Top things to do in Kathmandu
Temple squares, stupas and Himalayan outlooks, with city tours and day trips in reach.
Top tours and sightseeing picks
A varied mix of landmarks, tour desks and practical trip-planning stops.
These picks cover a palace museum, city-based tour operators and a couple of short trips from Kathmandu. Start with the sights, then use the agencies and information centres if you need to arrange something more ambitious.
Hanumandhoka Durbar Square
Palace museum named after the entryway's stone Hanuman, with exhibits on the Shah Dynasty.
"Check opening timing before you go; it opens late."
Holidays to Nepal Pvt. Ltd.
Tour agency
"Located in the city, so easy to visit before setting out."
Lauke Waterfall, Nuwakot
Tourist attraction
"It is a short trip from the centre, so leave extra time for road conditions."
Himalayan Adventure Treks & Tours
Hiking area
"In the city, with a Thamel location that is convenient for trip planning."
Flyeast Nepal
A tourist information centre in Kathmandu. It suits visitors who want advice and booking help, especially when time is limited. It opens late, which can help on arrival days.
"In the city and open late."
Luxury Holidays Nepal
Transportation service
"In the city, useful for planning before departure."
Namaste Nepal Travels and Tours
Travel agency
"Located in the city and useful for quick booking tasks."
Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN)
Tourist information center
"In the city, so it works well as a first stop."
Chitwan Jungle Safari & Wildlife Tours
Corporate office
"In the city, with outdoor trip planning handled from an office base."
Magical Himalayan Nepal
Tour agency
"In the city and based on Thamel Marg."
Everest Base Camp Helicopter Tour with landing flight cost
Transportation service
"In the city, and it opens late."
Top places to visit in Kathmandu
Spots that define the city for first-time visitors
A varied mix of temples, museums, parks, and nearby viewpoints. These picks suit straightforward sightseeing, half-day walks, and easy outdoor time.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
Landmark, ancient royal complex with various palaces, temples & courtyards, plus a museum.
Museum of Nepali Art
Art museum
"Useful when you want an easy museum stop in the centre."
Hanumandhoka Durbar Square
Palace museum named after the entryway's stone Hanuman, with exhibits on the Shah Dynasty.
"Best visited with enough time to linger in the square."
Patan Museum
An extensive collection of traditional religious art on display in an 18th-century royal palace.
"Works well as part of a Patan half-day."
Whoopee Land Amusement Water Park
Theme park with a carousel, roller coaster & robotic dinosaurs, plus an outdoor pool with slides.
"Best for a full recreational outing."
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park,HQ
National park
Tinkune Park
Park
"Handy if you only want a brief outdoor stop."
Buddha Stupa
Buddhist place of worship featuring a sizable white dome topped with a towering, golden spire.
Switzerland Park
A near-city park in Chandragiri. It suits a low-key outdoor stop and travellers who want an easy green space outside the centre. Go when you have time for a short trip from the city.
"Best paired with other west-side plans."
Swayambhu Mahachaitya
A very old religious site, this Buddhist complex has an iconic stupa, temples & many shrines.
"Leave time to explore beyond the main stupa."
Guhyeshwari Nursery, Fikkal Chok
Garden
Civil bowling & game zone
Bowling alley
Imadol Swimming Pool
Swimming pool
Bhasmasur Hill
A near-city scenic spot in Dakshinkali. It suits travellers looking for a viewpoint-style stop on a short trip from the centre. Check transport plans before you go, as it sits outside the core city area.
"Allow extra time for getting there and back."
Dhalpa, Kirtipur
State park
Changu View Station
Scenic spot
Chuchaydhunga View Point
Hiking area
Chobar Ground
Picnic ground
"A simple option for a relaxed outdoor break."
Patan Darbar Square
Museum in a former royal palace housing Hindu & Buddhist sculptures & other cultural artifacts.
Nyatapola Temple
A near-city Hindu temple in Bhaktapur with a five-tiered pagoda from 1701. It suits day-trippers who want a major temple stop outside central Kathmandu. As it sits in Bhaktapur, treat it as a separate outing.
Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park
Check current opening hours before visiting.
"Plan extra time for the journey from the centre."
Where to stay
Reliable bases for exploring the city
A mixed set of guesthouses, hotels, hostels, resorts and a couple of restaurant stops. The first few cards balance central bases with quieter, more scenic stays.
Outdoor picks for clear spells
Outdoor-friendly picks for clear days
A mix of hill walks, viewpoints, parks and temple grounds around Kathmandu. Choose the ones that fit your pace, and keep the shorter drives or city-based stops handy if the weather turns.
Budhanilkantha Temple
An open-air Hindu temple with a stone image of Vishnu in a pond. It suits visitors who want a quick cultural stop as well as an outdoor landmark, and it is easiest to pair with a short city ride.
Nagarjun Forest Reserve
A hiking and nature area in the city, part of Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. It suits visitors looking for a longer walk with views, and the trail setting makes dry conditions more practical.
Buddha Stupa
A Buddhist place of worship with a white dome and golden spire. It suits visitors who want a major city landmark with time to walk around, and late opening gives more flexibility.
Lankuri Bhanjyang Viewpoint
A near-city scenic spot with late opening. It suits travellers who want a viewpoint trip short of a full day out, and the setting is best used when the weather clears.
Swayambhu Mahachaitya
A Buddhist complex with an iconic stupa, temples and many shrines. It suits visitors who want one of Kathmandu’s best-known outdoor religious sites, and a late visit can be more relaxed.
Kakani Height
A near-city hiking area. It suits walkers who want a straightforward outing beyond the centre, and it is a good choice for a short hill trip.
Janamaitri Park (Pepsicola Town)
An outdoor park in Kathmandu that is family friendly and open late. It suits an easy stroll or a local green-space break, and the late hours give it some flexibility.
Ghyampe Danda
A hiking area short of the city centre. It suits visitors who want a more active outing, and it is best approached as a weather-dependent hill trip.
Manjushree Park
A park in Kirtipur with valley views, picnic areas and caves. It suits visitors who want a greener outing outside the centre, and the open setting makes it a better fair-weather choice.
Ranikot
A hiking area in Anantalingeshwar. It suits visitors who want another hill walk option beyond the main viewpoints, and it works best as a simple day trip when conditions are clear.
Swayambhu Buddha Park - Ring Road
A landscaped park in the city with paved walkways, shade trees and three large gold Buddha figures. It suits a short, easy outdoor stop, and the path network makes it simple to visit on foot.
Paneku Park
A garden in Kathmandu. It suits anyone wanting a compact outdoor stop, and its small size makes it easy to fit between other plans.
Buddha Stupa
A Buddhist place of worship with a white dome and golden spire. It suits visitors who want a major city landmark with time to walk around, and late opening gives more flexibility.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Time-tested city square with an 1427 CE palace, multiple temples, statues & intricate gates.
Bhasmasur Hill
A near-city scenic spot in Dakshinkali. It suits travellers looking for a viewpoint-style stop on a short trip from the centre. Check transport plans before you go, as it sits outside the core city area.
"Allow extra time for getting there and back."
The Skate venue
Skatepark
Jagdol Picnic Spot
Picnic ground
Tokha Keba Fun Park
Water park
Dhalpa, Kirtipur
State park
Bholachhen
Off roading area
sallaghari
National park
Ramailo Chowk रमाईलो चोक
Off roading area
Balkumari Picnic Spot
Picnic ground
Lubhu Natural Underground Gas
Nature preserve