The 15 Best Durbar Square Tours in the Kathmandu Valley

1.Bhaktapur & Patan Durbar Square Day Tours

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 122 reviews · from $50Our pick

Set out at 9:15 am in a private air-conditioned vehicle with a local English-speaking guide, such as Rajendra Manandhar. Visit Bhaktapur’s three main squares, Patan Durbar Square, its carved courtyards, and the 12th-century Golden Temple. Allow 6 to 8 hours, plus entrance fees.

“We have visited tei cities. Patan and bhaktapur. Our guide, Rajendra Manandhar, was kind, patient and very aknowledges. He told us a lot about the history and also took pictures of us. I can truly reccomend. Thank you for this great experience.”

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2.Kathmandu Sunset Tour by Rickshaw Including Durbar Square Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 73 reviews · from $50

Join a small-group evening rickshaw ride from Thamel through Asan market to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Your guide points out temples, shrines, shops, and local life, with the square’s entrance fee included. Expect about 2.5 hours, a 6 pm start, and no included food or drinks.

“we were in luck as there was a festival happening that evening...people everywhere, locals and tourists.... drums and chanting, people dancing. I enjoyed myself.”

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3.Old Kathmandu Walking Tour, Historic World Heritage Durbar Square

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $28

Walk through Kathmandu’s old quarters with a local guide such as Mahesh Shreshtha or Modo. See Newar Buddhist courtyards, Asan Market, Seto MachhindraNath Temple, Kathmandu Durbar Square, Kumari Chowk, and Kathesimbu before tea at Cafe Mitra.

“This was an excellent tour. I was able to learn and experience so much, including meeting a Hindu priest at a small beautiful temple and interacting with him and getting to see the living child goddess. Modo was a great guide.”

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4.City tour of Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 20 reviews · from $110

Spend about eight hours with a private guide exploring Patan and Bhaktapur, including Krishna Mandir, the Patan Museum, Nyatapola Temple, Dattatreya Temple, and the 55-Window Palace. Pickup is available inside Kathmandu’s Ring Road, including Boudha.

“A well guided and informative tour. I would definitely recommend thanks to our excellent guide.”

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5.Bhaktapur Old City and Durbar Square Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 15 reviews · from $65

Travel from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur with a private vehicle and guide, then explore Durbar Square, Pottery Square, Siddha Pokhari, Nyatapola, Dattatreya, Bhairavnath, Taleju, and the 55 Window Palace. Guide Rabina has received special praise for her friendly, clear explanations.

“A fascinating city. The only damper was the rain. With so many damaged buildings due to the 2015 earthquake, I hope the people of Bhaktapur can rebuild sooner rather than later. Our guide was so welcoming and knowledgable. The ride out of Kathmandu also gave us a view of everyday Nepalese life.”

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6.Kathmandu Durbar Square – Private/Small Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 13 reviews · from $15Best value

Join a guide such as Santosh, Sandip, or Shreeya for a three-hour walk from Thamel to Kathmandu Durbar Square. Visit Wasya Dyaa, Seto Machindranath Temple, Hanuman Dhoka, and Kumari Ghar while learning local customs, beliefs, and city stories in a group of no more than five.

“Santosh from Amazing Kathmandu was a very punctual guide, with lots of local knowledge on religion, local customs and local stories. We had an amazing tour for 3 days. Even though I have been to Kathmandu several times, Santosh”

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7.Nagarkot Sunrise & Bhaktapur Durbar Square UNESCO Heritage Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 12 reviews · from $55

Leave Kathmandu before dawn with a private vehicle and English-speaking guide such as Prakash or Ramesh. See the Himalayas from Nagarkot, then explore Bhaktapur’s temples, 55-Window Palace, pottery traditions, Juju Dhau, and Thanka art.

“Amazing once in a lifetime experience.guided with care and in-depth knowledge of this unique country.Every day was a complete joy. I highly recommend Prakash Aryal and his company to anyone travelling to Nepal”

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8.Patan & Bhaktapur Durbar Square Tour with Lunch – Private/Group

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 11 reviews

Explore Patan and Bhaktapur with a private English-speaking guide, including Krishna Mandir, the Golden Temple, Nyatapola Temple, and Pottery Square. Sajini has guided some departures, with private hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and a lunch box included. Allow four to five hours.

