Kathmandu Valley has three main cities that used to be autonomous states in the past and many smaller villages with many interesting sightseeing spots. Below are the most fascinating sites around Kathmandu Valley for day tours.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (1-2 hrs)
Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the historic sites in Nepal, located in the central area of the city. It used to be a royal residence until the 19th century. Travellers can see the Hindu temples and buildings with antique wooden carving windows and ornaments. In Kathmandu Durbar Square, you can explore the Newari culture, see the temple of Kumari—the living goddess, the Statue of Hanuman, and many other temples and museums. It is very close to Thamel—the vibrant, main tourist hub of Nepal. Travellers can go there even on foot and buy all the things they will need for travelling or trekking.
Swyambunath (2-3hrs)
Swyambunath is a complex of Buddhist temples situated on top of a hill, ca. 3 km away going straight from Durbar Square. Charming, albeit steep, stairs lead to its entrance. Is it one of the historic monuments of Nepal, combining the elements of both Buddhist and Hindu culture. It is the best example of harmonious coexistence between these two great religions. A large, nearly 2000-year-old stupa is the central point of the hill. Swyambhunath offers a picturesque view of the Kathmandu Valley and the hill.
Pashupatinath (2-3 hrs)
Pashupatinath is one of the largest Hindu temples in the world, which lies on the bank of the holy river Bagmati. This site has been listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1979. You can see a famous pagoda with a golden roof in Pashupatinath, and about 500 temples and monuments exist there. The main temple is exclusively accessible to Hindus. However, people of any nationality can visit the temple premises from the outside. In Pashupatinath, on the bank of the Bagmati River, there is a cremation place for the dead bodies of Hindu people. Watching the cremation ceremony will certainly be an unforgettable experience. Every year, there is a special festival called Shivaratri. On that day, about 700,000 people visit the temple.
Boudhanath (1-2 hrs)
Boudhanath is another unique site in Kathmandu. Listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites, it is an unusual amenity with the largest Buddhist stupa in Nepal. It is a Buddhist religious center with the greatest number of stores offering Buddhist artistic handicrafts. It is a very popular pilgrimage site for Buddhists. There are 13 steps around the stupa, and it is believed that they are the ladder to enlightenment. It can also be a relaxing place for meditation if you are interested.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square (3-4 hrs)
One of the most fascinating sightseeing spots in the Kathmandu Valley, untouched by civilisation, is Bhaktapur Durbar Square. This is where travellers can experience typical Newari culture, explore their traditions, and see their temples and spectacular architecture. The site is listed among the UNESCO World Heritage sites. It used to be the palace of the royal family of Nepal until 1769. It is one of the most popular sites visited by travellers in Nepal. The main squares in Bhaktapur are Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square, and Pottery Square.
