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Destinations / Nepal

Kathmandu

Kathmandu (काठमाडौं)

Temples, stupas and the gateway to the Himalaya

historyadventurenaturebudget
Plan your trip to KathmanduSee the top 10
845,767Population
2.5 millionMetro area
Nepali, NewariLanguage
NPRCurrency
4 daysIdeal stay
$60-110Typical day

Kathmandu is Nepal's busy capital, packed with temples, stupas and medieval squares. Most trekkers pass through on the way to the Himalaya. Seven UNESCO monument zones lie in the valley.

Where to start

Top 10 things to do

Tap a card to open it. Day trips are marked.

  1. The hilltop Monkey Temple stupa with Buddha eyes. Views over the valley.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $1-3Cost
    noBook ahead

    Small foreign visitor fee at the entrance.

    Tip. Climb the east stairway.
    See on the map

  2. Royal palace square full of pagoda temples. The Kumari goddess lives here.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $8-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreigners pay an area entry ticket; the price has been around NPR 1,000.

    Tip. Hire a licensed guide.
    See on the map

  3. One of the world's largest stupas, a hub of Tibetan Buddhism. Pilgrims circle at dusk.

    2 hoursTime needed
    about $3-5Cost
    noBook ahead

    A small entry fee for foreign visitors; the surrounding lanes are free.

    Tip. Go at sunset.
    See on the map

  4. Tourist district of shops, cafes and trekking gear. It is busy.

    2 hoursTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. Bargain politely.
    See on the map

  5. Sacred Hindu temple on the Bagmati River with cremation ghats. Non-Hindus watch from the far bank.

    1.5 hoursTime needed
    about $7-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreign visitors pay a fee at the gate; roughly NPR 1,000 in recent years.

    Tip. Non-Hindus cannot enter the main temple.
    See on the map

  6. A beautifully preserved medieval Newar town. Pottery squares and temples.

    Half dayTime needed
    about $13-18Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreigners pay a town entry fee that is higher than at the other squares.

    Tip. About 45 minutes by taxi.
    See on the map

  7. Square of temples with an excellent museum. Fine craftsmanship.

    Half dayTime needed
    about $8-10Cost
    noBook ahead

    Foreigners pay a square entry fee; the museum is a separate ticket.

    Tip. See the Patan Museum.
    See on the map

  8. Neo-classical garden near Thamel. A calm escape.

    1 hourTime needed
    about $3-5Cost
    noBook ahead

    Entry fee for foreign visitors; a cafe sits inside.

    Tip. Afternoon tea.
    Official siteSee on the map

  9. Hill station with Himalayan sunrise views. Clear days in autumn.

    Full dayTime needed
    FreeCost
    noBook ahead

    Free.

    Tip. About 1.5 hours by car; stay overnight for sunrise.
    See on the map

  10. Early morning scenic flights past Everest. Weather permitting.

    3 hoursTime needed
    yesBook ahead

    Prices vary.

    Tip. Book refundable for weather.
    See on the map
Map: OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Ready-made itineraries

Choose how many days you have.

Kathmandu in three days

City day, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath, then Bhaktapur and Nagarkot.

  1. Swayambhunath1.5 hours · about $1-3
  2. Kathmandu Durbar Square2 hours · about $8-10
  3. Boudhanath Stupa2 hours · about $3-5
  4. Thamel2 hours · Free
  5. Pashupatinath Temple1.5 hours · about $7-10
  6. Bhaktapur Durbar SquareHalf day · about $13-18
  7. Patan Durbar SquareHalf day · about $8-10
  8. Garden of Dreams1 hour · about $3-5
  9. NagarkotFull day · Free
  10. Everest mountain flight3 hours
Beyond the city

Day trips

Pokhara

Lakeside base for Annapurna.

124 mi · Flight 25 minutes or bus 7 hours

Chitwan National Park

Rhinos and jungle.

99 mi · Bus, about 6 hours

Everest Mountain Flight

A short way to see the high Himalaya from the window on a clear morning.

Scenic flight of about an hour from Kathmandu airport

Namobuddha and Panauti

A quiet hilltop monastery and a well preserved Newar town.

25 mi · Taxi or bus, about 2 hours each way

Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Forest trails and birdlife close to the city.

7 mi · Taxi to the gate, about 45 minutes

Chandragiri Hills

Cable car climbing to a 2,551-meter mountain ridge featuring the Bhaleshwor Mahadev temple and Himalayan views.

