What are the 10 things to do in Kathmandu Nepal during your visit? If you’re passionate about nature and cultural diversity, Nepal is one of the best destinations where you can find everything, from five stars hotels to star gazing skies, from green fields to picturesque mountain range, and exotic food, served right on your plate.
And once you land on this kaleidoscopic destination, you don’t want to miss the major attractions of Kathmandu, the capital city of Nepal. Most travelers often ask about the highlights of this bustling city and it’s quite stressful to visit every single place and make your journey fun and thrilling at the same time. Considering this, Kathmandu Tribune today brings you top ten things you must do when you visit the capital. Stay put.
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These are best places to visit in Kathmandu
- Visit world famous monkey temples
Monkey and temples might sound a bit gauche but you won’t be disappointed once you visit the famous monkey temples, Swayambhunath Temple and Pashupatinath temple.
Located at the Bagmati river bank, Pashupatinath temple gives us a different taste of Hindu religion and its ancient glorious history. You can explore the temple, view a long line of devotees, see the open-air cremations, interesting Sadhus, and priests.
On contrary, Swayambhunath temple is all about peace and serenity, Buddhist shrines where monkeys strut around all day. More importantly, you can see a panoramic view of the city from this place.
- Hike around the valley
You might not believe this but Kathmandu has the perfect weather for hiking and other adventures. It offers some interesting hiking destinations for the enthusiastic hikers. Some of the best places for hiking includes Nagarkot, Chisapani, Champadevi, Nagarjuna, Lakure Vanjyang Chitlang/Markhu and so on.
You can find some reliable travel operators to organize you a perfect Kathmandu private hiking trips.
- Garden of Dreams
A neo classical historical garden, located in the heart of Kathmandu, Tridevi Sadak, Thamel, Garden of Dreams is a famous tourist destination you shouldn’t miss out! Famous for being the garden of Six Seasons, created by late Field Marshal Kaiser Sumsher Rana in early 1920, the place gives you taste of European architecture, amazing landscaping, and pavilions, best for the short escape from the crazy city!
- Be a foodie!
When you travel, food might be the first thing you worry about, but not in Kathmandu. From a world-class five star hotels to local bhattis and restaurants, you can explore all the exotic and ethnic food of Nepal.
Nepali cuisine is diverse and the varieties of food are never ending. Most popular cuisine include Newari Khaja set, Thakali cuisine, Rai and Limbu Cuisine, traditional Dhedo, Gundruk and Masu and much more.
On top of that, you can find street stalls and evening markets selling delicious local food items, most popular one being the Nepalese momos. These dumplings have the most distinctive taste and they are highly recommended!!
- Shopping Spree
The best thing about Kathmandu is its local markets where you can buy anything at a reasonable price. Pashminas, trekking gears, scarfs, Nepali cholo, and Dhaka are major tourists products sold by the marketers. Not only this, your fetish for the traditional antique statues, paintings, handicrafts will be fulfilled once you shop in the local markets inside the city.
Newroad, Durbar Square(Basantapur) area, Thamel, Freak Street, Makhan Tole, Aason, and Indrachowk are major local markets in the K-town.
- Take a Rickshaw Ride
If you want the flavor of the lifestyle of local inhabitants, then a rickshaw ride is a must. It’s fun, adventurous and let’s admit, CHEAP too! You can start your rickshaw tour from Kathmandu Durbar Square. viewing all the religious and historical temples, shrines, and enter narrow mazy roads to Ason market towards Thamel.
- Mountain Flight
Another interesting option available in Kathmandu is to take scenic mountain flights. Most of you might not be a professional mountaineer to climb those heights so, what better way to experience the enthralling beauty of snow-capped mountains taking a mountain flight tour! You have many choices for charter companies offering flights or helicopter rides to Everest region, Annapurna region, or Kanchenjunga. This is one of the best day trips from Kathmandu. It’s time to be on the top of the world!
- Visit Museums
Kathmandu Valley is famous for its three historic and legendary durbar squares; Kathmandu Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, and Patan Durbar Square. Moreover, these are the landmarks around the valley and enlisted in UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
However, due to 2015’s massive earthquake, these heritages shattered but the museums remain unharmed of Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar except Kathmandu Durbar Square. Nevertheless, you can see the remains of these ancient architectures and praise these elegant architectural treasures of the valley.
- Meditate in Kopan Monastery
Nepal is a Himalayan country and meditating amidst the Himalayas seems quite intriguing and not quite possible too. However, if you want to cleanse out all the negative thoughts and find inner peace, you can visit the famous ancient Tibetan monastery, Kopan Monastery.
Located near Boudhanath, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, it’s popular for Buddhism teachings, especially to the visiting Western foreigners. Also, the monastery has also now become a recreational site for tourists. It is also popular with locals as it’s open regularly on Saturdays.
- Visit Thamel
After all the sightseeing, Thamel is the heart of Kathmandu city and it’s where all those pumping activities take place. Live music, bars, and buzzing restaurants lift up the aura of this place and it’s something you shouldn’t miss out.
What are your thoughts on our 10 things to do in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal?
The oldest part of Kathmandu, Thamel stands out as the most happening tourist’s haven. It is full of bookshops, restaurants, hotels cafes, antique shops selling arts crafts, souvenirs and many other things. The tiny alleys yet humble locals would definitely win your heart!
