Where to Stay in Kathmandu: Best Areas & Hotels!
Wondering where to stay in Kathmandu?
I’ve got you covered! I have been visiting and periodically living in Nepal since 2015, and by now, Kathmandu feels like home.
Most travellers only stay in Kathmandu for a few days before and after going off on a trek or travel around Nepal. Kathmandu can get a bad reputation for its air quality and busy traffic, but nevertheless, it is a pretty cool place!
Kathmandu is everything at once, it is a busy capital city, but full of history and culture. It is a place where you have to embrace the chaos and enjoy everything it has to offer.
Some of the best places to stay in Kathmandu are Thamel, Patan, Bhaktapur, Lazimpat and Baluwatar. These areas are safe for travellers, and they also have many amenities, such as nice cafes, restaurants, bars and things to do.
Thamel is the best place for first-time visitors, and it is where most travellers stay. Thamel has many restaurants, bars, shops (trekking, souvenirs), and hotels for all budgets. It is the best place to meet other travellers.
There are many hotels in Kathmandu for all budgets. For hotels in Kathmandu, the best luxury hotel is the Dwarika’s Hotel, the best mid-range hotel is Swarga Heritage Hotel, and the best hostel for a cheap place is the Rest Up Hostel.
So, here are the best places and hotels in Kathmandu!
3 Best Hotels in Kathmandu
If you are short on time, here are the 3 best hotels for every budget:
✅ Best Cheap Hostel: Rest Up Hostel: Book here!
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel: Swarga Heritage Hotel: Book here!
✅ Best Luxury Hotel: The Dwarika’s Hotel: Book here!
Where to Stay in Kathmandu: Map
Kathmandu Valley has three districts: Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur.
When looking for a place to stay, the best areas to stay in Kathmandu are Thamel, Lazimpat and Baluwatar. Thamel is the best for first-time visitors and to meet other travellers.
Lazimpat and Baluwatar are a good choice if you are looking for a more relaxed place, or planning to stay in Kathmandu long-term.
Another great option is Patan in the Lalitpur District, south of Kathmandu. The best places in Patan are around the Patan Durbar Square, Jhamsikhel, Kupondole and Sanepa. There are lots of nice cafes and restaurants in the area.
Best Areas to Stay in Kathmandu
THAMEL
- Best for: first-time visitors, nightlife, hotels for all budgets
Thamel is in the center of Kathmandu and it is where most travellers stay.
Thamel is the best place to stay in Kathmandu to meet other travellers, so whether you are travelling solo or in a group, it is a great place to make new friends.
Thamel has many restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. There are many different types of restaurants, serving various cuisine (Nepali, Indian, Italian, Mexican, Thai, Korean, Chinese). You can find budget restaurants as well as high-end, western type restaurants.
As for hotels, you also have many options in Thamel. There are all types of hotels, from budget to luxury hotels.
Overall, Thamel is a great place for restaurants, nightlife, meeting people, and shopping for trekking items. In addition, Thamel is also close to heritage sites, such as the Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swoyambhu Stupa.
Best Hotels in Thamel:
✅ Best High-End Hotel in Thamel: Hotel Barahi: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel in Thamel: Swarga Heritage Hotel: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Budget Hotel in Thamel: Rest Up Hostel: check prices and availability here!
PATAN
- Best for: culture and heritage, restaurants, for travellers planning to stay long-term in Nepal
Patan is located south of Kathmandu but can be reached by taxi in about 15 minutes. Patan is the more upscale part of Kathmandu, with many INGOs and embassies located in the area.
While Thamel is where you find all the travellers, in Patan, you can find the foreigners who live in Nepal. So, while Patan is a famous destination for day trips for travellers, if you want to stay long-term in Nepal, it is where you can make friends with other foreigners who actually live in Nepal.
Patan is mostly known for the Patan Durbar Square and Newari architecture, but there are so many things to do in the area. There are many nice cafes and restaurants, live music, and sometimes even night markets.
Best Hotels in Patan:
✅ Best High-End Hotel in Patan: Pahan Chhen: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel in Patan: Yamba Traditional Home: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Budget Hotel in Patan: Nextdoor Patan: check prices and availability here!
I organize treks in Nepal:
✔️ Everest Base Camp
✔️ Annapurna Base Camp
✔️ Langtang Valley Trek & more!
BHAKTAPUR
- Best for: travellers who you have more time in Nepal and like culture and heritage
Bhaktapur is about 1 hour from Kathmandu and it is famous for its temples, the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Newari architecture.
Most people visit Bhaktapur as a day trip, but if you have more time in Nepal, it is easy to spend 2-3 days in Bhaktapur.
It is possible to explore Bhaktapur in 1 day, but with some extra time, you can do activities such as pottery classes and thangka painting classes.
Bhaktapur is one of the most popular places to visit from Kathmandu, and so it has many hotels and restaurants. The hotels in Bhaktapur range from budget to high-end hotels, so there is an option for everyone.
