24 Fun Things to Do in Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
Why is Thamel famous?
Thamel is a district in the capital city of Kathmandu where most tourists start and end their journey when they visit Nepal. This tourist hub is home to many of the best restaurants, shops, hotels, and THE place for drunken nights out.
Visitors can find just about anything they need in Thamel, but besides shopping, eating, and sleeping, what else is there to do? In this article, we’ll list 24 fun things to do in Thamel Kathmandu while you wait for your trek or adventure tour to start or plane to leave.
Private Kathmandu Sightseeing Tour – UNESCO World Heritage Sites
Fun Things to Do in Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
The list below comprises of activities directly in the vicinity of the Thamel area of Kathmandu. You will not need to commute or take a long walk for anything on this list since everything is within walking distance from your location.
A few cultural heritages are located on the edge of Thamel- with Kathmandu Durbar Square being 10 minutes away from the southmost side of Thamel.
Some popular places in Thamel and Kathmandu – which this half day tour will all cover or this very thorough 2 day tour – will require either public transport or a long walk that I will not be including: Boudhanath stupa, Pashupatinath temple, Swayambhunath Stupa (monkey temple), and Patan.
Cultural Things to Do in Thamel Kathmandu
1. Kathmandu Durbar Square
Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of Nepal’s most popular tourist attractions. It is also known as Hanuman Dhoka Durbar square, a name derived from a statue of Hanuman, the monkey god, at the entrance to the palace.
The Durbar square is surrounded by temples and palaces dating back to the Malla and Shah dynasties. The Durbar square was the seat of the Nepali royalty until 2008, when Nepal was declared a republic.
Kathmandu Durbar Square is an excellent place to people watch, as there are always a lot of tourists and locals milling about. Take a rickshaw tour past many shops and stalls in the square sell souvenirs and Nepali handicrafts.
2. Admire the Art at the MONA Museum (Museum of Nepali Art)
The MONA Museum is a museum in Thamel that displays traditional and modern Nepali art. The museum’s exhibitions of Nepali art, religious traditions, and contemporary influences help patrons understand the historical and cultural forces at play. (Click here for the latest admission prices)
Even if you’re not an art lover, it’s worth popping into the museum block to see the beautiful area it’s housed in. It’s a beautiful block in the middle of Thamel with a beautiful garden and outdoor seating cafes.
3. Kathesimbhu Stupa and Its Flock of Pidgeons
A bit south of the mainstream Thamel area is the Kathesimbhu Stupa Complex, a popular Tibetan pilgrimage site filled with flocks of pigeons.
The stupa is a Buddhist monument built around 1650AD as a smaller version of the great Swayambhunath Stupa complex. In a hidden courtyard, many tourists may easily miss this spot.
4. Drubgon Jangchup Choeling Monastery
The well-maintained Drubgon Jangchup Choeling Monastery sits majestically in the same courtyard as Kathesimbhu Stupa. Its architecture looks to be lifted directly out of Tibet.
5. Stroll Through the Garden of Dreams (Kaiser Mahal Garden)
The Garden of Dreams is a serene oasis amid urban sprawl on the east side of Thamel. The garden, once neglected, has since been restored to its former glory with the help of Austrian aid.
The Garden of Dreams is perfect for a relaxing stroll or picnic lunch and is next to the former Narayanhiti Palace Museum.
6. Narayanhiti Palace Museum
The Narayanhiti Palace Museum is the former royal palace of Nepal. The museum is for anyone interested in Nepali history and culture.
The palace was completed in 1969, and it served as the home of the Nepali monarchy until the abolition of the monarchy in 2008.
Interesting Classes in Thamel to Learn New Skills
7. Try a Thangka Painting Art Class
Thangka paintings are intricate art designs often depicted with Buddhism religious icons or mandalas that make beautiful souvenirs. Put your artistic skills to the test by enrolling in a class at one of Thamel’s local shops that teach this traditional art form.
Not only will you get to create your own piece of Nepali art to take home, but you’ll also learn about the history and meaning behind each design.
Class Cost: I only talked to one shop owner who was offering a 2 hour class for 2000 NPR.
8. Realign your Chakras With A Singing Bowl Healing Course
Singing bowls have been used for centuries for healing and meditation purposes. They are said to help realign your chakras, or energy centers, and promote balance and well-being.
If you are wondering what the heck I’m talking about, I was in the same boat. You really have to try a healing session to understand what it’s about.
Still interested? A quick summary of singing bowl healing can be described as a sound bath followed by a brief massage with an ayurvedic liquid. You sit or lay down while the practitioner uses various-sized singing bowls around your body, starting from your head down.
The vibrations from the bowls create different tones. They are supposed to help you relax, let go of any negativity, and find any mental or physical problems in your body.
