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Parks & gardens

Basantapur Durbar Square

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Basantapur Durbar Square

Overview

Basantapur Durbar Square is a historic royal palace plaza in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Travelers visit to see traditional Newari architecture, carved woodwork, and multi-tiered temples reflecting the area's cultural history.

Getting There

Located in the central urban core, the plaza is reachable on foot from central areas in roughly 15 to 25 minutes. Taxis and rickshaws take about 10 to 20 minutes, depending on street traffic.

Time to Spend

Allow 1.5 to 2 hours to walk through the courtyards and view the surrounding structures.

When to Visit

Morning offers quieter paths and cooler temperatures before foot traffic builds. The square gets crowded during midday and on festival days. Autumn and spring bring clear weather and moderate temperatures.

Nearby Attractions

You can pair a visit with neighboring points of interest:

  • Hanuman Dhoka (0km): The historic palace located directly in the complex.
  • Kasthamandap (0.1km): A traditional wooden public pavilion.
  • Taleju Temple (0.1km): A historic temple situated right nearby.
  • Kathmandu Valley (0.1km): The surrounding cultural area and old streets.

Updated September 8, 2026 · Edited by the World by City editors

Tickets & tours

Admission prices and opening hours change often, so we don't list them here. Check what's on sale and at what price below — booking ahead can cut the queue at some places.

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Stays near Basantapur Durbar Square

Sorted by distance, walkable ones first. Distances are straight-line.

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Basantapur Durbar Square Nearby stays

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Itineraries including this place

2 nights, 3 days

Lalitpur 3-Day Itinerary (2 Nights)

A 3-day route through Lalitpur grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

3 nights, 4 days

Lalitpur 4-Day Itinerary (3 Nights)

A 4-day route through Lalitpur grouped by daily travel distance for optimal sightseeing.

Good to visit alongside

Hanuman Dhoka

Castles & palaces

Hanuman Dhoka

A royal palace complex on Kathmandu Durbar Square, Nepal, gathering palace buildings from both the Malla and Shah dynasties. It takes its name from the Hanuman statue guarding the entrance and is steeped in historical atmosphere.

0.0 km away
Kasthamandap

Temples & religious sites

Kasthamandap

A wooden temple that once stood in Kathmandu Durbar Square, parts of which dated back as far as the 7th century. It collapsed in the 2015 Nepal earthquake but has since been restored and can be visited again.

0.1 km away
Taleju Temple

Temples & religious sites

Taleju Temple

Taleju Temple is a Hindu temple within Kathmandu Durbar Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, dedicated to Taleju Bhawani, the guardian goddess of the Malla dynasty. It opens to the public only once a year, during the Dashain festival.

0.1 km away
Kathmandu Valley

Nature

Kathmandu Valley

The Kathmandu Valley is a historic valley in central Nepal, home to numerous Hindu and Buddhist heritage sites. Spanning the former royal cities of Kathmandu, Lalitpur and Bhaktapur, seven of its monuments are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

0.1 km away
Maru, Kathmandu

Parks & gardens

Maru, Kathmandu

A historic quarter around the old royal palace square, where temples and palace buildings blend together. As part of a UNESCO World Heritage area, its lanes are ideal for soaking up the historic atmosphere.

0.2 km away
Indra Chowk

Parks & gardens

Indra Chowk

A square located in Kathmandu, Nepal, that makes for an easy stop while getting around the city center.

0.3 km away