A Complete Guide of What to do in Kathmandu

What to do in Kathmandu

Looking for what to do in Kathmandu, Nepal? We got you!

Kathmandu is one of the cities we have been looking forward to experiencing for awhile. From the prayer flags, stupas, mountains, and UNESCO sites there is so much to experience and see. It did not disappoint and interestingly enough has had a huge tourism increase since the 2015 earthquake. 

Check out why more and more tourists are coming to Nepal with our complete guide of what to do in Kathmandu!

Durbar Square Kathmandu

Places to Vist in Kathmandu

Of course, the top things to do in Kathmandu are to check out the interesting landmarks and admire the architecture! So here are all the places we recommend checking out.

Durbar Square

Durbar Square Kathmandu

Although this UNESCO site was dramatically damaged by the 2015 earthquake, Durbar Square is still one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu. It’s an important cultural and religious hub of the nation.

We found the Kumari Bahal structure (aka Temple of the Living Goddess) to be most intriguing. It’s home to a young girl who is worshiped by locals as a living goddess from her early childhood until she goes through puberty and becomes mortal. Then a new goddess is selected through a tedious process.

During the hours of 9 am -12 pm and 4 pm – 6 pm you can catch a glimpse of the living goddess on the third floor of the courtyard. Witnessing her presence is considered good luck. While Scott has mixed feelings about the life of the little girl, I still felt intrigued.

Durbar Square Earth Quake Damage Kathmandu

Severe Earthquake Damage at Durbar Square

Many of the structures here are impressive. If you’re a history buff we recommend making sure you get a local guide to walk you through the square and share the rich history of the complex.

Tips for Durbar Square:

  • You must pay $10 to enter the Hindu and Buddhist temple complex.
  • To learn more you can check out this piece by Vice News.

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square Kathmandu

Patan Durbar Square is another one of the three Durbar Squares located in the Kathmandu Valley and also considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a complex of several temples and includes an open museum. Again, this site has suffered severe damage from the 2015 earthquake. However, you are still able to walk through many of the buildings and read about the local history, religion, culture, and art.

Patan Durbar Square Kathmandu

Patan Durbar Square Kathmandu

Tips for Patan Durbar Square

  • To get into the complex you will have to pay a $10 fee, it’s another ~$1 to get into the museum.
  • It takes around an hour to get here via taxi with traffic, you’ll have to negotiate with a driver for about $10 each way.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square Kathmandu

The final and third of the Durbar Squares located in Kathmandu Valley, Bhaktapur is also the most challenging and expensive to get to. 

There used to be up to 99 different courtyards in Bhaktapur but now only 6 remain because of the damage of the giant earthquakes of 1934 and 2015.

Tips for Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

  • Bhaktapur is 13km east of Kathmandu
  • It can cost up to $20 for a driver with an additional $10 fee to enter the UNESCO Heritage complex.

Pashupatinath

Pashupatinath Kathmandu

Pashupatinath is one of the most intriguing places to visit in Kathmandu. It’s home to the oldest and most holy Hindu temple in Nepal. Locals practice open cremations along the Bagmati River here. This river flows into the famous holy Ganges River where the Hindus of India sends their dearly departed down the river for an open cremation.

Pashupatinath Kathmandu

This was actually something we were really intrigued to see. But to be honest, once I was there I felt a bit strange and intrusive. You’re sitting there with other tourists while ladies try to sell you necklaces and holy men ask you to pay for a photo and monkeys are swimming. It feels like any other tourist attraction. Meanwhile, families in mourning are setting their recently deceased loved ones in flames and letting the remains wash away in the river.

It was interesting to sit and reflect the cultural differences when it comes to funeral practices, even if it made me a bit uncomfortable for a moment.

If you are not Hindu you will not be allowed to enter the actual temple, but you can proceed around the temple and witness the open cremations.

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa

Yet another UNESCO site and a spot where you look and feel like you’re officially in Nepal. This easily is one of the things that should be on the top of your what to do in Kathmandu list.

