51 Things to Do in Pokhara 2024

Are you thinking about visiting Pokhara, Nepal? Do you need help finding the best things to do in Pokhara?

Pokhara, also known as the city of lakes and caves, is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nepal. From the picturesque Phewa Lake to the lovely World Peace Pagoda, everything about Pokhara is otherworldly when compared to other cities. The calmness of the lakes and the majestic nature of the Himalayas rising behind them is a truly magical experience. The city is also the starting point for adventurous trekking and rafting destinations.

Let’s explore the 51best things to do in Pokhara, Nepal

Boating on Phewa Lake

Photo Credit: Simona Ri from Pixabay

Boating on PhewaLake is the best thing to do in Pokhara, Nepal if you are tired of exploring the streets of Pokhara city. You can enjoy the tranquility of Phewa Lake along with views of Mt. Machapuchare (Fishtail), while boating on the serene waters. Boating on Phewa Lake is very affordable and doesn’t require much physical fitness.

Paragliding in Pokhara

Do you want to take part in something amazing that provides you with views of the majestic Himalayan Mountains without trekking? Paragliding in Pokhara is an amazing Pokhara thing to do as you can witness the stunning views of some of the world’s highest snowcapped mountains, while paragliding the Himalayan skyline, above the bustling city.

Hot Springs of Tatopani

If you are looking for a quiet place to rejuvenate your tired muscles, then consider visiting the hot springs of Tatopani. Tourists can enjoy a relaxing dip inside the natural hot springs located at Tatopani village. This is perfect after going on an arduous trek. Therefore, spending a day at the hot springs of Tatopani is the best thing to do in Pokhara.

Hand-Gliding in Sarangkot

Do you want to fly across the sky while witnessing some of the world’s highest mountains? Hand-gliding in Sarangkot is the best thing to do in Pokhara for an adrenaline rush and magnificent views, as you get to fly above the hills and cities.

Devi’s Fall

Devi’s fall is a beautiful waterfall located nearby Mahendra Cave. It is a very famous place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal. If you are a nature photographer, then you must consider visiting Devi’s fall, especially during the monsoon season for great pictures of the overflowing waterfall.

Stand Up Paddle-boarding in Phewa Lake

Stand Up Paddle Boarding in PhewaLake is a fun and relaxing activity that requires endurance and strength. Stand-up paddle boarding in Phewa Lake is a very cool thing to do if you want to learn this trending activity to keep yourself active and fit. It’s very easy to learn and a great way to get out on the water.

Zip Flyer from Sarangkot

Do you want to take a ride on the longest and the steepest zip flyer ride in the world? Then Zip Flyer from Sarangkot is a cool thing to do in Pokhara, Nepal. This incredible zip line launches from the top of Sarangkot hill and drops 600m over 1.8km achieving a max speed of 120km per hour. Anyone who wants to experience zip flying firsthand can take part in Zip Flyer from Sarangkot in Pokhara city.

Take an Ultra-Light Flight Experience in Pokhara

For those who want to fly the Himalayan skyline, while gazing at the towering snowcapped mountain peaks, the Ultra-Light Flight tour is the best thing to do. While it is rather expensive for some people, the endless exhilaration and picturesque mountain vistas make the ultralight flight in Pokhara a worthwhile activity.

Tour inside Tibetan Refugee Camp

A tour inside a Tibetan Refugee Camp is an interesting thing to do in Pokhara if you want to see various settlements of Tibetan refugees. You can learn a great deal about the rich Tibetan culture and lifestyle by visiting the Tibetan Refugee Camp in Pokhara city. This is located nearby Pokhara Mall.

Poon Hill

If you have only a short time and you want to experience adventurous trekking, then it is the best thing to do in Pokhara is Poon Hill, where trekking is popular among the tourists keen to see its amazing views of the Annapurna mountain range. The Poon Hill trekking route starts from Nayapul, and continues through woodland of flourishing rhododendrons to the villages of Magar and Gurung.

World Peace Pagoda

The world peace pagoda in Pokhara is one of the most peaceful pagodas in the world and is a top place to visit. It is painted in white and lies at the top of the hill, overlooking the Annapurna peak range, with the Phewa Lake below. A top place to visit is the entrancing Buddhist temple, dedicated to universal friendship. There are four recesses of golden Buddhas. Here, you can experience the perfect example of peace and global friendship.

International Mountain Museum

The International Mountain Museum is the best place to go to honor brave explorers who were dedicated to climbing the peaks of Nepal. The museum gives us a close look into the lives of people who live in the Himalayas, along with amazing detail about the peaks’ climbing history, pictures, dates, clothes, and testimonies, materials and so on. As the museum is well maintained and boasts awesome landscapes, it is a beautiful place to visit. Overall, visiting the International Mountain Museum is an interesting Pokharathings to do.