Best Hotels in Bhaktapur:
✅ Best High-End Hotel in Bhaktapur: Milla Guesthouse: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel in Bhaktapur: Hotel Rupakot and Rooftop Restaurant: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Budget Hotel in Bhaktapur: Hostel Swastik: check prices and availability here!
LAZIMPAT and BALUWATAR
- Best for: families, restaurants
Lazimpat and Baluwatar are two locations located north of Thamel. Lazimpat and Baluwatar are right next to each other and some areas are still in walking distance to Thamel.
Both Lazimpat and Baluwatar are places where many foreigners live, due to the INGOs and embassies in the area.
Lazimpat and Baluwatar are chill places, with many nice restaurants, cafes and shops. It is a good place for families, if you want to enjoy some amenities like farmers market and nice meals, but don’t necessarily need all night long parties.
✅ Best High-End Hotel in Lazimpat: Hotel Shanker: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Mid-Range Hotel in Lazimpat: Nomad Hotel: check prices and availability here!
✅ Best Budget Hotel in Lazimpat: Best Hostel: check prices and availability here!
Types of Accommodation in Nepal
Hotels
There are many hotels in Nepal, including luxury, 5-star hotels, resorts, as well as mid-range and cheap, budget hotels.
In most cities you have a variety of options to choose from, so finding accommodation is not a problem. Online hotel booking sites work pretty well in big cities in Nepal (including Kathmandu, Pokhara), and I like the best Booking.com. Booking.com works safe and secure in Nepal.
You can also just show up at a hotel and try to negotiate the price on the spot. It might be more difficult during peak seasons, or if you are very set on one specific accommodation.
If you don’t mind which hotel you stay in, and have the energy, then you can ask around various hotels to find the best price.
Hostels
There are many hostels in big cities in Nepal (e.g. Kathmandu, Pokhara) that are great if you want to save some money. For booking hostels, Hostelworld has many options for accommodation in Nepal.
Hostels are not only good if you are on a budget, but you can meet lots of other travellers. So, if you are travelling in solo and want to make some new friends, the hostels are the best place to do so.
Even if you are an introvert, most of the hostels have budget single or double rooms, so you can have your own space but still be able to socialize in common areas if you feel like it.
AirBnB
AirBnBs have become very popular in Kathmandu in recent years, and you can even find AirBnB all over Nepal, even in more remote areas.
AirBnBs are the best if you want to have your own kitchen to cook as most AirBnBs are like small studios with their own bathroom and kitchen.
AirBnBs are also a good option if you plan to stay in Nepal for a longer time. For example, if you book a place for 1 month, you automatically get some discount.
If you plan to stay for a couple of months, you can also contact the host and see if you can negotiate the price even lower for a long-term stay.
Homestays
Homestays are popular in villages in Nepal and the aim is that you stay in a family’s home and get to experience life in Nepal through staying with a family.
Homestays are typical Nepali homes, but some homestays are also run in more hotel type buildings.
You have your own room in a homestay, and sometimes even a private bathroom. Some of the meals are also included in the price, sometimes all 3 meals.
Homestays are great if you want to experience in a typical Nepali home, and learn about Nepali culture. The family also recommends and can accompany you on activities, but you can always just do things on your own – you don’t have to stay with the family the whole time.
Teahouses
Teahouses are accommodations in remote villages when you go on a trek in Nepal. A typical teahouse is a basic accommodation with twin rooms.
Some teahouses have rooms with attached toilets but mostly, the toilets and showers are separate. Sometimes, the bathrooms are even located outside the main building.
The teahouses have dining halls where you can have your meals, and when it is cold, it also has a fireplace which is set for the cold evenings.
The teahouses rooms usually cost around Rs. 500-1,500 (USD 3.50-11). The prices are the lowest on the lesser-known treks, like Pikey Peak or Panchase Trek. For more popular treks, the room prices are higher.
The unwritten rule is that you have the meals in the teahouse you stay in. So, if you get a cheap room for Rs. 500, then the way the teahouse makes some profit is through the meals you have there.
For meals, the best is to go for Nepali meals, like dal bhat, but they also have other dishes to choose from.
FAQs: Where to Stay in Kathmandu
Where should I stay in Kathmandu?
You should stay in Thamel area in Kathmandu. Thamel is where most travellers stay, and it is great for first-time visitors, nightlife and restaurants.
If you have visited Nepal before and do not want to stay in the touristy area of Thamel, then Patan, Lazimpat or Bhaktapur are all great options.
Which is the best district to stay in Kathmandu?
The best areas in Kathmandu are Thamel, Lazimpat, Baluwatar, Patan, and Bhaktapur. These areas are safe and where most foreigner travellers or expats live.
Thamel, Lazimpat, Baluwatar, Patan and Bhaktapur all have lots of accommodation to choose from, nice cafes, restaurants and many activities to do.
Which is the downtown area in Kathmandu?
