Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital and largest city of Nepal, situated in the central part of the country within the Kathmandu Valley.
The city is in Kathmandu District. Kathmandu is the main governmental, financial, industrial, and cultural centre of Nepal. As per the 2021 Nepal census, it has a population of 845,767 residing in 105,649 households, with approximately 4 million people in the surrounding metropolitan area. The city stands at an elevation of 1,324 metres (4,344 ft) above sea level. From ancient times until the medieval period, Kathmandu was known as Kantipur and is also referred to as Kasthamandap.
Getting to Kathmandu
- 01Tribhuvan International Airport
- 02Balaju Bus Station
- 03Swayambhu Bus Stand
Worth seeing
Kathmandu has several excellent museums and galleries, which are mostly located in the central area of the city. The city is also home to a large number of Buddhist and Hindu temples, monasteries, and sacred sites. In particular, Boudha and Swayambu are famous for Buddhist monasteries, while Durbar Square is the center of Hindu culture.
Things to do
Kathmandu city itself has limited activities for visitors beyond the amazing sightseeing and general experience of being there. Mountain Flights. Most local airlines offer one hour flights over the Himalayas departing 06:30-09:00 from Kathmandu airport, costing US$197. Book in advance during the popular tourist season. Future Nepal, Kathmandu, contact@futurenepal.org.
Where to eat
The most important food in Kathmandu could be the indigenous Newa food. There are hundreds of traditional Newa delicacies, which can be found in bhatti (local restaurants) or cafes. The most popular food in Kathmandu could be the momo, a dumpling which has its roots in Tibet and China. They are available fried or steamed and stuffed with buffalo, chicken, or veggies.
Getting around Kathmandu the local way
- Get inBy pre-arranged transfers – Available from most hotels and included in most trekking/touring packages.
- Get inYour hotel or trekking company may also be able to help.
- Get inBuses and minivans run between Kathmandu and the Nepalese border town of Kodari, across the Sino-Nepal Friendship Bridge from the Tibetan city of Zhangmu.
- Get inPrivate jeeps (US$60 for up to 4 people) are a quicker option, and can make this journey in 4 hours.
- Get inSunauli — rickshaw to the Nepalese border city of Bhairahawa (ten minutes from Sunauli).
- Get aroundMicrobuses are typically minivans with a surprising number of seats crammed in - they have a "conductor" who leans out of the door and shouts the destinations, which are also often written on the front in Nepali.
From Wikivoyage: Kathmandu, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Nabin K. Sapkota (CC BY-SA 4.0), Wikimedia Commons.
