Travel guide · Kathmandu
The Perfect 3-Day Kathmandu Itinerary
Three days, three world-heritage clusters, one Newari feast and a day trip — a route that actually flows.
Three days is just enough to take in the Kathmandu Valley's greatest hits — its medieval royal squares, golden stupas and living temples — without rushing. This route groups sights by area to minimise time stuck in traffic, with food and wandering built in.
The short answer
Spend Day 1 in the historic centre: Kathmandu Durbar Square, the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath, and an evening in Thamel. Day 2 covers the east: the great stupa of Boudhanath, the sacred riverside temples of Pashupatinath, and a Newari dinner. Day 3 is a day trip to Bhaktapur or Patan.
Day 1: Old Kathmandu, Swayambhunath and Thamel
Start in the morning at Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal complex of palaces, courtyards and pagoda temples, and look out for the Kumari, the living goddess. From there it's a short ride to Swayambhunath, the hilltop "Monkey Temple", best in the late afternoon for valley views.
Round off the day in Thamel, the buzzing tourist quarter packed with shops, cafes and live music — an easy place to find dinner and pick up trekking gear.
Day 2: Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and a Newari feast
Begin at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world and the heart of Kathmandu's Tibetan community — join the locals on a clockwise kora around the dome. In the afternoon, walk through Pashupatinath, the most important Hindu temple in Nepal, set along the Bagmati River.
In the evening, treat yourself to a traditional Newari dinner. See our pick of the best restaurants in Kathmandu for sit-down spots serving bara, choila and dal bhat.
Day 3: A heritage day trip
Use your final day for a day trip. Bhaktapur is the best-preserved of the valley's three royal cities, a car-free old town of brick temples and potters' squares. Alternatively, Patan (Lalitpur) sits just across the river with its own exquisite Durbar Square and museum.
For options and how to get there, see our guide to day trips from Kathmandu, and check the best time to visit Kathmandu so your three days land in the clearest weather.
Frequently asked questions
Is 3 days enough for Kathmandu?+
Three days is enough to see the highlights of the Kathmandu Valley comfortably — the old royal squares, the major stupas and temples, and one nearby heritage town. You won't exhaust the valley, but you'll cover its three UNESCO clusters and still have time to eat and wander. Add a day if you want a slower pace or a Himalayan viewpoint like Nagarkot.
How do you get between Kathmandu's main sights?+
The sights are spread across the valley, so most travellers use taxis or ride-hailing apps like Pathao and InDrive between clusters. Within each area — Durbar Square, Thamel, Boudhanath — it's best explored on foot. Allow extra time for traffic, especially in the late afternoon.
What should I eat in Kathmandu?+
Try a traditional Newari meal of bara, choila and chatamari, the dumplings known as momo, and a dal bhat thali for a filling sit-down dinner. Thamel and the old town have plenty of restaurants spanning Newari, Tibetan and international cuisine.
Should I do a day trip from Kathmandu?+
Yes. Bhaktapur and Patan are both former royal cities with magnificent durbar squares within easy reach of the centre, and either makes an excellent third day. For mountain views, Nagarkot is a popular sunrise add-on if you have a spare half-day.
