Overview
Thamel is Kathmandu's tourist heart, with narrow lanes packed with hundreds of guesthouses, restaurants, trekking-gear shops, and souvenir stores. A backpacker mecca since the hippie-trail era of the 1960s-70s, it remains the base camp for Annapurna and Everest treks. International eateries, live-music bars, and rooftop cafes keep it buzzing day and night. It's also the best place to buy Nepali handicrafts like pashmina shawls, singing bowls, and thangka paintings. Free entry. Located in central Kathmandu.
Opening Hours
Open 24 hours (individual shop hours vary)
Travel Tips
Trekking gear can be rented or bought cheaply in Thamel. Bargaining is expected, and checking guesthouses in person often nets a better rate than online.
Hotels near Thamel District
Hotels and guesthouses in Kathmandu, Thamel, Kathmandu
Other attractions in Kathmandu
Boudhanath Stupa
One of the world's largest Buddhist stupas, watched over by the great all-seeing eyes of the Buddha.
Pashupatinath Temple
Nepal's largest Hindu temple, where cremation rites take place on the Bagmati Riverbank.
Kathmandu Durbar Square
A UNESCO World Heritage Site packed with former royal palaces and temples.
Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
A hilltop Buddhist temple offering panoramic views of the Kathmandu Valley.
Patan Durbar Square
A UNESCO World Heritage square showcasing the finest Newar architecture.
Nagarkot Viewpoint
A hilltop viewpoint near Kathmandu with panoramic views of the Himalayas, including Everest.
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The best-preserved medieval Newar city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.