UNESCO World Heritage Site Kathmandu, Nepal

Kathmandu Durbar Square

Verified tickets and local guides for the Malla kings' royal square — including what's actually been rebuilt since the 2015 earthquake, and what's still worth seeing anyway.

Durbar Square Half-Day Cultural Tour in Kathmandu Day trip Entry included Durbar Square Half-Day Cultural Tour in Kathmandu 5 ★ from $150 Kathmandu 2-Day Sightseeing Tour with Panauti and Namobuddha 2 days Entry included Kathmandu 2-Day Sightseeing Tour with Panauti and Namobuddha 5 ★ from $280 Kathmandu Full-Day UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour Day trip Entry included Kathmandu Full-Day UNESCO World Heritage Sites Tour from $160

39 tours from 1 operatorsfrom $100 per person100% free cancellation

In shortKathmandu Durbar Square is the ceremonial core of the old royal city, a dense cluster of pagoda temples, stone courtyards, and palace wings built up around the Malla kings' seat of power. Most of what stands today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, though the site's roots reach back to the Licchavi era.

Updated November 12, 2026

Typical visit
2–3 hours (add 45 min for the Tribhuvan Museum)
Best time to go
7:00–9:00 AM, before tour groups arrive from Thamel
Entry fee (foreigners)
NPR 1,000 (~$8 USD), valid same-day only
Ticket booth hours
Daily, approx. 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
Entry
Included on 23 tours
Typical tour
4 days; 11 day trips

Tours that visit Kathmandu Durbar Square

Guided walks through Durbar Square, paired with nearby heritage sites or built into full Kathmandu Valley itineraries. Every guide listed is vetted for licensing and current knowledge of what's been rebuilt since 2015.

About Kathmandu Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the ceremonial core of the old royal city, a dense cluster of pagoda temples, stone courtyards, and palace wings built up around the Malla kings' seat of power. Most of what stands today dates from the 17th and 18th centuries, though the site's roots reach back to the Licchavi era. It's one of three royal squares in the Kathmandu Valley — alongside Patan and Bhaktapur — inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1979, and unlike a preserved ruin, it still works as a living part of the city: vegetable sellers set up under temple eaves, pigeons scatter across Basantapur's open flagstones, and worshippers file past the gilded Kal Bhairav relief on their way through.

At its center sits Hanuman Dhoka, the former royal palace, and Nasal Chowk, the courtyard where Nepal's kings were once crowned. A few steps away, the carved wooden windows of Kumari Ghar look down on the square — home to the Kumari, a young girl worshipped as a living goddess under a centuries-old Newar tradition, who sometimes appears briefly at the window. The square took heavy damage in the 2015 earthquake, losing the nine-story Basantapur tower and the timber pavilion Kasthamandap, which many historians credit with giving Kathmandu its name. Reconstruction has been deliberate rather than fast: Kasthamandap reopened in 2022 rebuilt with traditional joinery, the Basantapur tower was restored that same year with Chinese government funding, and the Trailokya Mohan Narayan temple's rebuild finished in 2024. A few structures, including the Shiva-Parvati Temple, are still under scaffolding — so the square today is genuinely mid-restoration, which is exactly why a guide who knows what's original versus rebuilt adds real value here.

Plan your visit

  • Buy tickets only at the official booths at the main entrances — anyone approaching you beforehand offering tickets isn't legitimate.
  • Arrive by 8:00 AM for soft light, thinner crowds, and better odds of seeing the Kumari at her window.
  • Tickets are valid same-day only. If you're in Nepal past a day trip, bring your passport and a photo to the tourism office beside Kumari Ghar to extend it for free for the length of your visa.
  • Wear shoes you can slip off easily — several temple interiors require bare feet, and the courtyard flagstones are uneven underfoot.
  • Photography of the Kumari herself is prohibited; ask before photographing worshippers at active shrines.
  • Some structures, including the Shiva-Parvati Temple, remain under scaffolding as of 2026 — don't expect every monument to look fully restored.
  • Pair the visit with the Tribhuvan Museum inside Hanuman Dhoka Palace (same ticket, but it closes earlier at 5:00 PM) for the royal history in more depth.

Frequently asked questions

Is Kathmandu Durbar Square still damaged from the 2015 earthquake?

Partly. Kasthamandap and the nine-story Basantapur tower were rebuilt and reopened by 2022, and the Trailokya Mohan Narayan temple's reconstruction finished in 2024. A few structures, including the Shiva-Parvati Temple, are still under repair, so expect scaffolding alongside the fully restored monuments.

How much does entry cost and where do I buy tickets?

On TripWays, tours that visit Kathmandu Durbar Square range from $100 to $7,910 per person, and half of them cost $810 or less (prices as of November 12, 2026). Tours of a day or less start at $100; multi-day tours start at $255.

Can I see the Kumari, the living goddess?

She occasionally appears briefly at the carved window of Kumari Ghar, though there's no set schedule and photographing her is not allowed. Seeing her isn't guaranteed on any given visit.

Do tours include the entry ticket?

Most guided tours on this page include the ticket in the price — check each listing's inclusions, since a few book the guide only and leave ticketing to you at the booth.

How long should I plan for the visit?

Most travelers spend 2–3 hours in the square itself. Add another 45 minutes for the Tribhuvan Museum inside Hanuman Dhoka Palace, which keeps shorter hours than the square.

Is it worth visiting if I'm also going to Patan and Bhaktapur?

Yes — the three squares complement rather than repeat each other. Kathmandu's is the busiest and most central, Patan's is generally the most architecturally refined, and Bhaktapur's is the best-preserved and least crowded.

How long are tours that visit Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Half of the tours that visit Kathmandu Durbar Square last 4 days or less. By length: Up to 4 hours: 3; 4 hours to 1 day: 8; 2–3 days: 7; 4–7 days: 13; 8 days or more: 8.

Can I cancel a tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square for free?

39 of 39 tours that visit Kathmandu Durbar Square (100%) offer free cancellation. The exact deadline is shown on each tour page before you pay.

Can a solo traveler book a tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Yes: 36 of 39 tours that visit Kathmandu Durbar Square can be booked for one person. The others need a minimum group of two or more travelers, shown on the tour page.

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