10 Best Museums in Nepal

Nepal is not only famous for its historical temples and mountains, but there are several of the best museums in Nepal. They showcase the Nepalese art and traditions in the best possible manner to the visitors. As per the Department of Archaeology, there are more than 50 museums in Nepal, each one is different from the other.

Museums in Nepal provide a deeper insight into the country’s past events, and the cultural heritage is preserved there so that it doesn’t get lost or forgotten. Visting museum gives a different kind of experience as it includes ancient artifacts and artworks promoting learning, preservation, and tourism all at the same time.

In this blog, we’ll be sharing with you some of the best museums in this country. The list is thoughtfully researched and put here, featuring plenty of historical artwork, cultural pieces, and so on. So, without wasting any time, let’s get started.

Why Visit Museums of Nepal?

When you go to any city for travelling, you gain new experiences and perspectives, the prime motive behind that is to know the unknown place. Similar to this, when you visit in Nepal, you understand more about that specific city or country as a whole. It gives you a brief historical and cultural insight.

Since every museums are bit unique, you’ll get to know various aspects from traditions to Himalayan culture and history related to mountaineering as well. Some specific museums also provide you with insight into the royal life, such as the Narayanhiti Palace Museum.

Visiting museums in Nepal is not just about understanding the history behind them, but also about the overall knowledge of the country. A guided tour of these museums will deepen your understanding of Nepal’s century-old traditions.

10 Best Museums in Nepal

1) Narayanhiti Palace Museum

Narayanhiti Palace Museum is one of the most renowned public museums of Nepal, located in Kathmandu. The museum is near the Kaiser Mahal, right next to Thamel. It was built in 2008, modified from a palace to a museum, which was the former Narayanhiti Palace. In the 2006 revolution, mass demonstrations were held demanding the restoration of democracy. And it led to the fall of the monarchical system in Nepal.

Before the revolution, the palace was the home of Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev (former king of Nepal) and his family. It was also the main workplace of the reigning monarch of the Kingdom of Nepal. Narayanhiti Palace Museum sheds light on the history, art, and, mainly, the royal life of Nepal.

The museum includes a high number of royal properties, such as Mahendra Manzil, a Hindu temple spire, military barracks, helipads, etc. A fascinating thing is that you can still see bullet holes in the massacre area, which is just near the garden. The Narayanhiti Palace museum consists of three wings, and these are the private wing, the guest wing, and the state wing. There are altogether 50+ rooms in the palace, and you’d be shocked to hear that these rooms have been given the names of different districts of Nepal. 

Narayanhiti Palace Museum

The rooms feature several artefacts, lovely paintings, royal utensils, and many other things. It also provides a solid overall portrayal of the royal family and their lifestyle. The property is grand with several rooms for guests, kitchens, restaurants, living rooms, bedrooms, and a festival celebration room. There is one specific reception hall where antique pieces such as tiger skin, royal gifts, memorable portraits of Kings and sculptures lie.

Entrance Fees of Narayanhiti Palace Museum:

• For Nepali students, the entrance fee is just NPR 50.
• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 200.
• For SAARC and Chinese Nationals, the entrance fee price is NPR 500 (2-3 USD)
• For Foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 1000 (6-7 USD)

Opening Days and Hours

The museum is open on most days except on Tuesday, Wednesday, and public holidays. It opens from 10:30 AM to 3:30 PM, and sometimes it might slightly fluctuate from 1:00 AM to 4:00 PM. The ticket counters may close early during the winter season, so keep that in mind if you’re looking to visit in the winter times.

2) International Mountain Museum

The International Mountain Museum is another famous museum in Nepal, situated in Pokhara. This museum was started on 5 February 2004, and 1 lakh+ locals and international tourists visit it every year. The museum includes three main exhibition halls, which showcase all that this building has preserved and protected so far. These halls are the Hall of the Great Himalayas, the Hall of Fame, and the Hall of World Mountains.

This museum will provide you with information related to the famous peaks, along with an introduction to renowned mountaineers. Being the mountain museum, it provides deeper insight into the mountains and mountaineers, as well as their culture and lifestyle.

