Patan is an alternative name for Lalitpur, the part of Kathmandu south of the Bagmati River, but usually refers to the historic part of Lalitpur. It’s a beautiful, atmospheric neighborhood centered around the UNESCO-listed Patan Durbar Square. While Patan has a range of low-key guesthouses and restaurants and businesses catering to travelers, it’s a much more “local” part of the city than Thamel, and an ideal place to rent a room or whole apartment Cosy Nepal is a good place to look for furnished apartments oozing traditional character.

A few cafes around Patan are happy for remote workers to bring their laptops and use the WiFi. Himalayan Java Mangalbazar, Café Swotha at Swotha Square, and Dhokaima Café at Patan Dhoka—the colorful gate that leads into the old town from near the Lalitpur Bus Park—are all welcoming. Dhokaima also has a good range of English-language newspapers and the adjacent Yala Maya Kendra complex often hosts cultural events, film festivals, and the like. 

On the edge of Old Patan, on Pulchowk Road, is the modern Labim Mall, the smartest shopping mall in the city. Many cafes and restaurants here also welcome remote workers, including the open-plan Himalayan Java in the downstairs atrium. 

One of the main reasons to base yourself in Old Patan is to enjoy the proximity to Nepali tradition and history. The Patan Museum, housed in the old palace complex, is the finest museum in Nepal and an ideal place to learn about Nepali art and architecture. The adjacent Patan Durbar Square is dotted with temples and shrines, and the Golden Temple (Hiranya Varna Mahavihar) down a narrow road is another must-visit.