Slightly to the east of the center of Nepal, the capital Kathmandu sits 1,300 meters above sea level and serves as a major gateway to the nearby Himalayas. Lying in the Kathmandu Valley, this is a city dating back more than 1,000 years with plenty to see and do beyond preparing for a trekking adventure in the mountains.
Durbar square and Thamel mark the areas that most visitors will find themselves in. Both are touristy, but are ultimately great fun with numerous attractions. Kumari Palace to the south of the square is a wonderful piece of architecture, as is Taleju Temple, one of the oldest religious buildings in the Nepali capital and a good example of the Newari style. The King’s Palace near Thamel, with its many bats and bamboo, is another must-see.
For the best views of the city, head to Swayambunath, the ‘Monkey Temple’, just 30 minutes walk from Thamel. For all things touristy and much more besides, Thamel is the most commercial and westernized area of the city. Here you will find an array of restaurants and cafés serving Nepali, Tibetan, Middle Eastern and Mexican food, as well as British and Irish style pubs. The many rooftop cafés here are great for people watching and gazing to the nearby mountains, while the accommodation is cheap, and well, basic.
Highlights
Durbar square: temples aplenty and some of the finest ancient architecture in the whole of Kathmandu.
Swayambunath: a good walk followed by great views of the city make the ‘Monkey Temple’ a must on every itinerary.
King’s Palace: although a fairly recent addition, this building is still worth a visit not least because of its close proximity to Thamel.
Boudanath: the most important Buddhist temple in Nepal looks especially impressive at night.
Ratna Park: the largest expanse of green in Kathmandu is right in the city center.
Freak street: near to Durbar square, the hippies have all but gone from this 1960s hotspot, having been replaced with North Face wearing backpackers.