To visit Kathmandu is to start almost any trip to Nepal: the capital is a dense city at about 1,400 m (4,600 ft), at the heart of a valley where seven groups of monuments (Durbar squares, stupas, Hindu temples) have been UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1979. What to see in Kathmandu, how to avoid the traps of Thamel, when to come given the monsoon, and how to get in from the airport: here are the essentials, based on official sources.
Before or after a trek, see our Nepal travel guide, our best time to visit Nepal calendar and the map of Nepal.
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Kathmandu: the essentials
- Safety: pickpockets and bag-snatchers operate in areas popular with foreigners such as Thamel, and the risk of flooding, landslides and earthquakes is real — UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 1 October 2026
- Visa: required for US and UK citizens, available on arrival at Kathmandu airport; passport valid at least six months — see entry requirements
- UNESCO: 7 groups of monuments in the valley inscribed in 1979 — checked on 24 October 2026 on whc.unesco.org
- Time zone: UTC+5:45, no daylight saving: 5 h 45 ahead of London and 10 h 45 ahead of New York in winter
- Climate: October-November and February-April dry and clear; monsoon from June to September (WMO 1991-2020 normals)
What to see in Kathmandu: the highlights
UNESCO describes the valley’s heritage as seven groups of monuments and buildings: the Durbar squares of Hanuman Dhoka (Kathmandu), Patan and Bhaktapur, the Buddhist stupas of Swayambhu and Bauddhanath, and the Hindu temples of Pashupati and Changu Narayan (checked on 24 October 2026 on whc.unesco.org). Four are in Kathmandu itself or on its edge; the other three make fine day trips.
Durbar Square (Hanuman Dhoka)
The former royal palace and its tiered-roof temples form the historic heart of the city. The April 2015 earthquake damaged several buildings, and some are still being restored. Around the square, the lanes of the old town lead to small squares, shrines and markets.
Swayambhunath, the « Monkey Temple »
Perched on a hill west of the city, Swayambhu is an ancient pilgrimage site that Buddhists regard as one of the oldest and most important stupas (Wikipedia). The main stairway is steep; the view over the valley rewards the effort, especially on a clear day in the dry season.
Boudhanath (Bauddhanath)
The great white stupa with its painted eyes is the centre of the valley’s Tibetan community. Pilgrims walk around it clockwise: follow the same direction. The site is especially lively in the late afternoon.
Pashupatinath
On the banks of the Bagmati, this temple dedicated to Shiva is one of Hinduism’s major holy sites; the complex covers 246 hectares and has more than 500 small temples around the main pagoda (Wikipedia). Cremations take place on the ghats by the river: watch discreetly and do not photograph the families. The main temple is open to Hindus only.
Thamel and the Garden of Dreams
Thamel is the tourist district: accommodation, restaurants, agencies and trekking gear shops. The UK FCDO warns of pickpockets and bag-snatchers in areas popular with foreigners, including Thamel, and reports that women have been sexually assaulted in tourist areas such as Thamel: be cautious, especially alone after dark (GOV.UK, updated 1 October 2026). A few minutes away, the Garden of Dreams, a neoclassical garden, offers a quiet break.
Around Kathmandu
- Patan (Lalitpur): its Durbar Square and craft workshops, just south of the Bagmati.
- Bhaktapur: the best-preserved former royal city in the valley, with its Durbar Square and temple squares.
- Changu Narayan: a hilltop Hindu temple, the seventh UNESCO group.
- The valley rim: viewpoints and day hikes to see the Himalayas on a clear day.
Booking tours and excursions
An agency or licensed guide makes it easier to visit the valley and organise a trek. The UK FCDO advises using a reputable trekking agency or guide and being wary of trekking deals that look very cheap, as some may be scams (GOV.UK, updated 1 October 2026). Check that the agency is registered, what is included (entry fees, transport, rescue insurance) and the cancellation terms.
Itinerary: Kathmandu in 2 or 3 days
- Day 1: Durbar Square and the old town in the morning, Swayambhunath in the late afternoon.
- Day 2: Pashupatinath in the morning, then Boudhanath on foot or by taxi for sunset.
