Asia
Nepal
Central Region
Bagmati Zone
Kathmandu Valley
Patan (Lalitpur)
Things to Do in Patan (Lalitpur)
Durbar (Central) Square
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Durbar (Central) Square

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See all things to do
Durbar (Central) Square
4.5
About
Most towns and cities have a durbar, or central, square. Patan's is comparatively quiet, surrounded by peaceful palace courtyards, shops and pagoda temples.
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The area
Best nearby
Restaurants
1,332 within 3 miles
Himalayan Java Coffee
1,363
0.1 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Cafe • Vegetarian Friendly
Snowman Cafe
92
0.2 mi$ • Dessert • Cafe
Mitho Restaurant
312
0.5 mi$ • Indian • Nepali • Vegetarian Friendly
Mo:Mola Palpasa Coffee
137
0.6 mi$ • Cafe • Asian • Nepali
Rosemary Kitchen And Coffee Shop
1,771
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Chinese • Pizza
Batuka Creamery
9
0.1 miDessert
Durbar View Restaurant Pvt. Ltd.
15
0.1 mi$ • Chinese • Asian • Nepali
Upstairs Cafe
342
0.6 mi$ • Italian • Cafe • European
Blueberry Kitchen & Coffee Shop
970
0.6 mi$$ - $$$ • Italian • Steakhouse • European
Falcha Cafe
24
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Nepali • Vegetarian Friendly
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Attractions
175 within 6 miles
Singha Sattal (Silyan Sattal)
7
158 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Hanuman Dhoka
592
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Kala Bairav
160
0.1 miReligious Sites • Monuments & Statues
Kathmandu Durbar Square
4,743
0.1 miHistoric Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks
Chyasin Dega Temple
5
331 ftReligious Sites
Gaddhi Baithak
13
388 ftPoints of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings
Maha Vishnu Mandir Temple
4
508 ftArchitectural Buildings • Religious Sites
Dirghaman & Ganeshman Chitrakar Art Foundation
1
403 ftArt Galleries
Freak Street (Jhhonchen Tole)
171
0.1 miPoints of Interest & Landmarks
The Tribhuvan, Mahendra, and Birendra Museums
24
0.1 miSpeciality Museums
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
996 reviews
Excellent
585
Very good
300
Average
87
Poor
17
Terrible
7
Utkrista
Melbourne, Australia110 contributions
Amazing Architecture
Apr 2021 • Solo
There are many Hindu temples in Patan Durbar Square. Most of them are made of wood and made in Pagoda design.

The architecture is amazing, and most are hand made. The level of detail shows the hard work the woodcarvers have done.

There are many cafes and restaurants around Durbar Square where you can indulge yourself in local Newari cuisine (if you can't eat spicy food, maybe wash it down with some Chhyang - Newari fermented beverage?) or just some cakes and coffees.

I'd recommend you to go there in the evening (dusk) because 1. When the sun is going down, and when they turn the lights on, it feels like Tihar/Diwali/Christmas- just divine; 2. Most locals come out in the evening, so the atmosphere becomes lively as though you're attending some fair or Christmas Carol.

