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Things to Do in Kathmandu
The 21 best things to do in Kathmandu, from the stupas and old royal squares to live music in Thamel, Newari food, hikes on the valley rim and the run clubs locals join. Each one links to what's actually on for it this week, because Kata Jaam? lists every event across the valley and updates every day.
Jump to what's on tonight, this weekend, or free events — or browse by what you're in the mood for below.
Updated 12 November 2026
The 21 best things to do in Kathmandu
Tap one for how to do it, when to go and what's on for it.
Heritage & sights
1.Climb up to Swayambhunath
West KathmanduThe Monkey Temple sits on a hill above the city. Take the long stone stairway on the east side early in the morning, before the tour groups, for the best view across the valley.2.Walk the kora at Boudhanath
BoudhaOne of the largest stupas in the world. Join the clockwise walk around it at dusk, when the butter lamps are lit, then watch from a rooftop café around the square.3.Watch the evening aarati at Pashupatinath
Gaushala, on the BagmatiNepal's holiest Hindu temple. The main shrine is open to Hindus only, but anyone can watch the sunset aarati on the ghats from the river's east bank.4.Explore Kathmandu Durbar Square
BasantapurThe old royal palace square, still being rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. The Kumari Ghar, home of the living goddess, is on the square, and Freak Street runs off its south side.
5.Spend an afternoon in Patan
LalitpurPatan Durbar Square has the valley's finest Newari architecture, and the Patan Museum inside it is one of the best in South Asia. Stay on for an art opening or a courtyard concert.3 coming up
6.Take a day trip to Bhaktapur
About 13 km eastThe best-kept of the three old royal cities: brick lanes, the five-storey Nyatapola temple, potters' square, and juju dhau (king curd) in a clay bowl.1 coming upGoing out
7.Catch live music in Thamel
ThamelBands play somewhere in Thamel almost every night: rock and cover bars, acoustic sets, jazz. Weekends run late.17 coming up8.See a concert
Across the valleyBig Nepali artists, touring acts and festival stages, mostly on Friday and Saturday nights. Tickets usually go on sale a few weeks ahead.7 coming up
9.Go out after dark
Thamel, Durbarmarg, JhamsikhelClub nights and DJ sets in Thamel and Durbarmarg, and cocktail bars and rooftops in Jhamsikhel. Friday is the big night out.
10.Laugh at a stand-up or open mic
Cafés and small venuesStand-up in Nepali and English, poetry and music open mics. They're cheap or free, and a good way to meet people.3 coming up
11.Watch the big game at a bar
Thamel, JhamsikhelPremier League and Champions League nights fill the sports bars, and big fights and finals get their own screenings.9 coming upFood & markets
12.Eat Newari food
Patan, Bhaktapur, KirtipurOrder a khaja set: beaten rice, bara (lentil pancake), choila (spiced grilled meat), achar. Then momo, anywhere, as many times as you like.
13.Browse the bazaars and weekend markets
Asan, Indra Chowk, JhamsikhelAsan and Indra Chowk are the old trading streets, busy from early morning. Weekend farmers' markets and pop-ups run across Lalitpur.1 coming up
14.Take a quiet hour in the Garden of Dreams
Beside ThamelA restored early-20th-century garden, two minutes from Thamel's traffic, with a café inside. Good for a slow coffee.15.Take a quiet hour in a garden
ThamelThamel's bars put a band on most nights of the week. Start on the main drag after nine, follow the sound, and expect covers early and originals late. Weekends fill up fast, so arrive before the second set.Outdoors & day trips
16.Hike Shivapuri, Nagarjun or Champadevi
The valley rimDay hikes up the forested hills around the city, with Himalayan views on a clear morning. Start early; group hikes leave most weekends.1 coming up17.Catch a Himalayan sunrise at Nagarkot
About 30 km eastStay overnight to see the range at dawn. October to March gives the clearest skies.18.Ride the cable car up Chandragiri
South-west of the cityA cable car to the ridge above the valley, with the Himalaya on one side and all of Kathmandu on the other.Do it like a local
19.Join a run club
All over the valleyRunning has taken off in Kathmandu. Free club runs go most mornings, bigger races most months, and anyone can join.1 coming up
20.Be here for a festival
EverywhereDashain and Tihar in autumn, Indra Jatra's chariots in Basantapur, Holi in spring. The city changes for weeks around each one.21.Do it for free
Across the valleyGallery openings, jam sessions, community runs and the Boudha kora all cost nothing. New free events are listed every week.5 coming upOn in Kathmandu this week
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Browse by vibe
Explore by neighbourhood
Thamel
Kathmandu's nightlife and live-music heart.
Jhamsikhel
The valley's after-work cocktail and brunch district.
Patan
Heritage courtyards, cultural shows, and slow-travel events.
Boudha
Cafés, meditation, kora, and quiet community events.
Durbarmarg
Polished restaurants, late-night clubs, and ticketed gigs.
Bhaktapur
Heritage festivals, jatras, and traditional Newari nights.
Baluwatar
Quieter pocket of dinners, embassy events, and curated nights.
Pulchowk
Student-heavy cafés, bookstores, and weekend acoustic gigs.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Kathmandu?
The classics are Swayambhunath at sunrise, the evening kora at Boudhanath, the aarati at Pashupatinath, an afternoon in Patan and a day trip to Bhaktapur. After dark, it's live music in Thamel and bars in Jhamsikhel; on weekend mornings, a hike on the valley rim or a run club. This page lists all twenty-one, with this week's events for each, and it updates every day.
What is there to do in Kathmandu tonight?
Most nights in Kathmandu have at least one live gig, DJ set, open mic, or club night — Thamel and Durbarmarg run the busiest evening calendars. Check what's on tonight for everything starting today, refreshed in real time as organisers post.
What are some free things to do in Kathmandu?
Plenty — open mic nights, gallery openings, community jam sessions, farmers' markets, heritage walks, and the sunset kora at Boudhanath all cost nothing. Browse free events or filter the main list by Free to see what's on without a ticket.
What can tourists do in Kathmandu in a day?
A classic day combines Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath (the Monkey Temple) in the morning, Boudhanath Stupa and its cafés in the afternoon, and live music or a rooftop dinner in Thamel or Jhamsikhel at night. Layer in whatever events are on that day from the lists below to make it a local's day, not just a tourist's.
How does Kata Jaam? know what's happening in Kathmandu?
Events come from organisers who list directly and from automated aggregation of Nepal's major ticketing platforms (Khalti, TicketSanjal, eSewa). Every listing is reviewed before it goes live, and the site regenerates continuously so time-based pages always reflect the current date in Nepal Time.
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