The 13 Best Things to Do in Patan, Nepal

Are you looking for the best things to do in Patan, Nepal?

You’ve come to the right place as I have been visiting Nepal since 2015 and Patan is the place to be!

Patan is located in the Lalitpur district, south of Kathmandu. Patan is about 6 km from central Kathmandu and takes 15 minutes to get there by taxi.

Patan has a rich history of culture, art and architecture and is most famous for its Durbar Square. Apart from the temples, Patan has many nice restaurants and bars.

Patan is also where many of the INGOs and embassies are located, so there is a big expat community here. If you want to escape the touristy Thamel, Patan is a great place to visit.

How to Get from Kathmandu to Patan, Lalitpur

Kathmandu to Patan Minivan

There are frequent buses and minivans going from Ratna Park to Patan. Most of the minivans are going towards Jawalakhel and you should get off at Labim Mall.

Once you are at Labim Mall, it takes 10 minutes to walk to Patan Durbar Square. The bus/minivan from Ratna Park (Kathmandu) to Patan costs Rs. 25.

Kathmandu to Patan Taxi

There are many taxis you can hail or book through a Nepali taxi app.

The taxi costs around Rs. 500 from central Kathmandu to Patan and takes about 10 minutes to get there.

🚕 Need more information? Check out my guide on how to get from Kathmandu to Patan!

The Best Things to Do in Patan, Nepal

1. Explore the Patan Durbar Square

• Entry fee: Rs. 1,000 (including the entry to the Patan Museum)

The Patan Durbar Square is the centre of Patan and it is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley. It houses the formal royal palace complex and a number of temples. The temples were built in dedication to gods and in honour of deceased family members.

Best time to visit: early morning. The earlier you go, the less people will be at the Patan Durbar Square. If you go as early as 7 am, you can see the temples in the morning quiet.

If you stay in an accommodation in Patan, make sure to wake up early and wander around before all the tourists arrive.

The Patan Museum only opens after 9 am, so if you come to check the Patan Durbar Square before opening times, you should come back a bit later to see the museum.

Patan Museum

The Patan Museum is located within the Patan Durbar Square.

The museums’s exhibition covers a long span of Nepal’s history, culture and religion. It has 3 main exhibition areas as well as a cafe and garden.

The Patan Museum’s collection includes 1,500 artifacts, including sculptures of Buddhist and Hindu deities. The museum suffered damage during the 2015 earthquakes, however, it has since been restored.

What I really liked about the museum is that if you go up to the top floor of the exhibition, there is a really good view of the Durbar Square.

2. Discover Secret Temples and Stupas

Apart from the Patan Durbar Square, there some other temples and stupas in Patan that are worth checking out.

Most of the temples are hidden away among private houses so you will have to follow a map to make sure to locate the following sites. 

Golden Temple

The Golden Temple is regarded as one of the most beautiful temples in the Kathmandu Valley.

Background of the Golden Temple: It was built by King Bhaskar Verma in the 12th century. It is believed that he was inspired to build a temple in this location as here he saw a golden rat chasing a black cat. To honour this, it is said that the temple has since kept a legacy of feeding rats.

Mahaboudha Temple

The Mahaboudha Temple is famous for its thousands of engraved images of Lord Buddha and is also known as the “temple of thousands of Buddhas”. It was built in 1585. 

The temple is hidden away among private houses and you have to pass through a small alleyway to be able to spot the temple. You will be surprised that such a beautiful temple got so hidden away in Patan!

Ashoka Stupa

There are 4 Ashoka stupas located at the North, East, South and West points of Patan.

Their name comes from Emperor Ashoka who have built these stupas on a pilgrimage to Kathmandu Valley in 3rd century BC. These stupas are said to be the oldest formations in Patan.

Kumbeshwar Temple

The Kumbeshwar Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and was built by King Malla in 1392.

It is five stories high, which is interestingly one of only two temples which is this high in the Kathmandu Valley. (The other temple with five stories is the Nyatapola Temple in Bhaktapur).

Uku Bahal

Uku Bahal is one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in Patan. It has gilded pinnacles on the roof, and chaityas (Buddhist shrines) in the courtyard.

3. Hang Out at Pimbahal Pond

The Pimbahal Pond is a short walk from the Patan Durbar Square. It is such a cool little pond.

It is surrounded by lots of cafes and restaurants overlooking the pond and it is a nice place to chill a bit.

