15 Best Things to Do in Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, is a special place. Although it can be busy and chaotic at times, it is also home to numerous temples and stupas. Kathmandu is situated in a valley, surrounded by hills and if the weather is clear, you will get a beautiful views of the Himalayas. Although most people only spend a few days in Kathmandu before and after going on a trek, the city has so much to offer. Check out here the best things to do in Kathmandu.
Visit the Kathmandu Durbar Square
Entry fee: Rs. 1,000
The Kathmandu Durbar Square is a must visit if you are in Kathmandu. It is one of the seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley, with the temples built with beautifully carved wooden windows. Durbar means ‘royal palace’, and although the construction of the square began in the 3rd century, most of the temples were built during the 16th century. The temples were heavily damaged by the earthquake in 2015, however, the reconstruction has been since mostly completed.
How to get to the Kathmandu Durbar Square:
- By walk: if you are staying in Thamel, it is only about 5-10 minutes’ walk away.
- By taxi: book a taxi through the Pathao taxi app for the best taxi prices.
See the Kathmandu Valley from the Swoyambhu Stupa/Monkey Temple
Entry fee: Rs. 200
The Swoyambhu Stupa is a short walk away from Thamel, situated on a small hill. As the temple is on the top of a hill, you will have to climb some stairs to get to the top. From there, you will get to stroll around the temple and get a nice view of the valley.
Popularly, it is also referred to as the Monkey Temple as there are many monkeys around. Be careful of the monkeys as they can come up to you and grab things/food off you. I like the Monkey Temple especially during sunsets as you get great views of Kathmandu.
How to get to the Monkey Temple/Swoyambhu Stupa:
- By walk: The Monkey Temple is a 30-minute walk from Thamel.
- By taxi: The taxi from Thamel should be around Rs. 350 if you use ridesharing apps like Pathao or InDrive.
Stroll Around the Boudhanath Stupa
Entry fee: Rs. 200
Take a stroll around the Boudha Stupa and watch the sunset from one of the rooftop restaurants. One of my favourite is La Casita, which is famous for its Spanish food. The view is amazing, and you can still get in the restaurant from the side street without even having to pay for the stupa entry fee.
How to get to the Boudha Stupa:
- By bus: Take a minivan from Jamal Road (close to Thamel) or take a bus from the Ring Road and ask for ‘Boudha’. The bus ticket is Rs. 25.
- By taxi: book a taxi through Pathao taxi app for the best prices.
See the Open Air Cremations and Aarti at Pashupatinath Temple
Entry fee: Rs. 1,000
Opening hours: 4 am – 9 pm
The Pashupatinath Temple is the largest temple complex in Nepal built in the 5th century. One of the most sacred Hindu temples in Nepal, the temple complex includes smaller shrines and temples, constructed in Nepalese pagoda style. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva. The Pashupatinath Temple is situated on the bank of the Bagmati River and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu.
It is the biggest open air burial site in Nepal and is known for its open air cremations. The cremations are performed daily on the bank of the Bagmati River. After the burial, the ashes are spread into the Bagmati River, which goes to join the River Ganga. In the Hindu religion, the Ganga is a holy river that washes away the sins. Thus, it explains the meaning behind the ceremony of dispersing the ashes into the Bagmati River.
In the evenings, 3 sadhus perform a special workshop ceremony, the Aarti at Pasupatinath Temple. It usually starts around 6-6:30 pm and if you would like to see it, make sure to find a seat around 5 pm before it gets too crowded.
The temple complex is across a large area and I could easily spend about 2 hours there. It can get hot during the day so it is best to go in the morning or after 3 pm. Take at least 1 litre water with you, although there are a lot of vendors selling water within the complex.
How to get to the Pashupatinath Temple:
- By bus: Take a van/bus from Jamal to Gaushala and walk from there.
- By taxi: Taxi from Thamel to Pashupatinath Temple cost around Rs. 400-500.
Go on a Day Trip to Bhaktapur
Entry fee to the Bhaktapur Durbar Square: Rs. 1,800
Bhaktapur is a Newari settlement located 13 km east of Kathmandu. It is famous for its architecture, art and culture. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and in addition you will find many temples and museums in the city. There are so many things to do in Bhaktapur and I find it is easy to spend at least 2-3 days there. As Bhaktapur is very close to Kathmandu, a day trip is also a great option to see the city if you are short on time.
Visit Patan
Entry fee to the Patan Durbar Square: Rs. 1,000 (including the entry to the Patan Museum)
Patan is located south of Kathmandu, approximately 15 minutes taxi ride away from Kathmandu. The Patan Durbar Square is also a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and the area is full of temples and stupas.
I love walking around the streets of Patan and take in the everyday life among the temples. Apart from the temples, Patan has a very relaxed atmosphere with many little cafes and restaurants to chill at. Patan is also where most of the INGOs and embassies are located, so you will find that Patan is the area where most expats live. Planning to spend the day in Patan? Check out the best things to do in Patan.
Relax in the Garden of Dreams
Entry fee: Rs. 400
Location: Thamel
The Garden of Dreams is the perfect little oasis to get away from the crowded streets of Kathmandu. It is a popular spot to hang out with friends or enjoy the quietness while reading a book. Although it can get crowded when the weather is good, it is still a nice hideout place. It is more quiet when the weather is rainy, however, there are some sitting areas that are covered in case of rain, which makes it perfect to enjoy the garden with only a few people around.
