Top 5 things to do in Kathmandu, Nepal

During the last national holiday in India, I went to Nepal – visited Kathmandu and Pokhara. I was very surprised how hard it was to find any reviews or advice on what to do in Kathmandu – almost every website had exactly the same points and it did not look very appealing. I stayed only for one day, and I think everyone should visit Kathmandu at least once, because it does have a lot to offer.

1. Everest flight

The first thing I did early in the morning was a short flight around Himalayas to see Earth’s highest mountain – mount Everest. It was amazing. It did mean coming back to the airport, but it was definitely worth it. Also I did not even know that the international border between Nepal and China runs across its summit point. There are several flight companies that operate these flights and they normally happen only very early in the morning and take about 30 min. Make sure to get seats at the end of the plane, anything from seats 6/7 will give you the best view. I still would like to properly trek the mountain, but unfortunately that requires much more time than a few days, so this flight was a very convenient alternative.

2. Swayambhunath Stupa (Monkey Temple)

Monkey temple is another stop which unexpectedly impressed me. The only way to get there is to climb A LOT of stairs and it is in quite a remote part of the city, on top of the hill. What surprised me the most was the atmosphere. Temple greats you with a calming music once you reach the top, it was so serene and although there were people, it did not feel touristy at all. I can also shamefully admit that I tried (unsuccessfully) shazaming the music they were playing, as it was putting me, and everyone else, at ease.

3. Shop in local markets

Markets in Kathmandu are so pleasant – nobody tries to harass you into coming to their stalls, nobody is shouting and inviting just because you are a tourist – I literally walked through the market undisturbed. And they do have a lot of cute and interesting stuff, whether it is clothes or household items.

4. Eat local food

Enjoy momo’s and all the various types of alcoholic beverages – there are loads! As I had a short trip, I did not want to risk eating stall food so went to a local food restaurant called Bhojan Griha. It served local food and also had local performance over dinner – it was a very nice evening, I do recommend them. The only reason I found this place was because some other tourists on Everest flight mentioned it.

5. Get lost in the streets

One of the best ways to actually explore a place is just to get lost in it. Pick an area and just walk in those little streets and you will see locals going about their business, you will find various restaurants and coffee shops, multiple temples and monuments. Kathmandu is very pleasant to just walk, local people are super friendly and genuine.

All in all, Kathmandu is a great place for at least a day. You definitely do not need more than 2 days, but you should not skip this city. Local people make it extra special, and who knows, I might be back for Everest trek next.