The sights of Nepal's capital Kathmandu

The home of Buddhism, Hindu shrines, Everest and many World Heritage sites, Nepal offers a holiday experience like no other.

In the last year holidaymakers had been warned not to travel to Nepal, but current Foreign Office advice gives the country the all-clear, though all demonstrations and large gatherings should be avoided, and travellers should be aware that the security situation is unpredictable.

Many travellers to the country focus on Everest and the trekking and climbing the country offers, but holidaymakers more keen on thrills from less adventurous pursuits can still get a lot out of a visit to Nepal's capital, Kathmandu.

Most city tours will visit Durbar Square, a complex of palaces, courtyards and temples dating back to the 12th and 18th centuries, which used to be home to the ancient Malla kings.

Attractions for visitors include a 17th-century stone inscription written in 15 different languages and museums in located in the palaces. The Tribhuvan Museum, traces the history of King Tribhuvan who ruled from 1906-1955, as well as showing photographs and paintings of other rulers and the Mahendra Museum displays artefacts from the life of King Mahendra, who ruled from 1955-1972.

An even older site of Nepal's rulers can be visited in the ancient city of Patan believed to be founded in 299 AD, located five kilometres south-east of Kathmandu.

With a wide range of both Hindu and Buddhist architecture, top visitor attractions include the old palaces of Patan Durbar Square, the Krishna Mandir stone-built temple, made in the 17th century, Hiranya Varna Mahavihar a 12th-century Buddhist golden pogoda, and the Mahaboudha temple made from a thousand terracotta Buddhas.

Also worth visiting nearby is a Tibetan handicraft centre where visitors will find carpets, statues, jewellery, clothing accessories and more, and the Patan Museum, where visitors can view Buddhist and Hindu statues and ritual objects going back a thousand years.

Another sight on the outskirts of Kathmandu is Pashpatinath Temple, situated five kilometres east of the city. One of the holiest Hindu temples in the world, Pashpatinath is fittingly grand and decorative, featuring a two-tiered golden roof and silver doors. Only Hindus are allowed through the temple's main gates, but people of all beliefs are welcome to visit the temple through other entrances.

Three kilometres further east is the stupa of Boudhanath, a large Buddhist shrine. The stupa is one of the biggest in the world and is a great way for holidaymakers to experience Buddhist culture first-hand. Visitors will be able to see monks and hundreds of coloured symbolic flags at the stupa, and close to the shrine there are also places to eat.

To see the Himalayas and Everest, holidaymakers can head out of Kathmandu to Nagarkot, 32 kilometres east of the city.

A popular place to catch a sunrise or sunset, at 2,175 metres above sea level travellers are rewarded by awesome views of tallest mountain range on the planet.

Nagarkot also makes a good place to stay if you need a break from Kathmandu, as there are a number of accommodation options available, including a chance to live as the locals do at the Nagarkot Cottage, which gives residents the authentic Nepali village experience.

Club Himalaya, Hotel Country Villa, Hotel View Point and View Tower are among the more conventional hotels in the area, some of which offer rooms with 360-degree views of the mountains.

For a virtual tour of Kathmandu's World Heritage sites see www.world-heritage-tour.org

For more information on flights and accommodation to Kathmandu see www.visitnepal.com

For Foreign Office travel advice see www.fco.gov.uk