Kathmandu, Nepal: travel guide
Nepal's capital and largest city, a dense warren of medieval temples, palaces and living Hindu-Buddhist tradition in the Kathmandu Valley — home to seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones.
- Country
- Nepal
- Currency
- NPR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
- Nearest airport
- KTM
Top places to visit in Kathmandu
Pashupatinath Temple
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry NPR 1,000
The most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, a sprawling riverside complex of pagoda shrines and cremation ghats on the Bagmati devoted to Lord Shiva. A UNESCO World Heritage Site; the inner temple is open to Hindus only.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Nature · 4.4 rating · about 4 h · entry NPR 1,000
A forested national park on the valley's northern rim, laced with hiking and mountain-biking trails to Shivapuri peak (2,732m), waterfalls and the Nagi Gompa monastery.
Garden of Dreams
Cultural · 4.2 rating · about 1 h · entry NPR 400
A restored neo-classical Edwardian garden of pavilions, fountains and pergolas hidden behind Thamel's bustle — a serene spot for a coffee and a break from the city.
Rani Pokhari
Heritage · 4.4 rating · about 0.3 h
A large historic tank built in 1670 by King Pratap Malla in memory of his son, with the white Balgopaleshwor temple at its centre reached by a causeway; restored to its Malla form.
Kopan Monastery
Monastery · 4.3 rating · about 1 h
A hillside Tibetan Buddhist monastery above Boudha known for its meditation and Buddhism courses, gardens and panoramic valley views; day visitors are welcome outside course hours.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
Museum · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · entry NPR 500
The former royal palace of Nepal's monarchy, opened as a museum after the 2008 abolition of the crown — its throne rooms and the site of the 2001 royal massacre are open to visitors.
Boudhanath Stupa
Monastery · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · entry NPR 400
One of the largest spherical stupas in the world and the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal, ringed by monasteries and pilgrims turning prayer wheels. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Monastery · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry NPR 200
An ancient hilltop stupa crowned with the watchful eyes of the Buddha, reached by 365 steps and guarded by resident rhesus monkeys. UNESCO World Heritage Site with sweeping valley views.
Budhanilkantha (Sleeping Vishnu)
Temple · 4.7 rating · about 0.8 h
A monumental 5th-century stone image of Lord Vishnu reclining on the cosmic serpent Ananta in a recessed pool — the largest such sculpture in Nepal, at the foot of Shivapuri.
Chandragiri Hills
Viewpoint · 4.5 rating · about 3 h
A 2,551m ridge reached by a scenic cable car, offering a full Himalayan panorama from the Annapurnas to Everest on a clear day, plus the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple at the summit.
Asan Bazaar
Market · 4.2 rating · about 0.8 h
A frenetic six-way market crossroads in old Kathmandu, trading in spices, textiles, produce and everyday goods much as it has for centuries — the city's most atmospheric traditional bazaar.
National Museum of Nepal (Chhauni)
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry NPR 150
Nepal's principal museum at Chhauni, with galleries of historic weapons, art, sculpture and natural history spanning the country's dynasties.
Things to do
- Kathmandu Valley UNESCO Sightseeing Tour Cultural · 8 h · from NPR 4,500 per person
- Everest Scenic Mountain Flight Adventure · 1 h · from NPR 33,000 per person
- Kathmandu Old City Food Walk Food · 3 h · from NPR 3,000 per person
- Trishuli River White-water Rafting Water Sports · 7 h · from NPR 5,500 per person
- Pottery & Thangka Painting Workshop Cultural · 3 h · from NPR 2,500 per person
- Chandragiri Hills Cable Car Experience Nature · 4 h · from NPR 2,200 per person
Day trips and tours
- Kathmandu Valley Full-Day UNESCO Tour 8 h · from NPR 5,500
- Bhaktapur & Nagarkot Sunrise Day Tour 9 h · from NPR 6,000
Where to stay in Kathmandu
- Thamel about NPR 5,000 per night
The tourist heart of Kathmandu, wall-to-wall with hotels, trekking shops, cafés and nightlife — most convenient for first-time visitors.
- Durbar Marg about NPR 12,000 per night
An upmarket avenue near the former palace with fine-dining, brand stores and premium hotels — refined and central.
- Boudha about NPR 7,000 per night
The Tibetan-Buddhist quarter around Boudhanath Stupa, calmer and spiritual, good for monastery visits and quieter stays.
- Lazimpat about NPR 8,000 per night
A leafy diplomatic neighbourhood between Thamel and Durbar Marg with heritage and boutique hotels and good restaurants.
Hotels
- Grand Ambassador Business Hotel 3-star · NPR 4,524 to NPR 6,500 per night
- Hotel Sapana Garden Thamel 3-star · NPR 2,833 to NPR 4,200 per night
- Atithi Hotel & Apartment 3-star · NPR 3,849 to NPR 5,500 per night
- Hotel Jampa 3-star · NPR 5,457 to NPR 7,200 per night
- Rest Up Kathmandu Hostel 2-star · NPR 3,146 to NPR 4,800 per night
- Kathmandu Eco Hotel 3-star · NPR 3,917 to NPR 5,800 per night
Where to eat
- OR2K Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, Vegetarian · about NPR 900 per person
- Fire and Ice Pizzeria Italian, Pizza · about NPR 1,000 per person
- Thamel House Restaurant Nepali, Newari · about NPR 1,400 per person
- Utse Restaurant Tibetan · about NPR 600 per person
- Roadhouse Café Italian, Continental, Pizza · about NPR 1,200 per person
- Rum Doodle Bar & Restaurant Continental, Nepali, Bar · about NPR 1,300 per person
- Krishnarpan (Dwarika's Hotel) Nepali, Fine Dining · about NPR 5,500 per person
- Bhojan Griha Nepali, Newari · about NPR 1,800 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Taxi main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- 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 trekking guides & agencies
Thamel
Touts pose as licensed guides or run unregistered agencies, taking deposits for treks that are underinsured or never happen.
How to avoid it: Book through a government-registered agency; check the guide's TAAN/NMA licence and pay reputable operators.
Taxi meter refusal & overcharging
Airport & Thamel
Drivers claim the meter is broken and quote inflated fixed fares, especially to/from the airport and at night.
How to avoid it: Agree the fare before getting in or use Pathao/InDrive; the prepaid taxi desk at the airport has fixed rates.
Sadhu photo fee
Pashupatinath Temple
Painted holy men invite you to photograph them, then demand a large "donation" of several hundred rupees per photo.
How to avoid it: Agree a small tip (NPR 50–100) before photographing, or politely decline.
Gem, carpet & tiger-balm touts
Thamel & Durbar Square
Friendly strangers steer you to shops for "investment" gemstones or carpets at hugely marked-up prices for a commission.
How to avoid it: Ignore unsolicited shopping invitations; never buy gems as an "export investment".