Kathmandu is a valley of temples, winding alleys, and mountain horizons, where everyday life unfolds beside ornate courtyards and carved wooden houses. You experience a city that feels intimate yet full of discovery at every turn.
Discover Kathmandu
Discover Kathmandu
Why visit Kathmandu?
What to expect
Expect busy streets lined with tiny shops, heritage squares filled with intricate architecture, and neighbourhoods that merge old and new. The air is alive with colour, crafts, and views of distant peaks when the sky is clear.
Plan your trip
Use Kathmandu as your base for exploring the wider valley, nearby hill towns, and trekking gateways. Plan extra time to wander on foot, then head out to the surrounding countryside for quieter views and fresh air.
Top sights in Kathmandu
Durbar Square
Stroll through Kathmandu Durbar Square to admire palaces, courtyards, and finely carved wooden facades that tell the story of the citys royal past.
Swayambhunath
Climb the hillside steps to Swayambhunath for sweeping views over the city, prayer flags fluttering, and a peaceful escape from the streets below.
Boudhanath Stupa
Walk the circular path around Boudhanath Stupa, watching locals and visitors circle the great white dome under rows of colourful flags.
Patan (Lalitpur) Durbar Square
Cross the river to Patan to see its beautifully preserved Durbar Square, art-filled courtyards, and traditional metal and wood workshops.
Thamel district
Explore Thamel for trekking gear shops, cosy courtyards, rooftop cafes, and a lively atmosphere from day into evening.
Garden of Dreams
Take a break at the Garden of Dreams, a restored neoclassical garden where lawns, pavilions, and fountains provide a quiet retreat.
Bhaktapur day trip
Spend a day in Bhaktapur, a nearby heritage town of brick streets, traditional squares, and artisans working in pottery and wood.
Experience Kathmandus everyday rhythm
Getting around
Move around Kathmandu by taxi or ride-hailing services for flexibility, and walk within central districts like Thamel and Durbar Square to truly feel the streets. For nearby towns such as Patan and Bhaktapur, pre-arranged cars or tourist buses make journeys easier, with short walks for the last stretch.
Local life & culture
You see daily life unfold in temple squares, narrow laneways, and local tea shops where people gather to talk. Craftspeople still work in family-run studios, and each neighbourhood has its own rhythm, from early morning markets to calm evenings in hidden courtyards.
Where to unwind
Unwind in the Garden of Dreams, quiet rooftop terraces, or in hilltop viewpoints on the edge of the valley in the early morning or late afternoon. As the light softens, the city feels calmer, and the surrounding hills and distant mountains are often at their most photogenic.
A taste of Kathmandu
Street food & local specialties
Try momos, noodle soups, and hearty local sets in small eateries and street stalls around Thamel, Asan, and the lanes near Durbar Square, where flavours are bold and portions generous.
Casual & modern dining hubs
Head to Thamel, Jhamsikhel, and Lazimpat for relaxed cafes and contemporary restaurants offering Nepali, Asian, and international dishes, with sharing plates that let you sample a few flavours in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose rooftop restaurants in Thamel, Durbar Marg, or Patan for city views and atmospheric evenings, or book a courtyard venue in a restored heritage building for a memorable meal in a historic setting.
Retail therapy in Kathmandu
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Browse modern malls such as those along Durbar Marg and in the Lazimpat area, where you find international brands, local labels, cinemas, and cafes that double as social spaces.
Markets & local crafts
Explore Asan, Thamel, and Patan for handmade textiles, metalwork, wood carvings, and traditional artworks, browsing small family-run shops and studios along the way.
Evening retail scene
After dark, Thamel and Durbar Marg stay lively with illuminated shopfronts, late-opening boutiques, and roadside stalls, all easy to reach by short taxi rides from most parts of the city.
Best time to visit Kathmandu
Spring (March to May, shoulder season) brings mild, pleasant weather with averages around 18–25 °C (64–77 °F), clear mornings, and blooming trees around the valley. The monsoon and summer period (June to early September, low season) is warmer, typically 20–28 °C (68–82 °F), with higher humidity and regular afternoon showers that can affect visibility and road conditions. Autumn and early winter (late September to February, peak season) are generally dry and clear, with daytime temperatures from about 10–22 °C (50–72 °F) and cooler nights, offering excellent conditions for city sightseeing and trips into the surrounding hills.