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Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Newar palace square, a living goddess and pagoda temples in the old city

HeritageCultureSpiritual

Best time to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square

peak shoulder off-season avoid

  • Go: February to March and October to November
  • Shoulder: April to May, September and December to January, quieter, and the weather is less of a sure thing
  • Skip: June to August

Planning a specific month? FebruaryMarchOctoberNovember

Kathmandu Durbar Square season by season

Winter December to February Prime time

Crisp sunny days for walking the squares; mornings are foggy and smoggy, so start your temple rounds after 10 am.

Summer March to May Prime time

Mar is clear and warm for rooftop cafes over the pagodas; by Apr and May haze from forest fires hides the hills and afternoons get hot.

Monsoon June to September Shoulder

Daily downpours flood the lanes in Jul and Aug, but Sep brings Indra Jatra, when the Kumari is pulled through the square on a chariot.

Autumn October to November Prime time

Best season: rain-washed blue skies, Dashain and Tihar lights in Oct and Nov, and mild days for long walks across the valley.

What Kathmandu Durbar Square is actually like

Rooftop cafes over the pagodas, Newari khaja shops, pigeons and sadhus; Thamel backpackers and Indian tour groups mix here.

Things to do in Kathmandu Durbar Square

The local places worth your time in and around Kathmandu Durbar Square, with how far each sits from the centre. Tap a name to open it in Google Maps.

  • Swayambhunath

    Temple · 2 km out

    Hilltop stupa reached by a long stone stair, monkeys on every ledge; come at sunset for the view over the valley.

  • Pashupatinath Temple

    Temple · 4 km out

    Shiva shrine on the Bagmati with cremation ghats; only Hindus enter the main courtyard, river aarti every evening.

  • Boudhanath Stupa

    Shrine · 6 km out

    One of the largest stupas in the world, ringed by Tibetan monasteries and cafes; walk the kora clockwise at dusk.

  • Patan Durbar Square

    Heritage · 4 km out

    The finest Newar square in the valley, with the Patan Museum in the old palace; 20 min by taxi across the Bagmati.

  • Asan Tole

    Market · 1 km out

    Six-street bazaar of spices, brass and the Annapurna Ajima shrine, busiest early morning; walk up from Indra Chowk.

  • Garden of Dreams

    Garden · 1 km out

    Restored 1920s neo-classical garden by Thamel with pavilions, ponds and lawns; a quiet hour away from the traffic.

  • Kirtipur

    Heritage · 4 km out

    Hilltop Newar town with the Bagh Bhairab temple and cheap Newari feasts; 30 min by bus, sunset views of the valley.

  • Chandragiri Hills

    Viewpoint · 11 km out

    Cable car from Thankot climbs to the ridge for a Himalayan panorama and the Bhaleshwor temple; clearest Oct to Feb.

Getting to Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu airport (TIA) is about 6 km; buses from the Raxaul/Birgunj border take 7 h. Indians need a passport or voter ID.

Practical ways in: flightroad

Trip facts

How long to stay
3 days
Budget
Mid-range
How busy
Busy at its peak
Solo travel
Made for solo travellers
Altitude
1305 m
Country
Nepal
Coordinates
27.7043, 85.3066

Common questions

When is the best time to visit Kathmandu Durbar Square?

February to March and October to November is peak season in Kathmandu Durbar Square. April to May, September and December to January is shoulder season: thinner crowds, a bit more risk in the weather. Avoid June to August. Best season: rain-washed blue skies, Dashain and Tihar lights in Oct and Nov, and mild days for long walks across the valley.

How many days do you need in Kathmandu Durbar Square?

3 days is the usual stay. Rooftop cafes over the pagodas, Newari khaja shops, pigeons and sadhus; Thamel backpackers and Indian tour groups mix here.

How do you get to Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Kathmandu airport (TIA) is about 6 km; buses from the Raxaul/Birgunj border take 7 h. Indians need a passport or voter ID. Practical ways in: flight and road.

Is Kathmandu Durbar Square expensive, and does it get crowded?

Mid-range by Indian travel standards, and it runs busy at the busiest time of year. Made for solo travellers.

Is there a festival in Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Indra Jatra (Sep). Time a trip around it and you see the place at its loudest, but book beds early.

What are the best things to do in Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Swayambhunath, Pashupatinath Temple, Boudhanath Stupa, Patan Durbar Square, Asan Tole and Garden of Dreams, and more. Hilltop stupa reached by a long stone stair, monkeys on every ledge; come at sunset for the view over the valley.

Nearby, and where to go next

More places to visit in Nepal

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