Kathmandu Temples in One Day: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Durbar Square

Last updated 7 October 2026.

You can see Kathmandu's great temples in one day, but I would pair them rather than race through all three. Pashupatinath and Boudhanath sit close together on the eastern side of the city and make one easy day. Swayambhunath on its hill and Kathmandu Durbar Square make the second. If you only have one day, pick the pair that matches what you most want to see.

Those two pairs are our two Kathmandu day tours. The Pashupatinath and Boudhanath Day Tour covers the Hindu and Tibetan Buddhist sides of the city together, and the Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square Day Tour covers the hilltop stupa and the old royal square.

Which temples can you see in one day?

Four of Kathmandu's best-known sights are on the UNESCO World Heritage list as part of the Kathmandu Valley: Pashupatinath, Boudhanath, Swayambhunath and Kathmandu Durbar Square. Our Kathmandu Valley World Heritage guide covers the full list.

On our tours you are collected from your Kathmandu hotel in the morning and returned to it, with lunch in between on Standard and Luxury. Both days use a private vehicle with a driver, sized to your group, and a licensed guide.

What is Pashupatinath and what will you see?

Pashupatinath is the holiest Shiva temple in Nepal, on the bank of the Bagmati river. Only Hindus may enter the main temple, but you can watch from the terraces on the far bank. Cremations take place on the riverside ghats, so this is a place of real mourning and not a show. Your guide will explain what you are seeing before you get there, and you should not photograph the cremations or the families.

For opening hours, the evening aarti and the etiquette, read our Pashupatinath guide.

What is Boudhanath like?

Boudhanath is one of the largest stupas in the world and the centre of Tibetan Buddhist life in Kathmandu. The calm of the place surprises many visitors straight after Pashupatinath. You walk the kora clockwise around the stupa with local people, you can light a butter lamp if you wish, and you can take tea on a rooftop with a view of the whole stupa.

Our Boudhanath visitor guide has the history and the practical details.

What is Swayambhunath like?

Swayambhunath is a hilltop stupa whose painted eyes look out over the valley. Pilgrims walk around it clockwise, and monkeys live on the slopes. Keep snacks and sunglasses in a bag, and do not feed or tease the monkeys. Our Swayambhunath guide explains the way up and the legend.

What about Kathmandu Durbar Square?

Kathmandu Durbar Square is the old royal square, with the Hanuman Dhoka palace, the Taleju temple and the house of the Kumari, the living goddess. Your guide explains who built what and why the square matters to the Newar people. Some buildings are still being restored after the 2015 earthquake, so part of the square may be screened off on the day. Our Durbar Square guide has the history.

What is the best order for the day?

Start early. Morning light is softer, the sites are quieter and Kathmandu traffic is lighter. On Pair 1 we visit Pashupatinath first and Boudhanath second, which leaves time for tea above the stupa before lunch. On Pair 2 we go up to Swayambhunath in the morning and walk through Durbar Square after lunch.

If you try to do all three in one day on your own, expect to spend a lot of it in traffic. A better plan is to put the two pairs on separate days, or to join them as part of a longer stay. Our Kathmandu, Nagarkot and Dhulikhel Tour, 5 days visits all four sites with Bhaktapur and the hill towns, with the sightseeing split across the days.

Which pair should you choose?

Choose Pair 1 if you want to understand how Nepal's two big faiths live side by side. Pashupatinath shows Hindu ritual at its most direct, and Boudhanath shows a living Tibetan Buddhist community, so the contrast is the point of the day. Choose Pair 2 if you prefer architecture, views and history. Swayambhunath gives you the valley from above, and Durbar Square gives you the Newar craftsmanship and the royal story in one walk.

If you have a few days to spare, do both. Each is a short, separate day, so you are not tired by the second one.

What should you wear?

Wear comfortable shoes for cobbles and steps, and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Shoes come off at some entrances, and leather items are not allowed inside a few Hindu temples, so your guide will tell you where. Walk clockwise around stupas, keep your voice low and ask before photographing people.

When is the best time to visit?

September to November and February to May are the best months. Summer is hot and wet, and winter mornings are cool and often hazy. If you are about to start a trek, our guide to things to do in Kathmandu before and after your trek will help you fill a spare day.

What is included, and what are the booking terms?

Both day tours include the guide, the private vehicle, the entrance fees for the sites on that tour, and government taxes and our service charge. Standard and Luxury include lunch, and Luxury adds all non-alcoholic drinks. On Budget, meals are not included. Hotel accommodation is not included, since these are day tours from your Kathmandu hotel.

Groups are up to 12, and you can also book solo. 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 on arrival in Kathmandu 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

Can I enter Pashupatinath? Only Hindus may enter the main temple. Everyone can watch the ghats and the temple complex from the terraces on the far bank.

Is it one day or two? Two sites make a comfortable day. Three are possible, but you would spend more time in the vehicle than at the temples.

Do I need a guide? You do not need one, but a guide changes what you see. At Pashupatinath especially, knowing what the rituals mean makes the visit respectful as well as interesting.

Is it a hard day on the legs? No. It is gentle walking at about 1,400 m, with cobbles and some steps at Swayambhunath and in the old squares.

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