Nepal · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Nepal
These are the places worth your time in Nepal, from the stupas and temple squares of Kathmandu and Bhaktapur to Pokhara's lake, the jungle of Chitwan, the trails of the Everest Region and the peace of Lumbini. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Kathmandu
Arts and Culture
- Boudhanath Stupa (Boudha)
One of the largest stupas in the world, best at dusk when pilgrims circle with prayer wheels. - Swayambhunath (Swayambhu)
The hilltop Monkey Temple with sweeping views across the whole valley. - Pashupatinath Temple (Gaushala)
Nepal's holiest Hindu temple on the Bagmati, with cremation ghats and an evening aarti. - Kathmandu Durbar Square (Basantapur)
The old royal square with palaces, pagodas and the home of the living goddess Kumari. - Patan Durbar Square (Lalitpur)
The finest temple square in the valley, packed with Newar carving and metalwork. - Patan Museum (Patan Durbar Square)
The best introduction to Nepali sacred art, set in a beautifully restored palace wing. - Golden Temple (Kwa Bahal) (Patan)
A glittering Buddhist courtyard monastery hidden just north of Patan Durbar Square. - Changu Narayan Temple (Changunarayan)
The valley's oldest temple on a quiet ridge, covered in ancient stone sculpture. - Kirtipur Old Town (Kirtipur)
A hilltop Newar town with temples, rice field views and almost no tourists. - Bungamati (Lalitpur)
A traditional woodcarving village where artisans work in open courtyards. - Garden of Dreams (Thamel)
A restored neoclassical garden that offers a calm escape from Thamel's noise. - Narayanhiti Palace Museum (Durbar Marg)
The former royal palace, now a museum telling the story of Nepal's monarchy. - Taragaon Museum (Boudha)
A small modernist museum of photographs and drawings of the old valley. - Asan Tole (Asan)
A frenzied old market crossroads with shrines, spice sellers and centuries of trade. - Kopan Monastery (Kopan)
A Tibetan Buddhist monastery on a hill north of Boudha that runs meditation courses. - Dakshinkali Temple (Pharping)
A forest temple to the goddess Kali, busiest on Tuesday and Saturday mornings. - Budhanilkantha Temple (Budhanilkantha)
A huge stone Vishnu reclining in a pool, quietly beautiful at dawn.
Restaurants
- Krishnarpan (Dwarika's Hotel, Battisputali)
A long multi course Nepali tasting menu in one of Kathmandu's most beautiful hotels. - Bhojan Griha (Dillibazar)
Traditional Nepali dinners with folk dances in a restored old mansion. - Thamel House Restaurant (Thamel)
Nepali and Newari dishes served in an old Newar house with carved windows. - Honacha (Patan)
A tiny, smoky Newari eatery famous for bara, choila and local rice wine. - OR2K (Thamel)
A lively vegetarian Middle Eastern spot with floor cushions and big portions. - Fire and Ice Pizzeria (Thamel)
A long running Thamel favourite for Italian style pizza and gelato. - Newa Lahana (Kirtipur)
A community run Newari restaurant serving authentic set meals on a hilltop terrace. - Yangling Tibetan Restaurant (Thamel)
A simple family run spot loved for momos and thukpa at local prices. - Kaiser Cafe (Garden of Dreams, Thamel)
A peaceful garden setting for lunch or a quiet evening meal.
Cafés
- Himalayan Java Coffee (Thamel)
Nepal's homegrown coffee chain, roasting beans from local hills. - Pumpernickel Bakery (Thamel)
A classic Thamel bakery for breakfast, bagels and a garden courtyard. - Roadhouse Café (Thamel)
A buzzy wood fired pizza and coffee spot popular with locals and travellers.
Bars and Nightlife
- Purple Haze Rock Bar (Thamel)
Kathmandu's best known live rock bar, loud and lively most nights. - Sam's Bar (Thamel)
A tiny rooftop reggae bar with a friendly crowd and good conversation. - Rum Doodle (Thamel)
The famous mountaineers' bar where Everest summiteers sign the walls.
