Free things to do · Pokhara · Nepal
6 free things to do in Pokhara
Pokhara without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Q-lieb-in, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Pokhara without paying an entry fee: World Peace Pagoda, Bindhyabasini Temple, Old Pokhara bazaar walk and Seti River gorge are all free. Prices are often lower in North Lakeside and Damside than on the central Lakeside strip.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 9
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- July–August
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Anadu hill
1.World Peace Pagoda
Boat across and walk up for the best experience, then descend on the other side towards Damside; remove shoes on the stupa terrace.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Free
- Active
- Photo spot
Religious site · Old Pokhara
2.Bindhyabasini Temple
Come in the early morning to watch daily worship, then walk to the Newar houses around Bhairab Tole.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Old Pokhara
3.Old Pokhara bazaar walk
Take a taxi to Bindhyabasini Temple and walk south through the bazaar towards Mahendrapul.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Old Pokhara
4.Seti River gorge
Look over the edge from the bridges rather than approaching unfenced banks.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Hyangja and Tashiling
5.Tibetan refugee settlements
Visit the monastery at Tashi Palkhel during morning or afternoon prayers, and buy carpets from the cooperative workshops.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Free
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Religious site · Matepani
6.Matepani Gumba
Visit in the late afternoon when the monks gather for prayers and the light over the city softens.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Anadu hill | World Peace Pagoda | 2–3 hours |
| Old Pokhara | Bindhyabasini Temple, Old Pokhara bazaar walk and Seti River gorge | 45 minutes + 2 hours + 30 minutes |
| Hyangja and Tashiling | Tibetan refugee settlements | 1.5–2 hours |
| Matepani | Matepani Gumba | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Nature · Lakeside
Phewa Lake
Go out early in the morning when the water is calm and the mountains are most likely to be clear; wear the life jacket provided.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Kids
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Phewa Lake
Tal Barahi Temple
Combine it with a longer boat hire and continue to the far shore to walk up to the World Peace Pagoda.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the boat
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Sarangkot
Sarangkot sunrise
Leave Lakeside by taxi about an hour before sunrise, or walk up the day before and stay overnight; October to December gives the clearest views.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
Nature · Damside
Davis Falls
Visit the Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave across the road on the same trip to see the water emerge underground.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Kids
- Photo spot
Religious site · Damside
Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
Wear shoes with grip; the inner passage is slippery and low in places, and photography is not allowed in the shrine area.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Nature
- History
Museum · Ratopahiro
International Mountain Museum
Visit before a trek to understand the mountains you will see, or on a cloudy day when the peaks are hidden.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- History
- Kids
Nature · Batulechaur
Mahendra Cave and Bat Cave
Bring a torch for the Bat Cave and expect to scramble; the exit route is very narrow.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- Active
Nature · Begnas Lake
Begnas Lake
Combine a boat trip with the ridge walk between Begnas and Rupa lakes for views of both and of the mountains.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
Museum · North Pokhara
Gurkha Memorial Museum
A good rainy-day visit to understand why so many families in the hills around Pokhara have a soldier in their history.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Prices are often lower in North Lakeside and Damside than on the central Lakeside strip.
- Room rates fall sharply in the monsoon and in late February; negotiate for longer stays.
- Eat dal bhat at local restaurants for unlimited refills at a fraction of tourist-restaurant prices.
- Compare paragliding and trekking agency prices; many sell the same flights and packages.
- Withdraw cash in Pokhara before treks; ATMs are scarce or absent in the hills.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Pokhara expensive to visit?
Pokhara is very affordable for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Pokhara?
World Peace Pagoda: Boat across and walk up for the best experience, then descend on the other side towards Damside; remove shoes on the stupa terrace.