Best areas to stay in Kathmandu

Are you looking for the best areas to stay in Kathmandu? 

You are in luck! 

I have lived in Kathmandu for four years and I can give you the insights of a local into the best areas to book a hotel in during your stay, from bustling tourist hubs to tranquil guesthouses with views of the Himalayas. 

Most tourist will end up in Thamel. However, this is not the only area you can stay in. And trust me, if I had known when I visited Kathmandu as a tourist back in 2018, I probably would have fallen in love with the city even harder! 

That is why I want to guide you through the best areas to stay in Kathmandu, focusing on accommodating options from luxury hotels to backpacker hostels. That way you can book a hotel in an area that fits your expectations, your goals, and your travel style, whether it’s immersing yourself in the local culture or adventuring through the Himalayas. 

An overview of the best areas to stay in Kathmandu

To start, I want to provide you with a short overview of the best places to stay in Kathmandu, highlighting key tourism areas and the range of accommodation options from hotels to guesthouses. I won’t make it too long just to provide you with the best and the most information upfront. I will also include some links to some other of my articles. That way, when you are interested in staying in, let’s say, Patan, you can easily read all about the best things to do in the area or the best restaurants and bars to visit, making it a perfect place for backpackers to explore. 

Thamel 

Thamel is probably the most famous area in Kathmandu. It is a tourist hub with lots of hotels and little tourist shops. Many of the currency exchange shops and trekking guides are locate here. 

The first time I visited Nepal I stayed in Thamel. It’s okay. I loved that it was close to Asan, which is my favourite part of the city, and that there were many great bars around. 

I would recommend Thamel for those who are looking for cheap hostels or people who are visiting Nepal but haven’t necessarily travelled a lot. You will have everything you need at your finger tips – the only problem I have with Thamel is that you might pay a bit more for taxis to get in and out of this part of the city as taxis charge tourists a bit more. (But I would recommend you use Pathao anyway). 

Patan 

Next is Patan. I LOVE Patan. I myself live in Lalitpur. Technically speaking Lalitpur is a different city to Kathmandu, but I see it a bit like Buda and Pest where they are basically one big city. 

Patan is similar to those little backstreats of Asan bazaar and thamel except that it is a lot more local. Here you will be able to see people go about their day, and you won’t necessarily feel like just another tourist. 

People in Patan are also super kind and friendly and I personally thik the Patan Durbar Square is a lot more beautiful than the one in Kathmandu (sorry, not sorry). 

I would recommend Patan for people who love culture and visiting cultural things (go visit the Golden Temple and Mahabuddha please!) and people who want a bit of a slower pace of life than the bustling street of Kathmandu while still being in the absolute midsth of things. 

Boudha 

If you are looking for a more spiritual part of the city I would say Boudha is a good place to stay. Boudha is where Boudhnath stupa is located, one of the biggest and most important stupas in the world, making it a perfect place for those interested in exploring the spirituality of the Himalayas. 

There are also quite a few buddhist monasteries you can just walk in to and where you can meditate. Another reason why this is a great place to stay is because it is home to some great restaurants (I love going to Boudha for food even though it is super far for me!) and it is home to a large Tibetan community which means there are lots of interesting shops around. 

One reason why Boudha might not be a good place to stay is that it is quite a drive from the rest of the city (especially in rush hour), but on the other hand, you will be stuck in Kathmandu traffic no matter what you do.

Durbar Marg 

Last but not least you can also choose to stay near Durbar Marg. There are a couple of really nice hotels like Yak and Yeti that are located on Durbar Marg, offering a mix of luxury and proximity to key tourism sights, appealing to a wide range of travelers from luxury seekers to backpackers. 

Durbar Marg is a wide street leading up to the old Royal Palace (do visit! It is super interesting!). It is the Oxford street of Kathmandu with many large brands having their shops or outlets here, attracting tourists and providing a variety of accommodation options. 

It’s a great area to stay because there are lots of restaurants and bars around, Thamel is a super short walk and you are very well connected with the rest of the city. To me that is a win-win-win! 

A short note on Lazimpat and Sanepa 

I see so many articles recommend Lazimpat and Sanepa as areas to stay in. 

Why? I just don’t get it.