Shopping and Markets
- Thamel Market Streets (Thamel)
Trekking gear, pashmina, singing bowls and bookshops in a maze of lanes. - Indra Chowk (Kathmandu Durbar Square)
An old bazaar for beads, fabric and everyday shopping with locals. - Mahaguthi Craft with Conscience (Patan)
A fair trade shop supporting women artisans across Nepal. - Dhukuti (Kupondole)
A large fair trade emporium selling handmade goods from across Nepal.
Nature and Outdoors
- Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park (Budhanilkantha)
Forested hills on the city's edge with day hikes to viewpoints and monasteries. - Nagarkot (Bhaktapur district)
A rim village for sunrise views of the Himalaya on clear mornings. - Chandragiri Hills Cable Car (Thankot)
A cable car to a hilltop temple with wide mountain views. - Champadevi Hike (Pharping)
A pine forest ridge walk above the valley with Himalayan panoramas.
Things to Do
- Mountain Flight with Buddha Air (Tribhuvan International Airport)
An early morning sightseeing flight along the Himalaya to see Everest from the window.
Events
- Indra Jatra (Kathmandu Durbar Square)
The valley's great autumn festival, with the living goddess carried through the old town. - Dashain and Tihar (Across Kathmandu)
Nepal's biggest festivals, with kites, swings, flowers and lamps lighting every home. - Rato Machhindranath Jatra (Patan)
A towering chariot pulled through Patan over several weeks in spring.
Stays
- Dwarika's Hotel (Battisputali)
A heritage hotel built from salvaged Newar carvings, a museum you can sleep in. - Kathmandu Guest House (Thamel)
The original Thamel guesthouse, with a peaceful garden behind its gates.
Places to Visit in Bhaktapur
Arts and Culture
- Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Bhaktapur)
The royal square of the best preserved city in the valley, with the Golden Gate. - Nyatapola Temple (Taumadhi Square)
Nepal's tallest pagoda, guarded by stone giants, elephants and lions up its stairs. - Pottery Square (Talako)
Watch potters throw clay on hand spun wheels and dry pots in the sun. - Dattatreya Square (Tachupal Tole)
The oldest square in town, with the Peacock Window and a quiet local feel. - National Woodworking Museum (Dattatreya Square)
Exquisite carved windows and struts in an old priest's house.
Restaurants
- Juju Dhau shops (Bhaktapur)
Try the famous king curd, a rich sweet yoghurt served in clay pots. - Café Nyatapola (Taumadhi Square)
Eat inside an old pagoda overlooking the square at sunset.
Shopping and Markets
- Bhaktapur Thangka Workshops (Bhaktapur)
See painters at work on detailed Buddhist thangkas in small studios.
Events
- Bisket Jatra (Bhaktapur)
A wild New Year chariot festival in April with tug of war through the streets.
Nature and Outdoors
- Suryabinayak Temple Walk (Bhaktapur)
A short forest climb to a Ganesh temple with views back over town.
Places to Visit in Pokhara
Nature and Outdoors
- Phewa Lake (Lakeside)
Paddle a wooden boat across the lake with the Annapurnas reflected in the water. - Sarangkot (Sarangkot)
The classic viewpoint for sunrise on Dhaulagiri, Annapurna and Machhapuchhre. - Davis Falls (Chhorepatan)
A waterfall that plunges into an underground tunnel. - Gupteshwor Mahadev Cave (Chhorepatan)
A sacred cave temple leading down to the back of Davis Falls. - Bat Cave (Batulechaur)
Squeeze through a dark cave full of roosting bats, a hit with children. - Begnas Lake (Lekhnath)
A quiet lake east of town with paddy fields and few visitors. - Seti River Gorge (K.I. Singh Bridge)
A deep, narrow canyon where the milky river disappears from view. - Australian Camp (Dhampus)
An easy overnight walk to a grassy ridge with close mountain views.
