Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, a city of about 1.5 million in a valley at 1,400 metres on the southern foot of the Himalaya. The valley holds the three royal cities of Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur, ruled by the Malla kings from the 12th to the 18th century, and its seven monument zones are listed together as one UNESCO World Heritage Site. The 2015 earthquake struck the historic squares hard; landmarks such as the Kasthamandap and the Dharahara tower have been rebuilt and restoration continues. Hindu temples and Buddhist stupas share the same streets, the narrow lanes of Thamel are the meeting point of climbers and travellers, and on clear days the peaks of Langtang and Ganesh Himal show to the north of the city.
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See flights to Kathmandu →When to visit Kathmandu
October and November are the best months: the monsoon is over, the air is clear, days are 20C to 25C and the Himalayan peaks are visible from the valley; the Dashain and Tihar festivals also fall in these weeks. March and April are the second good window, with rhododendrons in bloom but hazy afternoons. From December to February nights drop close to zero while days are sunny at around 18C, and hotels are rarely heated. June to September is the monsoon, with several hours of heavy rain a day and frequent cancellation of mountain flights.
Things to do in Kathmandu
Boudhanath Stupa
Eleven kilometres east of the city centre, Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world at 36 metres and, with the monasteries around it, the centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. The four faced Buddha eyes above the white dome have become the emblem of the city. Morning and evening, pilgrims circle the stupa clockwise turning the prayer wheels, and the rooftop cafes around it are the place to watch the circuit from above. The spire cracked in the 2015 earthquake and was rebuilt in 2016.
Swayambhunath
The stupa on the hill to the west of the city, popularly called the Monkey Temple, is one of the oldest holy sites in the valley and carries inscriptions dating to the 5th century. The stairway of 365 steps on the eastern slope climbs to the gilded spire and the Buddha eyes; around it are Hindu shrines, a Tibetan monastery and, genuinely, hundreds of monkeys. The terrace on the hilltop looks over the whole Kathmandu Valley and, in clear weather, the Himalayan peaks. Sunset is the most photographed hour.
Pashupatinath Temple
Pashupatinath on the banks of the Bagmati River is one of the most important Shiva temples in Hinduism and the holiest site in Nepal; only Hindus may enter the main temple, but the terraces on the far bank of the river are open to visitors. Cremations on the riverside ghats continue through the day and are watched from a respectful distance, with restraint about photographs. Sadhus, the temple deer and the evening aarti fire ceremony at five o'clock are the other parts of a visit. It lies a few kilometres from the airport.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The old palace square of the Malla and Shah kings is the historic heart of the city, with carved timber temples, the Hanuman Dhoka Palace and the Kumari Ghar of 1757, home of the living goddess Kumari. The 2015 earthquake brought down part of the square; the Kasthamandap, which gave the city its name, reopened in 2022 rebuilt with original techniques, and restoration continues. The nearby Asan and Indra Chowk markets sell spices and cloth. The entry fee is a single ticket including the museum and the palace.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
Bhaktapur, 13 kilometres east of Kathmandu, is the best preserved of the three royal cities; its brick streets closed to traffic, the 55 Window Palace and the Golden Gate carry the air of a medieval town. The five tiered Nyatapola Temple on nearby Taumadhi Square, built in 1702, is the tallest temple in the valley at 30 metres and came through the 2015 earthquake undamaged. Clay pots dry in the sun on Pottery Square, and the city's yoghurt, juju dhau, is famous. Set aside half a day and go early.
Nagarkot
Nagarkot, at 2,175 metres on the eastern rim of the valley, is an hour and a half by car from Kathmandu and the nearest point outside the city for seeing the Himalaya. On a clear morning the peaks from Langtang to Everest light up in turn at sunrise, and the clearest views come between October and March. The terraces of the hilltop hotels and the lookout tower face the range, and the walking trail down to the Changu Narayan temple takes four hours. Staying the night makes the dawn view easier to catch.
Flights from Turkey to Kathmandu
Direct flights to Kathmandu from Turkey leave Istanbul Airport on Turkish Airlines, take about 7 hours 10 minutes and run several days a week with a night departure. The time difference is two hours 45 minutes and arrival is in the afternoon. Tribhuvan International Airport is 6 kilometres from the city centre; a taxi to Thamel takes 20 to 40 minutes depending on traffic, and most hotels send a pick up car. Keep a passport photo and dollars ready for the visa queue on arrival.
Kathmandu FAQ
How many days do you need in Kathmandu?
Two days for Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath and Durbar Square, a day for Bhaktapur and Patan and a night at Nagarkot fill four or five days. Adding a flight to Pokhara or an Everest sightseeing flight makes a week, and a short Annapurna trek takes it to ten days.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 kilometres from the city centre. From the prepaid taxi counter at the terminal exit, Thamel is 20 to 40 minutes away, and traffic is heavy in the evening. Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are closer to the airport than the centre is.
Do you need a visa for Nepal?
A Turkish passport needs a Nepalese visa, issued on arrival at the airport: 15 days for 30, 30 days for 50 and 90 days for 125 US dollars. Filling the form at the airport kiosks or online in advance shortens the queue, and the fee is paid in cash in dollars or major foreign currencies. The passport must be valid for at least six months.
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