- Day 3: Patan or Bhaktapur for the day; Changu Narayan as an extra.
| If you… | Then… |
|---|---|
| Start a trek right after | Keep a buffer day in Kathmandu: domestic flights to the mountains depend on the weather |
| Arrive during the monsoon (June-September) | Focus on the valley sights and allow extra time: rain and landslides |
| Want to see the Himalayas | Come from October to December or in February-March, when visibility is better |
| Have only two days | Durbar Square, Swayambhu, Pashupatinath and Boudhanath; Bhaktapur if possible |
| Are approached in the street | Turn down self-proclaimed « guides » and deals that look too cheap |
When to go to Kathmandu
WMO 1991-2020 normals for the Kathmandu station (Tribhuvan Airport, 1,337 m / 4,386 ft), published by Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, with the average number of rainy days and our sunrise and sunset calculations.
| Month | Max | Min | Precipitation | Rainy days | Sunrise / sunset on the 15th | Day length | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.2 °C (67 °F) | 2.8 °C (37 °F) | 15 mm (0.6 in) | 1.9 | 6:55 am / 5:30 pm | 10 h 35 | ⚠️ Dry, cold nights |
| February | 22.1 °C (72 °F) | 5.3 °C (42 °F) | 24 mm (0.9 in) | 2.6 | 6:41 am / 5:54 pm | 11 h 13 | ✅ Dry, mild days |
| March | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 8.8 °C (48 °F) | 38 mm (1.5 in) | 3.9 | 6:13 am / 6:11 pm | 11 h 58 | ✅ Good visibility |
| April | 28.6 °C (83 °F) | 12.3 °C (54 °F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 6.6 | 5:39 am / 6:28 pm | 12 h 49 | ✅ Mild, a few storms |
| May | 29.2 °C (85 °F) | 16.1 °C (61 °F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | 11.9 | 5:14 am / 6:45 pm | 13 h 31 | ⚠️ Heat and storms |
| June | 29.5 °C (85 °F) | 19.3 °C (67 °F) | 242 mm (9.5 in) | 16.9 | 5:07 am / 7:00 pm | 13 h 53 | ❌ Monsoon |
| July | 28.7 °C (84 °F) | 20.3 °C (69 °F) | 384 mm (15.1 in) | 23.1 | 5:17 am / 7:01 pm | 13 h 44 | ❌ Wettest month |
| August | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 20.2 °C (68 °F) | 343 mm (13.5 in) | 22.7 | 5:33 am / 6:42 pm | 13 h 08 | ❌ Monsoon |
| September | 28.6 °C (83 °F) | 18.8 °C (66 °F) | 208 mm (8.2 in) | 14.6 | 5:48 am / 6:09 pm | 12 h 20 | ⚠️ End of the monsoon |
| October | 27.2 °C (81 °F) | 13.9 °C (57 °F) | 43 mm (1.7 in) | 3.8 | 6:03 am / 5:35 pm | 11 h 32 | ✅ Clear skies |
| November | 23.6 °C (74 °F) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) | 6 mm (0.2 in) | 0.5 | 6:24 am / 5:11 pm | 10 h 47 | ✅ Very dry |
| December | 20.2 °C (68 °F) | 4.2 °C (40 °F) | 8 mm (0.3 in) | 0.7 | 6:46 am / 5:10 pm | 10 h 24 | ✅ Dry, cold nights |
How to read it: July is the wettest month (384 mm (15.1 in), 23.1 rainy days on average); from June to September the monsoon brings most of the rain. By contrast, November and December average less than one rainy day. Destination de Voyage calculation based on the WMO normals: the five months from October to February receive only 6% of the annual precipitation. Beware of winter nights: a minimum of 2.8 °C (37 °F) in January, while the maximum exceeds 19 °C (66 °F). Bring layers, especially as many places to stay are poorly heated.
For Pokhara, the Terai or Everest, see the best time to visit Nepal; at altitude, read our guide to altitude sickness.
