Patan Durbar Museum welcomed a total of 313,300 visitors in 2025, reflecting a slight decline in overall footfall compared to the previous year. According to the museum’s Administrative Chief, Sureshman Lakhe, a total of 105,300 foreign tourists visited the museum in 2025, including 43,053 visitors from SAARC countries.
In comparison, the museum had received 318,337 foreign tourists in 2024. Based on this data, foreign tourist arrivals in 2025 recorded a modest decrease year-on-year.
Strong Growth in Nepali Visitors
Despite the decline in international arrivals, domestic tourism at Patan Durbar Museum continued to grow steadily. In 2025, a total of 40,400 Nepali students and 124,550 Nepali general visitors toured the museum. Lakhe stated that the number of Nepali visitors has been increasing every year, highlighting a strong and growing interest among locals in the country’s cultural heritage.
“Although foreign tourist arrivals fluctuate due to changing national circumstances, the number of Nepali visitors has been consistently rising,” Lakhe said.
Road Improvements and Social Movements Impact Foreign Arrivals
According to Lakhe, the main reasons behind the decline in foreign visitors were the Gen-Z movement and ongoing road improvement works in the Patan Durbar area. These factors affected accessibility and travel convenience, contributing to reduced international tourist inflow during the year.
Despite these challenges, Patan Durbar Museum remains one of Nepal’s most significant cultural attractions, continuing to draw a growing number of domestic visitors while maintaining its reputation as a major heritage destination for international tourists.
