What to do in Nara

Activities, attractions and tours

Nara
Nara
Nara
Nara
Nara

Nara Attractions

Let Expedia help you to experience the best that Nara has to offer! If you’re planning a trip to Nara, 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 to Nara 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.

Places of interest in Nara

Nara is crammed with must-see places to visit and things to do. We can help you decide where to stay in Nara, and make it a breeze to explore Nara and 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 holiday 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 to Nara, 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 in Nara.

Nara attractions

Nara 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 in Nara to keep you entertained. Expedia makes it easy to book your flight, hotel and rental car in advance, making for hassle-free travel and freeing you up to explore the sights of Nara.

Looking for things to do in Nara 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 of Nara or catch up with the vibrant local culture, our guides to Nara attractions ensure that you’ll have a successful trip, whatever the season. Happy trails!

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Most fun & popular experiences in Nara

Tours & day trips

See all 165 activities
From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day Tour

From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day Tour

Activity duration is 9 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 24 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £45 per adult
From Kyoto / Osaka: Kyoto Must-see Spots & Nara Park One Day TourOpens in new tab

Private & custom tours

See all 94 activities
Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)

Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)

Activity duration is 6 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 13 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £128 per adult*
Private Nara Tour and Sake Tasting (Departing from Kyoto/Nara)Opens in new tab

Food, drink & nightlife

See all 37 activities
Nara: Deer, Great Buddha & Traditional Mochi Experience

Nara: Deer, Great Buddha & Traditional Mochi Experience

Activity duration is 4 hours
10.0 out of 10 with 5 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £38 per adult
Nara: Deer, Great Buddha & Traditional Mochi ExperienceOpens in new tab

Spa & wellness

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Nara: 3 UNESCO Sites Tour with Big Buddha & Deer

Nara: 3 UNESCO Sites Tour with Big Buddha & Deer

Activity duration is 3 hours
9.6 out of 10 with 5 reviews
Free cancellation available
Price is £76 per adult*
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Weddings & honeymoons

See all 3 activities
Osaka: Sightseeing Helicopter Tour

Osaka: Sightseeing Helicopter Tour

Activity duration is 18 minutes
Free cancellation available
Price is £394 per traveller*
Osaka: Sightseeing Helicopter TourOpens in new tab

Recommended things to do in Nara

Number of things to do
212
Cheapest thing to do on Expedia
Traditional Chopstick Making Workshop Experience Japan: £15
Top 5 things to do
Half-day tours
With kids

What to do in Nara

Popular places to visit

Nara Park

Nara Park

4.5/5(179 reviews)

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

Nara Park
Todaiji Temple

Todaiji Temple

4.5/5(90 reviews)

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 culturally rich area, find time to visit its temples.

Todaiji Temple
Nara National Museum

Nara National Museum

4/5(1 review)

You can spend an afternoon exploring the galleries in Nara National Museum during your travels in Nara. While in this walkable area, find time to visit its temples.

Nara National Museum
Kasuga Shrine

Kasuga Shrine

4.5/5(8 reviews)

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

Kasuga Shrine
Yakushi-ji Temple

Yakushi-ji Temple

4.5/5(2 reviews)

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 culturally rich area, find time to visit its temples.

Yakushi-ji Temple
Kofuku-ji Temple

Kofuku-ji Temple

4.5/5(3 reviews)

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

Kofuku-ji Temple
Sarusawa Pond Park

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
The Residential Area Of Nara Family; Shutterstock ID 204328075; purchase_order: SF 06557000; job: ; client: ; other:

Nara Family

During your visit to Nara, you can do some window-shopping at Nara Family. While in this culturally rich area, find time to visit its temples.

Nara Family
Toshodai-ji Temple

Toshodai-ji Temple

4/5(6 reviews)

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

Toshodai-ji Temple

Explore areas of Nara

Naramachi

Naramachi

Unique features of Naramachi include the coffee shops and shopping. Make a stop by Naramachi Mechanical Toy Museum or Nara City Museum of Photography 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

Uda
Photo by Hamachidori (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0)

Uda

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 kms (1 mile) from central Nara is Naramachi and Noboriōji is 3 kms (2 miles) 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.