Annapurna Circuit Trek

Photo Credit: AdrienBe from Pixabay

For those adventure enthusiasts who want to go on a long and arduous trek through the Himalayas of Nepal, the famous Annapurna Circuit Trek from Pokhara is the best trek in Nepal and thing to do. You can vividly observe close-up views of several beautiful snowcapped mountains, like Mt. Gangapurna (7,455m), Mt. Dhaulagiri (8,167m), Mt. Annapurna, Mt. Manalsu (8,156m), and Mt. Machapuchare (6,993m).

Bindhyabasini Temple

If you want to visit a sacred holy shrine with great religious and cultural significance, then visiting the Bindhyabasini Temple is the best Pokhara thing to do. Dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, the venerated site of Bindhyabasini Temple is a place well known to Nepalese all over the country and abroad. Bindhyabasini Temple is considered by many as one of the main Shaktipiths of western Nepal.

Annapurna Base Camp Trek

Annapurna Base Camp Trek is a popular trek in Nepal that takes novice travelers to the base camp of the world’s tenth highest mountain- Mt. Annapurna (8,091m). During ABC basecamp the trek, you will get the chance to visit Pokhara city, meet friendly native villagers in Ghorepani village and enjoy panoramic mountain views from the top of Poonhill.

Horse Riding in Pokhara

Horse Riding in Pokhara is a cool thing to do in Pokhara, Nepal for those wishing to experience horse riding while traveling in Nepal. While it may not sound exhilarating at first, the overall experience of traveling through the picturesque trekking trails blessed with quaint villages, a serene natural atmosphere, and incredible panoramic views is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for active adventurers and travelers.

Kayaking in Seti River

Kayaking in Seti River is the best thing to do in Pokhara if you want to enjoy outdoor water sports and adventure activities while staying in Nepal. Seti River is a magnificent river known for its strong currents and waves. You will get to enjoy the stunning natural beauty of lush green hills and clear blue sky while kayaking in the Seti River.

Boating on Begnas Lake

Begnas Lake is another popular place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal where you can go boating while enjoying the natural scenery around you. There are numerous beautiful hills surrounding the BegnasLake, so you can also go hiking. However, boating is the main tourist activity in BegnasLake. You can even order authentic Nepalese cuisine and a cold beer at Begnas Lake.

Barahi Temple

Barahi Temple is a holy Hindu shrine located at the center island of the famed Phewa Lake. Barahi Temple is a popular place to visit in Pokhara. Hundreds of local Nepalese and foreign tourists come here to worship the divine entity residing inside Barahi Temple. You can take a short boat ride to Barahi Temple from the shores of Phewa Lake.

Paramotoring Tour in Pokhara

Paramotoring is another popular form of airborne adventure activity, which allows you to get up close and personal with the Himalayan Mountains in a matter of minutes. If you decide to go on a paramotoring tour in Pokhara, then you will not have to spend days walking the treacherous terrains to see the snowcapped mountains. For this reason, paramotoring is a popular thing to do in Pokhara, Nepal.

Trekking in Pokhara

Photo Credit: Pavel Bondarenko from Pexels

If you love trekking in serene, natural locations, then you will thoroughly enjoy trekking in Pokhara. There are many fascinating villages and trekking routes nearby Pokhara city. So, foreign travelers like you can leave Pokhara city and go trekking without wandering too far away from the city. Trekking in Pokhara is a fun thing to do as you can explore many beautiful places and stay in traditional Nepalese villages during the trek.

Experience Skydiving in Pokhara

Do you enjoy skydiving and want to do it in Nepal during your holidays? Then, consider visiting Pokhara as you get the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to skydive while watching the magnificent Himalayan mountains with your eyes. Many adventure junkies consider skydiving the top thing to do in Pokhara, so you should not forget to try it if you ever come to Pokhara.

Fishing in Phewa Lake

Phewa Lake, for many reasons, is a famous place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal. Its iconic natural beauty with the reflection of Mt. Machapuchare makes Phewa Lake the go-to place for many travelers and explorers. Not only that, but in recent days, Phewa Lake has also been getting more popularity for its fishing activities.

Rent a bike

Renting the best bike for rail trails and exploring the streets of Pokhara city is the best thing to do if you want to have a great time while making sure that you visit all the major touristic sites inside Pokhara city. Renting a bike doesn’t cost too much and there are tons of places scattered all over Pokhara where you can rent a bike without too much complication.

Go on a Morning Hike to Sarangkot

If you want to watch the sunrise over the Himalayan skyline, then you should consider going for a morning hike to Sarangkot as it is a popular thing to do in Pokhara. It normally doesn’t take more than half an hour to reach Sarangkot from Pokhara city if you start jogging early. Once you reach the top of Sarangkot, you will be able to witness a breathtaking sunrise view.