4. Try Newari Food

Patan has some famous restaurants when it comes to Newari food. They are some of the oldest restaurants in Patan and serve typical Newari food such as bara (lentil pancake), choila (spicy buff/chicken) and samay baji (Newari version of the Nepali thali set).

Newari food is usually tend to be a bit more spicy so it is good to be careful if it is your first time eating Newari food.

🍽️ Want to try Newari dishes in Bhaktapur instead? Check out the best restaurants in Bhaktapur!

Honacha Restaurant

Honacha is one of the oldest restaurants in Patan. It is within the Patan Durbar Square but it is off a side street where you can still enter without having to get a ticket to the Durbar Square. It is most popular for bara (lentil pancake).

Nandini Newari Food Court

The Nandini Newari Food Court is located near the Patan Durbar Square, it is a great place to try Newari food.

The best Newari dishes to try here are yomari (sweet, dessert like dumpling), choila (marinated, spicy meat) and samay baji. You can also try homemade Nepali alcohol (‘Raksi’ in Nepali) here.

5. Visit Museum and Art Exhibitions

Gallery McCube

• Entry: free
• Opening times: Monday – Sunday: 10 am – 7 pm

The Gallery McCube is a contemporary art gallery showcasing Nepali artists. The gallery and exhibition area itself is quite small but it also has a cafe where it is nice to chill and hang out with friends.

Purna Museum of Newa Art

• Opening times: Tuesday – Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00 PM, Mondays: closed

The Purna Museum of Newa Art was opened recently in 2023 and it is the only museum entirely dedicated to Newari art.

The museum exhibits a collection of Newari art, including sculptures, paintings and other artifacts. The collection on display is privately owned from art collectors, who had been collecting Newa art for the past 40 years. If you would like to immense yourself and learn about Newari art, this is the place.

R. N. Joshi Museum/Park Gallery

• Opening hours: Monday – Friday: 11:00 am – 17:00 pm, Saturday – Sunday: closed 

The R. N. Joshi Museum is a contemporary art gallery opened in 1970. The museum houses paintings by R. N. Joshi, who was a contemporary Nepali artist.

In addition, the museum also showcases works by his contemporaries – providing a glimpse into the expansion of modern art in Nepal.

🖼️ Want to explore more museums exhibitions? Check out the best museums in Kathmandu here!

6. Visit the Local Market at Mangal Bazaar

Mangal Bazaar is located on the street opposite the main entrance of the Patan Durbar Square. It is a local market full of shops selling clothes, jewellery and household goods.

If you are ready to bargain and want to stock up on some cheap items, or just observe daily life at the market, make sure to check out Mangal Bazaar in Patan.

7. Go for Brunch at the Yellow House Sunday Market

The Sunday Market at the Yellow House takes place every Sunday morning. It is located in Jhamsikhel, which is about 10 minutes’ walk from Patan.

It usually runs from 9 am to 1 pm and you can buy some freshly baked bread, cheese, fruits and veggies. It is also a great place to have brunch and relax in the outside sitting area.

8. Go for a Painting Session at the House of Palettes

Price: Rs. 1,500 for 3 hour session

The House of Palettes is also located in Jhamsikhel, not far from the Patan Durbar Square.

The best part of painting at the House of Palettes is that you can select a photo of your own and the teacher will help you how to paint it. The teacher will guide you and you will end up with a pro painting even if you have no painting skills.

9. Watch a Band Play at Moksh

Moksh in Jhamsikhel has great ambience and a big outside sitting area. You can come here to try some delicious food, have some drinks and watch a band play.

There is usually live music every Friday night and sometimes they also host some smaller music festivals and events.

10. Visit the Central Zoo

Entry fee: Rs. 1,000

The Central Zoo is located in Jawalakhel, which is also about 10 minutes’ walk from Patan. It was established in 1932 and it is the only zoo in Nepal. 

Visiting the central zoo can be a great activity especially if you are visiting Kathmandu with kids. You will find a wide range of animals here, including tigers, rhinos, hippos and crocodiles.

🐅 Prefer to see wildlife in their natural habitat? Check out the 3 best places to see wildlife in Nepal!

11. Watch a Movie or Go Shopping at Labim Mall

Labim Mall in Patan is probably the most modern, western-like shopping mall in Kathmandu. Although it has many shops, there are not that many options for clothes.

If you stay long-term in Nepal and want to find brands like H&M, you will have to go to India to shop.

