3 Days in Kathmandu: A Day-by-Day Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Day one explores Kathmandu Durbar Square, the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath and the Garden of Dreams. Day two circles the great stupa at Boudhanath and ends with the evening aarti at Pashupatinath. Day three visits the old royal towns of Bhaktapur and Patan, both UNESCO-listed squares of temples and palaces.
Good to Know
Estimated total per person: ₹3,200 to ₹6,200, excluding flights and hotel
Weather: Spring and autumn are clear and mild, the monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain, and winter nights are cold.
Pack:
Warm layers for cool mornings and evenings
A mask for dusty roads
Comfortable walking shoes
Clothes covering shoulders and knees for temples
Local tips:
Indian visitors pay the lower SAARC entry rates at heritage sites; carry ID.
Walk clockwise around stupas and temples.
Leather items are not allowed in some Hindu temples.
Booking tips:
Keep your Durbar Square tickets; you may be asked for them more than once.
Arrive at Pashupatinath by about 5:30pm for the evening aarti.
Getting there (from India):
flight: Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kolkata and Varanasi with Air India, IndiGo and Nepal Airlines - About 1.5 hours from Delhi
bus: Buses and shared cars via the border crossings at Sunauli or Raxaul - A long day of travel from the border
Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 km from Thamel; allow 20 to 40 minutes by taxi.
Mountain-view flights from Kathmandu run early in the morning, weather permitting.
Day 1: Durbar Square, Swayambhunath and the Garden of Dreams
The old royal square of Kathmandu, the hilltop stupa of Swayambhunath with its views over the valley, and the quiet Garden of Dreams.
Kathmandu Durbar Square (morning): Start at Kathmandu Durbar Square, the old royal palace square, crowded with pagoda temples, carved wooden windows and shrines. Look for the Kumari Ghar, home of the living goddess Kumari, who sometimes appears at her window. Some temples are still being rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. NPR 150 (about ₹90), SAARC rate for Indian visitors; NPR 1,000 for other foreigners Why visit: Kathmandu's royal square of temples and palaces; The home of the living goddess Kumari Know before you go: Do not photograph the Kumari; Keep your ticket with you
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) (afternoon): Take a taxi to Swayambhunath, about 15 minutes, the hilltop stupa whose painted eyes of the Buddha look out over the whole valley. Climb the long stairway past prayer wheels and monkeys to the top, where Hindu and Buddhist shrines stand side by side. Small entry fee for foreigners at the gate Why visit: One of Kathmandu's oldest and holiest stupas; Views over the whole valley Know before you go: The monkeys grab food and bags; Walk clockwise around the stupa
Garden of Dreams (late afternoon): Take a taxi to the Garden of Dreams on the edge of Thamel, a restored neoclassical garden from the 1920s with pavilions, ponds and lawns, an oasis from the city's noise. Entry fee at the gate Why visit: A calm, restored garden in the city centre; A café for a quiet break Know before you go: Next to Thamel, so easy to combine with an evening there
Eat: OR2K - A popular Thamel restaurant with Middle Eastern and vegetarian dishes and floor seating.
Evening: Walk through Thamel in the evening for its shops, cafés and rooftop restaurants.
Budget for the day: ₹910 to ₹1,800 per person, excluding hotel
Day 2: Boudhanath and the Pashupatinath aarti
The vast stupa at Boudhanath and its Tibetan monasteries, then Pashupatinath's temple complex and evening aarti on the Bagmati river.
Boudhanath Stupa (morning): Start at Boudhanath, one of the largest stupas in the world, its white dome and gold spire hung with prayer flags. Join the pilgrims walking clockwise around it, spinning prayer wheels, and visit the Tibetan monasteries around the square. Entry fee for foreigners at the gate Why visit: One of the largest stupas in the world; The heart of Kathmandu's Tibetan community Know before you go: Walk clockwise around the stupa; Rooftop cafés overlook the stupa
Pashupatinath Temple (afternoon into evening): Take a taxi to Pashupatinath, about 10 minutes, Nepal's holiest Hindu temple, dedicated to Shiva, on the banks of the Bagmati. Only Hindus may enter the main temple; others watch from the far bank, where cremations take place on the ghats. Stay for the evening aarti with lamps, bells and chanting. Free, for Indian nationals; NPR 1,000 for other foreigners Why visit: Nepal's holiest Hindu temple; The evening aarti on the Bagmati Know before you go: Only Hindus may enter the main temple; Be respectful near the cremation ghats; do not take close-up photos
Eat: Lavie Garden - A garden restaurant near Boudhanath, good for a relaxed lunch.
