The 15 best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley

This post is about the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley. Many tourists head straight to the mountains to explore the Annapurnas or to see Everest. As beautiful as they may be, the Kathmandu valley has its own charms that are often overlooked.

History of the Kathmandu valley

There are so many beautiful places to visit in the Kathmandu valley that you could spend weeks exploring the area. The Kathmandu valley is at the heart of the ancient Licchavi dynasty that ruled the Kathmandu valley from the 5th till the 8th century as well as the Malla dynasty from the 12th till the 17th century.

These ancient kingdoms have left behind hundreds of medieval temples, shrines and palaces. The indigenous Newar people still have their own culture with their own caste system and follow ancient customs that are very different from the Hindus that came to the Kathmandu valley later on. It was only in the late 18th century that Hindu king Prithvi Narayan Shah conquered the Kathmandu valley and it became part of present day Nepal. 

Kathmandu became the new capital of Nepal and the city changed tremendously. However, the rest of the Kathmandu valley kept its own ancient traditions. The Newari architecture with its intricate wood carvings and multi roofed pagoda style temples is still present in many of the villages. Some even say pagoda temples originated in the Kathmandu valley and inspired the construction of other pagoda temples as far as India, China and Japan.  

Why explore the Kathmandu Valley 

There are a lot of places to visit in the Kathmandu valley. With its small authentic villages, full of historic Newari architecture, it is well worth exploring. I was lucky to be able to visit a lot of places in the Kathmandu valley when I worked as a volunteer in Nepal. Every weekend I took my bicycle or jumped on a minibus to a new corner of the valley leaving behind the hustle and the bustle of the city.

Beyond the urbanized areas of Kathmandu, the Kathmandu valley is still dominated by rural villages and agricultural fields where farmers still plow the fields by ox or bull. There is always work in the countryside. Planting rice, for example, is a community effort done by hand in a festive atmosphere, despite the back breaking work.  

The Kathmandu valley is the perfect combination of rural life with the culture and history of the ancient Newari villages and temples. The villages are all extremely picturesque and there are many historic temples that outshine those in Kathmandu itself. Most of them see very few tourists. 

The Best Places to visit near Kathmandu 

Patan

Patan or Lalitpur is among the oldest places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley with roots that go back before the ancient Lichavi dynasty. In the Malla era, Lalitpur was one of the four fortified cities in the Kathmandu Valley that was famous for its art, handicrafts and festivals.

Lalitpur was home to the rain god Rato Machendranath that was brought to the city after a devastating drought. Every year, before the monsoon, the Rato Machendranath festival takes place in Lalitpur. An enormous wooden chariot is pulled through the streets by thousands of devotees to invoke timely rains and ensure agricultural prosperity..

Nowadays it is hard to see where Kathmandu ends and Patan begins. The cities have grown together forming one large urban area. Still, the historic center of Patan feels like a different world. Patan’s durbar square with its Newari architecture full of intricate wood carvings and ancient temples is in my opinion more beautiful than the ones in Kathmandu and Bhaktapur.

Patan is still famous for its arts and handicrafts, like metalwork and pottery. If you are looking for unique crafts then Patan is one of the best places to go shopping in the Kathmandu Valley 

How to get there: mini buses leave frequently from Ratnapark to Patan. The journey takes around 20 minutes depending on the traffic.

Accomodation: Patan is a great place to stay in a homestay to get to know more about the Newari culture of the Kathmandu Valley. A very nice option is the Traditional Newari Homestay 

Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is one of the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley to see the ancient Newari architecture. 

Unlike urbanized Kathmandu and Patan, Bhaktapur has kept its small town ambiance along with its rich cultural heritage. It was the capital of the Greater Malla Kingdom from the 12th till the 15th century. This is when most of its great monuments were built. Although there was a lot of damage from the 2015 earthquake, Bhaktapur is still famous for its well preserved art and architecture. 

It’s a town where you can spend hours exploring the quiet back streets with its hidden courtyards, temple squares, shrines and ponds. Bhaktapur has more temples per square foot than any other place in Nepal. The local Newari community call their town Khwopa, or city of devotees.

