One of the things we hear most from guests at House of Forrest is how surprised they are by what's right on our doorstep. People expect Nagarjun to be "far from everything" because it's so peaceful and green. But the truth is, some of the most incredible places in the Kathmandu Valley are just minutes away.
We put together this list based on what our guests love the most and what we personally recommend to everyone who stays with us. Whether you're a history lover, a nature person, or someone who just wants to wander and soak it all in, there's something here for you.
In This Guide
1. Nagarjun Hill (Rani Ban)
500 m from House of Forrest
This is literally our backyard. Nagarjun Hill, also known as Rani Ban (which means "Queen's Forest"), is part of the Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park and it starts just 500 metres from our front door. You can walk there in about five minutes.
The trail up to the summit at 2,095 metres takes about two hours at a comfortable pace. It's not a difficult hike, but the views from the top are genuinely spectacular. On a clear day you can see the entire Kathmandu Valley stretched out below you, and the Himalayan range from the Annapurnas all the way to Langtang Lirung. There's a small Buddhist shrine dedicated to Padmasambhava at the top, and it's one of those places where you just want to sit and take it all in.
A lot of our guests go up early in the morning before the clouds roll in. Bring water and good shoes, and you'll be fine. If you prefer a more relaxed experience, there's also a winding unpaved road that takes you up by vehicle.
2. Jamacho Gumba
10 km from House of Forrest
If you hike to the top of Nagarjun Hill, you'll find Jamacho Gumba waiting for you at the summit. This small Buddhist monastery sits at 2,095 metres and feels like a completely different world from the city below. Prayer flags stretch between the trees, the air is cool and quiet, and on a clear morning you can see snow-capped peaks lining the horizon.
The monastery itself is modest but deeply atmospheric. Local devotees and monks visit regularly, and you'll often find fresh offerings and the faint smell of incense in the air. What makes Jamacho Gumba special is really the journey as much as the destination. The two hour hike through dense forest, with monkeys swinging overhead and birds calling from the canopy, builds up to this peaceful spot where you can sit, rest, and take in one of the best panoramic views in the entire valley.
Our guests who enjoy hiking consistently say this is the highlight of their trip. Start early in the morning for the clearest views and carry some water with you. The entry to Shivapuri Nagarjun National Park is just minutes from our door, so you can be on the trail before most of Kathmandu has woken up.
3. Triten Norbutse Monastery
400 m from House of Forrest
Not many tourists know about this place, and honestly that's part of what makes it special. Triten Norbutse is a Bon monastery, which means it follows the pre-Buddhist spiritual tradition of Tibet. It was founded in 1987 by Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak Rinpoche on a hillside facing Swayambhunath, and it serves as both a monastery and an educational centre for Bon studies.
The monastery complex is beautiful. There are prayer halls filled with intricate murals, a library, and a medical institute. What strikes most visitors is how calm and welcoming the atmosphere is. Unlike some of the more famous monasteries in the valley that get very crowded, Triten Norbutse feels intimate and unhurried. If you're at all interested in the spiritual traditions of the Himalayan region, this is a place you shouldn't miss. It's a short walk or a two minute drive from our apartments.
4. White Gumba (Druk Amitabh Mountain)
1.5 km from House of Forrest
White Gumba, or Seto Gumba as locals call it, sits on a hilltop north of Swayambhunath. This is one of our favourite spots to recommend because it combines everything people love about Kathmandu: beautiful architecture, incredible views, and a genuine sense of peace.
The monastery itself is a Tibetan Buddhist centre and it's visually stunning, all white walls against the green hillside. From the top, you get a panoramic view of Kathmandu, Lalitpur, and Bhaktapur, plus the surrounding hills like Chandragiri. It's the kind of view that makes you understand why people have been building monasteries on hilltops for centuries.
You can walk here from House of Forrest in about 20 minutes, and it's a pleasant walk through the neighbourhood. Many of our guests combine this with a visit to Swayambhunath for a great half day outing.
5. Swayambhunath (Monkey Temple)
2.7 km from House of Forrest
If there's one place in Kathmandu that everybody visits, it's Swayambhunath. And for good reason. This UNESCO World Heritage Site sits on a hill overlooking the entire city, and climbing the 365 stone steps to the top is one of those quintessential Kathmandu experiences.
