{"id":63245,"date":"2026-08-21T19:02:22","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T16:02:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/chto-posmotret-v-kathmandu-za-tri-dnia\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T22:31:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T19:31:33","slug":"chto-posmotret-v-kathmandu-za-tri-dnia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.journeys6senses.com\/en\/chto-posmotret-v-kathmandu-za-tri-dnia\/","title":{"rendered":"Kathmandu in three days – what to do and see in the capital of Nepal"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kathmandu<\/strong> is a city that might not necessarily win you over at first sight. At least for me, it clicked on the second try.<\/p>

When you first step out of the airport, everything hits you at once: noise, dust, heat, smells, horns, hundreds of motorbikes, tiny cars. So many people in a rush, and roads where it’s completely unclear by what rules all these road users manage not to crash into each other.<\/p>

And then you get in a taxi and head to Thamel<\/strong>. The car crawls through traffic, the driver honks nonstop, outside fruit is being sold, a cow stands nearby, a whole family crosses the street, and between the buildings a small temple with colorful flags suddenly appears.<\/p>

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And you think: \u201cHere it is, Nepal.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

I have been to Nepal and Kathmandu three times. And every time, it was more or less the same: first I would be delighted by the city, then I’d get tired of the noise and dust, then go to the mountains. And after returning from the mountains, I’d want to spend a few more days in Kathmandu again.<\/p>

There’s even a joke among experienced trekkers: \u201cThe first thing you should do after arriving in Kathmandu is leave Kathmandu.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>

There’s a grain of truth in the joke. After a few days in the city, you really crave silence, fresh air, and mountains. But that doesn’t mean you should simply use Kathmandu as a transit point on the way to Everest<\/strong> or Annapurna<\/strong>. Quite the opposite.<\/p>

I recommend reserving at least three full days<\/strong> for the capital of Nepal. That’s enough to see the main temples and stupas, wander the old city, visit Patan<\/strong> or Bhaktapur<\/strong>, sit by the Boudhanath<\/strong> stupa, eat real momos, and even buy equipment for your upcoming trek.<\/p>

And most importantly \u2013 to understand why you want to come back to Kathmandu.<\/p>

More details on how to get to Nepal: Guide to Nepal \u2013 how to prepare for an independent trip<\/a><\/strong><\/p> <\/blockquote>

Kathmandu is not just a single city<\/strong><\/h2>
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Before my first trip, I also imagined Kathmandu as one big capital with a few temples. In fact, it’s much more interesting.<\/p>

Kathmandu Valley<\/strong> is a huge cultural and historical region where, along with the modern metropolis, ancient cities, royal squares, Buddhist stupas, and Hindu temples have been preserved.<\/p>

Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur<\/strong> themselves used to be separate royal cities. Today, they are combined into one urban agglomeration, but each has its own character.<\/p>

The entire Kathmandu Valley is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The property includes seven monumental zones, among which are Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath<\/strong>, and Changu Narayan<\/strong>.<\/p>

Therefore, when planning three days in Kathmandu, don’t spend all your time within the tourist district of Thamel<\/strong>. The most interesting part starts when you venture a little further.<\/p>

How to get to Kathmandu<\/strong><\/h1>
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If you are flying, you will arrive at Tribhuvan International Airport<\/strong>\u2014the main international airport in Nepal. Your first contact with Kathmandu starts right here.<\/p>

The airport doesn’t make much of an impression, and after modern European airports, it can even seem a bit neglected. But don’t worry\u2014everything is quite clear here.<\/p>

Citizens of many countries can get a tourist Visa on Arrival<\/strong> right after landing. Before your trip, I recommend checking the rules for your specific citizenship on the Department of Immigration Nepal<\/strong> website, as visa conditions may change.<\/p>

If you plan to stay in Nepal briefly, tourists usually opt for a 15-, 30-, or 90-day tourist visa.<\/strong><\/p>

There are three types of Nepal tourist visas:<\/strong><\/h3>

15 days stay in Nepal \u2014 $30<\/strong>,
30 days \u2014 $50<\/strong>,
90 days <\/strong>\u2014 $125<\/strong>.<\/p>

Children under 10 years old, except US citizens, receive a visa for free<\/strong>.<\/p>

Even before the trip, I would save my hotel address and its name in English<\/strong> on my phone. It may seem minor, but after a long flight, you really don’t want to explain to the taxi driver exactly where you need to go.<\/p>

How to get from the airport to the center of Kathmandu<\/strong><\/h2>
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The airport is practically inside the city, so in terms of distance from Thamel, it’s not far at all. But there’s one problem\u2014traffic jams in Kathmandu<\/strong>. What looks like ten minutes on the map may turn into a much longer trip in reality.<\/p>

For the first trip, I would simply take an official taxi from the airport. There is a prepaid taxi<\/strong>, and it’s the easiest way not to waste energy bargaining with a dozen taxi drivers right after your flight.<\/p>

Tip<\/strong>: Once you\u2019ve settled in the city, you can use local ride-hailing services, particularly Pathao<\/strong>. In Nepal, this service is very popular, and you can order both cars and bike rides<\/strong> through it.<\/p> <\/blockquote>

But for the first transfer, I wouldn\u2019t complicate things.<\/p>

Landed \u2014 took a taxi \u2014 got to the hotel \u2014 dropped off your backpack \u2014 went out to explore the city.<\/strong><\/p>

Where to stay in Kathmandu<\/strong><\/h2>

If you are going to Kathmandu for the first time, I would suggest Thamel<\/strong>. Yes, it\u2019s touristy. Very touristy. But precisely for this reason it is convenient for travelers who are not yet familiar with the new country<\/p>

Thamel is the best area for your first trip<\/strong><\/h3>
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Imagine a huge tourist quarter where there might be a hotel in one building, a gear shop on the ground floor, and a restaurant around the corner. Ten meters down\u2014a small Buddhist temple, next to it a butcher shop, and then a cafe with great pastries.<\/p>

This is Thamel.<\/strong><\/p>

Here you can leave your hotel in the morning, go for coffee, and in ten minutes find yourself in a completely different world. I also like that here you can solve almost any tourist problem easily.<\/p>