Evening: Stay for the full Bagmati aarti at Pashupatinath, held every evening on the ghats.
Budget for the day: ₹810 to ₹1,700 per person, excluding hotel
Day 3: Bhaktapur and Patan
The medieval town of Bhaktapur and its pagodas in the morning, and the temples and museum of Patan Durbar Square in the afternoon.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square (morning): Take a taxi to Bhaktapur, about 45 minutes, the best-preserved of the valley's three royal towns. Its brick squares hold the Nyatapola, Nepal's tallest pagoda temple, the 55-window palace and potters working in the open. Try juju dhau, the town's famous sweet curd. SAARC rate for Indian visitors, much lower than the NPR 1,500 foreigner fee Why visit: The best-preserved medieval town in the valley; Juju dhau, the 'king of curds' Know before you go: Allow half a day; Keep your ticket; it is checked at entry points
Patan Durbar Square (afternoon): Take a taxi to Patan, about 40 minutes, the old city of craftsmen across the river from Kathmandu. Its Durbar Square is packed with temples, including the stone Krishna Mandir, and the Patan Museum in the old palace is one of the best in Nepal. NPR 250 (about ₹160), SAARC rate for Indian visitors; NPR 1,000 for other foreigners Why visit: A square of temples and palaces built by master craftsmen; The excellent Patan Museum Know before you go: The Patan Museum may need a separate ticket
Eat: Local Thakali - Known for Thakali thali, a full set of rice, dal, vegetables and pickles from the Thakali region.
Evening: Stay in Patan for sunset from a rooftop café over Durbar Square.
Budget for the day: ₹1,500 to ₹2,800 per person, excluding hotel
Want a Different Pace?
Nagarkot sunrise: An overnight trip to Nagarkot for a Himalayan sunrise: Views of the Himalaya on clear mornings, about 1.5 hours away. (Trade-off: Views depend on the weather. - Costs more)
Everest mountain flight: An early-morning sightseeing flight along the Himalaya: See Everest and its neighbours from the air. (Trade-off: Expensive and weather-dependent. - Costs more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Kathmandu?
A 3-day Kathmandu itinerary like this one works well for First-time visitors, Pilgrims, both Hindu and Buddhist, History and architecture lovers. It's not the best fit if You want trekking; add Pokhara or the mountains or You are sensitive to dust and traffic.
How much does a 3-day Kathmandu trip cost per person?
Budget about ₹3,200 to ₹6,200 per person for entry tickets, food and local transport on this 3-day Kathmandu itinerary. Flights and hotel are extra.
What's the best time to visit Kathmandu?
The best time to visit Kathmandu is October to November and March to April.
How do I get to Kathmandu from India?
Common options are flight (About 1.5 hours from Delhi), bus (A long day of travel from the border). Tribhuvan International Airport is about 6 km from Thamel; allow 20 to 40 minutes by taxi.
What are the must-see places in Kathmandu in 3 days?
Day 1: Kathmandu Durbar Square, Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple) and Garden of Dreams. Day 2: Boudhanath Stupa and Pashupatinath Temple. Day 3: Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Patan Durbar Square.
Which Kathmandu attractions are free?
On this itinerary, Pashupatinath Temple are free to visit (some charge for special exhibitions or inside visits).
How much are entry tickets in Kathmandu in rupees?
Kathmandu Durbar Square: NPR 150 (about ₹90); Patan Durbar Square: NPR 250 (about ₹160). Prices are adult tickets, converted to rupees and rounded; check the official site before booking.
Do Indians pay less to enter Kathmandu's heritage sites?
Yes. Indian visitors pay SAARC rates: for example NPR 150 at Kathmandu Durbar Square and NPR 250 at Patan, against NPR 1,000 for other foreigners, and Pashupatinath is free for Indian nationals. Carry your passport or voter ID.
How do you get around Kathmandu?
Taxis and ride-hailing apps such as Pathao and InDrive are the easiest way between sights; agree taxi fares before you set off.
Where to Eat in Kathmandu
Jimbu Thakali by Capital Grill, Tangal - ★4.2 - Next to, Chaata Ganesh, Gahana Pokhari Marg, Kathmandu 44600, Nepal