See a Museum Exhibition in Kathmandu
Although Kathmandu is mostly known for its temples and stupas, the city also has a number of museums. After you have checked out the World Heritage Sites in Kathmandu and you still have time to discover the best museums in Kathmandu, it will help you to better understand the history and culture of Nepal.
Embrace the Peace and Quiet at the Kopan Monastery
Entry fee: Free. If you just want to visit the Kopan Monastery and walk around the garden, the entry is free and visiting hours are between 9 am – 5 pm.
You can visit Kopan Monastery as a day visit, book a stay at the monastery, or join a course/retreat on meditation and Buddhism between 5 days to 3 months. The monastery has a peaceful garden you can walk around and escape the busy streets of Kathmandu.
How to get to the Kopan Monastery:
- By bus: Take the bus from Ratna Park to Kopan. Once the bus drops you, you will have to walk about 10 minutes to reach the monastery.
- By walk: if you are staying in Boudha, there is an option also to walk to Kopan. The walk takes about 35 minutes from Boudha to Kopan.
- By taxi: use the Pathao app for best taxi prices.
Where to eat in Kapan
Bardali Rooftop Restaurant: If you are around the Kopan Monastery during lunch or dinner time (or you just happen to be hungry and ready to eat), you must try momos at the Bardali Rooftop Restaurant. I came across this restaurant when looking for a place to have lunch. I ordered momos which turned out to be one of the best momos I ever had. The momos were soft and the sauce was the best I have ever had (plus it was not spicy). I think I will soon be back in Kapan just for the momos alone.
Take a Nepali Cooking Class
Price: 20 USD
Follow your stomach and sign up for a Nepali cooking class in Kathmandu. There are a couple of places where you can sign up to learn to cook dishes such as dal bhat and momo. I signed up for a cooking class through Airbnb and it was really great. For a long time, I have been wanting to learn how to make momos. I could have tried just following the recipe but I thought I could learn some tips and tricks if I took an actual class.
My cooking teacher was so patient and told me interesting stories related to food and culture. During the class, I learned to make three different shapes of momos and at the end, I felt so proud I was able to make them. I definitely recommend to go for a cooking class in Kathmandu.
Take a Vipassana Meditation Course
Price: Free, including accommodation and food
The Vipassana meditation technique is said to have originated with Gautam Buddha 2,500 years ago. It first spread around northern India, then around Asia. The pure form of the Vipassana meditation technique was only preserved in Myanmar. The Dhamma Vipassana Centres around the world are based on the pure form of the Vipassana technique and were helped set up by a notable teacher S.N. Goenka.
There are a number of Vipassana Centres in Nepal where you can complete a course. Usually, if it is your first time, you will have to complete a 10-day course. During the course you will not be allowed to speak, and will have to deposit your phone and cease all communication with the outside world. After hearing a lot about the meditation technique, I decided to sign up for a 10-day course in the Vipassana Centre in Budhanilkantha, Kathmandu.
See a Theatre Play
The Mandala Theatre is the perfect place to watch a theatre play in Kathmandu. Although most shows are in Nepali, if you love theatre, it is a great experience to see a play in Nepal. Usually there is one show on at a time and tickets can be booked both online or in person.
Go Swimming
Price: most hotels will charge around Rs. 2,000 for a day ticket for outside guests to use their swimming pool.
Nepal can get very hot and sometimes, there is nothing better than to go for a swim. I also find that swimming is therapeutic for me and even just 30 minutes of swimming helps me to de-stress.
Many of the hotels in Kathmandu have a swimming pool, some on the rooftop that give really great views of the city. I have been going to Aloft Hotel in Thamel for its swimming pool. It has an indoor swimming pool on the top floor of the hotel. I love that it is indoor, so I can swim there whether it rains or shines.
Shopping at a Market and Things to Bus in Kathmandu Nepal
Ason Bazaar
The Ason Bazaar is the oldest market in Kathmandu and is located just between Thamel and the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Although it can get very busy, it is a really special place with little shops and stands selling everything from spices, tea, grains to clothes and souvenirs. The market is full of colours and as you arrive in the market, you can breathe in the smell of spices. It is a must visit to experience a traditional Nepali market.
Thamel
As the tourist hub of Kathmandu, Thamel is full of souvenir shops. There is everything from jewellery, cups, calendars, singing bowls, khukuri knife, cashmere scarves to buddha statues.
New Road Market
It is located next to the Kathmandu Durbar Square and it is the best place to buy electronic gear. The prices are also very cheap compared to Thamel.
Farmers Market at Le Sherpa
- When: Saturdays, 7:30 am – 12:30 pm
- Location: Le Sherpa Restaurant, Lazimpat
Craving some cheese or freshly baked bread? Head to the Farmers Market at Le Sherpa on Saturdays between 7:30 am – 12:30 pm. The market is popular so it’s best not to go too late, as the best products might already be sold out. In the compound of the farmers market, you will also find a cute little coffee shop and other shops selling locally made products that are perfect for gifts back home.
Try Newari Food
Newari people are the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. They have specific dishes, mostly characterised by a variety of spicy meat. If you are in Nepal, you should not miss trying Newari food. There are some great newari restaurants in Bhaktapur, Patan and Kathmandu where you can experiment with different dishes. Some of the most popular newari dishes include bara (newari pancake), yomari (dessert), samay baji (newari thali set), choila (marinated spicy buff meat) and chatamari (Newari pizza).
