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Things to do in Kathmandu offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to tourists travelling to this stunning location. Kathmandu is filled with cultural richness and historic charm, from serene heights at the Swayambhunath Stupa to the lively bustle of Thamel. Tourists can visit ancient temples like Pashupatinath, explore the architectural splendour in Durbar Square, and enjoy the calm ambience in the Garden of Dreams. These places in Kathmandu, which range from historical sites to colourful markets, offer traditional food, and other glimpses into Nepal’s heritage; Kathmandu has varied activities suited for all kinds of travellers.
Top 10 Things To Do In Kathmandu
Here is a hand-picked list of the top things to do in Kathmandu, Nepal that will make your trip memorable.
1. Visit Swayambhunath
Photo: Manishpangeni / Wikimedia Commons
Swayambhunath Stupa is perched on top of a hill and is a historical stupa of great importance. This stupa is renowned for following Buddhist traditions and is respected for its spirituality and panoramic views over the Kathmandu Valley. This shrine has been termed “Monkey Temple” because of the playful monkeys inhabiting this site, attracting tourists from all over the world. The golden spire of the stupa, decorated with Buddha’s eyes along with shrines and prayer flags, creates a serene atmosphere.
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 50 / ₹31 onwards
2. Explore Pashupatinath Temple
Photo: Shadow Ayush / Wikimedia Commons
Pashupatinath temple is consecrated to Lord Shiva and attracts pilgrims from worldwide. This holy complex with its fine pagoda-style architecture is well-known for beautiful carvings and rich rituals. The ghats that surround this temple give an insight into Hindu traditions. During the evening, the Aarti ceremony against the backdrop of melodious music is a memorable experience in itself making exploring this shrine one of the best things to do in Kathmandu.
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Hours
Entry Fees: N/A
3. Stroll Through Durbar Square
Photo: Alexander Shafir / Wikimedia Commons
Kathmandu Durbar Square is an ancient city centre holding examples of traditional Newari architecture and craftsmanship. This UNESCO World Heritage Site has several intricately carved temples, ancient palaces, and bustling courtyards. The Kasthamandap Temple hewed from a single tree, and the Hanuman Dhoka Palace, with ornate wooden balconies, are some of the top attractions of this location. Strolling through Durbar Square undoubtedly makes up for one of the most admired things to do in Kathmandu.
Ideal Duration: 3-4 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 100 / ₹62.47 onwards
4. Checkout Boudhanath Square
Photo: Alexander Shafir / Wikimedia Commons
It presents a monumental mandala of mandalas, set with a ring of prayer wheels. The icon for Tibetan Buddhism in Kathmandu is an enormous white dome, so big that the top of it can be seen from across the valley, topped by the Buddha’s all-seeing eyes. This monster almost surrounds the stupa and has a vibrant, concentric ring of monasteries and a miscellany of handicraft shops selling Tibetan art. Visitors can circumambulate the stupa, spin prayer wheels, and bask in the beautiful, spiritually charged atmosphere.
Ideal Duration: 1-2 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 100 / ₹62.47 onwards
5. Wander Around Thamel
Photo: Rajesh Dhungana / Wikimedia Commons
This place is bustling and contains every type of shop, restaurant, and bar around. There are boutique stores with traditional handicrafts. This location is also known for its lively eateries full of Nepali and international dishes. The cobbled, narrow streets are perfect for endless hours of stroll. Tourists can also purchase unique and worth-picking souvenirs that line here and there. Thamel is undoubtedly a lively place to enjoy the energy of an evening in Kathmandu making visiting this place one of the famous things to do in Kathmandu.
Ideal Duration: 4-5 Hours
Entry Fees: N/A
6. Visit The National Museum Of Nepal
Photo: Dolon Prova / Wikimedia Commons
The museum has three of the most important buildings: the Natural History Museum, the Museum of Archaeology, and the Museum of Fine Arts. Each section illuminates the extremely varied heritage that makes up Nepal and features everything from ancient statues and artefacts to displays of fossils and historical relics. It gives an overview of the richness of the cultural tapestry in Nepal making it one of the top attractions as well.
Ideal Duration: 2-3 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 50 / ₹31 onwards
7. Wander At The Garden Of Dreams
Photo: Gerd Eichmann / Wikimedia Commons
The Garden of Dreams is an enchanting serene oasis right in the middle of Kathmandu city. It was designed in the early 20th century. This beautifully restored neo-classical garden creates serene pathways with elegant fountains and lush greenery. The garden offers people a peaceful retreat to sit, take leisurely walks, or enjoy a meal in its on-premise café. It is also a romantic and historic atmosphere, perfect for relaxation and reflection. Visiting Garden of Dreams is one of the top choices of visitors among things to do in Kathmandu as this place gives tourists a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Ideal Duration: 1-2 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 50 / ₹31 onwards
8. Take A Trip To Patan
Photo: Chainwit./ Wikimedia Commons
Patan, or Lalitpur, is a place famous for its beautiful temples and extremely well-preserved architecture. Of the places to visit here, the most outstanding would be the Patan Durbar Square, which contains very beautiful temples such as the Hiranya Varna Mahavihar and the Mahabouddha Temple. Its artistic past lives in the form of intricate woodwork and fine bronze statues. Patan is also filled with museums, art galleries, and lively markets; thus, it is a highly interesting place with regard to observing Nepalese culture and art.
Ideal Duration: 3-4 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 250 / ₹156 onwards
9. Visit Bhaktapur
Photo: Alexander Shafir / Wikimedia Commons
Bhaktapur is one of the ancient towns located in the vicinity of Kathmandu. This town is proud of its medieval architecture and rich historical past. The Bhaktapur Durbar Square boasts large, beautiful temples and palaces, with the famous 55-Window Palace featuring Newari workmanship. Furthermore, the streets that consist of narrow alleys with rows of house units, richly decorated with fittings and carvings, and lively squares provide a good walking experience. The reputation of Bhaktapur encompasses its beautiful pottery and local festivals performed in unique Newari-style costumes, which are a reflection of the cultural heritage of the nation.
Ideal Duration: 3-4 Hours
Entry Fees: NPR 250 / ₹156 onwards
10. Try Nepali Cuisine
Photo: Subhashish Panigrahi / Wikimedia Commons
Nepali cuisine contains a balanced dose of both spiciness and a medley of ingredients, presenting great variability in its dishes. Some key dishes include momos, dal bhat, accompanied by dishes of vegetable side dishes; and some Newari delicacies like yomari which are sweet dumplings comprising jaggery and sesame seeds. Tasting these dishes offers a delightful insight into Nepalese culinary traditions. Trying Nepali food in Kathmandu is undoubtedly one of the must-to-do things among things to see in Kathmandu.
Best Places To Eat: Nepali Chulo, Malta Newari Restaurant, Paalcha Restaurant, Gorkhana House and Restaurant and Yala Cafe Patan.
The many things to do in Kathmandu offer a rich tapestry of experiences from historic temples, majestic stupas, lively markets, and serene gardens. From Durbar Square, which is one showcase of architectural wonders, to Thamel, where one can feel the local atmosphere and taste traditional Nepali food, there is a lot to see in this city. Plan a trip with TripXL and enjoy this fabulous itinerary!
Cover Photo: Michael Starkie / Unsplash
