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Travel to Kathmandu
Discover Kathmandu
Once believed by ancient travellers to be the mythical Shangri-La, Kathmandu is an eclectic and unique destination unlike any other capital city in the world. With the Himalayas forming an imposing backdrop, and thousands of years of culture woven into the city's fabric, it sits in its own valley and is surrounded on all sides by four huge mountains. This ancient city is home to over three million people, and embraces modern life as much as it does its ancestral heritage.
Kathmandu is the gateway to Nepal, and is the commercial and administrative centre of a country that is predominantly rural. Tourism in Kathmandu is an essential part of the economy, and as such the people are warm and welcoming towards visitors.
Kathmandu is a very spiritual city, and filled with temples and pagodas dedicated to Buddha. These sit alongside new shopping malls, exclusive hotels, and boutique shops, giving the city a unique vibrancy and energy.
Essential Facts
Time/Date
Time Zone
+05:45
Language
Nepali and English
Currency
Nepalese Rupee
Electricity
230V/50 cycles
Best Time To Visit
April and May (average daily temperature 25-28°C and low rainfall)
Things To Do
Temples
Kathmandu is filled with temples, the most famous of which is the Monkey Temple or Swayambhu, which overlooks the city.
Royal Palaces
Now one of the country's biggest museums, the Narayanhiti Palace Museum is home to thousands of artefacts, and a colony of fruit bats!
Parks and Gardens
The city has plenty of parks and gardens, the most popular of which is the stunning
Shopping
You can either head to the Thamel neighbourhood for plenty of tourist trinkets, or head across the Thapathali Bridge and browse the fair-trade handicraft boutiques and stores that line the road towards Kupandole. Throughout the city you'll find stalls and markets selling a wide range of goods including Nepalese silver, clothing, and rugs. There are also a number of bookstores in the Thamel neighbourhood, especially in the alleyways and side streets off the main routes.
Prices vary, and can be expensive, so shop around and be prepared to haggle in the markets and stalls.
Food And Drink
Nepalese food is unique, just like the country. The most popular dish in the country is momo, which is a dumpling stuffed with chicken, vegetables, and even buffalo meat. You'll find vendors all over the city selling momo, and they even make it onto the menus of some of the more sophisticated restaurants in town.
You'll find most of the tourist restaurants in the Thamel district, serving a huge range of international cuisine, but for the best authentic Nepalese food, head to the wonderfully-named Freak Street. Here you'll find family-run eateries specialising in Newari and Tibetan food, that's hot, filling, and very spicy!
You'll find the usual fast food outlets throughout the city, particularly close to the airport, and for a real taste of Nepal try a cup of Chiya, which is spiced tea that's similar to Indian chai but served with milk.
Things To Know
Visa Requirements
- Tourist visas are available on arrival at Kathmandu Airport and at all land border crossings. You will need a valid passport and enough currency to pay the visa fee. Your passport must be valid for at least six months, and make sure you have a whole page free in your passport for the visa stamps. If you are travelling to Nepal for business you can still apply for a visa beforehand, or purchase a tourist visa on entry to the country. Visas are available for 15, 30 and 90 days.
Other Facilities
- Kathmandu's health facilities are good, but as you travel further from the capital you may find clinics and hospitals harder to find. It is important to ensure you have health insurance before travelling as hospital costs can be high. Bear in mind that you are over 1,400m above sea level, so you may need to take some time to acclimatise to the altitude for a couple of days on arrival.
- There are plenty of banks and ATMs in Kathmandu, but very few in rural areas so if you are travelling out of the city, make sure you take cash with you. Tipping is not mandatory, but is appreciated, although it is standard to tip guides and porters between 10 and 15%.
Getting around
- You can explore the city on foot, but bear in mind that many streets are unlit so if you are out after dark, carry a small torch with you.
- The best way to get around is by rickshaw. These are plentiful around the main tourist hotspots such as Monkey Temple and Thamel neighbourhood, and are cheap and cheerful.
- Taxis are all metered, but if the driver refuses to use it then look elsewhere or negotiate a price before you get in, and after around 10pm taxis are scarce.
- Buses are a great way to see the city and the country on a budget. Blue and green buses follow a loop around the city Ring Road. Other services travel further out into the valley and neighbouring towns.
- Driving can be challenging, as many of the roads are not named apart from the major roads such as Tri Devi and Ring Road. Most directions will take you to the nearest chowk or square.