Top places to visit in Paro

• Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)

  monastery · 4.8 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Bhutan's most iconic monastery, clinging to a cliff ~900 m above the Paro valley at around 3,120 m. Reached by a steep 2–3 hour hike; a cafeteria sits roughly halfway. Closed 1–2 PM.

• National Museum of Bhutan (Ta Dzong)

  national_museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Housed in the circular 1649 Ta Dzong watchtower above Rinpung Dzong; comprehensive collection of Bhutanese art, thangkas, relics and natural history, with valley views.

• Rinpung Dzong (Paro Dzong)

  dzong · 4.6 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  "Fortress on a Heap of Jewels," built 1646 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal. A working religious and administrative centre and a classic example of Bhutanese dzong architecture above the Paro river.

• Kyichu Lhakhang

  lhakhang · 4.6 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate

  One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, traditionally dated to the 7th century and attributed to the Tibetan king Songtsen Gampo; a deeply revered pilgrimage site with a famed orange tree. Closed midday 12–1 PM.

• Chele La Pass

  mountain_pass · 4.7 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  At ~3,988 m, the highest motorable pass in Bhutan, on the road between the Paro and Haa valleys; alpine meadows, prayer flags, rhododendrons in spring and Himalayan panoramas.

• Paro Airport Bird's-Eye Viewpoint

  scenic · 4.6 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Roadside viewpoint with a panoramic view of Paro town and the dramatic mountain-ringed runway of Paro International Airport.

• Paro Chu River Viewpoint

  river · 4.8 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Peaceful pebbled riverbank spot on the Paro Chu with clear water and greenery; a popular place to stop, paddle and take photos.

• Jangtsa Dumtseg Lhakhang

  lhakhang · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Rare chorten-shaped temple built in 1421 by the "iron-bridge builder" Thangtong Gyalpo; three floors symbolising hell, earth and heaven, rich in murals.

• Chumphu Nye

  monastery · 4.7 rating · about 7 h · check the fee at the gate

  Remote sacred site of the deity Dorji Phagmo, reached by a scenic ~3-hour forest-and-river hike, famed for a levitating statue.

• Drakarpo Lhakhang

  temple · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

  Cliffside pilgrimage temple on a rock outcrop with a sacred circumambulation path and gorgeous views over the lower Paro valley.

• Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri

  temple · 4.8 rating · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate

  Three-storied temple near Bondey designed as a Zangdopelri (abode of Guru Padmasambhava), overlooking Paro's paddy fields with valley views.

• Paro Tara Monastery

  monastery · 4.9 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

  Serene hilltop monastery with standout views over the valley and Paro airport runway; best visited on Sundays and auspicious days.

Things to do

• Tiger's Nest (Taktsang) Guided Hike Hiking · 5 h
• Traditional Hot Stone Bath Wellness · 1.5 h
• Hot Stone Bath at Eco-Farm Wellness · 1.5 h
• Chumphu Nye Day Hike Hiking · 7 h
• Farmhouse Cultural Lunch & Hot Stone Bath (Paro Penlop Heritage Farmhouse) Cultural · 2 h
• Highland Glamping Experience Nature · 12 h

Where to stay in Paro

• Paro Town (Tshongdue)

  The compact main street, handy for shops and restaurants and a short drive to the airport and Rinpung Dzong.

• Upper Paro (Drukgyel)

  Rural valley end near the Tiger's Nest trailhead, with farmhouse stays and luxury lodges among rice fields.

Hotels

• Haven Resort 4-star
• Le Méridien Paro, Riverfront 5-star
• Taj Paro Resort & Spa 5-star
• Zhiwa Ling Heritage 5-star
• COMO Uma Paro 5-star
• Paro Eco Lodge 3-star

Where to eat

• Mountain Cafe - Paro (Non Veg) Cafe, International, Bhutanese · about BTN 650 per person
• Mountain Cafe - Paro (Pure Veg) Cafe, Vegetarian, Indian · about BTN 650 per person
• Sonam Trophel Restaurant Bhutanese, Indian, Nepalese · about BTN 650 per person
• Park 76 Cafe & Pub Bar, International · about BTN 650 per person
• Himalayan Kitchen Paro Bhutanese, Thai, Asian · about BTN 650 per person
• Bhutan Coffee & Roastery Cafe, Coffee · about BTN 650 per person
• Brioche Cafe Cafe, Bakery, Coffee · about BTN 650 per person
• Your Cafe Cafe, Vegetarian, Bhutanese · about BTN 650 per person

Getting to Paro

Airport: Paro (PBH)

How visitors arrive in Paro

• Fly into Paro International Airport By air from Kathmandu / Delhi / Bangkok · common

  Paro has Bhutan's only international airport, served by Drukair and Bhutan Airlines from Kathmandu, Indian cities, Dhaka, Bangkok and Singapore. Source: koryogroup.com

Getting around

• Car With Driver
• Taxi useful for some trips

  Paro's sights are spread across the valley, so a vehicle is needed, and taxis can be hired in the main bazaar.

• Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

• Handicraft authenticity

  Souvenir shops

  Mass-produced items occasionally sold as handmade local crafts at premium prices.

  How to avoid it: Buy from government handicraft emporiums or established shops; keep receipts (useful for customs on antiques).

Best time to visit Paro

• Jan 13°C
• Feb 15°C
• Mar 18°C
• Apr 21°C
• May 23°C
• Jun 25°C
• Jul 25°C
• Aug 25°C
• Sep 23°C
• Oct 21°C
• Nov 17°C
• Dec 15°C

More in Bhutan

• Thimphu
• Punakha
• Gangtey
• Jakar
• Haa
• Wangdue Phodrang

Frequently asked questions about Paro

How many days do you need in Paro?

A typical trip to Paro is 2-3 days.

What are the top-rated places to visit in Paro?

The highest-rated places in our Paro guide are Paro Tara Monastery, Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest), Paro Chu River Viewpoint, Ugyen Pema Woedling Zangthopelri, Chele La Pass.

Where should I stay in Paro?

Our guide covers these areas to stay in Paro: Paro Town (Tshongdue), Upper Paro (Drukgyel).

How do I get around Paro?

Ways to get around Paro covered in our guide: Car with driver, Taxi, Walking.

What scams should I watch out for in Paro?

Scams reported to us for Paro include Handicraft authenticity. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.

What is the weather like in Paro?

Average daytime highs in Paro run from 13°C in Jan to 25°C in Jul.

Which airport is nearest to Paro?

The nearest airport to Paro has the code PBH.