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Nepal is one of the best places for shopping and browsing shops and markets, in the whole world. We focus on Kathmandu’s makets and shops on this page, but some of the photos are from other parts of Nepal, we’ll tell you where.
You can buy fake designer trekking gear (which is often very good), handmade crafts, fabrics, metal-work, knits, puppets, kukri knives, prayer flags, hand made paper, beaded items, jewellery, and many other things. Learn more, and decide what will be the best souvenirs from your Nepal trip, through our photographs.
We also include traditional food shops and markets to take a look at, they’re really something!
Don’t forget to save these images to Pinterest, they are all our own unique photos, taken over many visits to Nepal.
Shopping in Nepal
Traditional Markets in Kathmandu Nepal
Wander the streets of Kathmandu, just outside Thamel, the backpacker hub. If you head from there towards the Kathmandu Durbar Square, you should find these shops and markets.
I walked around here alone, as a solo woman while the boys slept in. I felt perfectly safe. That’s how I get a little alone time when we travel, I go out before breakfast!
The Best Souvenirs To Buy in Nepal
Souvenir shopping in Nepal is a dream! There are so many different things you could buy. Traditional Tibetan Buddhist paintings, thangkas, are very popular, we have a lot at home. But don’t forget how much framing costs once you’re back!
Thanka shopping in Nepal can be a bit of a mission. The sellers can be very persistent and there will be touts on the street wanting to get you into a shop where they make commission. Proceed with caution. Good quality thankas are very expensive, but cheaper ones can be beautiful too.
Felted decor and clothing is also popular, like the cute kids’ shoes in the photo. Felted pom pom work, tablemats, decorative strings and decorations, are also a cool buy.
Don’t forget to take home some prayer flags, and remember they wear out in the sun and rain, so buy lots. They come in various sizes and are of different qualities. We have enough of these to last us a few years yet!
Woollen knits, mits, leg warmers, hats, scarves and jumpers are everywhere, along with Kashmiri shops selling pashminas and Kashmir sweaters. These can be very expensive, and you need to drive a hard bargain. Haggling over prices is expected in most places.
Metal items like singing bowls, dorjes and religious figurines are also ubiquitous.
Shopping For Essentials in Nepal, Gear & Supplies For Your Trek
Thamel is bursting with shops, selling almost anything you can imagine. Have fun exploring!
You can buy anything you need for your Himalayan trek in Kathmandu. If you find you need something more, another pair of socks, a new trekking pole, or more chocolate, you can buy these items in most villages along the trekking route.
One of the rules of shopping in Nepal is, the higher you get, the more expensive items become; somebody has had to carry everything up there on his back. Major hubs like Namche Bazaar have plenty of shops and the prices weren’t that different to those in Kathmandu. Namche is on your way to Everest Base Camp.
Pokhara is also a good sized town with plenty of shops and gear for hire.
You can also buy some medications along the route, but to be on the safer side, bring your own. Read about our experience with altitude medications here.
So that’s our overview and guide to shopping in Nepal, it’s a great country for buying gifts and souvenirs, plus clothing and decorative items, one of the best countries. So take an extra bag and fill it up!
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