Best Things to Do in Kathmandu, Nepal
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, a high-altitude Himalayan city of 1.5 million in the Kathmandu Valley, home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites within a 20km radius. The city is the starting point for nearly all Himalayan treks, including Everest Base Camp and the Annapurna Circuit, and has a dense concentration of Hindu and Buddhist monuments that makes it one of Asia's most important religious cities.
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The unmissable in Kathmandu
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Kathmandu sits at 1,400m in the Kathmandu Valley, surrounded by Himalayan peaks visible from high points on clear days. The things to do in Kathmandu are anchored by its extraordinary religious heritage. Boudhanath Stupa (one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world and the heart of Tibetan Buddhist culture in Nepal) has prayer wheels running its entire circumference and is surrounded by monasteries; the atmosphere at dawn and during circumambulation (kora) by monks and pilgrims is profoundly moving. Pashupatinath Temple, on the banks of the Bagmati River, is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in South Asia and the primary site for cremation rituals; visitors can observe funeral pyres from the opposite bank. Kathmandu Durbar Square (damaged in the 2015 earthquake, still remarkable) has the Kumari Ghar (home of the living goddess, a young girl selected as an incarnation of Durga) and the Kasthamandap (the medieval pavilion from which the city takes its name). Bhaktapur, 13 km east (a separate UNESCO site), has the finest medieval square in Nepal. Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple), on a hill above the city, has the symbolic all-seeing eyes of Buddha and long stone staircases guarded by macaque monkeys.
Best time to visit
October through November and March through April are the best months for Kathmandu and Himalayan trekking: clear skies, moderate temperatures (10-25°C), and the best mountain views. The monsoon (June-August) brings daily rain and obscures mountain views; some treks are difficult or closed. The winter months (December-February) are cold (near-freezing at night) but often have excellent visibility. Holi (March), Dasain (September-October), and Tihar (October-November) are major festival periods worth experiencing.
Getting around
Tribhuvan International Airport is 6 km from central Kathmandu (Thamel); taxis and ride-hailing (Pathao, InDrive) serve the route. Within the city, taxis (negotiate fare upfront or insist on meter), ride-hailing apps, and cycle rickshaws serve most areas. Traffic in Kathmandu is chaotic; walking in the older neighborhoods (Thamel, Boudhanath area, Patan) is faster and more enjoyable. For trekking, internal flights (Yeti Airlines, Buddha Air) connect Kathmandu to Lukla (Everest circuit gateway, 30 minutes) and Pokhara (25 minutes).
What to eat
Dal bhat — the set plate of lentil soup, rice, and vegetable curries with pickles — is Nepal’s national meal, eaten twice daily by most Nepalis and described by trekkers as the best sustained-energy meal in the mountains. Momo (Tibetan-origin dumplings filled with meat or vegetables, steamed or fried) is the city’s street food. Thukpa (noodle soup, Tibetan influence) and chow mein are common. The Thamel neighborhood has a dense concentration of tourist restaurants serving everything from Nepali to Italian to Korean. Pumpernickel Bakery in Thamel is a long-standing backpacker institution for coffee and baked goods.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a permit to trek in Nepal?
Most treks require at least a Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS) card and often a national park or conservation area entry permit. Everest Base Camp: TIMS + Sagarmatha National Park permit. Annapurna Circuit: TIMS + Annapurna Conservation Area Project permit. These are obtained in Kathmandu through the Nepal Tourism Board or at the trek entry points. The permits are inexpensive by trekking standards ($10-30 USD total). High-altitude restricted areas (Upper Mustang, Dolpo) require additional special permits ($500-2,500 USD depending on zone and season).
Is Nepal safe after the 2015 earthquake?
Yes. Nepal has rebuilt substantially since the 7.8 magnitude earthquake and subsequent aftershocks killed nearly 9,000 people and damaged many historical sites. Boudhanath Stupa was fully restored by 2016. Kathmandu Durbar Square lost some structures and restoration continues. The trekking routes were all reopened within months of the earthquake and are fully operational. Some older buildings throughout the valley still show earthquake damage, but the heritage sites and trekking infrastructure are in good shape.