Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Published: 29th Apr, 2022

From Kathmandu and Nagarkot to Pokhara and Chitwan, Nepal is full of vibrant towns famed for their Himalayan views, gorgeous durbar squares, historic architecture, and natural beauty. Hence, it’s no wonder that determining which places to visit in Nepal can be challenging. That’s all we’ve got. To come up with the beautiful places to visit in Nepal, we have provided the highlights of each destination in Nepal. Make use of this information to plan your next trip to Nepal.

Meanwhile, if you’re seeking Nepal tour package, head to our Nepal Vacation Packages.

Kathmandu Durbar Square

#1 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

One of the three durbar squares (kings’ palaces) inside the Kathmandu Valley, Kathmandu Durbar Square is one of the best tourist attractions inside the Kathmandu Valley. This cultural hub ranks first in most of the Nepal tour packages. 

This UNESCO World Heritage Site is an architectural Mecca. Historic temples and statues dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries still stand here. Further, pagoda-style temples and intricate wood carvings provide a unique cultural flavor for the visitors.

Pokhara

#2 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

A tranquil city with emerald lakes and mountain vistas, Pokhara is the second-best tourist attraction after Kathmandu. Moreover, for nature enthusiasts, this city is the only prime attraction in Nepal. Approximately 200 kilometres from Kathmandu, this city enjoys clean air, pleasant temperatures, and secluded lakes reflecting snow-capped mountains. It is also a starting point for the world’s most popular trekking route, the Annapurna Circuit.

The famous Lakeside area, stretching along the southeast shore of the popular Fewa Lake, is a travelers’ oasis. Lakeside has its appeal, mostly at night, when the darkness obscures the clutter and the stores are lit up like a Christmas tree. Also, this city is a mountain watcher’s paradise. Mount Fishtail (6997m) rises from the valley floor and dominates the northern skyline.

Chitwan

#3 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

The country, predominately famous for the mighty Himalayas, also provides a fine wildlife experience. Chitwan National Park, located in south-central Nepal, is a popular jungle safari location. The proximity and easy access from Kathmandu and Pokhara also make it the most popular compared to other wildlife parks in Nepal. Furthermore, abundant wildlife and world-class jungle resorts add to its popularity. An elephant safari inside the national park is one of the best attractions and nearly guarantees the sighting of endangered one-horned rhinoceros, deer species, and exotic bird species. Furthermore, other attractions include a dugout canoe ride to witness different species of crocodiles, a jeep safari, jungle walks, and many more.

Swoyambhunath Stupa

#4 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Located west of the Kathmandu Valley, the Swoyambhunath Temple is one of the most recognizable and beautiful attractions in Kathmandu City. This hill-top stupa with a white-washed dome and a golden pinnacle resembles the Boudhanath Stupa but has its own distinct character. With a huge monkey tribe residing on this hill, this stupa is well-known as the “Monkey Temple”. Also, this stupa is one of the sacred Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal.

Furthermore, this site also offers a beautiful bird’s-eye view of the Kathmandu Valley.

Boudhanath Stupa

# 5 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

The holiest Buddhist landmark outside Tibet, Boudhanath Stupa, is undoubtedly a must-see tourist attraction in Kathmandu, Nepal. This site in Kathmandu is the heart of the Tibetan community after Tibet. Various gift shops selling handicrafts, impressive statues, roof top restaurants, and monasteries line up the cobbled street surrounding the Stupa.

Furthermore, the surrounding streets strikingly resemble Bharkhor Street in Tibet. Hence, this sanctuary is well-known as “Little Tibet” in Kathmandu. Lavishly decorated with an ornate gold-plated pinnacle over the enormous whitewashed dome of the Supa, the painted eyes of Buddha face all the four directions of Kathmandu valley. Although the current structure dates from the 14th century, the place has been sacred for much longer.

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

#6 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Located east of Kathmandu City, Bhaktapur is the valley’s third-largest city. Bhaktapur Durbar Square is bigger and less congested as compared to the other two durbar squares of Kathmandu and Patan.

The stone-paved street inside the square connects a series of temples, monasteries, and massive courtyards. Visitors upon entering the premises will observe the city’s cultural life with local communities of woodcarvers, weavers, and potters.

