Kathmandu Valley – Top Attractions & Travel Tips

Kathmandu, situated at an elevation of approximately 1,400 meters, lies in a valley encircled by four forested hills—Shivapuri, Nagarjun, Chandragiri, and Phulchoki. Home to around 1.5 million residents, the city blends centuries-old architecture with modern urban life. Within its limits are seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, making Kathmandu one of the most culturally dense cities in the world. Historic temples, royal palace squares, and vibrant marketplaces reflect its rich heritage and ongoing significance as a cultural and spiritual center in South Asia.

Getting There

International

Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) is Nepal’s only international gateway, serving as the primary point of entry for travelers arriving from abroad. There are no direct flights to Kathmandu from Europe, the Americas, or Oceania. However, several efficient routing options are available through major transit hubs. From the Middle East, airlines such as Qatar Airways (via Doha), Emirates (via Dubai), Etihad (via Abu Dhabi), and Turkish Airlines (via Istanbul) offer connections that are all under four hours from Kathmandu. Travelers can also connect through key Asian hubs including Delhi (1 hour), Bangkok (3 hours), Kuala Lumpur (4 hours), Singapore (4 hours), Guangzhou (4 hours), and Seoul (5 hours).

Most nationalities are eligible for a visa on arrival in Nepal, which can be paid for by cash or card. It's recommended to have a passport photo ready to streamline the process.

Domestic

• The same airport’s domestic wing runs 30-minute hops to Pokhara, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa (Lumbini), Biratnagar and the Everest-region airstrip of Lukla.
• Carriers: Buddha Air, Yeti, Shree, Simrik – tickets USD 90-140 one-way; book a window seat on the right side for Himalaya views.

Overland

• Tourist buses: Pokhara (7 h), Chitwan (5 h), Sonauli/India border (8 h).
• New cross-border rail: Take the Janakpur-Jaynagar train from India, then 7 h bus to Kathmandu.

Weather at a Glance

Pack layers; Kathmandu is 1 400 m high so nights are always cooler than days.

Nightlife & Live Music

Thamel is the after-dark playground: bars close 01:00-02:00, casinos run 24 h.

• Purple Haze Rock Bar – local cover bands cranking out AC/DC.
• Lord of the Drinks (LOD) – big-room DJ sets, ranked among Asia’s top 50 clubs.
• Jazz Upstairs – small rooftop, live Nepali jazz every Friday.
• Casinos – Hotel Yak & Yeti, Everest, Anna; free drinks while you play.
  Tip: Taxis double after midnight; Pathao bike-taxi works till 00:30.

Top Places to See

(All UNESCO sites unless stated)

1. Swayambhunath Stupa – climb 365 steps for 360° valley views; sunset is golden hour.
2. Kathmandu Durbar Square – Hanuman Dhoka Palace, Kasthamandap pavilion and the living goddess Kumari’s house.
3. Pashupatinath Temple – Hindu cremation ghats on Bagmati River; go at 18:00 for evening aarti (non-Hindus view from east bank).
4. Boudhanath Stupa – 36 m mandala, best circumambulated at dawn with Tibetan pilgrims; rooftop cafés for momo & chai.
5. Patan Durbar Square – 15 min taxi across the bridge; finest Newari stone & bronze art; excellent Patan Museum.
6. Bhaktapur Durbar Square – 45 min away; traffic-free medieval city; try king-curd “Juju Dhau” in a clay bowl.
7. Nagarkot – 1 ½ h ridge village for sunrise Everest views; stay overnight, return by mountain bike.

What to Eat

Street snacks (₨ 50-150)

• Momo – steamed or fried dumplings; buff (buffalo) is default, chicken & veg available.
• Chatamari – rice-flour crepe topped with minced meat & egg; nick-named “Nepali pizza”.
• Sekuwa – charcoal-grilled spicy meat skewers; find at Bajeko Sekuwa or street carts.
• Pani-puri – hollow crisps filled with spicy potato & tamarind water (eat only at busy stalls).
• Sel Roti – ring-shaped sweet rice bread, great with milk tea.

Full meals (₨ 300-700)

• Dal Bhat – endless refills of rice, lentil soup, veg curry, pickle; order “unlimited” for long trek prep.
• Newari Khaja Set (Samay Baji) – beaten rice, roasted soy, spicy potato, fried buffalo, garlic-ginger pickle.
• Thakali Thali – Himalayan buckwheat, gundruk (fermented leaf) soup, smoked meat.
• Thukpa – Tibetan noodle soup with veg or meat, perfect in winter.

Sweet finish

• Juju Dhau – thick buffalo-milk yoghurt in Bhaktapur.
• Jeri (Jalebi) – sticky orange spirals of deep-fried batter soaked in syrup.

Getting Around

• Ride-share apps – Pathao (moto & car), inDrive; need Nepali SIM (Ncell booth at airport).
• Taxi – plentiful, always negotiate; meter is “broken” 90 % of the time. Airport-Thamel ₹ 600-800.
• Micro-bus / Tempo – blue/green buses ₹ 20-35; fun but cramped.
• Cycle-rickshaw – best for short Thamel lanes ₹ 100-150.
• Motorbike rental – ₹ 700-900/day (passport deposit); chaotic traffic, left-hand drive.
• Day-trip car+driver – ₹ 4 000-5 000/8 h to Bhaktapur & Patan.

Shopping

Thamel – one-stop for cashmere, singing bowls, prayer flags, knock-off North Face gear; bargain hard (start at 40 % of quoted price).
Asan Bazaar – spice alley, turmeric pyramids, glass-bead bangles, cheap tea.
Patan & Bhaktapur – wood-carved masks, brass statues, handmade lokta paper journals; prices higher but quality authentic.
Fair-trade fixes – Women’s Skills Development (Patan), Dhukuti (Kathmandu) for fixed-price, ethically-made gifts.
Cash – ATMs charge ₹ 500 fee; most stalls prefer rupees, a few take USD.
Export tip – antiques older than 100 years need a Department of Archaeology stamp; ask the shop to arrange.