World by City

Temples & religious sites

Swayambhunath

Open in Maps
Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath

Swayambhunath is a Buddhist stupa and temple complex located on a hilltop west of Kathmandu. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its religious significance and the large population of monkeys that inhabit the grounds. Visitors go here to observe the architecture, participate in local spiritual practices, and view the Kathmandu Valley from the summit.

Getting There

The site is accessible from the city centre via taxi or local transport. Depending on traffic conditions in Kathmandu, the journey typically takes 20 to 40 minutes.

Duration of Visit

Allow approximately 2 to 3 hours to climb the stairs, explore the stupa, and walk around the temple complex.

When to Visit

Early morning or late afternoon are the most suitable times to visit to avoid the midday heat. The site gets crowded during religious festivals and on weekends. The autumn and spring seasons generally offer the clearest visibility of the valley.

Nearby Attractions

The location can be combined with other sites in the area:

  • Natural History Museum of Nepal: 0.2km
  • Thamel: 2km
  • Kasthamandap: 2km
  • Maru, Kathmandu: 2km

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.

GetYourGuide GetYourGuide 클룩 Klook Tiqets Tiqets KKday KKday WeGoTrip WeGoTrip Official site

This place may not appear in the results — some sites are free to enter or sell tickets only at the gate.

Stays near Swayambhunath

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

Map and place data © OpenStreetMap contributors

Swayambhunath Nearby stays

Check prices and availability on the booking sites.

Pick your dates — we'll search Lalitpur hotels for you

Choose dates and guests, and the buttons below will open search results with your criteria. Prices differ between sites, so compare before you book.

View on Compare sites 부킹닷컴 View on Booking.com 호텔스닷컴 View on Hotels.com

Hotel membership

Staying at Accor hotels often? ALL Accor+ Explorer

A paid annual membership. It includes two free nights a year across Asia-Pacific, 30% off dining and 15% off drinks, and 15% off stays at more than 4,500 hotels worldwide.

Explore the membership

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

Natural History Museum of Nepal

Museums & galleries

Natural History Museum of Nepal

Opened in 1975, this museum sits near Swayambhunath. Its collection of some 50,000 plant, animal, and fungal specimens from across Nepal offers a sweeping look at the natural world of the Himalayas.

0.2 km away
Thamel

Shopping & districts

Thamel

Thamel is a traveler's district in central Kathmandu, packed with budget accommodations popular among backpackers. Wi-Fi is available throughout the streets, making it a comfortable place to stay.

2.0 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.

2.0 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.

2.0 km away
Basantapur Durbar Square

Parks & gardens

Basantapur Durbar Square

Kathmandu Durbar Square is a former royal palace square in Nepal's Kathmandu Valley. Steeped in history, it's a wonderful place to wander slowly and take in its old-world atmosphere.

2.1 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.

2.1 km away