Places to Visit near Kathmandu

Known For : Bhaktapur Durbar Square Changu Narayan Nyatapola Temple

Bhaktapur is one of three medieval cities in the Kathmandu Valley, the other two being Kathmandu and Patan. It is often referred to as Bhadgaon and Khwopa and has a mix of Hindu and Buddhist population. This city is located around 12 kilometres from the capital city of Kathmandu and is divided into three squares, each of them filled with temples and other religious structures. Entry to this town, however, is not free and visitors need to pay a town entry fee of NPR 1500. This goes into the maintenance of the temples in Bhaktapur.

Distance from Kathmandu: 15 km

Best Time: October to November, March to April 

11 Bhaktapur Attractions

Known For : Paragliding in Nagarkot Nagarkot Nature Trail Nagarkot Panoramic Hiking Trail

The tiny village of Nagarkot burrowed in the lap of towering peaks is a part of Nepal's Bhaktapur district. Perched at the edge of Kathmandu Valley, Nagarkot gives you one of the widest panoramas of the Himalayan ranges - you can spot 8 out of the 13 Himalayan ranges from the comfort of your hotel. The mighty Annapurna, Manaslu, Langtang, Jugal, Everest, Numbur, Ganesh Himal and the Rolwaling ranges can be seen from Nagarkot on a clear day!

Distance from Kathmandu: 26 km

Best Time: October to March

8 Nagarkot Attractions

The sleepy town of Kirtipur comes like a breath of fresh air amidst the other dust-laden villages and cities. Thanks to the stunning ancient temples that are scattered along its backstreets and the authentic experience of the Newari culture that it offers, the town has been gaining more and more popularity in the past few decades. Kirtipur is perched upon a rocky hill and is an excellent place to visit, especially for someone stepping out of Kathmandu for only a few hours.

Distance from Kathmandu: 10 km

Dhulikhel in the Kathmandu Valley offers picturesque views of the high Himalayas and the range of peaks that it comprises of, right from the Langtang Lirung in the west to the Dorje Lakpa, Gauri Shankar and Melungtse, and then Numbur in the east. You just have to be willing to climb a little over the village to enjoy these panoramic views.

Distance from Kathmandu: 30 km

Panauti is a leftover reminiscence of a time long bygone. At one glance, the town of Panauti is a melancholic chock-a-block of wooden houses, public halls, temples, and shops, all nestled together, resembling the shape of a fish in the lap of Himalayan greenery. Though still dotted with enough places worth mentioning, a feeling of decay spreads across the once prosperous town.

Distance from Kathmandu: 33 km

Birgunj is a Nepali city which is based near the border of the Indian state of Bihar. It is a major point of entry for Indian goods trade. Birgunj also receives the goods coming in from the port of Kolkata. Located in the Terai region, Birgunj is the second-largest city after Biratnagar and the sixth most populated metropolis in Nepal.

Distance from Kathmandu: 135 km

Best Time: November-March

Towards the north of the Kathmandu valley, just from where the hustle and bustle of the urban world start to fade away, and the imaginary lines of the city get blurred into the outskirts, lies the Shivpuri National Park. Besides being a biodiversity hotspot, this is also a favorite place for locals to hike, trek, and mountain bike. Tourists who love to tread the path less traveled and take the offbeat journey also should keep a day or two for a visit to these woods.

Distance from Kathmandu: 32 km

Perched at a height of 6000ft, the quaint village of Kakani is quiet. It is one of the lesser-known villages in Nepal that is mainly visited by hikers and travelers. The hospitality of the Nepalis is unmatched as you are likely to be fed the local food, which includes the grilled rainbow trout. It is as good as it sounds, and their delicious homemade strawberry liquors amidst the beautiful Himalayan mountains will make for a great evening.

This hidden paradise in Nepal is a great place to visit because of it's warm and friendly locals who are very welcoming to weary travellers. Blessed with lovely weather and picturesque natural beauty, Lakuri Bhanjyang is the ideal place for a trek with your friends.

With trekking trails, lush greenery, and a variety of species of flora and fauna, the Langtang National Park is the fourth national park that was established in Nepal in 1976. The Langtang National Park is situated at an approximate distance of 32 kilometres to the north of the capital city of Kathmandu and is connected to the Qomolangma National Nature Preserve in Tibet.

Sagarmatha National Park is a wildlife reserve that is well known to people for its location which is dominated by Mount Everest in the Himalayas of Eastern Nepal. The location, which is in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal, has been visited by tourists since the 1960s, although it was officially established in the year 1976, people have been flocking the area increased over the years because of the stunning scenery and the adventurous trails for trekking and hiking.

Best Time: October to November

Pretty as a picture - that is how one can perfectly describe Bandipur. Newari culture's living and breathing abode is a hilltop settlement in the Gandaki Zone at 1030 meters, some 700 meters above the Marsyangdi River. Bandipur is a perfect weekend retreat from Kathmandu or Pokhara now that it is connected to the highway by an access road. There isn't much to see, so hoping for an extensive sightseeing session will meet with disappointment.

Distance from Kathmandu: 147 km

The picturesque town of Gorkha is the ancient home of the lionhearted Gorkha people. Around 300 years ago, when Prithvi Narayan Shah unified all the rival fiefdoms of Nepal into one monarchy and divided the country into 50 different states, Gorkha was born along the slopes of the Himalayas in north-central Nepal. Needless to say, the place has immense historical and cultural significance and is dipped in tremendous natural beauty.

Distance from Kathmandu: 142 km

Chitwan National Park, nestled in the subtropical lowlands of southern Nepal, spans an impressive area of approximately 932 square kilometers. Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this sanctuary is a haven for an extraordinary range of species, including the revered one-horned rhinoceros, Bengal tigers, leopards, elephants, sloth bears, and an array of avian inhabitants. The park's vibrant landscapes offer visitors immersive safari experiences, including jungle walks, jeep safaris, canoe trips along the Rapti River, and elephant-back excursions.

Distance from Kathmandu: 169 km

=In the calm and composed premises of Shashwat Dham, spirituality finds a new home and an evolved meaning altogether. The temple and ashram complex is located in the beautiful surroundings of the Devchuli region of Nawalprasi district in south-central Nepal, on the east-west Mahendra Highway, only 23 kilometers from the twin city of Bharatpur-Narayangarh.

Distance from Kathmandu: 168 km