Paro
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At a glance
- Country
- Bhutan
- Region
- Paro District
- Population
- 12,000
- Best time to go
- March to May, September to November
- Main airport
- Paro International (PBH)
- Coordinates
- 27.43°N, 89.41°E
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Overview
Paro is where almost every visitor to Bhutan begins. The approach is unforgettable, with planes banking between forested ridges to land in a broad valley of rice fields, farmhouses and white temples.
The town itself is a single main street of painted wooden shopfronts, but the valley holds some of the country's most treasured sights. Most people save the hike to the Tiger's Nest for the end of a trip, once they are used to the altitude.
Things to see
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Photo: Original: Nina R from Africa Derivative work: UnpetitproleX, CC BY 2.0 Paro Taktsang (Tiger's Nest)
A monastery clinging to a sheer cliff high above the valley, reached by a steep half-day hike through pine forest.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 Rinpung Dzong
A massive fortress-monastery above the river, reached by a covered wooden cantilever bridge.
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Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0 National Museum of Bhutan
Housed in and beside the old watchtower above the dzong, with masks, textiles and thangka paintings.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY 2.5 Kyichu Lhakhang
One of the oldest temples in Bhutan, said to date from the seventh century, surrounded by orange trees and prayer wheels.
Tickets and tours -
Photo: Christopher J. Fynn, CC BY-SA 4.0 Drukgyel Dzong
The restored fortress at the top of the valley, built to guard the old route to Tibet.
Things to do
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Hot stone bath
Soak in a wooden tub of river water heated with fire-hot stones, a farmhouse tradition and the perfect cure after the Tiger's Nest.
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Photo: Vinayaraj, CC BY-SA 4.0 Drive to Chele La
Climb to one of the highest road passes in Bhutan for prayer flags and, on clear days, views of the Himalaya.
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Photo: Mario Biondi writer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Paro Tsechu
A spring festival of masked dances, ending at dawn with the unveiling of a giant thangka at the dzong.
Where to stay
Paro town
Practical and close to the main street's shops and cafés.
Hotels in Paro townValley farmhouses
Homestays in traditional houses give a warm welcome and home cooking.
Hotels in Valley farmhousesUpper valley lodges
Luxury retreats among the fields, closer to the Tiger's Nest trailhead.
Hotels in Upper valley lodges
Getting around
Visits are usually arranged through a licensed Bhutanese tour operator with a guide and driver. Taxis wait in town for short hops.
The airport is a few minutes' drive from town; Thimphu is about an hour away by road.
When to go
Spring and autumn bring the clearest skies and the best hiking. The monsoon from June to August brings cloud and rain, and winter is cold but bright and quiet.
Plan your trip to Paro
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.