They usually have a market on the ground floor, selling Nepali handmade products. It can be a great place to browse for some gifts back home that are different to what they sell in Thamel.

If you feel like going to the cinema, QFX cinema also has a branch on the top floor of Labim Mall.

12. Take a Cooking Class

Would you like to learn how to make the popular Nepali momos or dal bhat? Don’t miss you chance and sign up for a cooking class in Patan!

I took a cooking class in Patan through the AirBnb experience. I really enjoyed the cooking class, especially learning the techniques you need to make the momos.

The best part? At the end of the class you will receive the recipes and you also get to eat the food you’ve cooked!

13. Go on a Day Trip to the Godawari Botanical Garden

If you are staying in Patan for a couple of days, visiting the Godawari Botanical Garden can be a great day out to escape the noise of the city.

Godawari is about 30 minutes’ drive from Patan and you can check out the Botanical Garden in about 2 hours.

It is a peaceful environment, with little creeks running between the trees and flowers. It is a great getaway to Godawari and to breathe in some clean, fresh air.

Restaurants in Lalitpur

Restaurants in Jhamsikhel

Jhamsikhel is only a few minutes walk away from Patan and the area is full of great restaurants. If you make it to Jhamsikhel, check out Moksh, The Yellow House, or Base Camp.

Restaurants in Patan

Binu’s Laphing Center

Binu’s Laphing Center is located just by the Pimbahal Pond, it even has balconies overlooking the pond. It is most famous for its keema noodles and laphing. You can also get half portions if you want to try many different dishes. 

Dip in Donuts

• Best for: desserts

Although the Dip in Donuts is not a restaurant, they sell delicious donuts. It is located by the Pimbahal Pond and it is a great place to hang out at while having donuts.

Pimbahal Fresh Potato Chips Corner

• Best for: snacks

There are many places where you can buy potato chips in Patan and one of the best is the Pimbahal Fresh Potato Chips Corner.

If you like snacking, check out this place as they have different flavours (cheese, tomato, salty and many more).

You can even try the different flavours before purchase to make sure you like the flavour. The price is also very affordable, with the price of small packs start from Rs. 50.

Where to Stay in Patan, Lalitpur

Most people come to Patan for a day trip from Kathmandu but it is great place to spend a couple of days. If you decide to stay longer in Patan, here is my top recommendation on where to stay in Patan:

📍Best Hotel in Patan: Pahan Chhen

FAQs: Best Things to Do in Patan, Nepal

What is Patan famous for?

Patan in Nepal is famous for the Patan Durbar Square which is one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley.

Apart from the Patan Durbar Square, there are many other temples and stupas around Patan that make Patan a great day trip from Kathmandu.

What are the best places to visit in Patan, Nepal?

The best places to visit in Patan are the Patan Durbar Square, Patan Museum, Mahaboudha Temple, Golden Temple, Ashoka Stupa, Kumbeshwar Temple, Pimbahal Pond, Mangal Bazaar and checking out museum exhibitions.

Is Patan worth visiting?

Yes, Patan in Lalitpur, Nepal is definitely worth visiting. Patan is a short taxi or bus ride from central Kathmandu and is a great place to explore temples, stupas and hang out at a nice cafe or restaurant.

What food is Patan famous for?

The original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley are the Newari people. Patan has well-preserved Newari architecture (wood carved windows and red brick houses) and you can also find some very good Newari restaurants in Patan.

Some of the must try Newari dishes include bara at the Honacha Restaurant and yomari at the Nandini Newari Food Court in Patan, Lalitpur, Nepal.

What are some unique things to do in Patan, Lalitpur?

Patan is most famous for the Patan Durbar Square, so if you have already check it out, there are a couple of unique things you can do in Patan.

Some of the unique things to do in Patan include exploring some of the secret temples (Mahaboudha Temple, Golden Temple, Ashoka Stupa, Kumbeshwar Temple), going for a painting workshop at the House of Palettes, taking a cooking class, visiting museum exhibitions or just simply chilling at one of the great restaurants in Jhamsikhel.

Conclusion

Patan is located in the Lalitpur district, south of Kathmandu. Patan is only about 6 km from central Kathmandu and takes 15 minutes to get there by taxi.

Patan has a rich history of culture, art and architecture and is most famous for its Durbar Square. Apart from the temples, Patan has many nice restaurants and bars.

Patan is also where many of the INGOs and embassies are located, so there is a big expat community here. If you want to escape the touristy Thamel, Patan is a great place to visit.