Best Places to Visit in Kathmandu Valley
Swayambhunath Stupa
Swayambhunath Stupa is one of the most famous places known to every Nepali and foreigner. It is the pilgrimage site for both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. A white-painted dome stupa with Buddha's all-seeing eyes is located on top of the hill. It is believed to be more than 2,500 years old. It is one of the oldest religious sites and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley.
Swayambhunath is also the home of hundreds of monkeys, which makes it famous as the Monkey Temple. Do not feed the monkeys and keep the children away from the monkeys because they are aggressive and might attack you. But you can enjoy them playing from a distance on sunnydays near the pool, creating a mesmerizing view.
You can hire a private vehicle or use a public bus to reach the southern entrance of the stupa. If you are looking for adventure, you can climb the 365 steps on the eastern side to reach the top of Swayambhunath Stupa. Travelers can enjoy the majestic view of Kathmandu Valley, and on clear days, it offers a glimpse of the Langtang Lirung, Ganesh Himal, Dorje Lakpa, Manaslu, and Gaurishankar mountains.
The entrance fees for Swayambhunath Stupa are the following:
- NPR 200 for foreign nationals
- NPR 50 for SAARC nationals
- Free entry for Nepali Citizens
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is known as the most important temple for the Hindu religion. Nepal is a multireligious country, but still around 81% of the population follows the Hindu religion. In 1979, it was recognized as aUNESCO World Heritage Siteand also one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley for travelers.
The structure of Pashupatinath Temple is also famous for its pagoda-style architecture, gilded silver door with gold roofs, and carved wooden struts. You can see the open-air cremation ceremonies taking place on the ghats, and around 6 pm, you can also stay for the famous Pashupati Bagmati Aarati. You can also see the sadhus (holy men) who are often seen meditating while wearing robes.
Entrance fees for Pashupatinath Temple are:
- NPR 1000 for foreign nationals
- Free for SAARC nationals
Important Note: You should not wear leather items or always-open shoes before visiting. Photography is also strictly prohibited.
Boudhanath Stupa
The Boudhanath Stupa is one of the largest and most important stupas in the world, serving as the center of Buddhism in Nepal. The massive white dome, which is ringed by prayer wheels and watched over by painted eyes on all four sides. It sits at the center of a neighborhood with the other monasteries and is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley.
Thangka painting shops, which are the legacy of the Tibetan refugeecommunity that settled here after 1959. The best time to visit Boudhanath is in the evening or morning, when people walk clockwise around the stupa while spinning the prayer wheels, and monks are seen murmuring mantras.
After visiting the Boudhanath stupa, you can also visit the Taragon Museum just 5 mins away, which displays the pictures of Nepali architecture from around the 80s. You will notice many vendors are selling lamps all around Boudhanath. You can light the butter or oil lamps around the stupa, offering prayers to bring peace and harmony.
Entrance fees at the Bouddhanath Stupa are:
- NPR 400 for foreign nationals
- NPR 100 SAARC Nationals
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square is a historical royal palace of the Malla kings, built around the Licchavi period. It is located in the heart of Basantapur and is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage sites of Nepal. The place is crowded throughout the year, as you will notice many locals and foreigners exploring the streets of Basantapur, as it is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley.
Kumari Ghar, which is known as the home of the living goddess, and Hanuman Dhoka Palace are the major highlights of Basantapur. The craftsmanship around the Kathmandu Durbar Square reflects the centuries-old Newari culture and traditions. The Kal Bhairav statue is located in Taleju Temple, which always mesmerizes the travelers, and opens only during Dashain, one of the most famous festivals in Nepal.
Entrance fees for Kathmandu Durbar Square are:
- NPR 1000 for foreign nationals
- NPR 500 for SAARC nationals
- Citizens of Nepal need to pay an entrance fee of NPR 50 to enter the museum.
Kopan Monastery
Kopan Monastery is a peaceful escape from the crowded streets of Kathmandu, located on Kopan Hill in Budhanikantha. It was founded in 1969 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. The monastery has become one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley and a center of attraction for travelers all around the world to study Buddhist culture.
You can also join meditationsessions and Dharma teachings as well as observe monks performing Buddhist rituals. One of the underrated places in Kathmandu that offers peace and reflects the Tibetan Buddhist culture. The place is famous for teaching Buddhist culture and tradition to hundreds of young people.
As for the entry fee of Kopan Monastery, you don't need to pay any entrance fee. You can just donate them in their donation box. The entrance gate opens daily from 9:00 AM to 5 PM.
Garden of Dreams
Garden of Dreams was built in the early 1920s during the Rana era just outside of Thamel. The peaceful escape from the crowded streets and city noise. The garden is also a part of Kaiser Mahal and has gone through many restorations to its original Edwardian-inspired design. Now the garden features lawns, fountains, and neoclassical pavilions, creating a perfect spot to enjoy a coffee. It is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley, away from city traffic, dust, and noise.
The entrance fees for The Garden of Dreams are
150 per person for Nepalese
Rs. 400 per person for all foreign nationals.
Senior citizens, teenagers, and special-abled children will have a 50% discount.
Patan Durbar Square
Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, can be reached in a short ride from Kathmandu through the Bagmati River. It's a cultural center that was restored after the major earthquake and remains one of three Durbar Squares within the Kathmandu Valley. Patan is also known for its long tradition of metalworking and bronzecasting. Many small workshops and galleries near the square sell handcrafted statues and ritual objects.
