Bhaktapur Durbar Square: A Visitor's Guide

Bhaktapur, 14 km east of Kathmandu, was the capital of the whole valley until the 15th century. Today it's the best preserved of the three royal cities, with car-free brick streets, busy working squares and a proud Newar identity. Many people say it's their favourite place in the valley, and we can see why.

The squares

• Durbar Square: the 55-window palace, the Golden Gate and the stone temples in front of it.
• Taumadhi Square: home to Nyatapola, a five-tiered temple built in 1702 and the tallest pagoda in Nepal, guarded by pairs of stone figures all the way up its stairway.
• Pottery Square: where potters still throw pots on hand-spun wheels and leave them to dry in the sun.
• Dattatreya Square: the oldest part of the city, with its famous peacock window carved in wood.

Food

You simply have to try juju dhau, the rich "king curd" served in little clay bowls, and the city's bara (lentil pancakes).

Entrance fee

NPR 1,800 for foreign visitors (checked October 2026). The ticket covers the whole old city, so you can come back on later days as long as you show it. Have a look at our Bhaktapur and Changu Narayan tour.