10 Free and Cheap Places to Visit in Kathmandu, Nepal
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Looking for the best FREE and CHEAP places to visit in Kathmandu? Here are all the free things you can do and cheap places to visit in Nepal’s capital!
I have been visiting and periodically living in Nepal since 2015 so I’ve had a lot of time to explore various activities in Kathmandu.
Don’t worry, if you are visiting Nepal on budget, there are many low cost hotels, restaurants and activities that you can do! Nepal has everything from budget-friendly to high-end, hotels, restaurants and activities.
While many of the heritage sites and museums have a higher fee for foreigners, there are also some great free and cheap things to do in Kathmandu.
If you have already done sightseeing, trekking and visited the major tourist destinations (Pokhara, Chitwan, Lumbini and Bandipur), then this guide may be a good inspiration for some cheap things to do in Kathmandu.
Here is your ultimate list for cheap (under 1 USD/ Rs. 150) or free things to do in Kathmandu, Nepal!
Cheap Places to Visit in Kathmandu
1. Explore Patan Durbar Square Early Morning
- FREE but only in the early mornings (The ticket counters open around 9 am. Patan Durbar Square Ticket Price is Rs 1,000 after 9 am).
Patan is only about 15 minutes of ride away from central Kathmandu and it is the most famous for the Patan Durbar Square.
The Patan Durbar Square is one of the world heritage sites in Kathmandu and is one of the best things to do in Patan.
💡 Did you know? The ticket price to the Patan Durbar Square is Rs. 1,000 but if you arrive early around 7 am (before the ticket counters open at 9 am), you can enter and walk around freely in the Patan Durbar Square!
The early mornings also have the advantage that there are less people around (and only 1 or 2 tourists), so you can take nice photos and see everyday life at the durbar square.
The only disadvantage of arriving before 9 am, however, is that you will not be able to enter the Patan Museum (located inside the Patan Durbar Square).
Usually, your ticket to the Patan Durbar Square will include the entry to the Patan Museum too – so you will have to decide if you come early before 9 am or come after 9 am and pay for the all the sights.
🏠 Looking for budget-friendly accommodation in Patan? Book Nextdoor Patan now!
2. See the Sunset Over the Kathmandu Valley from Kirtipur
- FREE
Kirtipur is about 15-20 minutes away from central Kathmandu. It is known for its colourful houses in a row on the hill which you will see as you get closer to Kirtipur.
Kirtipur is also known for its Newari architecture and food, so it is a great place to try some Newari food here.
Kirtipur is on a hill so you get nice views of the Kathmandu Valley. You can see the valley from the street or if you find a higher vantage point.
3. Take a Vipassana Meditation Course
- FREE: including food and accommodation
Do you like meditation or would like to learn more about? Check out the courses at the Dhamma Shringa Vipassana Meditation Centre in Budhanilkhanta, Kathmandu.
If it is your first time doing a Vipassana course, you will have to sign up for the full 10-day course. It is 11 days of hard work, starting from 4 am in the morning until 9 pm in the evening.
The course is entirely free, run by volunteers and financed through donations from previous students.
I must say, it won’t feel like a holiday but it is definitely one of a kind experience.
🧘♂️ Do you want to know more about Vipassana in Nepal? Read my experience of a 10-day Vipassana Meditation course here!
4. Visit the Markets in Kathmandu
- FREE: unless you shop!
Asan Market
The Asan Market is only a few minutes walk from Thamel and it is one of the oldest markets in Kathmandu.
It is a local market, selling mainly spices, grains, tea and kitchen items. It is usually very busy and you can see every day life in Kathmandu.
If you want to buy some souvenirs like tea or spices, the Asan Market is a good place to do so.
Farmers’ Markets in Kathmandu
- Le Sherpa Farmers Market: Lazimpat, Saturdays: 7:30 am-12:30 pm
- Yellow House Farmers’ Market: Sanepa, Sundays: 8-11 am
Two of the most popular farmers market in Kathmandu are the ones at Le Sherpa and the Yellow House. These markets are popular among locals as well as expats who live in Kathmandu.
There is a lot of tasty food that you can get here, such as cheese, bread, salami, honey, fruits and vegetables.
They usually also have stands selling handmade Nepali products, so it can also be a nice place to buy souvenirs for friends and family back home.
5. Test Your Knowledge at a Quiz Night at Sal’s Pizza
- FREE: entry to the quiz, although, you’ll most likely buy some pizza and drinks
Sal’s Pizza is about 10 minutes’ walk north of Thamel. They have the quiz nights on every Monday around 7 pm.
