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Neighborhood in Kathmandu in Bagmati, Nepal
Photo: Redskyflyer, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
West Kathmandu covers the backpacker areas of Thamel, Swayambhu, Durbar Square, and Freak Street in Kathmandu. It is a maze of alleys crammed with handicraft shops, guest houses, and cafés. The core area of the district is traffic-free. Swayambhu is a famous Buddhist monastery located on a hill overlooking the city, while Durbar Square is the ancient heart of Kathmandu and home to many Hindu temples and traditional Newari buildings.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
स्वय म्भू AKA the Monkey Temple
Perched on a hill overlooking Kathmandu, Swayambhu is a revered site featuring a grand stupa surrounded by Buddhist and Hindu iconography. According to legend, a former Buddha visited the valley, which was then a vast lake. The Buddha planted a lotus seed in the clear waters that bloomed after 84,000 years, crowned with an eternal flame. Drawn by the flame from Mount Wutai in China, the bodhisattva Manjushri drained the lake by cutting through the valley wall, making the site accessible for pilgrims. The stupa now stands where the lotus once blossomed, making Swayambhu one of Nepal’s most sacred Buddhist sites. The hilltop can be reached by climbing 350 steps, with a gentler but less scenic back route also available. A 30-minute walk from Thamel leads to the base, though a map is helpful due to several confusing intersections; taxis and bikes are also options. The site teems with monkeys—keep food hidden—and hosts ancient temples, souvenir stalls, cafes, and restaurants offering Nepali and Tibetan cuisine. For those with limited mobility, parking at the rear entrance minimizes the climb. Swayambhu is one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the Kathmandu Valley and includes the Swayambhu Buddhist Museum.
Historic street where western hippies seeking enlightenment would stay in the 1970s and 80s. Now just a few restaurants and hotels but the iconic Snowman Cafe is tucked away here. Opened in 1965 as a full functioning restaurant, Snowman is now a cafe shop with new Nescafe machine and paper cups, but still run by the same family. Since the family owns the property, this cafe shop survived from the pressure of rent. However, it's mostly a one-man shop, and that man is 50 years old. His father is too old to work and the next generation of the family are studying in Australia and seemingly won't take over. No one knows how long this final bastion of Freak Street will last.
A tourist area with many restaurants and shops.
Swapna Bagaicha
Relax in this beautiful and peaceful walled garden close to Thamel and the former Royal Palace. Beautifully renovated in partnership with the Austrian government. It has two pavilions depicting two of the six annual seasons in the Hindu calendar. There is a mini exhibition showing old photos of this garden. There is a restaurant (Kaiser Cafe) in it. You are not allowed to bring own food into the garden and even if you just want to go to Kaiser Cafe you still need to buy the ticket for the garden. Nice toilets.
लखु फलेचा
A roadside shelter is linked with the founding of Nepal Sambat. This is where the porters from Bhaktapur are said to have rested with their loads of sand. The procession of the goddess Dāgin, which is held during the Yenya festival, starts from this house.
In a three-story building which contains an impressive collection of traditional utensils and handmade dolls and items typical of a medieval Newar house, giving an important insight into Nepalese history.
Kumari Ghar
Home of "the Kumari", or living goddess, a young girl.
Nepali: काष्ठमण्डप Kāṣṭhamaṇḍap, Newar: मरु सत्तल Maru Sattal; literally "Wood-Covered Shelter"
A three-storey temple enshrining an image of Gorakhnath. It was built in the 16th century in pagoda style. The name of Kathmandu is a derivative of the word Kasthamandap. It was built under the reign of King Laxmi Narsingha Malla. It was built as a rest house for travelers.
Maju Temple
Statues, temples and the Rana museum in the Hanuman Dhoka former palace complex. The courtyard was used for royal coronations until 2001.
One of the oldest temples in the square, this three-roofed temple with its pyramid shaped bases, is an example of the typical Newari architectural style.
This museum is dedicated to King Mahendra of Nepal (1920–1972). It includes his personal belongings such as decorations, stamps, coins and personal notes and manuscripts, but it also has reconstructions of his cabinet room and office chamber.
Chhauni Museum
This in an historical building. It was constructed in the early 19th century by General Bhimsen Thapa. It is the most important museum in the country, housing an extensive collection of weapons, art and antiquities of historic and cultural importance. The museum was established in 1928 as a collection house of war trophies and weapons, and the initial name of this museum was Chhauni Silkhana, meaning "the stone house of arms and ammunition". Given its focus, the museum contains an extensive quantity of weapons, including locally made firearms used in wars, leather cannons from the 18th–19th century, and medieval and modern works in wood, bronze, stone and paintings.
