When visiting Nepal, you will most likely end up first in Kathmandu. More than treating it just as a stopover, stay awhile in this captivating place and soak up its atmosphere. Here are the top things to do in Kathmandu, which encompass heritage, architecture, culture, spirituality, and shopping.

MUST SEE PLACES

Kathmandu’s Durbar Square

Also known as Basantapur Darbar Kshetra, the Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top travel destinations in Nepal. The Durbar Square held the palaces of the Malla and Shah kings who ruled over the city. Along with these palaces, the square surrounds quadrangles, revealing courtyards and temples. The square suffered the most horrible part of Kathmandu’s 2015 earthquake; about six temples were damaged. Reconstruction completed a few towers in the Hanuman Dhoka complex, but despite the damage done, it is an astonishing complex and attracts thousands of tourists every day.

The jewels in the crown are:

·        The Hanuman Dhoka itself (the complex of royal palaces).

·        The magnificent Taleju Temple (built in 1564 by Mahendra Malla, standing on a 12-stage plinth and reaching 35 metres in height).

·        The Kumari Bahal (an intricately carved three-storey structure built in 1757 in which the 'living goddess', a young girl selected from the Kathmandu valley, still lives).

Boudhanath Stupa

If you recognize your friends is in Kathmandu from this famous architecture- the unique eyes art is the iconic image that you see in most of pictures. It is believed that they look in all four directions, representing the omniscient mind of Buddha. Assigned UNESCO world heritage status in 1979, Boudhanath (aka the Boudha, Chorten Chempo and Khasa Caityais) has a diameter of 120 metres, making it the largest temple in Nepal. The stupa is built on an octagonal base, surrounded by 147 prayer wheels and 108 images of Buddhist deities.  It has colourful prayer flags, blessed with juniper incense each new year, draped from its 36-metre central spire.

The Pashupatinath Temple

Built in 1696 on the orders of King Bhupendra Malla, Pashupatinath is Nepal's most important Hindu temple.

Constructed in the pagoda style of architecture, Pashupatinath stands on the banks of the Bagmati river. Pashupatinath Temple's existence dates back to 400 B.C. The richly ornamented pagoda houses the sacred linga or holy symbol of Lord Shiva.

Narayanhiti Palace Museum

The Narayanhiti Palace Museum (aka Narayanhiti Durbar) served as the primary residence of Nepal's monarchy for over a century until 2008. Located in the capital city of Kathmandu, the palace was the centre of state occasions and royal hospitality. The palace is located towards east of the Kaiser Mahal next to Thamel and is incorporated in an impressive and vast array of courtyards, gardens, and buildings.

WHERE TO SHOP AND HANG OUT

Kathmandu's Thamel tourist district is crowded and frenetic at times, but it still manages to retain an old-world feel, perpetuated by the rows of Tibetan prayer flags and cycle rickshaws that trundle by.

The streets of this lively area are lined with shops overflowing with brightly colored clothing, jewelry, paper lanterns, thangka paintings, wood carvings, bronze statues, music, and books.

MUNCH, MUNCH?

The Northfield Café

The best Chimichangas and enchiladas and the bean and grilled chicken mix is a must have if you are craving for burrito or any wrap.  The plates are filling and the service friendly.

Thamel

A lot of the best restaurants in the area are tucked into these small side streets, so you’ll have to be patient and ask a lot of locals for help finding them. However, a whole number of them are worth it. The most prevalent, however, are probably the momo shops.

Wunjala Moskva

More than the other places, locals go to Wunjala Moskva because of the ambiance. It is known among the best garden restaurants in Kathmandu. It has a number of small bungalows with an open courtyard in the middle. The Wunjala Moskva specializes in Russian cuisine including their specialties comprising Chatanmari, Peroshki, Woh, and Chhwela.

Mike’s Breakfast

If comfort food is what you are looking for, this is the hub for all the locals, travellers, and trekkers. It overlooks a neat little garden in a Newari styled home.