When is the best time to visit Kathmandu? 20 Best Places to Visit in and Around Kathmandu - Tusk Travel The Kopan Monastery (Kopan Gomba) is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery situated on a nearby hilltop in Kathmandu Valley, approximately 6 km northeast of the city center, or a 20-minute taxi or motorbike ride from Thamel (nearby Boudhanath). This 9-story building comes from the 18th century, and it will immediately catch your attention. Here, you can enjoy amazing views of the city and it's possible to find a secluded area away from the crowds (and cheeky monkeys). Still, fortunately, the building was restored, and nowadays, visitors can admire the exterior and the interior. Its like scoring karma points for ordering a beer. This includes Mount Everest, Lhotse, and Makalu, as well as many entry-level trekking peaks like Island Peak or Mera Peak. Discover the best places to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal, including Thamel, Durbar Square, Garden of Dreams, Swayambhunath Stupa, Kathesimbu Stupa, and much more. Taleju Temple is built in a pagoda style, featuring a three-tiered roof adorned with tall, golden spires and statues. You can pay whatever youre able and learn how to make momos from scratch including veggie momos, meat momos, and CHOCOLATE MOMOS, which are as delicious as they sound plus a traditional peanut tomato mint and plum based sauce. Also, their tours are fantastic! It is a crossroads of travellers, tourists and trekkers, from every nationality and walk of life. If you enjoyed your time in the Garden of Dreams, then you'll have a blast in Royal Botanical Gardens. After its opening in 1979, the bar quickly became a meeting point for climbers and trekkers before they started their expeditions. Best Place to Visit in Kathmandu Valley 2021 - Mindful Travel Experiences This courtyard in the Hanuman Dhoka palace is currently off-limits for post-earthquake reconstruction but should reopen eventually. I also definitely recommend having a look inside the Guru Lakhang Monastery at the square for a unique view of a Tibetan Monastery, perhaps a chat with a monk or a listening to monks chanting along with a deafening (but majestic) meditative sound concert! Usually, the goddess is anywhere between 3 years old and puberty she loses her goddess-status as soon as she gets her period. Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld. This is a result of heavy, congested traffic. The busiest part of the market is close to the Indra Chowk area. This temple was founded in the 10th century and is easily recognizable for its golden roof. 50 Places to Visit in Kathmandu Tourist Places in Kathmandu Swayambhunath Stupa, Pashupatinath Temple, Monkey Temple, Boudha Stupa, Basantapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Garden of Dreams, Hanuman Dhoka Durbar, Narayanhiti Palace Museum and many more. Thank you for the clarification! Our content may not be reproduced without our written permission. Its a Buddhist temple with loads of Hindu iconography incorporated in it and serves a symbol of peace and harmony. The Boudhanath Stupa is a sacred place and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Activities in nepal Best Places For Couples In Kathmandu- Dating places in Kathmandu By Shobita Neupane / 4 Mar 2019 Want so know some dating spot in Kathmandu? The dominant colors on the map are red and yellow. And its affordable, too! Close to Swayambhunath Stupa and also entirely overshadowed by its more famous neighbor is White Monastery, known as Amitabha Monastery. It feels like an authentic architectural trip back in time, minus the toilets, electricity, and wifi, of course. Kathmandu is foodie heaven. If you prefer a guided tour, there are many professional tour guides at the ticket counter that will happily offer you a 1-hour tour for about 800 Nepalese Rupees (about 7 USD). While you're still here on my blog, make sure to check out some of my other guides to Nepal. Read my guide to Kathmandu's best hotels, or take a pick from the three best accommodation options below that offer this service. Places to Visit in Kathmandu Popular things to do Day Trips Bus Tours Sacred & Religious Sites Cultural Tours Hiking Tours Points of Interest & Landmarks Private Sightseeing Tours Private Day Trips Architectural Buildings Half-day Tours Full-day Tours Art Galleries City Tours Photography Tours Sports Camps & Clinics Historical Tours Extreme Sports THE 10 BEST Kathmandu Parks & Nature Attractions Nature & Parks in Kathmandu Enter dates Filters 1 Attractions Traveler favorites All things to do Category types Attractions Tours Day Trips Outdoor Activities Concerts & Shows Food & Drink Classes & Workshops Shopping Transportation Traveler Resources Types of Attractions