Cultural
Kathmandu City Tour
Temples at dawn, Newar courtyards and old bazaars — the Kathmandu Valley's living heritage at an unhurried pace.
- Duration
- 4 nights / 5 days
- Group
- Private or small group
From $280per person
Details
Heritage site
Bhaktapur travel guide
The Kathmandu Valley's best-preserved medieval city: pagoda temples, potters' squares and king curd.
Photo: Nrik kiran (opens Wikimedia Commons in a new tab), CC BY-SA 4.0 (opens in a new tab), via Wikimedia Commons
About Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur, the old Newar city on the eastern side of the Kathmandu Valley, is part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979. Its brick lanes, wood-carved windows and temple squares feel the least changed of the valley's three royal cities.
The ticket for foreign visitors covers the whole heritage area — Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and the streets between them — so plan a full, unhurried day.
Things to do in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
The former royal palace square, including the 55-Window Palace and the Golden Gate.
Nyatapola Temple
A five-storey pagoda from 1702 towering over Taumadhi Square — it survived the 2015 earthquake.
Pottery Square
Potters shaping and drying clay pots in the open, a scene little changed in generations.
Dattatreya Square
The oldest part of the city, with the Dattatreya temple and fine woodcarving workshops.
Juju dhau
Bhaktapur's famous, rich king curd, served in small clay bowls.
Bisket Jatra
The city's spectacular chariot festival around the Nepali New Year in April.
Getting to Bhaktapur
- By car or taxi from Budhanilkantha allow an hour or more each way, depending on traffic.
- Our Kathmandu City Tour, Sacred Triangle and Complete Nepal Journey all include Bhaktapur with a guide.
Best time to visit
Any time of year; mornings are quieter and the light is soft. October to April is the most comfortable.
Local tips
- Keep your ticket — it is checked at entry points around the heritage zone.
- Ask at the ticket counter if you want to return on another day with the same ticket.
- Try juju dhau from a shop near Taumadhi or Durbar Square.
Visit Bhaktapur with us
Guided trips that include this destination, starting and ending at our homestay in Budhanilkantha.
SpiritualBest seller
The Sacred Triangle
Seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, two jungle days and the birthplace of the Buddha in nine well-paced days.
- Duration
- 8 nights / 9 days
- Group
- Private or small group
From $800per person
Details
Cultural
Complete Nepal Journey
Kathmandu, Chitwan, Lumbini and Pokhara in eleven days — the best of Nepal for first-time visitors.
- Duration
- 10 nights / 11 days
- Group
- Private or small group
From $1,500per person
DetailsBhaktapur: frequently asked questions
How long do I need in Bhaktapur?
Half a day covers the main squares; a full day lets you wander the lanes, watch the potters and enjoy lunch without rushing.
Is Bhaktapur better than Patan?
They're different. Bhaktapur feels more like a living medieval town; Patan has the finest Durbar Square architecture and the excellent Patan Museum. Many visitors see both in one day on our tours.
Related guides
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The Best Day Trips from Kathmandu
Bhaktapur, Patan, Nagarkot, Changu Narayan, Shivapuri, Kopan and more — the easiest and most rewarding day trips from Kathmandu and Budhanilkantha.
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3 Days in Kathmandu: A Relaxed Itinerary
A three-day Kathmandu Valley itinerary — the Sleeping Vishnu, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath, Swayambhunath, Durbar Square, Patan and Bhaktapur — paced for jet lag and traffic.
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Plan a trip to Bhaktapur
Staying with us in Budhanilkantha? We can arrange a driver, a guide or a full tour to Bhaktapur. Tell us your dates and what you'd like to see.
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