Kathmandu
Top Places:
#1 Basantapur
#2 Patan Durbar Square
#3 Boudhanath Stupa
#4 Old Freak Street
#5 Patan Dhoka
#6 Kirtipur
Entertainment Quality: 5 / 5
Safety: 3 / 5
Nightlife: 3 / 5
Walkability: 5 / 5
Living Standards: 3 / 5
Free WiFi: 4 / 5
Kathmandu in Prices & Facts
$2.7 $2.68
Quick Lunch for One
Spoken Languages
English
$0.2 $0.19
Public Transport Ride
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Getting Around
Taxi
Taxis in Kathmandu are widely available, generally costing around NPR 300-500 for short distances within the city, and it's best to negotiate the fare in advance rather than relying on the meter, which often isn't used. To save hassle, download the Kumari Taxi app for reliable rides and transparent pricing, especially late at night or in less busy areas like Patan or Bhaktapur.
Bus
Kathmandu's local buses, costing just NPR 15-30 per ride, cover extensive areas including Thamel and Basantapur, but always keep exact change ready as drivers rarely give back any. For a smoother ride, avoid peak hours (7-9am and 5-7pm) to dodge the chaotic traffic and crowded buses.
Tourist Reviews
All photos and texts belong to their authors
The territory starts with the third photo. In the first one, there's a landmark, and in the second, a small pond with Buddha, where a statue stands. Having gathered the desire, tourists try to throw coins into it — obviously, that’s when it gets a bit crowded. Nearby, women sit selling those very coins.
Walking through the area and going up the steps (practically no one goes that way), you’ll find yourself in silence, solitude, feeling peace and enjoying the views 🙏✨ »
The entrance fee is $2, and to get there, you have to climb 365 steps. The steps were restored after an earthquake in 2015, and there are ongoing restoration efforts.
The staircase itself isn’t too large. You can get around it in a couple of minutes. On each side, there's a statue of a deity, along with small prayer wheels nearby. Throughout the area, there are numerous steps, statues, and even a few museums. One of the highlights that attracts both tourists and locals is the observation deck, from which you can see almost the entire city, immersed in the haze.
However, despite all of this, the feelings are a bit mixed: 1) it’s a popular spot that attracts many tourists simply there to take pictures; 2) I felt somewhat tense the entire time, as the monkeys could get aggressive. Additionally, there were frequent skirmishes among the monkeys and even between the monkeys and dogs. I witnessed one monkey throwing something at another, and there were a lot of noises from both monkeys and their mothers.
Our itinerary didn’t really allow for much exploration: the monkeys weren’t fed, as all food is sold at the base of the steps.
In reality, this place is irresistibly captivating (linked to Buddha, Manjushri, the Ashoka Stupa, Guru Rinpoche, Marpa, Naropa, Nagarjuna...), but personally, with its overwhelming crowding, it’s not my scene. Next time, I wouldn’t go back here specifically. »
For the approach to life. There’s no rush, living in the moment, being content with simple things. This is something worth learning. »