On this page
- Altitude
- 1,400 m
- UNESCO sites
- 7 in the valley
- Ideal stay
- 3–4 days
- Best months
- Oct–Nov
Kathmandu is where almost every trip to Nepal begins, and it deserves more than a night between the airport and the trailhead. The Kathmandu Valley has seven UNESCO World Heritage monument zones within an hour of each other: three royal Durbar Squares, two great stupas and two of the holiest Hindu temples in South Asia.
Add rooftop cafés, momo shops, Newari feasts and mountain views on the valley rim, and you have easily three or four days of things to do. Here are the best things to do in Kathmandu, written by someone who lives here.
Before you go
| Kathmandu facts | |
|---|---|
| Airport | Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) |
| Altitude | About 1,400 m |
| Best months | October–November and March–April |
| Currency | Nepali rupee (NPR), ATMs widely available |
| Getting around | Taxis, ride-hailing apps, private car with driver |
| Ideal stay | 3 to 4 days |
Most nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport. Check the latest rules with the Nepal Department of Immigration before you fly.
Heritage sites and temples
1. Boudhanath Stupa
One of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist life in Nepal. Come in the late afternoon, when pilgrims walk the kora clockwise around the dome spinning prayer wheels, then climb to a rooftop café to watch the lights come on.
2. Swayambhunath, the Monkey Temple
A gold-spired stupa on a hill west of the city, reached by 365 stone steps. The views across the valley are the best in town, especially at sunrise. Keep food out of sight, as the resident monkeys are bold.
3. Pashupatinath Temple
Nepal’s holiest Hindu temple, on the banks of the Bagmati River. Only Hindus may enter the main temple, but visitors can walk the riverbanks and terraces, where open-air cremations take place at the ghats. Be respectful and ask before photographing people. The evening aarti ceremony is especially moving.
4. Kathmandu Durbar Square
The old royal palace square in the centre of the city, with pagoda temples, the Hanuman Dhoka palace and Kumari Ghar, home of the Kumari, a young girl worshipped as a living goddess. Much of it has been rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake.
5. Patan Durbar Square
Across the river in Lalitpur, Patan has the finest collection of Newari architecture in the valley. Don’t miss the Patan Museum, one of the best museums in South Asia, and the quiet courtyards and metalwork shops in the lanes behind the square.
6. Bhaktapur
A medieval city 45 minutes east of Thamel, with brick squares, potters at work in Pottery Square and the five-storey Nyatapola Temple. Bhaktapur is quieter in the evening, so consider staying the night. Try juju dhau, the creamy “king of curd” yogurt, before you leave.
Food and neighbourhoods
7. Wander Thamel and Asan
Thamel is the tourist hub, full of guesthouses, bookshops, trekking gear and live music bars. Walk south from there into Asan and Indra Chowk, where the old trading streets sell spices, brass pots and saris, and small shrines appear on every corner.
8. Eat your way through momos and Newari food
Momos, the steamed dumplings of Nepal, are everywhere and cheap. For something more traditional, look for a Newari restaurant serving a samay baji set, with beaten rice, spiced buffalo, black soybeans and pickles. A dal bhat lunch at a local canteen is the best-value meal in the city.
9. Garden of Dreams
A restored neoclassical garden on the edge of Thamel, with lawns, pavilions and a café. It is the easiest escape from the traffic when you need an hour of calm.
10. Take a cooking class
Several Thamel cooking schools teach you to fold momos and make dal bhat in half a day, often starting with a market visit. It is a good activity for a rainy or jet-lagged day.
Day trips from Kathmandu
11. Sunrise at Nagarkot
A ridge-top village on the eastern rim of the valley, about 1.5 hours from Thamel. On clear mornings you see the Himalaya from Langtang towards Everest. Stay a night for sunrise, then walk down through villages to Bhaktapur. See our weekend getaways from Kathmandu for more ideas.
12. Chandragiri cable car
A cable car climbs to the top of Chandragiri Hill, south-west of the city, with a temple, viewpoints and a mountain panorama on clear days. It takes about an hour to reach from Thamel.
13. Hike in Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
The forested hills on the valley’s northern edge make a good acclimatization or warm-up walk before a trek. Hike up to the Shivapuri summit or to the Nagi Gompa nunnery for views over the city.
14. Kirtipur
A hilltop Newari town just south-west of the city, with old temples, quiet lanes and few tourists. Combine it with lunch at a local restaurant serving Newari dishes.
15. Everest mountain flight
If you are not trekking to Everest, an early-morning sightseeing flight from Kathmandu gives you an hour-long view of the highest peaks in the world, including Everest itself. Flights only go in clear weather, so book it early in your stay.
How many days in Kathmandu?
- 1 day: Swayambhunath at sunrise, Kathmandu Durbar Square, then Boudhanath at sunset.
- 2 days: Add Patan and Pashupatinath.
- 3 to 4 days: Add Bhaktapur, an overnight in Nagarkot and a slow afternoon in Thamel.
If you are starting a trek, plan at least one full day in Kathmandu before flying to Lukla for the Everest Base Camp trek, in case your bag or a connection is delayed.
Getting around Kathmandu
Traffic is slow and the roads are dusty, so plan your sightseeing by area. Taxis are easy to find, but agree on a price before you get in. Ride-hailing apps work well in the city and are usually cheaper. For a full day of sightseeing, hiring a private car with a driver is often the most comfortable option.
Where to go next
Most travellers continue to Pokhara, Nepal’s lakeside city and the gateway to the Annapurna treks. Kathmandu to Pokhara compares the bus, private jeep and flight, and our guide to the best things to do in Pokhara helps you plan your time there.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
Three to four days is enough to see the main heritage sites of the valley at a relaxed pace. Add a day if you want to stay overnight in Bhaktapur or Nagarkot.
Is Kathmandu safe for tourists?
Yes, Kathmandu is generally safe for visitors. Watch your belongings in crowded places like Thamel and Asan, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps at night, and carry a mask for dusty days.
What should I wear when visiting temples in Kathmandu?
Cover your shoulders and knees, take off your shoes where asked, and remove leather items before entering some Hindu temples. Walk clockwise around stupas and prayer wheels.
Do I have to pay to enter heritage sites in Kathmandu?
Most heritage sites charge foreign visitors an entry fee, collected at the gate. Keep your ticket with you, as it may be checked again inside, and ask about multi-day passes if you plan to return.
What is the best area to stay in Kathmandu?
Thamel is the most convenient base for first-timers, with hotels, restaurants and trekking shops. Boudha and Patan are quieter options with more local character.
Anjali writes about travel inside Nepal and has covered Chitwan, Bandipur and the mid-hills for local and international magazines.