It is a fun place to be and you can come here with friends or even on your own. If you come on your own, you will be able to team up with other people.
There is also great pizza here at affordable prices (under Rs. 500). If you want to join the quiz night, check out Sal’s Pizza on Facebook beforehand to make sure the quiz night is on.
6. Visit the Kopan Monastery
- FREE: if you only visit the monastery but a fee is applicable if you want to enroll for a course.
The Kopan Monastery is very quiet and peaceful. It is little bit further out from the busy streets of Kathmandu so you can enjoy a peaceful time here.
They also hold courses on Buddhism at the monastery that you can enroll for a fee (around USD 100 for a week’s course). Courses at the Kopan Monastery include ‘Introduction to Buddhism’, ‘Compassion in Everyday Life’, ‘Emotional Balance’, and ‘Meditation and Mind Training’.
However, if you just want to visit the monastery and walk around the garden, it’s free.
7. Zen Out at a Singing Bowl Session
- Nepal Singing Bowls and Healing Centre: FREE. Everyday: 9:45 am, 4:30 pm
- Nirvana Singing Bowl: DONATION-BASED. Everyday: 10 am, 5 pm
There are many places in Thamel where you can sign up for singing bowl sessions. There are two places in Thamel where you can join for free or for just a small donation.
The one where they accept donations, you can donate at the end as much as it is comfortable for you – there is no pressure to donate at all.
8. Escape to the Ranibari Community Forest
- Ranibari Community Forest Ticket Price: Free before 8 am, Rs. 10 after
- Ranibari Community Forest Opening Times: 5:30 am – 5 pm
- Ranibari Community Forest Location: on google maps here
The Ranibari Community Forest is like an oasis in the chaos of Kathmandu. It is popular for people to come here for a walk or for running/workout in the mornings.
The forest has two loops for walking/running: there is one on the entry level and there is also an upper loop that you can reach by going up on some stairs.
I like that this forest is even though in the middle of the busy streets of Kathmandu, you can find some peace and quiet here.
9. Try Newari Food
Nepali food is mostly famous for momos and dal bhat but the cuisine in Nepal goes much beyond that.
Newari people used to be the original inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley and they have their own unique dishes that are very popular in Nepal.
Newari food is typically very spicy and include a lot of meat but you can also find vegetarian options.
Some of the popular Newari food like bara (lentil pancake), chatamari (Newari pizza) and yomari (sweet dessert) are very affordable and you can get it for under Rs. 150.
Bara, chatamari and yomari are more like a snacks though, so it is not like a full meal.
Yomari
Yomari is a Newari dessert made of rice flour and shaped like a fish. It has been traditionally filled with molasses but recently a new version, filled with condensed milk has also become popular.
The best place to have Yomari is in Patan at the Nandini Newari Food Court. The price of yomari is usually around Rs. 100.
💡 Did you know? There a festival called Yomari Punhi in Nepal that celebrates rice harvest in Nepal and the day is spent eating lots and lots of Yomari!
Bara
Bara is like a lentil pancake and it comes as plain, with minced meat or eggs on top. Price of Bara is usually between Rs. 100-150.
Juju Dhau (King Curd)
- Juju Dhau Price: around Rs. 50 per cup
Juju Dhau (or King Curd) is a famous Newari dessert similar to that of yogurt. You can get it in Kathmandu but the best place to have Juju Dhau is in Bhaktapur.
Bhaktapur is famous for its yogurt and you can find many shops selling it. It usually comes in a small clay pot (Bhaktapur is also famous for pottery) and is priced around Rs. 50 per cup.
10. Visit a Museum Exhibition
Taragaon Museum
- Taragaon Museum Ticket Price: Rs. 100, Rs 50 (Nepali students with ID card)
- Taragaon Museum Opening Times: Every day 10 am – 5:30 pm
- Taragaon Museum Location: Boudha (on google maps here)
The building of the Taragaon Museum is unlike any other building in Nepal. It was initially built as a hostel by an Austrian architect in the early 1970s and was later converted into a museum.
As the building of the museum is very unique, it provides a nice place for taking photos. It is very busy on Saturdays, so it is best to visit it on other days.
The exhibition usually changes every now and then, and includes photos from the 19th and 20th century.
Visiting the exhibitions at the Taragaon Museum is one of the best cheap things to do in Kathmandu for museum enthusiasts and you also get to take some insta worthy photos!
