How many days do I need in Kathmandu?

Two full days cover the main heritage sites; three lets you add Bhaktapur and a slower pace.

Is Kathmandu safe for travellers?

Yes, by most measures. Petty theft in crowded areas and traffic are the main concerns. Use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps at night.

Kathmandu Valley

Kathmandu

Temples, bazaars and seven UNESCO heritage sites in one valley.

Photo: Volker Meyer · Pexels(opens in a new tab)

Region: Kathmandu Valley
Best time to visit: October to April for clear skies and comfortable temperatures.
How long to stay: 2–3 days
Experiences: 5 nearby

Overview

Nepal’s capital is where almost every journey begins. Beneath the traffic and dust sits one of the densest concentrations of heritage on earth: medieval royal squares, the great stupas of Boudhanath and Swayambhunath, and the riverside temples of Pashupatinath.

Patan and Bhaktapur, the valley’s two other old kingdoms, are an easy day trip and often quieter. Give the city at least two full days; it rewards slow wandering far more than a checklist.

Where is Kathmandu?

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Plan your visit

Tours to Kathmandu See suggested itineraries

Planning time in Kathmandu?

Tell the assistant how many days you have and who you’re travelling with.

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Why visit Kathmandu

Three royal Durbar Squares and two of Buddhism’s most important stupas
Craft neighbourhoods in Patan for metalwork, thangka painting and woodcarving
The practical base for permits, gear and flights to the mountains

What to see

Boudhanath Stupa
One of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Kathmandu’s Tibetan community. Walk the kora at dusk when the butter lamps are lit.
Swayambhunath
The “Monkey Temple” on a hill west of the centre, with panoramic views over the valley.
Pashupatinath
Nepal’s most sacred Hindu temple complex on the Bagmati river; non-Hindus view the main temple from across the river.
Patan Durbar Square
Arguably the finest of the three royal squares, with the excellent Patan Museum.
Bhaktapur
A beautifully preserved medieval town 13 km east, known for pottery, woodcarving and juju dhau (king curd).
Thamel

Good to know

Carry small notes; many temples and shops cannot change large bills.
Dress modestly at religious sites and remove shoes where asked.
Air quality is poorest in winter mornings; a mask helps on busy roads.

Frequently asked questions

Photo gallery

Kathmandu in pictures

Things to do

Experiences in Kathmandu

Easy

Cultural Tours

Heritage squares, living temples, monasteries and craft traditions.

Typical duration: Half day to several days

Easy

Day Hiking

Short walks to viewpoints, villages and monasteries, no permits or porters needed.

Typical duration: 2–6 hours

Easy

Food Tours

Momos, Newari feasts and dal bhat with the people who cook it.

Typical duration: 3–4 hours

Challenging

Mountain Biking

Valley-rim singletrack near Kathmandu and the epic descent through Mustang.

Typical duration: 1–12 days

Moderate

White-water Rafting

From gentle one-day floats to multi-day expeditions on glacial rivers.

Typical duration: 1–10 days

Plan

Suggested itineraries with Kathmandu

Day-by-day trips by our team. Ask local agencies for a quote on any of them.

3 days

Suggested itinerary

3 days: Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur

The three royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley at an unhurried pace, one per day, ending with a night in car-free Bhaktapur. Ideal for a short stopover or before a trek.

Places: Kathmandu · Patan · Bhaktapur
Trekking: No trekking

5 days

Suggested itinerary

5 days in the Kathmandu Valley

Temples, palaces and a mountain sunrise without long journeys: Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur and a night in Nagarkot.

Places: Kathmandu · Patan · Bhaktapur · Nagarkot
Trekking: No trekking

7 days

Suggested itinerary

7 days: Buddhist heritage of Kathmandu, Patan and Lumbini

The great stupas of Kathmandu, Patan’s living monasteries and the Buddha’s birthplace at Lumbini, for travellers interested in Buddhism and Himalayan art.

Places: Kathmandu · Patan · Lumbini
Trekking: No trekking

From travellers

Stories from travellers who went to Kathmandu

First-hand accounts from people who visited recently. Read one, then plan a trip like it.

Recent visitDemo story
Traveller story · Emma Clarke · 14 Jan 2026
A Chisapani weekend: the nearest mountain view to Kathmandu
Two days of walking from Sundarijal through the Shivapuri forest to a ridge village with a long Himalayan view at sunrise, and a taxi back to the city on Sunday afternoon.
Visited
December 2025
Places
Kathmandu · Nagarkot
Recent visitDemo story
Traveller story · Yuki Tanaka · 16 Dec 2025
Boudhanath at dawn, and two more mornings in the Kathmandu Valley
Skipping the museum queue for early light: walking the kora round the Boudhanath stupa before the crowds, then Patan and Bhaktapur on foot over three slow mornings.
Visited
November 2025
Places
Kathmandu · Patan · Bhaktapur
Travel storyDemo story
Traveller story · Sofia Marin · 20 Nov 2025
The Langtang Valley, walked slowly
A week close to Kathmandu but a world away from it: forest, yak pastures and the rebuilt villages of the valley, ending at Kyanjin Gompa and a climb to a 4,700-metre viewpoint.
Visited
October 2025
Places
Langtang · Kathmandu