Things to do · Pokhara
Lakeside Pokhara (Baidam)
Pokhara's lakefront strip on Phewa Lake — how North, central and Damside differ and where to stay.
Lakeside, officially Baidam, is the lakefront strip along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake and the centre of tourist life in Pokhara. A single main road and a parallel lakefront promenade hold most of the city's cafes, restaurants, bars, guesthouses, boat hires, shops and trekking agencies — making it the natural place to base yourself. This is your orientation to how the strip is laid out and where to settle in.
Where Lakeside sits
Pokhara stretches across a wide valley in Gandaki Province, but visitors gravitate to the western edge where the city meets Phewa Lake, Nepal's second-largest lake. Lakeside runs north to south along this shore, looking across the water to the forested ridge topped by the World Peace Pagoda and, on a clear morning, up to the Annapurnas and the fishtail peak of Machhapuchhre. The old bazaar and the city's working districts lie inland to the east.
North, central and Damside
The strip divides loosely into three moods. Central Lakeside is the busy heart — the densest run of cafes, shops, bars and the evening street market, and the easiest place to walk everywhere. North Lakeside is quieter and greener, trailing off toward the rice fields of Pame, and suits travellers wanting calm with the lake still close. Damside (Pardi), at the southern end near the lake's outlet dam, is the mellowest and often cheaper, with open views and a more local feel.
What you'll find on the strip
Everything a visitor needs lines the road. Lakefront terraces serve coffee and meals over the water — see the Pokhara restaurants and cafes guide — while the evenings bring out bars, live music and the lakefront market. Shops sell pashmina, handicrafts and trekking gear, covered in the Pokhara shopping guide. Boat owners hire out wooden rowboats and pedal boats from the promenade for trips to the island Tal Barahi temple.
Getting around
The central strip is best on foot, flat and walkable end to end in under thirty minutes. For longer hops to North Lakeside, Damside or the Begnas and Rupa lakes east of town, hire a scooter, grab a metered taxi, or rent a bicycle. The airport and tourist bus park are both short taxi rides away. For wider travel logistics, see the national getting around Nepal guide.
Making the most of Lakeside
Lakeside rewards a slow approach: coffee on the water in the morning, a boat or a hill walk by day, dinner and a stroll along the promenade by night. Use this strip as your home base and branch out using the Pokhara Lakeside guide collection, then plan the rest of your visit from the Pokhara hub.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lakeside in Pokhara called locally?+
Lakeside is officially known as Baidam. It is the lakefront ward running along the eastern shore of Phewa Lake, and the name Lakeside is used by visitors for the whole tourist strip of cafes, hotels and shops there.
Where should I stay in Lakeside Pokhara?+
Central Lakeside is the liveliest and most convenient, with cafes, shops and boat hires on your doorstep. North Lakeside is quieter and greener, while Damside at the southern end is calmer and cheaper, with views toward the dam and hills.
How far is Lakeside from Pokhara airport and bus park?+
Pokhara's airport and the main tourist bus park are both a short taxi ride from Lakeside, roughly 10 to 20 minutes depending on traffic and which end of the strip you are heading to. Taxis are easy to find and inexpensive.
Is Lakeside Pokhara good for walking?+
Yes. The central strip is flat and walkable end to end in under half an hour, with a lakefront promenade running alongside. It is one of the most pedestrian-friendly tourist areas in Nepal.
