15 Best Places to Visit in Kathmandu 2025

If you are flying in, Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal and the gateway to the Himalayas and the rest of the country. It is a big city. The Kathmandu Valley is divided into three parts- Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur. We have many tourist sites in all three areas.

If you have heard or not, Kathmandu is known as the city of temples. The city is adorned with an uncountable number of small and big temples and stupas, each with its own unique story to tell. And that’s not all, there are many more cultural gems and bustling markets waiting to be explored.

In this blog, we have selected the 15 best places to visit in Kathmandu in 2025. All these places are quite popular among locals and travelers. You will get an excellent insight into Nepali history, culture, art, architecture, traditions, lifestyle, and food while visiting these places.

All the places are safe to explore solo or with your loved ones. The locals are very friendly and welcoming. Still, be aware of your surroundings and look out for motorbikes. We highly recommend tourists taste street foods while visiting the monuments. It will enhance your tour.

Top Tourist Places in Kathmandu:

We have selected our top tourist landmarks in Kathmandu below. All the mentioned places are must visit and are quickly accessible from Thamel, the tourist hub.

1) Pashupatinath Temple:

Image: Pashupatinath-Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the top tourist destinations in Kathmandu Valley. It is one of the important Hindu pilgrimage sites in the city. The temple complex is huge. There is one main temple where non-Hindus are not allowed to enter.

Foreigners can explore the rest of the complex, which includes many small temples, shops, resting areas, etc. The Pashupatinath Temple is located on the banks of the holy Bagmati River. It features pagoda-style architecture and intricate woodwork.

Evening aarti (prayer) is quite famous among the locals, and travelers should also experience it. Behind the temple, there are different ghats (cremation sites) along the river. The view of both life and death is truly remarkable here.

2) Boudhanath Stupa:

Image: Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is the biggest stupa in Nepal. It is the center of Tibetan Buddhism and a pilgrimage site for Buddhists. The stupa is constructed, embodying different elements of Buddhist philosophy.

The massive white dome, iconic pair of eyes on all sides, and colorful prayer flags fluttering in the air are a treat for the eyes. Pilgrims and locals circumambulate around the stupa (Kora), spinning prayer wheels and chanting mantras.

Around the stupa, there are multiple monasteries and several shops, cafes, and restaurants. Boudhanath Stupa is one of the hot spots in Kathmandu, loved by both locals and foreigners. The bustle here is calming, unlike any other tourist site in Kathmandu.

3) Swayambhunath Stupa:

Image: Monkey-Temple

Foreigners know Swayambhunath Stupa by Monkey Temple. It is located on the top of a hill and offers a fantastic aerial view of the city. The hill is lush and home to many birds and monkeys.

Monkeys here are mischievous, so we recommend travelers to be careful. This place offers a break from the city. There are many small stupas and prayer flags. The environment is soothing.

You can visit here and spend a few hours meditating or just enjoying the tranquility and comparatively fresh air.

4) Kathmandu Durbar Square:

Image: Kathmandu-Durbar-Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the three durbar squares in the valley. It used to be a royal residence when kings ruled Nepal. Now, it is an open museum and a bustling market hub for locals and tourists.

You will explore palaces, courtyards, temples, and shrines here. The site is surrounded by small markets. Some iconic landmarks inside Kathmandu Durbar Square are Taleju Temple, Hanuman Dhoka, and Kumari Ghar.

FYI: Kumari is the living goddess in Nepal. She is considered the reincarnation of the goddess Taleju.

5) Patan Durbar Square:

Image: Patan-Durbar-Square

Patan Durbar Square is another durbar square located on the Lalitpur side of the valley. The architecture and craftsmanship here are insane. The Krishna Mandir is one of the main highlights of this historical site. You will explore palaces, many courtyards, and temples.

Likewise, the narrow alleys with old-style traditional Nepali buildings are also quite fascinating and worth exploring. You can also see many artisans around the Patan Durbar Square engaged in thangka paintings, metalwork, pottery, woodcarvings, etc.

6) Bhaktapur Durbar Square:

Image: Bhaktapur-Durbar-Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is the last of the three durbar squares. As the name suggests, it is situated in the Bhaktapur area of the valley. Like the other two durbar squares, you will explore medieval art, rich Nepali cultures, marvelous architecture, intricate craftsmanship, and bustling markets here as well.

The Nyatapola Temple, 55 Window Palace, Pottery Square, Bhairavnath Temple, and others are some of the popular landmarks inside Bhaktapur Durbar Square. We highly recommend trying street food here and around all historical sites.

