Lalbagh Fort and Old Dhaka Day Tour
A 17th-century Mughal fort complex with a tomb, a mosque and a council hall set in quiet lawns, visited on a guided Old Dhaka day that also takes in the Pink Palace and the shipyards.
Bangladesh
Dhaka
Dhaka is one of the densest, loudest and most generous cities on earth, and it rewards visitors who arrive curious.
The old quarter on the Buriganga River holds a Mughal fort, a pink Nawabi palace, a mosaic-covered mosque and an Armenian church within a few streets of each other, all wrapped in rickshaw bells and biryani smoke. Wooden ferries cross the river by the hundred, launches leave Sadarghat for the delta, and half a day away lie the medieval capital of Sonargaon, the tea hills of Srimangal and the mangroves of the Sundarbans. This guide books the city properly, with heritage walks, river boats, food tours and day trips, and pairs it with hotels from the grand towers of Gulshan to calmer Banani addresses. Check current government travel advice before you book, then come hungry.
Don't miss
Lalbagh Fort and Old Dhaka Day Tour
A 17th-century Mughal fort complex with a tomb, a mosque and a council hall set in quiet lawns, visited on a guided Old Dhaka day that also takes in the Pink Palace and the shipyards.
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) Old Dhaka Heritage Tour
The pink riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, now a museum, covered on a half-day private walk through the historic quarter.
Old Dhaka Food Tour
A guided tasting walk through the old quarter's legendary eateries, from kebabs and biryani to sweets and tea, with a local who knows where to stop.
Sonargaon Old Capital Day Tour
A day trip to Bengal's medieval capital east of Dhaka, with the folk art museum, historic mosques and the ruined merchant street of Panam City.
Things to do in Dhaka
Hand-picked: every experience here has strong traveler reviews and a verified booking link.
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) Old Dhaka Heritage Tour
The pink riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, now a museum, covered on a half-day private walk through the historic quarter.
Old Dhaka Food Tour
A guided tasting walk through the old quarter's legendary eateries, from kebabs and biryani to sweets and tea, with a local who knows where to stop.
Buriganga River, Sadarghat and Shipyard Day Tour
Wooden ferries, giant launches and working dockyards on Dhaka's riverfront, seen on a guided Old Dhaka day with a shipyard visit.
FreeStar Mosque (Tara Masjid)
A small, dazzling mosque in Old Dhaka covered in star-patterned mosaic of china tile, free to visit outside prayer times.
30 to 60 minutesDetails →
Armenian Church Walk, Old Dhaka
A guided walk through Armanitola and the 18th-century Armenian Church, tracing the merchants who once traded jute and leather from Dhaka.
Sonargaon Old Capital Day Tour
A day trip to Bengal's medieval capital east of Dhaka, with the folk art museum, historic mosques and the ruined merchant street of Panam City.
Panam City Heritage Day Trip
A long, hushed street of 19th-century merchant houses near Sonargaon, crumbling, overgrown and wonderfully atmospheric on a private day trip from Dhaka.
Sonargaon, Panam and Jamdani Village Cultural Tour
A cultural day that adds a Jamdani weaving village to Sonargaon and Panam City, so you can watch a UNESCO-recognised textile craft being made by hand.
FreeJatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House)
Louis Kahn's monumental concrete and marble parliament, one of the great buildings of the twentieth century, viewed from its landscaped grounds.
1 to 2 hoursDetails →
Bangladesh National Museum
The country's largest museum at Shahbag, spanning terracotta sculpture, Buddhist bronzes, folk art, natural history and the independence story.
Liberation War Museum
A moving museum documenting the 1971 war of independence through documents, photographs, personal objects and testimony.
Where to stay
Hotels we would book ourselves, from splurges to good-value bases.
$$$Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka
Karwan Bazar / Central Dhaka
A long-established five-star tower in the Karwan Bazar district, central to government offices, business and the city's major road links.
Check rates →
$$$The Westin Dhaka
Gulshan
A polished international hotel on Gulshan Avenue, with a calm, contemporary feel, a spa-minded wellness focus and easy access to embassies and restaurants.
Check rates →
$$$Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden
Airport Road / Cantonment
A resort-like hotel near the airport corridor, with landscaped grounds, water features and a pool, handy for early flights and families.
Check rates →
$$$InterContinental Dhaka
Ramna / Minto Road
A major five-star hotel on Minto Road in the Ramna district, close to the central parks, the Supreme Court area and the old city.
Check rates →
$$$Le Meridien Dhaka
Airport Road / North Dhaka
A contemporary international hotel on the airport side of the city, with a pool, several restaurants and an easy run to the terminal.
Check rates →
$$$Amari Dhaka
Banani
A stylish mid-to-upper hotel in the Banani district, near restaurants and cafes and well placed for evenings out.
Check rates →
$$Six Seasons Hotel
Gulshan
A comfortable boutique-style hotel in the Gulshan area, popular with long-stay and business guests who want a quieter address.
Check rates →
$$Hotel Sarina
Banani
A well-known Dhaka hotel in the Banani district with a reputation for steady service and good value among the city's upper-tier options.
Check rates →Tour + stay
Ready-made pairings: a top sight and a hotel that suits it. Add both to your trip and book each when you are ready.
Do
Lalbagh Fort and Old Dhaka Day TourStay
Pan Pacific Sonargaon DhakaKarwan Bazar / Central Dhaka
Do
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) Old Dhaka Heritage TourStay
Le Meridien DhakaAirport Road / North Dhaka
Do
Old Dhaka Food TourStay
The Westin DhakaGulshan
Dhaka guides
Dhaka in Three Days: Old City, River and Modern Landmarks
A practical three-day plan that gives Old Dhaka a full day, pairs the river with the museums and keeps a day for Sonargaon.
Eating in Dhaka: Biryani, Street Snacks and Sweets
What to eat in Dhaka, where the city's food tradition comes from, and how to enjoy street food with confidence.
The Best Time to Visit Dhaka: Seasons, Festivals and Weather
When to go to Dhaka and Bangladesh, season by season, with notes on heat, monsoon, festivals and day trip timing.
Day Trips from Dhaka: Sonargaon, Tea Hills and the Delta
The best escapes from the capital, from easy half days near the city to longer journeys to the tea hills, the Sundarbans and the coast.
Where to Stay in Dhaka: Gulshan, Banani, Ramna and the Airport Side
Choosing a Dhaka neighborhood by traffic, dining and sightseeing, with a note on which hotel fits each plan.
Getting Around Dhaka: Rickshaws, Ride-Hailing and Local Etiquette
How to move around Dhaka, what to wear, how to behave at religious sites and how to handle crowds, money and photography.
