One day in Kathmandu is not enough to explore the places of the valley as Kathmandu is rich in multiple sights to explore that are scattered all around the place. The major attraction of Nepal is mostly situated inside the Kathmandu Valley. Many travelers end up missing major attractions inside the Kathmandu Valley. You should not miss out on the major destination in your one day in Kathmandu. 

A day trip inside the Kathmandu Valley can be a sightseeing trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and explore the unique culture and architecture of people inside the valley. There are plenty of places inside the valley where you can stop and grab a bite to explore the local cuisine. 

Kathmandu is built on a unique combination of Hinduism and Buddhism. The fact that the city is completely mixed up with religion sets it apart from any other destination in the world. Your one day in Kathmandu can be filled with amazing activities to do, places to visit, and exploring the beauty of the capital city. You can check out the important sites that you may explore on your one-day trip to Kathmandu. You can take yourself to the major attractions in Kathmandu:

1. Swayambhunath Stupa (The Monkey Temple)
2. Pashupatinath Temple
3. Boudhanath Stupa
4. Kathmandu Durbar Square
5. Thamel Streets
6. Bhaktapur Durbar Square
7. Nyatapola Temple
8. Dattatreya Temple
9. Siddha Pokhari
10. Changunarayan

Facts about Kathmandu Valley

• Kathmandu was previously known as Kasthamandap, which was built in the 15th century.
• Kathmandu is widely known all over the world as a city of magnificence. The diverse religions and ancient cultures make Kathmandu even more special. 
• Kathmandu has been a shelter for the Newar community for a long time back.
• Kathmandu Valley is full of multiple cultural and heritage sites.
• The capital city of Nepal, Kathmandu is also home to seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 
• Kathmandu is equally beautiful naturally as much as culturally.

When is the best time to visit the Kathmandu Valley?

The best time to visit Kathmandu is during the autumn season from September to November. The autumn season in Nepal is usually dry with a completely clear sky. This season is also the time for plenty of cultural activities and events. Besides Autumn, you can also travel to the city in any of the seasons as there’s no bad time to visit the city. 

Kathmandu has an average annual temperature of 18°C. During the coldest months of January and February, Kathmandu experiences the average weather of 9°C. The hottest month is June during which the climate might get quite warm with the average weather reaching about 23°C. Nepal faces the monsoon season during June which can be a completely wet month. 

After June, you can travel in November, the best month to avoid the rainy season.  Though the monsoon rain doesn't affect the Kathmandu Valley as much as other places in the city, flooding may occur in most parts of the city which might affect your sightseeing plans. You must keep in mind that the monsoon rain will last only a few hours. You should plan your activities with the weather prediction keeping in your mind, so you won’t have any problem visiting Kathmandu during the rainy season.

Itinerary for One Day In Kathmandu

Kathmandu Valley Sightseeing Tour is a great opportunity to visit the most important and popular heritage sights in Kathmandu. The valley is full of numerous sanctuaries, monasteries, and shrines to visit. The city has a great history.

It is believed that the city begins with the Buddhist saint Manjushree, who carved out a passage through which the water of Kathmandu Valley, which was supposed to be like previously, drained out making the area perfect for habitation. The trip can be started early in the morning to explore all the beautiful places inside the valley. 
 

Swayambhunath Stupa

Swayambhunath Stupa, aka, the monkey temple is located on the top of the hill of Kathmandu. The Stupa consists of thousands of stairs that you’ll need to climb to reach the top. From the top, you will have an exceptional view of the whole Kathmandu Valley. You can also check out the small shrines and souvenirs along the way to the top. The temple is called the monkey temple as several monkeys are roaming around the stupa. 

The top of the temple consists of a very beautiful and intriguing monument, a gold-plated thunderbolt. You can get the view of numerous prayer wheels of very large size in the temple. With the Buddhist site, many Hindu temples and deities co-exist in the temple. You can also roam around the sacred pond where people will be tossing the coins. 