7) Nagarkot:

Image: Nagarkot

Nagarkot is a hill station located on the outskirts of Kathmandu. It is situated 2,175 meters above sea level. Both locals and tourists love visiting this place if they want to escape the noise of Kathmandu.

There are many budget-friendly and luxury hotels and resorts here where you can spend a day or two unwinding and rejuvenating. Sunrise from here is quite famous. On clear days, you can see Himalayan ranges, including Mt. Everest. There are also hiking trails around the area.

8) Shivapuri National Park:

Image: Shivapuri-National-Park

The Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is the closest national park to the city and is very accessible. Depending on your location, you can reach the park’s entrance in just 1 to 2 hours of driving. This place is famous for day hiking.

If you want to spend time in nature and be surrounded by greenery and peace, visit Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park. The park is home to several species of birds, flora, and plants. Wild animals also live there, but they rarely come on human trails.

9) Chandragiri Hills:

Image: Chandragiri-Temple

Like Nagarkot, Chandragiri Hills is another hill station southwest of Kathmandu. It is located 2,551 meters above sea level and is a popular vantage point. You can hike or take a cable car to the top of the hill.

There is a Bhaleswhor Mahadev Temple and a resort on the top of the hills. Locals visit here for picnics or just spend some quality time with their loved ones.

On clear days, you can enjoy stunning mountain views of the Annapurna Range, Langtang Range, Mt. Gaurishankar, Mt. Everest, and many others from here.

10) Thamel:

Image: Thamel

Thamel is the tourist hub in Kathmandu. It is a bustling neighborhood with numerous hotels, cafes, restaurants, souvenir shops, trekking/climbing gear shops, etc.

Most tourists visiting Nepal for a tour, trek, or peak climbing reside here. You can try different food and enjoy window shopping. There are many narrow streets around the neighborhood worth exploring.

Not only that, but the nightlife is crazy, too. Unlike the rest of Kathmandu, the shops are open till late at night. You can visit pubs, bars, and clubs.

11) Narayanhiti Palace Museum:

Narayanhiti-Palace

Narayanhiti Palace Museum was the royal residence, which was later turned into a museum after the monarchy was abolished in 2008. Not all parts of the palace are open to the public, but you can get an overall look at how once kings and queens lived.

From Thamel, the Narayanhiti Palace Museum is just a 5 to 7-minute walk. Here, you can explore many ancient pictures, antiques, and other artifacts.

12) Kopan Monastery:

Image: Kapan

Kopan Monastery is located 1,600 meters north of Kathmandu Valley. It is a hotspot for the Buddhist community in Kathmandu and provides a peaceful retreat from the city.

It is a great meditation point and one of the highly recommended places to learn about Buddhist teachings, practices, and customs. You can visit here anytime to explore. Likewise, special courses are also available for those wanting to learn about Buddhism.

13) Kirtipur:

Image: Kritipur

Kirtipur is situated 8.5 kilometers southwest of Kathmandu. It is a medieval town famous for its Newari cultural heritage, art, and architecture.

You can explore intricately crafted wooden windows, pagoda-style architecture, and old temples here. During festivals like Indra Jatra and Bisket Jatra, the entire town bustles. Likewise, if you want to taste authentic Newari cuisine, then Kirtipur is the most suitable option.

14) Godavari Botanical Garden:

Image: Godavari-Nepal

Godavari Botanical Garden is the biggest botanical garden in Kathmandu Valley. It houses over 500 species of plants and is home to many types of birds. The serene environment and well-managed garden have become one of the top picnic spots in Kathmandu for families and tourists.

The Godavari Botanical Garden is another highly recommended place to visit if you want to spend time in nature and enjoy tranquility. The garden welcomes many locals on Saturdays and holidays, so keep this in mind.

15) Garden of Dreams:

Image: Garden-of-Dream

The Garden of Dreams is our last but not least top place to visit in Kathmandu. Built in the early 1920s by Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Jung Bahadur Rana, it was once a private royal garden.

It is located at the entrance of Thamel. The grade is designed to showcase the four seasons and reflects a blend of Nepali and European architectural styles. It is a good place for a peaceful walk or to be surrounded by nature in or around Thamel.

Conclusion

There are many more places to explore in Kathmandu and one day will definitely not be enough. We have a Kathmandu day tour package and a special multi-day Kathmandu tour package that allows us to explore the above sites with a local expert. You can customize the places you want to visit during your visit as per your wish.

Contact us if you want to book a tour with us or need more suggestions about places to visit in Kathmandu.