Kathmandu Durbar Square

The old royal heart of the city: a UNESCO ensemble of pagoda temples, palace courtyards and the house of the Kumari — Nepal's living goddess.

Last verified 26 August 2026

Location

Basantapur, central Kathmandu

Opening hours

Square open access; ticket booths ~7 AM–7 PM

Ticket price

~NPR 1,000 foreign visitors

Suggested duration

2–3 hours

Best time to visit

Early morning, before the tour flow

How to reach

Walkable from Thamel (~15 min)

With kids

Open plazas suit kids; watch traffic on approach lanes

Good to know

Hire a licensed guide at the booth — the square's stories are invisible without one.
The Kumari sometimes appears at her window mid-morning; photography of her is forbidden.

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