Places to visit in

Nepal

Bhaktapur Durbar Square (Taumadhi/Ta: Bhaktapur Palace area) is a UNESCO World Heritage cultural site in the Kathmandu Valley, showcasing outstanding Newar architecture and urban planning from the medieval Malla period. It was the royal palace complex of the Bhaktapur kingdom and remains one of the best-preserved concentrations of palaces, courtyards, temples, and sculptures in Nepal. The site is globally important for its intricate woodcarving, stonework, and brick architecture that reflect centuries of Newari craftsmanship and religious syncretism.

Swayambhunath, often called the Monkey Temple, is one of the oldest and most important religious sites in Nepal. Perched on a hill west of Kathmandu city, it is a sacred pilgrimage site for Buddhists and also revered by Hindus. The complex features an ancient whitewashed stupa with a gilded spire, numerous shrines and temples, Tibetan monasteries, and hundreds of prayer wheels. Its long history ties to the Licchavi period and subsequent Malla and Shah dynasties, making it a key symbol of Kathmandu Valley's spiritual and cultural heritage.

Boudhanath Stupa (Boudha) is one of the largest spherical stupas in Nepal and a principal pilgrimage site for Tibetan Buddhists. Located on the ancient trade route to Tibet, it became an important center of Tibetan culture and religion after the 1950s Tibetan diaspora. The stupa is widely regarded as a powerful symbol of enlightenment and compassion; its massive white dome, gilded tower, and the painted Buddha eyes are iconic features of Kathmandu. It is part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the most sacred Hindu temples dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site (Kathmandu Valley). Located on the banks of the Bagmati River in Kathmandu, Nepal, it is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus from Nepal, India, and beyond. The temple complex dates back to the 5th century (current pagoda-style temple built in the 17th century) and holds immense religious, cultural, and historical significance as a center for Shaivism, rituals, and funerary rites.

Changu Narayan is the oldest temple in Nepal and one of the most important Hindu shrines in the Kathmandu Valley. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu (Narayan), the temple complex preserves exceptional examples of Lichhavi-period stone inscriptions and sculptures, early medieval wood and stone carvings, and continuous religious traditions that date back over 1,500 years. It is part of the Kathmandu Valley's cultural heritage and illustrates the syncretic Newar craftsmanship and religious practice.

Budhanilkantha Temple houses a large 5-meter reclining stone statue of Lord Vishnu (known as Budhanilkantha or Narayan) floating on a pond. The site is an important Hindu pilgrimage center in the Kathmandu Valley and represents a blend of historical, cultural and religious significance dating back to the early medieval period (commonly attributed to the 7th century). It also sits at the northern edge of the valley near forested hills, giving it natural scenic value.

Kopan Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Gelug tradition founded in 1969 by Lama Thubten Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche. It became a major center for Western students of Tibetan Buddhism and is closely associated with the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT). The monastery is renowned for its role in introducing structured meditation courses to international visitors and for its combination of traditional Tibetan monastic life with teachings adapted for modern audiences.

Tengboche Monastery (Thyangboche) is the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Khumbu region of Nepal. Perched at about 3,867 m (12,687 ft) in the Sagarmatha National Park, it serves as a spiritual center for Sherpa communities and for trekkers on the Everest Base Camp route. The monastery has been a focal point for Buddhist practice, pilgrimage and community life in the region since the early 20th century. It was rebuilt after a major fire in 1989 with international support, including assistance from organizations connected to Sir Edmund Hillary and the Himalayan Trust.

Natural importance: the site offers iconic panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, Nuptse and Ama Dablam, making it both a spiritual and scenic highlight on the Everest trek.

Manakamana Temple is a revered Hindu temple located in the Gorkha District of Nepal. Dedicated to the goddess Bhagwati (an incarnation of Durga believed to grant the wishes of her devotees), the temple is an important pilgrimage site for Nepalis and visitors from abroad. Set on a hilltop, it offers not only religious significance but also scenic views of the surrounding hills and valleys, making it a blend of cultural devotion and natural beauty.

Muktinath Temple (also called Mukti Kshetra) is a sacred pilgrimage site for both Hindus and Buddhists, located at about 3,710 meters (12,172 ft) in the Mustang district of Nepal. For Hindus it is revered as a place of moksha (liberation) associated with Lord Vishnu (worshipped as Muktinath or Mukunda). For Buddhists it is known as Chumig Gyatsa (“100 waters”) and linked with Guru Rinpoche and local Tibetan-Buddhist traditions. The site combines natural features — perennial springs, an eternal flame (Jwala Mai), and abundant shaligram fossils from the Gandaki River — with a centuries-old syncretic religious tradition.