I tried a 2 hour session with a random guy I met on the street, and I can only describe the experience as strange but peaceful. But, I am also not the most spiritual person. If you would like to get in touch with your spiritual side, here’s a modern shaman whose got a middleman on viator.
9. Nepali Food Cooking Class
Momos, Dal Baht, Lassi, oh my! If you’re a foodie, try a Nepali cooking class while in Thamel. You’ll not only get to learn how to cook some of Nepal’s most popular dishes, but you’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how Nepali families live and eat. And, of course, you’ll get to eat whatever you make in class!
Fun fact: People in Nepal mostly eat with their hands. I don’t mean finger food but think like curry rice.
👉 Book a Highly Rated Half Day Cooking Class in Thamel
10. Khukuri Making Workshop (Gurkha Knives)
With the help of a blacksmith, you can make your own Gurkha khukuri out of scrap metal.
What is a khukuri knife? It’s a type of machete originating from the Nepali hill region of Gurkha, with a curved blade heavier at the top and tapers down to a sharp point.
The khukuri is the official weapon of the Gurkha soldiers, who are known for their skill and bravery in battle.
If you’re interested in learning more about the history and making of these famous knives, sign up here for a workshop. You’ll see the entire process from start to finish and even take home your hand-crafted knife.
11. Train For Your Trek With Rock Climbing
Planning on trekking in the Nepal Himalayas? You’ll need to shape up before your trip. Thamel is the perfect place to start training, with its two rock wall climbing gyms – Astrek Climbing Wall and Kathmandu Sport Climbing Center.
12. Take a Yoga Class
You don’t have to be a yoga enthusiast to enjoy a good yoga class. Nepal is the perfect place to try it out, as the close neighbor of the birthplace of yoga (northern India).
For something different, I have also seen an ad for Aerial yoga, a type of yoga that uses a hammock-like fabric suspended from the ceiling.
13. Barista Class latte art training
Ahh Himalayan Coffee.
And what better way to enjoy Nepali coffee than by learning how to make it yourself? In Thamel, White Blosson Barista School offers barista training and latte art classes.
The More Usual Things to Do in Thamel, Kathmandu
14. Enjoy The Nightly Live Music Scene
One of the best things about Thamel is its vibrant nightlife. Many bars and restaurants offer live music every night.
One of the most famous live music venues is Purple Haze (pictured below), a rock bar featuring an interior design of cassette tape-lined walls and an entire concert stage inside. They have live bands every day playing a mix of Nepali and western songs.
15. Bar Crawl and Party Hard in the Thamel Nightlife
Let loose and have some fun! No trip to Thamel is complete without bar-hopping and clubbing! Start at one of the many rooftop bars for stunning views of the city, like Pauline’s Rooftop, then make your way to some of the live music venues.
End the night at any of Thamel’s plenty of clubs, where you can dance the night away.
- LOD – Lord of Drinks is “self-proclaimed” renowned as one of the best clubs on some list
- Supper Club can be pretty great for some later-in-the-night techno
- Sugar KTM is the hip-hop venue
16. Sip Milk Tea or Lassi in One of Thamel’s Many Cafes
One of Nepal’s most defining features is its numerous coffee shops and tea shops. If you’re looking for a break from exploring, stop into one of these local spots and enjoy a cup of steaming milk tea or refreshing lassi.
In pursuit of the best lassi in Kathmandu, I found a few shops in the center of Indra Chowk. It’s located between Thamel and Durbar Square. There are two close contender shops, and they’re both pretty great.
17. Cross Off Your Nepali Food Bucket List
Nepal has a saying, “Dal Bhat Power, 24 Hours”. You can’t come to Nepal and not try foods like Momos and Dal Bhat at the very least.
On this food tour, once you’ve had your fill of momos, move on to some of Nepal’s other traditional dishes like Newari Khaja (a traditional platter of rice-like flake with a peanut mix), Choila (dried meat served with rice puffs), and Juju Dhau (the most amazing “king curd”).
And don’t forget to wash it down with a refreshing glass of Nepali lassi! This yogurt-based drink is delicious and will help cool you down after a spicy meal.
Notice for Vegetarians! Nearly all restaurants offer plentiful options for non-veg and vegetarians.
👉 Discover the Kathmandu Food Trail by following your stomach and your guide
18. Modern, Local Architecture Contrasted With Copious Temples
All of Kathmandu, nay all of Nepal, is home to an insane amount of Hindu temples, Buddhist temples, and shrines. Walk down any narrow path, and a small offering covered in candlewax and tika can be found.
While this may be quite a generic thing to do in Thamel, I’ve found it very interesting walking around to the tops of rooftops or finding crazy juxtapositions of religious temples surrounded by modern architecture.