Getting there and getting around Kathmandu
From Tribhuvan Airport: transfers
Tribhuvan International Airport is the country’s main gateway, reached with connecting flights via the major hubs. The U.S. Department of State notes that getting a visa on arrival may take several hours; GOV.UK says you can pay by card but should have cash as a backup (see below). To reach Thamel or your hotel: a taxi (agree the fare before you set off), the hotel shuttle or a transfer booked in advance, the simplest option for a night arrival. The UK FCDO warns of pickpockets in airports: avoid touts in the arrivals hall.
In the city
Traffic is heavy and pavements are rare. For the outlying sights (Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Bhaktapur), a taxi is the most practical option: agree the fare before you get in.
Where to stay in Kathmandu
Thamel has accommodation for every budget and most of the trekking agencies. For more peace and quiet, the area around Boudhanath, Patan or some residential streets are alternatives. Check for heating in winter and for a generator or backup power supply.
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: a visa is required; it can be bought on arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu (which may take several hours) or obtained in advance from a Nepali embassy. Your passport must be valid for at least six months on entry, with one blank visa page. Only the Department of Immigration in Kathmandu can extend visas; the airport immigration office cannot (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated April 9, 2026).
- UK citizens: you need a visa to visit Nepal for up to 90 days. You can apply online for a visa on arrival up to 15 days ahead, then collect and pay at the airport, or apply at the airport itself; you can also get a tourist visa in advance from a Nepal embassy. Your passport must expire at least 6 months after your date of entry, and border officers may ask for travel insurance covering healthcare and repatriation (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 1 October 2026).
- Paying for the visa: according to GOV.UK, you can pay by card at the airport, but you should have cash as a backup. You must convert all your Nepali currency before you leave Nepal. See our Nepal visa guide.
- Safety: the UK FCDO (updated 1 October 2026) reports flooding and landslides and notes that earth tremors are common across Nepal. Do not trek alone: independent trekkers must use a local guide or porter in national parks and protected areas, and your insurance should cover mountain rescue and helicopter costs (GOV.UK).
- Health: healthcare is poor in most places outside the Kathmandu Valley and Pokhara, there is no central public ambulance service, and treatment at Western travellers’ clinics is expensive (GOV.UK). Tap water is not safe to drink in many areas (travel.state.gov).
- Tourist police in Kathmandu: 01 5347041 (GOV.UK).
Practical tips for Kathmandu
- Currency: the Nepalese rupee; see our currency converter.
- Internet: an eSIM or a local SIM card; see our travel eSIM guide.
- Etiquette: walk around stupas clockwise, take off your shoes in temples, and ask before taking photos.
- Copies: keep a copy of your passport and visa separately from the originals.
Frequently asked questions
How many days should you spend in Kathmandu?
Two to three days for the city and a trip to Patan or Bhaktapur, plus a buffer day before a trek.
Do you need a visa for Nepal?
Yes, for US and UK citizens. It can be obtained on arrival at Kathmandu airport (travel.state.gov, last updated April 9, 2026; GOV.UK, updated 1 October 2026); you can pay by card, but have cash as a backup.
Is Kathmandu safe?
The UK FCDO warns of pickpockets and bag-snatchers in Thamel and other areas popular with foreigners, and advises women to be cautious alone after dark. Use a reputable agency or guide and be wary of deals that look too cheap.
What is the best time to visit Kathmandu?
October-November and February-April. July is the wettest month (384 mm (15.1 in), WMO 1991-2020 normals).
What is there to see around Kathmandu?
Patan, Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan, three of the valley’s seven UNESCO groups of monuments.
Is Kathmandu cold in winter?
The days are mild (maximums of 19 to 20 °C (66 to 68 °F) in December-January), but nights drop to around 3 to 4 °C (37 to 39 °F).
Our sources
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, Nepal country information (last updated April 9, 2026) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for Nepal (updated 1 October 2026)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: « Kathmandu Valley » (inscribed 1979), checked on 24 October 2026
- World Meteorological Organization: 1991-2020 normals, Kathmandu station, Nepal’s Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (NOAA NCEI archive)
- Wikipedia (English): Kathmandu, Pashupatinath Temple, Swayambhunath
- Astronomical calculations: NOAA solar algorithm applied by Destination de Voyage (15th of each month, year 2027)
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.