Natural Science Museum of Tribhuvan University
This museum has a sizeable collection of different species of animals, butterflies, and plants. The museum is noted for its display of species, from prehistoric shells to stuffed animals.
Mostly paintings by current Nepali artists.
contains artifacts related to the King Tribhuvan (1906–1955). It has a variety of pieces including his personal belongings, letters and papers, memorabilia related to events he was involved in and a rare collection of photos and paintings of the Royal family.
The sole church in Kathmandu
धन्सा देग, alternative name: Dhunsar
A 17th-century pagoda-shaped building. Its carved wood windows provide an example of the art of woodworking which has been highly developed in the Kathmandu Valley since antiquity. The upper part was destroyed in the Great Earthquake of 1934, and its height was shortened when it was repaired. It was built as a courthouse. A shrine to Nāsa Dya, the god of music, exists on the ground floor.
गकुति
This building is a three-sided courtyard. There is a temple dedicated to Mahadev at the centre.
The temple contains four representations of the deity Narayan (another name of Vishnu).
मरु गनेद्य
It is one of the more important Ganesh shrines in Kathmandu. A notable feature of this temple is the absence of the usual pinnacle.
Part of the Swayambhunath Complex
A local restaurant that serves South Indian snacks, Indian dishes, and traditional Indian desserts. It is clean, has friendly staff and is very cheap.
Excellent food, great service, and modest prices. It is claimed to have the tallest rooftop restaurant in Kathmandu, and the views from there of the city, especially at night, are reported to be worth the climb. Serves Western and regional cuisine.
A good variety of well-made food, including pasta, Nepali and salads. Pleasant Newari courtyard setting
Basic pub grub and Nepali attempt at Mexican, often with live traditional music. Popular with English teachers and expats.
It is Israeli-run and has a wide variety of good, safe vegetarian food, especially good if you are craving a salad.
Excellent wood fired pizza. Pleasant decor with good coffee & hot chocolate & more cappuccinos. Draught Everest beer, when available. A relaxing, upscale place for when you need to escape from Kathmandu for an evening. Free Wi-Fi.
Excellent food at modest prices, including live music on most nights. Carry on straight past Helena's, around the "chicane", where the road bends then straightens out again, and turn the next right. It is signposted but the sign's fairly small. Everest summiteers can eat here for free. Extraphone=+977-1-4248692
Nepali and Newari cuisine. There is a cultural show every evening from 19:00.
Nepali coffee, milk tea, sandwiches and crêpes. Strawberry lassi is a speciality. Wi-Fi.
Good selection of coffees and teas. Pleasant outdoor seating.
A cosy cafe with a long history in Thamel. Excellent and healthy meals. Good coffee.
Warm, cosy environment. Views over Freak Street. Good coffee. Very reasonable prices.
Excellent coffee. Good quality international cuisine. Stylish interior. Very friendly and helpful service.
Irish dishes, a great variety of beer (also Guinness) and whisky (international and local), Irish Coffee (also Creamy Irish Coffee) cocktails, mocktails, energy cocktails, summer cocktails, shooters (try "Irish Flag"). During the cold season, you can also find "hot winter drinks". Friday nights live music, dart. Well trained, friendly staff. Run under German management.
A nice bar in Freak Street on several floors. Each floor has its own atmosphere. It is also possible to have shishas at the first floor.
Two beautifully designed homes with a bar, cozy lounge area, weight room, movie hall, dining hall and communal kitchen. They also have 24-hr hot shower. The staff treat you like family, and the owners, brothers Shiva and Tashi, are generous hosts (Shiva is a fantastic cook). There's also a guard at the door, free and strong Wi-Fi and people congregate on the roftop lounge nightly.
Nice ensuite rooms with small TV, Wi-Fi, nice roof terrace. Solar powered batteries for some lights and Wi-Fi during power outages. Breakfast included.
It has a nice rooftop garden restaurant with good food and helpful staff. Rooms with clean private bathrooms that have hot/cold showers. There's also free Wi-Fi in rooms, restaurant and lobby. Airport pick-up and drop-off.
3 beds, 4 beds in a room available and suitable for families, bigger groups & large families on budget. A diner, bar, laundry, barber, provision store are nearby, and it is easy walking distance to Ratna Park for trips.
Every room has cable TV and 24-hour hot and cold showers. Nepalese, Chinese, Indian and Continental cuisines available.
also spelled BigTree
Very cozy hostel in the northwestern part of Thamel. Great outdoor common areas including rooftop and yoga space. Hot water around the clock, the facilities are rather basic and regularly cleaned. Very helpful staff when it comes to trekking in Nepal. Also has a great selection of trekking maps that can be borrowed at the reception.
Friendly staff, and good room service breakfasts.
Surrounded by dance bars, but nice rooftop and rooms.
