Kathmandu Valley Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Kopan Monastery showing a temple or place of worship
Nagarkot showing tranquil scenes and farmland
Kathmandu Valley
Boudhanath which includes a city
Garden of Dreams showing a fountain
This mountain-sheltered region at the foot of the Himalayas is filled with sacred sites of great beauty, religious importance and historic significance.

Buddhist and Hindu temples and monuments stand side by side in Kathmandu Valley’s ancient cities. Appreciate centuries-old architecture, trek along mountain paths and visit the home of a living goddess.

For more than a thousand years the Kathmandu Valley has been Nepal’s political, cultural and economic hub. Dynasties have come and gone, but cultures and traditions are preserved in the ancient temples.

Journey to Swayambhunath, a hilltop temple on Kathmandu Valley’s western edge. The religious compound is called Monkey Temple for the holy monkeys living here. Examine ancient carvings and statues in Changu Narayan Temple, a fourth-century Hindu shrine. Marvel at the rich ornamentation of Pashupatinath Temple. Go to the Buddhist holy site of Boudhanath, one of the world’s largest ancient stupas, believed to have been built in the 14th century.

Visit Kathmandu, Nepal’s largest city and capital, to explore the temples, palaces and monuments of Kathmandu Durbar Square. Climb up the nine-story Basantapur Tower at Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the former royal residence. Study the architecture of the three-tiered Taleju Mandir temple. Admire wood-carved reliefs of gods inside Kumari Ghar. This is the temple home of a young girl believed to be the incarnation of a Hindu goddess.

Nature lovers and hikers will delight in a visit to Kathmandu Valley. About 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of the capital city is Langtang National Park. The hiking trails climb up forested slopes and through deep gorges where you may see wild boar, gray langur monkeys and red pandas. Walk from Dhunche to Gosaikunda, an alpine lake and Hindu religious site the trek takes several days. Relax after your hike with Nepalese momo stuffed dumplings and chiya spiced tea.

Reach Kathmandu Valley by flying into Kathmandu's Tribhuvan International Airport. Hire a car and driver or get around by bus, taxi, motorbike or bicycle. Some roads are in poor condition and rides may be bumpy. This minor inconvenience is more than made up for by the valley’s natural beauty.

Where to stay in Kathmandu Valley

Garden of Dreams showing a fountain

Thamel

4/5(64 area reviews)

Unique features of Thamel include the shopping and cafes. Make a stop by Ballys Casino or Garden of Dreams while you're exploring the area.

Thamel
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Lazimpat

3.5/5(10 area reviews)

Get to know Lazimpat by checking out its gardens, restaurants and historical sites. Consider a visit to nearby sights like Ballys Casino or Narayanhity Palace Museum during your time in the area.

Lazimpat
Boudhanath which includes a city

Boudhha

5/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Boudhha include the gardens and spas. Make a stop by Riverbanks of the Bagmati or Boudhanath while you're exploring the area.

Boudhha
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Jhamsikhel

Jhamsikhel might not have many top sights, but Patan Zoo and Pachali Bhairab & the Southern Ghats are two attractions nearby that you can check out.

Jhamsikhel
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New Baneshwor

While visiting New Baneshwor, you might make a stop by sights like Seto Macchendranath Temple and Vaisha Dev (Toothache Tree).

New Baneshwor
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Sundhara

While visiting Sundhara, you might make a stop by sights like Kathmandu Civil Mall and Bhimsen Tower (Dharahara).

Sundhara
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
5 out of 5
Taragaon Boudha, Gpo Box 9609, Kathmandu
The price is AU$200 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$200
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Kathmandu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (429 reviews)
"Excellent Hotel & Service. The Food was Superb. We had a wonderful time"

Reviewed on 27 Feb. 2025

Hyatt Regency Kathmandu
Kathmandu Marriott Hotel
Kathmandu Marriott Hotel
5 out of 5
Manakamana Marg, Naxal, Kathmandu
The price is AU$291 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$291
includes taxes & fees
15 Mar - 16 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Kathmandu. Enjoy free parking, a full-service spa, and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (136 reviews)
Review of Marriott Kathmandu
"Excellent hotel but Indian and Chinese food way too spicy for my taste. Staff truly went out of their way to be helpful. At breakfast our server Pravakar was extremely kind and was quick to know what we liked and didn’t like. We truly appreciated his kindness"

Reviewed on 25 Feb. 2025

Kathmandu Marriott Hotel
Nirvana Boutique Hotel
Nirvana Boutique Hotel
4 out of 5
J P Marg, Thamel, Chhetrapati, Kathmandu, Bagmati
The price is AU$70 per night from 15 Mar to 16 Mar
AU$70
includes taxes & fees
15 Mar - 16 Mar
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Kathmandu. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Kathmandu Durbar Square and ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (125 reviews)
"Excellent food in a beautiful garden. Remarkably helpful staff at the front desk. My room was very small, but the price was great!"

Reviewed on 12 Mar. 2025

Nirvana Boutique Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Suite Homes
Suite Homes
3 out of 5
Manbhawan Rd, Lalitpur, Central Development Region
Stay at this 3-star spa aparthotel in Lalitpur. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Kathmandu Durbar Square and Pashupatinath ...
8/10 Very Good! (2 reviews)
"I liked it how everybody was very friendly."

Reviewed on 30 May 2023

Suite Homes
Boudha Apart Hotel
Boudha Apart Hotel
3 out of 5
Ramhiti Boudha Rd, Kathmandu, Bagmati Province
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Kathmandu. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Boudhanath and Pashupatinath Temple ...
10/10 Exceptional! (1 review)
"Staff are helpful and cheerful. The room is clean."

Reviewed on 3 Jul. 2024

Boudha Apart Hotel
Indrasthan himalaya Resort
Indrasthan himalaya Resort
2.5 out of 5
1 indrasthan, Chandragiri, Bagmati Province
Stay at this aparthotel in Chandragiri. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Popular attractions Kathmandu Durbar Square and Durbar Marg ...
Indrasthan himalaya Resort
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Cities near Kathmandu Valley