Bagmati Province · Nepal
Kathmandu travel guide
Kathmandu is a city in Bagmati Province, Nepal, home to about 846,000 people.
- Best months
- October to April
- Nearest airport
- KTM4 km · Tribhuvan International Airport
- Currency
- NPRNepalese rupee
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
- Language
- Nepali
About
About Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley. The city is in Kathmandu District.
According to a census conducted in 2011, Kathmandu metropolis has 2.5 million inhabitants, and the agglomeration has a population of more than 3 million inhabitants. The metropolitan city area is 50.67 km² (19.56 sq mi) and has a population density of 3000 per km² and 17,000 per km square in the city proper. The city stands at an elevation of approximately 1,400 metres (4,600 ft) in the bowl-shaped Kathmandu Valley of central Nepal. It is surrounded by four major mountains: Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri.
Wikipedia and Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Things to do
What to see and do in Kathmandu
See
Kathmandu has several excellent museums and galleries, which are mostly located in the central area of the city. The city is also home to a large number of Buddhist and Hindu temples, monasteries, and sacred sites. In particular, Boudha and Swayambu are famous for Buddhist monasteries, while Durbar Square is the center of Hindu culture.
Do
Kathmandu city itself has limited activities for visitors beyond the amazing sightseeing and general experience of being there.
- Future Nepal
- Hidden Journeys Nepal
- Volunteer Society Nepal
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Where to stay
Which part of Kathmandu to stay in
Check the "district" articles for accommodation listings in Kathmandu. Virtually all tourist accommodation is in Thamel, though there are some good deals to be had around Boudha. Upmarket hotels tend to be in central Kathmandu. There are also a few guest houses on Freak Street, which tend to be cheaper, though more tired looking than those in Thamel. You can find many homestays in historical Newa towns, where you can live in a traditional Newa houses. Remember anyone on the street who takes you to a hotel will be receiving a commission from the hotel and that will be included in the price you pay. It is better to find a place on your own.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
When to go
The best time to visit Kathmandu
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kathmandu are October to April. May is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; July is the wettest, with about 523 mm of rain.
Comfortable means average daytime high between 18 °C and 29 °C and under 80 mm of rain in the month. Averages for 1991–2020 over the surrounding area, a grid square about 50 km across, so a coast or a nearby mountain can make the town itself warmer or cooler. Data: CRU TS v4.10, Climatic Research Unit, University of East Anglia (Open Database License).
Getting there
Getting to Kathmandu: airports and arrival
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), about 4.1 km from the city centre in a straight line; Janakpur Airport (JKR, 126 km) and Pokhara International Airport (PHH, 139 km) are also within reach.
Getting around
If you fly in, be sure to pick up a free Kathmandu Valley map at the airport. The first thing some visitors notice about Kathmandu is the general lack of house numbers and street names except for major roads such as Tri Devi & Ring Road (loops around the city). In most cases directions are given relative to the nearest chowk or tole (an intersection or square, often with a market) or a noteworthy location or building (such as a temple or restaurant). In the tourist district of Thamel, the Kathmandu Guest House is the main landmark.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
KTM · Tribhuvan International Airport
JKR · Janakpur Airport
PHH · Pokhara International Airport
Local knowledge
Eating, drinking and staying safe in Kathmandu
Eat
The most important food in Kathmandu could be the indigenous Newa food. There are hundreds of traditional Newa delicacies, which can be found in bhatti (local restaurants) or cafes. The most popular food in Kathmandu could be the momo, a dumpling which has its roots in Tibet and China. They are available fried or steamed and stuffed with buffalo, chicken, or veggies. Prices can vary depending on the location and what they are filled with, but expect to pay between Rs150-250 for a dozen. Kathmandu is also a good place to sample traditional Newari and Tibetan dishes. A Nepali set meal will usually include rice, daal, vegetable/meat curry, a vegetable dish, pickle (achar) and curd.
Drink
In recent times, coffee culture has made major inroads into Kathmandu and cafes offering espresso based coffees are no longer limited to tourist areas, but can be found throughout the city. Himalayan Java is a major player in the coffee world in Nepal, and their chic cafes are popular with tourists and locals alike. The indigenous Newa rice wine thon and alcohol ayelaa is available in local restro. Beer and mixed drinks are available at almost every bar and restaurant. For a quick drink and cheap cultural experience, try the local 'Nepali wine' (raksi) or 'Nepali Beer' (chang) neither of which taste anything like their namesakes.
Stay safe
Canadian Consular Affairs, the UK Foreign and Commonwealth office, and the US State Department provide travel advice. Nepal is safe to visit but caution must be taken. After the Maoists joined the government in about 2006, Nepal become relatively peaceful and more stable. However, visitors should avoid public demonstrations and may want to register with their consulate on arrival. Although tourists haven't been directly targeted by politically motivated violence, it is possible to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Wikivoyage contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0; excerpted.
Questions
Kathmandu: questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
The most comfortable months for a city stay in Kathmandu are October to April. May is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C; July is the wettest, with about 523 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Kathmandu?
The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), about 4.1 km from the city centre in a straight line; Janakpur Airport (JKR, 126 km) and Pokhara International Airport (PHH, 139 km) are also within reach.
What currency is used in Kathmandu?
Nepalese rupee (NPR).
Nearby
Destinations near Kathmandu
Sources: city facts from Wikidata and Wikipedia; airports from OurAirports; climate from CRU TS v4.10 (University of East Anglia Climatic Research Unit), 1991–2020 monthly means, 0.5° grid; places to stay, guest scores and amenities from each operator's own public pages. How this guide is made.