All citiesKathmandu Things to do and walking itinerary
Nepal Kathmandu travel guide
29 things to do in Kathmandu, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Kathmandu
- Pashupatinath Temple — Hindu temple in Kathmandu (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Boudhanath — Buddhist stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Dharahara — nine storey tower built in 1832 (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Swayambhunath — Hindus and Buddhist holy place and tourist center in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Basantapur Durbar Square — square in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Narayanhiti Palace — palace in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Patan Durbar Square — square in Lalitpur, Nepal (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Singha Durbar — palace in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Asan — square in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Guhyeshwari Temple — Nepalese Hindu temple (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kathmandu Zoo — zoo (visit ≈ 150 min)
- Indra Chowk — market square in Kathmandu (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Kasthamandap — Hindu temple in Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cathedral, Kathmandu — church in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Kumbheshwar Temple — Hindu temple in Lalitpur, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kopan Monastery — tibetan Buddhist monastery near Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Shahid Gate — monument in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Pancha Kashmiri Takiya Masjid — mosque in Kathmandu, Bagmati, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ratna Park — park in Kasthamandap, Nepal (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Krishna Mandir — Hindu temple in Lalitpur, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Hiranya Varna Mahavihar — newar Buddhist temple in Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bagh Bhairab Temple — HIndu temple in Kirtipur, Kathmandu (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Charumati Stupa — Buddhist Stupa in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ghanta Ghar — clock tower in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Tundikhel — large grass-covered ground in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Natural History Museum of Nepal — natural history museum in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sankata Temple — Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Taleju Temple — Hindu temple in Kathmandu, Nepal (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Maitighar Mandala — symbolic monument (visit ≈ 15 min)
2-day Kathmandu walking itinerary
Starting point: Thamel. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 9.2 km · 12,450 steps · 2 h 3 min on the way): Narayanhiti Palace → Singha Durbar → Dharahara → Asan → Indra Chowk → Basantapur Durbar Square → Kasthamandap
- Day 2 (≈ 5.4 km · 7,260 steps · 1 h 12 min on the way): Swayambhunath
Where to stay in Kathmandu
- Thamel: Backpacker hub; hotels, restaurants and trekking shops.
- Durbar Square / Freak Street: Historic palaces and temples next door; quieter.
- Lazimpat: Quiet embassy district; a short walk to Thamel.
- Patan (Lalitpur): Newar architecture and quiet courtyards; a beautiful Durbar Square.
- Boudha: A peaceful Tibetan neighbourhood around the giant stupa.
Getting from the airport to Kathmandu
- Tribhuvan International (KTM): Taxi or Pathao/inDrive ≈ 25 min.
Getting around
Thamel and the old centre are walkable; take a taxi or Pathao to Patan and Boudha. Streets can be dusty and traffic heavy.
Classic places to eat
- Bhojan Griha: Nepali cuisine and an evening dance show in a 150-year-old mansion.
- Thamel House Restaurant: Traditional Nepali dishes in an old Newar house.
- Yangling Tibetan Restaurant: Thamel’s favourite for momos and thukpa; simple and cheap.
- OR2K: Vegetarian Middle Eastern and Nepali food on floor cushions.
- Krishnarpan: Multi-course Nepali tasting menu at Dwarika’s Hotel.
- Himalayan Java Coffee: Local café chain serving Nepali coffee; the Thamel branch is popular.
Romantic views
- Swayambhunath (Sunset): From the hilltop stupa the valley turns golden at sunset.
- Boudhanath Stupa (Evening): Walk around the stupa under prayer flags as butter lamps are lit.
- Garden of Dreams (Afternoon): A quiet garden of pools and pavilions next to Thamel.
- Kathmandu Durbar Square (Evening): Sit on the temple steps and watch the square in the evening.
- Patan Durbar Square (Evening): The Newar temples look beautiful under evening lights.
Good to know before visiting Kathmandu
- Fine: Trekking in national parks requires permits and a licensed guide; solo trekking is banned.
- Fine: Drones need a permit.
- Warning: Some Hindu temples' inner areas are open to Hindus only.
- Warning: Altitude sickness is a risk; ascend slowly.
- Walk clockwise around stupas and temples; some ban leather items.
- Ask before photographing cremation rites and stay respectful.
- Emergency: police 100, ambulance 102, fire 101
- Plugs: C/D/M, 230V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: About 10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Nepal, Nepal Tourism Board, Wikivoyage — Nepal, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Kathmandu travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 3 days for the top 18 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Kathmandu?
- Highlights: Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, Dharahara, Swayambhunath and Basantapur Durbar Square. The map has 29 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Kathmandu?
- Thamel: Backpacker hub; hotels, restaurants and trekking shops. Other options: Durbar Square / Freak Street, Lazimpat, Patan (Lalitpur) and Boudha.
- How do you get from the airport to Kathmandu city centre?
- Tribhuvan International (KTM): Taxi or Pathao/inDrive ≈ 25 min.
- How do you get around Kathmandu?
- Thamel and the old centre are walkable; take a taxi or Pathao to Patan and Boudha. Streets can be dusty and traffic heavy.
- What is the emergency number in Kathmandu?
- Emergency: police 100, ambulance 102, fire 101.
- Do you tip in Kathmandu?
- About 10% is customary.
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