Is Kathmandu worth visiting? Well, the answer is a big yes!
It’s worth spending some time in this captivating location and taking in the ambience. The environment of the sites here will never weary you because it is a full-fledged bundle for people of all types.
I’m very sure everything is available here, from clubbing to a calm and peaceful setting. You’ll get the best things to do in Kathmandu.
Heritage, architecture, culture, spirituality, adventure, and shopping are among the best things to do in Kathmandu. These factors also rely on the number of days you plan to spend here as well as your personality and hobbies.
So, if you’re only staying for two days in Kathmandu, you can do the following things:
If you are more interested in culture then, you can visit these places:
1.Swayambhunath
Walk to Swayambhunath, which is about a half-hour walk from Thamel. Swayambhunath, popularly known as the monkey temple, is a Buddhist pilgrimage site.
And, as an added bonus, you’ll quickly discover why it’s called a monkey temple once you reach there. Another enjoyable activity would be dodging monkeys.
2.Boudhanath Stupa
The next stop on your itinerary is for the afternoon. It is one of the peaceful places in Kathmandu. Here, you can find the huge white and gold stupa which is yet more fascinating.
If you go around the stupa, you’ll probably get hungry. Trying Tibetan food, such as thulo momos, lhaphing may be a good idea.
3.Pashupatinath temple
Your final destination for the day is a half-hour walk from Boudhanath Stupa which is also a UNESCO world heritage site. It is the Hindus’ holiest site, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Every year, more than hundreds of Hindus visit this temple. You will almost certainly not miss the evening aarti if you visit towards the end of the day.
For the next day, you can walk to the streets of the famous place, Thamel. It is a tourist zone in Kathmandu that is bustling and chaotic at times, yet it has an old-world atmosphere, thanks to the rows of Tibetan prayer flags and cycle rickshaws that pass by.
You’ll get engaged in the shops full of clothing, jewellery, paper lanterns, thangka paintings, wood carvings, bronze statues, music, and books for the next few hours. However, make sure that you are a skilled negotiator.
Thamel takes on a whole new mood as the day fades, its streets glowing with the warmth of a myriad of lights and the sound of live music drifting from its pubs.
Now here comes the most exciting things for those who love clubbing and chilling. There are so many bars such as Brezel Cafe and Bar, Rosemary Kitchen & Coffee Shop, Pilgrims 24 Restaurant and Bar, Cafe De Genrean, and an old favorite, Sam’s Bar.
The next thing to do in Kathmandu is to stand in awe of the famous Hanuman Dhoka Durbar Square. Durbar Square, located in the city’s centre, oozes a historic ambience with beautiful old constructions.
It comprises three loosely connected squares and old buildings, temples, and pati pauwas where visitors can relax and take in the scenery. In addition, there is a museum where you may learn more about the history of Durbar Square.
There are choices for those who are more interested in environment and adventure, in addition to those who are more interested in culture. You can hike to the following locations:
4.Namo Buddha
It is a little village that is home to the extremely old Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, one of Nepal’s most important Buddhist pilgrimage destinations and one of the world’s holiest. It is said that the Buddha surrendered his body to a famished tigress and her cubs in a previous incarnation as a prince.
Namo Buddha is approximately 40 kilometres from Kathmandu. From Kathmandu, you can take a local bus to Banepa.
Trekking from Banepa to Namo Buddha through Panauti and Sangkhu is also possible. Also, the trek from Dhulikhel to Namo Buddha, which takes around 3 hours, is a nice alternative.
5.Shivapuri National Park
The Shivapuri National Park, on the northern outskirts of the Kathmandu Valley, feels a world away from the city’s urbanization. Within the park, easy yet hilly excursions of a couple to several hours are available.
You’ll see a lot of birds and a wide range of plants. Shivapuri was designated as a watershed region, giving more than a million litres of natural spring water to the city.
From Kathmandu, take a bus to Budhanilkantha. Begin your journey from there, climbing upward to the park’s entrance. If you’re up for a longer climb, continue past the monastery’s prayer flags all the way to Bagdwar, a revered Hindu location where holy men reside in caves and water flows from serpent-shaped taps in the side of the mountains.
If you are not opting for these hikes then, you can go to the following sites, which are more green and natural. Another best thing to do in Kathmandu is to go there and rest.
6.Garden of dreams
Garden of dreams is a peaceful garden in the middle of noisy Kathmandu city. The superbly groomed gardens and fountains are bordered by Rana-era palace buildings in the neoclassical style.
The garden, which has a very elegant appearance, is a perfect location to bring a book or a bite to eat and simply relax while taking in the breathtaking scenery.
Kishore Narshingh, a landscape architect, created the four-acre Garden of Dreams in Kathmandu to look like Edwardian-era English gardens. The location was particularly notable for its six pavilions, which represented Nepal’s “six seasons”: spring, early summer, summer monsoon season, early autumn, late autumn, and winter.
The garden was formerly regarded as one of the country’s most outstanding examples of landscape design.
7.Kopan Monastery
Kapan Monastery, set on top of a hill in Boudhanath, 10 km from Kathmandu centre, on the outskirts of Kathmandu, is one of the most tranquil sites in Nepal. Kapan is particularly well-known for teaching Buddhism to Western tourists. It is home to 365 monks.
The monastery’s exquisite embellishments and adornment have attracted an increasing number of locals and tourists.
8.Chandragiri Hills
The Chandragiri Hills, which rise to a height of about 2,500 meters, can be reached through a picturesque cable car trip from Thankot. This will take you above some beautiful scenery, with panoramic views of the surrounding valleys, hills, and mountains. In the distance, Annapurna and Everest can be seen.
In addition to the breathtaking views, there is an exciting amusement park, a nice botanical garden, and the exquisite Baleshwar Temple to visit.
As in Bhaktapur, Kathmandu offers a palette of local cuisines. So, the next thing to do in Kathmandu is to try out the local cuisines.
While you explore the backstreet of the city, you’ll find various shops like Roots Eatery, maybe the oldest one that offers superb authentic Newari cuisine.
Apart from the cuisine, the environment is nice, with pleasant personnel, cool recycled-materials décor, and an outdoor seating area.. Don’t miss out on the Nepalese beer.
If you have more than two days in Kathmandu and are free to do whatever you want, you can participate in the workshops, which are a lot of fun and yet another thing to do in Kathmandu.
If you enjoy cooking and exploring new recipes, it would be a treat.
Cook Like a Local Tour by SocialTours is one of those that offer a workshop or tour that is regarded as a must-do in Kathmandu. Before being shown how to prepare momos and daal bhat, you’ll be escorted to a market to acquire fresh ingredients and familiarize yourself with the spices. Sounds interesting, isn’t it?
Nepal Cooking School in Thamel is another place where you may take cooking classes. Profits gained are utilized to support humanitarian projects in remote areas that empower women and girls.
Maybe you’ve been inspired by the elaborate Buddhist thangka paintings and want to create your own?
If you want to make your own design, Backstreet Academy is the place to go. It provides a wide range of interactive tours, all of which are led by an experienced local. One of their most popular workshops is Thangka Painting, and you’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind gift!