Bhaktapur is famous for its wood carvings and pottery. It is also one of the best places in the Kathmandu valley to try Newari cuisine, including the delicious king curd called juju dhau. In April during the Nepali new year Bhaktapur sees large festivities during the local Bisket Jatra festival.

How to get there: Bhaktapur is 15 kilometers from Kathmandu. The local minibuses to Bhaktapur depart frequently from Ratnapark or Bagbazar in Kathmandu and the Lagankhel bus park in Patan. The journey takes around 45 minutes depending on the traffic. It is easy to combine a day trip to Bhaktapur with Changu Narayan. 

Accomodation: Good hotels are Kumari guesthouse and Tulaja boutique hotel

Changu Narayan

Changu Narayan is a small village north of Bhaktapur. The main attraction here is the oldest temple in the Kathmandu valley. 

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu, the temple features intricate stone and wood carvings that date back to the 4th century, showcasing the extraordinary craftsmanship of the Licchavi period. Beyond its spiritual and artistic significance, Changu Narayan is perched on a hilltop, offering panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and the Kathmandu Valley.

It’s location outside of Bhaktapur, means it is a peaceful escape from the busier tourist spots. Most likely, you will not meet a lot of other tourists here.

How to get there: To get to Changu Narayan you can take a minibus from Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is 15 kilometers from Kathmandu. The local minibuses to Bhaktapur depart frequently from Ratnapark or Bagbazar in Kathmandu and the Lagankhel bus park in Patan. The journey takes around 1 hour depending on the traffic. It is easy to combine a daytrip to Bhaktapur with Changu Narayan. 

Nagarkot

Nagarkot is one of the best places to visit in the Kathmandu valley to see panorama views of the Himalayas and therefore it is a very popular weekend getaway for people in Kathmandu. On a clear day you can see the Annapurnas, the Everest mountains and the peaks of Langtang. 

You need a bit of luck to see the views as they are often obscured by the clouds. The best times are early mornings or evenings and therefore it is best to spend the night in Nagarkot. This is not a problem as Nagarkot is a town full of hotels and resorts all promising the best views.

Weekends are busy as people from Kathmandu come to escape the city chaos. But if you visit during the week, it is very peaceful and quiet.  

How to get there: Nagarkot is 30 kilometers from Kathmandu. Buses leave from Bhaktapur frequently so you first need to get to Bhaktapur. The local minibusses to Bhaktapur depart frequently from Ratnapark or Bagbazar in Kathmandu and the Lagankhel bus park in Patan. The journey takes around 1 hour depending on the traffic. 

Accomodation: Nagarkot has lots of resorts to choose from. Nice options are the Hotel Everest Window View or the Jungle Crown Organic Homestay.

Kirtipur

Kirtipur is one of the oldest Newari settlements in the Kathmandu valley. Although it was not a capital of one of the old Malla kingdoms, it was a wealthy independent town. Kirtipur translates as city of glory and is home to a number of ancient temples and stupas that are well worth a visit. 

Together with Bhaktapur it is also one of the best places to visit in the Kathmandu valley to see the ancient Newari architecture, but without the tourist crowds of Patan and Bhaktapur. The town is located on a ridge with beautiful views over the valley. The main attraction is the ancient buddhist Chilancho stupa and the Bagh Bhairav temple. 

Every year around August Kirtipur is home to the colorful Bagh Bhairav jatra. There will be a procession through town together with traditional music and masked dance performances. 

How to get there: Kirtipur is 10 kilometers south of Kathmandu. mini buses leave from Ratnapark or Lagankhel to Kirtipur. The journey takes between 30 – 45 minutes depending on the traffic. 

Accomodation: In Kirtipur you can stay in the Green Eco resort or learn more about Newari culture in one of its homestays such as Nepali homestay or Comfort homestay.

Dakshinkali

The Dakshinkali temple is one of the main temples in the Kathmandu valley where people pray to the goddess Kali and is therefore an important Hindu pilgrimage center. Kali is the bloodthirsty wife of Shiva. Every Tuesday and Saturday devotees visit the temple to sacrifice animals to the goddess. 

