Durbar (Central) Square
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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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles1,000 reviews
Excellent
589
Very good
300
Average
87
Poor
17
Terrible
7

smvNYC
New York City, NY363 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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 England1,051 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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, Andorra2,622 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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, Malaysia161 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
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
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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, Singapore124 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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, Malaysia237 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
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.

Utsav S
Patan (Lalitpur), Nepal20 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2015 • Couples
One of the best places to be. Has a wonderful blend of History, Architecture, Temples and peace. A place where you would love to end your day with a coffee or just a stroll with all by yourself or with family and friends.
Written August 31, 2015
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.

WanderingShishik
Tel Aviv, Israel253 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I took a taxi to Patan from the Thamel while in Kathmandu in November (2014).

The driver dropped me off a few streets down for some reason, but it ended up being great as I just wandered around the area. There is literally something to see in every little alleyway, tons of squares and stupas to stumble upon.

When you get tried walking the streets there are a ton of food options - many inviting cafes.
This is a great day trip to escape the Thamel for a few hours, even the drive here was nice!
Written April 24, 2015
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.

Penny K
Lancaster District, UK18 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2015 • Friends
Durbar Square in patan is well worth the 300 Nepali rupees Westerners must pay to walk around. The buildings are a wonderful mix of Buddhist and Hindu monuments and the museum is excellent for those who want to delve further. There is a lovely cafe at the back of the gardens and worth wandering to after a good look round.
Written April 19, 2015
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 - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

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