Bhubaneswar is the capital of Odisha and is known as the Temple City, with a heritage that brings together Hindu, Buddhist and Jain traditions. Along with Puri and Konark it forms the Golden Triangle, one of Eastern India's most visited destinations, and it is also a modern hub for sports, tourism and IT.
For a visitor, the city divides roughly into two halves. The old town in the south holds the temples and the older residential neighbourhoods, while the planned city and the newer areas to the north were laid out as the state capital and now hold the administrative buildings, shopping districts, markets and institutions. The NH-5 highway separates these older southern areas from the newer northern ones. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, and what each is like for first-time visitors, families, nightlife and budget travellers.
Best areas to stay in Bhubaneswar
1. Old town (Temple Town)
The oldest part of the city, characterised by many temples standing alongside residential areas. Among the temples here are the Lingaraja, Nilakantha Siva, Rajarani and Muktesvara temples, along with the Somabaresvara Siva Temple and the Kartikesvara Siva Temple. Neighbourhoods in the old town include Rajarani Colony, Pandaba Nagar, Brahmeswara Bagh, Lingaraja Nagar, Gouri Nagar, Bhimatangi, Kapilaprasad and Sundarpada.
This is the area to choose if the temples are the reason for your visit, since you can walk to several of them. Be aware that the area is congested, with narrow roads and poor infrastructure.
2. Ashok Nagar
Ashok Nagar sits in the planned city, where markets and commercial establishments developed along the Janpath and Cuttack-Puri Road. It is close to the railway station, and the area around the station has places to stay at the cheaper end of the range.
This suits travellers arriving by train and those who want shops, markets and transport within easy reach. It is a practical base for a first visit, with the old town's temples a short ride to the south.
3. Saheed Nagar and Satya Nagar
These are private residential areas built later within the planned city, and markets and commercial establishments developed along the Janpath and Cuttack-Puri Road here as well. They sit in the planned city, which was designed with wide roads, gardens and parks, and subdivided into units each with a high school, shopping centres, dispensaries and play areas.
They suit visitors who want a quieter, more residential base with shops and restaurants nearby, and families who prefer the planned city's layout to the congestion of the old town.
4. Unit I (Market Building)
Unit I, popularly known as the Market Building, was formed to cater to the shopping needs of the new capital's residents. Unit V houses the administrative buildings, including the State Secretariat, State Assembly and the Raj Bhavan, and most of the units house government employees. Indira Gandhi Park, Gandhi Park and the Biju Patnaik Park are located in the unit.
This is a central, orderly base within the planned city, convenient for the parks and for the shopping around the Market Building. It suits visitors who want to be in the middle of the planned city rather than in the old town.
5. Nayapalli and Jayadev Vihar
These are added areas, mostly lying north of National Highway 5, developed by the Bhubaneswar Development Authority to house the growing population. Chandrasekharpur and Sailashree Vihar, along with Niladri Vihar, are part of the same newer northern belt.
They suit travellers who prefer newer surroundings and do not mind being north of the highway, away from the old town. Note that the NH-5 divides the city roughly into north and south, so you will cross it when heading to the temples.
6. Patrapada
Patrapada lies in the AIIMS Nagar area, further out from the centre. It is a residential setting rather than a commercial one.
This suits visitors who need to be near AIIMS Nagar or who prefer a quieter, outlying base. Expect to rely on an auto or a bus for reaching the sights.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: The cheapest options start from as little as ₹150, and include lodges, basic rooms and railway retiring rooms inside the railway station, where your ticket number is essential. Rooms at this level are basic, sometimes shabby, but may include comfortable beds, TVs, bathrooms and wifi.
- Mid-range: Expect comfortable rooms with services such as breakfast and dinner, in-house coffee shops and ATMs, and bars. Some places look old from the outside but have good interiors.
- Splurge: The top end of the range runs up to about ₹4000, with larger hotels in the city.
Best area for a first visit
Base yourself in Ashok Nagar for a first visit. It sits in the planned city close to the railway station, with markets and commercial establishments along the Janpath and Cuttack-Puri Road, and it has options across the price range. From there the old town's temples are a short ride south, which keeps the main sights within easy reach while you stay in a well-connected part of the city.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of Bhubaneswar has the temples?
The old town, also called Temple Town, is the oldest part of the city and holds the Lingaraja, Nilakantha Siva, Rajarani and Muktesvara temples, among others, standing alongside residential areas.
Where should I stay if I arrive by train?
Ashok Nagar is the practical choice, since the railway station is there and the area around it has cheaper places to stay, including retiring rooms inside the station itself.
How do the northern and southern parts of the city differ?
The city is divided roughly into North Bhubaneswar, with the newer areas such as Chandrasekharpur, and South Bhubaneswar, with the older areas, separated by the NH-5 highway. The added areas north of NH-5 include Nayapalli, Jayadev Vihar, Chandrasekharpur, Sailashree Vihar and Niladri Vihar.
Is the old town easy to get around on foot?
The old town is congested, with narrow roads and poor infrastructure, so allow time for moving between the temples even when they are close together.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide where to base yourself.