11 Best Things to Do in Kathmandu Explore the fun activities
From ancient temples to nightlife parties, Kathmandu is famous for all these. Kathmandu is the ultimate travel destination where you can do various activities. It can be overwhelming to decide what to do and what to visit at your destination in Kathmandu.
Do you want some help to prepare your activities that include all the top things to do in Kathmandu?
Here is the list of places, activities, food, and experiences you must not miss in Kathmandu
Things to do in Kathmandu
When you come to Kathmandu, don’t ever miss these foods these local dishes are the best things to eat in the capital city.
1. Culinary Experiences
Taste the local Newari food
| Food | Made OF |
| Yomari | Rice, Chaku, Khuwa |
| Bara | Egg, Lentils paste, Ginger, |
| Samay Baji | Rice, Chicken, Potato, and many more |
| Chatamari | Rice flour, Buffalo meat |
| Juju Dhau | Cow milk or Buffalo milk |
Also Read: Best places to visit in Kathmandu
Yomari: Yomari is a famous newari food made of rice flour, milk, ghee, sweets, and many more. This food is eaten during the festival of Yomari Punhi.
It is a really popular food in Nepal. Yomari taste plays a significant role in Newa society.
Bara: This dish is a popular appetizer from Nepal. It’s made by cooking spiced lentil patties on a flat pan or griddle. You can add minced meat or veggies to make them even tastier. Sure! Here’s a simplified version.
This dish looks like a pancake made from rice flour. People usually enjoy it with traditional Newari drinks called ‘Aila’ and ‘Chayang.
Samay Baji: Samay Baji is a traditional Newar dish made of beaten rice, pancake, and mung bean paste. When you travel to Kathmandu you must try this dish. It is also called khaja set.
It’s commonly made during celebrations and special events as a representation of affection and joy.
Chatamari: Chatamari is a traditional dish enjoyed by the Newari people and is popular in Nepalese communities too. It’s similar to a rice crepe or pizza and often referred to as ‘Newari pizza’.
Chatamari is a round bread made from rice flour. It’s topped with minced meat such as buffalo or chicken, along with onions, coriander leaves, and eggs.
Juju Dhau: Juju Dhau is a local yogurt made of cow or buffalo milk. Especially it is made of buffalo milk which is tastier than traditional cow milk. It is also known as the king of yogurt.
Juju Dhau is a special treat that’s very important during festivals. It started in Bhaktapur a long time ago. Now you can find Juju Dhau not only in Bhaktapur but also in other places where Newar people live, like Kathmandu Valley and Patan.”
Cultural Attractions
1. Things to do in Thamel
Think of Thamel. One of the best things to do in Kathmandu, thamel is shopping and enjoying the nightlife. Thamel offers you a breathtaking view of ancient temples, streets, and local shops.
| Shopping |
| Experience Night Life |
| Admire the Local Arts |
| Book your Trekking Tours |
| Bargaining |
Shopping: Shopping in Thamel is one of the top things to do in Kathmandu. It has been a midpoint for the tourist industry.
It is popular for shopping for clothes who want to trek in the Himalayas. You can Nepali Dhaka topi, khukuri, and many other ancient things on Thamel.
Experience Night Life: There are multiple clubs and pubs in Thamel which makes the nightlife more interesting. From night live music to tasty food, whether you want to chill with a drink or dance all night, Thamel has something for everyone. So, come and enjoy the excitement of Thamel after dark
Admire the local arts: From wood crafts, and stone crafts, to silver jewelry thamel is full of arts. You can also find 1000-year-old Bikramashila Mahabiar in the north of Thamel. You can find hundreds of small temples which are almost several centuries old.
Book your Trekking Tours: There are many experienced friendly trekking companies in Thamel. It is also a nice place to stay for pre-trekking arrangements. They offer a wide range of trekking and hiking tours in the Himalayas.
Bargaining: When you go shopping in Thamel, you can bargain for everything you want to purchase. If you are really good at bargaining you will get a 40 percent discount on the products. Bargaining is one of the cool things to do in kathmandu.
2. Visit the ancient temples
Visiting ancient temples especially if you are new in Kathmandu can be a profound experience. You can easily spend 1 to 2 weeks in Kathmandu by visiting the ancient temples and it is one of the free things to do in kathmandu. So here is the list of ancient temples of Kathmandu:
Baghbairab Temple: Located in Kirtipur, it is the only temple which is dedicated to the tiger. It was built in the 16th century. You can visit the temple and see the war weapons which was used during the Prithivi Narayan Shah attack on Kirtipur.
It is believed that if one rounds the temple 108 times, he will be blessed with success and good health
Kal Bhairab: Kal Bhairab is a powerful deity worshipped in Hinduism, mostly in Nepal. Kal Bhairab protects people from bad things and keeps the world balanced. The temple is important for Nepali people, and they have ceremonies and parties there to celebrate Kal Bhairab’s power.
He’s a symbol of strength and beating bad things. Visiting Kal Bhairab is one of the things to do in Basantapur.
Kasthamandap: Even though we’re not exactly sure when it was built, people around here say that the three-roofed building was made in the 12th century. They used wood from just one sal tree! But new studies suggest it might be even older, from the 7th century. At first, it was like a meeting place for folks before big events, kind of like a community center.
They called it a mandap, which is a shelter with 16 pillars for pilgrims. Later on, they turned it into a temple dedicated to Gorakhnath, a wise guy who lived in the 13th century.
3. Attend the different local festivals
Attending local festivals is an amazing experience that everyone can feel.