Experience Camping near Seti River

Camping or rafting near Seti River is a cool thing to do. Travelers who want to escape the modern-day city vibes of Pokhara can go camping near the beautiful Seti River and enjoy a lovely holiday experience far from the cluttered cityscape of Pokhara.

Boating on Begnas Lake

For those who enjoy spending time near water, boating on the beautiful Begnas Lake is the most exciting thing to do. But in order to do so, travelers need to leave Pokhara city and take a short 20-minute bus drive to the northeast from Pokhara. Once you reach the shores of Begnas Lake, you can just rent a boat from locals standing nearby.

Visit Gurkha Memorial Museum

Do you want to spend your time learning about military history and get insights into the life of Gurkha soldiers? If so, then check out the famous Gurkha Memorial Museum with a top rated travel agency, which is considered to be a top place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal for those wanting to enrich themselves with the memories and past records of the brave Gurkha soldiers.

Bindhyabasini Temple

If you want to visit a sacred holy shrine with great religious and cultural significance, then visiting the Bindhyabasini Temple is the best thing to do in Pokhara. Dedicated to Goddess Bhagawati, the venerated site of Bindhyabasini Temple is a place well known to Nepalese all over the country and abroad. Bindhyabasini Temple is considered by many as one of the main Shaktipiths of western Nepal.

Visit Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave

For those wanting to explore deep natural bat caves, visiting the startling Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave is the most popular thing to do. This activity lets you go underneath Pokhara city and witness a part unseen by many with eccentric, outlandish rock formations and a beautiful waterfall.

Shopping in Pokhara

Shopping is a wonderful thing to do in Pokhara as the whole of Pokhara city is racked up with souvenir shops for foreign tourists from all categories, like clothing, pottery, bracelets, books, paintings, carpets, musical instruments, and more. With winding streets occupied by eye-catching shop outlets, you are sure to have a ton of fun shopping in Pokhara city.

Visit Ganesh Temple

Visiting Ganesh Temple, which is located on the northern side of Pokhara is a famous thing to do. The best time to visit this temple is in the morning when devotees from various parts of the city come to give offerings and worship Lord Ganesh – a prominent Hindu deity. Most of the time, people come here to simply ask for luck in their business venture or travel.

Taste the Local Nepalese Cuisines

In terms of exotic food and cuisine, there’s no denying that Nepal stands as a major contender for the top position with some of the most mouth-watering local and national cuisines. Tasting the local Nepalese cuisines is an experience that allows you to enjoy the best of what Nepal has to offer. Trying out Dal BhatTarkari, Mo:Mo, thukpa, thenduk, sukuti, lapfhing and many other traditional Nepalese cuisines is a top thing to do in Pokhara.

Boating in Marshyangdi River

If you have a limited amount of time and are in need of an adrenaline rush, then boating in the Marshyangdi River is the best thing to do in Pokhara, Nepal as it doesn’t take much time to reach Marshyangdi River from Pokhara city. Popular for its spectacular natural scenery and powerful rapids, you will get to experience an adventure of your lifetime while boating in Marshyangdi River with your friends.

Jagannath Temple

Located in the central area of Pokhara city, Jagannath Temple is a famous place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal as it is popular for displaying several erotic carvings. Jagannath Temple was built in the late 16^th century and has been attracting hundreds of foreign tourists due to its one-of-a-kind depiction of erotic figures.

Himalayan Mountain Flight

Do you want to go on a flight to the Himalayas with your friends and family? Then, consider going on a Himalayan Mountain Flight tour, which allows travelers of all age groups to get up close and personal with towering Himalayan peaks, including Mt. Annapurna – the world’s 10^th highest mountain. For this reason, Himalayan Mountain Flight is considered as one of the popular things to do in Pokhara.

Homestay in Ghandruk village

If you are an individual who prefers meeting and communicating with people belonging to different races and ethnicities, then consider planning a homestay in Ghandruk village. You can find several traditional homes in Ghandruk village with friendly people who are willing to let you stay a night with them and their families. Plus, a homestay is a popular thing too.

Go for a Rickshaw Ride

Many foreign travelers have come to acknowledge the fact Pokhara is one of the most happening cities in the world as there’s always something fun and exciting things to do in Pokhara. Going for a rickshaw ride is a popular means of travel around Pokhara city, while getting insight into the daily lives of local Nepalese people.

Practicing Yoga and Meditation

Do you want to stretch out your muscles with some yoga? Staying relaxed and stress-free is a major goal, especially during your holidays. You should spend some leisure time practicing yoga. Yoga is not only exciting but also immensely rewarding. Practicing yoga is one of the best things to do as it helps you to re-energize your body and mind.

Mountain Biking in Pokhara

Mountain Biking in Pokhara is the best way to experience the diverse topography surrounding Pokhara city without harming the natural environment. You will be left flabbergasted as you ride on picturesque routes filled with inspiring Himalayan views. You can also learn a great deal about Nepal’s rich culture and traditions by biking through the rustic village communities.

