9 Best Places to Visit in Nepal: As Experts Suggest

By Philip Woolman | Jun 15th 2025

Nepal is changing. Many remote places now have better access and improved comfort. Luxury lodges are opening in areas that once had only basic teahouses. Boutique hotels and heritage homes offer local stays with better service. New roads, helicopter connections, and upgraded trails make travel smoother. 

But comfort is not the only focus. Travellers want real experiences. They want to learn how people live, cook, farm, and build. They want to go beyond the famous spots and see what daily life looks like. 

This is why we created this list of the 9 best places to visit in Nepal in 2025. It includes places you may already know, such as Everest or Pokhara. 

But we present them differently. For example, instead of Everest Base Camp alone, we offer breakfast in Kongde, with a full view of Everest. Instead of just visiting Bhaktapur Durbar Square, we take you to a pottery workshop and a Newar home. 

Each place has been selected by our expert team at Everest Luxury Holidays. We live and work here. We know what travellers miss when they follow only the guidebook. And we know how to reveal the most beautiful places to visit in Nepal, not just through what you see, but what you feel. 

Explore Nepal

Bhaktapur: Ancient City, Hands-On Culture 

The Locals Of Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur is one of Nepal’s best-preserved medieval cities and one of the best places to visit in Nepal. Visitors often come to see the Durbar Square’s temples and old palaces. But the true essence lies beyond the main squares. 

At Everest Luxury Holidays, we invite you to get your hands dirty in Pottery Square. Join a local artisan to learn traditional pottery techniques passed down through generations. Feel the clay, shape the pots, and experience a craft that is part of Bhaktapur’s soul. 

Nearby, explore the narrow alleys with a Newar guide who grew up here. Visit a Newar family home where Nepali is not the first language. Learn about their unique architecture, daily life, and centuries-old customs. 

Bhaktapur is also famous for its food, especially Juju Dhau — the rich, creamy “King Curd.” Taste it in a century-old shop while soaking in the rhythms of the ancient city. 

This mix of history, culture, and hands-on experience makes Bhaktapur more than a stop on a map. 

Patan: The City of Artistic Living 

Patan Aerial

Patan, also known as Lalitpur, is famed for its exquisite Durbar Square. Visitors often stop by to admire the temples and ancient palaces. But the city’s true magic is in its living art and crafts, making it one of the best places to visit in Nepal for carving inspirations. 

Explore hidden courtyards and workshops that visitors rarely see. Meet metal carvers shaping intricate designs in metallic materials by hand. Visit a metal casting studio where traditional methods create religious statues. 

Spend a quiet afternoon dining on a rooftop terrace. Enjoy views of golden temples while tasting fresh local dishes. Afterwards, visit a small museum with a private guide, gaining insight into Patan’s artistic heritage. 

This blend of art, history, and local life offers a richer experience.  

Bandipur: A Hilltop Town Frozen in Time 

Bandipur House

Bandipur is a quiet hilltop town that feels like stepping back into old Nepal. Unlike busy cities, Bandipur has preserved its traditional Newari culture and architecture. The streets are lined with beautifully carved wooden windows and old merchant houses. 

Explore the town at a slow pace. Walk along the main street and chat with locals running small shops and cafes. Visit the old market square where festivals still bring the community together. 

At sunset, find a spot overlooking the Himalayas. Watch the fading light hit the distant peaks while sipping a cup of local tea. For dinner, enjoy homemade Newari cuisine at a family-run guesthouse. 

Bandipur is perfect for travellers who want peace and culture wrapped into one. It’s a place to rest, reflect, and connect with a slower rhythm of life. 

Pokhara: Beyond Boating and Lake Views 

Lake Fewa As A Mirror To The Himalayas

Pokhara is one of the best places to visit in Nepal, not just for its beauty, but for the stories you take home. 

Most visitors come to Pokhara for boating on Phewa Lake and mountain views. But with Everest Luxury Holidays, your experience goes deeper. Stay in a lakeside villa at Pavilions Himalayas: The Lake View. Enjoy your own private canoe on the calm waters. 

Take a curated art walk through Pokhara’s emerging artist community. Meet local painters and craftsmen shaping the city’s creative scene. 

