Where to stay in Kathmandu

Kathmandu is Nepal's capital and the gateway for almost every trip to the country, whether you're heading for the Everest and Annapurna trails or staying put to explore the valley's temples, stupas and royal squares. Seven groups of monuments in the Kathmandu Valley are listed together as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and several of them are within a short taxi ride of each other.

The city is crowded, noisy and endlessly interesting. Where you stay shapes the experience: Thamel puts trekking shops, cafés and travel agents on your doorstep, while Patan and Boudha are calmer and feel more rooted in daily life. Many travellers spend a night or two in Kathmandu either side of a trek.

The places we compare are mainly hostels, guesthouses and small boutique hotels. Filter them below, or read the area guide first.

Airport
Tribhuvan International (KTM), on the eastern side of the city, usually 20 to 40 minutes from Thamel by taxi
Getting around
Taxis, ride-hailing apps, local buses and microbuses; the old centre and Thamel are best on foot
Best seasons
Usually October to November and March to May
Monsoon
Roughly June to September, with heavy rain and cloud over the mountains

Places to stay in Kathmandu

11 hotels

Guesthouse in Swayambhu & the west

Elbrus Home

A garden guesthouse in the quieter streets below the Monkey Temple

  • garden
  • terrace
  • free parking
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"Our order" puts hotels we have fully written up first. Commission doesn't affect the order.

Where to stay in Kathmandu, area by area

Thamel sits just north of the old city around Kathmandu Durbar Square. Swayambhu is on a hill to the west, Boudha a few kilometres east near the airport, and Patan is a separate historic city across the Bagmati River to the south.

Thamel

Best for first visits and trek preparation

Kathmandu's travellers' district is a tight grid of lanes packed with guesthouses, rooftop restaurants, bakeries, trekking-gear shops, bookshops and agencies that can sort permits and guides. It's the easiest place to land for a first visit, and you can walk to Durbar Square through the old bazaars of Asan and Indra Chowk.

It's also loud and busy into the evening. Lanes on the edges, towards Chhetrapati, Paknajol or Jyatha, tend to be a little calmer.

Durbar Square & the old city

Best for history and temple-hopping

Kathmandu Durbar Square, also called Hanuman Dhoka, is the old royal heart of the city, crowded with pagoda temples, palace courtyards and the home of the Kumari, the living goddess. Some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake. Foreign visitors pay an entrance fee to the square.

Around it, the old city's lanes, courtyards and markets are some of the most atmospheric streets in the valley. Freak Street, south of the square, is a reminder of the 1960s and 1970s overland trail.

Swayambhu & the west

Best for a quieter base near the stupa

On a hill west of the centre, the Swayambhunath stupa, nicknamed the Monkey Temple, looks over the whole valley. The residential neighbourhoods around its base are quieter than Thamel and have a growing number of guesthouses and hostels.

Thamel is roughly half an hour's walk away across the Bishnumati River, or a short taxi ride.

Boudha

Best for Tibetan Buddhist culture and calm evenings

Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, is the centre of Kathmandu's Tibetan community, ringed by monasteries, shops and rooftop cafés. Pilgrims walk clockwise round the stupa morning and evening, and the atmosphere after the day visitors leave is peaceful.

It's also relatively close to the airport and to Pashupatinath, Nepal's most important Hindu temple, but further from Thamel and the old city.

Patan (Lalitpur)

Best for architecture and a slower pace

Patan is a separate city just south of Kathmandu, across the Bagmati River. Its Durbar Square is often called the finest in the valley, and the Patan Museum, set in part of the old palace, is one of Nepal's best. Metalworkers and woodcarvers still work in the surrounding lanes.

Jhamsikhel and Pulchowk, on the Kathmandu side of Patan, have a lively café and restaurant scene. Thamel is around 20 to 30 minutes away by taxi, depending on traffic.

Questions about staying in Kathmandu

Is Thamel the best place to stay in Kathmandu?

For a first visit or before a trek, usually yes: everything you need is within walking distance. If you'd prefer quieter evenings and a more local feel, look at Patan or Boudha instead.

How do I get from Kathmandu airport to Thamel?

Pre-paid taxis are available inside the arrivals hall, and many hotels offer pick-ups. Ride-hailing apps also work in the city. The drive usually takes 20 to 40 minutes, longer in heavy traffic.

When is the best time to visit Kathmandu?

Autumn, roughly October to November, brings clear skies and is the main trekking season. Spring, from March to May, is also popular. The monsoon from about June to September is wet, and winter mornings can be cold.

Can I visit Patan and Bhaktapur from Kathmandu?

Yes. Patan is a short taxi ride south, and Bhaktapur, the third of the valley's old royal cities, is around an hour east by road in typical traffic. Each charges foreign visitors an entrance fee to its historic centre.

Do I need a visa for Nepal?

Many nationalities can get a tourist visa on arrival or apply online in advance, but the rules and fees change. Check the latest guidance from the Nepal Department of Immigration or your government's travel advice before you go.