While exploring the Patan Durbar Square, you notice that most of all the wood and stone carvings have incredible detail. It shows centuries-old Newari craftsmanship reflecting their culture and tradition. The buildings preserve the legacy of the Malla kings, showing the mixture of Buddhist and Hindu styles. It is one of the most recommended places to visit in Kathmandu Valley to explore the unique Newari culture.
The entry fee to visit Patan Durbar Square, which includes access to the Patan Museum, is
- For foreign nationals, the fee is NPR 1,000
- For SAARC nationals, it is NPR 250.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur Durbar Square can be reached in around 40 minutesof travel on the east side of Kathmandu. You will find yourself in a city of old architecture. The former royal palace of the Malla kings. Walking around the Bhaktapur Durbar Square feels like you have traveled back in time. You will be mesmerized by how well it has been preserved.
The medieval city of Bhaktapur, reflecting the traditional lifestyle of the Newari people, is known as one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley. The city is famous for art, culture, Juju Dhau, pottery shops, and museums. The streets of brick lanes have carved windows and squares with lively people as they smile towards you and greet you.
The entry fees while visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square are the following:
- Foreign nationals: NPR 2,000
- For SAARC & Chinese nationals, it is NPR 500.
Narayanhiti Palace Museum
Narayanhiti Palace Museum is also one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley, which has been preserving the record of more than 240 years of Nepal's history. The word "Naryan" describes Lord Vishnu, and "Hiti" describes the water sprout. The palace offers the legacy of Nepal's monarchy and showcases the lifestyle along with historical events that reshaped the nation.
As the king stepped down from his throne, the palace was publicly opened as a museum on 15th June, 2008. The Narayanhiti Palace Museum, which was also built in pagoda style by the order of King Mahendra in 1963, is surrounded by gardens and buildings. It is one of the most recommended places to visit for travelers to learn about Nepal's history.
Entrance fees to Narayanhiti Palace Museum are:
- NPR 1000 to foreign Nationals
- NPR 500 (SAARC and Chinese Nationals)
- NPR 200 (Nepalese)
- NPR 50 (Nepalese Students)
The Visiting Hours:
- 10:30 am to 2:30 pm (Thursday to Monday)
- 10:30 am to 1:30 pm (Tuesday)
- Closed on Wednesday
Chandragiri Hills
Chandragiri Hills is a popular short and sweet half-day trip. It is one of the best places to visit in Kathmandu Valley, located at 2,551 meters (8,369 ft) above sea level. Travelers can enjoy the cable car ride or choose hiking trails to reach the Bhaleshwar MahadevTemple, the highlight of Chandragir Hills. The hiking trails are easy, taking around 3 to 4 hours depending on your climbing speed. On clear days, you can see the ranges like Langtang, Ganesh Himal, and Manaslu,
For the cable care experience, it costs around the following:
- NPR 825 for Nepalese Citizens
- NPR 1320 for SAARC Nationals
- USD 16 for Chinese people
- And USD 23 for Foreign Nationals
The operating hours of the cable car are:
- Sunday to Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Break Time: 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Right time to explore the best places in Kathmandu
Nepal experiences four different seasons: spring, autumn, monsoon, and winter. Choosing the right season to explore the best places in Kathmandu has its own seasonal highlights. Manyfamous festivals in Nepal, such as Indra Jatra, Holi, Mahashivaratri, Gai Jatra, and many others, are celebrated all around the streets of Kathmandu.
Spring Season
Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Kathmandu, where the weather is warm and pleasant, with temperatures up to 15°C to 28°C. The city is covered in blooming flowers everywhere. During this time, major festivals such as Holi, Ghode Jatra, Nepali New Year, and Buddha Jayanti are celebrated.
Autumn season
The autumn season is also considered the best time to visit Kathmandu. The monsoon clears away dust, leaving clear blue skies and comfortable temperatures from 15°C to 26°C. At this time, Kathmandu experiences its biggest festivals, such as Indra Jatra, Dashain, Tihar, and Chhath.
Summer / Monsoon season
Although monsoon season brings lush greenness to the city, at the same time, Kathmandu experiences heavy rainfall, cloudy skies, slippery roads, and leeches. But at this time, Kathmandu celebrates the GaiJatra, Nag Panchami, Janai Purnima, and Rato Machhindranath Jatra.
Winter season
The winter season is cool and dry while offering peaceful sightseeing with few visitors. But the temperatures can reach up to 0°C on cold mornings. But this can't stop the people of Kathmandu from celebrating their famous festivals in Nepal like Maha Shivaratri, Sonam Lhosar, Maghe Sankranti, and Yomari Purnima.
Important Note: Spring and autumn are also famous for high-altitude trekking in Nepal, an adventurous journey. The Annapurna Region, Everest Region, Manaslu Region, and Langtang Valley Trek are the famous trekking destinations in Nepal.
Conclusion
Although many people come to Nepal to visit the Himalayas, rather than that, the city itself holds the history, architecture, and living religion as well as the cultural traditions. Just within a few kilometers, you can experience everything from noisy traffic to peaceful places. Like spinning the prayer wheels with monks at Boudhanath, wandering around the medieval royal square in Bhaktapur, watching the Hindu cremation or Bagmati Aarti at Pashupatinath, and riding a cable car to greener forest hills.
Give yourself at least two to three full days in Kathmandu before or after a trek. You can spend a morning at Swayambhunath and Pashupatinath, an afternoon in Durbar Square, an evening circling Boudhanath, and a day trip out to Patan or Bhaktapur. Or spend some peaceful time at Garden of Dreams or Kopan Monastery, where no single place can be compared with another, and all the places are the best places to visit in Kathmandu. However, we provide you with a package to visit the 7 UNESCO World Heritage sites in a day.
