7 Beautiful Places in Nepal – and a Hidden Gem Few People Know About

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Nepal is a country that really doesn’t hold back when it comes to jaw-dropping landscapes and cultural depth. From ancient cities to misty mountain lakes, or even quaint little towns perched smack on hilltops, there are plenty of beautiful places in Nepal that’ll have you reaching for your camera every few minutes.

As you can probably tell by our 7-day Nepal itinerary, we tend to gravitate off-grid when traveling. Still, the best thing about Nepal is that, whether you wander off the beaten path or stay firmly on the main tourist trail, you’ll never run out of amazing sites to explore.

1. Beautiful Places in Nepal for Alpine Adventures: Sagarmatha National Park

If you’re a fan of the great outdoors like me, you’ll certainly feel right at home in the UNESCO-recognized Sagarmatha National Park! Think towering peaks, alpine meadows, and that crisp mountain air. All tied together by the distant clang of the yak bells – which is practically the only sound you’ll hear in this high-altitude park. No wonder this spot is known as one of the most beautiful places in Nepal!

The route to Sagarmatha National Park is just as scenic since you’ll traverse high-altitude forests and settlements like Namche Bazaar. This lively Sherpa town offers easy access to other beautiful places in Nepal, like the Tengboche Monastery.

From the park, you’ll be treated to unblemished views of Mount Everest towering in the distance. You can even book a homestay with one of the Sherpa families living in the park if you want to learn more about local traditions.

For me, one of the best things about staying with a local family is the chance to experience authentic Nepalese food. By far my favorite Nepalese dinner is the iconic dal-bhat, which consists of boiled rice, lentil soup, a side of vegetables, and Asian-style pickles. And if you ask me, the best way to enjoy dal-bhat is sitting cross-legged on the floor while eating off a metal thali plate – just like the locals do!

Travel tip: The Sherpa community usually celebrates Losar (Tibetan New Year) in February. The whole place comes alive with cultural and religious activities during that time. I recommend that you plan your trip around that time if possible.

2. For Outdoorsy Travelers: Mustang

Next up on our list of beautiful places in Nepal is Mustang, a place that’s been dubbed the “Last Forbidden Kingdom” in the country. First things first, though: you do need to apply for a special permit and hire a certified guide to access the Upper Mustang area.

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The Mustang area is especially known for its surreal landscape. And when I say surreal, that’s exactly what I mean. The rugged, desert-like terrain blends beautifully with the canyon formations and cliffs. This area is also awash with Nepali culture and traditions.

This is home to the local Loba people, a community that’s been shaped by centuries of isolation from the rest of the country. As such, the Loba people still maintain their distinct traditions, language, customs, and even clothing styles.

While you’re exploring Upper Mustang, you may wish to visit the walled city of Lo Manthang, where you’ll find monasteries like the 15^th century Thubchen Gompa. This monastery is especially known for its ancient wall paintings made from gold, cinnamon, turquoise, and malachite.

Keep your eyes peeled for the fossilized Shaligram stones while trekking through the area. Easily recognizable thanks to their smooth, mollusk-like shape, these stones are believed to hold mystical energies. And if all that exploring gives you an appetite, head into town where you’ll find several unnamed stalls selling local specialties. Personally, I’m partial to tsampa – a Tibetan-style barley bread that’s usually enjoyed with yak cheese.

You can also try chhaang, a fermented drink that’s commonly served warm or at room temperature, depending on the season. Sold in plastic bottles or in traditional copper cups known as lotas, this alcoholic drink is recognizable by its milky white color.

3. For Spiritual Sites: Lumbini

Not only is Lumbini one of the most beautiful places in Nepal, but it’s also deeply spiritual. No surprise here since it’s believed to be Buddha’s birthplace. It’s also home to the World Peace Pagoda. As such, this important pilgrimage site draws plenty of tourists and locals each year. The area is renowned for its serene and Zen-like atmosphere. You may even see pilgrims or monks gathering to meditate or enjoy a quiet moment of reflection.

You’ll see Buddhist symbols and monuments virtually all over the place. What really impressed me was the Maya Devi Temple where Queen Maya Devi gave birth to the Buddha. There’s a sacred stone inside the temple that marks Buddha’s birthplace.

