Ancient temples, rooftop bars, and the gateway to the Himalayas
Where to base yourself in the Kathmandu Valley
Tourist hub — gear shops, bars, restaurants, hostels
Ancient Newari city with artisan workshops and quieter cafes
Peaceful area around Boudhanath Stupa, Tibetan culture
Upscale neighborhood with craft cocktail bars and brunch spots
Old bazaar district — spices, street food, local life
Embassy area with boutique hotels and fine dining
Best coffee shops and brunch spots in the valley
Thamel / Citywide · 7am–10pm
Nepal’s biggest specialty coffee chain — single-origin Nepali beans, rooftop terrace views
Thamel · 11am–10pm
Legendary Israeli-Mediterranean vegetarian café with floor-seating, hookah, and live music nights
Jhamsikhel · 8am–8pm
Third-wave specialty coffee roastery sourcing from Nepali farms — pour-over, cold brew, latte art
Jhamsikhel · 8am–9pm
Australian-style brunch cafe with sourdough toast, smoothie bowls, and great flat whites
Kirtipur · 11am–8pm
Traditional Newari set meal in an authentic heritage house — a food experience, not just a cafe
Sanepa · 8am–9pm
Cozy garden cafe in a converted house — great pastries, European-style brunch
Thamel / Bhatbhateni · 11am–10pm
Wood-fired pizza and craft beer — a Kathmandu institution since 2008
From street-side dal bhat to Michelin-worthy fine dining
Dillibazar · Traditional Nepali
Fine-dining Nepali experience in a restored 150-year-old Rana palace — cultural shows nightly
NPR 2,000–4,000Dwarika’s Hotel · Nepali fine dining
Nepal’s most acclaimed restaurant — 6 to 22-course Nepali degustation with paired wines
NPR 4,000–12,000Thamel · Italian
Italian-run pizzeria beloved by trekkers since 1995 — wood-fired, generous portions
NPR 600–1,500Thamel · Thakali Nepali
Authentic Thakali dal bhat with unlimited refills — the meal that fuels every trek
NPR 350–500Thamel · Tibetan
Hole-in-the-wall famous for hand-made momos — arguably the best in Kathmandu
NPR 200–400Garden of Dreams · Continental
European cafe inside the stunning neoclassical Garden of Dreams — perfect afternoon escape
NPR 500–1,000Lazimpat · Modern Nepali
Modern Nepali cuisine reimagined — craft cocktails and a curated tasting menu
NPR 1,500–3,500Jhamsikhel · Contemporary
Farm-to-table concept with seasonal Nepali ingredients and creative presentations
NPR 800–1,800Budget pods to heritage palaces \u2014 every style covered
Battisputali
UNESCO heritage hotel with hand-carved Newari woodwork — Nepal’s finest luxury property
Durbar Marg
Iconic 5-star in a former Rana palace — pool, casino, central location
Boudha
International luxury near Boudhanath Stupa with extensive grounds and spa
Thamel
Best mid-range in Thamel — rooftop restaurant, clean rooms, helpful staff
Thamel
Social hostel chain with dorms and privates — rooftop hangout, free walking tours
Thamel
Popular backpacker hostel with pod beds, co-working space, and great common area
Patan
Boutique guesthouse in a restored Newari house with courtyard — authentic experience
From Thamel dive bars to Jhamsikhel cocktail lounges
Thamel · 5pm–late
Multi-level party venue with DJ, dance floor, rooftop bar — Thamel’s biggest club
Saturday DJ nights
Thamel · 4pm–midnight
Legendary dive bar and Thamel institution since the ’90s — live music, cheap drinks, backpacker vibe
Live rock music
Thamel · 4pm–midnight
Rock & metal bar covered in music memorabilia — live bands most nights
Live bands nightly
Patan · 12pm–10pm
Craft brewery with rotating Nepali-brewed beers — IPA, stout, wheat in a chill garden
Nepali craft beer flight
Jhamsikhel · 5pm–midnight
Live jazz, blues & cocktail lounge — sophisticated atmosphere, amazing musicians
Live jazz Fri/Sat
Thamel · 6pm–late
Neon-lit cocktail bar and dance club with electronic music — rooftop terrace
Cocktail happy hour 6-8pm
Thamel · 5pm–midnight
Intimate live music venue showcasing Nepali and international artists — craft cocktails
Live acoustic sets
Lazimpat · 4pm–11pm
Chill rooftop bar with mountain views, tapas, and creative cocktails
Rooftop sunset views
UNESCO heritage, living goddesses, and ancient squares
Boudha
One of the largest spherical stupas in the world — UNESCO World Heritage, Tibetan Buddhist center
Visit at dusk for the butter lamp ceremony
Pashupatinath
Sacred Hindu temple on the Bagmati River — cremation ghats, sadhus, and ancient architecture
Respectful dress required; arrive early morning
West KTM
Ancient hilltop stupa with panoramic valley views — monkeys, prayer flags, and 365 steps
Climb at sunrise for the best views and fewer crowds
Basantapur
Historic royal palace complex with Newari temples, Kumari House (living goddess), and courtyards
Hire a local guide for NPR 500–1,000
Patan
Finest collection of Newari architecture in Nepal — Krishna Mandir, Golden Temple, Patan Museum
Patan Museum is one of South Asia’s best
Bhaktapur
Medieval city frozen in time — 55-Window Palace, Nyatapola Temple, pottery squares
Stay overnight to experience it without day-trippers
Thamel
Restored neoclassical garden oasis in the heart of Thamel — perfect escape from the chaos