Some of the best attractions inside Bhatapur Durbar Square are the five-tiered Nyatapola Temple, the beautifully carved Bansi Narayan Temple of Lord Vishnu, the Golden Gate, and Taleju Temple. Furthermore, the Pottery Square inside the square is one of the highlights of the Bhaktapur tour. Here you can see local potters drying their work in the neighborhood and courtyards. Pay a few bucks and experience first-hand pottery making. All in all, Bhaktapur Durbar Square inside the Kathmandu Valley is one of the must-see places in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Patan Durbar Square

#7 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Patan Durbar Square is the heart of this city. Also, this durbar premise has the highest concentration of historical monuments per square meter compared to Kathmandu and Bhaktapur Durbar Square. This place still preserves some of the most beautiful and historical Nepali architecture dating back to the 14th and 15th centuries. 

Patan, also known as Lalitpur, is the biggest city inside the Kathmandu Valley. This city is home to a massive Buddhist community, with Buddhist stupas and monasteries marking all four corners of the city.

Bandipur

# 8 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Bandipur, Nepal’s tranquil and scenic hilltop town, is a popular tourist attraction in Nepal. Located just off the route between Kathmandu and Pokhara, this is an ancient settlement of the Newar ethnic group. Bandipur Bazaar is the town’s heart. The main attractions here include temples, shrines, and nineteenth-century buildings and architecture. During bygone days, this city was an important trade route between India and Tibet. Today, this charming town is among the best attractions in Nepal for mountain views and intriguing hiking routes. A one-night stay is a must in this town.

Nagarkot Hill

#9 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

Perched on the Kathmandu Valley’s eastern rim, just a short 35 kilometers from Kathmandu, is the picturesque Nagarkot hill town. Popular for its breathtaking sunrises and mountain views, this location is a must-visit destination in Nepal. On any clear day, the mountain vista stretches from Mount Dhaulagiri in the west, through Mount Everest, all the way to Mount Kanchenjunga in the west.

The best time to visit Nagarkot is between October and March, when the skies are clear and the views of the mountains are breathtaking. A short walk to the Nagarkot view tour at the highest southern point of the hill will reward travelers with a 360-panoramic view of the mountains. In addition, some popular hiking trails inside the Kathmandu valley start or end at Nagarkot hill.

Lumbini

#10 in Best Places to Visit in Nepal

This famed Buddhist pilgrimage site in Nepal is also the birthplace of Buddha, the enlightened one. Here, the reminisces of ancient civilization can be seen all over the place. The popular attraction here include sacred Lumbini Garden, where the archaeological relics relating to Buddha’s birth.

Furthermore, Mayadevi temple and Mayadevi Pond, where Gautama Buddha’s mother used to bathe, are other popular attractions.

The Ashoka Pillar will grab the attention of visitors. This pillar was erected by the emperor Ashoka, dating back to the 3rd century BC, to pay homage to Gautama Buddha’s journey to enlightenment. Other attractions include the Royal Thai Monastery, the Lumbini Monastic Site, and World Peace Pagoda. Travelers may include a visit to Lumbini after a trip to Pokhara or Chitwan.

TIP: This region lies in the Terai belt of Nepal where temperatures rise to 40-45 degrees Celsius during the afternoons. Hence, the ideal time to visit is from October to March.

Everest Base Camp Trek

#1 in Beautiful Places to Visit in Nepal for Trekking

Everest Base Camp trekking starts in the lowlands of Nepal and ends in the Tibetan highlands. This trek passes through lush Rhododendron forests, magnificent Sherpa villages, Buddhist monasteries, and the world’s largest Khumbu glacier. Everest Base Camp trekking is demanding both physically and mentally and requires some preparation before commencing the trek. Hence, physical activities such as stretching, rope skipping, and hiking/walking one month before the hike will make the hike at Everest Base Camp more enjoyable.

Trekking in Annapurna Region

#2 in beautiful places to Visit in Nepal for Trekkers

The Annapurna region of Nepal has some of the most scenic trekking routes in the world. Without a doubt, trekking in the Annapurna region is a dream come true for every trekker. This region offers treks lasting anything from two days to several weeks. Any typical Annapurna region trek will pass through a country inhabited by people from different ethnic groups and cultures. The picturesque Gurung, Manangi, and Thakli villages in the area provide a cultural highlight.

Some long treks, such as the Annapurna Circuit, begin in subtropical regions and continue north through the main Himalayan region, ending in the dry, Tibet-like Trans-Himalaya. The well-trodden paths make trekking possible for people of all ages. In addition, this region has accommodation facilities ranging from mid-range guest houses to exorbitant resorts, offering a perfect combination of luxury and adventure.

The foothills of the Annapurna range offer some of the best trekking in the Annapurna region.

Short trek in Annapurna Region: Annapurna Panorama Trek