Be sure to set aside some time to explore the garden after touring the temple. For many locals, the garden serves as a spiritual sanctuary where they can meditate by the shade of the Bodhi tree, whose branches are covered in prayer flags. The garden also houses an ancient bathing pond, a canal, and meditation pathways.  

If you’d like to learn more about the local culture and beliefs, I suggest that you book a guided hiking tour that’ll take you through the most important pilgrimage sites in the area.

Travel tip: Did you know that Lumbini is an excellent jumping point to India? The Sunauli-Bhairahawa border lies less than an hour’s drive from Lumbini, making it easy for you to explore famous spots like Goa!  

4. Beautiful Places in Nepal with a Small Town Charm: Bandipur

Here’s one that totally takes the cake as far as beautiful places in Nepal are concerned! Bandipur is often said to be something of a living museum in Nepal. Indeed, this insanely scenic village still clings to its Newari heritage, with quaint, cobbled streets and ancient merchant houses – complete with carved wooden windows.

Because Bandipur is perched on a ridge, you’ll be able to enjoy sweeping views of the Marsyangdi River Valley, Annapurna, and Langtang.

Along with the views, Bandipur is a great place for discovering traditional Newari food. These dishes have been passed down and perfected throughout generations. As such, you’ll find various types of traditional dishes to try in (and around) the area.

I highly recommend that you pop into a coffee shop for a cup of Bandipur-grown organic coffee. Between its midrange elevation and the rich, loamy soil, the area around Bandipur offers the ideal conditions for growing Arabica beans. As someone who simply can’t stand the taste of overly bold coffee, I absolutely loved the full-bodied yet mellow taste of Bandipur coffee.

Travel tip: Even if you usually take your coffee black, I recommend that you try it local style with a hefty splash of creamy buffalo milk. It’s an absolute game changer!

I noticed that the locals usually enjoy their coffee alongside snacks like chatamari, also known as Newari pizza. This traditional dish basically refers to a thin rice crepe topped with buffalo meat, egg, and, of course, chopped green chilies. It wouldn’t be a Nepalese dish without them!

When in Bandipur, be sure to check out the Siddha Gufa Cave, which is said to be the biggest in the country. It’s quite a sight to behold with its massive stalactites and echoing chambers.

5. For Lakeside Relaxation: Pokhara

You didn’t think I’d be leaving Pokhara off the list of most beautiful places in Nepal, did you? After all, this is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country – and for good reason! There’s no shortage of thrilling activities in Pokhara, from experiencing the world’s steepest zipline to marveling at the legendary David’s Falls, or even hiking across the nearby Annapurna Foothills.

To experience the true magic of the place, wake up early and walk away from Lakeside Road where you’ll find Nepalese aunties selling fresh sel roti (Nepali rice doughnut) and fresh chai. Head over to Begnas Lake where you can enjoy breakfast while watching the fishermen casting nets the old way.

If you’ve got some extra time, make a detour by the Tal Bahari Temple, an important religious monument that sits on a small island.

It wouldn’t quite be a visit to Pokhara without a quintessential stop by Phewa Lake (south Pokhara), which just so happens to be the most popular attraction in the area – not to mention another exceptionally beautiful place in Nepal. What makes Phewa Lake doubly special is the reflection of Machapuchare mountain bouncing off its glassy surface. The reflection isn’t always visible, though, so your best bet would be to head to the lake before dawn.

Phewa Lake is also a popular destination for paragliding and canoeing.

Travel tip: To escape the crowds, you can always head over to Pame, on the western edge of the lake.

This is a significantly quieter area where you can grab some fresh tarela fish, deep fried and dusted in salt and chili. Eat it with your fingers, feet in the water, while savoring the stillness.

6. For City Vibes: Kathmandu Valley

For me, Kathmandu Valley isn’t merely just another beautiful place in Nepal: this area actually felt like the beating heart of the country. Think bustling markets, ancient kingdoms, and quiet courtyards, all interwoven to provide a unique cultural experience. After all, let’s not forget that the Valley encompasses some of the most historic cities in Nepal, including Kathmandu and Patan.

