History · Pokhara · Nepal
7 historic sites to see in Pokhara
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Kamalbeloved, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Start with Tal Barahi Temple, Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave and International Mountain Museum. Together the 7 picks below take roughly 9–10 hours across 6 areas; 3 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 7
- Free entry
- 3
- Time to see them all
- 9–10 hours
- Areas
- Phewa Lake, Damside and Ratopahiro
Historic sites in Pokhara
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Religious site · Phewa Lake
1.Tal Barahi Temple
Worshippers row out with offerings, especially on Saturdays, and the boat ride from Lakeside takes about 10 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour with the boat
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Kids
- Photo spot
Religious site · Damside
2.Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave
Further in, a damp passage leads to a chamber where you can see the Davis Falls water pouring into the cave.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Nature
- History
Museum · Ratopahiro
3.International Mountain Museum
Outside, a model of Manaslu stands in the grounds and there is a climbing wall.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Rainy day
- History
- Kids
Religious site · Old Pokhara
4.Bindhyabasini Temple
It is busy with worshippers on Saturdays and during Dashain, and the terrace has views over the old town.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Photo spot
Neighbourhood · Old Pokhara
5.Old Pokhara bazaar walk
The old trading town north of the airport has Newar brick houses with carved windows around Bhairab Tole and Bhimsen Tole, the small pagoda-style Bhimsen Temple and local shops selling copperware, textiles and spices, far from the tourist strip.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Historic site · Hyangja and Tashiling
6.Tibetan refugee settlements
At Tashi Palkhel in Hyangja, north-west of town, and Tashiling, near Damside, visitors can see carpet weaving, visit monasteries and buy handicrafts directly from the community.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Shopping
- Free
Museum · North Pokhara
7.Gurkha Memorial Museum
A museum in the north of the city that tells the history of Nepal's Gurkha soldiers in the British and Indian armies over two centuries, with uniforms, medals, including Victoria Crosses, and personal stories.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Phewa Lake | Tal Barahi Temple | 1 hour with the boat |
| Damside | Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave | 45 minutes |
| Ratopahiro | International Mountain Museum | 2 hours |
| Old Pokhara | Bindhyabasini Temple and Old Pokhara bazaar walk | 45 minutes + 2 hours |
| Hyangja and Tashiling | Tibetan refugee settlements | 1.5–2 hours |
| North Pokhara | Gurkha Memorial Museum | 1 hour |
Booking and timing
Of these 7, 3 free, 4 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is International Mountain Museum; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 3 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Phewa Lake, Damside, Ratopahiro and Old Pokhara): Tal Barahi Temple → Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave → International Mountain Museum → Bindhyabasini Temple, at least 5 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Old Pokhara and Hyangja and Tashiling): Old Pokhara bazaar walk → Tibetan refugee settlements, at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 3 (North Pokhara): Gurkha Memorial Museum, at least 1 hour.
The quietest months for queues
- August: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 27 rainy days, very quiet crowds. Still very wet and lush; paragliding and treks are limited, but Davis Falls is at its most powerful.
- July: highs of 29°C (84°F), about 28 rainy days, very quiet crowds. The wettest month, with torrential rain, landslides on mountain roads and frequent flight disruption.
- June: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 22 rainy days, quiet crowds. The monsoon arrives with heavy rain; mountains are mostly hidden and trails become muddy with leeches.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Lakeside — Guesthouses, cafés, trekking shops and bars along Phewa Lake's eastern shore
- Damside — Older, quieter tourist area by the Phewa dam with views of Machhapuchhre
- Old Pokhara — Original bazaar town of Newar houses and temples north of Lakeside
More of Pokhara
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Pokhara?
Tal Barahi Temple. A small two-tiered pagoda temple on an island in Phewa Lake, dedicated to the goddess Barahi, a form of Durga.
+Which of these are free in Pokhara?
Bindhyabasini Temple, Old Pokhara bazaar walk and Tibetan refugee settlements.