How to spend your day in Kathmandu?

Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and is home to historic temples, lively markets, and stunning mountain views. Along with this, Kathmandu is also home to stunning cultural diversity as well. Furthermore, as the capital city of Nepal, this city also has an intricate network of alleys. All of these features make Kathmandu an ideal place for urban exploration. Now, as you may have guessed, there are many things to do in this urban city. But how to spend your day in Kathmandu to make the most of it?

In this blog, we talk about some of the ways you can explore the Kathmandu city and make the most of it. So, without any further ado, let's get started with our Kathmandu Itinerary!

Morning Exploration

Nothing beats a good morning in Kathmandu other than drinking some milk tea in the local shop of a forgotten alley and visiting the local temples. Depending on where you are from, the ideal temple destination can vary. For some, the ideal temple destination may be Pashupatinath Temple; for others, it is Swayambhunath. Additionally, you can also visit Boudhanath and Changu Narayan Temple as well. Each of these sites is historically and culturally significant for its own reasons. Furthermore, you can also find plenty of cafes near these temples. And who can say no to some more tea?

Our answer to your question of How to spend your day in Kathmandu begins with a simple phrase- tea and temple.

Cultural Immersion

After a refreshing morning roaming the cultural sites, why not head towards the Kathmandu Durbar Square and visit this historically significant UNESCO World Heritage site? If your stay is near this central hub of Kathmandu, it may even be just a few minutes away.

Kathmandu Durbar Square has a rich history dating back to the Malla period when the Kathmandu Valley was divided into three separate kingdoms—Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Patan. Furthermore, this place is also renowned for its stunning architecture. Additionally, Kathmandu Durbar Square also has several religious structures. Some of this includes the following:

• Taleju Temple
• Kumari Ghar (the residence of the Living Goddess, Kumari)
• Kal Bhairav Temple

Source: Wikipedia

After a morning filled with rich cultural experience, you must be feeling exhausted. So why not take some time off at the Garden of Dreams? Garden of Dreams is located at the entrance point of the tourist hub, Thamel and is located within the Kaiser Mahal Complex. Therefore, it is within easy access for both tourists and local people alike.

As its name suggests, this garden provides you with a peaceful and serene atmosphere filled with the calmness of a retreat right at the hub of Kathmandu. This garden has well-maintained lawns and flower beds, making it ideal for relaxation.

Experience Thamel

Just a few minutes from The Garden of Dreams is Thamel, the most vibrant part of Kathmandu city. This part of the city is known for its bustling streets, diverse shops, tons of eateries, and an overall atmosphere. But don't just rush through this part of town, as Thamel is best experienced on foot. Wander through its narrow streets, alleys, and small courtyards to immerse yourself in the local atmosphere. Open yourself up, and you might even discover some hidden gem at some forgotten corner at Thamel.

If you find something you like, do not be afraid to haggle. Rather, haggling is the national language of the business here. Just be sure to do it respectfully. Furthermore, don't forget to fill your tummy with the local cuisines here. You would miss out on an experience of a lifetime if you visit Thamel and skip the food.

Sunset Views

While the bustling life of Thamel may be appealing to many, nothing beats the eventful day other than watching the stunning sunset before heading to bed. Now, there are two best spots to watch the sunset view near Kathmandu. You can either head to Nagarkot or Chandragiri Hills.

You can reach Chandragiri Hills by driving in the western direction from Kathmandu. It takes roughly forty minutes to reach here in ideal condition.

On the other hand, Nagarkot is in the eastern direction of Kathmandu. You will need to drive through Bhaktapur and for roughly one hour to reach this location. Regardless of the location you choose, both of these locations offer you a stunning panoramic view of the sunset.

Evening Delights

Regardless of if you end up at Chandragiri or Nagarkot, you can find plenty of restaurants to eat local cuisines. Find the one that suits your aesthetic, and take some time to select the ideal local dinner for you. Furthermore, you can also select the restaurants based on whether or not they have local performances and live music. Many restaurants often have these features as both of these locations are popular tourist destinations.

Additionally, you can also return back to the city and enjoy the nightlife at Thamel as well. The choice is yours. After all, the city is just an hour away. Other than this you can also visit the Kathmandu places which are natural beauty, mountains view, attractive places, etc.

Conclusion

Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal. However, this city has much more to offer other than just being the capital city. It is an ideal city for urban exploration with rich culture, history, and aesthetic appeal. From sacred temples to lively local markets, Kathmandu has them all.
Naturally, our blog here cannot cover all there is to talk about exploring Kathmandu. This is only a brief answer to your question of How to spend your day in Kathmandu? However, we hope you found this helpful and gave you ideas on how to spend the perfect day in Kathmandu. If you want further insights into other aspects of traveling in Nepal, do check out some of our other blogs. And as always, thank you for reading till the end.

FAQs on spending the day in Kathmandu

What is the famous thing about Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is famous for many things, some of which include religious monuments, temples, urban life, local culture and customs, and being the capital of Nepal.

Where do most of the activities take place in Kathmandu?
The majority of activity takes place around the Kathmandu Durbar Square. Additionally, it also takes place around locations such as Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath, and Swayambhunath.

What is the most popular street food in Nepal?
Some of the most popular street foods in Nepal include the following:

• Momo
• Butter Tea
• Laphing
• Dal Bhat
• Chow Mein
• Thukpa
• Sel Roti
• Dahi Puri
• Aloo Chop
• Sha phaley