Hotels in Kathmandu

Staying in Kathmandu

A bowl of hills holds Kathmandu, and the old royal centre is Durbar Square, with its temples and the former palace. Thamel, just north, is the tangle of lanes where trekking shops, cafes and guesthouses gather. Boudhanath, the large stupa, is to the east, ringed by monasteries and quieter lodgings. Swayambhunath looks over the valley from a hill to the west. Patan, across the river to the south, has its own Durbar Square and a slower rhythm. Streets are busy, and the dust and traffic are part of the experience. Tribhuvan International Airport is on the eastern side of the city, between the centre and Boudhanath. Arrivals go by road, so ask the hotel for a pickup and send it the flight details; trekking agencies often handle this for their clients. A Nepal eSIM, linked on this page, gives you maps and messaging as soon as you land, which helps when the hotel car is not where you expected. Stay in Thamel for gear, guides and company on the eve of a trek. Stay near Boudhanath for a calmer base and monastery mornings. Stay in Patan for the old city without the crowds. Ask about the walk from where a taxi stops, since many guesthouses sit down lanes a car cannot enter.