Districts · Kathmandu
Kathmandu by district
The old city, Thamel and Durbar Square lie on the west bank of the Bagmati river; Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are about 6–8 km east; Patan is just across the river to the south; Swayambhunath sits on a hill to the west. Traffic decides every trip: allow double the map time.The old city, Thamel and Durbar Square lie on the west bank of the Bagmati river; Boudhanath and Pashupatinath are about 3.7–5 mi east; Patan is just across the river to the south; Swayambhunath sits on a hill to the west. Traffic decides every trip: allow double the map time.
About these names
- ThamelsleepeatSuits: Trip logistics, gear, cafés, first nightsA dense visitor quarter of narrow lanes, hotels, trekking shops and restaurants; noisy at night, dusty by day.2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Durbar Square and BasantapurseeSuits: The royal square, temples, the KumariThe historic centre with Malla palaces and temples; crowded with shrines, pigeons and vendors.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- BoudhanathsleepseeSuits: The stupa, monasteries, a calmer baseA Tibetan Buddhist neighbourhood around a huge stupa; quieter at night than Thamel.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- PashupatinathseeSuits: The great Shiva temple and cremation ghatsReached by taxi from Boudha; a place of worship and funerals.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Patan (Lalitpur)seeeatSuits: A calmer old square, museums, craftsA Newar city with a beautiful square and metalwork workshops; often the easier day.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- SwayambhunathseeSuits: Sunrise and city views from a hill templeA hilltop stupa west of the city with monkeys; about 365 steps from the eastern stair.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- BhaktapurseeSuits: A medieval town by day tripAbout 13 km east; well preserved and quieter than Kathmandu; entry fee for foreigners.About 8.1 mi east; well preserved and quieter than Kathmandu; entry fee for foreigners.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) (30–60 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Swayambhunath, Bhaktapur. See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Thamel: A dense visitor quarter of narrow lanes, hotels, trekking shops and restaurants; noisy at night, dusty by day. Suits: Trip logistics, gear, cafés, first nights. Price band $.
- Durbar Square and Basantapur: The historic centre with Malla palaces and temples; crowded with shrines, pigeons and vendors. Suits: The royal square, temples, the Kumari.
- Boudhanath: A Tibetan Buddhist neighbourhood around a huge stupa; quieter at night than Thamel. Suits: The stupa, monasteries, a calmer base. Price band $$.
- Pashupatinath: Reached by taxi from Boudha; a place of worship and funerals. Suits: The great Shiva temple and cremation ghats.
- Patan (Lalitpur): A Newar city with a beautiful square and metalwork workshops; often the easier day. Suits: A calmer old square, museums, crafts.
- Swayambhunath: A hilltop stupa west of the city with monkeys; about 365 steps from the eastern stair. Suits: Sunrise and city views from a hill temple.
- Bhaktapur: About 13 km east; well preserved and quieter than Kathmandu; entry fee for foreigners.About 8.1 mi east; well preserved and quieter than Kathmandu; entry fee for foreigners. Suits: A medieval town by day trip.
- Sleep area Boudha: suits The stupa, monasteries, a calmer base, price band $$.
- Sleep area Thamel: suits Trip logistics, gear, cafés, first nights, price band $.
- Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM), 30–60 min by the usual route.