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
Patan (Lalitpur) travel guide
The city of fine arts: Newar temples, craft workshops and the Kathmandu Valley's best museum.
About Patan
Patan, also called Lalitpur, lies just south of the Bagmati River and is one of the three royal cities of the Kathmandu Valley. Its Durbar Square is part of the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site inscribed in 1979.
Patan is known for its metalwork and woodcarving traditions, and its lanes are full of courtyards, stupas and workshops. It's quieter than central Kathmandu, with good cafés around the square.
Things to do in Patan
Patan Durbar Square
A dense, beautiful square of temples and palace buildings, among the finest Newar architecture anywhere.
Krishna Mandir
A 17th-century stone temple in the shikhara style, its carvings telling stories from the Hindu epics.
Patan Museum
Housed in part of the old palace, with a superb collection of bronze and religious art.
Golden Temple
The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, a richly decorated Buddhist monastery a short walk north of the square.
Craft workshops
Metal-casting and woodcarving workshops in the surrounding lanes.
Getting to Patan
- By car from Budhanilkantha allow about an hour, depending on traffic.
- Patan and Bhaktapur are often combined in one day — as on Day 3 of our Kathmandu City Tour.
Best time to visit
Year-round. Visit the museum in the middle of the day and the square in the late afternoon light.
Local tips
- Give the Patan Museum at least an hour — it explains much of what you'll see in the valley.
- Dress modestly around temples and courtyards that are still in daily use.
Visit Patan 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
DetailsPatan: frequently asked questions
Is Patan worth visiting?
Yes — its Durbar Square and museum are highlights of the Kathmandu Valley, and the city is calmer than central Kathmandu.
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Plan a trip to Patan
Staying with us in Budhanilkantha? We can arrange a driver, a guide or a full tour to Patan. Tell us your dates and what you'd like to see.
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