19. Information Shop at Travel Agencies To Plan Your Nepal Agenda
As you walk through the narrow streets of Thamel, you may be bombarded with people constantly asking you what you are looking for. It can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first visit in Nepal.
Thamel is one of the best places to start planning your Nepal adventure. Whether you’re interested in trekking, Chitwan jungle safaris, white water rafting, or simply exploring the local culture of Kathmandu Valley, there’s a tour agency that can help you plan the perfect trip.
Be sure to shop around and compare prices before booking anything, as some agencies are known to charge more than others.
Insider Tip! The street commission system includes everyone, from travel agents to vendors selling SIM card data packages. Whenever a friendly stranger leads you somewhere, and you buy something, they will receive a commission. Therefore, they are not incentivized to bring you to the best deal places.
20. Saggamattha Bazaar Mandala Street
If you want to go souvenir shopping or get a good bargain, head to Saggamattha Bazaar Mandala Street, a walking street in Kathmandu. This busy market is open daily and is full of street vendors selling everything from hand-carved wooden masks to handmade jewelry.
And when you’re tired of shopping, stop for a bite to eat at one of the street’s delicious food stalls.
Be sure to haggle with the vendors – it’s expected, and you can usually get a better price if you do.
👉 If you’re interested in other markets like Ason and Bhirkutimandap bazaar, book this night market walking tour
21. Shop Souvenirs for the Whole Family
If you’re looking for unique gifts to take home, swing by the countless souvenir shops selling everything from handicrafts to traditional Nepali clothing.
Memorable souvenirs from Nepal:
- Singing Bowls
- Cashmere Textiles
- Thangka Paintings
- Hippie Style Clothing
- Hemp Textiles and Bags
- Knock-off Trekking Gear
- Prayer Flags
- Mala Beads
👉 If you’re trying to get the best of the best, AKA not fake stuff, hire a local guide to make sure you are actually getting what you expect you are getting.
22. Get Geared Up For Your Cold, Hard Trek
If you’re planning on trekking while in Nepal, Thamel will get you geared up. You’ll find everything you need for your trek, from hiking boots to down jackets, in the many mountaineering outdoor shops.
Remember to pick up other essential supplies like a first-aid kit and a water filter. And if you’re not sure what gear you need, ask – the staff at these shops are typically very knowledgeable and can help ensure you have everything you need for a safe and enjoyable trek.
23. Keep Up to Date on the Latest Blockbusters at the Multiplex Cinema
Keep up with the Hollywood blockbusters with a movie at QFX Cinemas Chhaya Center. This popular cinema is located on the eastern side of Thamel.
24. Get A Traditional Nepali Massage
As with many tourist areas in Southeast Asia, massages and spas are aplenty. Massage parlors in Nepal tend to sell by advertising post-trek relief packages, which are said to help relieve stress, tension headaches, and muscle aches.
There are many massage shops in Thamel, so you’ll have no problem finding one that suits your needs.
Where to Stay in Kathmandu, Nepal
Thamel is the best place to get a wide variety of accommodation options, from budget hotels to nicer resorts.
Note: If you request it, most hotels in Thamel will have a space to stow away any belongings you won’t need on your trek or adventure tour.
✅ OASIS OF TRANQUILITY WITH FREE BREAKFAST – Avataar Kathmandu Hotel
⭐ RATING: 8.3 out of 10 Stars (275+ reviews) | $$
Starting at only $28, Avataar Kathmandu Hotel is quiet but still close to all the action, a peaceful oasis in the bustle of the city. The rooms are clean and well-maintained, and the staff is friendly and helpful. The hotel is also very secure, so you can feel confident leaving your belongings unguarded.
✅ STYLISH TRADITIONAL ARCHITECTURE PRIVATE ROOM- Newa Home
⭐ RATING: 8.5 out of 10 Stars (100+ reviews) | $$
On the low end, Newa Home sits just at the northeast edge of Thamel with a good deal with private rooms starting at ~$10 per night. What sets this place apart is its traditional architecture which makes for a beautiful reception area and clean rooms.
✅ CLEAN BUT DIRT CHEAP HOSTEL – Bodhi Tree Hostel
⭐ RATING: 9.5 out of 10 Stars (275+ reviews) | $
Shockingly, there are many 400 NPR per night ($3 USD) hostels in the Thamel area. Warning: I got bedbugs in two different beds at a highly-rated hostel. Upon returning to Kathmandu, I was more cautious and found Bodhi Tree to be a great value find. The room was clean, bright and had better amenities than before.
Wrap-Up: Fun Things to Do in Thamel Kathmandu, Nepal
With its abundance of shops, restaurants, sleepless nights, and nearby cultural sights, the vibrant neighborhood of Thamel Kathmandu is a great place to kick off your adventures in Nepal. Whatever you end up choosing to do in Thamel, we know you’ll have a great time!
