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Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square

Bhaktapur Durbar Square
4.5
Ancient RuinsPoints of Interest & LandmarksReligious Sites
About
The ancient city Bhaktapur lies on the Eastern part of Kathmandu valley which is also known as Bhadgaon or Khwopa. The historical monument on around signifies medieval age culture and tradition of Nepal and this old city is inhabited by indigenous Newari people in large group. you can visit to this place to experience Nepali culture,tradition,religion from right way.we are here to support you for your tours.
Duration: More than 3 hours
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  • singhasam
    Weymouth, United Kingdom4,076 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Crammed with history.
    WHEN Nepal was hammered by two huge earthquakes in 2015 it lost more than 600,000 buildings. Many have now been restored but a huge amount of work still needs to be done. This was very evident eight years on when I strolled round Bhaktapur Durbar Square. The main square of the city is crammed with history including a rich mix of stone, terracotta and metal art, wood carving and architectural showpieces. There is the Golden Gate, the statue of King Bhupatindra Malla on top of stone monoliths the National Art Gallery, the palace of 55 windows, the big bell, erotic wood carvings and a host of other wonders. The list is endless. But everywhere there are glaring reminders of the earthquakes not least the incredible number of buildings still held up by baulks of timber or steel. And you don't have to walk far down side streets to find piles of bricks and rubble, stacks of carved timber awaiting their place in restoration work, huge cracks in buildings and spider webs of scaffolding. Nepal's rich history needs all the help it can get and recovering tourism is playing its part. Don't miss a chance to visit this wonderful place and do your bit to help finance recovery.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled solo
    Written 28 November 2023
  • Nabin kafle
    Kathmandu, Nepal7 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    blend of Scenery and Arts
    an amazing place with mix of culture and art. The area around the bhaktapur Darbar square is the town of bhaktapur. the local foods , th ehand crafted arts and the whole environment is pretty amazing t be a part of
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 23 January 2024
  • ChockoChick
    29 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Worth the visit.
    Bhaktapur is definitely worth a visit. We traveled from Kathmandu in a taxi and were very happy with our guided tour. We also ate lunch at a restaurant whilst there and returned with fabulous photographs. I would recommend visiting.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 February 2024
  • Darma Moda
    Jakarta, Indonesia4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    A well preserved and must visit - UNESCO Heritage Old City
    Definitely to me, it was the best square out of three (Kathmandu, Patan and Bhaktapur). It was well maintained and preserved for most parts. I took the bus from Kathmandu to Bhaktapur last stop for just 35 Nepalese Rupees, and walked straight into the city centre with no issue. I really enjoyed my walk around the square
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 11 March 2024
  • Kimberley Kyngdon
    Reston, Virginia4 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Beautiful Place with lots of Temple and unique architecture
    I visited this place back in Nov 2023 when I was in Nepal for Mera peak climbing. I visited Kathmandu durbar square and Bhakatapur Durbar Square. In my opinion Bhaktapur Durbar square has more to visit and I liked it a lot. Big area with lots of temples. Don't forget to visit this place once you are in Nepal.
    Visited November 2023
    Travelled with friends
    Written 27 March 2024
  • Traveling_menons
    United Arab Emirates67 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Lovely architecture to explore, with a commercial touch !
    Very interesting how the old monuments which are fairly still intact after that horrific earthquake of 2015, meet the new commercial aspect of a tourist place. You could spend a whole day there walking & exploring, taking a break in one of the cafes or sit down restaurants all along the way. There are a couple of temples in between , where we witnessed a few processions which are held when small girls become 'women' , which looked like a festival. I don't know how cringy it would be for girls ..
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 27 March 2024
  • selvakumar2015
    Chennai (Madras), India1,038 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sprawling complex of temples and monuments. Spend atleast a day to visit the museum and other monuments.No Guides.
    Perhaps the oldest monarchy in the Kathmandu valley, Baktapur is enroute to Nagarkot from Kathmandu. Rather a sprawling expanse of very old palace complex, temples, stupas and museum, one needs atleast a day to soak in the many sights and sounds. Many buildings were renovated after the rather frequent earth quakes in Nepal. The older, original wood works are pitch black in colour and the renovated wood works are almost sandal wood colour. The malla kings who ruled the city brought in their unique dress code of black and red. The museum is a must visit while you are in the city. Most of the so-called tourist guides are in fact petty shop keepers interested in selling various artifacts rather than showing around the place. So, do not engage any guides. Must visit while you are in Kathmandu. Recommended.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 18 April 2024
  • George S
    Miami Beach, Florida1,629 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Better than Kathmandu’s Durbar Square
    Bhaktapur, a former capital of Nepal, is now a suburb of Kathmandu and a 20-45 minute cab ride away. I should not be missed since, in my opinion, its temples and shrines and architecture are better than Kathmandu’s Durbar Square. The stone and terra cotta temples are impressive and beautiful. Also worth mentioning are the Pottery and Taumadhi squares. There is an admission charge for foreigner of 1000 NR. Not to be missed !!
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 May 2024
  • cristoph2010
    1,349 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Extravagant square
    My tour guide recommended this place for me to visit and it did not disappoint. Construction is ongoing because of the preservation work needed after the 2015 earthquake. I tried to imagine what this place would look like when it was a functioning palace. The royal "swimming pool" (my favorite spot) with its snake motives must have been a sight back then. There are also several temples with varying sizes. There is a section where a community of people is making pottery. Just watch out for ladies trying to sell you stuff. There's a little Ganesh shrine. A sweet elderly man will gesture you to look at the shrine's golden roof for a small donation. Be prepared to offer something or avoid it altogether.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 16 June 2024
  • Shannon S
    New York City, New York2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Mind-blowing architecture
    Mind-blowing architecture with intricate wood and stone carving everywhere. Structure are heavy and beautiful. Local foods around the palace were awesome. I tried some of local foods like chatamari, bara, choila. great place to hang around!
    Visited July 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 22 July 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,700 reviews
Excellent
1,167
Very good
409
Average
83
Poor
21
Terrible
20

