Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
Central Asia yurt night stars
Uzbekistan • 15 days, 14 nights
Central Asia Road Trip: Backroads & Bazaars
from
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
Grotte de Glace
Sinquerim Beach Bastion
Port Tobacco Schoolhouse
Barracks / munitions storage.
Vloethemveld
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Cacio e pepe lasagna combines two classics.
C'è Pasta... E Pasta!
Spaghetto taratatà is named for the sound of rattling sabers.
Giano Restaurant
The gnocchi here get blanketed in a sugo with braised oxtail.
Cesare al Pellegrino
Romans insist you should feel the cracked peppercorns and cheese grains on your tongue.
Flavio al Velavevodetto
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
The 2,653-mile-long Pacific Crest Trail spans the entire West Coast from Canada to Mexico.
Meet the Volunteers Who Keep Thru-Hikers Moving
about 11 hours ago
The Haskell Free Library and Opera House building on the U.S.-Canadian border.
Could New Border Restrictions Literally Tear the Haskell Free Library Apart?
about 17 hours ago
A woman peering into the cave of Sarah Bishop c. 1900.
The Curious History of New England’s Hermit Tourism
about 23 hours ago
The Big Well
This Kansas Town Advertised the World’s Largest Well. It Wasn’t.
1 day ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
All Nepal Kathmandu

The Atlas Obscura Guide To Kathmandu

21 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Kathmandu, Nepal

Updated May 12, 2025

Email
Attractions
Map
Leaderboards
Stories
Hotel Deals

Unusual Attractions in Kathmandu

Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

Kathmandu, Nepal

Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

Sacred Buddhist home of some spiritual monkeys.
Garden of Dreams.

Kathmandu, Nepal

The Garden of Dreams

This elegant neoclassical garden is a peaceful oasis in the middle of the Nepalese capital.
Boudhanath Stupa

Kathmandu, Nepal

Boudhanath Stupa

One of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world keeps an eye out in every direction.
Kala Bhairava at Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square

This historic square in Nepal is home to temples dating back to the third century.
Coins nailed into the shrine.

Kathmandu, Nepal

The Toothache Tree

Nailing a coin to this holy stump is just another way to ask the gods for relief from dental pain.
Grounds of the museum

Kathmandu, Nepal

Taragaon Museum

This Kathmandu museum, built in an Austrian modernist style, looks like a set from Star Wars.
Scarlet minivet

Kathmandu, Nepal

Ranibari Community Forest

This conservation area filled with colorful birds is the last community forest within the city of Kathmandu.

Kathmandu, Nepal

Amideva Buddha Park

This religious site features Nepal’s largest statue of Buddha.
See All 21 Things To Do in Kathmandu
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

In partnership with GetYourGuide

Unforgettable Experiences Nearby

Explore Kathmandu, Nepal

A
21
Temples 4
History & Culture 4
Sacred Spaces 3
Parks 3
Animals 3
Museums 3
Buddhism 3
Palaces 2
Architecture 2

Kathmandu Leaderboard

Places Added

  1. Edward Denny
    10
  2. Rachel
    1
  3. Jessica ONeill
    1
  4. chrisheck1
    1
  5. Timothy Farrelly
    1
Join the Ranks!
Add an unusual place to Kathmandu.

Places Edited

  1. Edward Denny
    10
  2. Collector of Experiences
    7
  3. simpsonamanda8
    2
  4. evilolive
    2
  5. Max Cortesi
    2
Join the Ranks!
Improve the Atlas with edits and photos.

Places Visited

  1. Edward Denny
    19
  2. patsyloo
    13
  3. brandonwthomas
    13
  4. Collector of Experiences
    12
  5. Sum1
    11

Recent Kathmandu Activity

  • maiasouchon99

    has been to Swayambhunath Monkey Temple

    3 days ago
  • maiasouchon99

    has been to Amideva Buddha Park

    3 days ago
  • maiasouchon99

    has been to Kumari Ghar

    3 days ago
  • maiasouchon99

    has been to Kathmandu Durbar Square

    3 days ago
  • malloryS

    wants to go to Apollo Lunar Sample Displays

    2 days ago

Stories About Kathmandu

The Ga Hiti in the Thamel neighborhood is one of many spouts that provide life-giving water to the people of Kathmandu.

The Lost Waters of Kathmandu Are Needed Now More Than Ever

To prevent drought and save water, Nepal is turning back to 1,500-year-old fountains—with the help of a few snakes.
by Tulsi Rauniyar
September 14, 2023
The sherpa winter stew at Raithaane has dried, cooked unripe maize (phalgi makai), beans, and vegetables.

The Restaurant Preserving Dishes From Every Corner of Nepal

From blog to bistro, Prashanta Khanal’s focus is forgotten and overlooked foods.
by Thomas Heaton
September 17, 2021

Podcast: Nepali Folk Musical Instrument Museum

Join us for a daily celebration of the world’s most wondrous, unexpected, even strange places.
by The Podcast Team
September 15, 2021

Become an Atlas Obscura Member

Join our community of curious explorers.

Learn More

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.