Travel guide · Nepal
Kathmandu travel guide
Stupas, Newar temple squares and the gateway to the Himalaya
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gerd Eichmann, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Kathmandu sits at about 1,400 metres in a bowl-shaped valley ringed by hills, and the valley's seven UNESCO monument zones — the Durbar Squares of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan — are all within an hour of each other. Many temples damaged in the 2015 earthquake have been rebuilt. Most visitors base themselves in Thamel, spend two to four days on the valley's sights, then head for Pokhara, Chitwan or a trek. Plan 4 days for a first visit; the best months are March–April and October–December.
Key facts
- Country
- Nepal
- Best time to visit
- March–April and October–December
- Ideal stay
- 4 days
- Main airports
- KTM
- Mid-range daily budget
- $50–$120 per person (estimate)
- Known for
- Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, Durbar Squares and Momos
Why visit Kathmandu
- Seven World Heritage monument zones lie within about 20 km, from the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath.
- Newar towns such as Patan and Bhaktapur preserve brick courtyards, carved wooden windows and living craft traditions.
- Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, is the centre of Nepal's Tibetan Buddhist community.
- Festivals fill the calendar, from Indra Jatra's chariot processions to Tihar's lamps and Dashain's kite flying.
- Kathmandu is the starting point for treks to the Everest and Langtang regions and for sightseeing flights along the Himalaya.
Top things to do
The six sights most first-time visitors build a trip around. See all 17 things to do.
Historic site · Freak Street and Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The former royal square, also called Hanuman Dhoka after the palace guarded by a red-cloaked Hanuman statue, is a cluster of multi-roofed temples, palace courtyards and shrines.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Religious site · Swayambhu
Swayambhunath
On a wooded hill west of the city, this ancient stupa painted with the all-seeing eyes of the Buddha is surrounded by shrines, prayer wheels and resident monkeys, which give it its nickname, the Monkey Temple.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Kids
Religious site · Boudha
Boudhanath
One of the largest stupas in the world, Boudhanath's white dome and gilded tower are strung with prayer flags and ringed by Tibetan monasteries, shops and cafés.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
Religious site · Gaushala
Pashupatinath Temple
Nepal's holiest Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva, stands on the banks of the Bagmati River.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
Historic site · Patan (Lalitpur)
Patan Durbar Square
Patan's royal square is often considered the most harmonious in the valley, with the stone shikhara of the 17th-century Krishna Mandir, the Royal Palace's courtyards and a row of tiered temples.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Photo spot
Experience · Tribhuvan International Airport
Everest mountain flight
Early-morning sightseeing flights from Kathmandu's domestic terminal fly east along the Himalaya for about an hour, giving every passenger a window view of peaks including Everest without trekking.
- Time needed
- About 1 hour in the air
- Cost
- Expensive
- Views
- Kids
- Photo spot
- Iconic
Where to stay
Thamel is the easiest base for a first visit. Compare all 7 areas.
$$ · Best for first-timers, budget, solo travellers and nightlife
Thamel
The traveller quarter of guesthouses, trekking shops, bars and rooftop cafés
$$$ · Best for quiet stays, couples and luxury
Lazimpat
Embassy quarter with leafy grounds and quieter hotels north of Thamel
$$$ · Best for luxury, first-timers and shopping
Durbar Marg
Wide avenue of international hotels, airline offices and brand shops
$ · Best for budget, culture and solo travellers
Freak Street and Durbar Square
Old-city lanes and hippie-trail history beside the royal square
What to eat
- Momo — Nepal's favourite snack: steamed or fried dumplings filled with buffalo, chicken, pork or vegetables, served with a tomato-sesame achar.
- Dal bhat tarkari — The national meal of rice, lentil soup, vegetable curry, pickles and greens, often with meat curry; refills are customary, and many Nepalis eat it twice a day.
- Newari khaja set — A Newar feast platter built around chiura (beaten rice) with spiced buffalo choila, black soybeans, potato pickle, bara and boiled egg, traditionally eaten with rice wine.
- Bara — A savoury lentil pancake, sometimes topped with egg or minced meat, fried on a flat pan.
- Choila — Buffalo meat grilled over flame, then mixed with mustard oil, chilli, garlic and fenugreek; smoky, spicy and usually served with beaten rice.
- Yomari — A fig-shaped steamed rice-flour dumpling filled with molasses and sesame, made especially for the Yomari Punhi festival in December.
When to go
The best months for Kathmandu are October and November, when the monsoon has cleared the air and the Himalaya are visible, followed by March and April for spring flowers and trekking. December to February is dry and sunny but cold at night. July, the wettest month, brings daily rain, cloud and landslide risk on mountain roads.
| Season | Months | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn | October–November | Clear skies, comfortable days and the main festival and trekking season; the busiest and most expensive time. |
| Winter | December–February | Dry, sunny days and near-freezing nights; fewer visitors, though high passes on long treks may be snowbound. |
| Spring | March–May | Warm days, rhododendrons in the hills and the second trekking season, with haze and afternoon storms increasing into May. |
| Monsoon | June–September | Frequent heavy rain, cloud-covered mountains and landslide-prone roads, but green landscapes and few tourists. |
Getting there and around
Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 km east of Thamel; the drive takes about 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. A prepaid taxi counter operates in the international arrivals hall, and the domestic terminal for Pokhara and mountain flights is a separate building nearby.
Kathmandu has no metro or tram, and traffic is slow and congested. The old city and Thamel are walkable, while Boudha, Pashupatinath, Patan and Bhaktapur are a taxi or app ride away. Plan around traffic: a 6 km journey can take 40 minutes at rush hour.
Plan your days
Two days covers Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Four days adds Patan and Bhaktapur at a relaxed pace and a sunrise at Nagarkot; add time either side of any trek for flight delays.
Practical information
- Currency
- NPR
- Language
- Nepali, Newar (Nepal Bhasa) and English
- Plugs
- Type C, D and M sockets, 230 V, 50 Hz
- Tap water
- Tap water is not safe to drink; use refill stations, filtered water or bottled water.
- Emergency number
- Police 100, Tourist Police 1144, ambulance 102
- Tipping
- Many tourist restaurants add a 10% service charge, so extra tips are optional.
Traffic, broken pavements and air pollution are the main everyday hazards, and dust and smog can be heavy in winter and spring. Petty theft and touting occur in Thamel. Earthquakes are a known risk in the region, so note your hotel's exit routes.
Flights to Kathmandu
Questions travellers ask
+How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
Two days covers Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath. Four days adds Patan and Bhaktapur at a relaxed pace and a sunrise at Nagarkot; add time either side of any trek for flight delays. How to split your days.
+When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
The best months for Kathmandu are October and November, when the monsoon has cleared the air and the Himalaya are visible, followed by March and April for spring flowers and trekking. December to February is dry and sunny but cold at night. July, the wettest month, brings daily rain, cloud and landslide risk on mountain roads.
+What is Kathmandu known for?
Boudhanath Stupa, Swayambhunath, Durbar Squares, Momos, Trekking gateway, Newar architecture and Thamel. Seven World Heritage monument zones lie within about 20 km, from the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhunath and Boudhanath to the Hindu temples of Pashupatinath.
+Is Kathmandu expensive?
Kathmandu is very affordable for international visitors: a mid-range trip costs roughly $50–$120 per person per day before flights (AMZBooking estimate). Costs and money-saving tips.
+Do you need a car in Kathmandu?
No. Driving in Kathmandu is chaotic and mountain roads are demanding; use taxis, apps and a hired car with driver for valley excursions.