Nepal travel
Bhaktapur Day Trip from Kathmandu: What to See and How to Plan It
Nyatapola temple, the 55-Window Palace, Pottery Square and a bowl of juju dhau: how to spend a perfect day in Bhaktapur, with a driver from Sacred Trails.
By Shiva GiriPublished 5 min read
Photo: Nrik kiran (opens Wikimedia Commons in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
Bhaktapur is the best-preserved of the Kathmandu Valley's old royal cities: brick lanes, pagoda temples, potters at their wheels and very little traffic in the historic core. It makes a wonderful day out from Sacred Trails.
What to see
- Durbar Square and the 55-Window Palace, with its carved wooden windows.
- Taumadhi Square and Nyatapola, a five-storey pagoda guarded by stone figures on its stairway.
- Pottery Square, where clay pots dry in rows in the sun.
- Dattatreya Square and the Peacock Window.
Don't miss
Juju dhau, Bhaktapur's famous "king of yoghurts", sold in little clay pots.
Practical tips
- Foreign visitors buy a ticket to enter the heritage area — keep it for the whole day.
- Go early to see the squares at their quietest.
- Wear comfortable shoes for the brick lanes.
- Combine it with Nagarkot or Changu Narayan for a full day.
Go with us
We arrange a private car from the homestay, or join our Kathmandu City Tour, which includes Bhaktapur with a guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bhaktapur worth a day trip?
Yes — it's one of the most atmospheric places in Nepal. A full day lets you see the main squares and enjoy the lanes without rushing.
How do I get to Bhaktapur from Sacred Trails?
We arrange a private car from the homestay, or you can visit with a guide on our Kathmandu City Tour.
