Patan Durbar Square Plaza

Address: Patan Durbar Square (Lalitpur), Patan, Bagmati Province, Nepal

Hours: Daily 9am-5pm

Patan Durbar Square is the historic heart of Lalitpur (Patan) and contains a concentrated group of temples, shrines and palace buildings notable for stonework and woodcarving. The square functions as a civic and ceremonial centre and is an important repository of Newar architectural and artistic traditions.

A 17th-century stone temple dedicated to Krishna, the former royal palace complex and the Patan Museum that preserves local art and ritual objects. Visitors commonly move between palace courtyards, temple terraces and several small artisanal shops nearby.

Most major buildings on the square date to the medieval and early modern Malla period when Patan was a major city-state and artistic centre; many structures survived and were restored after earthquake damage. The square remains an active locus for religious festivals and municipal ceremonies.

Patan Durbar Square lies in the centre of Lalitpur city, immediately south of Kathmandu across the Bagmati River, and is part of the Kathmandu Valley urban cluster in Bagmati Province. It is a short drive from central Kathmandu and is easily reached by local transport.

• Art and architecture: The square is renowned for its Newar stone and wood carving and is one of the principal heritage sites within the Kathmandu Valley cultural landscape.

What to See#

• Krishna Mandir: A stone temple built in the 17th century known for its carved stonework and close proximity to the central Durbar palace buildings.
• Patan Museum: The Patan Museum, housed in a former royal palace, displays Newar art and ritual objects and interprets the city’s craft traditions.
• Royal courtyards and shrines: A compact complex of courtyards, palaces and smaller shrines forming the civic and ceremonial centre of Lalitpur (Patan) city.

Patan Durbar Square is in central Patan (Lalitpur), about 5-6 km south of Kathmandu city centre. From Kathmandu (Ratna Park/Kathmandu Durbar Square) take a taxi (20-30 minutes depending on traffic) or a local microbus to Lagankhel/Patan Dhoka; the main bus stops in Patan are a short walk from the old city. From Lagankhel it is typically a 5-20 minute walk to Patan Durbar Square through the historic streets.

• Visit early in the morning when the light is best and the square is far quieter-you'll get unobstructed views of the temples and better photos before tour groups arrive.
• Enter near the Patan Museum and include the museum rooftop café in your visit: the rooftop gives one of the best vantage points over the palace roofs that many day visitors miss.
• Take time to explore the smaller side courtyards and lanes off the main square-many visitors only see the main temples and miss intricately carved shrines and local artisan workshops tucked away.