Boat Tours & Water Sports and then immediately filled with FOMO, because I didnt get a chance to do everything she included in this post and Im super bummed about it. Im absolutely sold, and I hope that after your visit, you will be too! Travelers can visit the rooftop even if they're not staying at the hostel, so it's worth stopping by for some sundowners. Another of Kathmandu's seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the Hanuman Dhoka, also called the Kathmandu Durbar Square is a historic palace square dating back to the 4th Century AD. However, as Kathmandu is the first base for exploring Nepal and the mighty Himalayas, I've also included some amazing things to do in the region on day trips or multi-day excursions from the city. Located just south of Kathmandu proper, Patan is well worth a visit during your time in Kathmandu. The 12 BEST Places to Visit in Kathmandu, Nepal [2023] - NOMADasaurus The huge mask, North of the Jagannath Temple is the figure of Kala (Black) Bhairab. This is the same private tour that I went on and visits many top sites including: Below is a useful infographic map to help you find the location of the attractions and things to do in Kathmandu listed in this blog. The above 15 Kathmandu attractions are all must-see tourist spots that are easily accessible from your accommodation in Kathmandu. One thing that I always notice when traveling to Kathmandu is the acceptance and celebration of all religions. The site is famous for the rituals that go many centuries back, which is quite fascinating. Kathmandu is the chaotic capital of Nepal, the gateway to Everest and the Himalayas. Some important attractions and monuments of the Swayambhunath area. Most taxis will keep their windows rolled down rather than run expensive A/C, so youll likely want to have your mask on at all times except when youre indoors. As such, the square, From the entrance gate of the Hanuman Dhoka palace you immediately enter its most famous chowk. A useful travel guide unveiling the top places to visit in Kathmandu, Nepal. In short: I loved every minute of it and I definitely recommend going! Tips: Better go for one night stay rather than a one-day date, Plan for weekdays. I had never seen Buddhist temple architecture like this before. But, Nepal's people are working hard to restore streets and houses, and Kathmandu certainly has its appeal for first-time travelers. Sundarijal Despite these losses, this still is an incredibly majestic place that will leave a lasting impression. If you're short on time and want to know the best Durbar Square to visit in Kathmandu, I'd recommend the Bhaktapur Durbar Square as the best. If youre traveling across town, your best bet is to take a taxi or riksja (bicycle taxi) to your primary destination and explore by foot once you are there. Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance. Take a stroll around the squares, sit down, read about the places and take everything in. 8. Kathmandu Durbar Square. Kathmandu valley has three cities, kathmandu (center), Bhaktapur (eastern side), Lalitpur (Patan: to the south). 6. Locals and historians believe that Kathmandu is a shortened form of the word Kasthamandap from the Sanskrit words "Kastha", meaning wood, and "Mandap", which translates to temple. If you are a daredevil and/or need to save some Rupees, you can order a cheap ride via the motorbike sharing-app Tootle. Even during the monsoons, the downpour is not continuous, hence, you can take a walk around durbar squares, stupas, and temples. On top of it being one of the pricier places to visit in Kathmandu ($2000 rupees), several other tourists had ranked low on the best places to visit in Kathmandu. #1 - Durbar Square - A great place to see in Kathmandu if you love architecture This area was hit hard by the earthquakes of 2015, so expect ongoing renovations. When I was there, I was told you need to stroll clockwise! Swayambhunath Stupa (Kathmandu Monkey Temple), 10. The center of Kathmandu often feels like a maze that is packed with top sights and attraction, that it is often easy to overlook hidden gems even though they are in the very heart of the city. Nepal has named the park after Shivapuri Peak, the tallest point in the area. We discovered this peaceful gem in otherwise busy Kathmandu on our way to Durbar Square. Luckily for my specific tastes, Swayambhunath offered precisely that. Nepal is a spiritual country, so do not feel shy and circumnavigate the stupa the same way locals do. Yup, youre reading that right. Below are the three best options for all budgets. Chaotic streets. The garden can be busier during the weekend, but weekdays are usually very pleasant. 