Bagmati Province, Nepal

Kathmandu

Kathmandu's old city packs Durbar Square, temple-filled courtyards and busy bazaars into narrow streets, with great stupas on the edge of town.

Kathmandu: Kathmandu Guided Tour
Featured walk: Kathmandu Guided Tour · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and its largest city. Its old royal palace square, Durbar Square, is one of seven monument zones in the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage Site.

The old city between Thamel and Durbar Square is a dense web of lanes, shrines and hidden courtyards, best explored slowly on foot.

What makes Kathmandu distinctive

  • Durbar Square and the old royal palace
  • Swayambhunath, the hilltop 'monkey temple'
  • Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world
  • Bazaars and courtyards of the old city

Walking tours in Kathmandu

Hand-picked guided walks in Kathmandu, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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By theme: Food tours in Kathmandu · History walks in Kathmandu

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Thamel

    The traveller district of guesthouses, gear shops and restaurants.

  • Old city

    The lanes between Asan, Indra Chowk and Durbar Square.

  • Boudha

    The neighbourhood around Boudhanath stupa.

Free self-guided walk

Thamel to Durbar Square through the bazaars

A free self-guided walk through old Kathmandu, from Thamel through the market squares of Asan and Indra Chowk to Durbar Square.

2.1 km · 5 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. Thamel to Durbar Square

    Through the old bazaars of Asan and Indra Chowk.

  2. Around Boudhanath

    A clockwise circuit of the stupa with the pilgrims.

  3. Swayambhunath stairs

    The steep eastern stairway up to the stupa.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Mostly flat in the old city; steps up to Swayambhunath.

  • Traffic

    Lanes are shared with motorbikes and there are few pavements.

  • Air

    Dust and smoke can be heavy in the dry season.

When to visit

  • October to November

    Clear skies and mountain views after the monsoon; the main season.

  • March to April

    Warm, with rhododendrons in bloom in the hills.

  • June to September

    Monsoon rain, mostly in the afternoons.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 km east of Thamel.

  • By road

    Tourist buses run to Pokhara in seven to eight hours.

Local transport

  • Taxis and ride-hailing

    Agree the fare first or use an app such as Pathao or inDrive.

  • On foot

    The old city is best walked.

Questions travellers ask about Kathmandu

Do I need tickets for the temples?

Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath and Pashupatinath charge entry fees to foreign visitors.

How many days do I need?

Two or three days for Kathmandu, plus a day for Patan or Bhaktapur.

Is it safe to walk at night?

Thamel and the main streets are busy in the evening; carry a torch, as power cuts and dark lanes are common.

Kathmandu: Kathmandu Guided Tour
Country overview

Nepal

Temples and courtyards below the Himalaya

Explore destinations

Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-28. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.