This giant stupa is actually the largest in Asia. This is where Buddhists believe the remains of Kassapa Buddha remain. Around the entire stupa there are the famous prayer wheels. They say that the locals will circle around the entire structure while spinning the prayer wheels 108 times!

The square around Boudhanath Buddhist temple has some great rooftop cafes as well. You can enjoy a meal while overlooking the giant stupa. Be sure to check them out to enjoy the view.

Swayambhu (aka Monkey Temple)

Monkey Temple Kathmandu

This sacred Buddhist temple and UNESCO site is located on top of a hill in the Kathmandu Valley. It’s a bit of a walk from Thamel.

Climb the 365 stairs to the top where the large stupa rests with Buddha’s eyes and brows painted at the top. Along the way, you will see dozens of monkeys that call this place home. They are said to be holy as they supposedly don’t have head lice.

Monkey Temple KathmanduMonkey Temple Kathmandu

If you want to learn more about the history and importance of Swayambhu check out this article.

Nepal Natural History Museum

This is for anyone who is intrigued by slightly more morbid things to do in Kathmandu. The Nepal Natural History Museum will either leave you thinking WTF did I just witness or thinking wow there’s a bunch of cool animals in Nepal. We are thinking you will be leaning more towards the first.

Imagine terrible taxidermy and tons of dead pickled animals in jars. The poor lighting and musty smell make you feel like you’ve discovered an abandoned early 1900s hunting trophy collection. 

Tips for the Nepal Natural History Museum

  • The entrance fee is only $.50.
  • It’s located just on the backside of the monkey temple, and you can see the museum in about 15 minutes.
  • It’s an additional $1 to take photos, but we regrettably didn’t pay this fee. Now I wish I had a photo of some of that taxidermy for all of our readers. I guess it’s just something you’ll have to see for yourself!

Asan Tole Bazaar

Asan Tole Bazaar Kathmandu

The Asan Tole Bazaar is one of the great things to do in Kathmandu. It’s a way to experience a bit of what life is like for the locals in the city. Locals come here to buy anything they need from bowls and plates made of leaves to spices for cooking. We loved the energy and colors here while checking out all the different shops and goods being sold down the streets.

Asan Tole Bazaar Kathmandu

Asan Tole Bazaar Kathmandu

Asan Tole Bazaar Kathmandu

Space Invader in Kathmandu

Kaathe Swayambhu Stupa

Kaathe Swayambhu Stupa

Located in the middle of the street in between Asan Tole Market and Thamel is this a grand stupa. Walk through and check out the local place of worship and admire the large stupa in the center. Some locals refer to the stupa as Sigal, and it makes for a great photo spot. Be sure to check out the shops with intricate paintings of mandalas and scenes of Nepal while you’re here.

Narayanhiti Palace

Narayanhiti Palace is great place to visit in Kathmandu for anyone wanting to learn more about the government. It’s the former residence of the monarchy of Nepal. The palace, now museum, was rebuilt in 1961, replacing the old palace that was damaged by the 1934 earthquake which also killed the young royal members.

The monarchy is no longer in control of the country after the famous massacre that happened in 2001. It is said that during a royal family gathering, Prince Dipendra was high on drugs and intoxicated with alcohol when someone in his family upset him. He left the party and came back with assault weapons, killing everyone including himself.

Tips for Narayanhiti Palace

  • If you plan on visiting be prepared and leave your phones, backpacks, and cameras behind. They are forbidden from the palace museum and will force you to rent a locker at the entrance.
  • The entrance fee is $5.

Garden of Dreams

Garden of Dreams Kathmandu

This quiet little sanctuary is the perfect place to go to remove yourself from the noise and dust of Kathmandu. Bring a book, picnic, or come for a cup of tea at the cafe. You will be charmed by the tiny squirrels who are fearless and will come up close to you to check you out.

You will have to pay around a ~$2 entry fee, but after spending a few days in Kathmandu the peace and quiet in the Garden of Dreams make the fee worth it!