Arts and Culture
- World Peace Pagoda (Anadu)
A white stupa on a ridge with views over the lake and the whole range. - Tal Barahi Temple (Phewa Lake)
A small pagoda temple on an island, reached by a short boat ride. - International Mountain Museum (Ratopahiro)
Exhibits on Himalayan peoples, peaks and the history of mountaineering.
Things to Do
- Paragliding from Sarangkot (Sarangkot)
Tandem flights circling high above the lake with Himalayan peaks ahead. - Pokhara Zipline (Sarangkot)
One of the longest and steepest zip lines in the world, dropping toward the valley. - Kayaking on Phewa Lake (Lakeside)
Rent a kayak or paddleboard for a calm morning on the water.
Restaurants
- Moondance Restaurant (Lakeside)
A long time Lakeside favourite with a warm atmosphere and varied menu. - Busy Bee Café (Lakeside)
Live music, a garden and a cheerful crowd most evenings.
Cafés
- Himalayan Java Coffee Lakeside (Lakeside)
Reliable coffee and wifi on the main Lakeside road.
Bars and Nightlife
- Paddy Foley's Irish Pub (Lakeside)
A lively pub for live sport and stories from returning trekkers.
Shopping and Markets
- Lakeside Street Shopping (Lakeside)
Trekking gear, singing bowls, pashmina and Tibetan crafts along the main strip. - Tashi Palkhel Tibetan Settlement (Hemja)
A Tibetan refugee settlement with a monastery and carpet weavers. - Bindhyabasini Temple and Old Bazaar (Old Pokhara)
A hilltop temple and the old bazaar streets locals actually use.
Stays
- Fish Tail Lodge (Phewa Lake)
A lakeside lodge reached by a short raft across the water, with mountain views. - Temple Tree Resort and Spa (Lakeside)
A stone and wood resort with a pool, close to the lake. - Tiger Mountain Pokhara Lodge (Thulakot)
A hilltop lodge above the valley with sweeping Annapurna views.
Places to Visit in Chitwan
Nature and Outdoors
- Chitwan National Park (Sauraha)
Rhinos, crocodiles and birds on jeep, canoe and walking safaris. - Gharial Breeding Centre (Kasara)
Helping save the rare fish eating gharial crocodile from extinction. - Bis Hajar Tal (Chitwan)
A wetland of lakes and forest that is a quiet paradise for birdwatchers. - Sunset at the Rapti Riverbank (Sauraha)
Watch the sun set over the jungle as rhinos sometimes wade across.
Things to Do
- Canoe Trip on the Rapti River (Sauraha)
Drift past crocodiles and kingfishers in a dugout canoe at dawn. - Elephant Breeding Centre (Khorsor)
See elephant mothers and calves and learn about conservation.
Arts and Culture
- Tharu Cultural Programme (Sauraha)
An evening stick dance by local Tharu performers. - Tharu Village Walk (Sauraha)
Painted mud houses and daily farm life in the villages around the park.
Stays
- Barahi Jungle Lodge (Meghauli)
A riverside lodge on the quieter western edge of the park. - Meghauli Serai (Meghauli)
Stylish riverside villas with views straight into the park. - Amaltari Bufferzone Homestay (Amaltari)
Community homestays with Tharu families on the park's western edge.
Places to Visit in Everest Region
Nature and Outdoors
- Namche Bazaar (Khumbu)
The Sherpa trading town and acclimatisation stop, built in a horseshoe on the hillside. - Everest Base Camp (Gorak Shep)
The foot of the Khumbu Icefall and the end of the classic trek. - Kala Patthar (Gorak Shep)
The viewpoint at sunrise where Everest finally looks close. - Gokyo Lakes (Gokyo)
Turquoise glacial lakes beneath Cho Oyu, quieter than the Base Camp trail.