Join a sunrise meditation at the Peace Pagoda. Feel the calm as the sun rises over the Himalayas. Visit an organic farm nearby for a local meal experience. Learn how food is grown and enjoy fresh dishes made by the farmers. 

Everest Region: More Than Just Base Camp 

Culture Thrives In Khumbu

The Everest region is famous worldwide. Most travellers come to see Everest Base Camp and Namche Bazaar. But there is much more to discover here. 

Stay at Hotel Everest View, one of the highest hotels in the world. Wake up to panoramic views of Everest, Lhotse, and Ama Dablam from your room. 

Visit Namche Bazaar early in the morning. Watch Sherpas begin their day in markets, shops, and cafés. Explore Khumjung village, home to ancient monasteries and local traditions. 

For a special treat, enjoy breakfast in Kongde village. From this spot, Everest rises majestically — an uninterrupted, breathtaking sight. 

Everest Base Camp remains a highlight. Experience it with a private guide who shares stories beyond the summit. 

This region offers a blend of natural wonder, culture, and comfort, seen through local eyes. 

Explore Everest

Ghandruk: One of the best places to visit in Nepal with family 

Families Cook Nepali Meals

Ghandruk is a charming Gurung village tucked in the Annapurna foothills. Many travellers pass through on the Annapurna Base Camp Trek. But here, you can slow down and truly connect with local life. 

Stroll through stone-paved lanes lined with traditional homes. Meet villagers who welcome guests with warm hospitality. Visit a local school or farmhouse to learn about Gurung culture and daily routines. 

Join a cooking session to prepare traditional Nepali dishes. Taste fresh seasonal vegetables and homemade bread baked in clay ovens. 

For a closer experience of the Himalayas, get on a helicopter and fly to Annapurna Base Camp from Ghandruk within 15 minutes and back. The additional choice, you land at the base camp. 

From Ghandruk, the views of Annapurna South and Machapuchare are stunning. Early mornings here offer peaceful moments before the trek crowds arrive. 

Explore Ghandruk

Mustang: The Hidden Kingdom of Nepal 

Lubra Village A Bon Buddhist Village

Mustang offers a unique blend of Tibetan culture, desert landscapes, and ancient history and is one of our best places to visit in Nepal. It is divided into Lower Mustang and Upper Mustang, with Lo Manthang as the crown jewel. 

Lower Mustang is full of traditional villages, red cliffs, and fertile valleys. Explore caves carved into the hillsides and old monasteries along quiet trails. 

Lo Manthang, the ancient walled city, feels like stepping into another world. Here, centuries-old Tibetan culture remains strong, with festivals and rituals still practised today. 

For a truly special stay, book a night at Shinta Mani, a luxury lodge blending local design with modern comfort. Enjoy fine dining and stunning views while surrounded by Mustang’s rugged beauty. 

Mustang is a place for travellers who want both adventure and deep cultural insight. Its remoteness and unique heritage make it one of Nepal’s most unforgettable destinations. 

Explore Mustang

Chitwan: Safari, But with Stories 

Chitwan Jeep Jungle Safari

Chitwan National Park offers more than just wildlife viewing. Go on a jeep safari to spot rhinos, deer, and maybe a tiger. Walk with a Tharu guide into the quiet corners of the jungle. Learn about the forest, plants, and animals from their deep knowledge. 

Visit a Tharu village nearby. Discover ancestral fishing and farming methods still used today. Stay in a forest villa that overlooks elephant paths and riverbanks. In the evening, enjoy a cultural program with Tharu stories, songs, and dances. It feels personal and authentic, not a staged performance. 

Chitwan blends nature and culture for an unforgettable adventure. 

Explore Chitwan

Conclusion 

These places are Nepal, but experienced the Everest Luxury Holidays way. Each destination offers something deeper than a photo opportunity. They are layered with culture, connection, and quiet grandeur. 

For families, these journeys offer shared stories that last beyond the trip. Whether it’s learning pottery in Bhaktapur, staying in a forest villa in Chitwan, or walking village trails in Ghandruk, each moment adds meaning. 

That’s why these are also some of the best places to visit in Nepal with family. Not just because they are beautiful, but because they invite discovery, together. 

Explore Nepal
Philip Woolman
Philip WoolmanJun 15th 2025
  • Share:

Feeling Inspired?

Your next adventure is closer than you think