International Mountain Museum

The museum also provides crucial information to the visitors regarding the flora, fauna, and geology of the Himalayan region. One of the unique aspects of this museum is that there is a special exhibit about the Yeti, too, which is one of the legendary mythical creatures of the Himalayas.

Additionally, there is also a massive 31-foot-tall replica of one of the world’s highest peaks, Mount Manaslu. The visitors can get a glimpse of it and understand more about this peak from a really close angle. Apart from that, there is also an seperate outdoor museum. It is dedicated specially for the country’s indigenous tribes, demonstrating their culture and their lifestyle.

Entrance Fees of the International Mountain Museum:

• For Nepali students, the entrance fee is just NPR 80.
• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 150.
• For SAARC and Indian Nationals, the entrance fee price is NPR 400 (2-3 USD)
• For Foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 750 (5-6 USD)

Opening Days and Hours

This museum is open on a daily basis. (including the holidays) International Mountain Museum opens from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM.

3) The National Museum of Nepal

The National Museum of Nepal, also called the National Museum, is located at the base of Swayambhu in Kathmandu. It is also the first museum of Nepal. Rana Prime Minister Juddha Shumsher made this museum public on February 12, 1939.

This museum has a specific art section, including the Buddhist collection of art paintings, etc. The Department of Archaeology takes full operations and manages the National Museum of Nepal. It includes plenty of art galleries, especially of Judhhajatiya, and mainly Buddhist art galleries. Currently, it has become a go-to destination for those who have a keen interest in art and history.

Furthermore, the National Museum also has an auditorium with a seating capacity of 140+ people. The auditorium has a great facility with comfy chairs and a podium, and other amenities. There are different sections related to the appropriate topic showcasing a variety of statues, wood carvings, and paintings.

National Museum of Nepal

You can see another attached building, which is specific to the Buddhist Art Gallery, showcasing the Buddhist art objects. Similarly, the building on the right is the Museum of National History. The Art Gallery mainly shows the metal works, wood, and stone carvings. On the other hand, the building dedicated to the Buddhist Art Gallery displays Buddhist paintings and sculptures.

Entrance Fees of the National Museum of Nepal:

• For Nepali students, the entrance fee is just NPR 10.
• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 25.
• For SAARC and Indian Nationals, the entrance fee price is NPR 50 (1 USD)
• For Foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 200 (1-2 USD)

Opening Days and Hours

The National Museum is closed on Tuesdays and public holidays. On other days, the museum is open and the opening time is 10:30 AM – 4:30 PM. It might get closed earlier in winter times. 

4) Patan Museum

Located in Patan, Lalitpur Patan Museum is one of the prestigious museums of Nepal listed on the UNESCO World Heritage sites. It was started by the Late King Birendra Bikram Shah in 1997. This museum showcases the historic art of Nepal in a glorious manner. Before the museum, it was a royal palace of the former Malla kings of the Kathmandu Valley.

The credit for the overall design of the museum goes to the famous Austrian architect, the late Götz Hagmüller. The collection of elements and crafts inside the museum was done by the Late Mary Shepherd Slusser. This Patan museum was started with a sole aim, the preservation of art, culture, and iconography of the top religions of Nepal, Hinduism, and Buddhism.

Patan Museum

Visitors to this museum can learn about the culture of this country, as it covers a long span of history. We mentioned a long span because it includes 1,100 artifacts, and nearly 200 of them are on display permanently. Sculptures of Hindu and Buddhist gods are made of bronze and, secondly, gilt copper. Patan, the place itself, is famous for skilled craftsmanship.

Entrance Fees of the Patan Museum:

• For Nepali students, the entrance fee is just NPR 15.
• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 30.
• For SAARC and Indian Nationals, the entrance fee price is NPR 250 (1 USD)
• For Foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 1000 (6-7 USD)

Opening Days and Hours

The Patan Museum only closes on Tuesdays and public holidays; on other days it remains open. The opening time is 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM. It gets closed earlier in the winter season at around 4:30 PM.

