Kathmandu — photo 1
Kathmandu — photo 2
Kathmandu — photo 100
Travellers' Choice 2026

Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Bagmati Province, Nepal

Kathmandu is the ancient, vibrant capital of Nepal and the launch point for the world's greatest trekking adventures. Durbar squares, Buddhist stupas, and the chaotic bazaars of Thamel sit at the foot of the highest mountains on Earth.

Discover your perfect Kathmandu

Looking for places to stay, eat, or explore?

ItineraItinera AI · Kathmandu

Essential Kathmandu

Pick a category to filter your recs

Things to do

See all
Boudhanath Stupa
Travellers' Choice

Boudhanath Stupa

4.7
(13,123)

spiritual

Pashupatinath Temple
Travellers' Choice

Pashupatinath Temple

4.4
(5,129)

spiritual

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
Travellers' Choice

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

4.4
(38,783)

spiritual

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Travellers' Choice

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

4.4
(33,899)

heritage

Thamel District
Travellers' Choice

Thamel District

4.6
(66,601)

city

Patan Durbar Square
Travellers' Choice

Patan Durbar Square

4.8
(42,989)

heritage

Places to stay

See all
Hotel Potala Guest House
Travellers' Choice

Hotel Potala Guest House

4.5
(36,913)

from ₹1,500/night

Hotel Yak & Yeti
Travellers' Choice

Hotel Yak & Yeti

4.5
(49,202)

from ₹4,500/night

Dwarika's Resort
Travellers' Choice

Dwarika's Resort

4.9
(6,684)

from ₹12,000/night

Restaurants & dining

See all
Plan a food tour

Itineraries to help you plan

Crafted by Itinera AI based on popular traveller routes. Create yours

History & CultureMust-See

A history-packed Kathmandu trip

EA
By Emma Andersen

Explore the iconic landmarks and rich cultural heritage of Kathmandu. From ancient temples to colonial architecture, this itinerary covers the must-see historical sites and hidden gems of the city.

See itinerary
Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa

4.6

(9,463)

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple

4

(3,949)

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

5

(3,923)

Family FriendlyOutdoor Activities

Kathmandu with kids — the perfect family trip

OB
By Oliver Bennett

A family-friendly adventure in Kathmandu packed with activities for all ages. Nature walks, local markets, and experiences the whole family will love and remember.

See itinerary
Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

4.6

(319)

Thamel District

Thamel District

4.8

(11,181)

Patan Durbar Square

Patan Durbar Square

4.8

(6,609)

RomanticCouples

Romantic getaway in Kathmandu

YT
By Yuki Tanaka

A curated couples escape in Kathmandu — sunset views, signature cuisine, and intimate cultural experiences. Perfect for anniversaries and honeymoons.

See itinerary
Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa

4.6

(9,463)

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple

4

(3,949)

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)

5

(3,923)

Featured guide

Go deeper into Kathmandu

How to do Kathmandu in 7 days
Travel Guide

How to do Kathmandu in 7 days — the complete guide

Plan this trip

Seasonal Guide

When to visit Kathmandu

Autumn and spring offer clear skies and the best trekking conditions. Pre-monsoon brings rhododendron blooms.

January

Shoulder

February

Off-peak

March

Shoulder

April

Best

May

Best

June

Best

July

Shoulder

August

Off-peak

September

Off-peak

October

Shoulder

November

Best

December

Best

Insider knowledge

Travel tips for Kathmandu

01

Get your TIMS card and National Park permits in Kathmandu at the Nepal Tourism Board office — it's faster here than at Lukla or Besisahar.

02

Thamel gear is mostly genuine but check stitching carefully. REI-level brands cost 20-30% less than in the West.

03

Altitude acclimatization starts at Kathmandu (1,400m) — don't fly straight to Lukla without a night here.

04

Carry small denomination NPR notes — many teahouses and stupa donation boxes don't have change.

05

Pre-book a reliable taxi or hotel pickup from the airport — Kathmandu traffic can be chaotic.

Getting there

How to reach Kathmandu

By Air

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) — direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore. IndiGo, Air India, Himalaya Airlines. Flight time ~1.5–2 hours from India.

By Road

Overland from India via Sunauli (Varanasi–Kathmandu, ~20 hours) or Raxaul–Birganj. Popular with budget travellers but time-consuming.

Need to know

Practical information for Kathmandu

On the Ground

Time zoneNPT (UTC+5:45) — Nepal has a unique 15-minute offset.
CurrencyNepalese Rupee (NPR). 1 USD ≈ NPR 133. ATMs available in Thamel.
TippingExpected at restaurants (10%) and for guides and porters. Tip your porter generously — it's their livelihood.
LanguageNepali (official), English widely spoken in Thamel and trekking areas.
VisaVisa on arrival available at Tribhuvan Airport for most nationalities. 15-day visa: USD 30, 30-day visa: USD 50.

Share Feedback

Goes directly to the team

Rate your experience(optional)

0/500

Anonymous by default · No account needed