Don’t get me wrong, these areas are okay-ish. I myself live in Sanepa and I know many expats that live in Lazimpat. However… these are not places that I, as a local, would recommend you book a hotel in, especially if you’re looking for authentic guesthouses or backpacker hostels. Lazimpat road is super busy, polluted, and congested, making it a less attractive option for someone seeking peaceful accommodation options in Kathmandu Valley. I wouldn’t want to stay on a busy road far away from everything, would you? 

Sanepa on the other hand is great and I love living here because there are lots of great bars and restaurants. However, it is far away from anything and everything you might want to visit as a tourist in Kathmandu, lacking proximity to popular guest houses and tourism spots. Patan is a 7 minute drive, Kathmandu Durbar square at least 15 minutes and Thamel 20 if you are lucky, 30 if there is traffic. 

I can see why you would add these areas to your blog post or article if you have never really visited them – however, trust me, it’s better to stay in Patan or Thamel instead. 

Best hotels to book when heading to Kathmandu 

Now, when heading to Kathmandu you will probably want to book a good hotel. Here are a few recommenations. I have chosen one budget, one medium-priced and one luxury hotel, just to give you an idea of prices and what to expect. If you want more information about good hotels please read the following articles: 

Here is a list of my recommended stays in Kathmandu, mainly focussing on the Thamel district, which is the main tourist area of Kathmandu. 

Budget: Flock Hostel AND Hostel Nextdoor 

For budget accommodation, I really want to recommend two options that cater especially to backpackers and budget travelers, offering both dorms and private rooms in the heart of Kathmandu. First there is a wide range of accommodation options tailored to tourists, including luxurious hotels, quaint guesthouses, and budget-friendly backpacker hostels in Kathmandu Valley. Flock Hostel in Thamel. I have been here a few times and eaten at their restaurant numerous times and I have always liked it. There is a great atmosphere and I just love the views from the roof over the city. 

Hostel Nextdoor I want to recommend because their owners are just amazing. They orgianise lots of activities, hikes, boardgame nights and cooking nights for both their guests and expats. My husband and I have been to a couple of their events and we have always felt very welcome. I have seen the rooms and they are very clean and comfy, and nextdoor you will find one of the most unique restaurants in Kathmandu as it serves food from obscure places in Nepal!

PS: Hostel Nextdoor also does a free walking tour of Patan every day!

Medium-budget: Nepal Pavi\lion Inn

When I say Medium-budget it is still quite cheap. When my husband and I visited Kathmandu we stayed in Hotel Pavilion Inn. I loved it there! It is right in the middle of Thamel and it has absolutely lovely decor. Ask for a room in the back though as I spoke to a woman whose room was at the front and there was a lot of noise.We, on the other hand, did not hear a peep.

I think we paid about $25 per night which we thought was cheap. There is also a nice bar on the top and the owners are incredibly kind. I remember one of the owners walking us to a little nearby shop to pick up MoMo Masala! Anyway, if you are looking for a (kind of) boutique hotel located in Thamel, then you should definately consider staying at Nepal Pavillion Inn. 

Luxury Stay: Hotel Barahi Kathmandu

If you are looking at High end and Luxury you should consider staying at Hotel Barahi Kathmandu. This hotel is super new and is located right between Thamel and Durbar Marg. It means that everything is in walking distance, from world heritage sites to luxury shops. 

Hotel Barahi looks super chique and comes with a gorgeous rooftop pool and a view over the city. I have only stopped here for some food but I can understand why this is number one when looking for luxury accommodation in Kathmandu. I mean – the rooftop terrace alone! 

Sure you can stay at the Dwarikas (super expensive!) but you will literally be staying in the arse end of nowhere and I honestly think some of the rooms and facilities look a bit tired. My husband and I often go to Dwarikas for their fine dining – but we always comment on how badly this hotel is located. 

Is Kathmandu Safe?

Another consideration to make is whether or not the area you book a hotel in is safe or not. I have written an extensive article on the safety in Kathmandu which you can read here. If you want to low-down: most if not all areas in Kathmandu are super safe. I have not once felt unsafe in the 4 years I lived here. The same cannot be said about Dubai (lived there for 2 years) or London (Lived there for 2 years). 

Especially if you are out at night and walking back to your hotel in Kathmandu or the heart of Thamel – you are super safe. I have female friends coming back drunk from Thamel at 3 am in the morning and although they pay a premium for a taxi (understandably) they are super duper safe.