Garden of Dreams KathmanduGarden of Dreams Kathmandu

Take a Cooking Class

Rickshaw Kathmandu Nepal

Take a Rickshaw Ride to get your ingredients!

One of our favorite things to do when we visit a new country is check out a cooking class to learn how to make local dishes. Kathmandu has tons of cooking classes to choose from.

However, we recommend doing Nepal Cooking School. The two ladies who run it are super fun. Also all proceeds go towards helping women and young girls get an education. They also help build schools in the remote area of Dhading, which was severely affected by the earthquake of 2015.

An added bonus would be the rickshaw ride to the market to pick out the food for the class! Be sure to come with an empty stomach and big appetite!

Where to Eat in Kathmandu

Fried Momos in Nepal

Tasty Fried Momos from Yangling

If you’re staying in the Thamel area of Kathmandu, then you will have no problem finding food whether you’re looking for local or western dishes. We ate our fair share of dal bhat, momos, thukpa, and Indian curries during our stay and pretty much loved the dish each time.

Thukpa in Nepal

Delicious Chicken Thukpa

If it’s your first time to Nepal you may notice the food takes a bit of time to prepare. Be sure to not show up starving and expect a dish within minutes as meals are made fresh and take time!

Here are some of our favorite places to visit in Kathmandu for food!

Sarangi

Sarangi is a charity restaurant serving up delicious vegetarian and vegan options in a cozy, laid back atmosphere. We really enjoyed the food and vibe here. We sat and enjoyed our meal on their rooftop terrace surrounded by tables of people enjoying hookah and their unique fish tank supporting their aquaponic garden. At night they have musicians of the Gandharba tribe playing music. 

The prices are still rather inexpensive considering all the profits go towards helping people of the Gandharba community. They’re a group of Nepali people who are discriminated against. They do not have the same education and job opportunities as others. Often they end up on the streets selling instruments or playing music. If you’re going out to eat, why not eat delicious food that goes towards a great cause? To learn more about Sarangi’s mission check out their site.

Shiva Complex, Thamel 29, Nepal, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal 

Yangling Restaurant

This popular mom and pop restaurant’s claim to fame is that they serve up some of the best momos in town. The restaurant serves amazing and inexpensive Tibetan food. We loved the fried momos and the chicken thukpa. Be sure to find them at their new location next to International Guesthouse Kaldharachowk.

Atihi Satkar Bhanchha Ghar

If you’re looking for dinner and a show then you will want to check out this restaurant for their cultural dance performances put on by local artists while you dine. Come with an empty stomach because you will be served many small local dishes before your main course, refillable dal bhat. The food will give you a good sample of some of the favorite dishes of the locals.

Jyatha-29, Thamel, Kathmandu

Utse Hotel

We stopped by Utse Hotel for momo soup, something I was really looking forward to trying since stepping foot in Nepal and I am so happy we did. This is still one of our favorite dishes we tried in Nepal. You can season your soup to taste and enjoy the cozy atmosphere on the rooftop terrace for the perfect lunch spot.

Jyatha Thamel, Kathmandu, Nepal

Oregano

We discovered Oregano restaurant by happen chance when staying at the Hotel Pilgrims our first few nights in Kathmandu. We ordered Indian curries and naan and ended up coming back two more times to eat here again. The restaurant is a part of their hotel and also offers rooftop dining. We recommend trying the Butter Chicken Curry and a pot of their rosemary tea. Their prices are affordable and the quality of the food is great.

Z Street, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Rickshaw Cafe and Juice Bar

This is the best breakfast spot in Thamel! This cafe features a small bakery for anyone on the go or sit down dining with excellent breakfast options. Their portions are large and the quality of food and ingredients were superb. We recommend the eggs Benedict, pancakes, and eggs and bacon plate. Even better is the quiet courtyard giving you a little peace while you eat your breakfast admist the noisy Thamel area!