5) Gurkha Memorial Museum

Spread over 3 stories-building, Gurkha Memorial Museum is a special art museum in Nepal highlighting the history of gurkha regiment. Located in Pokhara, this museum mainly focuses on the history of the British and the Indian Army. It displays the hundreds of photographs of war they have fought in the past, along with their regimental life.

All the 3 floors contain galleries that are displayed stunningly with visuals and sound effects. Interestingly, there you can also see the minute details of the uniforms they wore and the weapons they used. Additionally, the achievements and the medals won by these army members are also highlighted.

Gurkha Memorial Museum

One of the supreme and highly regarded medals, the Gurkha VICTORIA CROSS winners can also be seen along with their citations. Along with galleries, visitors can see the DVD films too related to Gurkha history, which were specially made by the BBC. You can see it inside the museum on a large screen, and it costs no charge at all.

Visitors can take photographs while visiting the museum. However, in order to take photographs, you must buy tickets at the counter for using still cameras and video. Keep in mind you’ll be charged extra fees for it.

Entrance Fees of the Gurkha Memorial Museum:

• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 20.
• For SAARC Nationals, the entrance fee price is NPR 100 (1 USD)
• For Foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 200 (1-2 USD)

Opening Days and Hours

It is open daily (Monday to Sunday) from 8 am to 4:30 pm. Mostly closed during the public holidays.

6) Taragaon Museum

Despite the Taragaon Museum being a bit of a private gallery, it is open to the public as well for visits. Situated in the northern part of Kathmandu near the Bouddhanath stupa, it is owned by the Taragaon Regency hotel. The museum also resides on the ground floor of the hotel and is funded and supported by the Saraf Foundation.

The building was previously a hostel, and then in 1997 it was abandoned. The property was then bought by Arun Saraf, who ordered to renovate it into a museum. The museum showcases 18th and 19th-century photographs, popular artists’ sketches, maps, and various other documents. 

Taragaon Museum

Other than that, it also features art galleries and a big event hall. Additionally, there are two outdoor big amphitheaters too. The museum also hosts different kinds of art-related events and festivals. Various book release events and musical performance takes place at the campus building, located near the museum.

Mainly, this museum provides the brief archaeological plans drawn by one of the first architectural advisors from another country to visit Kathmandu. One of the main highlights is also the first map of the Kathmandu Valley by Erwin Schneider.

Entrance Fees of the Taragaon Museum:

• For students, the entrance price is NPR 200.
• For the general public, the entrance price is just NPR 300.
• For children, the entrance is completely free.

Opening Days and Hours

The museum is open daily from 10:00 AM to 05:30 PM, which means Sunday to Saturday.

7) Kapilvastu Museum

Kapilvastu Museum is a famous cultural and religious museum of Nepal. The museum holds immense history and includes a huge number of ancient artifacts. Situated in Tilaurakot, it contains the remains of arts and monuments that have been discovered so far in that region.

Mostly, the archaeological findings of Tilaurakot and other nearby areas are put in this museum. The Kapilvastu Museum was built in 1962, located on the right bank of the Banaganga River. Here, the visitors can know more about the Tilaurakot Palace complex, which is known as the birthplace and home of Gautam Buddha.

Visiting this place takes you back to the historical times as it has a massive collection of coins, toys, pottery, and ornaments. And these are of the period between the fourth century A.D. and the seventh century B.C. Buddha also spent his childhood in this ancient city, so there are many fascinating things.

Kapilvastu Museum

Kapilvastu Museum holds a beautiful collection of statues, tools, and sculptures from the Shakya kingdom. The museum is recently renovated and carries the culture and history of the past and the legacy related to Buddha.

Entrance Fees of the Kapilvastu Museum:

• For the SAARC Nationals, the entrance price is just NPR 5.
• For foreigners, the entrance price is simply NPR 10.

Opening Days and Hours

The museum is closed on Mondays and public holidays. It usually opens from 10:30 AM to 4:30 PM (Sun-Fri). 

8) Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center

The Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center is more specific to the Tharu community and holds history and culture related to this community. The museum is located in Bachhauli, which is the nearest Tharu village to Sauraha. Visitors will get to see multi-coloured murals, artefacts, and the traditional dress of Tharus.