Arts and Culture
- Tengboche Monastery (Tengboche)
The great monastery of the Khumbu, with Everest and Ama Dablam behind it. - Sherpa Culture Museum (Namche Bazaar)
Learn about Sherpa life and mountaineering history above the town. - Khumjung Monastery (Khumjung)
A village monastery that keeps what is said to be a yeti scalp. - Khumjung Hillary School (Khumjung)
The school founded by Edmund Hillary, still at the heart of the village. - Pangboche Monastery (Pangboche)
One of the oldest monasteries in the Khumbu, in a quiet upper village.
Stays
- Hotel Everest View (Syangboche)
One of the highest hotels in the world, with Everest from the terrace.
Events
- Mani Rimdu Festival (Tengboche)
Masked monastic dances at Tengboche in the autumn trekking season.
Shopping and Markets
- Namche Saturday Market (Namche Bazaar)
A weekly market where porters and traders from Tibet and the lowlands meet.
Places to Visit in Lumbini
Arts and Culture
- Maya Devi Temple (Sacred Garden)
The temple over the exact spot where the Buddha is believed to have been born. - Ashoka Pillar (Sacred Garden)
The emperor Ashoka's inscribed stone pillar marking the birthplace. - Royal Thai Monastery (Monastic Zone)
A gleaming white marble monastery in Thai style. - Great Drigung Kagyud Lotus Stupa (Monastic Zone)
A German built temple with a striking lotus shaped dome. - Lumbini World Peace Pagoda (Monastic Zone)
A white Japanese built stupa at the northern end of the site. - Myanmar Golden Temple (Monastic Zone)
A golden Burmese style shrine in the Theravada zone. - Tilaurakot (Kapilvastu)
Ruins believed to be the palace city where the young Buddha lived. - Lumbini Museum (Cultural Zone)
Coins, sculpture and relics from the Buddha's era and region.
Nature and Outdoors
- Lumbini Crane Sanctuary (Lumbini)
Wetlands where sarus cranes, the tallest flying birds, feed and dance.
Things to Do
- Cycling the Monastic Zone (Lumbini)
Rent a bicycle to roll between monasteries along the long central canal.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Jazz Upstairs (Lazimpat, Kathmandu)
Live jazz nights in a relaxed upstairs bar away from the Thamel crush. - Pilgrims Book House (Thamel, Kathmandu)
A long standing bookshop for maps, Himalayan books and trekking guides. - Hotel Tibet International (Boudha, Kathmandu)
A comfortable hotel steps from the stupa, ideal for quiet dawns. - The Inn Patan (Patan, Kathmandu)
A small heritage guesthouse inside a restored Newar house near the square. - Peacock Guest House (Dattatreya Square, Bhaktapur)
Sleep in a carved Newar building on the oldest square in town. - Shiva Guest House (Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Bhaktapur)
A simple guesthouse with rooms looking straight onto the square. - Ultralight Flights (Pokhara Airport area, Pokhara)
Open air microlight flights close to the Annapurna range. - Caffe Concerto (Lakeside, Pokhara)
Italian style dinners and wine in a cosy lakeside setting. - Byanjan Restaurant (Lakeside, Pokhara)
Generous Nepali sets and Indian curries in a simple dining room. - AM/PM Organic Café (Lakeside, Pokhara)
A lake view café for slow breakfasts and good coffee. - Pokhara German Bakery (Lakeside, Pokhara)
Cinnamon rolls and apple pies to stock up before a trek. - Pokhara Street Festival (Lakeside, Pokhara)
A year end street festival with food stalls, music and crowds along the lake. - Tharu Cultural Museum (Sauraha, Chitwan)
A small museum explaining the history and crafts of the Tharu people. - Chitwan Adventure Resort (Sauraha, Chitwan)
A simple family friendly base close to the river and safari starts. - KC's Restaurant (Sauraha, Chitwan)
A popular village restaurant for dal bhat and a relaxed evening. - Sunset View Restaurant (Sauraha, Chitwan)
Riverfront tables for drinks and dinner as the light fades.