Nepal
Asia · Kathmandu · NP
Nepal is a landlocked country wedged between India and China where the Himalayas dominate not just the skyline but the national psyche. Kathmandu's Durbar Square is a riot of pagoda temples and carved wooden balconies, some still being rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake, while the medieval town of Bhaktapur feels frozen in a more ornate century. Trekkers from every nation pass through Pokhara on their way to the Annapurna circuit, where turquoise lakes reflect snow-capped peaks and paragliders circle above the valley. In Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha, a sacred garden of pipal trees and monasteries built by Buddhist nations from around the world offers an unexpected calm. Nepali cuisine is simple but warming: dal bhat, momos, and sel roti served on thali plates that feel like a family tradition. The country's spiritual depth, physical grandeur, and the genuine kindness of its people create an atmosphere that lingers long after the mountains have disappeared from view.
Overview
Nepal is a country in Asia. Its capital is Kathmandu and the international dialling code is +977. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include Nepali. Local currency is the Nepalese Rupee (NPR). Our guide covers 1 airport, including Tribhuvan International Airport. We also list 1 city in Nepal: Kathmandu.
Kathmandu's Durbar Square Temples
Kathmandu's Durbar Square is an open-air museum of medieval Newari architecture, where multi-tiered pagoda temples rise from brick-paved plazas surrounded by bustling markets and half-restored palaces. The Kumari Ghar, a three-story courtyard house, is home to the Living Goddess, a young girl worshipped until she reaches puberty. Scaffolding still covers parts of structures damaged in the 2015 earthquake, a reminder of both fragility and resilience. Carved wooden struts depict erotic and mythological scenes in incredible detail, and the stone steeds flanking the old royal palace entrance are worn smooth by centuries of hands. In the late afternoon, when the light turns golden and pigeons scatter, the square takes on a timeless quality. The surrounding lanes offer spice shops, thangka painters, and tiny vegetarian restaurants serving dal bhat on banana leaves.
Pokhara's Phewa Lake and Annapurna
Pokhara sits on the shore of Phewa Lake, where the reflections of Machhapuchhre and the Annapurna range create a mirror so precise that the waterline becomes almost invisible on calm mornings. Renting a colorful wooden boat and paddling to the center, you watch the mountains change color as the sun rises, their snowfields turning from blue to gold in the space of minutes. The World Peace Pagoda on a hill above town offers a panoramic vantage where paragliders launch into the thermals and circle above the valley like hawks. Lakeside, the main strip has a relaxed character, with bookshops, pie shops, and rooftop bars where trekkers compare route notes over cold Everest beer. Sarangkot, a short drive from town, is the most popular sunrise viewpoint, and arriving in the cold mountain air makes the moment the first light hits the Annapurna wall feel like an earned privilege.
Lumbini's Buddha Birthplace
Lumbini, in the Terai plains of southern Nepal, is the birthplace of Siddhartha Gautama, the Buddha, and carries a quiet gravity that transcends any single religious tradition. The Sacred Garden contains the Maya Devi Temple, marking the exact spot where the Buddha was born, and the Ashoka Pillar erected by Emperor Ashoka in 249 BC to commemorate his pilgrimage. A sacred pool nearby, where Queen Maya is said to have bathed before giving birth, sits still and green beneath ancient trees. The surrounding park houses over twenty-five monasteries built by Buddhist nations from across Asia, each reflecting its country's architectural style: Thai golden spires beside Japanese zen gardens beside Burmese stupas. Walking through the grounds in the early morning, when the air is cool and the only sound is birdsong, you feel the weight of a place that has drawn pilgrims for over two thousand five hundred years.
Everest Base Camp Trek
The trek to Everest Base Camp begins in the mountain town of Lukla and follows the Dudh Kosi valley through Sherpa villages, rhododendron forests, and suspension bridges draped with prayer flags that snap in the wind. At Namche Bazaar, the unofficial capital of the Khumbu region, trekkers acclimatize for a day and hike to the Everest View Hotel, where the first full panorama of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam comes into view. The trail continues through Tengboche, home to a monastery with one of the most spectacular mountain backdrops in the world, and along glacial moraines where the air thins noticeably with each step. Reaching Base Camp itself, a sprawling tent city on the Khumbu Glacier in April and May, brings you face to face with the Khumbu Icefall and the immense south face of Everest. The sense of accomplishment is real, but the landscape is the lasting gift.
Bhaktapur's Medieval Pottery Square
Bhaktapur is the best-preserved of the three ancient kingdoms in the Kathmandu Valley, and its Pottery Square is the most atmospheric corner of the town. The square is an open courtyard where potters sit at their wheels shaping water vessels and ritual offerings, their finished work spread on the ground to dry in neat rows. Surrounding the square, five-story Newari houses with intricately carved wooden windows lean against each other as if centuries of settling have pushed them gently together. The Nyatapola Temple, a towering five-roofed pagoda, dominates the main square and has survived every earthquake since its construction in 1702. Juju Dhau, Bhaktapur's famous creamy yogurt, is served in clay pots from shops along the main street, richer and more complex than anything mass-produced. Walking the quieter lanes, you encounter stone water spouts, hidden courtyards, and the occasional cow resting on a doorstep with indifference to passing foot traffic.
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- Capital
- Kathmandu
- Currency
- Nepalese Rupee (NPR)
- Languages
- Nepali
- Calling code
- +977
- Internet TLD
- np
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Nepal.
Which nationalities can enter Nepal?
Current visa status for tourism for the origins we cover, with links to the detailed requirements.
Airports (1)
All airports →Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Nepal?
For the origins we track, travellers from India currently enter Nepal visa-free for tourism. Entry rules depend on your passport and the purpose of your trip, so check the current requirements for your own nationality with our entry requirements tool.
What is the capital of Nepal?
Kathmandu is the capital of Nepal, and the country sits in Asia.
What currency is used in Nepal?
You pay with Nepalese Rupee (NPR) in Nepal. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Nepal?
The languages we list for Nepal are Nepali. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Nepal?
The dialling code for Nepal is +977 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which airports serve Nepal?
Tribhuvan International Airport (KTM) in Kathmandu is the airport we cover for Nepal.
Which cities in Nepal do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Nepal: Kathmandu (capital).