Durbar Square & the old city

Kathmandu, Nepal

The medieval royal heart, of pagoda temples, the living-goddess Kumari's house and restored palaces. The historic soul of Kathmandu.

Explore Kathmandu

Kathmandu — current status

Open. (Status checked 2026-08-30.)

Kathmandu — TL;DR

Kathmandu is a city where the sacred and the everyday are inseparable: golden pagoda temples and living goddesses share the streets with trekking shops and taxi horns, all beneath the far white line of the Himalaya.

Kathmandu at a glance

What are the best things to do in Kathmandu? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Kathmandu trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Kathmandu? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Kathmandu — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby…
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu? October and November for clear skies, mountain views and the trekking season; March to May for spring warmth and rhododendrons.
Where should I stay in Kathmandu for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Kathmandu? Thamel and the old city are walkable, if congested; taxis (agree the fare) and the Pathao/inDrive apps cover the valley.

Kathmandu overview

October and November for clear skies, mountain views and the trekking season; March to May for spring warmth and rhododendrons. The monsoon (June–September) is wet and cloudy; winter is cold but clear.
Thamel and the old city are walkable, if congested; taxis (agree the fare) and the Pathao/inDrive apps cover the valley. Traffic and dust are heavy — allow time. Patan and Bhaktapur are short, rewarding trips.
Nepalese Rupee (Rs)
Nepali. English is widely spoken in tourism.
NPT (UTC+5:45)
A rising Newari fine-dining and craft-cocktail scene modernising Nepali tradition; specialty coffee grown in Nepal's own hills; boutique heritage stays in restored courtyards; and Patan cementing itself as the valley's design and dining heart.

Where to eat, drink & do in Kathmandu

Kathmandu neighborhoods

Thamel The traveller's hub, a warren of trekking shops, restaurants, bars, bakeries and live-music venues. Loud and touristy, but easy and central.
Durbar Square & the old city The medieval royal heart, of pagoda temples, the living-goddess Kumari's house and restored palaces. The historic soul of Kathmandu.
Patan (Lalitpur) The valley's finest old city just across the river, of Newari craftsmen, a magnificent Durbar Square and the best cafés, galleries and boutique stays. The connoisseur's Kathmandu.
Boudha The district around the vast Boudhanath stupa, the heart of Tibetan Buddhist life in Nepal, ringed by monasteries and rooftop cafés. Serene and spiritual.
Jhamsikhel (Jhamel) A leafy Patan-side quarter that has become the expat-and-local dining and bar hub, more relaxed than Thamel. Where the valley eats out.

Practical info for Kathmandu

Getting around in Kathmandu? Thamel and the old city are walkable, if congested; taxis (agree the fare) and the Pathao/inDrive apps cover the valley. Traffic and dust are heavy — allow time. Patan and Bhaktapur are short, rewarding trips.
When to go in Kathmandu? October and November for clear skies, mountain views and the trekking season; March to May for spring warmth and rhododendrons. The monsoon (June–September) is wet and cloudy; winter is cold but clear.
What's changing now in Kathmandu? A rising Newari fine-dining and craft-cocktail scene modernising Nepali tradition; specialty coffee grown in Nepal's own hills; boutique heritage stays in restored courtyards; and Patan cementing itself as the valley's design and dining hea
Seek out Bhaktapur in Kathmandu? The best-preserved of the valley's three old cities, a car-free warren of temples, potters' squares and pagodas, magical in the early morning or evening. An essential day trip.
Base yourself in Thamel in Kathmandu? The traveller's hub, a warren of trekking shops, restaurants, bars, bakeries and live-music venues. Loud and touristy, but easy and central. Known for restaurants, nightlife, trekking gear.

Frequently asked questions about Kathmandu

What are the best things to do in Kathmandu? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Kathmandu trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Kathmandu tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Kathmandu? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Kathmandu — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu? October and November for clear skies, mountain views and the trekking season; March to May for spring warmth and rhododendrons. The monsoon (June–September) is wet and cloudy; winter is cold but clear.
Where should I stay in Kathmandu for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Kathmandu? Thamel and the old city are walkable, if congested; taxis (agree the fare) and the Pathao/inDrive apps cover the valley. Traffic and dust are heavy — allow time. Patan and Bhaktapur are short, rewarding trips.

Practical notes for Kathmandu

Best time to visit: October and November for clear skies, mountain views and the trekking season; March to May for spring warmth and rhododendrons. The monsoon (June–September) is wet and cloudy; winter is cold but clear.
Getting around: Thamel and the old city are walkable, if congested; taxis (agree the fare) and the Pathao/inDrive apps cover the valley. Traffic and dust are heavy — allow time. Patan and Bhaktapur are short, rewarding trips.
Currency: Nepalese Rupee (Rs)
Language: Nepali. English is widely spoken in tourism.
Timezone: NPT (UTC+5:45)
Current trends: A rising Newari fine-dining and craft-cocktail scene modernising Nepali tradition; specialty coffee grown in Nepal's own hills; boutique heritage stays in restored courtyards; and Patan cementing itself as the valley's design and dining heart.

Other neighborhoods in Kathmandu

Thamel — The traveller's hub, a warren of trekking shops, restaurants, bars, bakeries and live-music venues. Loud and touristy, but easy and central.
Patan (Lalitpur) — The valley's finest old city just across the river, of Newari craftsmen, a magnificent Durbar Square and the best cafés, galleries and boutique stays. The connoisseur's Kathmandu.
Boudha — The district around the vast Boudhanath stupa, the heart of Tibetan Buddhist life in Nepal, ringed by monasteries and rooftop cafés. Serene and spiritual.
Jhamsikhel (Jhamel) — A leafy Patan-side quarter that has become the expat-and-local dining and bar hub, more relaxed than Thamel. Where the valley eats out.

Read the full Kathmandu guide