Bhaktapur Day Trip from Kathmandu: Durbar Square, Potters' Square and Changunarayan

Last updated 7 October 2026.

Bhaktapur makes an easy one-day trip from Kathmandu. It is an old Newar city about 12 km east of the capital, and the best day pairs its Durbar Square, the five-storey Nyatapola temple and the potters' square with Changunarayan, a hilltop temple above the valley. You walk at a gentle pace, and you are back at your hotel by late afternoon.

That is exactly how our Bhaktapur and Changunarayan Day Tour runs. This guide explains what each stop is like, so you can decide whether the day suits you.

What is a Bhaktapur day trip like?

We collect you from your Kathmandu hotel in the morning and drive east to Bhaktapur. You walk Durbar Square, then the five-storey Nyatapola temple and the palace with its carved windows, and then the potters' square, where clay is still shaped and dried in the open. After lunch we drive to Changunarayan, walk around its old village, and return to your hotel in the late afternoon.

The vehicle is private, sized to your group, and a licensed guide goes with you. Groups are up to 12, and you can also book solo. The city sits at about 1,400 m, so the walking is easy on the lungs, though the cobbles and steps are hard on tired feet.

What will you see in Durbar Square?

Bhaktapur Durbar Square is part of the Kathmandu Valley World Heritage listing, which you can read about in our Kathmandu Valley World Heritage guide. The palace faces the square with rows of carved windows, and temples stand around it. The five-storey Nyatapola temple is a short walk away in Taumadhi Square, and it is the building most visitors remember.

Some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so part of a square may be screened off on the day. That is part of how the city looks now. For the history, the earthquake and what has come back, read our longer guide to Bhaktapur.

What is the potters' square?

Bhaktapur is known for pottery and woodcarving, and the potters' square is where you see the first of those at work. Clay is shaped and dried in the open, and pots are set out in rows in the sun. It is working life, not a show. Ask before you photograph anyone, and do not block the potters' work.

The city's best-known sweet, juju dhau, is a thick curd set in a clay pot, so the craft and the food are closely tied. Ask your guide where to try it. If you want to see more of Bhaktapur's crafts, our guide to thangka painting in Bhaktapur is a good next read.

What is Changunarayan?

Changunarayan is a Vishnu temple on a ridge above the valley, in a quiet Newar village. It is one of the oldest temples in the valley, with stone and metal carvings that are more than a thousand years old. After the busy squares of Bhaktapur, the pace slows. We walk around the old village before the drive back.

Our Changunarayan guide covers the temple, its history and the walking route from Nagarkot.

What does the day look like in order?

How does Bhaktapur compare with Kathmandu and Patan?

Bhaktapur is smaller and less hurried than Kathmandu, and its street plan still follows a medieval pattern. If you want the biggest royal square and the busiest temples, our Kathmandu Durbar Square guide is the place to start. If you want a quieter Newar day with craft villages, read our Patan, Bungamati and Khokana day trip. Bhaktapur is the one I would pick if you want to watch people working, not only look at buildings.

Who is this day for?

It suits first-time visitors, families, people who want a cultural day without a long drive, and trekkers who have a spare day before or after the mountains. It is less suited to anyone who cannot manage uneven ground and steps, since the squares are cobbled and the temples have steep plinths. Tell us when you book if you walk slowly, and we will pace the day to you.

What should you wear and bring?

Wear comfortable shoes for cobbles and steps, and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees at temples. Shoes come off at some entrances, so slip-ons are easier. Leather items are not allowed inside a few Hindu temples, so ask your guide before you go in. Bring water, sun cream and a hat in warm months, and a warm layer on cool mornings.

When is the best time to go?

September to November and February to May are the best months. Summer is hot and wet, and winter mornings are cool and often hazy. The day is short and low, so it works well as a rest day before or after a trek.

What is included and how do you book?

All tiers include the licensed guide, the private vehicle with driver, the entrance fees for Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changunarayan, bottled water in the vehicle and a first aid kit. Standard includes lunch at a good local restaurant, with tea or coffee. Luxury has a senior guide, a more spacious air-conditioned vehicle, lunch with all non-alcoholic drinks and unlimited bottled water. Budget does not include lunch. Tips, personal expenses and shopping are not included, and hotel nights are not included.

If you have a second day, read our guide to Kathmandu temples in one day. If you want to add a night on a ridge, the Kathmandu, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel Tour, 5 days includes Bhaktapur on day 3.

The deposit is 10 per cent and it is non-refundable, with no refund if you cancel. You can reschedule free of charge with at least 72 hours notice, to any date within one year. The balance is paid in USD or EUR, cash or by card. Card carries 3.5 per cent and cash in Kathmandu carries none. We do not take Nepali rupees from foreign clients.

Questions people ask

Is one day enough for Bhaktapur? For the main squares and Changunarayan, yes. The day is built for a walking pace, not a rush.

Do I need to be fit? No. There is a lot of walking on cobbles, but no hard climbing.

Will restoration work spoil it? Some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, and part of a square may be screened off. The rest of the city is open and lived in.

Do I pay entry fees at the gate? The entrance fees for Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Changunarayan are included in the tour.

Can I travel solo? Yes, the day runs for one person. Groups are up to 12.

Written by Shreejan Simkhada, CEO of The Everest Holiday, from a family of three generations of family guides. TAAN Member #1586. WhatsApp +977 9810351300.