“Very good half day visit of Bhaktapur Safe drive with on time pickup. Good explanation of the site with the complete visit. I would recommend”

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9.Private Half-Day Tour of Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Temple

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · from $47

Visit Kathmandu Durbar Square and Swayambhunath Temple with a private English-speaking guide and driver. You’ll explore Newar palaces and temples, then climb to the Monkey Temple for Buddhist art, prayer wheels, and Kathmandu Valley views. Hotel or airport pickup and drop-off are included.

“We had a group of 13 people and we had a great experience on our tour! This is a great way to see Kathmandu from a local prospective.”

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10.Nagarkot Sunrise, Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Square Tour in Kathmandu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $130

Leave your Kathmandu hotel at 4 a.m. for Nagarkot’s sunrise, then visit Bhaktapur and Patan Durbar Squares. A private vehicle and guide handle the long day, while you explore pagoda temples, royal courtyards, the Patan Museum, and the Golden Temple. Clear weather may reveal Everest.

“The sunrise tour was incredible! I don't know how our driver managed that mountain! My guide was so personable and gave me time to view everything. I would love to do it again.”

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11.Three Durbar Square Private Day Tour in Kathmandu

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 10 reviews · from $65

Spend about six hours visiting Kathmandu, Patan, and Bhaktapur Durbar Squares by private vehicle. Guides such as Umesh and Rajan tailor the pace, explain Newar art and royal sites, and allow time for photos and shopping. Entry fees, lunch, and drinks cost extra.

“This was a great tour. My guide, Umesh was really knowledgeable and I learned a lot about the sites we saw. I never felt rushed in exploring. He also gave me ample time to look at shops or take photos. Lunch was great and had a nice view. Best tour guide!!!”

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12.Bhaktapur Durbar Square and Boudhanath Stupa

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 7 reviews · 5 hours · from $60

Visit Boudhanath Stupa and Bhaktapur Durbar Square by private car with an English-speaking guide. Expect prayer wheels, monasteries, Newari temples, artisan workshops, shopping, hotel pickup, and flexible drop-off. Guides such as Bijay and Prakriti are praised for warm, personal tours.

“This was truly an experience of a lifetime. My guide was Bijay, and words could not describe how kind, sincere, knowledgeable, helpful and welcoming he was during the tour. The places we visited was more then just a place, it had an incredible history, so much to see and experience, and made my time in Nepal one to remember. We also met another guide Karma, who was a friend of Bijay, and we spent the evening together in the night life of the city, something I would never do alone!! I highly recommend this tour and the tour guide Bijay. 🙏🙏”

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13.Nagarkot sunrise with trip to Changu Narayan Temple and Bhaktapur Durbar Square

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · from $142

Leave Kathmandu at 4:30 am for Nagarkot’s Himalayan sunrise, then visit Changu Narayan and Bhaktapur Durbar Square with a private guide. Rajat Khatiwada is one guide who has led this route. Transport, entrance fees, and hotel pickup inside Kathmandu’s ring road are included.

“The weather was great for the sunrise view, although the hazy air pollution meant the view was not very clear, thus not really able to see Everest. The guide was knowledgeable and a decent driver. The sites were nice to see. The tour was about 4.5 hrs, 5am-9:30am, so not necessary for a lunch stop as noted.”

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14.3 Major Durbar Square Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours · from $86

Spend five hours visiting Nepal’s three great Durbar Squares with a private English-speaking guide and transport from Thamel. See Hanuman Dhoka and the Kumari’s residence, Patan’s Krishna Mandir, and Bhaktapur’s Nyatapola Temple. Guides such as Pranav and Aneel, also called Karma, are praised for clear storytelling.

“Had a wonderful tour of Durbar Square! Our guide, Pranav, was truly exceptional—fluent, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the history, culture, and architecture of the place. He explained everything so clearly and made the whole experience memorable. Thank you for the excellent guidance! Highly recommended.”

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15.Kathmandu Durbar Square | Holi Festival Celebration 2 March

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 4 reviews · 6 hours · from $35

Spend six hours at Kathmandu’s Basantapur Durbar Square for Holi on 2 March 2026. A local English or Hindi-speaking guide leads you from Paknajol or your Thamel hotel to music, dance, colored powder, the Holika Dahan tradition, historic temples, and a Nepali thali lunch.

“This trip was absolutely amazing!!! As 3 young females traveling alone we were mildly worried about safety while experiencing Holi - however this family ensures that not only did we feel safe safe the entire time, but also that we had THE BEST possible experience. This was a bucket list experience that could not have been executed any more perfectly. This is a family business and it is clear that they put their genuine care for you first and want you to have the best time. Additionally, they also let us schedule a last minute hike with them on Saturday morning which was amazing. These are the best of people…”

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