Discover Kathmandu
Hotels, halal food, prayer spaces, things to do, and itineraries in Kathmandu.
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Must-see attractions in Kathmandu
From headline landmarks and heritage icons to parks, waterfronts, and major museums, discover 10 standout sights to build into your time in the city.
Kathmandu
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Muslim travel planner
Plan a Muslim-friendly trip in Kathmandu
Halal restaurants in Kathmandu
Kathmandu’s food scene is part of the city experience. Choose from 17 restaurants and food districts with location notes and planning tips.
kathmanduNiralla – Kathmandu
Address: Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal Located near the Hotel de l’Annapurna, this restaurant serves fast food from a full menu of halal food, including lamb, chicken and vegetarian fast food. Alcoholic drinks are not served at the restaurant.
kathmanduChez Caroline
Address: Babar Mahal Revisited, Maitighar, Kathmandu Tel: +9771 4263070
kathmanduChimney
Address: Dunbar Marg, Kathmandu Tel: +9771 4248999 Located within the Yak and Yeti Hotel, this restaurant is one of the most famous in Kathmandu. It’s named after the open fireplace and serves mostly continental dishes like chicken a la Kiev.
kathmanduGhar-e-Kebab
Location: Dunbar Marg, Kathmandu Found inside the Hotel de l’Annapurna, this restaurant serves north Indian cuisine with tandoori dishes and pistachio sherbet for dessert. In the evening, the Indian atmosphere is heightened by the classical music played and traditional love songs which are sung by artists.
kathmandu1905
Location: Kantipath, Kathmandu Tel: +9771 4225272
kathmanduBhanchha Ghar
Location: Kamaladi, east of Durbar Marg, Kathmandu Tel: +9771 4225172
Kathmandu masjids and Muslim travel
Landmark masjids and prayer-aware notes for visitors planning salah, family movement, and halal-friendly days.
Where to stay in Kathmandu
Choose where to stay by trip style, from landmark luxury and family bases to central, airport, and neighborhood-led stays.
kathmanduHotel Shangri-La
There’s a lot to enjoy at this hotel which has a new casino, a fitness centre, bar, Indian restaurant and a business centre. However the main draw card of this hotel is the huge garden with its own cafe and kid’s play area.
kathmanduRadisson Hotel
Address: PO Box 2269, Lazimpat Rd, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: 977 1 441 1818
kathmanduYak and Yeti Hotel
Address: GPO Box 1016, Durbar Marg, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: +977-1-4248999/4240520
kathmanduHyatt Regency Kathmandu
The top end in luxury hotels, this 280 room establishment has Malla-style architecture and the stupas in the foyer (a lamp-lighting ceremony held at dusk). All rooms have high-speed Internet access, mini-bar and in-room safes; the hotel itself possess an outdoor swimming pool, three tennis courts and fitness centre and can organise trekking activities. After a hard day sightseeing the spa offers a shirodhara (oil pouring) Ayurvedic treatment. One of the best things about this hotel is its proximity to the Bodhnath stupa and the Pashupatinath Temple.
kathmanduDwarika Hotel
Address: P.O.Box-459, Battisputali, Kathmandu, Nepal Tel: (977-1) 4479488/4470770
History and today in Kathmandu
Read the city today, its history, residents, culture, and character before planning your route.
Residents
The rising standards of living have contributed to a slightly declining birth rate, but there is still a long way to go in balancing the population out.
City Information
When to go
There are two distinct seasons in Nepal: the dry season (October to May) and the wet season (June to September). July is considered to be the wettest month of the year. Autumn (September to November) and Spring (March to May) are considered to be the best months to visit. The bulk of the tourists come in from October to November.
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Fast Facts
-Location: Located within the Kathmandu Valley, it stands at an elevation of 1,400 meters (4,600 ft). -Dialing code: country: +997 city: 1
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Currency and Exchange Rates
The Nepalese currency is the rupee.
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Public Holidays
Please note that these public holidays and festivals affect the working hours of government offices and banks. Some close for the day while others close for the duration of a festival. The dates change annually so always double check your travel plans before you leave.
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Annual Temperature
Month Average High Average Low January 18 °C 2 °C February 20.2 °C 3.8 °C March 24.3 °C 7.5 °C April 27.4 °C 11.3 °C May 28.2 °C 15.5 °C June 28.3 °C 19 °C July 27.7 °C 20 °C August 28 °C 19.7 °C September 27.2 °C 18.2 °C October 25.8 °C 13 °C November 22.7 °C 7.4 °C December 19.4 °C 3 °C
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Kathmandu Today
Unfortunately since the beginning of 2000, Kathmandu has experienced political instability which mars its colourful heritage. On 1st June, 2001, Crown Prince Dipendra massacred his immediate family including his father, King Birendra, his mother Queen Aishvarya, his brother and sister and five other relatives. He turned the gun on himself and eventually died two days later; his uncle, King Gyannendra, was crowned king at the palace. The official reason for this massacre is not known however it was publicly known that the King and Queen had disapproved of their son’s choice of bride. The Queen Mother would soon order the demolishment of the Tribhuvan Sadan where the massacre took place.