30 BEST Places to Visit in Kathmandu - Tripadvisor The entire Durbar square actually consists of three connected squares with a mixture of royal palaces known as Hanuman Dhoka as well as Hindu and Buddhist temples constructed centuries ago. First: How to Visit the Top Attractions in Kathmandu, 1. The closest I got to feeling the direct impact of that energy was at Boudhanath, also called the Boudha Stupa. Places to Visit in Kathmandu - Thrillophilia Budhanilkantha Temple is an open-air temple in the Kathmandu Valley, only a short ride from Kathmandu itself. All rights reserved. Thamel is also the perfect place to find top restaurants and bars. But hey, you do you temples, you do you. This 2000-year-old city covers an area of around 49 square kilometers (19 square miles). If you want to visit all three Durbar Squares and save time, check out this well-rated tour Durbar Squares Tour that includes transport, guide, and entrance fees. The main street, Thamel Marg, runs through the neighborhood center, branching off to many bustling side streets. These are the largest, oldest and absolutely most impressive parts of the Royal Palace, dating back to 1662 and 1664. If you prefer to explore on your own, this self-guided tour is fairly comprehensive! Read our Privacy Policy. Travelers visiting Kathmandu can witness Hindu cremation ceremonies, where bodies are burnt in public view. That pattern got disrupted when I came to Kathmandu. (Just be aware, it has no toilet.). The best views and temperature! Chandragiri Hills. Swayambhunath Temple. In that case, I absolutely recommend a stay at Rokpa Guesthouse. The oldest part of the temple dates back to the 16th century and is one of the most important structures in the Royal Palace that was once the seat of Malla kings and the Shah dynasty. Includes the most iconic temple and religious sites, famous landmarks, attractions, and epic day trips. Although it has seen some damage from the earthquakes, Bhaktapur still has many well-preserved medieval Newari buildings, ancient temples, shrines, and amazing palaces that reflect the rich cultural heritage of the Newar community in Kathmandu. This detailed travel guide includes the best places a traveler should visit in Kathmandu - the more time you have, the more spots you'll be able to see. Kathmandu is a city with soul, dotted with an endless number of stupas, temples, local markets, streets are lined with shops of all kinds, same as by eateries and coffee shops. This post contains everything you need to know before coming to Kathmandu and all the spots you absolutely need to discover once you are here. They have bright and clean rooms and a cute garden with a nice restaurant. With its immense purity and outstanding ambience, it spreads fresh vibes making you feel more energetic and zestful. We could be walking around the market and, within a minute, end up photographing a temple that looks like from a different century. Various smells are wafting from food stalls along the road, but this is exactly the vibe we love about Asia. A stupa is the most well-known example of Buddhist architecture in the shape of a dome that contains relics. If you feel adventurous I tried but gave up mostly because of the heat though you can walk from district to district. Nagarkot Sunrise and day hike to Changunarayan from Kathmandu. A tradition emerged and continues to this day among climbers who managed to summit the worlds tallest mountain to come to this place to sign a paper footprint of a yeti, including famous climbers like Sir Edmund Hillary and Junko Tabei (the first women to summit in 1972) and many, many more. Bhaktapur. When I got off the plane at Kathmandus tiny airport, I honestly had no idea what to expect. No visit to Kathmandu would be complete without visiting the incredible UNESCO World Heritage-listed Durbar squares of Kathmandu.. Its basically Uber, but on two wheels. 10 Places To Visit Near Kathmandu For A Great Trip To Nepal Places To Visit In Kathmandu - Holidify The most significant attractions on the top are Buddha, prayer wheels, and many stupas connected by prayer flags. Although I only spent a few days in Kathmandu, Yana who I traveled with for a week along with a group of travel agents and other writers spent extra time in the city exploring its every dusty nook and tucked-away alley. Yes, you need to check the Nepal Immigration website for updated information for your visa. Except for admiring nicely decorated buildings and wandering around the garden, it is also a place to study Buddhism. No need to put on hiking shoes and shed blood sweat and tears to marvel at these impressive giants. Hence, I would refer Kathmandu city as a yer round destination. Looking for a place to stay in Thamel? It will be quiet and peaceful as there will only be local people and monks doing their prayers, so youll get to experience the real thing.