Free things to do · Kathmandu · Nepal
6 free things to do in Kathmandu
Kathmandu without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Sumitbhatt222, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 2 days in Kathmandu without paying an entry fee: Asan and Indra Chowk market walk, Kopan Monastery, Budhanilkantha Temple and Taudaha Lake are all free. Check whether menu prices include the 10% service charge and 13% VAT before ordering.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 6
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Very affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- July–August
Free sights and experiences
Street · Old City
1.Asan and Indra Chowk market walk
Walk it in the morning when the vegetable sellers are out, and step into side courtyards such as those off Kel Tole to find hidden shrines.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Food
- Photo spot
- History
Religious site · Boudha
2.Kopan Monastery
Check the monastery's schedule for short meditation sessions open to visitors.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
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Religious site · Budhanilkantha
3.Budhanilkantha Temple
Non-Hindus usually view the statue from beside the enclosure; combine it with a hike in Shivapuri park.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Chobhar
4.Taudaha Lake
Combine it with the Chobhar gorge and the Newar villages of Bungamati and Khokana on a half-day loop.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Street · Freak Street and Durbar Square
5.Freak Street
Have a cheap lunch here after visiting Durbar Square, away from the square's tourist restaurants.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
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Neighbourhood · Thamel
6.Thamel
Compare prices across several shops before buying trekking gear, and check stitching and zips carefully.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
- Food
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old City | Asan and Indra Chowk market walk | 1–2 hours |
| Boudha | Kopan Monastery | 1.5 hours |
| Budhanilkantha | Budhanilkantha Temple | 45 minutes |
| Chobhar | Taudaha Lake | 1 hour |
| Freak Street and Durbar Square | Freak Street | 30 minutes |
| Thamel | Thamel | 2 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Swayambhu
Swayambhunath
Climb the eastern stairs early in the morning when pilgrims circle the stupa, and keep food and loose items away from the monkeys.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
- Kids
Religious site · Boudha
Boudhanath
Come in the late afternoon, walk the kora clockwise with the pilgrims, then watch the stupa from a rooftop café as butter lamps are lit.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- History
- Photo spot
- Couples
- After dark
Garden · Thamel
Garden of Dreams
Bring a book for an hour's escape from Thamel's traffic.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Architecture
Museum · Durbar Marg
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
Cameras and phones usually have to be deposited at the entrance, so plan to look rather than photograph.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Nature · Budhanilkantha
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Start early from the Budhanilkantha entrance, carry water and lunch, and go with a companion or guide.
- Time needed
- Half to full day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Nature
- Active
- Outdoors
- Views
More ways to save
- Check whether menu prices include the 10% service charge and 13% VAT before ordering.
- Keep heritage-site tickets with you; some allow re-entry or extensions for longer stays if you ask at the ticket office.
- Use ride-hailing apps or ask your hotel for fair taxi fares to avoid paying several times the local price.
- Buy trekking gear in Thamel rather than at home, but test zips and seams; quality varies widely.
- Withdraw cash in larger amounts where possible; ATM fees per withdrawal add up and some machines run out during festivals.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kathmandu expensive to visit?
Kathmandu is very affordable for most visitors, but 6 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Kathmandu?
Asan and Indra Chowk market walk: Walk it in the morning when the vegetable sellers are out, and step into side courtyards such as those off Kel Tole to find hidden shrines.