15 BEST THINGS TO DO in Kathmandu Nepal in 2026 🇳🇵

14 places in this vlog

In the order they appear. Tap a time to play it here, or ↗ to open YouTube at that second.

1. 1:23

   Chandragiri Cable Car

   🚡 Activity · Chandragiri

   About $11 each way or $22 return; the zipline and shops close around sunset, so arrive earlier to use them.

2. 2:51

   Thamel

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Thamel

   Stays lively well past 10–10:30 pm, when most of the rest of the city has closed.

3. 3:49

   Kathmandu Durbar Square

   🏛️ Historic site · Basantapur

   Day entry is about 1,500 rupees and can be extended to 7 days at the admin office; entry is free after about 7 pm.

4. 5:11

   Freak Street

   🏘️ Neighborhood · Jhochhen

   Good for a relaxed evening drink or affordable food rather than a big night out.

5. 5:31

   Friend Zone

   🍴 Restaurant · Jhochhen

   The thick, spicy keema noodles are the dish to order.

6. 6:25

   Bhaktapur

   🚆 Day trip · Bhaktapur

   Reachable by a bus costing well under $1 or a taxi for about $10; hiring a local guide is worthwhile.

7. 10:01

   Asan Bazaar

   🛒 Market · Asan

   About a 6–7 minute walk from Thamel; bargaining is expected, and knock-off North Face jackets are common.

8. 11:45

   Kathmandu Fun Park

   🚡 Activity · Bhrikutimandap

   Entry is about 50 rupees, and each ride costs about $0.75–1; the rides are dated and sketchy, and weekdays are quiet.

9. 13:35

   Pashupatinath Temple

   ⛩️ Temple · Gaushala

   The evening ceremony lasts about an hour; local guides typically ask around 1,000–2,000 rupees.

10. 15:47

    Swayambhunath

    ⛩️ Temple · Swayambhu

    Agree on the guide's price before starting; guides may first ask $20 an hour and push for extra afterwards.

11. 17:57

    Nagarkot

    🚆 Day trip · Nagarkot

    About 1–1.5 hours from Kathmandu by taxi, or roughly 2 hours on two buses; staying overnight lets you catch the sunrise.

12. 19:15

    Shankha Park

    🌳 Park · Dhumbarahi

    A quiet escape for some fresh air without leaving the city.

13. 20:07

    Boudhanath Stupa

    ⛩️ Temple · Boudha

    Spin the prayer wheels while circling, ideally three or seven times; plan on about half a day.

14. 25:04

    Patan Durbar Square

    🏛️ Historic site · Patan · brief mention