Janaki Mandir (also called Naulakha Mandir) in Janakpur, Nepal, is a major Hindu pilgrimage site dedicated to Goddess Sita (Janaki), the consort of Lord Rama. Built in 1910 CE by Queen Vrisha Bhanu of Tikamgarh in a Hindu-Muslim syncretic style (Mughal-Gothic architecture) the temple is both architecturally significant and central to the Ramayana cultural landscape. It serves as the cultural heart of the Mithila region and is closely tied to the legend of Sita's birth and the wedding of Sita and Rama.

The World Peace Pagoda (Shanti Stupa) in Pokhara is a prominent symbol of peace, non-violence and international friendship. Built by the Japanese Buddhist organization Nipponzan Myohoji, the stupa was constructed to promote world peace and to provide a quiet place for meditation and reflection. It sits on a hilltop overlooking Phewa Lake and offers impressive views of the Annapurna range, making it both a cultural landmark and a natural vantage point for appreciating the Himalaya.

Tal Barahi Temple (also called Barahi Temple) is a prominent Hindu shrine located on a small island in Phewa Lake, Pokhara. It is dedicated to Ajima/Varahi (Barahi), one of the Matrikas, and serves as a spiritual guardian for the city of Pokhara. The temple is an important center for local religious life and pilgrimage, attracting both Nepali worshippers and international visitors. Its unique island setting in the scenic Phewa Lake, with reflections of the temple and panoramic views of the Annapurna and Machapuchare (Fishtail) ranges, gives the site strong natural and aesthetic significance.

The Garden of Dreams is a formally designed neoclassical garden in central Kathmandu built during the Rana period. Historically, it was created as a private pleasure garden for the Kaiser Mahal (Kaiser House) and reflects the fusion of European-style landscaping with the urban fabric of Kathmandu. Culturally, it serves as an oasis of calm in the busy city, frequently used for leisurely gatherings and small cultural events. Naturally, the garden provides a noteworthy pocket of mature trees, seasonal flower beds and water features that attract local birds and offer respite from the surrounding city heat.

Godawari Botanical Garden (also known as Godawari Garden) is a significant botanical and recreational site located in Godawari, Lalitpur district, within the Kathmandu Valley of Nepal. It is valued for its diverse plant collections, conservation efforts, and role as an urban green space serving both ecological and community needs. The site is part of the larger Godawari area, which has religious and cultural importance due to nearby Hindu pilgrimage sites and historical temples. The garden contributes to environmental education, botanical research, and serves as a refuge from the busy urban environment of Kathmandu.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum is the former royal palace of the Shah monarchs of Nepal, located in the heart of Kathmandu. It served as the official residence and the site of state ceremonies for the royal family until the monarchy was abolished in 2008 when the palace was converted into a public museum. The building and its collections document Nepal's modern royal history, statecraft, diplomatic exchanges, and changing political landscape. Architecturally it blends neoclassical elements with local Nepali decorative motifs and reflects 20th-century palace design in Nepal.

Patan Museum is housed within a richly carved 17th-century former royal palace in Patan Durbar Square (Lalitpur), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of Nepal’s foremost museums of traditional sacred art, preserving an outstanding collection of Newar craftsmanship, Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, metalwork, and paubha (scroll) paintings that illustrate the religious and artistic history of the Kathmandu Valley.

National Museum of Nepal (Chhauni) is the country's principal museum for preserving and presenting Nepal's cultural, historical and artistic heritage. Located in the Chhauni area of Kathmandu, it brings together archaeological finds, religious art, royal artifacts, weapons, and ethnographic material that span from prehistoric times through the medieval period to the modern era. The museum plays a key role in research, conservation and public education about Nepal's diverse cultural traditions.

The International Mountain Museum (IMM) in Pokhara documents the history, culture, and natural environment of the Himalaya. It preserves mountaineering heritage—including records, photographs and equipment from historic expeditions—and highlights the lifestyles, beliefs and crafts of mountain communities across Nepal and neighbouring Himalayan regions. The museum also educates visitors about mountain geology, ecology and the environmental challenges facing high-altitude landscapes.

Bhaktapur Pottery Square (Tachupal Tole) is a living heritage site in the medieval city of Bhaktapur, Kathmandu Valley. It is the traditional center for pottery-making in the Newar community, with techniques passed down through generations. The square preserves age-old craft practices and contributes to Bhaktapur's reputation as a stronghold of Newar art and culture.