How many days · Kathmandu · Nepal
How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
4 days is the sweet spot for Kathmandu, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. 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.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 4 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 10.4 h (Dec) to 13.9 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath Temple |
| 2 days | Good | Pashupatinath Temple, Patan Durbar Square and Everest mountain flight |
| 3 days | Good | Patan Museum, Asan and Indra Chowk market walk and Garden of Dreams |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Bhaktapur |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Bhaktapur and Nagarkot |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Kathmandu add up to roughly 20–25 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Chandragiri Hills cable car (Half a day), Kathmandu Durbar Square (2–3 hours) and Patan Durbar Square (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu Durbar Square | 2–3 hours | Freak Street and Durbar Square |
| Swayambhunath | 1.5–2 hours | Swayambhu |
| Boudhanath | 2 hours | Boudha |
| Pashupatinath Temple | 1.5–2 hours | Gaushala |
| Patan Durbar Square | 2–3 hours | Patan (Lalitpur) |
| Everest mountain flight | About 1 hour in the air | Tribhuvan International Airport |
| Patan Museum | 1.5 hours | Patan (Lalitpur) |
| Asan and Indra Chowk market walk | 1–2 hours | Old City |
| Garden of Dreams | 1 hour | Thamel |
| Narayanhiti Palace Museum | 1.5 hours | Durbar Marg |
| Kopan Monastery | 1.5 hours | Boudha |
| Chandragiri Hills cable car | Half a day | Thankot |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 4 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath |
| With children | 5 days | Slower days and time for Swayambhunath |
| With day trips | 6 days | Add Bhaktapur and Nagarkot |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 10.4 hours of daylight) than in June (about 13.9 hours). Daylight varies little through the year, so plan by weather instead.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Kathmandu with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Kathmandu?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 4 days is more comfortable. 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.
+Is a week too long in Kathmandu?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Bhaktapur and Nagarkot.