In comparison to other museums of Nepal, the collection is fairly limited. However, for those who hold a keen interest in Tharu culture, they must visit this museum. The following museum was built in 2005 by the Hariyali Youth Club, and thousands of tourists visit this place every single year. 

Previously, the group members of the Hariyali Youth Club used to conduct cultural programs related to the Tharu during the Tharu festivals. The main motive behind the establishment of the museum is to preserve the culture, history, and traditions of the Tharu people for future generations. Plus, it is to spread knowledge to the society and international tourists about the Tharu history and culture.

Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center

The museum is managed and financed by the local people. It also receives some money in multiple forms, like admission fees and from museum visitors.

Entrance Fees of the Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center:

• For Nepali students, the entrance fee is just NPR 50.
• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 100.
• For Foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 150 (1-2 USD)
• For children aged between 5 and 11 years, the entrance fee is NPR 50. Similarly, the museum is free to visit for children’s less than 5 years old.

Opening Days and Hours

The Tharu Cultural Museum and Research Center opens daily, mostly from 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM, or 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM.

9) Museum of Nepali Art

Museum of Nepali Art

Entrance Fees of the Museum of Nepali Art:

• The ticket price is NPR 500 for visitors (around 4 USD)
• There is also a student discount available of 50% by showing a valid ID.

Opening Days and Hours

The museum is open every day from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. It is located in Kathmandu Guest House, Thamel.

10) Lumbini Museum

Although listed as number 10, the Lumbini Museum is inside the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of the Sacred Garden. The museum was remodeled by one of the most famous Japanese architects, Kenzo Tange. It was built in the 1970s. Since it is in the heart of Lumbini, the museum showcases the importance of Gautam Buddha, his birthplace, and much information related to him.

Visitors to this museum can get to know about the Buddha, his teachings, the philosophies of Buddhism, and much more. It includes hundreds of pictures and artifacts related to Buddha and the religion of Buddhism. Similarly, there are other crucial exhibits, such as precious metal sculptures, stamps, and Buddhist manuscripts, too.

The museum reflects the life of Buddha and is made to show his importance to the whole world. It is the ideal place to get a better understanding of Buddhist traditions.

Lumbini Museum

Lumbini Museum includes more than 12000 artifacts, including religious manuscripts, metal sculptures, historical coins, and stamps. Nearby the museum, there is also the Lumbini International Research Institute (LIRI). This building contains the study and research materials related to Buddhism and other religions. Visitors can also find several books related to history and culture from the 4th century AD.

Entrance Fees of the Lumbini Museum:

• For Nepali citizens, the entrance fee is NPR 10.
• For SAARC and Indian Nationals, the entrance fee price is NPR 50 (1 USD)
• For foreigners, the entrance fee price is NPR 50 (1 USD)

Opening Days and Hours

The Lumbini Museum is open six days a week from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. It remains closed on Tuesdays. The building is inside the Lumbini complex.

If you’re a culture lover and want better insights related to the culture of Nepal, then we’ve a suitable Kathmandu sightseeing tour package which takes you to some of the most popular cultural sites of the country.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How many museums are there in Nepal?

Although the exact number is unknown, there are nearly 50 to 100, based on different purposes and the size of museums, from large to small. The data is provided by the Nepal Tourism Board.

What are the top museums in Kathmandu, Nepal?

There are several top museums in Kathmandu, Nepal, starting with the popular Narayanhiti Museum, and the oldest museum of Nepal, the National Museum of Nepal. Other popular museums include the Museum of Nepali Art (MoNA), Patan Museum, and Taragaon Museum. These are all located inside Kathmandu and provide an understanding of Nepali art, history, and culture.

Which is the first museum of Nepal?

The National Museum of Nepal is the first museum of Nepal, established in 1928 AD. The following museum is located in Chhauni, near the Swayambhu stupa. It is open to the general public.

Which is the oldest museum in Nepal?

The oldest and first museum of Nepal is the National Museum of Nepal. It is located in Chhauni, Kathmandu.

If you want to explore the National Parks of Nepal, their areas, and what they are famous for, you can follow our blog posts as well. The national park in Nepal protects and provides support for a large number of plants and animals.