I will be honest I was ready to write-off Kathmandu. It is loud and chaotic and often just a 2-3 day starting point before leaving to the Himalayas and mountains.

However, if you are starting out in Kathmandu it has places of interest to visit that’s beyond Thamel.

The entire Thamel area is often a flurry of activity for trekking gear but the city has changed in many ways.

I visited Kathmandu on a recent solo trip to Nepal and tried hard to find pockets of respite in this chaotic city. The city has gone through a lot and sometimes I find the best way to introduce yourself to this place is through a food & drink walking tour.

But if you want to go at your own pace, that’s perfectly fine too. Here are the most unique things to do in Kathmandu, Nepal.

If you are coming for the first time or again and again, I highly recommend staying in these hotels in Kathmandu.

Where To Stay in Kathmandu

here’s my recommended things to do in kathmandu nepal

I would suggest skipping international chains and stay in Nepalese heritage guesthouses and boutique hotels built in the traditional Newari style .

This means wooden carvings everywhere, courtyards and the whole thing. You should stay in these hotels.

Nepali Heritage Hotel: Amazing boutique hotel with garden and city views in Kathmandu
Hotel Thrive, A Tropical Courtyard: If you want something that mimics tropical vibes, this is a nice place!
Kantipur Temple House: Imagine staying in a place with eco-historical treasures. They also have yoga at the premises.
Mila Hotel: Really nice affordable place in the centre if you want to explore Thamel!
Hotel Dolmaling: A shrine hotel that attracts events and ceremonies around here — a very cool place if you want to dive deep into Tibetan culture

💡 A tip from my experience: it’ll be wise to download the inDrive app (you don’t need a local number to register) to get around Kathmandu: it’s significantly cheaper than the prepaid taxis.

Also read: Things To Do in Pokhara That's More Than Trekking

🗻 Planning to trek in the Himalayas? Read my guide on the best treks in Nepal:
Best treks in Nepal

🥾 I did the Annapurna Circuit solo — read my full trekking itinerary here:
Full trekking itinerary here

🧭 Prefer trekking with a guide? Book one here:
Book a guide here

Things To Do in Kathmandu

1. Pashupatinath Temple

the pashupatinath temple which is one of the most sacred temples in nepal

If there is one temple you need to visit it is the Pashupatinath which is one of the most sacred Hindu temples in the world and it sits on the banks of the Bagmati River.

I also learned that people come here to cremate their dead. You will see cremations happening on the ghats, open air, families gathered around.

Go at dusk for the aarti ceremony. It has a bit of the Varanasi feels to this place. There’s a twilight walk that you can book here and will walk you through the whole process which is quite worth it!

2. Swayambhunath — Monkey Temple

You can technically walk here from Thamel for a bit of adventure or just get InDriver cab in the morning.

The temple itself is at the top of 365 steps and the climb is not too bad but just beware of monkeys. It's steep and lined with shrines and prayer wheels the whole way up.

Look out for the stupa at the top which has those iconic painted eyes looking out in every direction. A good option in case you prefer a guide: check the Chandragiri cable car and two other temples you could do this tour with a local.

3. Join A Women-Only Walk With Dinner & Drinks

dinner with girls i met at the hostel but you should do the women-only walk

You can go for a regular walking tour here if you are not a woman but as someone who was solo travelling, it can be hard to find hangout spots in Kathmandu.

This women-only evening walk gives you a good insight into life in Nepal from local women themselves while they take you out, show you the sights and have some momos.

4. Learn How To Make Momos like the Nepalese

I wish I had done this but it looked so fun and well-rated. This is a very fun cooking class where you get an immersive experience in a Nepali kitchen and get to cook some local delicious momos.

I thought it is a fun way to get to know Nepali cuisine and cultures and you get to meet cool people too while cooking!

5. Durbar Square

Believe it or not but there are three Durbar Squares in the Valley — Kathmandu, Patan, Bhaktapur. I would try to get to at least two.

Patan's is the most intact and probably the most beautiful. The temple craftsmanship is on another level. Bhaktapur feels like a medieval city that just never fully modernised.

Kathmandu's Durbar Square took a hit in the 2015 earthquake and restoration is still ongoing. It is still a must-visit spot if you ever get the chance. Sit in one of these squares for a bit instead of just photographing them. You will see or get a bit overstimulated with kids, dogs, old men, monks, vendors, pigeons and probably the perfect intro to the city.

6. Hiking Away From The Chaos: Namobuddha hike

If you have already booked a long trekking trip, then you could skip this but if you want an intro to hiking or something more cultural, this Namobuddha hike is really nice and not as busy as other hiking spots.

Located roughly 40 km southeast of Kathmandu (near Dhulikhel), this is a 3 hour hike. It leads to the significant Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery and is considered one of the most sacred Buddhist sites in Nepal

The trail offers incredible views of the Himalayas almost the whole way which is usually hard to see because of the pollution.

You could even zipline here which I thought it was pretty cool if you love a dash of touristy things while being a bit adventurous!

7. Kopan Monastery

Up on a hill above Boudhanath, this Tibetan Buddhist monastery has been there since the early 70s, runs meditation retreats for people from all over.

The monastery actually runs 10 day courses teaching meditation and Buddhism. For those short on time, they also have a 5 day Mind and Meditation training course and goes into detail about love, relationships, and life in general.

8. Pilgrim's Book House

If you like books, this place is going to wreck your luggage. It's in Thamel and it stocks everything from Buddhism, Hinduism, Nepali fiction, trekking guides, philosophy, poetry.

I bought a book before my Annapurna Circuit Trek and it is one of the best places to get what you need like singing bowls, thangka paintings, hand-spun wool, prayer flags.

9. The Cafe Scene & Best Chai

I love finding little hole in the fall coffee shops in Kathmandu to read a book and take a break from everything. Some are run by women's cooperatives, some double as art spaces and some bake the best home goodies.

Here's where to go:

☕ Sunflower Bakery: You must try their sourdough bread and croissants.

☕ Filli Cafe: Had a really good masala chai here.

☕ L'Artisan Patisserie & Boulangerie: For when you want something bougie.

🍽️ 4 Stories: A famous spot for a reason - I didn’t go but saw so many people there for the vibes.

🥐 Pumpernickel Bakery: Another famous one that's been around forever and their baked goods are amazing!

10. Garden of Dreams

Who knew there were gardens where you can walk and chill? Right in the middle of Thamel, there's this neoclassical garden from the early 1900s.

Pavilions, ponds, manicured hedges, total quiet. It costs a $3.00 and at night it seems pretty nice too and well lit. The park is open from 9.am to 9pm.

11. Chitwan Jungle Safari

I am saving the best for the last — you absolutely should do this if you are in Kathmandu. Chitwan National Park is only about 5 hours away and most do it on a 2 or 3 day tour.

I highly recommend booking it here as this tour operator offers 2 day or 3 day options!

12. Singing Bowl Therapy

If you want a super authentic singing bowl ceremony and something that’s not been Westernised, the ones in Thamel are surprisingly good and interesting.

Om Singing Bowls and Healing Hub are skilled facilitators and high-quality bowls which is why they have such good ratings if you are interested in sound therapy. You can book a session here too.

Read all my Nepal posts:

Like this story? PIN IT!

Nepal

12 Things To Do In Kathmandu That's Soul Searching