Budget accommodation in Thamel!
Nice hotel.
Not to be mistaken for the pricier and up-scale, but not so peaceful name brother, Kathmandu Guesthouse. In a more peaceful area just outside Thamel.
Family-run hotel. The owner and his wife are very friendly and helpful. The rooms are old but clean. Wifi, hot water, roof top available.
Very friendly and helpful staff, lived in Kathmandu all their lives, rooms are large, clean, and have hot water when power is on. Rooms cost from Rs300. Double for Rs800. Has free bag storage while you go on a trek, so long as you spend a night or two. The best thing is the free Wi-Fi that doesn't shut off even when the power goes down.
Decent cheap guesthouse just outside Thamel, quiet area, nice terrace.
Paknajol, near Thamel.
Fun and friendly guest house on the edge of Thamel but with dubious business practices and not particularly clean. Water was orange colour and no hot water.
Outside of Thamel, near the Swayambunath (Monkey) Temple, this place is quiet, full of backpackers, and serves incredible food. Rs300/night including breakfast. Free Wi-Fi, cool roof terrace, bar, Canadian managed. Impossible to find as they don't really advertise. Get a taxi or walk to Buddha Park near Swayambunath and call (+977 1 428 4647) from there, they'll come pick you up.
Friendly staff who will always try to help you out. On the edge of Thamel, easy to find. Internet is available at the entrance as well as a laundry service.
Nice family run guesthouse in a quiet street just south of central Thamel, lovely big rooms, simple furnishings, clean and with hot water 24 hr. Great garden area to relax and friendly family.
In the north Thamel (about 20 m down from the Map of Thamel), 4 minutes' walk from the centre of Thamel. Clean, peaceful place with free Wifi, computers, garden restaurant & friendly staff. In the hotel there is also the office of Alpine Club of Himalaya, where you can book tours, etc. Rooms rates begin at US$15.
Decent rooms and good service. Hot water, TV and hot food. Quieter location in Chhetrapati Chowk, great views and balconies.
Located on the main street from/through Thamel into Durbar Square (which is about 5-10 minutes away on foot, or a Rs50 rickshaw or taxi ride). Clean, hygienic and comfortable rooms, including en-suites with hot showers most of the time. The website quotes rooms from US$75, but this is negotiable.
24-hour front desk and room service, daily housekeeping, private bathroom for each unit, safe, luggage storage, free wireless internet service. Laundry and dry cleaning service. Air conditioning and heating. Cable TV. Baby-sitting service. Doctor on call. Airport transfer (free airport pick up). Tour desk
Thamel. The original guesthouse now with rooms ranging from basic to almost-fancy. Restaurant and bar. The axis on the compass of Thamel, all other addresses are given in relation to this hotel. Rates US$8-160. Wi-Fi internet access (semi-reliable) from lobby, garden and some rooms for Rs75/hr. Otherwise, 4 computers with internet access until midnight, Rs60/hour. The guest house has a sister concern in Pokhara.
The hotel has a quaint and homely Tibetan theme and rooms are also clean, hygienic and comfortable. The hotel has a restaurant on the ground floor that serves Tibetan/Chinese/Continental cuisine (open 06:00 to 22:00), in addition to a rooftop terrace. There are standard/deluxe/super deluxe rooms US$15 - 35. Deluxe rooms include attached shower/bath with 24-hr hot water and cable TV. Good value.
Thamel. Operating 1984 has rooms 102. 24 hours room service, free Wi-Fi,coffee shop, beauty parlour and travel desk. Rate US$16-96.
Lovely rooms in this clean, comfortable hotel in Thamel. Great location. Good rooftop area to sit and relax and eat. Simple but delicious food served in the restaurant. Helpful and knowledgeable staff.
The hotel claims it is designed to be 100% earthquake-resistant. Far from the busy roads, the atmosphere is quiet and peaceful.
Natural Yoga in Nepal
A mid-range accommodation with Yoga and Retreat, Massage, Sound Healing service as well as training programs.
Inclusive breakfast & airport pick up. Room service. A comfortable seating area and cable TV are included and all rooms are fully air-conditioned. Free Wi-Fi. Massage option at the spa. 24 hour concierge.
It is the largest and most well-established English language bookshop in Kathmandu. They have great sections on Buddhism, including a whole room devoted to Vajrayana, as well as an encyclopedic selection on books devoted to subjects on Nepal.
Great selection of books on all subjects, but specializes in books on Buddhism and Tibet studies.
Has huge selection of books on Buddhism, Nepal and Tibet studies.
By bus
From Boudha and Patan, take a local bus or microbus to the Ratna Park/Kanthipath area. From there either walk north (20 minutes) or take a second bus up the ring road to north Thamel.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Kathmandu · International · KTM
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