Bhaktapur, Nepal: travel guide
The best-preserved medieval Newari city in the Kathmandu Valley — a car-free warren of brick-paved squares, pagoda temples and pottery courtyards, home to the famous Nyatapola temple and 55-Window Palace.
- Country
- Nepal
- Currency
- NPR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
- Nearest airport
- KTM
Top places to visit in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Heritage · about 2 h · entry NPR 1,800
The royal square of the medieval Malla kingdom of Bhaktapur, ringed by the 55-Window Palace, the Golden Gate, stone temples and the Statue of Bhupatindra Malla. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nyatapola Temple
Temple · about 0.5 h
Nepal's tallest pagoda temple (30m), a perfectly proportioned five-tiered shrine of 1702 guarded by pairs of stone wrestlers, elephants and griffins on its stairway, dominating Taumadhi Square.
Dattatreya Square
Heritage · about 0.8 h
The oldest square in Bhaktapur, centred on the Dattatreya temple said to be built from a single tree, with the famed Peacock Window on a nearby monastery façade.
Pottery Square
Market · about 0.8 h
A working courtyard where Bhaktapur's Prajapati potters shape and sun-dry clay pots and figurines on hand-turned wheels — a centuries-old living craft you can try yourself.
55-Window Palace
Heritage · about 0.7 h
The 15th-century Malla royal palace facing Durbar Square, its long brick façade pierced by 55 intricately carved wooden windows — a masterpiece of Newari woodcraft.
Changu Narayan Temple
Temple · about 1 h · entry NPR 300
The oldest Hindu temple still in use in Nepal, a Vishnu shrine on a ridge above Bhaktapur adorned with Licchavi-era stone carvings and Nepal's oldest inscription. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Siddha Pokhari
Heritage · about 0.3 h
A large rectangular masonry tank at Bhaktapur's western gate dating to the 15th century, ringed by shrines and reflecting the Himalayas on still mornings.
Taumadhi Square
Heritage · about 0.5 h
The lively square below Nyatapola, home also to the boat-shaped Bhairavnath temple and cafés with rooftop temple views — the second great square of Bhaktapur.
Bhairavnath Temple
Temple · about 0.3 h
A tall three-storey temple to the fearsome god Bhairav on Taumadhi Square, the focus of Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra chariot festival each Nepali New Year.
Things to do
- Bhaktapur Heritage Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from NPR 2,000 per person
- Bhaktapur Pottery-making Workshop Cultural · 2 h · from NPR 1,500 per person
- Juju Dhau & Newari Food Tasting Food · 2 h · from NPR 1,800 per person
- Changu Narayan Half-Day Tour Cultural · 3 h · from NPR 2,200 per person
Where to stay in Bhaktapur
- Durbar Square Old Town about NPR 4,500 per night
Staying inside Bhaktapur's car-free old city puts the temples, squares and pottery courtyards on your doorstep, magical after the day-trippers leave.
Hotels
- Hotel Heritage Bhaktapur 3-star · NPR 4,500 to NPR 9,000 per night
- Bhaktapur Paradise Hotel 3-star · NPR 3,500 to NPR 7,000 per night
- Khwopa Guest House 2-star · NPR 2,000 to NPR 4,500 per night
- Peacock Guest House 3-star · NPR 3,500 to NPR 7,000 per night
Where to eat
- Café Nyatapola Nepali, Continental, Cafe · about NPR 900 per person
- Café de Peacock Nepali, Continental, Cafe · about NPR 850 per person
- Juju Dhau House Nepali, Newari, Dessert · about NPR 200 per person
- Watshala Garden Restaurant Nepali, Newari, Continental · about NPR 800 per person
- Bhaktapur Coffee & Curd Cafe, Nepali · about NPR 300 per person
Getting around
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake "closed for festival" guides
Durbar Square
Touts claim a temple or square is closed unless you hire them as a guide, then lead you the normal way.
How to avoid it: Ignore such claims; buy the official Bhaktapur entry ticket and hire only licensed guides.