Capital
Major Cities of Nepal
Nepal has numerous cities ranging from the bustling capital Kathmandu to scenic Pokhara and industrial centers like Biratnagar. Explore the major urban centers with interactive maps.
Cities by Population
| City | District | Province | Population | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kathmandu | Kathmandu | Bagmati | 1,442,271 | 1,400m |
| Pokhara | Kaski | Gandaki | 264,991 | 827m |
| Lalitpur (Patan) | Lalitpur | Bagmati | 284,922 | 1,350m |
| Bharatpur | Chitwan | Bagmati | 280,502 | 208m |
| Biratnagar | Morang | Koshi | 242,548 | 72m |
| Birgunj | Parsa | Madhesh | 204,667 | 100m |
| Butwal | Rupandehi | Lumbini | 191,084 | 205m |
| Janakpur | Dhanusha | Madhesh | 173,924 | 76m |
| Dharan | Sunsari | Koshi | 166,674 | 349m |
| Nepalgunj | Banke | Lumbini | 163,723 | 150m |
| Hetauda | Makwanpur | Bagmati | 151,563 | 330m |
| Dhangadhi | Kailali | Sudurpashchim | 147,741 | 187m |
Featured Cities
Lake City
Heritage
Bhaktapur
Ancient Newari city known as the City of Devotees, with the best-preserved durbar square in the valley.
Industry
Biratnagar
Industrial capital of Nepal and the largest city in eastern Nepal.
Urban Development in Nepal
Metropolitan Cities
Nepal has six metropolitan cities: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur, Bharatpur, Biratnagar, and Birgunj. These cities serve as major economic, cultural, and administrative centers.
Urbanization Trends
Nepal is experiencing rapid urbanization with the Kathmandu Valley seeing the fastest growth. Other regional centers like Pokhara, Biratnagar, and Bharatpur are also expanding rapidly.
Travelling Between Nepal's Cities
Nepal's cities are linked by a small number of highways that wind through the hills, so journeys take longer than distances suggest. The Prithvi Highway connects Kathmandu with Pokhara (about 200 km, 6 to 8 hours by tourist bus), and the East-West Highway runs the length of the southern Terai plains, linking Biratnagar, Birgunj, Bharatpur, Butwal, Nepalgunj and Dhangadhi.
Domestic flights save a lot of time: Kathmandu to Pokhara takes about 25 minutes, and there are regular flights to Biratnagar, Bharatpur, Bhairahawa (for Lumbini) and Nepalgunj. Flights are often delayed by weather, especially during the monsoon, so leave a buffer day before international departures.
The Kathmandu Valley's Royal Cities
Kathmandu, Lalitpur (Patan) and Bhaktapur were once independent Newar kingdoms, and each has its own Durbar Square with palaces and temples. Together with Swayambhunath, Boudhanath, Pashupatinath and Changu Narayan, they make up the Kathmandu Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site. Patan is a 15-minute drive from Thamel and Bhaktapur about 45 minutes, making both easy day trips.
Gateway Cities
- Bharatpur: the nearest city to Chitwan National Park; most visitors stay in Sauraha, about 30 minutes away.
- Bhairahawa (Siddharthanagar): home to Gautam Buddha International Airport, 20 km from Lumbini, the birthplace of the Buddha.
- Nepalgunj: the hub for flights to remote western Nepal, including Rara Lake.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest city in Nepal?
Kathmandu is the largest city and the national capital, followed by Pokhara, Lalitpur, Bharatpur and Biratnagar.
How many metropolitan cities does Nepal have?
Six: Kathmandu, Pokhara, Lalitpur, Bharatpur, Biratnagar and Birgunj.
How do I travel from Kathmandu to Pokhara?
By tourist bus along the Prithvi Highway, which takes about 6 to 8 hours, or by a 25-minute domestic flight.