Military Museum
- Military Museum Ticket Price: Rs. 100 (plus Rs. 50 for a ticket for taking photos)
- Military Museum Opening Times: closed on Tuesdays, all other days: 10 am – 3 pm
- Military Museum Location: Chhauni (on google maps here)
If you are interested in the military history of Nepal, the Military Museum is a good place to learn about it. Although some of the information is only available in Nepali, the photos and infographics help you to understand most of it.
The exhibition includes military equipment, old photos and costumes of the Nepali military. There are also some old military equipment (chopper, military plane) in the garden of the museum but they are a bit run-down.
National Museum of Nepal
- National Museum of Nepal Ticket Price: Rs. 150 (foreigners), Rs. 50 (SAARC), Rs. 25 (Nepali), Rs. 10 (Nepali students with ID), + plus camera fees (Rs. 50-100) for taking photos.
- National Museum of Nepal Opening Times: closed on Tuesdays, Mondays: 10:30 am – 2:30 pm, all other days: 10:30 am – 4:30 pm
- National Museum of Nepal Location: Chhauni (on google maps here)
The National Museum of Nepal is pretty big – with exhibitions displayed in 3 buildings within the premises.
The exhibitions include paintings, stone and woodcarvings, a Buddhist art gallery and sections on natural history.
🖼️ Want to see more exhibitions? Check out the best museums in Kathmandu here!
BONUS: Budget-Friendly Accommodation in Kathmandu
Apart from budget-friendly restaurants, if you are looking to save some money, here are two of our top recommendations for hostels in Kathmandu:
BONUS: Affordable Restaurants in Thamel, Kathmandu
Looking for quality, affordable restaurants in Thamel, Kathmandu? Check out these top 3 budget restaurants:
- Newa Momo – best for momo and snacks
- Western Tandoori – best for Indian food (curry, naan, roti)
- Yangling Tibetan Restaurant – best for momo and Tibetan food
🍽️ Check out my full guide on the best affordable restaurants in Thamel, Kathmandu here!
BONUS: Affordable Restaurants in Pokhara
Planning a trip to Pokhara? Pokhara is full of great restaurants serving various cuisines for all budgets.
Here are our top 3 recommendations for the best affordable restaurants in Pokhara:
- Tara’s Restaurant: best for Nepali food + vegetarian options
- Flying Spirit Organic Kitchen: best breakfast and falafel
- Potala Tibetan Restaurant: best Tibetan food and momos
🍽️ Check out my full guide on the best affordable restaurants in Pokhara here!
BONUS: The Best Things to Do in Kathmandu
There are so many great things to do in Kathmandu and if budget is not an issue, don’t miss these:
- Kathmandu Durbar Square
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Day Trip to Bhaktapur
- Garden of Dreams
- Cafes and restaurants in Jhamsikhel
- Nepali cooking class
FAQs: Cheap Places to Visit in Kathmandu
What is the best month to visit Kathmandu?
The best time to visit Kathmandu is in the Autumn (October-November) and Spring (March-April). The weather is the best during these times for travelling and trekking in Nepal.
Sometimes weather patterns can be unpredictable but generally these are the times that are considered the best for visiting Nepal.
Are US Dollars accepted in Kathmandu?
Officially, US Dollars are not accepted in Nepal. The Nepali currency is the Nepali Rupee and all transactions are made in the Nepali Rupee.
Once you arrive in Kathmandu, there are many currency exchange shops where you can exchange money. The current exchange rate is 1 USD = 133 Nepali Rupees.
Is Nepal a cheap place to visit?
Yes, for the majority of tourists, Nepal is a cheap place to visit. There are many budget accommodations and restaurants to choose from that makes Nepal a great place for budget travellers too.
What are some cheap places to visit in Nepal?
Nepal is generally considered cheap for foreign tourists, especially if you come from a country where your salary is in a strong currency.
If you visit big cities in Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara), you can find many activities that fit various budgets. If you visit the countryside and non-touristy villages, you will find that prices are even lower compared to Kathmandu and Pokhara.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Nepal has everything from budget-friendly to high end activities, hotels and restaurants. If you are visiting Nepal on budget, there are many low cost hotels, restaurants and activities that you can choose from.
While many of the heritage sites and museums have a high fee for foreigners, there are also some great free and cheap things to do in Kathmandu.
Kathmandu is considered cheap for most of the foreign visitors and you can find many activities even under USD 1.
