Looking what Kathmandu has to offer? Then you must spend some time thinking where to stay. While there is a no magical formula that dictates where you want to stay but still as per your purpose of visit along with your personality, you can surely find your own best place to stay.
In order to make it easier to choose, here is our list. We know that the list may not be complete but it will give you a good head start.
1. Thamel
Thamel is the tourist hub in Kathmandu and probably in the whole of Nepal. The relationship between tourists and Thamel most probably dates back to the hippy culture – trying to flee from the nuclear tensions in cold war era.
In Thamel, you can find exciting nightlife, that is almost absent at other parts of Kathmandu. There are numerous travel and trekking companies, from where you can plan exploration of other parts of Nepal. You will find a range of hotels in Thamel, where you can stay.
2. Lazimpat
Lazimpat is another area that might be of interest to you. It is at a distance of fifteen minutes walk from Thamel. However, Lazimpat and Thamel look quite different. Lazimpat is way more spacious and hassle free.
You can find several western style restaurants and cafes in Lazimpat. You cannot get wrong, just choose one that matches your budget and expectations.
3. Patan
Are you coming to Kathmandu in search of for its old cultural and religious roots? If so Patan should be a place of interest to you. Patan is way laid back and peaceful. In the Patan Durbar Square you can find old temples, courtyards along with modern restaurants and hand craft shops.
If the above description, captured your interest, think about staying in Patan. You should be able to get decent, well priced and managed hotels in Patan.
4. Boudha
Boudha is a very popular place for Buddhists – mostly Tibetan refugee population. The name Boudha probably comes from the Boudhanath stupa located in this region. Boudha stupa is also a UNESCO world heritage site.
As you might have guessed, this area is quite peaceful, there are ample restaurants here, where both the room and board is way cheaper than in Thamel.
5. Freak Street
Freak Street is at the South of Kathmandu Durbar Square or Basantapur. This is also a place where early tourists and hippies came to Nepal looking for solace and legal marijuana. But times have changed and you cannot get legal marijuana there but you will still find shops that used to cater to those early tourists.
You can find numerous hotels and restaurants here, find the one you like most.
This is the list for now, if you really read and share it, I promise to add other places as well.