9 mi · Local taxi to the cable car base station in 45 minutes.

Plan your dates

Weather and seasons

Best: October to November and March to April. Clear skies and trekking season.

Busy and priceyShoulderQuiet and cheaper

Temperature

Daily high and average, by month

32°50°68°86°104°JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecDaily highAverage

Rain

Typical inches per month

0.00.81.62.43.13.94.75.56.37.17.98.79.410.211.0JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

January

62°F
Typical daily high
Average52°F
Rain0.4 in
About1 rainy days
Sun strength3.8 kWh/m²

Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.

Climate normals: NASA POWER (public domain). For your own dates, a trip's Plan tab shows the forecast and the usual weather.

Main events

Sep

Dashain

September or October

Nepal's biggest festival.

Oct

Tihar

October or November

Festival of lights.

Sep

Indra Jatra

September

Chariot festival at Durbar Square.

Oct

Tihar (Festival of Lights)

October or November

Homes glow with lamps and rangoli over five days.

Mar

Holi

March

Colour powder and water fights in the streets.

Apr

Buddha Jayanti

April or May (full moon)

Pilgrims fill Boudhanath and Swayambhunath.

Mar

Holi (Festival of Colors)

March (full moon day)

Spring festival filling the streets and squares of Thamel and Durbar Square with colored powder and water fights.

Feb

Maha Shivaratri

February or March

Celebration of Lord Shiva drawing over a million Hindu pilgrims and ash-covered sadhus to Pashupatinath Temple.

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Know before you go

At a glance

4/5
Safety

Nepal is at US State Department Level 2 (increased caution) for natural disasters; watch for traffic, air pollution and occasional protests.

3/5
Walkability

Thamel and the old city are walkable but crowded.

2/5
Public transport

Microbuses are confusing; taxis and ride apps are easier.

Pick your base

Where to stay

The neighborhoods that suit most first visits.

Map: OpenStreetMap contributors. Shapes where OpenStreetMap has a boundary; dashed circles mark areas it only has a point for.
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1. Thamel

$

Best for: first-timers, budget

Backpacker hub.

2. Lazimpat

$$

Best for: couples

Quieter, embassies.

3. Patan

$$

Best for: history

Calmer heritage town.

4. Patan (Lalitpur)

$$

Best for: couples, art lovers

Quieter and more atmospheric, close to its own Durbar Square and good cafes.

5. Boudhanath

$$

Best for: culture seekers, quiet stays

Peaceful stupa neighbourhood with monasteries and rooftop views, near the airport.

6. Bhaktapur

$$

Best for: history lovers, slow travel

A traditional brick town with few vehicles, about an hour from Thamel.

Getting there and around

Main airportTribhuvan International Airport (KTM), 4 mi from the center
To the centerPrepaid taxi or ride app to Thamel takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic.
Around townWalk, and use taxis or Pathao and inDrive apps.
Ride appsPathao, inDrive
Taste it

What to eat

Momo

Dumplings with spicy dip.

Dal bhat

Lentils and rice set.

Newari khaja

Snack platter.

Juju dhau

Sweet creamy yoghurt from Bhaktapur served in a clay pot.

Sel roti

A ring shaped fried rice bread eaten at festivals.

Good to know

PlugsType C, D and M, 230 V
Tap waterUse bottled water
TippingTip around 10 percent in restaurants and tip guides and porters.
PaymentsCash rules; cards work in hotels.
EtiquetteWalk clockwise around stupas, remove shoes in temples, and ask before photographing cremations.
  • Heritage sites charge foreign visitor fees.
  • Air pollution can be bad; consider a mask.
  • Flights to Lukla are weather dependent.
  • Power cuts are less common now but possible.
  • Most tourists need a visa, which can be arranged online in advance or at the airport; check the immigration department's current fee list.
  • Foreign visitors pay separate entry fees at each Durbar Square and at the main temples; carry cash and keep tickets.
  • Power cuts are less common than before, but keep a power bank and bring a mask on dusty days.
  • Strikes and protests can close roads without notice; keep a flexible schedule around international flights.

A short history

The Newar people built rich city states in the valley, including Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur. The Malla kings created the Durbar Squares between the 12th and 18th centuries. Prithvi Narayan Shah unified Nepal in 1768 with Kathmandu as capital. A 2015 earthquake damaged many monuments, now being restored.

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Researched 2026-10-12. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.

Plan Kathmandu