The stupa at the summit is over 2,500 years old (some say even older), and the all seeing eyes painted on it have become one of the most recognisable symbols of Nepal. Around the main stupa you'll find smaller shrines, prayer wheels, and yes, plenty of monkeys. That's where the nickname "Monkey Temple" comes from. They're cheeky but harmless, just keep your snacks hidden.
What a lot of people don't realise is that the views from Swayambhunath at sunset are absolutely magical. The whole valley turns golden and you can see the Himalayas in the distance. We always tell our guests to time their visit for late afternoon if they can.
From House of Forrest, it's a quick 10 minute drive or about a 35 minute walk if you enjoy walking through local neighbourhoods.
6. Ichangu Narayan Temple
3 km from House of Forrest
This is one of Kathmandu's hidden treasures. Ichangu Narayan is one of the four Narayan temples in the valley, and it dates back to around 1200 AD. Built in a beautiful two-tiered pagoda style, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and sits in a serene forest clearing on the way to White Gumba.
What we love about this temple is that it hasn't been "discovered" by mass tourism yet. You'll likely have the place mostly to yourself, maybe sharing it with a few local devotees and some curious birds. The stone carvings are remarkably well preserved for a temple that's over 800 years old, and the surrounding forest gives the whole place a timeless quality.
It's an easy stop on the way to or from White Gumba, and if you're a photography enthusiast, the light filtering through the trees onto the ancient stonework is absolutely gorgeous in the morning.
7. Thamel
3.5 km from House of Forrest
Thamel is the beating heart of tourist Kathmandu, and whether you love it or find it a bit overwhelming probably depends on your mood. It's loud, colourful, chaotic, and absolutely full of life. Narrow streets are packed with trekking gear shops, bookstores, cafes, restaurants, and street vendors selling everything from singing bowls to pashmina scarves.
If you need to pick up any trekking gear, get a SIM card, exchange money, or just want a really good meal from any cuisine you can think of, Thamel is where you go. The restaurant scene here is surprisingly good. You'll find everything from authentic Nepali thali sets to wood fired pizza and Korean BBQ.
The nice thing about staying at House of Forrest is that you get the peace and quiet of Nagarjun for sleeping and relaxing, but Thamel is just a 15 minute taxi ride away when you want some energy and nightlife. Best of both worlds.
8. Garden of Dreams
4.6 km from House of Forrest
Right on the edge of Thamel, but a world away from its chaos, the Garden of Dreams is one of the most beautiful spots in Kathmandu. Built in the early 1920s by Field Marshal Kaiser Shumsher Rana, this neo-classical European style garden was restored in the early 2000s and is now a peaceful sanctuary of fountains, pergolas, ponds, and manicured lawns.
It's the kind of place where you go to read a book, have a coffee, and just breathe for a while. After a morning of exploring temples and navigating traffic, stepping through the garden gates feels like entering a different century. There's a small cafe inside that serves decent coffee and snacks.
The entry fee is minimal and it's well worth it. Couples especially love this place, but honestly, anyone who needs a quiet moment in the middle of a busy Kathmandu day will appreciate it.
9. Kathmandu Durbar Square
4.7 km from House of Forrest
Durbar Square is where the old kingdom of Kathmandu comes alive. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was the royal palace complex for the Malla kings, and even though the 2015 earthquake damaged some of the structures, the restoration work has been impressive and the square remains one of the most historically significant places in Nepal.
Walking through here, you're surrounded by centuries old temples, courtyards, and carved wooden windows that tell stories of an era most people only read about in books. The Kumari Ghar (House of the Living Goddess) is here too, and if you're lucky, you might catch a glimpse of the Kumari herself at the window.
We suggest going in the morning before the tour buses arrive, or in the late afternoon when the light hits the red brick buildings and everything looks like a painting. Bring a good pair of walking shoes because the cobblestones can be uneven.
