Kathmandu travel guide

At a glance

capital of Nepal. For a first visit, Pashupatinath Temple, Dharahara, Swayambhunath are strong starting points. This guide brings together 14 places, practical 1/3/5/7-day routes and a concise food shortlist so you can understand the city before shaping the trip around your pace.

Highlight stops

• Pashupatinath Temple — Hindu temple in Kathmandu
• Dharahara — nine storey tower built in 1832
• Swayambhunath — Hindus and Buddhist holy place and tourist center in Kathmandu, Nepal
• Narayanhiti Palace — palace in Kathmandu, Nepal
• Basantapur Durbar Square — square in Kathmandu, Nepal
• Changu Narayan Temple — Hindu temple in Changunarayan, Nepal
• Budhanilkantha Temple — Hindu temple in Kathmandu District, Nepal
• Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park — national park of Nepal

Food and drink

Use these well-documented flavours as a practical tasting shortlist; open an item to understand it and add it to your trip plan.

• Dal bhat — Lentil and rice dish
• mimosa sugar ball — type of religious offering
• Tongba — Nepalese fermented millet beverage

1-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Dharahara · Indra Chowk · Asan · Basantapur Durbar Square

3-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Dharahara · Indra Chowk · Asan · Basantapur Durbar Square

Day 2 · Museums and art

Narayanhiti Palace · Pashupatinath Temple · Patan Durbar Square · Kathmandu Zoo

Day 3 · Nature route

Taudaha Lake · Swayambhunath · Budhanilkantha Temple · Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

5-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Dharahara · Indra Chowk · Asan

Day 2 · Architecture and city fabric

Basantapur Durbar Square · Narayanhiti Palace · Pashupatinath Temple

Day 3 · Architecture and city fabric

Patan Durbar Square · Kathmandu Zoo · Taudaha Lake

Day 4 · History and landmarks

Swayambhunath · Budhanilkantha Temple · Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Day 5 · History and landmarks

Changu Narayan Temple · Bhaktapur Durbar Square

7-day itinerary

Day 1 · History and landmarks

Dharahara · Indra Chowk

Day 2 · Architecture and city fabric

Asan · Basantapur Durbar Square

Day 3 · Museums and art

Narayanhiti Palace · Pashupatinath Temple

Day 4 · Architecture and city fabric

Patan Durbar Square · Kathmandu Zoo

Day 5 · Nature route

Taudaha Lake · Swayambhunath

Day 6 · History and landmarks

Budhanilkantha Temple · Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park

Day 7 · History and landmarks

Changu Narayan Temple · Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Before you go

This route distributes nearby source-backed stops across balanced days. Opening times and ticket conditions can change; check the official source before visiting.