A visit to Nepal means tasting the traditional Nepali food without a doubt. Kathmandu has a plethora of restaurants, marketplaces, and street food vendors. You should try momo dumplings at the Momo Cafe in Thamel, dal bhat (a substantial lentil stew often served with rice), chatamari (Newari-style rice flour pancakes served with eggs and spicy meat or veggies), and thukpa (a Tibetan noodle soup). 

Swayambhunath, accessible via 365 steps, is one of Nepal's most magnificent religious sites, attracting Buddhist and Hindu visitors to its densely forested mountaintop setting west of the city centre. The whitewashed stupa, designed to symbolise the earth, and its ornate spire, with thirteen tiers symbolising the journey to nirvana, are its most notable features, most likely dating from the early fifth century. You'll also see a lot of monkeys while you're here, and hence the place is also known as Monkey Temple.

The massive Boudhanath stupa is the focal centre of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal and one of the world's largest spherical stupas. It is located just outside of Kathmandu on a centuries-old trade route between Nepal and Tibet. The eyes of the Buddha are painted on the tower that sits atop the massive white dome, and Buddhist prayer flags offer a burst of colour. Walk around the temple clockwise, and shop Tibetan artworks alongside. Witness the spiritual aarti in evenings and feel the cool air. 

On the shores of the Bagmati River, is Nepal's oldest temple: Pashupatinath. A highly respected and visited Hindu temple is also one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (and the only Jyotirlinga which is located in Nepal apart from the eleven in India). This pagoda-style temple has over five-hundred distinct temples spread over the compound. Just outside the temple, you can shop for the rudraksha, the holy stonefruit used as prayer beads by Hindus and a few other religions. Beware of the fake plastic rudrakshas that are sold for INR 20-100 per piece. 

No trip to Kathmandu is complete unless you see Thamel, a frantic maze of little lanes just north of Durbar Square. During the day, it's one of the city's busiest shopping districts, with shops selling souvenirs, jewellery, clothing, and trekking equipment. Later on, it transforms into a bustling hub of nightlife, with numerous bars and clubs staying open until the wee hours of the morning. There are numerous eateries serving both traditional Nepali cuisine and international cuisine. Despite being a traffic-free zone, it's best to be cautious because bikes and rickshaws tend to speed through Thamel.

This tranquil haven on the outskirts of Thamel is ideal for escaping the bustling city streets and unwinding for a bit. The Garden of Dreams, built in 1920, is a picturesque Edwardian-style garden, with various water fountains, birdhouses, ponds, pavilions and pergolas. Do nothing or sit with a book and unwind at this beautiful garden just a walk away from Thamel.