My recommendation is to go there in the evening doesn't mean it's not that great at other times. Maybe go there in the morning and spend the whole day and watch life pass by? You can also check out some alleyways (गल्ली, गली, 胡同) around the Durbar Square. There are many alleyways in Patan.
Written April 18, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robert K
20 contributions
Nepal
Feb 2021 • Friends
One of the three town center in the Kathmandu valley renown for its art and handicrafts. The craftsman is superb. I personally like copper work and find many interesting piece to collect
Written January 26, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ram Prasad
55 contributions
Patan Durbar Square
Feb 2020
Patan Durbar Square gives a nice insight into time gone by in Nepal. The old Temples and Palace Buildings are classical examples of Newari architecture and have exquisite craftsmanship. Surrounding the Durbar Square are alleyways filled with shops displaying the tremendous artistic heritage of the Newari artisans.Very worth a look and spending time meandering.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
smvNYC
New York City, NY284 contributions
A calm place
Jul 2022
We found the Patan Durbar square to be truly beautiful, and the museum sections well maintained. As with many attractions in Nepal, it has suffered tremendously from the earthquake, yet much of it has been restored /rebuilt. We visited it with a guide but enough explanations were available throughout the area.
Written August 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Film G
New England933 contributions
Historic Center of Town
May 2023 • Couples
Lots to see: Living Goddess. Temples. More Temples. The Palace. Just walk around and drink in the history and the vibrant city life. Dodge cars and scooters. Watch where you step and be careful of the pigeons.
Written May 1, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
barcaranger
Andorra la Vella, Andorra1,954 contributions
Amazing place
Nov 2019 • Solo
I really like Patan it’s busy but not overwhelmed with tourists and some very amazing sights if you are lucky you might see a procession . Patan itself is a very nice home of the artistic community dominated by Buddhists rather than Hindus which dominate else where
Written November 3, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabbytla
Johor Bahru, Malaysia162 contributions
Rude Ticket Collector
Dec 2012 • Family
We were staying at a hotel on the side of the square where there are lots of trinklets for sale and where the local took water (holy water??) from. For a start, we got up early and caught the stall owners setting up stall. We had a great time browsing and do friendly bargaining with the stall owners. After that, we strolled into the square. There were no barriers nor signage indicating that we are indeed entering the square.

A short way into the square and after 2 photos, it was just past 9am, we were stopped by a young lady who asked if we have had tickets. We didn't so we were told to purchase tickets. I went to get my Dad and daughter to go purchase the tickets but my Dad decided not to as he strolled the square yesterday evening and that there is nothing much there. Then, we were approached by the girl's superior (probably), a large young Nepalese. When we said that we have decided that we do not want to purchase the tickets, he got really aggressive, asked us why then are we in the square! (There were no indication of boundary in the first place!!!) Then he told us to leave the square immediately. The girl told him that we have taken photos and told us to delete them! Wow! What a lousy experience.

I mean, I was with my parents who are close to 70 years old and a 11 year old girl, is it necessary to be that rude? It just totally spoiled it for us.

If you have been to Kathmandu Durbar Square, I think you can skip this as this is probably only 30% the size of Kathmandu Square. The entry fee at Kathmandu Square is Nepali Rupee 750 and here it is 500.

Save your money for a nice cup of coffee or tea and avoid spoiling your holiday by a rude gorilla.

We were informed that the fees are only applicable between 10am to 5pm by the hotel operator later.
Written December 31, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ace A
Washington DC, DC36 contributions
The Artistic Hub
Dec 2016 • Solo
Home to some of the most exquisite architecture and some of the finest sculptors (in wood and metal) around the world, Patan City or Lalitpur should figure on your list of places that you must visit in the Kathmandu Valley. The durbar square is not as large as the other two but more than makes up for it with the profusion of amazing palaces, temples, and other architectural gems. The structures are well maintained and active restoration work is on at many sites here.
Written February 26, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dev_SG_2018
Singapore, Singapore90 contributions
A must visit when in Kathmandu
Apr 2019 • Family
I have visited the Patan Durbar Square over a hundred times over the last 20-25 years. The place remains as intriguing as ever. The only thing that has changed is the crowd and the bike traffic even in the narrow lanes!

Although a bit damaged by the major earthquake a few years, it is still worth visiting - unlike the Kathmandu Durbar Square which unfortunately is all rubble.

The only place that’s rivals, even overshadows, the Param Durbar Square is Bhaktapur.

You can easily spend 2-3 hours here. The area has decent eating places. My favourite: Dhokaima Cafe at Patan Dhoka (main gate where the taxis drop you).
Written December 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
raisagd
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia259 contributions
If you're on a budget, choose this over Kathmandu Durbar Square!
Nov 2018 • Solo
Having visited both Durbar Square Kathmandu and Durbar Square Patan, I definitely recommend this square as I personally feel it's better maintained (in terms of earthquake damage control, especially) and more elaborate so a better bang for your buck, really!
Written December 11, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Durbar (Central) Square (Patan (Lalitpur)) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Frequently Asked Questions about Durbar (Central) Square
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