Kathmandu

Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and the city nearly every visitor passes through — a dense, layered place where medieval Newar temples, Tibetan Buddhist stupas, and Hindu pilgrimage sites sit among traffic, markets, and rooftop cafes. It anchors the Kathmandu Valley, which also holds the old royal cities of Patan (Lalitpur) and Bhaktapur. Most trips to Nepal begin and end here.

What you can do here

The valley's headline sights are its three Durbar (royal) squares, the great stupas at Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, and the riverside Hindu complex at Pashupatinath. But the city rewards wandering as much as monument-ticking: the old market lanes around Ason and Indra Chowk, the hidden courtyards (bahals) behind the main streets, and the slow circuits of pilgrims at dusk.

To turn that into days, start with the First-Time Kathmandu Valley collection for the classics, the Sacred Kathmandu Day route for stupas and temples, Durbar Square Day to link the three royal squares, or Quieter Kathmandu Corners when you want a calmer, repeat-visitor pace.

Neighborhoods to know

• Thamel — the traveler hub: gear shops, agencies, bars, and cafes. Central and useful, if noisy.
• Durbar Marg & Lazimpat — wider streets, smarter restaurants, and the Garden of Dreams.
• The old city (Ason, Indra Chowk, Basantapur) — the historic core, and the best ground for street food, markets, and heritage walks.
• Boudha — the Tibetan Buddhist quarter around the great stupa, calmest in the late afternoon.
• Patan / Jhamsikhel — across the river in Lalitpur: artisans, courtyards, and the valley's best cafe belt.

Getting around

Taxis (agree the fare first) and ride apps like Pathao and inDrive are the easy way to cross the city; walking is best within each old quarter. Traffic and dust are real — build in buffer time, and don't pack more than two or three major stops into a day.

When to go

Autumn (Oct–Nov) and spring (Mar–Apr) are clearest and most comfortable. Winter mornings are cold but often crisp and clear; monsoon (Jun–Aug) is green and quiet but hazy, with afternoon downpours — keep plans loose and lean on indoor heritage, museums, and cafes.

A trust note

Temple entry fees, opening hours, and which inner sanctums are open to non-Hindus change over time, and post-earthquake restoration is still ongoing at several heritage sites. Treat this guide as a starting point and confirm specifics locally on the day.