There’s beauty in the obvious: soothing mantras drifting from the legendary Boudhanath Stupa as monks circle it while using their mala beads to chant, the golden spire of the Swayambhunath Monkey Temple, or even catching the sunrise from Nagarkot.

For me though, it was the relaxed, in-between moments that really got under my skin: Wander aimlessly through Patan Durbar Square and you might just stumble upon a hidden hiti (stone water sprout) that the locals still use to bathe.

Drive over to the nearby Talako Tole, also known as Pottery Square, to admire the ancient Nepalese art of pottery making. Afterwards, stop by a chai stall for a cup of salty butter tea – a local delicacy that tastes way better than it sounds!

Now, you can’t visit Kathmandu Valley without stopping by the legendary Garden of Dreams near Thamel. Dating back to 1920, this neo-classical garden has several ponds, pavilions, and pergolas – everything you need for a tranquil afternoon away from the bustle of the city.

You’ll quickly realize that there’s no shortage of great places to eat in Kathmandu. For something distinctively local though, you can always head to Honacha, a hole-in-the-wall eatery that’s found just behind the Krishna temple in Patan. Sit cross-legged on the wooden floor and enjoy classic delicacies like choila (grilled buffalo meat) and bara – a crunchy deep-fried snack.

7. Beautiful Places in Nepal for the Wildlife: Bis Hazari Tal

Tucked away in southern Terai is an underrated natural wonder – not to mention another beautiful place in Nepal!

Bis Hazari Tal is a protected area made up of marshes, oxbow lakes, and forest pools. Teeming with wildlife and raw, natural beauty, Bis Hazari Tal is spread across 7,900 hectares of buffer zone. No wonder the name literally translates to 20,000 lakes!

While it’s quite popular with local conservationists and birdwatchers, this place does lie off the main tourist radar – making it the ideal destination for those who want to disconnect from the city noises. If you’re into birdwatching, you’ll be glad to learn that Bis Hazari Tal has nearly 200 species of birds, including super rare ones like white-rumped vultures and Bengal floricans.

As beautiful as the place is, I would strongly urge you to book an experienced guide before visiting the area since it’s also home to wild boars, rhinos, and mugger crocodiles. You can easily hire a community forest guide right at the entrance. Not only are they familiar with the trails, but they can also help you spot rare wildlife that you’d likely miss on your own.

If you’d like to spend a few days in the area, you can always book a guesthouse in the vicinity. Most homestays in the area are community-run and include home-cooked Tharu breakfasts.

Bis Hazari Tal lies smack dab at the border of Chitwan National Park. In addition to being another beautiful place in Nepal, Chitwan was also the very first national park in the country. There is plenty to do there, with canoe rides down the Rapti River and early morning safaris. This is also a great place for spotting wildlife like Bengal tigers, one-horned rhinos, and sloth bears.

Bonus: A Hidden Gem Most Travelers Miss

Last up on our list of beautiful places in Nepal is Ilam, a place that’s known for its tea and unblemished hill landscapes. Unlike mainstream destinations, the Ila tea plantations offer a slower and more immersive travel experience, with mesmerizing scenery all around.  

If you’re a tea aficionado like me, don’t miss a visit to Kanyam, a sprawling tea estate located just a short drive from Ilam Bazaar. This is the ideal place for grabbing a fresh cup of Ilam tea from an unnamed roadside stall while chatting with a local tea picker.

Be sure to check out the Shree Antu Tea factory to participate in various stages of the tea production process. From drying the leaves out on special racks to fermenting them or even plucking them right from the bushes, a factory visit will help you understand what Nepali tea production is about. You’ll even be treated to a scrumptious tasting session after the tour!

The sunsets in Shree Antu are out of this world, so rest assured there’ll be heaps of great photo opportunities. If you’re visiting during harvesting season (October to January), you’ll also see food stalls selling a regional specialty known as sinsu ko jhol (nettle soup). Made from young nettle leaves, this soup is commonly served alongside dhindo, which is a maize or buckwheat porridge, and fermented leafy greens.  

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