You can see the pilgrims with their chickens and goats waiting in line for the animals to be ritually slaughtered by the temple priests. The head and blood is given to the goddess and pilgrims bring back the meat for a picnic barbecue in the nearby forest. 

Only Hindus can enter the shrine where Kali resides, but there are plenty of spots for visitors to watch the ritual sacrifices. During Dashain, the biggest festival in Nepal, the temple is soaked in blood. 

How to get there: The temple is 22 kilometers south of Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Daksinkali and Pharping. You can easily combine Dakshinkali and Pharping on a single day trip. 

Accomodation: The Pharping homestay is a nice homestay close to the temple

Pharping

Pharping is one of the best places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley, to see Tibetan Buddhist monasteries. In a way, Pharping reminded me of Bylakuppe in India. A small Tibetan settlement surrounded by the forests and farmlands of the predominantly Hindu Kathmandu valley.

Most Buddhist monasteries in town are relatively new. Buddhists believe that Guru Rinpoche reached enlightenment in Pharping and the area is home to a number of sacred caves that facilitate medication. 

Pharping isn’t very touristic. You need a bit of luck to be able to visit the monasteries. When I was there they were closed for visitors, but when the monks are around they may let you in to have a look inside.

Nevertheless, Pharping is a scenic rural town. Some of the ancient Newari temples such as the Vajra yogini temple are still around as well. In addition, it is also a great place to go for easygoing day hikes in the surrounding countryside such as the champa devi trek or the hike to the dakshinkali temple and Asura cave.  

How to get there: Pharping is 20 kilometers south of Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Daksinkali and Pharping. You can easily combine Dakshinkali and Pharping on a single day trip. 

Accomodation: Hotel Swiss is in the center of Pharping close to the temple. If you want to stay in a more quiet place in the mountains I can recommend the Solid Rock Lodge

Bungamati

Bungamati is one of the most picturesque Newari villages in the Kathmandu valley. Its rural location makes it a peaceful and tranquil place. Although bungamati is just a small farming community, the town was important enough to have its own living goddess kumari. 

Bungamati is also the birthplace of Rato Machindranath. This is the patron god of the Kathmandu valley and every year there is a large festival when the god is taken in a procession from Bungamati to Patan. 

The main square with its ancient temples saw a lot of damage from the earthquake in 2015, but restoration efforts did much to restore its former glory using traditional techniques. Most people in Bungamati are either farmers or wood carvers. If you like you can visit some of the wood carving workshops. 

How to get there: Bungamati is 6 kilometers south of Patan. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark or Lagankel to Bungamati. You can easily combine Bungamati and Khokana on a single day trip. 

Khokana

Khokana, a traditional Newar village is located just 8 kilometers south of Kathmandu. It is often referred to as a “living museum” due to its well-preserved traditions and architecture, such as the ancient tradition of making mustard oil.   

The small town has narrow stone-paved streets lined with traditional Newari houses. The village’s central pond, Dey Pukha, and various other community ponds reflect the communal lifestyle of its residents. Other landmarks include the Rudrayani Temple, a three-tiered pagoda-style temple dedicated to the village’s patron goddess.

In addition to its cultural attractions, Khokana provides scenic views of surrounding rice terrace, making it a peaceful retreat in the Kathmandu Valley.

How to get there: Khokana is 7 kilometers south of Patan. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark or Lagankel to Bungamati. You can easily combine Bungamati and Khokana on a single day trip. 

Panauti

Panauti is another old Newari settlement in the Kathmandu valley. Dating all the way back to the 13th century. This town was built at the confluence of three rivers and therefore considered sacred by Hindus. We can see the Rishi and Pungamati rivers, however the third Lilawati river is only visible to true believers. 

At the confluence is the ancient Indreshwar temple. This temple is also from the 13th century and therefore among the oldest pagoda style temples in the country. It attracts hundreds of Hindu pilgrims that believe taking a bath at the confluence of the three rivers will wash away all their sins. 

The temple alone makes Panauti worth a visit, but the small town itself is also nice to wander around in. The ancient Newari architecture, ancient temple squares and lack of tourist crowds offer an authentic experience. 

