Nepal is a beautiful country and one that’s just so incredible. I’m going to try not to waffle too much, or to sound too cheesy but Nepal is one of those countries that really is awe-inspiring and totally diverse. I mean, before my visit, I only thought the best places to visit in Nepal would be the Himalayas and Kathmandu. Yeah, these are both great… but there really are so many more amazing places to visit in Nepal beyond just its mountains and capital.
My trip to Nepal was a lifetime dream of mine and I’m already itching to return. I promise you, any trip you take will be filled with the most incredible (and friendly people), yummy food and some of the best places to visit in Nepal.
It’s a diverse country that you’ll love.
Take a look at 16 of the best places to visit in Nepal. 🇳🇵
1.) Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the bustling, slightly dusty and never boring capital and is usually the first stop to find some of the best places to visit in Nepal.
One of the best things about Kathmandu has to be the eclectic mix of temples, historic sites, shrines, restaurants and bustling streets.
Once you’re in the city, make sure to head over to the; stunning Pashupatinath Temple, the UNESCO site of Boudhanath Stupa, the (monkey temple of) Swayambhunath and the Kopan Monastery.
You can also plan a hiking or trekking trip, shop your heart out at the Thamel area and eat delicious local grub at restaurants like Forest and Plate, Places, and Yangling.
Don’t forget to buy some gorgeous handicrafts while you’re here, too. Some good spots for gifts are; SK Handicrafts and Local Women’s Handicrafts.
Top tips: You will get hot in Kathmandu and a whole new level of dust (if the weather is dry), so grab yourself a face mask if you’ll struggle with this. Also, for some gorgeous hotels, think about staying at the 5-star, Yak & Yeti or The Traditional Comfort – which are both great.
Read more: Best things to do in Kathmandu
2.) Nagarkot
For breathtaking views of the mighty Himalayas, head to this picturesque hill station in Nepal that really is one of the best places to visit in Nepal – especially if you love the mountains.
Located close to Bhaktapur, Nagarkot is the perfect place to relax and take in the stunning views of eight Himalayan ranges along with spectacular sunrises and sunsets (if the weather holds out).
You can also go trekking, mountain biking, and even try paragliding if you’re feeling like a total daredevil.
3.) Pokhara
The beautiful city of Pokhara is on the shores of Lake Phewa and is best known for its unparalleled views of the snow-capped Annapurna Himalayan range… which, honestly, is more impressive than anything that can be shown in a picture.
I have so many great memories from Pokhara, it truly is one of the best places to visit in Nepal – especially if you’re on a trip around the country.
Besides Pokhara is an amazing place to explore, it often acts as the gateway to the Himalayas.
With green forests, underground caves, beautiful waterfalls, the Valley of Orchids, and the Massif Glaciers, Pokhara literally spoils us, visitors. Especially for the epic sunrises which you can see from this point.
For a tasty bite in the city, pop into Mo2’s Delights which has a whole load of freshly made momos that you’ll love. Read more on our drive back from Pokhara to Kathmandu, here.
Read more from our trip to Pokhara, here
4.) Sagarmatha National Park
One reason to visit this place? That it is home to the pièce de résistance of the Himalayas, Mount Everest itself!
You can also see dramatic peaks like Lhotse, Cho Oyo, Nuptse, Thamserku, Pumori, and Amadablam.
Other than the dramatic mountainscape, glaciers, and valleys, Sagarmatha National park is also home to many animal species like the snow leopard, red panda, Himalayan tahr, black bears, and choral.
It really is one of the best places to visit in Nepal – if you’re looking for tranquil nature and wildlife.
One of the best times to visit is from October-November and March-May.
Oh, and don’t forget to book this epic Everest Base Camp trek, flypast, or helicopter landing at the base camp itself. The tours are a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Just be sure to book before you arrive, tours can fill up fast at busy times.
5.) Lumbini
The birthplace of Gautam Buddha, Lumbini is one of the most significant sites in Buddhism and a truly stunning stop on your trip around Nepal.
Whether you’re a believer or not, Lumbini will wow you with its beauty and tranquillity – I literally was in awe whilst we were there.
Visit the Maya Devi Temple, the Lumbini Monastic Site, the Royal Thai Monastery, the World Peace Pagoda or just stroll around and relax in the gardens if that’s more your thing.
It really is one of the best places to visit in Nepal. Just remember to take your shoes off when entering the temples.
Also, make sure to read our post on the drive from Chitwan to Lumbini.
Read more: What to do in Lumbini
6.) Chitwan National Park
Another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Nepal, the Chitwan National Park is home to grasslands, marshes, forests, and wildlife including one-horned rhinos, over 500 species of birds, wild elephants, leopards, sloth bears, and the majestic Bengal tiger that I just loved.
You can see more on our spotting of rhinos in our post.
In so many ways, Chitwan is not the image that ever really came to my mind when it comes to visiting Nepal, especially due to the blistering heat, and almost safari-like savannahs.
It really is one of the best places to visit in Nepal if you’re looking to experience truly wild, wildlife.
You can take a jeep tour, go on jungle treks and even hikes – just remember to go with a guide as some of the animals can be very dangerous (I’m naming you, tiger 🐯).
