Kathmandu Travel Guide (2026): Where to Stay, Things to Do
Kathmandu — Nepal's ancient capital, gateway to the Himalayas · 5 hotels · 3 apartments · 0 activities · Book via WhatsApp, no payment upfront
Key takeaways
- Kathmandu: Nepal's ancient capital, gateway to the Himalayas
- 5+ hotels from NPR 4,200/night
- 3+ apartments for longer stays
- Best time: Oct-Nov or Mar-Apr
- How to book: WhatsApp the host directly, no payment upfront
Why visit Kathmandu?
Kathmandu is a capital split between UNESCO temple squares and 21st-century cafés. Nepal's ancient capital, gateway to the Himalayas.
Kathmandu highlights
- Durbar Square
- Boudhanath Stupa
- Pashupatinath Temple
- Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
- Thamel nightlife district
Where to stay in Kathmandu
Top 5 hotels
1. Forever bidya premium homestay
Rating: 5-star
From: NPR 4,200/night
Amenities: English · Hindi · Dishes and dining utensils · Dishwasher · Freezer
2. Best Hostel and Ananda Garden Restaurant
Rating: 5-star
From: NPR 8,100/night
Amenities: Garden · Restaurants · English · Free Wi-Fi in all rooms! · Internet
3. Mercure Kathmandu Sukedhara Heights
Rating: 5-star
From: NPR 8,100/night
Amenities: Fitness center · Spa · Swimming pool [outdoor] · Bar · Restaurants
4. Dwarika's Sanctuary - A Himalayan Wellness Retreat
Rating: 5-star
From: NPR 8,400/night
Amenities: Fitness center · Spa · Swimming pool [indoor] · Bar · Restaurants
5. The Terraces Resort and Spa
Rating: 5-star
From: NPR 18,000/night
Amenities: Fitness center · Garden · Hot tub · Massage · Sauna
Apartments for longer stays
For trips longer than a weekend, self-contained apartments in Kathmandu often work out cheaper than hotels. Yatra lists 3+ apartments with kitchens and washing machines.
1. 1 Bedroom, 2 Bathroom Suite
From: NPR 2,700/night
Layout: sleeps 2
2. Bhim's Paradise Homestay
From: NPR 2,700/night
Layout: sleeps 3
3. Cozy Studio Apartment | Thamel | Shared Terrace
From: NPR 4,995/night
Layout: sleeps 2
Best time to visit Kathmandu
- Oct-Nov: Clearest Himalayan panorama, post-monsoon air
- Mar-Apr: Spring rhododendron bloom, mild 20°C days
Getting to Kathmandu
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) — the only international gateway to Nepal. Direct flights from Delhi, Doha, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai and Hong Kong.
How to book your Kathmandu trip
Yatra's entire inventory is bookable via chat — no card, no deposit, no sign-up. On any listing page, tap Message on WhatsApp / Viber / Telegram, the enquiry auto-fills with your dates and guest count, and the host replies to confirm. Your booking lives in Yatra's records on both sides.