Being such an important religious Newar town it is also home to several local festivals. Every year around June you can witness the Panauti Jatra. The biggest festival in Panauti is the one month long Makar Mela. This festival is held every 12 years and attracts pilgrims from all over Nepal and India. 

How to get there: Panauti is 30 kilometers from Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Panauti. Some with a change in Banepa. The journey takes around 1 hour depending on the traffic. 

Accomodation: Panauti Homestay

Dhulikhel 

For the best views over the Himalaya most people head to Nagarkot. Few people know about Dhulikhel that is actually a much nicer place in the Kathmandu valley to enjoy the views as there are a number of other things to do. 

Unlike Nagarkot, Dhulikhel is also an ancient Newari town with traditional architecture and a couple of temples. It is also the start of a number of nice hiking trails through the villages of the Kathmandu valley such as Panauti and Namobuddha. 

How to get there: Dhulikhel is 32 kilometers from Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Dhulikel. Some with a change in Banepa. The journey takes around 1 hour depending on the traffic. 

Accomodation: Gaia Holiday home

Namobuddha

Namobuddha is a small buddhist village with probably the most spectacular views in the Kathmandu valley. The views are best in the early mornings before the clouds rise. On a clear day you can see over 20 peaks including Langtang Mountain and the Annapurnas. 

One of the most popular hikes is the hike to the nearby Namobuddha monastery. The Thrangu Tashi Yangtse monastery is located on the place where buddha, in one of his lifes as a prince, gave his life to a starving tigress. Therefore it is one of the most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal. 

How to get there: Namobuddha is 34 kilometers from Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Namobuddha. You probably have to change buses in Banepa or Dhulikhel. The journey takes around 1 hour depending on the traffic. 

Budhanilkantha

North of Kathmandu and just south of the Shivapuri forest national park lies an old and mysterious Hindu temple. It has the largest stone carving in Nepal. 

The reclining Vishnu is 5 meters long and carved out from a single block of basalt. Its origin and age are unknown although the first records mentioning the statue is from the 6th century. Devotees believe that the statue floats in the water without any support.

The name can also cause confusion. Budhanilkantha means blue throat. And although it is a Vishnu temple, it was Shiva that had a blue throat after drinking from the sacred Gosaikunda lakes. The name refers to the pond that the statue floats in. People believe this water is from Gosaikunda which makes the place even more sacred.

Nowadays, Budhanilkantha is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus. On the 11th of the month Kartik hundreds of pilgrims come to celebrate the Haribondhini Ekadashi festival. You can easily combine a day trip to Budhanilkantha with a walk in the Shivapuri forest national park

How to get there: Budhanilkantha is 10 kilometers from Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Budhanilkantha. The journey takes around 20 minutes depending on the traffic.  

Kopan monastery

The serene Kopan monastery near Kathmandu is one of the best places in the Kathmandu valley to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery welcomes foreign visitors to come for a day visit or a longer retreat and also offers courses. 

Day visitors can attend the daily dharma talk, visit the library or simply enjoy the tranquil environment or meditate in the gardens. Do check if the monastery is open. It sometimes closes down such as for the annual one month long meditation course in November-December. 

How to get there: Kopan is 10 kilometers from Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Kopan village from where it is an uphill walk to the monastery. The journey takes around 20 minutes depending on the traffic.  

Sankhu

Sankhu is a nice rural newari town in the north eastern corner of the Kathmandu valley. It was an important religious town as the sanctuary of the goddess Vajra Yogini and the place of powerful caves where important buddhists reached supreme accomplishments through spiritual practice.

Sankhu’s history as a powerful spiritual place goes all the way back to the 5th century, making it one of the oldest places to visit in the Kathmandu Valley. Unfortunately over 65% of the buildings collapsed in the 2015 earthquake. The important Vajra Yogini temple barely survived and had to be renovated. 

Sankhu is still worth a visit, despite the impact of the earthquake. It is also the start of the enjoyable Sankhu to Nagarkot hike if you are looking for an easygoing hike in the Kathmandu valley. 

How to get there: Sankhu is 16 kilometers from Kathmandu. There are frequent mini buses from Ratnapark to Sankhu from where it is an uphill walk to the Vajra Yogini temple.