Khumbeshwar Temple

Located in the northern part of Pokhara city, Khumbeswar Temple is a popular religious site. This temple is the perfect example of fine wood crafts and towers above the houses. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and contains a huge Nandi idol and Shiva Lingam. The temple also holds two ponds, with holy water that is used for sacred bathing.

Try out Your Luck in a Casino

Casinos are the best place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal for anyone wanting to try their luck and win some cash while having a fun time. Most of the casinos are operated by Casino Nepal and you can find them at all of the 5-star hotels in Pokhara. You can play anything from blackjack, flush, rummy to roulette and baccarat.

Experience lively Nightlife in Lakeside

Experiencing the nightlife of Pokhara city on Lakeside Street is one of the best things to do in Pokhara, as it offers you a chance to indulge in a variety of recreational activities. Lakeside is a beautiful place that is very popular with foreigners as it contains several bars, clubs, motels, and restaurants, plus there are ample shops selling everything you need.

Join Cooking Classes in Pokhara

Joining a cooking class in Pokhara city is the top thing to do in Pokharaif you want to learn about the national cuisines and ingredients of Nepalese people. There are many individual culinary schools inside Pokhara city and some are even located nearby the Lakeside street area. You will be taught and looked after by expert local chefs who know everything about Nepalese food.

Rock Climbing in Pokhara

Rock climbing in Nepal is an extreme adventure activity that is done by only a few thrill-seekers around the world. It takes a high amount of dedication and experience to be skilled enough to go rock climbing in Nepal. Nevertheless, rock climbing in places Pokhara city is the cool thing to do in Pokhara if you won’t feel the adrenaline rush of doing.

Visit Annapurna Butterfly Museum

Annapurna Butterfly Museum is a very interesting place to visit in Pokhara, Nepal. Here you can find many varieties of butterflies that are exclusively found inside the national territories of Nepal. Usually, the museum is not overcrowded, so even though it’s a popular tourist attraction, you can still explore the museum without too much disturbance.

Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Monastery

Visiting the grand Shree Gaden Dhargay Ling Monastery is a famous thing to do in Pokhara if you want to observe the incredible monastic life of Buddhist monks. Upon entering the monastery, you will meet several Buddhist monks praying and chanting together. Also, the monastery is located away from the urban area of Pokhara city, so you can expect peace and tranquility while you are there.

Watch Movies at Movie Garden

Movie Garden is a famous hangout in Pokhara city for both locals and foreigners. Visitors get to buy tickets for movies they like and watch them while enjoying delightful snacks. Many consider watching movies at Movie Garden a cool thing to do in Pokhara due to its lovely atmosphere.

Enjoy Korean Barbecue at Natssul Restaurant

Are you a fan of Korean food and cuisine? Then, consider visiting the famous Natssul Restaurant where you can order freshly cooked Korean dishes and barbecue. Overall, the restaurant is quite nice and it’s not very costly like other foreign-themed restaurants in Pokhara as it doesn’t charge too much for its services. So, if you feel hungry and want to have some Korean food, then visiting the Natssul Restaurant is the best thing to do

Watch Bats inside Mahendra Cave

Mahendra Cave is a popular tourist destination located near Seti River. Both the locals and foreigners love coming here to go inside the seemingly terrifying cave and watch the gathering of bats hanging over the cave walls. So, if you also want to experience a surreal journey inside a cave full of bats, then visiting Mahendra Cave is the top thing to do in Pokhara, Nepal.

Enjoy Thin-crust Italian Pizzas at Caffe Concerto

Do you want to enjoy a filling breakfast while listening to some groovy jazz music? Caffe Concerto is an Italian restaurant which offers some of the best Italian dishes in the whole of Pokhara city. Caffe Concerto has an open fireplace and even serves 24 different varieties of thin-crusted pizza. Pasta, salads, and wine are also available here. For these reasons, eating in Caffe Concerto is considered a popular thing to do.

Volunteering in Pokhara, Nepal

If volunteering to give back to the needy society is your passion, you can also join life-changing volunteer programs in Pokhara. Depending on your passion, you can volunteer teaching, volunteer with children, or volunteer at a hospital.

Have you ever been to Pokhara, Nepal? What was your favorite experience?

Please share your tips on things to do in Pokhara, Nepal so we can enrich others!

• Pokhara, Nepal: 12 amazing things to do in Pokhara
• The 15 Best Things to Do in Pokhara
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• Top things to do in Pokhara, Nepal – Lonely Planet
• 40 BEST Things to Do in Pokhara

There are also other many beautiful cities in Nepal you would certainly love to explore. Visit vibrant Kathmandu,Enjoy safari in Chitwan, Explore the birth place of Lord Buddha and make your trip exciting and memorable.