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Kathmandu History
To discover the history of Kathmandu is really to discover the history of the Newars, who are the main inhabitants of the Kathmandu Valley. The foundation of the city dates back to the 12th century AD, during the Malla dynasty. The southern half of old town was where the trade route to Tibet existed. This is where the original settlements of Yambu and Yangala are situated around the confluence of the Bagmati and Vishnumati rivers. Hundreds of thousands of traders and pilgrims passed through this area, often staying at resthouses such as the Kathmandap which would lend its name to the eventual city.
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Shopping in Kathmandu
Explore 8 shopping stops, from malls, markets, and book bazaars to fashion streets and souvenir finds.
kathmanduBaber Mahal Revisited
Location:
kathmanduDhankuta Sisters
Location: Kupondol, Kathmandu Opening Time: 10:00-18:00 Sun-Fri
kathmanduDhukuti
Location: Kupondol, Kathmandu
kathmanduMahaguthi
It’s ‘craft with a conscience’, supporting a home for destitute women, with three branches in the Kathmandu Valley. There is a whole range to choose from including: paper products, clothes, ceramics, felt items, sliver and pashminas.
kathmanduSana Hastakala
Location: Branches in Kupondol and Lazimpath Run by an organisation dedicated to maintaining traditional craft skills as well as modern techniques in order to generate income for under privileged women, this outlet has a great selection of items including: dhaka clothes, ceramics, paper, art, toys and pashminas.
Signature sights in Kathmandu
A curated pick of the city's standout sights, led by the strongest editorial recommendations.
Festivals and events in Kathmandu
Plan around 22 festival seasons, public events, Ramadan/Eid periods, book fairs, art cycles, and winter food activity.
kathmanduMagh Sankranti
This festival focuses on ritual bathing and is curiously dictated by the movement of the winter sun to the north. On the new moon day, the Tribeni Mela (mela means ‘fair’) kicks off in Devghat and Ridi Bazaar. Followers can also bathe in the Bagmati River at Patan’s Sankhamul ghat.
kathmanduBasanta Panchami
This festival heralds the beginning of spring with the honouring of Saraswati, the goddess of learning; it is held all over Kathmandu but the shrine of Saraswati, located just below the platform at the top of Swayambhunath, is the most popular place for festivities. This festival is particularly special for students and you’ll find a lot of weddings happening around this time too!
kathmanduLosar
Heralding the Tibetan New Year with the new moon in February, this festival falls in either Magh or Falgun. In the Kathmandu Valley it is welcomed at the great stupa of Bodhnath (Boudha).
kathmanduMaha Shivaratri
Commemorating the birthday of Shiva which falls on a new moon day in the lunar month of Falgun, this festival takes place at all Shiva temples. Hundreds of sadhus (mystics/practicing monks) flock to this festival so be prepared for crowds. You’ll also see them bathing in the Bagmati’s ‘holy’ waters.
kathmanduHoli
Also known as Fagu or the ‘Festival of Colours’, this festival happens late in the dry season with water being sprayed around to remind people of the cooling monsoon days to come. The reason it has the ‘Festival of Colours’ tag is that coloured powder is also thrown everywhere; if you’re a foreigner you’ll probably get covered in the powder (it’s all in good fun) so leave your camera at home and wear old clothes.
Kathmandu tours and experiences
Heritage walks, food crawls, coastal trips, museum circuits, family days, and guided ideas for an easier day out.
kathmanduOrganized Tours
Trekking is the most popular tour in Nepal, if that is what you’re after then check with your travel agent about reputable companies. In terms of sightseeing around the Kathmandu Valley the company Wayfarers (Chaksibari Marg, Thamel, +9771 4266010) is a reliable operator. Their tours range from 4 day to 6 days in length. They involve tours of old Kathmandu, Swayambhunath stupa and Patan with afternoon excursions of Bhaktapur and a drive to Nagarkot. However for something different try a guided mountain bike trip. Depending on the company, high quality bicycles, local and Western guides, helmets and other equipment are provided. Popular routes on offer are: Budhanilkantha – Chisopani – Nagarkot and back; Kathmandu to Chitwan National Park via Daman and Hetauda and even a four day tour of the Tibetan border.
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Kathmandu travel guide sections
Focused sections for articles, directories, maps, and trip planning.
