Things to do · Nepal
Things to Do in Patan (Lalitpur)
Patan Durbar Square, the Patan Museum, the Golden Temple and metalworking lanes — what to do in Lalitpur.
The best things to do in Patan revolve around its standing as the artistic soul of the Kathmandu Valley, a city of master metalworkers, woodcarvers and thangka painters whose Durbar Square is widely considered the most refined in Nepal. Just across the Bagmati River from the capital, Lalitpur rewards slow exploration of its courtyards, temples and craft lanes. This guide highlights what to prioritise; for the wider valley, see our things to do in Kathmandu.
Patan Durbar Square
The centrepiece is Patan Durbar Square, a UNESCO-listed plaza of Newar temples, the old royal palace and the sunken Manga Hiti water spout. The Krishna Mandir, carved entirely from stone, and the tiered pagodas around it make this the finest of the valley's three durbar squares.
The Patan Museum
Set inside a restored palace wing on the square, the Patan Museum is among the best museums in South Asia, displaying gilt-bronze deities and ritual objects with thoughtful explanations. Allow at least an hour; its garden cafe is a fine spot to pause.
The Golden Temple and Mahabouddha
A short walk away, the Golden Temple, or Hiranya Varna Mahavihar, is a working Buddhist monastery whose gilded facade glows in the courtyard light. Nearby, the Mahabouddha temple rises in thousands of terracotta tiles, each bearing an image of the Buddha — a masterpiece of Newar brickwork.
The craft lanes of Lalitpur
Patan still lives by its hands. The workshops around the square and toward the suburb of Jawalakhel produce the metal statues, repoussé and thangka paintings sold across Nepal; our guide to Patan handicrafts explains what to look for and how the pieces are made. The lost-wax bronze casting practised here is a centuries-old Newar tradition, and watching an artisan finish a deity's face by hand is one of Lalitpur's quiet pleasures.
Courtyards, bahals and hidden corners
Beyond the headline monuments, Patan is honeycombed with bahals — communal Buddhist courtyards — each with its own small stupa, shrine and resident community. Slipping off the main square into these quiet squares, where children play and old men sit in the sun, gives the truest sense of the city's daily life. The Kumbeshwar temple, with its rare five-tiered roof and sacred ponds, is one such gem worth seeking out.
Combine it with the valley
Pair Patan with central Kathmandu using our places to visit in Kathmandu, or set it within the country's wider devotional landscape via the famous temples of Nepal. For a complete trip plan, see the Nepal bucket list and pick your season with the best time to visit Nepal.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Patan?+
Patan's highlights are the exquisite Patan Durbar Square, the outstanding Patan Museum, the gilded Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar), the terracotta Mahabouddha temple and a wander through the metalworking and thangka-painting lanes for which Lalitpur is famous.
Is Patan the same as Lalitpur?+
Yes. Patan is the historic name of the city officially known as Lalitpur, sitting just across the Bagmati River from Kathmandu. It is renowned as the valley's centre of Newar art, metalcraft and Buddhist heritage.
How long do you need in Patan?+
Half a day covers Patan Durbar Square and the Patan Museum, while a full day lets you add the Golden Temple, Mahabouddha and the craft workshops at a relaxed pace, with time for lunch in a courtyard cafe.
How do you get to Patan from Kathmandu?+
Patan lies just south of Kathmandu across the Bagmati River, around 15 to 30 minutes by taxi depending on traffic. Many visitors combine it with central Kathmandu on the same trip.
