Singha Durbar

Palace Huge palace in Kathmandu housing government offices

A former palace complex in central Kathmandu that has housed government ministries, notable for its neoclassical façades and scale. Tourists photograph the exterior and learn about Nepal’s political history.

Main image

Singha Durbar is a large palace complex in central Kathmandu, Bagmati Province, Nepal, constructed in the early 20th century by Prime Minister Chandra Shumsher Rana. It is a principal seat of the Government of Nepal and contains multiple ministries and official offices.

The complex presents grand neoclassical facades, broad courtyards and several administrative wings that together form the core of Nepal’s central government district. Public access is limited because many buildings are active government offices, so views are typically from surrounding roads or public squares.

Originally built as a private Rana palace, the complex was repurposed in the mid-20th century to accommodate national government functions and offices. Over time it evolved from a single-family residence into a multi-wing administrative centre.

Singha Durbar sits in central Kathmandu, within the municipal area of the capital city. It is located among other government and institutional buildings in the heart of Kathmandu’s administrative zone.

  • Access: Access is limited because the complex houses active government offices; photographic and security restrictions apply near entrances.
  • Current use: Originally built as a Rana family palace in the early 20th century, it now contains multiple ministries and the Prime Minister's Office.
Singha Durbar
Singha Durbar, Kathmandu, Nepal
27.6983, 85.3253

How to Get to Singha Durbar #

Singha Durbar is in central Kathmandu near the banks of the Bagmati River. It is accessible by local taxis and buses from Thamel, Durbar Marg and other central neighborhoods; allow extra time for Kathmandu traffic.

Tips for Visiting Singha Durbar #

  • Access inside government buildings can be restricted - check ahead if a tour of the interior is required.
  • The surrounding area of Kathmandu (Thamel, Durbar Marg) offers convenient public transport options to Singha Durbar.
  • Give yourself time in traffic-Kathmandu's streets are congested and journeys that look short on a map often take much longer.

Best Time to Visit Singha Durbar #

Autumn and spring are the most comfortable months for visiting Kathmandu and its civic landmarks.

Autumn (post-monsoon)
September-November · 10-25°C
Clear skies and pleasant temperatures; the main tourist season in Kathmandu.
Spring
March-May · 15-28°C
Flowering trees and comfortable weather for walking around city monuments.
Winter
December-February · 2-18°C
Cooler mornings and fewer tourists; low chance of rain.

Weather & Climate near Singha Durbar #

Climate

Singha Durbar's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) - Humid Subtropical (Dry Winter) climate with warm summers (peaking in June) and cool winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from 4°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1587 mm/year), wettest in July with a pronounced dry season.

Air Quality: AQI 111 Unhealthy (Sg)
Best Time to Visit
MarchNovemberApril
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
36°
Warmest Month
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 18°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

11°
Feels Like Cool
11°C
Temperature
18°
46%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

15 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
10.5h daylight

February

February is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 5°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
20°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

19 mm
Rainfall
1.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
11.1h daylight

March

March is cool with highs of 24°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm).

87 Excellent

Comfort

17°
Feels Like Cool
17°C
Temperature
24°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.7
UV Index
Very High
11.9h daylight

April

April is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 13°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm).

85 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
13° 28°
37%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
2.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.0
UV Index
Very High
12.7h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 29°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (117 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

79 Very Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
16° 29°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

117 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
2.1
UV Index
Extreme
13.4h daylight

June

June is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 19°C. Heavy rain (283 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
19° 29°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

283 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.7h daylight

July

July is warm with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (396 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Warm
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

396 mm
Rainfall
1.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.8
UV Index
Very High
13.6h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 20°C. Heavy rain (356 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

24°
Feels Like Mild
24°C
Temperature
20° 28°
87%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

356 mm
Rainfall
1.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.9
UV Index
Very High
13.0h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Heavy rain (225 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

23°
Feels Like Mild
23°C
Temperature
19° 27°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

225 mm
Rainfall
1.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.6
UV Index
Very High
12.2h daylight

October

October is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (66 mm).

83 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
74%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

66 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.5
UV Index
High
11.4h daylight

November

November is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 8°C. The driest month with just 7 mm and mostly sunny skies.

87 Excellent

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
22°
62%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
0.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
High
10.7h daylight

December

December is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 4°C. Light rainfall and mostly sunny skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
19°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

13 mm
Rainfall
1.0 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
10.3h daylight

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