Things to do · Pokhara
Top Things to Do in Pokhara
Waterfalls, sacred caves, hilltop temples and the Mountain Museum — the best of Pokhara beyond the lake.
Pokhara is best known for Phewa Lake, sunrise at Sarangkot and paragliding, but the valley has far more to fill two or three days — sacred limestone caves, a thundering waterfall that vanishes underground, hilltop temples and a giant Shiva statue with the whole Annapurna range as a backdrop. This page gathers the city's best sights so you can plan a balanced trip.
The short answer
Start with the classics: a morning boat on Phewa Lake, sunrise at Sarangkot over the Annapurnas, and the World Peace Pagoda above the southern shore. Then explore the sights below — the Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave pair on the southern edge of town, the International Mountain Museum, the old-town temple of Bindhyabasini, the Mahendra Cave to the north, and the panoramic Pumdikot hilltop.
Around the lake and Lakeside
Most visitors base themselves at Lakeside (Baidam), the strip along Phewa Lake's eastern shore. From here you can hire a boat on Phewa Lake, row out to the island Tal Barahi temple, and linger at the lakeside cafes. For adrenaline, tandem paragliding launches from Sarangkot and drifts over the water — one of the best flying sites in the world.
Caves, falls and temples
A short ride south of Lakeside, Davis Falls pours into a sinkhole and disappears into an underground tunnel, while the sacred Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave directly across the road lets you walk down toward the same hidden stream. North of the centre, Mahendra Cave is a limestone cavern near the famous Bat Cave. In the old bazaar, the hilltop Bindhyabasini Temple is Pokhara's most important Hindu shrine.
Viewpoints and museums
For perspective on the mountains that draw trekkers here, the International Mountain Museum covers Himalayan peaks, peoples and expeditions. For the views themselves, climb to Pumdikot, a ridge crowned by a giant Shiva statue with panoramas across the Annapurnas and Phewa Lake.
How it all fits together
Pokhara is compact, so you can mix lake time with sightseeing easily. Pair the best things to do in Pokhara with a day trip to the quieter Begnas Lake, and use the city as a launchpad for the road to Jomsom and Muktinath or the broader region's paragliding scene. Tap any attraction above for full visiting details, hours and tips.
Our top picks
Frequently asked questions
What are the must-do things in Pokhara?+
A morning boat on Phewa Lake, sunrise at Sarangkot, the climb or drive to the World Peace Pagoda, and the linked pair of Davis Falls and Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave. With more time, add the International Mountain Museum and the Shiva statue at Pumdikot.
How many days do you need in Pokhara?+
Two days covers the highlights and three lets you slow down. A first day around the lake and Lakeside, a second for Sarangkot and the cave-and-falls cluster, and a third for the Mountain Museum, temples or a day trip to Begnas Lake.
Is Pokhara only about adventure sports?+
No. Pokhara is famous for paragliding and as the gateway to Annapurna treks, but it also has sacred caves, hilltop Hindu temples, a serious mountaineering museum and quiet lakes — plenty for travellers who prefer a gentler pace.
What is there to do in Pokhara when it rains?+
Head underground to Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and Mahendra Cave, or spend a few hours at the International Mountain Museum. Lakeside's cafes are also a fine place to wait out a monsoon shower.