To those of us living here, Kathmandu can feel a bit mundane, especially when the sun doesn’t shine and there seems to be so much dust in the air. Which is why we at ApEx were surprised when a friend returned from India, having cut her visit short by two weeks, claiming she’d rather spend that time in Nepal. She kept raving about ‘beautiful Kathmandu’ and how she’s never been bored here. Some of the things she mentioned were such simple things that we were stunned to have overlooked them or perhaps even taken them for granted. So, we asked random strangers what they liked to do in the city and compiled a list of five of the most common answers. Here are some foreigner-backed suggestions on how to have some fun in Kathmandu even on days when you feel like there’s nothing to do.
Go pub crawling in the city
Kathmandu is home to some of the world’s best pubs and bars. We aren’t the ones making this claim but tourists we spoke to in the city swear that Kathmandu has the nicest watering holes and restaurants. They are all kinds of places too. If you want a quiet one to nurse a beer, you’ll find plenty of cozy ones to choose from. If loud music is your jam, then you will be spoilt for choice. There’s even a separate scene for cocktails if that is more your thing. Bars like Bitters and Co. in Lazimpat and Barc in Tripureshwor serve unique cocktails that you haven’t tasted anywhere. The good thing is that most of these places aren’t very pricey either. They are good value for money. But if you are on a tight budget, then Kathmandu caters to that too. There are many places in Thamel that have amazing happy hour deals throughout the week where you can buy one get one or even get discounts on bulk orders. Most bars and pubs have a nice selection of food too. So grab your friends and indulge in a delightful Margarita or a crowd-favorite titaura cocktail this weekend.
Shop for trinkets in New Road
New Road has always been a place Kathmandu residents head to for shopping, and for all kinds of shopping too. From dry fruits and spices to fabrics and shoes, you will find everything you need at New Road. No wonder it’s so crowded during the festivities and on holidays. Despite markets cropping up in all parts of town, people still like to go to New Road to get what they need. Things just feel better and cheaper there. And in recent times, New Road has gotten a makeover, thanks to the brilliant mayor Balen Shah who is determined to turn the city into the picturesque place it was always meant to be. With roadside parking off limits, the place looks wider and cleaner. Shopping is also a better experience as you don’t keep dashing into people every two minutes. Take this as a perfect opportunity to shop for things like accessories, belts, bags, and clothes among other things at the ever growing market. Don’t stick to the main streets and explore the hidden alleys as well—there are lots of shops selling curios and various other things for super affordable prices. You can get bags for as little as Rs 500 and earrings for Rs 100.
Get a relaxing massage
If this rising pollution has you concerned and you don’t want to spend a lot of time outdoors but still don’t want to be holed up at home, we recommend you spend a day at the spa. Could there be a better way to pamper yourself and feel relaxed and rejuvenated than a spa session that includes a full body massage, a head oil, and perhaps a sauna session too? A German couple we bumped into in Kathmandu confessed that they have been getting massages every week since they have been in Kathmandu three weeks ago. They made it a point to never visit the same establishment twice as there are just so many places to choose from, they said. So far, every place they have gone to has been good and they haven’t had a bad experience. The cost is more or less the same with some popular ones charging slightly more for the services. Many spas even offer full day packages that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Ayurvedic treatments like Shirodhara and Abhyanga are also available these days and these can be therapeutic and relaxing.
Discover public spaces
One of the joys of living in Kathmandu is discovering public spaces that feel like mini excursions in themselves. Basantapur is a popular hangout for locals and tourists alike and, on any given day, you will find many people just lazing around, sipping tea or iced coffee, while strolling through the market or sitting on one of the many benches or temple steps. But apart from Basantapur, there are many other places in Kathmandu, including but not limited to temples and religious sites, that can serve as places of interest—where you can simply sit by yourself, meditate, or read a book if you are so inclined. These days, many communities have taken it upon themselves to create little parks of sorts in their area where people can hang out and spend some time outdoors. Watching people go about their days and do their own thing can be incredibly relaxing and rewarding. One of the most recommended things was a stroll in your area or some place new to discover hidden gems and alleys.
Enroll in a class to learn something new
Want to learn to make tiramisu or bake bread? Or maybe you want to sharpen your dancing skills? Enroll in a random class to add some cheer to your days and pick up a skill along the way. There are just so many random classes and workshops being held in Kathmandu these days that you are sure to find one to suit your taste and mood. Dance classes seem to be really popular these days with many institutes offering drop-in classes for all forms of dance like hip-hop, classical, contemporary etc. Macrame training or jewelry making training are also offered by small businesses that want to expand beyond just selling their products and these can be neat things to learn if you are into art and crafts. Many shops that sell Thangka and other paintings in Thamel also take in students who are eager to learn how to paint for a nominal fee. All in all, if you want to learn something new, rest assured that there’s someone willing to teach it to you and you won’t have to put in regular hours either.
