Kathmandu. Visiting and staying in Kathmandu Nepal. Things to see, places of interest, what to do in Kathmandu.
If you are visiting Nepal allow several days in Kathmandu for sightseeing and shopping. This ancient city is full of wonders and is a joy to explore.
There’s great Nepali and international food and shops selling crafts and trekking gear, real and fake, at incredible prices.
The big must-see places in Kathmandu should include at least one of the Durbar Squares in the Kathmandu Valley, the backpacker district, Thamel, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath, and Boudhanath temples and stupas.
For other places to visit in Nepal, or trips to take from Kathmandu, see our Nepal travel blog round-up page.
Kathmandu is a city in the country of Nepal in Asia’s Himalayas. The city of Kathmandu is above sea level, at an average elevation of 4,344 feet (1,324 metres), so while Kathmandu is at altitude, its elevation is not great enough to cause altitude sickness. However, your body should be starting to acclimatise very slowly …
Kathmandu is a fantastic travel destination due to its history, culture and geography. Staying in Kathmandu gives you access to incredible historic temples and extraordinary views of the Himalayas. Kathmandu has its fair share of family-friendly hotels but finding rooms for a family of four or more can be tricky, most Kathmandu hotels have triple …
Freak Street Kathmandu was the final destination of the hippie trail back in the 60s and 70s. It still exists in Kathmandu, Nepal but it isn’t officially called Freak Street. It is Jhochhen Tole, sometimes called Old Freak Street, and it exits the south side of the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Today it’s nothing special, just …
The Swayambhunath Stupa, an icon of Nepal, is an ancient religious structure on a hilltop in the Kathmandu Valley. It stands about 3 kilometers west of Kathmandu City and is a must-see for anyone thinking of going to Nepal. This has to be the most famous and beautiful temple in Kathmandu. The Monkey Temple or …
It’s so good to be back in Kathmandu! This is our third visit to Nepal and it will be our longest. We are in possession of 3 month tourist visas and have plans to make the most of them. Empty time stretches ahead of us, no more rush, stress or anxious preparations. Let’s just do …
There are places to visit in Kathmandu that will take your breath away. Without a doubt, when you step off the plane into the hustle and bustle of Kathmandu you know you’re in no other place. The smells, sounds, and sights as you negotiate from the airport into town will assault your senses. Many come …
I’ve threatened to share this story for months, I finally got around to it. Let’s go back to Kathmandu, it wasn’t so long ago but feels like a lifetime. Time passes more slowly when you do loads of different things and not same, same, every day. So, Kathmandu, Nepal, we were not long back from our …
The Golden Temple and Buddhist monastery Hiraṇyavarṇa Mahāvihāra also Kwa Bahahas existed in Kathmandu since 1409. The temple is just off the Patan Durbar Square, to the north. You can find it down a narrow alleyway. It has two entrances, the narrow stone entrance below is guarded by 2 stone lions, the gateway itself was sculpted …