Basantapur in Kathmandu

Basantapur is in the historic centre of Kathmandu, at the southern end of Kathmandu Durbar Square, about a 20–25 minute walk south of Thamel.

Basantapur is the open square and surrounding area at the southern end of Kathmandu Durbar Square, so the two names are often used for the same historic royal square. See our Kathmandu Durbar Square guide.

Freak Street, or Jhochhen, is a street beside Basantapur that was famous with hippie travellers in the 1960s and 1970s. Today it has cafes, guesthouses and souvenir shops.

The highlights are Kathmandu Durbar Square, Hanuman Dhoka Palace, the Basantapur Tower, the Kumari Ghar, the Basantapur handicraft market, Freak Street and the old bazaars of Indra Chowk and Asan.

Foreign visitors pay an entry fee of about NPR 1,000 to enter the Kathmandu Durbar Square heritage zone, which includes the Basantapur area. Fees can change, so check at the ticket booth.

Walk about 20–25 minutes south through Asan and Indra Chowk, or take a short taxi ride.

Yes, if you want to be close to history and early-morning temple life, with budget and heritage guesthouses around Freak Street. Thamel nearby has more hotels and nightlife.

Try Newari dishes such as bara, chatamari, choila and yomari, plus momos and tea at the rooftop cafes overlooking the square.

Early morning for quiet temples and local offerings, or late afternoon for golden light and a lively atmosphere. Festivals such as Indra Jatra and Dashain are spectacular but very busy.

Yes. Many visitors see Swayambhunath at sunrise, Basantapur and Durbar Square in the morning, and Pashupatinath and Boudhanath in the afternoon. A private car with driver makes it easy.