Rajeswary R
34 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
I would recommend getting a tour guide if one is keen on knowing the the history and significance of this place. Walking around aimlessly without a tour guide will lead you to many beautiful buildings but without the true meaning and purpose of those buildings. Every corner seem to have rubble and some kind of upgrading/reconstruction going on. Place was dusty.
Written 7 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cuzco76
Glasgow, UK78 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2022 • Family
Highly recommend this as a day trip with kids. You can take a taxi there from Kathmandu for 800 rupees there and 900 return. Entrance is free for under 10s . You are given a map with the ticket which gives you some information about the main sights or hire a tour guide. There’s a locally run coffee shop, lots restaurants to choose. Stunning sights but I would recommend going in the morning for decent photos without lots of other tourists. Kids really enjoyed it
Written 23 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Syeda Adiba
Aurora, IL42 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
This place has incredible architecture that is unlike any other. It is a must-visit place if you like old architecture. It requires about 1.5-2.5 hours to thoroughly visit the place. Mostly crowded with foreign visitors and locals. A ticket per person for SAARC countries is Nepali rupee 100. Not sure if there is any bathroom facility. No restaurants or cafes inside durbar square. But at the entrance, you can find small restaurants selling ice-creams, yogurts, etc. Souvenirs and bag shops are available if you want to do shopping. I suggest you take a tour guide if get all the history of the place because I believe if you go visit a place you should know the ins and outs, tourguide costs you 500 Nepali rupee. Each building has a different value and story. Pictures came really good in this place but as the place is crowded hard to find the right spot. Requires about 20mins from thamel to reach the place but there is always very traffic. carry an umbrella because there is no shed for rain or sun. Walk around the spot, get to know the back story of each building, and take good snaps, this spot has a lot to offer to its visitors.
Written 29 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sid
Hong Kong, China230 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2020
Wow, i went early Sunday morning as it was all waking up. The old city is incredible, the buildings, the smells, the noise, the filth (its Nepal, of course its dirty), the shops and the general way of life here is mesmerising. . I took 100s of pictures and thoroughly enjoyed walking around this amazing old city .. .
Written 24 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Toru O
Setagaya, Japan3,247 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022
A former capital of one of the Nepali kingdoms during medieval times. One of the several historic sites in Kathmandu that you must visit. The buildings sustained quite a lot of damage during the 2015 earthquake but have undergone extensive repair.
Tourists must pay NPR 1,500 to enter to premises. Although it's slightly pricey, it's worth what you see.
Written 7 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