Great for a quiet afternoon with a book
Cooking classes, cycling tours, pottery, and more
Patan / Thamel · 3–4 hours
Learn to cook momos, dal bhat, and Newari specialties with local chefs
NPR 3,000–5,000Nagarkot · Full day
Downhill ride from Nagarkot with Himalayan panorama — guides and bikes provided
NPR 4,000–8,000Bhaktapur · 2–3 hours
Learn traditional Newari pottery at the famous Pottery Square from master craftsmen
NPR 1,500–2,500Boudha / Kopan · Half–full day
Join morning yoga and meditation sessions at Kopan Monastery or Boudha centers
NPR 2,000–5,000/dayValley-wide · 5–6 hours
Guided cycle through ancient Newari towns, rice paddies, and temple sites
NPR 3,500–6,000Patan / Boudha · 3–5 hours
Learn the ancient Tibetan Buddhist art of thangka painting from master artists
NPR 3,000–7,000Old Kathmandu · 3–4 hours
Guided walk through ancient alleyways, hidden courtyards, and living heritage sites
NPR 2,000–4,000Godavari · 30–45 min flight
Tandem paragliding over the southern valley with Himalayan backdrop
NPR 7,000–12,000Pashmina, singing bowls, spices, and trekking gear
Thamel
The epicenter of tourist shopping — trekking gear, pashmina, singing bowls, thangkas, souvenirs
Always bargain — start at 50% of asking price
Old Town
Ancient spice market and local bazaar — incense, dried foods, brass, Newari handicrafts
Visit in the morning for the most vibrant atmosphere
Patan
Artisan collective with metalwork, woodcarving, thangka painting — watch craftsmen at work
Fixed prices — higher quality than Thamel
Boudha
Tibetan goods — singing bowls, prayer wheels, turquoise jewelry, Buddhist artifacts
Monks’ shops around the stupa have authentic pieces
Old Town
Blanket and fabric market with pashmina, wool, and traditional textiles
Check pashmina quality — burn test for real cashmere
Kupondole
Fair-trade certified Nepali handicrafts, textiles, and gifts — supports local artisans
Fixed fair prices with guaranteed quality
Take home the flavors of Nepal
Thamel
Premium Nepali tea specialist — Ilam orthodox, golden tips, and herbal blends with tasting sessions
NPR 200–2,500/100gAsan Bazaar
Traditional spice merchants selling turmeric, timur (Sichuan pepper), jimbu, and masala blends
NPR 50–500/100gPatan
Tea garden brand showroom with single-estate Ilam and Dhankuta teas — beautiful packaging for gifts
NPR 300–1,500/100gThamel
Direct from the estate — organic hand-rolled teas from East Nepal, Japanese-style processing
NPR 500–3,000/100gYoga, meditation, Ayurveda, and healing
Boudha
Tibetan Buddhist meditation courses (1–30 days) on a hilltop overlooking the valley
Donation-basedThamel / Jhamsikhel
Massage clinic staffed by trained visually-impaired therapists — a social enterprise
NPR 1,500–3,000Jhamsikhel
Best yoga studio in Kathmandu — international instructors, multiple styles, workshops
NPR 800–1,500/classBattisputali
Luxury Himalayan spa with Ayurvedic treatments, singing bowl therapy, and herbal wraps
NPR 5,000–15,000Budhanilkantha
10-day silent meditation retreats in the Goenka tradition — transformative and free
Donation-basedThe flavors you\u2019ll dream about long after you leave
Spicy puffed rice salad with lemon, chili, and tamarind — Nepal’s iconic street snack
Every street corner
Steamed or fried dumplings with fiery tomato chutney — the national obsession
Thamel, New Road, everywhere
Sweet ring-shaped rice bread, crispy outside and soft inside — traditional festive treat
Asan Bazaar, street vendors
Crispy shells filled with spiced water, potato, and chickpeas — eaten in one delicious bite
New Road, Ratnapark
Spiced grilled buffalo meat with beaten rice (chiura) — a Newari delicacy
Asan, Patan, Newari restaurants
Legendary sweet yogurt from Bhaktapur — creamy, set in clay pots, absolutely heavenly
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Save money with these local tips and apps
Restaurant deals and 2-for-1 offers across Kathmandu — up to 50% off dining
Digital wallet with cashback on food delivery, rides, and tourist services
Most Thamel bars run 4–7pm happy hours with half-price cocktails and beer
Food delivery app with regular promo codes and free delivery offers
Book directly with hotels (not Booking.com) for 10–20% lower rates and free upgrades
Bhaktapur’s NPR 1,800 entry ticket is valid for 7 days — visit multiple times
What things actually cost in Kathmandu (2025)
| Item | NPR | USD |
|---|---|---|
| Local bus ride | NPR 20–40 | $0.15–0.30 |
| Taxi (Thamel to Airport) | NPR 700–1,000 | $5–7.50 |
| Coffee (café) | NPR 250–400 | $1.90–3 |
| Beer (bar) | NPR 400–700 | $3–5.30 |
| Dal Bhat (local) | NPR 250–400 | $1.90–3 |
| Dal Bhat (tourist) | NPR 500–800 | $3.80–6 |
| Plate of momos | NPR 150–350 | $1.15–2.65 |
| Budget hotel/night | NPR 1,000–3,000 | $7.50–22 |
| Mid-range hotel/night | NPR 5,000–12,000 | $38–90 |
| SIM card (tourist) | NPR 500–800 | $3.80–6 |
| 1L water bottle | NPR 30–50 | $0.25–0.40 |
| Pashmina shawl (real) | NPR 2,000–8,000 | $15–60 |
Stay smart, stay safe in the capital
Plan your perfect city stay, then head to the mountains with everything sorted.