Nepal Sightseeing opportunities are virtually endless and range from bustling cities to mountainous regions to conservation areas and National Parks. Here we look at Kathmandu Valley.

There are three major cities within Kathmandu Valley, each of which offers various sights worth seeing. As a bonus, the cities are within easy trekking distance of each other and so the stunning scenery of the valley can be enjoyed at the same time. Kathmandu itself is the current capital of Nepal and is a perfect example of old meeting new. The city has numerous ancient buildings that date back many centuries and it isn’t unusual to find long abandoned temples nestled between modern retail outlets and eateries.

Patan is around 5km from Kathmandu and is known locally as ‘the City of Beauty’. There are superb examples of Buddhist and Hindu temples everywhere and the architecture of the buildings is a great reason for visiting. The city is also known for its expert bronze metalworkers and their handiwork can be seen wherever you look.

Bhaktapaur is not as developed or commercialised as the previous two cities but it has a host of wonderful ancient monuments and buildings that shouldn’t be missed. These include the attractions of Durbar Square with its impressive palace and Golden Gate. Durbar Square is just one of seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites that the three cities have between them.