SuBeindra DH
Kathmandu, Nepal11 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2020 • Friends
Bhaktapur Durbar Square is located in the current town of Bhaktapur, also known as Khwopa, which lies 13 km east of Kathmandu. While the complex consists of at least four distinct squares (Durbar Square, Taumadhi Square, Dattatreya Square and Pottery Square) the whole area is informally known as the Bhaktapur Durbar Square and is a highly visited site in the Kathmandu Valley..wow what a wonderful city!!
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

cristoph2010
Toronto1,349 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Solo
My tour guide recommended this place for me to visit and it did not disappoint. Construction is ongoing because of the preservation work needed after the 2015 earthquake. I tried to imagine what this place would look like when it was a functioning palace. The royal "swimming pool" (my favorite spot) with its snake motives must have been a sight back then. There are also several temples with varying sizes. There is a section where a community of people is making pottery. Just watch out for ladies trying to sell you stuff. There's a little Ganesh shrine. A sweet elderly man will gesture you to look at the shrine's golden roof for a small donation. Be prepared to offer something or avoid it altogether.
Written 16 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PJ Lin
Singapore, Singapore18 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Solo
Bhaktapur is indeed refreshing, coming from Katmandu after my EBC hike from Lukla. It gave me the "Bali" vibes and I love the place. But I felt that the experience could have been better if not for the guide whom I engaged with at the entrance (will not reveal the name). He approached me and asked for $1,000 NPR for a tour, which I agreed to. During the tour, he kept asking me about my plans in Nepal and to call him if I needed tours in other areas. He also brought me to shops selling thangka paintings and sound bowls which I suspect could be affiliated to him. Towards the end, I mentioned that I wanted to try some food there (e.g. bara). He brought me to a shop and ordered his share that's more expensive, and expected me to pay for his share as well. Quite frankly, I'll be happy to share my food with him as it's quite a big portion for myself. Alright, on the brighter side, he did take nice photos for me. Overall, I recommend visiting Bhaktapur, but just be a little careful with the guides nearby the entrance. It would be better to just engage someone trustworthy beforehand. =)
Written 14 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shrikant R
19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022 • Family
After our trek to Manaslu our tour company Green Valley Trekking organized a day trip to Bhaktapur. It is a short drive from Kathmandu. A UNESCO heritage site mostly rebuilt after the 2013 earthquake the site has 4 squares boasting numerous temples each one a jewel in its own right. Not to be missed is the Thangka School where students work on the ancient art under the guidance of masters, also a place to buy genuine thangkas. Another not yo be missed is the special sweet yoghurt called Juju dahu. The local market will entrance with its colors. One of the highlights is the peacock doorway called the Mona Lisa of Nepal.
Written 18 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

bill m
22 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2024 • Couples
Overpriced entry fee of $15, full of tacky shops, aggressive guides at the entrance, additional charge to visit the museum. After spending several hours at Patan (which was fantastic), we found Bhaktapur disappointing. It does not have the serene atmosphere as Patan and there are only a few temples to wander around. If you are short of time, skip it and spend time in Patan.
Written 25 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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BHAKTAPUR DURBAR SQUARE (2024) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos) - Tripadvisor

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