Thamel is the city's nightlife district par excellence, where tourists can enjoy a lively atmosphere. Its bars feature cover bands and its busy restaurants serve Nepalese and international cuisine. The iconic Garden of Dreams, designed in 1920, houses pavilions, fountains and urns. The area is home to markets and shops selling metal crafts, eye-catching jewellery and hiking gear, and Mandala Street is home to exclusive shops and spa centres.

Kathmandu's Durbar Square is one of the most authentic and photogenic places in Nepal, where it seems that time stood still centuries ago. The square was surrounded by spectacular architecture and clearly shows the skills of Newar artists and craftsmen over several centuries.