Things to do · Kathmandu
Kathmandu Durbar Square
The old royal palace square — Newari pagodas, Hanuman Dhoka and the living goddess Kumari at the city's heart.
- Rating
- ★ 4.6 (12000)
- Price
- $$
- Address
- Basantapur, Kathmandu
Kathmandu Durbar Square — known locally as Basantapur Durbar Square after the surrounding neighbourhood, and also called Hanuman Dhoka after its palace — is the historic royal heart of the old city and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The plaza is a dense cluster of Newari pagoda temples, carved courtyards, statues and the former royal palace — once the setting for the coronation of Nepal's kings and still buzzing with daily life.
What to expect
Wander between tiered temples, intricately carved wooden windows and the old palace courtyards of Hanuman Dhoka. The square's most intriguing resident is the Kumari, Nepal's living goddess, who lives in the ornate Kumari Ghar and sometimes appears at an upper window. Beside it stands Kasthamandap, the medieval wooden pavilion said to have given Kathmandu its name, rebuilt after the 2015 earthquake. Restoration elsewhere is ongoing, so expect some scaffolding alongside the splendour.
Good to know
- Entry: Foreigners pay a ticketed entry fee in rupees; the ticket also covers the palace museums.
- The Kumari: Photography of the living goddess is not permitted; respect the courtyard rules.
- Guides: Local guides wait at the entrance and add real depth to the carvings and history.
- Nearby: Just north toward Thamel lies the calm Garden of Dreams for a break, and the square is one of the top attractions in Kathmandu. Pair it with the hilltop Monkey Temple at Swayambhunath on the western side — both are covered, guide included, on the 4-day Kathmandu Valley sightseeing tour.
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Frequently asked questions
What is Kathmandu Durbar Square?+
It is the historic royal palace square of the old Kathmandu kingdom, also called Hanuman Dhoka. The UNESCO-listed plaza is crammed with Newari pagoda temples, courtyards and statues, and was where Nepal's kings were once crowned.
Who is the Kumari at Durbar Square?+
The Kumari is Nepal's living goddess, a young girl worshipped as a divine incarnation. She lives in the Kumari Ghar (the goddess house) on the square and occasionally appears at an upper window to greet visitors gathered in the courtyard below.
Is there an entry fee for Kathmandu Durbar Square?+
Yes, foreign visitors buy an entry ticket to the square, payable in Nepali rupees. Keep the ticket with you, as it can also be used for the museums inside the old palace.
How long do you need at Durbar Square?+
Allow one to two hours to wander the main temples, the Hanuman Dhoka palace courtyards and the Kumari Ghar. Hiring a local guide at the entrance adds a lot of context to the carvings and history.
Why is Kathmandu Durbar Square called Basantapur?+
Basantapur is the local name for the neighbourhood around the square, taken from the old palace's nine-storey Basantapur Tower, so locals call the whole place Basantapur or Basantapur Durbar Square. It is the same site — ask any taxi driver for Basantapur and you'll be dropped at the square.
