Bhaktapur, Nepal: travel guide
Brick-paved Newari squares, pagoda temples and pottery courtyards
The best-preserved medieval Newari city in the Kathmandu Valley — a car-free warren of brick-paved squares, pagoda temples and pottery courtyards, home to the famous Nyatapola temple and 55-Window Palace.
About Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is the Kathmandu Valley's most complete medieval town, a place of red brick lanes, carved wooden windows and temple squares where traffic is kept to a minimum. Spending a day here feels closer to a walk through the past than a sightseeing run.
Highlights include the five-tier Nyatapola Temple, Dattatreya Square, the 55-Window Palace and Pottery Square, where clay is shaped and dried in the open. Changu Narayan temple sits on a ridge nearby. The town is also known for its curd, known locally as juju dhau.
It suits photographers, history lovers and travellers who want to see Newari craft in daily use. October to November and March to May bring the clearest weather in the valley.
- Country
- Nepal
- Currency
- NPR
- Time zone
- Asia/Kathmandu
- Nearest airport
- KTM
- Typical trip
- 1 day
Last updated
Top places to visit in Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur Durbar Square
durbar_square · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
The royal square of the medieval Malla kingdom of Bhaktapur, ringed by the 55-Window Palace, the Golden Gate, stone temples and the Statue of Bhupatindra Malla. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Nyatapola Temple
pagoda_temple · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Nepal's tallest pagoda temple (30m), a perfectly proportioned five-tiered shrine of 1702 guarded by pairs of stone wrestlers, elephants and griffins on its stairway, dominating Taumadhi Square.
Dattatreya Square
square · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest square in Bhaktapur, centred on the Dattatreya temple said to be built from a single tree, with the famed Peacock Window on a nearby monastery façade.
Pottery Square
craft_square · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A working courtyard where Bhaktapur's Prajapati potters shape and sun-dry clay pots and figurines on hand-turned wheels — a centuries-old living craft you can try yourself.
55-Window Palace
palace · about 0.7 h · check the fee at the gate
The 15th-century Malla royal palace facing Durbar Square, its long brick façade pierced by 55 intricately carved wooden windows — a masterpiece of Newari woodcraft.
Changu Narayan Temple
hindu_temple · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
The oldest Hindu temple still in use in Nepal, a Vishnu shrine on a ridge above Bhaktapur adorned with Licchavi-era stone carvings and Nepal's oldest inscription. UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Siddha Pokhari
water_tank · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A large rectangular masonry tank at Bhaktapur's western gate dating to the 15th century, ringed by shrines and reflecting the Himalayas on still mornings.
Taumadhi Square
square · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The lively square below Nyatapola, home also to the boat-shaped Bhairavnath temple and cafés with rooftop temple views — the second great square of Bhaktapur.
Bhairavnath Temple
hindu_temple · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
A tall three-storey temple to the fearsome god Bhairav on Taumadhi Square, the focus of Bhaktapur's Bisket Jatra chariot festival each Nepali New Year.
Things to do
- Bhaktapur Heritage Walking Tour Cultural · 3 h · from NPR 2,000 per person
- Bhaktapur Pottery-making Workshop Cultural · 2 h · from NPR 1,500 per person
- Juju Dhau & Newari Food Tasting Food · 2 h · from NPR 1,800 per person
- Changu Narayan Half-Day Tour Cultural · 3 h · from NPR 2,200 per person
Where to stay in Bhaktapur
- Durbar Square Old Town about NPR 4,500 per night
Staying inside Bhaktapur's car-free old city puts the temples, squares and pottery courtyards on your doorstep, magical after the day-trippers leave.
Hotels
- Hotel Heritage Bhaktapur 3-star · NPR 4,500 to NPR 9,000 per night
- Bhaktapur Paradise Hotel 3-star · NPR 3,500 to NPR 7,000 per night
- Khwopa Guest House 2-star · NPR 2,000 to NPR 4,500 per night
- Peacock Guest House 3-star · NPR 3,500 to NPR 7,000 per night
Where to eat
- Café Nyatapola Nepali, Continental, Cafe · about NPR 900 per person
- Café de Peacock Nepali, Continental, Cafe · about NPR 850 per person
- Juju Dhau House Nepali, Newari, Dessert · about NPR 200 per person
- Watshala Garden Restaurant Nepali, Newari, Continental · about NPR 800 per person
- Bhaktapur Coffee & Curd Cafe, Nepali · about NPR 300 per person
Getting to Bhaktapur
Airport: Bhaktapur (Tribhuvan International Airport) (KTM)
How visitors arrive in Bhaktapur
- Local bus from Kathmandu By road from Kathmandu · common
Buses to Bhaktapur leave from the Bhaktapur bus park near Ratna Park in Kathmandu. Source: thelongestwayhome.com
- Taxi from Kathmandu By road from Kathmandu · common
Taxis from Kathmandu drop visitors at the West or East Gate, close to the heritage areas; agree the fare before getting in. Source: thelongestwayhome.com
From the bus terminal to the centre
- Public minibus or bus from Kathmandu
Minibuses to Kamal Binayak and larger buses to Charansingh leave from the stop near Bhadrakali in Kathmandu. They drop you at the edge of the old town. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Express bus from Bag Bazar
An express bus boards at Bag Bazar in Kathmandu and stops only at Maitighar and Sallaghari on the way. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Taxi from Kathmandu unconfirmed
Taxis run from Thamel in Kathmandu to Bhaktapur, a drive of about 16 km. Agree the fare before you set off. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Public buses stop just outside the city. Ask the fare before boarding, as foreigners may be charged more, and pay when you get off. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
- Foreign visitors pay an entrance ticket for the old city, which helps fund earthquake repairs. Ask for a note on it to extend access. Source: en.wikivoyage.org
Getting around
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Fake "closed for festival" guides
Durbar Square
Touts claim a temple or square is closed unless you hire them as a guide, then lead you the normal way.
How to avoid it: Ignore such claims; buy the official Bhaktapur entry ticket and hire only licensed guides.
Best time to visit Bhaktapur
- Jan 18°C
- Feb 21°C
- Mar 26°C
- Apr 30°C
- May 31°C
- Jun 30°C
- Jul 27°C
- Aug 26°C
- Sep 25°C
- Oct 24°C
- Nov 21°C
- Dec 19°C
More in Nepal
Frequently asked questions about Bhaktapur
- How many days do you need in Bhaktapur?
- A typical trip to Bhaktapur is 1 day.
- What are the main places to visit in Bhaktapur?
- Places covered in our Bhaktapur guide include Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Nyatapola Temple, Dattatreya Square, Pottery Square, 55-Window Palace.
- Where should I stay in Bhaktapur?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Bhaktapur: Durbar Square Old Town.
- How do I get around Bhaktapur?
- Ways to get around Bhaktapur covered in our guide: Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Bhaktapur?
- Scams reported to us for Bhaktapur include Fake "closed for festival" guides. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- What is the weather like in Bhaktapur?
- Average daytime highs in Bhaktapur run from 18°C in Jan to 31°C in May.
- Which airport is nearest to Bhaktapur?
- The nearest airport to Bhaktapur has the code KTM.