Kathmandu is a lively Himalayan valley city framed by mountain views and layered with history, crafts, and courtyards. You experience heritage squares, narrow alleys, and a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
Discover Kathmandu
Discover Kathmandu
Why visit Kathmandu?
What to expect
You find a mix of historic squares, traditional houses, and modern cafés set amid busy streets. Expect a compact city where everyday life, small temples, and local shops sit side by side.
Plan your trip
Use Kathmandu as a base for exploring the wider valley and as a gateway to trekking regions across Nepal. Allow time to adjust to the altitude, wander neighbourhoods, and take day trips to nearby hill towns.
Top sights in Kathmandu
Durbar Square
Walk through Kathmandu Durbar Square to see palace courtyards, carved wooden windows, and lively squares that reveal the citys royal past.
Swayambhu Stupa
Climb the hillside steps to Swayambhu for sweeping views over Kathmandu Valley and a close look at intricate statues and shrines.
Boudhanath Stupa
Circle the vast Boudhanath Stupa along with locals and visitors, browsing nearby craft shops and enjoying the calm atmosphere off the busy main roads.
Patan (Lalitpur) Durbar Square
Take a short trip to Patan Durbar Square to admire traditional architecture, artisan workshops, and quiet courtyards just south of central Kathmandu.
Thamel district
Stroll through Thamel, a compact area of guesthouses, bookshops, cafés, and gear stores that serves as a convenient base for travellers.
Garden of Dreams
Pause at the Garden of Dreams, a restored neo-classical garden near central Kathmandu where you can unwind in shaded corners and open lawns.
Nagarkot viewpoints
Head to nearby Nagarkot for sunrise or sunset viewpoints, where on clear days you can see long stretches of Himalayan peaks on the horizon.
Pashupatinath riverside ghats
Visit the riverside area near Pashupatinath to observe historic architecture and quiet stretches of the Bagmati River from designated viewing areas.
Experience Kathmandus everyday rhythm
Getting around
For most journeys you will use taxis or app-based rides between neighbourhoods, with short walks through narrow streets in older areas. On longer days out, hire a car with driver, and use short walks or rickshaws for the last stretch into historic squares.
Local life & culture
You see everyday life in temple courtyards, small workshops, and busy lanes where families shop and socialise. Each neighbourhood has its own rhythm, from central Thamel to the older quarters around Durbar Square and the craft-focused streets of Patan.
Where to unwind
Escape the city noise in the Garden of Dreams, hilltop viewpoints on the edge of the valley, or quiet rooftop terraces. Early morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable times to enjoy open-air spaces and gentler light over the city.
A taste of Kathmandu
Street food & local specialties
Try momos, hearty soups, and spiced snacks in small eateries around Thamel, Asan, and the lanes near Durbar Square, where simple dining rooms and stalls serve comforting local flavours.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In Thamel, Lazimpat, and Patan you find cafés, rooftops, and small restaurants offering Nepali plates alongside Asian and Western dishes, with modest portions that make it easy to sample several items in one meal.
Signature & scenic dining
Choose a rooftop restaurant near Durbar Square or Boudhanath for views over courtyards and stupas, or head to hillside lodges outside the city for dinners paired with sweeping valley and mountain vistas.
Retail therapy in Kathmandu
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Central malls and shopping centres around New Road and Durbar Marg offer international brands, local labels, and cinemas, giving you a convenient mix of shopping and entertainment.
Markets & local crafts
Browse Asan and Indra Chowk for everyday goods, spices, and textiles, and explore Patan and Boudhanath for handicraft shops selling metalwork, hand-woven items, and artisan souvenirs.
Evening retail scene
In the evening, streets in Thamel and Durbar Marg stay open with lit shopfronts, gear stores, and cafés inviting you to linger. Local taxis and rideshares make these neighbourhoods easy to reach after dark.
Best time to visit Kathmandu
Peak season runs from March to May and September to November, with mild days around 15–25°C (59–77°F) and generally clearer mountain views, ideal for sightseeing and trekking. Shoulder season covers December to February, when cooler temperatures around 4–18°C (39–64°F) bring chilly mornings and evenings but quieter streets. Low season is June to August during the monsoon, with 18–28°C (64–82°F), higher humidity, and frequent showers, though the valley turns lush and green.