What to do in Nara

Activities, attractions and tours

Heijo Palace which includes heritage elements and tranquil scenes
Heijo Palace which includes heritage elements and tranquil scenes
Nara featuring street scenes, a city and night scenes
Nara which includes food and dining out
Nara featuring dining out and food

Nara Attractions

Let Expedia help you experience the best that Nara has to offer! If you’re looking for fun itinerary ideas, we can provide you with a list of the top sightseeing attractions, as well as helping you to find unmissable activities. Whether you’re travelling with your family, planning a romantic trip with your loved one, or visiting on business, we’ll make it easy to plan an unforgettable holiday that checks all the boxes.

Activities and Tours

Nara is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay, and make it a breeze to explore the surrounding areas with our guides on where to go, what to see and when to see it. No matter how long your stay, it’s easy to find places of interest in Nara to make sure that you enjoy your experience to the fullest and don’t miss a thing. Leave the local knowledge to us and leave the hassle behind.

If you’re planning a visit, why not check out our handy guides to places of interest in the area? You can browse lists of things to do, learn about the most popular attractions, and get help with planning the details of your trip. Expedia makes it easy for you to check out all the top sights.

Nara Attractions

Expedia has something for everyone, so whether you’re planning to get active on a summer holiday, put a spring in your step with a romantic rendezvous, or pamper yourself with a leisurely winter trip, you’ll find plenty of attractions to keep you entertained. In addition to scheduling local tours, booking reservations and scoring advance event tickets, Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, all on one consolidated travel itinerary, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Nara.

Looking for things to do can be time consuming, but we can take the hassle out of planning your holiday. Whether you’re looking to get active in the great outdoors, sample the cuisine or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Nara attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season.

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Recommended things to do in Nara

Number of things to do
147
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Nara: Bike Tour in Ancient Capital UNESCO World Heritage: CA $31
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Nara

Discover the most popular places to visit in Nara

Nara Park which includes a park and heritage elements

Nara Park

Explore the great outdoors at Nara Park, a lovely green space in Nara. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Nara Park
Todaiji Temple which includes a lake or waterhole, a temple or place of worship and heritage elements

Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple is just one of the places to see in Nara, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Todaiji Temple
Kasuga Shrine which includes heritage elements and a temple or place of worship as well as an individual male

Kasuga Shrine

You can learn about the history of Nara with a visit to Kasuga Shrine. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Kasuga Shrine
Nara National Museum which includes interior views and signage

Nara National Museum

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Nara National Museum in Nara. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its temples.

Nara National Museum
Yakushi-ji Temple which includes heritage elements, a temple or place of worship and a park

Yakushi-ji Temple

Yakushi-ji Temple is just one of the places to see in Nara, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Yakushi-ji Temple
Kofuku-ji Shrine which includes heritage architecture, street scenes and a temple or place of worship

Kofuku-ji Temple

You can learn about the history of Noboriōji with a visit to Kofuku-ji Temple. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Kofuku-ji Temple
Toshodai-ji Temple featuring heritage elements and a temple or place of worship

Toshodai-ji Temple

After visiting Toshodai-ji Temple, make a plan to see the other sights and activities in Nara. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its temples.

Toshodai-ji Temple
Sarusawa-ike featuring a lake or waterhole

Sarusawa Pond Park

Sarusawa Pond Park is just one of the places to see in Noboriōji, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Sarusawa Pond Park
Heijo Palace showing a temple or place of worship and heritage architecture

Heijo Palace

You can learn about the history of Nara with a trip to Heijo Palace. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its temples.

Heijo Palace

Explore areas of Nara

Naramachi showing night scenes and signage

Naramachi

Unique features of Naramachi include the coffeehouses and shopping. Make a stop by Nara City Museum of Photography or Nara Park while you're exploring the area.

Naramachi

 

Looking for fun things to do nearby? Check things to do near me to find and book the best things to do, fun activities, and top attractions wherever you happen to be.

 

 

Day trip destinations from Nara

Japanese Ninja concept.

Iga

Tenrikyo Church Headquarters (Japan - Nara pref. - Tenri city)

Tenri

Hananosato-Takidani Japanese Iris Garden, Date taken(YYYY-MM-DD): 2010-06-27 Place taken: Hananosato-Takidani, Murō, Uda, Nara, Japan.
Photo by Hamachidori (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Uda

Sunset view of Miwa town, Sakurai, Nara, Japan

Sakurai

Frequently asked questions

Is Nara worth visiting?
Providing a blend of nature and views, there are plenty of things to do in Nara. When you're here, head to Nara National Museum, a leading attraction in the area.
How do I spend a day in Nara?
Momonoo-no Taki and Nara Prefectural Museum of Folklore are two awesome places to start your getaway adventures. Remember to check out the dining and shopping options in Nara while you're in town too.
What is the top tourist attraction in Nara?
The top tourist attraction in Nara is Nara National Museum, so don't forget to add it to your sightseeing agenda.
Is three days enough to stay in Nara?
Three days will be enough time to tick off many city sights, including Nara National Museum, Nara Prefectural Art Museum and Naramachi. The average stay in Nara is two days. If you have the time to extend your getaway, Kyoto isn't far away.
Is Nara a walkable city?
Some leading sights in Nara, including Nara National Museum and Nara Prefectural Art Museum, are within walking distance. You can also experience several of the city's neighbourhoods on foot. Only 2 kilometres from central Nara is Naramachi and Noboriōji is 3 kilometres away.
What are some activities to do in Nara with kids?
Whether you're travelling with hard-to-please teens or tiny adventurers, an itinerary filled with fun activities makes all the difference. Take a look at our ideas for what to do in Nara with kids.

What to do in Nara for adults?
There are lots of things to do in Nara, with activities for adults of all ages. End the day with a visit to Inada Sake Brewery or Yamanobe Street.
Are there free things to do in Nara?
From enjoying parks to strolling around exciting neighbourhoods, it's a breeze to find free things to do in Nara. If you're stuck for ideas, ask for recommendations from a local tour guide. Nara Prefectural Art Museum is a must for anyone wanting to save on their travelling adventures.

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