Nepal is one of those exotic destinations where most travelers feel like in a different world.
It is a place with a long history and worship culture, it’s basically packed with sacred places where tourists can admire the massive temples, feel the supernatural power from above, pray for their soul, relax their mind and body. Other nature lovers visit Nepal for their National Parks, admire the animals and the beauties of nature.
There are many amazing tourist attractions in Nepal but we urge you to visit these top 10 must see destinations in Nepal in case you are planning a vacation there.
10. Janakpur
Janakpur is the birth place of Goddess Sita. Janaki Temple is one of the largest temples in Nepal and many Hindus come to this temple to pray for their Goddess. Rama Sita Bibaha Mandir temple is the place where Rama and Sita were married. Sri Ram Temple is the oldest temple in Janakpur.
Moreover, there are more than 200 sacred ponds in the city for ritual baths. If you are Hindi, there is no better place for tourism than this one!
9. Madhyapur Thimi
Madhyapur Thimi is a municipality in Bhaktapur District between Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur in the Kathmandu Valley. This destination is very ancient and has a very rich cultural and religious history.
The town has many temples dedicated to various gods and goddesses such as the Balkumari Temple, Mahalaxmi, Thimi Durbar (Layaku), Siddhikali Temple, Dachin Barahi temple, Vishnu Bir temple and other. So far, we observe that Nepal is a perfect tourist attraction both for those who like to admire the architecture, buildings, history, and those who want to admire the nature, the wildlife and just be overwhelmed by the beauty of our world.
8. Annapurna Circuit
Another destination which hikers are going to love is the Annapurna Circuit. The trek passes through the Himalayas, across gorges, over desert plateaus, through lush subtropical valleys and many sacred sites. The journey usually takes about 15-20 days from the starting point in Kathmandu to the finishing point in Pokhara.
The trek could be a challenge for new hikers since there are numerous river crossings over steel and wooden suspension bridges. However, you could never exceed your abilities if you don’t get out of the comfort zone. Have a safe trip!
7. Chitwan National Park
Another natural destination is the Chitwan National Park. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984 and shelters some of the rare and endangered animal species like Bengal tiger and the one-horned rhino.
Tourists can also admire animals like elephants, Indian bison, sloth bears, leopards and other species in their natural habitat. Be sure that you will be impressed by this experience and will look forward to returning back.
6. Nagarkot
If you want to get out of the city, escape from all the noise, rush and crowds, Nepal has excellent options for travelers who want to be one with nature. Nagarkot is a perfect destination for this matter.
Be amazed by the Himalayas’ stunning view and relax both your body and your mind. Hikers are going to love the Nagarkot panoramic hiking trail, which includes the Nagarkot Nature Trail and the Tamang Village Walk. The whole 12 km hike lasts about 3-3.5 hours. We promise you that you are going to be very satisfied with this journey.
5. Lumbini
Lumbini is thought to be the birthplace of Buddha. It is also included in UNESCO World Heritage Site, and from the start, we understand the importance and the sacred power of this city. If we translate Lumbini, that would mean “the lovely”, and yes, it is a lovely city considering that Buddhism was founded here.
You could admire all the beauties of this destination at the Maya Devi Temple, Lumbini Monastic Site, Royal Thai Monastery, Eternal Peace Flame, Myanmar Golden Monastery and other attractions that will take your breath away.
4. Bhaktapur
Bhaktapur is the 3 largest city in the Kathmandu Valley and was the capital of Nepal during the “Malla Kingdom” until the 2nd half of the 15th century. This city was added to UNESCO World Heritage Site for its rich culture, temples and other artworks.
Among the best tourist attractions in Bhaktapur are Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Changu Narayan, Taumadhi Square, 55 Window Palace, Dattatreya Temple, and Vatsala Durga Temple.
3. Lalitpur
Lalitpur is the 3rd largest city in Nepal, after the 2 mentioned above. Lalitpur is also known as Manigal and historically it is known as Patan. This sub-metropolitan city has a rich cultural heritage and is also known as the city of feast and festival. The Patan Durbar Square was added to UNESCO World Heritage register. This central square is a must see destination for any traveler who passes by.
Other attractions to admire in the city are Patan Museum, Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), Krishna Mandir Temple (Chayasim Deval), Mahaboudha Temple, Khumbeshwar Temple and much more. They are just too many to mention but make sure to visit at least some of these unbelievable destinations.
2. Pokhara
Pokhara is the second largest city in Nepal, after Kathmandu, and has the status of Sub-Metropolitan City. Three out of the 10 highest mountains in the world are near this city, namely Dhaulagiri, Annapurna I and Manaslu. Therefore, you can imagine what a beautiful sight this city has. The air is pure and all your sensorial organs won’t have enough of what they feel, see, hear and smell.
Besides visiting the most popular tourist attractions in this city, such as the Peace Temple, International Mountain Museum, Begnas Lake, Barahi Temple, Gurkha Memorial Museum, you could also attend some outdoor activities like hiking, camping, parasailing and paragliding.
1. Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the capital city of Nepal and also the largest city in this country. It is the only city, which has the status of Metropolitan City. This destination is surrounded by 4 hills, namely Shivapuri, Phulchoki, Nagarjun, and Chandragiri.
The place itself is a living, breathing destination for believers or other enthusiasts of sacred buildings. In this amazing city, you could admire the Swayambhunath Temple, Pashupatinath Temple, Kopan Monastery, Garden of Dreams, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Basantapur Tower and much more. Make sure to taste the local cuisine. It’s unique and super amazing.