Nepal travel
Patan Day Trip: Durbar Square, Temples and Craft Workshops
Krishna Mandir, the Golden Temple, the Patan Museum and the metal-craft workshops: how to spend a day in the valley's city of fine arts.
By Shiva GiriPublished 4 min read
Patan, also called Lalitpur — the "city of beauty" — lies just south of the Bagmati River. It's famous for its Durbar Square, its Buddhist courtyards and generations of metal-workers and wood-carvers.
What to see
- Patan Durbar Square and the stone Krishna Mandir.
- The Patan Museum, one of the best museums in Nepal, inside the old palace.
- The Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), a richly decorated Buddhist monastery.
- Mahabouddha, the "temple of a thousand Buddhas".
- Workshops where craftspeople cast and polish metal statues by hand.
Practical tips
- Foreign visitors buy a ticket for the Durbar Square area — ask at the counter whether it covers the museum.
- Allow at least half a day, more if you love museums or crafts.
- Watch for the craft shops if you want a statue or singing bowl to take home.
Go with us
We arrange a car from Sacred Trails, and Patan is part of our guided Kathmandu City Tour.
Frequently asked questions
Is Patan different from Kathmandu?
Yes. Patan is a separate historic city in the Kathmandu Valley with its own Durbar Square, known for Newar architecture and crafts.
