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Best Things to do in Kathmandu (2026)

Many of the best experiences in Kathmandu happen between the monuments. Thamel is the traveller quarter, packed with trekking shops, guesthouses and live music bars, and from there the old trade route leads south through the market squares of Asan and Indra Chowk, where spice, grain and bead sellers trade around small temples. These walks are free and work well on a first day, either alone or with a guide who can explain the shrines and festivals.

For mountain views, the hill station of Nagarkot on the rim of the valley is the classic place to watch the sun rise over the Himalaya, ideally after a night in one of its hotels. The Chandragiri cable car is a quicker option, lifting visitors to a hilltop temple and viewing tower at over 2,500 metres, and it has plenty to keep families busy. If time is short, Buddha Air's early morning Everest Experience flight takes about an hour and gives every passenger a window seat. All of these depend on clear weather, which is most reliable from autumn to spring, so plan them early in your stay and leave a spare day in case of cloud or cancellations.

5 places · Updated October 27, 2026

Our top 3 things to do in Kathmandu

  1. Thamel Neighbourhood walk and shopping, ThamelKathmandu's traveller quarter, a maze of narrow lanes packed with trekking shops, guesthouses, restaurants and live music bars just north of the old city.
  2. Buddha Air Everest Experience Mountain Flight Scenic mountain flight, Tribhuvan International AirportAn hour-long early morning sightseeing flight from Kathmandu along the Himalaya to Everest and back, with a guaranteed window seat for every passenger.
  3. Asan and Indra Chowk Bazaar Historic market walk, AsanThe old market squares of central Kathmandu on the former India to Tibet trade route, crowded with spice, grain, textile and bead sellers around small temples.

Thing to do

1. Thamel

Neighbourhood walk and shoppingThamel

Kathmandu's traveller quarter, a maze of narrow lanes packed with trekking shops, guesthouses, restaurants and live music bars just north of the old city.

View details — Thamel

Thing to do

4. Nagarkot

Himalayan viewpoint and hill stationNagarkot

A hill station on the rim of the Kathmandu Valley, about 32 km from the capital, known for sunrise views across the Himalaya and hiking trails.

View details — Nagarkot