Hotel · Nepal
Best Hostels in Pokhara Lakeside
Pokhara's backpacker hostel scene along Lakeside beside Phewa Lake, and how to pick the right dorm base.
Pokhara's hostel scene lives in Lakeside (Baidam), the relaxed strip beside Phewa Lake, and it is one of the most enjoyable backpacker bases in Nepal. Dorm beds run from just a few US dollars, gardens and rooftops look out over the lake, and you are walking distance from cafes, boat hires and trekking agencies. This guide explains where the hostels are and how to choose.
Lakeside: the backpacker base
Lakeside runs along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake and is the heart of tourist Pokhara. Cafes, restaurants, bars, gear shops and the evening street market are all here, and you can step straight onto a boat on the lake. The central strip is the liveliest and most convenient; toward the north, the strip thins into a quieter, leafier stretch that suits travellers who want calm without losing walkability. To weigh up exactly which part of town fits you, read our best area to stay in Pokhara guide, and place hostels in context with the best hostels in Nepal for backpackers.
What Pokhara hostels offer
Expect shared dorms with lockers, hot showers, wifi, common rooms and often gardens or rooftop terraces with lake-and-mountain views. The vibe is generally mellower than Kathmandu's Thamel — Pokhara is a place people come to slow down. Many hostels organise treks, yoga, paragliding bookings or transport-sharing to Annapurna trailheads, which makes them an easy launchpad for the region's walks.
Choosing the right hostel
Decide what you want from the stay. For a sociable atmosphere and nightlife, pick a hostel on the central Lakeside strip. For rest — common after a trek — choose a quieter spot in North Lakeside or a street back from the promenade. If you would rather have a private room at a similar low price, the best budget hotels in Pokhara sit on the same streets.
A trekking launchpad
Lakeside is the natural staging post for Annapurna-region treks, with agencies, gear shops and permit help close by. Plan your route with the Nepal trekking guide, rest a night either side at a hostel, and compare accommodation tiers across the country with the where to stay in Nepal by budget collection. Book peak-season nights ahead; in quieter months you can usually walk in and choose your favourite rooftop.
Frequently asked questions
How much do hostels in Pokhara cost?+
Dorm beds in Lakeside typically run from a few US dollars up to around US$10 a night, with private hostel rooms a little more. Most include wifi and common areas, and many have gardens or rooftops. Prices rise in the busy autumn and spring trekking seasons.
Where are the best hostels in Pokhara?+
Almost all of Pokhara's social hostels sit in Lakeside (Baidam) along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake, within walking distance of cafes, boat hires, gear shops and trekking agencies. The central strip is liveliest; North Lakeside is quieter and leafier.
Are Pokhara hostels good for trekkers?+
Very. Lakeside hostels are a natural rest base before and after Annapurna-region treks, with agencies, gear shops and permit help nearby, plus easy ways to meet trekking partners and share transport to trailheads. Many travellers stay a night either side of a trek.
Is Lakeside a good area for backpackers?+
Yes. Lakeside is relaxed, scenic and walkable, with the best concentration of cheap food, cafes, bars and hostels in Pokhara, plus direct access to Phewa Lake. It is one of the most enjoyable backpacker bases in Nepal.