JP Road, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Thamel Doner Kebab

We are always game for a good doner kebab no matter where we are! We stumbled upon this small stand one of our first nights in Kathmandu and finally got around to trying one of these tasty, large, inexpensive kebabs! The friendly owner takes much care to make you the perfect kebab loaded with vegetables, hummus, cheese, and other toppings. The best part is each of these giant kebabs is around $2.

Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Black Olives Cafe

We highly recommend coming to the Black Olives cafe for breakfast. They have about a dozen great dishes to try on their breakfast menu and we ended up coming back here almost daily for breakfast ticking off one breakfast item a day. My favorite was the shakshuka and scrambled omelet dishes. The location is central in Thamel and offers surprisingly quiet seating in a cute courtyard. We tried to eat here for dinner and the food just wasn’t the same, but they’ve got breakfast on lockdown.

Chaksibari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal

Where to Stay in Kathmandu

Accommodation in Nepal is surprisingly expensive compared to neighboring countries. Keep this in mind when budgeting for a place to stay and expect to pay more to get a hot shower and decent wifi.

Apsara Boutique Hotel

This was our favorite accommodation in Thamel thanks to the western bathrooms with a hot shower and comfortable, spacious rooms. We had issues with the wifi here, but the rooms were great. You can expect to pay around $60 per night here.

Click here to check out rates or click here to book now

Hotel Pilgrims

Hotel Pilgrims is a budget option with private rooms at around $30 per night. This is about the average you’ll pay in the Thamel area for a budget hotel with a central location. We recommend staying in a room on the side of the elevator for the best wifi connection.

Click here to check out rates or click here to book now

Festoon Hotel

If you’re on a tighter budget and don’t mind basic accommodation then Festoon Hotel is your best option. We felt like the rooms at the Festoon were great quality given the price and compared to all the different hotels we stayed at during our time in Nepal. Rooms are around $15 a night or less depending on your needs and in our opinion the greatest value.

Click here to check out rates or click here to book now

Check the map below for more places to stay in Kathmandu



Booking.com

More Tips for What to Do in Kathmandu

Getting Around Kathmandu

The transportation in Kathmandu can be a frustrating experience, especially if you’re not patient and do not have good negotiating skills. Be prepared to negotiate a price for any ride whether it’s a rickshaw tour or a simple taxi ride. Drivers will try to price gouge the tourists and ask a hefty fee. Always sort your price out before getting in the vehicle.

Costs in Kathmandu

We found Nepal to be a bit pricey in comparison to other neighboring countries. When coming we were expecting to pay prices similar to India. Instead we were shocked at the prices for accommodation, transportation, and even food. Be sure to budget in an extra cushion in case you end up spending more than planned. We found the food to be generally inexpensive as long as you eat locally.

General Safety

We both felt safe walking through Kathmandu, even when I walked alone without Scott. After seeing the new Doctor Strange where he gets robbed almost immediately in Kathmandu I wondered if this is even a problem here. We discovered it was not, just some extra Hollywood drama. People will ask you to buy weed on the streets but a simple no and they will leave you alone.

Tour Companies in Nepal

poon hill trek guides

Our awesome guides Shyam and Rajan

You will see that there are hundreds if not thousands of different tour companies in the area. It’s hard to find a trustworthy company to plan a trek, cooking course, or sightseeing adventure when there’s so many to choose from.

Our Pick

We did all of our tours with Kathmandu Adventures. We were very pleased with not only with their selection of tours but their flexibility and willing to make a custom tour for us.

Our friend introduced us to them. We love that Kathmandu Adventures gives a portion of its profits to various charities and social enterprises helping the local communities.

They currently have over 50 tours to choose from and are willing to help you design a custom tour for your specific needs.

For trekking, request Shyam and Rajan! We did the Poon Hill Trek near Pokhara and the Kathmandu Valley Rim trek, and they were awesome! We ended up with Shyam everyday on our treks!

Book your tour with Kathmandu Adventures through us and receive 30% discount using the promo code BOBOANDCHICHI30.

Have any other questions about what to do in Kathmandu? Feel free to leave a comment below! 

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Complete guide what to do in Kathmandu