In which quarter house in Kathmandu?

What if we go to Nepal rather than to the very tourist countries? Here are our ideas of neighborhoods where to sleep in Kathmandu!

The capital of Nepal known all over the world, Kathmandu is located between two mountain valleys peaking at 3,000 meters above sea level, in the foothills of the Himalayas. The city, populated by more than 1.5 million inhabitants, is located in the centre-east of the country and has an important historical heritage that is self-aliencing its tourist attraction.

Founded in the 10th century by King Gunakamadeva, the current city dates back to the 16th century and contains seven historical monuments listed in the UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Old Town, Kathmandu Hanuman Dhoka, Patan and Bhaktapur, two Buddhist stûpas ( Swayambhunath and Boudhanath), the Bhimsen tower, the Ashoka stupas or the Maitighar Mandala.

Popular and recognized in the West in the 1960s to be the ultimate stage of the “Kamandu Road”, the city was a refuge for hippie communities. Nowadays, it attracts more trek lovers and lovers of Nepalese culture. Are you looking to stay in Kathmandu for a trip to Nepal? We guide you in this article, with our presentation of the neighborhoods where to sleep in Kathmandu.

Thamel

Located in the historic center of the city, the small Thamel area is the most frequented by tourists. It must be said that this is where most of the hotels are concentrated where to sleep in Kathmandu, restaurants and shops where to buy the necessary equipment to go trek in the Annapurna (8,0901 meters above sea level!).

This is also where you have to go to taste Nepalese culinary specialties. You will also certainly be sacked by dozens of street vendors who will try to listen to their stock of jewelry, clothing and postcards to be marketed.

Durbar Square

Durbar Square is one of the three main squares of Kathmandu. We reach Durbar Square by the small streets that wind from Thamel, in the heart of the old town. If you want to discover the soul and history of the city, to humify the local culture and immerse yourself in the culture of Nepal, it is here that you must choose to stay in Kathmandu.

The area concentrates some historical monuments, like the old royal palace Hanuman Dhoka , the house of the goddess Kumari, or the wooden pavilion named Kasthamandap . It is a high place of spirituality for Buddhist Nepalese. Between statues and Buddhist temples, you will also cross many restaurants where to eat for cheap, south of Durbar Square.

Buddhanath

The Buddhanath district is famous for being the neighborhood enclosed the Buddhanath Stupa, which sits in the heart of a fortified enclosure south of the neighborhood. Built in the 6th century, destroyed and rebuilt in the 14th century, the building is part of UNESCO’s world heritage. It is one of the most imposing Buddhist spiritual monuments in the world. The base symbolizes the earth, its lime dome decorated with yellow evokes the water while the square tower – harmika - represents the fire. The top arrow, it, symbolizes the air and the 13 levels to pass before reaching the nirvana. It is therefore a highly symbolic place.

In addition, the area, excited from the old town, is rather quiet and leaves its place to pedestrians. To stay in Buddhanath, there are several dozen hotels and guesthouses, scattered between restaurants and temples.