Kathmandu Valley Travel tips

Accomodation in the Kathmandu Valley

All of the places above are easy to visit as a daytrip from Kathmandu. The other way is true as well. From most villages it is easy to get to Kathmandu.

Some of these villages have excellent homestays and are a good way to learn more about Nepali culture and family life. If you are looking for a more quiet place to stay and a more immersive experience, staying in a homestay in the Kathmandu valley is a good alternative to staying in Kathmandu itself.

You can scroll back for some accomodation tips in the Kathmandu valley. If you choose to stay in Kathmandu you will find some tips below.

Thamel: Holiday hostel is a good option if you want to be in the center of thamel. If you prefer more peace and quiet you can look into Elbrus home and Birds Nest Hostel. All of these are clean budget options within walking distance of Thamel, but in a more quiet area close to the more busier areas. 

Boudhanath: There are plenty of options to choose around Boudhanath. I stayed a couple of times at Lotus guesthouse. A nice place with affordable and clean rooms. Aarya Chaitya Inn also has great reviews.  

Transport in the Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu valley is among the most densely populated areas of Nepal. Therefore mini buses go from Kathmandu to almost every village in the valley. Most minibuses leave from the Ratnapark bus station near Thamel.

It can be a challenge to find the right minibus. People are very helpful though. Ask for help and tell them where you will want to go and people will point you in the right direction.

I was lucky to have a bicycle at my disposal when I was in Kathmandu. Cycling through the crazy traffic of Kathmandu was a bit scary at the beginning, but I got used to it. Once you leave the city behind you, it is wonderful to cycle through the rice paddies and farm lands of the Kathmandu valley.

When to visit the Kathmandu Valley

The best time to visit the Kathmandu Valley is during the autumn season (September to November) or the spring season (March to May), when the weather is generally pleasant with mild temperatures and clear skies. The autumn also sees lots of festivities around Tihar and Diwali, while spring has the new year celebrations like Bisket Jatra in Bhaktapur.

The summer season (June to August) has a lot of rain as the monsoon season brings frequent showers and occasional flooding. During the winter season (December to February) it can be quite cold in the Kathmandu valley.

Sustainable Travel in the Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu valley is seeing a lot of tourists every year. While Tourism is a welcome source of income it can also have negative consequences. Traveling sustainably in the Kathmandu valley, involves conscious choices that minimize your environmental impact and support the local community.

Support the local community: You can support the community by purchasing goods and services from local vendors, artisans, and restaurants. It is better to try Nepali cuisine that uses local ingredients rather than imported foreign foods. Nepali food is very vegetarian friendly and it is very easy to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet.

Stay in small scale sustainable hotels: It is also better to stay in locally-owned guesthouses or homestays to support the local economy directly. These accommodations often have a more positive impact on the environment compared to large hotels.

Where possible, I can recommend staying in a homestay for an authentic cultural experience. You might want to bring a small book with pictures of your family to break the ice.

You can try to look for guesthouses or homestays that prioritizes sustainable practices. That said, environmental awareness is still low. It’s up to you to use water sparsely, turn off lights, air conditioning, and heating when leaving your accommodation.

Use public transportation: Nepal has a well-developed public transportation system with buses. Opt for public transport, whenever possible, instead of taxis or private cars to reduce carbon emissions. Even better is to explore the Kathmandu valley on a bicycle.

Leave no Trace principle: The Kathmandu Valley is famous for its natural beauty. When hiking through the hills and the villages, stick to designated trails when they are there, avoid disturbing wildlife or picking plants, and leave no trace of your presence. Ensure you take all your trash back with you and dispose of it responsibly.

To avoid single-use plastics, invest in reusable items. For example, you can bring your own water bottle with a filter that you can refill at your accomodation. At last, use biodegradable and eco-friendly personal care products to minimize pollution of water sources.

Respect the culture: Besides environmental concerns it is also important to respect the culture. People will appreciate it, if you dress modestly, especially at religious sites. Learning a few basic phrases in Nepali, can go a long way in building meaningful connections and to learn more about the local culture. Not everybody is happy to have their picture taken. When in doubt, ask permission.

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