Thamel is a commercial neighborhood in Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal. It is a haven for tourists visiting the city.
It has been the center of the in Kathmandu for over four decades, starting from the hippie tourist industry days when many artists came to Nepal and spent weeks in Thamel. It evolved as the touristic hub since the eighties. It is situated next to Narayanhiti Royal Palace. Although some consider it to be overcrowded it has been used by westerners since the 1970’s when hippies in the region discovered it. Although now it has become quite commercial. Backpackers paradise Thamel has almost all the things from the small cafe to lavish restaurants, small hostel, Guesthouse, Hotels, most popular international cuisine, shops of your choice for the gift items, handicrafts, textiles, antiques, Thangka painting, Carpets, Nepali Knife(Khukuri), to all types of jewelry.
There are many restaurants in Thamel that serve traditional and continental cuisine, although prices are significantly higher than in non-tourist areas. It also acts as the pre-base camp for mountaineers. It is home to a wide range of the Nepalese population and serves both entertainment and employment purposes.
It boasts a wide range of mountaineering gear shops, foreign money exchange booths, mobile phone shops, pubs, clubs, and nightlife along with the numerous travel agents and guesthouses. Trekkers can hire or buy all the stuff they require. One can enjoy the English live music, traditional Gandharva music ethics in Thamel. There are many bars, pubs, Ayurvedic Massage centers. Even though Thamel has been referred to as a “ghetto†by some, many low-budget travelers consider it a hotspot for tourism. Travel agencies, small grocery stores, budget hotels and restaurants also line the streets. Cars, cycles rickshaws, two-wheelers, and taxis ply these narrow streets alongside hundreds of pedestrians. The streets of Thamel are fascinating