The downtown area in Kathmandu is Thamel. Thamel is where most travellers stay, but it also has many shops, bars and restaurants where locals also like to hang out.
Which area is best to live in Kathmandu?
The best areas to live in Kathmandu is in Lazimpat, Baluwatar and Patan. They are safe areas, also for foreigners, and they have many nice cafes and restaurants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, most travellers only stay in Kathmandu for a few days before and after going off on a trek or to travel around Nepal.
Some of the best areas to stay in Kathmandu are Thamel, Patan, Bhaktapur, Lazimpat and Baluwatar. These areas are safe for travellers, and they also have many amenities, such as cafes, restaurants, bars and activities to do.
Thamel is the best place for first-time visitors, and it is where most travellers stay. Thamel has many restaurants, bars, shops (trekking, souvenirs), and hotels for all budgets. It is the best place to meet other travellers.
There are many hotels in Kathmandu for all budgets. For hotels in Kathmandu, the best luxury hotel is the Dwarika’s Hotel, the best mid-range hotel is Swarga Heritage Hotel, and the best hostel for a cheap place is the Rest Up Hostel.
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Nepal Quick Guide
Can I get a Visa on Arrival for Nepal?
Yes! Almost all nationalities can get a ‘Visa on Arrival’ once landing at the Tribhuvan Airport in Kathmandu (check eligibility here). Getting a Visa-on-Arrival for Nepal is quick and easy. Read here my full guide on getting a Visa on Arrival for Nepal.
Should I get a Nepali SIM card?
Yes! Once you arrive in Nepal, it is recommended to get a Nepali SIM card.
SIM cards in Nepal are cheap and easy to get. There are daily, weekly or monthly data plans – all at an affordable cost. For more information, check how to get a SIM card in Nepal here.
Are there any useful mobile apps I can use in Nepal?
Yes! There are a couple of mobile apps that come handy when travelling in Nepal, including taxi apps, offline maps for trekking, booking accommodation and travel cards.
Check out my list of the most useful mobile apps to have in Nepal.
Can I exchange money in Nepal? What about ATMs?
Yes! Thamel (where most tourists stay) has many money exchange shops as well as ATMs.
There is also a currency exchange shop at the airport but the rates are better in Thamel. Read here all about currency exchange and ATMs in Nepal.
Is it safe to travel by bus in Nepal?
The roads are dangerous but generally yes (best to travel by a tourist bus)!
I would say road travel in Nepal is generally dangerous due to the road conditions. The roads are narrow and go through mountainous areas. The tourist buses in Nepal have the best safety, so if possible, make sure to book tourist buses when travelling in Nepal.
Overall, the roads might look dangerous but the drivers are used to the road conditions in Nepal so the tourist buses are a safe choice. Here is everything you need to know about bus travel in Nepal.
Can I drink the tap water in Nepal?
No, you cannot drink the tap water in Nepal.
The tap water is unsafe for drinking in Nepal. It is not only foreign tourists that should not drink the tap water in Nepal, even Nepali people who were born and raised in Nepal do not drink the tap water.
Can I book bus tickets online in Nepal?
Yes! It is possible to book bus tickets online in Nepal however, I recommend it for those staying in Nepal for 3+ months.
It is not possible to book bus tickets online using an international bank card but only through registering on a Nepali digital payment app eSewa. If you are staying long-term in Nepal, read here my step-by-step guide on how to book bus tickets online using eSewa.
Do they speak English in Nepal?
You might wonder “Do they speak English in Nepal?” It depends on where in Nepal you are. In big cities (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Sauraha/Chitwan) or trekking routes (Annapurna, Everest) that have many tourists, you will easily get by speaking English.
If you are in remote Nepal where not many tourists go, people usually will have little or no English. Here is a quick list of useful Nepali phrases to know while travelling in Nepal.
Nepal Trip Planning
✈️ Book Flights to Nepal:
Find the best flight deals on Skyscanner! (+You can also set price alerts to save even more!)
🏠 Book Hotels for Nepal:
Booking.com: best budget, mid-range and luxury hotels.
🏔️ Book Activities for Nepal:
Book activities on GetYourGuide for the best food tours, walking tours, day trips, cooking classes and sightseeing tours (World Heritage Sites) in Nepal!
🎒 Get Travel Insurance for Nepal:
SafetyWing Travel Insurance: best affordable, general travel insurance for Nepal. Covers trekking up to 4,500 meters (14,760 feet), e.g. Annapurna Base Camp, Mardi Himal.
IATI Insurance: best for trekking in Nepal. Covers trekking up to 5,400 meters (17,700 feet), e.g. Everest Base Camp.
💳 Get a Travel Card: Get the Wise travel card that you can top up with multiple currencies (including Nepali Rupees). It has great exchange rates and in most hotels and restaurants you can also pay by bank card in big cities in Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara).
✅ Check out my complete list of travel resources to plan your trip!