10. Narayanhiti Palace Museum
5 km from House of Forrest
The Narayanhiti Palace was the official residence of the King of Nepal until the monarchy was abolished in 2008. Now it's a museum, and visiting it is one of the most fascinating experiences you can have in Kathmandu. The palace is enormous, and the interiors are preserved exactly as they were left. You walk through throne rooms, banquet halls, and private quarters that still have personal belongings of the royal family on display.
What makes this visit particularly compelling is the history. This is the same palace where the infamous Royal Massacre of 2001 took place, one of the most shocking events in modern Nepali history. The museum doesn't shy away from this, and there's an exhibit dedicated to the tragedy. It's sobering, but it's also an important part of understanding modern Nepal.
Photography is not allowed inside, so just soak it in. Plan for about two hours to see everything properly.
11. Boudhanath Stupa
8 km from House of Forrest
Boudhanath is one of the largest Buddhist stupas in the world, and being there in person is genuinely awe-inspiring. The stupa sits in the centre of a large open plaza, and the way it dominates the space is unlike anything else in the valley. The massive eyes painted on all four sides seem to watch over the entire neighbourhood.
The best way to experience Boudhanath is to do what the locals do: walk the kora. That's the clockwise circuit around the stupa that Tibetan Buddhists walk while spinning prayer wheels and reciting mantras. You'll find yourself falling into the rhythm of it. Around the outer ring there are dozens of Tibetan monasteries, rooftop restaurants, and shops selling traditional crafts and jewellery.
Go in the evening if you can. When the butter lamps are lit and the chanting starts from the surrounding monasteries, the atmosphere is something you won't forget. It's about a 25 minute drive from House of Forrest.
12. Pashupatinath Temple
8.5 km from House of Forrest
Pashupatinath is the most sacred Hindu temple in Nepal, and visiting it is an experience that stays with you long after you leave. Situated on the banks of the Bagmati River, the temple complex is where Hindu cremation ceremonies take place openly along the river ghats. It's a profound and sometimes confronting experience, but it's also deeply human and respectful.
Non-Hindus are not allowed inside the main temple, but there is so much to see in the surrounding complex. The ghats, the sadhu (holy men) in their orange robes and painted faces, the smaller temples and shrines scattered across the hillside, the deer park across the river. All of it comes together to create an atmosphere that feels very real and very sacred.
We recommend treating this visit with the respect it deserves. It's a living religious site, not just a tourist attraction. Dress modestly, ask before photographing anyone, and take your time.
13. Patan Durbar Square
9 km from House of Forrest
Many people who visit Kathmandu only see Kathmandu Durbar Square and skip Patan entirely. That's a mistake. Patan Durbar Square, located in the city of Lalitpur just across the Bagmati River, is arguably the most beautiful of all three royal squares in the valley. The concentration of Newari architecture here is extraordinary.
The Krishna Mandir, built entirely from stone in the 17th century, is a masterpiece. The Golden Temple (Kwa Bahal) nearby is another highlight, with its golden roof and incredible metalwork. And the Patan Museum, housed inside the old royal palace, is hands down the best museum in Nepal. The collection of Hindu and Buddhist art is world class and beautifully presented.
Patan also has a wonderful food scene. The area around Durbar Square has some excellent Newari restaurants where you can try traditional dishes like chatamari (Newari pizza), choila (spiced buffalo), and tongba (warm millet beer). It's the perfect way to end a day of exploring.
Stay Close to Everything
House of Forrest puts you within easy reach of all these attractions while giving you the peace and comfort of Nagarjun to come home to every evening.
Book Your StayGetting Around from House of Forrest
All of the attractions on this list are easily reachable from our apartments. For the closest ones like Nagarjun Hill, White Gumba, and Triten Norbutse Monastery, you can simply walk. For everything else, taxis are affordable and readily available. A ride to Thamel or Durbar Square will typically cost between 300 to 500 Nepali Rupees (about $2 to $4), and your host Dadhi can always help arrange transport or recommend the best routes.
If you're arriving from the airport, we offer a shuttle service for just $7 per trip. The airport is about 9 km away and the drive takes around 30 to 45 minutes depending on traffic.
We hope this guide helps you plan your time in Kathmandu. And if you have any questions about visiting any of these places, just ask us when you arrive. We love talking about this city and helping our guests get the most out of their stay.