Things To Do In Thamel – Kathmandu in Nepal

On your Kathmandu visit, there are exciting things to do in Thamel when you want to make the most of your stay away from the mountains.

 

It’s the Tourist Hub of Kathmandu; make no doubts about that fact when preparing for your Nepal trip.

Thamel is where the travellers come before or after their mountain trek to enjoy the big city life for a few days before dispersing in their direction, whichever way that may be.

There are many things to do in Thamel that can keep you entertained for hours, from enjoying a few drinks in a bar to having a relaxing massage. Alternatively, from taking advantage of the low prices in the retail outlets to dining out on an affordable meal in a classy restaurant.

Moreover, once you get past the hagglers on the streets, you’ll find your time in the tourist hub quite pleasant indeed, as you get lost in a world of the fast-paced lifestyle and enjoy chatting to the locals, dodging the motorbikes and making the most of your days in the Thamel District.

Let’s get into the swing of it and discuss what to do in the Thamel area of Kathmandu to help get your Nepal vacation off to the right start from the moment you arrive in the chaotic city of Nepal.

 

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Things to Do in Thamel – Kathmandu – Nepal

 

 

Enjoy hot coffee and WIFI and relax in a Thamel Cafe.

Enjoy a cappuccino or a refreshing tea in Thamel Café, and don’t forget to order a delicious chocolate muffin to go with it. You’ll eventually walk off those added calories.

The one thing about Thamel is there are many cafés in the area, and you’ll have ample opportunities to sit back and take advantage of the complimentary WIFI while browsing through your smartphone or laptop and keeping tabs on events back home.

Best Café’s in Thamel:

• Roadhouse Café Thamel
• Himalayan Java Coffee
• Full Moon Café
• New Orleans Café

 

 

Indulge in a range of fantastic Thamel Restaurant

Whether you’re seeking Western Food, Indian Food or local Nepalese food, including the famous Momos, a nearby Kathmandu restaurant will have the food you are craving.

You can’t go wrong indulging in unique cuisines at various cheap restaurants in Thamel, and they are affordable places to eat.

Therefore, order a glass of your favourite beer or wine, research the dinner menu, and soon enough, you’ll be enjoying your selected meal and mingling with others long into the night.

Best Restaurants in Kathmandu:

• Helena’s Restaurant
• Baardali Café
• KC’s Restaurant & Bar
• The Temple Restaurant & Bar
• Green Organic Cafe

 

 

See Kathmandu Valley from greats heights at a Rooftop Bar

You’ll find a couple of nice Rooftop Bars during your stay in Kathmandu, but none will beat the views from Helena’s Restaurant, which also serves delicious meals and ice-cold beer.

You can dine at the Helena’s anytime you want, but make sure you arrive during the sunset hours on a clear day and fully utilise one of the best views in Thamel for some great Nepal sightseeing during your vacation.

By the way, Helena’s Restaurant serves the best Buffalo Momo’s in Thamel.

 

 

Enjoy the Thamel Nightlife in a local Bar.

Whether you desire a laidback bar or a nightclub where the music is playing, alcohol is constantly pouring. You can dance your way into the night and enjoy the best ofthe Kathmandu nightlife, the choice is yours, and either way will suffice.

It’s a great way to let your hair down after discovering the best Nepal tourist attractions during the day by mingling with friends and having a few drinks.

At least when finished, you don’t have to worry about driving home, because the hotels in Thamel are sure to be nearby.

Best Bars in Thamel:

• Tom & Jerry’s
• Sam’s Bar
• Arena Sports Lounge

 

 

View the Best Tourist Places in Kathmandu with a Day Tour

At times, on your trip to Kathmandu, you’ll want to make things less complicated by not having to bargain prices with a taxi driver or fending off locals who want to be your guide once you pay your admission fee Kathmandu temple you are visiting.

The best scenario is to book a day city tour to visit the tourist places in Kathmandu and get a helpful guide to assist you in your travels by giving you a detailed history lesson on the attraction.