You can either stay in the luxury Taj lodge of Meghauli Serai or the lovely Nana Holiday Village for a more rustic experience that honestly is magical.
It’s the perfect place to experience a completely different side of Nepal and you can book this incredible safari tour of Chitwan that departs from Kathmandu.
It can’t be missed.
Read More: What to do in Chitwan
7.) Ilam
If you are a tea lover, you have to visit Nepal’s tea district, Ilam… and being British, you can only imagine how obsessed I am with tea!
There are some beautiful tea gardens overlooking this scenic and quaint town that is still relatively untouched by travellers and quite off-the-beaten-track.
Just make sure to go on a tea tour, indulge in some bird-watching, go hiking, and just take in the lovely scenery including Mount Kanchenjunga with a cup of tea.
If you’d like to watch the tea pickers do their thing, visit between April and November. It really is one of the best places to visit in Nepal (well, for us tea drinkers at least).
8.) Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur was one of the three “Royal Cities” of Nepal from way back in the day.
Although it suffered significant damage during the earthquake of 2015, it still remains one of the best places to visit in Nepal which is just shy of Kathmandu.
Start by spending time at Durbar Square where you can see the Royal Palace and a couple of temples. Visit the Nyatapola temple, the Dattatreya temple, the Taleju temple, and the Bhairavnath temple. When you’re done temple-hopping, it’s time to shop! Bhaktapur is known for its puppets, handicrafts, and lovely pottery that I totally fell in love with.
This really is a special UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Want to visit Bhaktapur? Read more in our post
9.) Annapurna Region
Whether you’re a novice trekker or an expert, there’s always a section of the Annapurna region that’s great to trek.
Possibly, one of the best places to visit in Nepal if you love a hike, the Annapurna region has a whole host of trails (and local guides) that can help you find the most incredible spots.
Just be prepared for a long slog and have lots of determination if you’re going for a ‘full’ trek. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you should not miss.
The Annapurna Circuit takes about 21 days and is the perfect way to fully experience the wonder and magic of this region, so plan wisely and consider that you might suffer from altitude sickness too.
10.) Khumbu Valley
The Khumbu Valley trek is not for the faint of heart but if you conquer it, bragging rights are yours for life!
But seriously, don’t venture out on this trek unless you have some experience or a qualified guide.
Home to Namche Bazaar which is a Sherpa village, the “Monkey temple”, the Tengboche Monastery, and spectacular views of Mount Everest, Khumbu Valley is a special place.
The Khumbu Valley trek can take anywhere from two weeks to a whole month, so prepare well and be patient.
11.) Nuwakot
Nuwakot may be a small town but it didn’t earn its reputation for being one of the best places to visit in Nepal.
Unfortunately, many temples and monuments were extensively damaged in the recent earthquake but the town is slowly recovering and the restoration effort is well underway.
Check out the amazing views from the viewpoint tower at the Kalika Temple, visit the Malika Temple, and last but not least, spend time at the Durbar Square, where you can see the Saat Tale Durbar, a fortress built in 1762 by Prithvi Narayan Shah.
12.) Patan (Lalitpur)
Patan, which is also known as Lalitpur which literally translates to “Beautiful City” is a unique city full of exquisite architecture, wooden carvings, and religious art that easily makes it one of the best places to visit in Nepal.
Don’t forget to check out the Golden Temple, the Patan Durbar Square, the Krishna Mandir, the Khumbeshwar Temple, and the Patan Museum. It’s safe to say that this historic city is a sight for sore eyes.
13.) Dharan
Located in the foothills of the Mahabharata Range, the city of Dharan is divided into two distinct parts.
While one side is full of banana trees, hills, and temporary shacks, the other side has a countryside feel with more permanent bungalows, pavements, as well as a country club with a golf course (if that’s your thing).
Visit the Buddhasubba Temple and the Datankali Temple and, of course, enjoy shopping in the main market which is so much fun if you’re looking for some local sweet treats.
14.) Bandipur
Bandipur is most well known for the Siddha Gufa (Caves) and for its Newari culture.
With charming row houses, old temples and monuments, the hilltop town of Bandipur will make you feel like you have travelled back in time.
It really is one (lovely) and the best places to visit in Nepal.
15.) Panauti
Panauti is only about 30-40 miles away from the bustling heart of Kathmandu, but it feels like a million miles away!
Considered to be one of the oldest towns in Nepal, Panauti is one heck of a spot to visit and possibly one of the best places to visit in Nepal.
Make sure to visit some of the ancient temples like; The Kali Temple and the Doleshwor Mahadeva Temple.
Make sure to spend some time wandering the old streets and visiting the historic markets that line them. It’s a lovely spot for an afternoon visit.
Read more: What to see in Panauti
16.) Tansen
Nestled deep within the hills of western Nepal, Tansen is pretty far by road from Kathmandu but a great little place to stop on your journey around the western fringes of Nepal.
Once there, make sure to visit the; Tansen Durbar, Muldhoka, The yummy Nanglo Bakery and the Ranaujeshwori Temple.
Read more on our visit to Tansen
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