri
Ancient Jain rock-cut caves on two small hills facing each other. Climb in the late afternoon for the view.
Dhauli Shanti Stupa
Dhauli
The white Peace Pagoda on a hill by the Daya river, near Ashoka's rock edicts. Calm and lovely at sunset.
Bindu Sagar and the old temples
Old Town
The temple tank of the old town, ringed by temples, with the carved Mukteswar Temple nearby. The great Lingaraj Temple admits only Hindus, but there's a viewing platform outside.
Odisha State Museum
Lewis Road
Sculpture, palm-leaf manuscripts and Odisha's history in one place. A good choice on a hot afternoon.
Ekamra Haat
Unit 3
A handicrafts market with stalls from across Odisha: pattachitra paintings, silver filigree and handloom.
Nandankanan Zoological Park
Barang
A large zoo and botanical garden in forest on the city's edge, known for its white tigers. Go in the morning.
Weekend trips from Bhubaneswar
For when a few good dates turn into a plan to go somewhere together.
Puri
Odisha
The Jagannath Temple, a long beach and the crafts village of Raghurajpur nearby. Very crowded during the Rath Yatra.
about 1.5 hours by roadOctober to MarchKonark
Odisha
The 13th-century Sun Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Chandrabhaga beach close by. The Konark Dance Festival is held in December.
about 1.5 hours by roadOctober to MarchChilika Lake
Odisha
A vast brackish-water lagoon on the coast. Take a boat from Satapada for dolphins, or visit Mangalajodi for migratory birds in winter.
about 1.5 to 2.5 hours by roadNovember to FebruaryGopalpur-on-Sea
Odisha
A quiet old beach town with an old lighthouse, far calmer than Puri.
about 3 hours by roadOctober to MarchDaringbadi
Kandhamal, Odisha
A cool hill town of pine forest and coffee gardens, known for its chilly winters.
about 5 to 6 hours by roadOctober to February
First-date tips for Bhubaneswar
- Pick the season: October to February is the best time to be outdoors. Summer is hot and humid, and the coast can see cyclones in October and November.
- Respect temple rules: Many old temples have entry rules and dress codes. Check before you go, and treat a temple visit as part of the date, not the whole date.
- Try the local food: Dahibara aloo dum from a street stall and chhena poda for dessert are easy, inexpensive things to share.
- Stay public: Gardens and markets are busy in the evening. Tell a friend your plan and get yourself home.
Questions people ask
Is SwipeTrip available in Bhubaneswar?
Not yet. SwipeTrip is pre-launch and opening city by city across India. Join the waitlist for early access when it opens in Bhubaneswar.
What are good first date ideas in Bhubaneswar?
A walk in Ekamra Kanan, sunset at the Dhauli Peace Pagoda, the caves at Udayagiri and Khandagiri, crafts at Ekamra Haat, or the old temples around Bindu Sagar.
Where can couples go for a weekend trip from Bhubaneswar?
Puri and Konark are close by road; Chilika Lake is best in winter; Gopalpur-on-Sea is a calm beach; Daringbadi is the hill escape.
Is it safe to meet a match from a dating app in Bhubaneswar?
Video call first, meet somewhere public with people around, travel there on your own and tell a friend. Every SwipeTrip member verifies with Aadhaar and a live selfie before anyone can see them.
SwipeTrip is opening city by city.
Match, make a real plan within 72 hours, and actually go. Join the waitlist to get in early when we open in Bhubaneswar.
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