Pashupatinath Temple

Pashupatinath Temple is one of the biggest Hindu pilgrimages in the world. It has more than 500 sanctuaries and holy places in total that can be explored. The temple is completely devoted to Lord Shiva. The temple has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can explore the temple which is designed in the pagoda fashion with lovely and unique wood carvings and gold-covered two levels of roofs.

You’ll get an amazing view of the big bronze statue of a bull facing the entrance of the complex as soon as you enter. Apart from the holy temple, you can also check out the Sadhus performing the rites on the river bank of the Bagmati River. You will get a chance to explore the complete place to know about its architecture and beauty.

Boudhanath Stupa

Boudhanath Stupa is the biggest mandala in Nepal. The Boudhanath Stupa is one of the most famous and most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Nepal that is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can also see a full-size dome-shaped structure with fluttering prayer flags as you enter the premises of the Stupa. 

Besides the large stupa, there are numerous depictions of Lord Budhha around the stupa. There is also a petition wheel that encompasses the whole thing. The place is surrounded by numerous beautiful restaurants and cafes where you can spend some time. 

Kathmandu Durbar Square

You can take a great opportunity to explore the historical and religious sites of Kathmandu in Durbar Square. The architecture of the temples and palaces of the place is truly magical. There is a statue of a massive Kaal Bhairav at Hanuman Dhoka, in the Kathmandu Durbar Square which has great significance. The place is also known for being the home of the living goddess of Nepal, Kumari. The place consists of numerous shops selling inventive items and Thanka paintings. 

Thamel Streets

A day around the streets of Thamel can be a great day to explore the narrow streets filled with handicrafts, trekking gear, food, and souvenirs for your loved ones. The streets, located in the middle of Kathmandu, are mostly bustling. You can see the vendors selling the products to the tourists mostly. The narrow alleys of the streets are filled with tourists and locals alike which creates a vibrant and exciting atmosphere. The streets of Thamel are home to numerous hotels, restaurants, bars, and cafes that are highly preferred by most travelers. 

Patan Durbar Square

The beautiful Durbar Square of Patan is situated in Lalitpur. The place has been the courtyard of the old Malla Palace. It is full of Newari architecture that can be a great refreshment for you. You can also take the big chance to visit the three courtyards here, and the square is layered with red bricks on the floor. You can see the matters related to the historical Eastern civilization that is an awful work of art. The major attraction of the place is Krishna Temple. Krishna Temple is a beautiful stone artistry at Patan Durbar Square. The temple is completely built using nothing except stone which is a beautiful piece of art you should not miss. 

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

The amazing cultural city, Bhaktapur is also known as the city of Devotees. Durbar Square is filled with multiple thrilling and inventive buildings from the entrance up to the exit point that you can explore throughout your trip to Bhaktapur. Bhaktapur is still full of many old-style houses. You can witness the many creative pillars with statues of kings, ornamental gates at the entrance, a fifty-five-window palace, and the Nyatapola Temple. You should also try out the regional delicacies and curd in the region before heading to other beautiful places in Kathmandu.

Nyatapola Temple

You can spend some time in the Nyatapola temple, the pagoda-style, five-leveled roofed temple. This beautiful temple is famously known as one of the tallest pagodas built many years back. The architecture of the unique temple attracts thousands of people yearly. Just near the Nyatapola Temple, there is the fifty-five window palace, a gorgeous structure you must not miss. The palace is named after the fifty-five windows carved into its architectural beauty. Another feature of this palace is the entrance gate, which is also referred to as “ The Golden Gate”.

Siddha Pokhari

If you are traveling in the places inside Bhaktapur, Kathmandu, you should not miss the beautiful pond, Siddha Pokhari. Siddha Pokhari is situated at the first town gate in Bhaktapur, which is a lovely man-made pond. The place can be a great place to sit around and chat. Also, the pond contains many beautiful lakes that add beauty to the place.