You can organise a tour at a Thamel travel agency or book a day tour online with Klook.

 

Klook.com

 

Organise a Trek and see the best things to do in Nepal

You will probably not trust a local offering you treks while walking the streets of Thamel Kathmandu because you’ll be asked a dozen times while out and about.

However, you can trust the number of licensed travel agencies in Thamel who can help you organise a day trek or longer multiple-day treks for a chance to enjoy the stunning mountains in Nepal.

Therefore, when looking for things to do in Nepal, whether it’s a short three-day Chisapani Nagarkot trek or wishing to brave the conditions to Everest Base Camp, wander into a trusted travel agency and find the suitable hike for you.

 

 

Relax with a Nepalese Massage

in Kathmandu, many reputable massage parlours in Thamel can give you a relaxing massage for an hour or two in various styles, including Deep Tissue Massage, Thai Massage, Shiatsu Massage and Trekkers’ recovery Massage, for those who have just returned from the wilderness.

Of course, there are massage parlours that are less than reputable. Still, the best way to find the most professional salons and avoid the dodgy ones in town is to google the specific massage parlour, check the reviews for what is legit or not and make your decision.

Many suitable Massage Parlours have a 4 out of 5 or even better.

When in doubt, choose the Samsara Spa, which you can book through Klook.

Best Massage Places to visit in Kathmandu:

• Mount Heaven Spa
• The Zen Spa
• Astha Spa & Massage
• Samsara Spa

Klook.com

 

Enjoy Nature at its best in the Garden of Dreams.

When you want to escape the chaos, The Garden of Dreams is the place to be for relaxation in the big city.

The Gardens are only a five-minute walk from Central Thamel, and the meagre cost to enter will persuade you to grab a book, pay the entrance fee and relax for an hour or two in the fresh air.

Inside the Garden of Dreams is a small art museum, a café to enjoy coffee or a sit-down meal, incredible architectural structures and stunning water features to admire from a park bench.

Make this dream garden a priority in your visit to Kathmandu.

 

 

Purchase local souvenirs by shopping in Thamel

It’s not hard to wander into a Kathmandu shop and purchase a local memory, be it the domestic cashmere merchandise, a Singing Bowl, a Mandela Painting, hiking gear or a range of smaller items such as a fridge magnet to bring home with you.

There are many shopping places in Kathmandu where you can get all the above items, particularly in Thamel, where such things are always in your sights and offered to you almost endlessly. So, take home a little bit of Nepal with you and have cherished memories back on your mantlepiece.

 

 

Take a Rickshaw Ride in the Streets of Thamel

You’ll be offered a rickshaw ride about 50-times during any given day in the Thamel area. That is a given.

It’s easy to wander around Thamel street without handing out money for a quick rickshaw ride, but at times, you may feel like, “what the heck, why not.”

Enjoying a ride on the rickshaw is about bartering once again, which is usual in Nepal. Barter about half the price and go from there; even if you fill you are getting ripped off, it’ll only be by a dollar or two, so don’t threat; enjoy the ride and take many pictures.

 

Klook.com

 

Walk to Nearby Kathmandu Attractions

A few attractions are a 15-20-minute walk by foot to the Thamel area; although the trail is not always easy, as you dodge traffic and walk along dangerous paths, it’s still safe enough, and the locals are always helpful n pointing out directions.

A couple of the places to visit in Kathmandu close to Thamel by foot are the Durbar Square Kathmandu, the Swayanbunath Stupa (Monkey Temple) and the Kathmandu Royal Palace.

Depending on how daring or fit you are to walk through the busy Kathmandu area, you could spread your wings even further.

That’s a wrap of things to do in Thamel, a highly entertaining precinct where all the tourists converge in Kathmandu for a good time.

At times, it may seem a little in your face, but don’t fear; Thamel is a beautiful area that will genuinely entertain you for hours on end, and you’ll even make a few friends in the process.