Dashain: During Dashain, Kathmandu gets exciting! People wear nice clothes and go to temples to pray for good luck. People fly kites and have fun competitions. Everyone shops for new things and enjoys yummy food like sel roti and kheer. It’s a time for happiness and being together with family and friends.
During Dashain, Kathmandu comes alive with various activities and traditions for locals and visitors alike to enjoy.
Tihar: Tihar, also known as Deepawali or the Festival of Lights, is another important festival celebrated in Kathmandu and throughout Nepal. It usually falls a few weeks after Dashain and lasts for five days.
During Tihar, people decorate their homes with colorful lights, candles, and intricate rangoli patterns to welcome Goddess Laxmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. Each day of Tihar has its significance and rituals.
Holi: Holi is a colorful and joyous festival celebrated in Kathmandu and across Nepal. It marks the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil.
During Holi, people come together to smear each other with vibrant colored powders and water, creating a festive atmosphere of fun and camaraderie.
Adventure Activities
1. Hike in Shivapuri National Park
Shivapuri is one of the best natural places in Kathmandu. If you’re searching for adventurous things to do in kathmandu, hiking in Shivapuri might be a cool idea. The hill’s location and height are just right for seeing the Langtang Himalayan range. Travelers would enjoy going there because they can see the Langtang Himalayan range.
They can also see mountains like Ganesh Himal, Langtang-Lirung, Dorji Lhakpa, and many others if the weather is very clear. The hike to the top of Shivpuri is tough because of the steep path with lots of stairs.
2. Ride a cable car in Chandragiri
If you are the one who loves flying in the air with a limited budget riding a cable car can be the best option for you. Chandragiri lies in the southwest of the Kathmandu at 2540 meters. You can enjoy the breath views landscape. From this hill, you can embark on incredible adventures! You get amazing views of the Kathmandu Valley and the huge Himalayan mountains, from Annapurna to Everest
You can also visit the nearby temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It’s called the Bhaleshower Mahadev Temple, also known as Ichheshwor Mahadev. It is one of the best things to do in kathmandu in one day.
Festivals & Events
1. Feel the Pasphupati Temple Aarati
In Kathmandu, there’s this amazing event called the Pashupatinath Temple Aarti. It started in 2006 and has been happening every year since. Lots of people come to see it because it’s really cool. It starts at 5 PM, but it’s better to go a bit early because there are usually a lot of people there who want to see it too.
In Hinduism, it’s believed that God is in every living being. They care about what’s good for everyone, not just one person. This is shown during the Aarati ceremony, where prayers are sung for the well-being of all people. The main goal is for everyone to come together as one big family. In Hinduism, it’s believed that God is in every living being.
They care about what’s good for everyone, not just one person. This is shown during the Aarati ceremony, where prayers are sung for the well-being of all people. The main goal is for everyone to come together as one big family.
2. Experience the Jatra
One of the unique things to do in Kathmandu is experiencing the Jatra. It’s a traditional festival where people come together to celebrate and honor their culture and beliefs. During the Jatra, you can witness, lively music, and colorful performances moreover you can experience the rich cultural heritage of Nepal.
Indra Jatra: Indra Jatra is one of the most thrilling and respected celebrations among the Newar community of the Kathmandu Valley. You can witness the living goddess, in the main streets of Kathmandu.
Hundreds of thousands of people will gather to celebrate this festival. It starts with putting up a tall wooden pole made of pine in Basantapur Square, right in front of the old Hanuman Dhoka Palace.
Gai Jatra: Gai Jatra is a joyful festival in Kathmandu Valley where people dance, sing, and have fun. It’s all about celebrating cows and remembering loved ones who passed away.
Families who lost someone in the past year send kids, dressed as cows, to march in the streets. This festival usually happens in July or August.
Ghode Jatra: Ghode Jatra is a horse parade festival. In Tudikhel, a big open area in Kathmandu, the Nepal Army and Nepal Police hold a Horse Parade, and there are shows for everyone to enjoy.
Important people from the government and rich folks attend, but what grabs people’s attention is the cultural part of the event. The Ghode Jatra falls on 11 April.
Visit Historical Palaces and Museums
Kathmandu is a rich place of historical palaces and museums. You can discover different palaces and museums in every corner of the city.
1. Narayanhiti Palace
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum used to be the home of the kings of Nepal due to this reason it is one of the famous places in Kathmandu. It’s right in the middle of Kathmandu. The palace building itself has a lot of history to tell about the royal family. When you visit, you can see how the kings lived in their rooms and where they held meetings.
You can get to the palace easily using public transportation. But remember, the museum is only open on certain days, so make sure to check before you go. Also, there are rules to follow inside, like no loud noises or taking pictures everywhere, to make sure everyone has a respectful and enjoyable visit.
2. National Museum Nepal
In the heart of Kathmandu, which is Nepal’s capital, there’s the National Museum, also known as the Rashtriya Museum. It’s been here for more than a hundred years and it’s really important for Nepal because it helps keep safe the country’s old history and teaches people about it.
You can visit the museum every day except Tuesdays and some holidays. If you’re not from Nepal, it costs about NPR 300 to enter, but if you’re Nepali, it’s only NPR 20. Kids and students pay even less. The museum is open from 10:30 in the morning until 4:30 in the afternoon, Monday to Friday.
3. Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum is located near Swayambhunath stupa. This museum is famous for its fauna and flora. You can also see extinct species like mouse deer, the skull of Archidiskodon, and many more.