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Bangladesh Dhaka travel guide
30 things to do in Dhaka, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Dhaka
- Baitul Mukarram National Mosque — National Mosque of Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Lalbagh Fort — Mughal Architecture (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Shaheed Minar — Monument to the deaths incurred in the Bangladesh for Language Movement in 1952 (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Bangladesh National Museum — national museum of Bangladesh (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Ahsan Manzil — National museum in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Dhakeshwari Temple — Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Chawkbazar Shahi Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Binat Bibi Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Star Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Bangabhaban — Official residence of the President of Bangladesh (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Armenian Church — church in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Saat Masjid — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Hussaini Dalan — Muslim religious building (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Bara Katra — historical and architectural monument in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Kakrail Mosque — Worldwide Tablighi Markaz in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Kartalab Khan Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Gurdwara Nanak Shahi — building in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Katabon Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St. Mary’s Cathedral, Dhaka — church in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Mausoleum of Three Leaders — Mausoleum in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Bangabandhu Memorial Museum — museum in Dhaka (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Holy Rosary Church — Dhaka (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Musa Khan Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Ramna Kali Temple — 16th century Hindu temple in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Laxmi Narayan Mandir — Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Liberation War Museum — museum in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 120 min)
- SAARC Fountain — fountain in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Shaista Khan Mosque — mosque in Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St Thomas Church Dhaka — church in Dhaka, Bangladesh (visit ≈ 30 min)
4-day Dhaka walking itinerary
Starting point: Gulshan. The top 4 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 10.4 km · 14,050 steps · 2 h 18 min on the way): Holy Rosary Church
- Day 2 (≈ 12.9 km · 17,430 steps · 2 h 52 min on the way): SAARC Fountain
- Day 3 (≈ 14.4 km · 19,490 steps · 3 h 12 min on the way): Bangabandhu Memorial Museum
- Day 4 (≈ 11.2 km · 15,120 steps · 2 h 30 min on the way): Liberation War Museum
Where to stay in Dhaka
- Gulshan: Hotels, restaurants and embassies; the city’s most orderly area.
- Banani: Full of cafés and restaurants; right next to Gulshan.
- Dhanmondi: Lakeside, cultural centres and local restaurants.
- Old Dhaka: Lalbagh Fort and the riverside; crowded but very colourful.
- Motijheel: Business district near the metro and the railway station.
Getting from the airport to Dhaka
- Hazrat Shahjalal International (DAC): Taxi, Uber or Pathao ≈ 30 min; can take much longer in traffic.
Getting around
Traffic is very heavy; the MRT metro line helps north to south, otherwise use Uber or Pathao. In Old Dhaka, cycle rickshaws are good for short hops.
Classic places to eat
- Haji Biryani: Mutton kacchi biryani in Old Dhaka since 1939.
- Star Kabab: A local classic for kebabs, paratha and breakfast.
- Sultan’s Dine: Kacchi biryani chain; the Dhanmondi branch is very popular.
- North End Coffee Roasters: A relaxed café roasting its own coffee.
- Nirob Hotel: Simple Old Dhaka eatery known for fried brain and liver curries.
Romantic views
- Hatirjheel (Evening): Lakeside paths and lit bridges create a pleasant mood in the evening.
- Dhanmondi Lake (Evening): Its tree-lined banks offer couples an escape from the busy city.
- Ramna Park (Early morning): With its lake and old trees, the park is cool and peaceful in the morning.
- National Parliament House Lake (Sunset): Louis Kahn's building reflected in the water is striking at sunset.
Good to know before visiting Dhaka
- Fine: Photographing military sites, borders and government buildings is prohibited.
- Fine: Drug offences carry very severe penalties.
- Warning: Alcohol is restricted; foreigners can find it in licensed hotels and bars.
- Warning: Wear loose clothes covering shoulders and knees in public; women cover their hair in mosques.
- Warning: Traffic is chaotic; agree rickshaw fares upfront.
- Warning: Avoid strikes (hartals) and demonstrations.
- Emergency: 999
- Plugs: C/D/G/K, 220V
- Tap water: Don't drink tap water; use bottled.
- Tipping: 5–10% is customary.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Bangladesh, Wikivoyage — Bangladesh, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Dhaka travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Dhaka?
- The top 4 places in the centre take about 4 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel.
- What are the top things to do in Dhaka?
- Highlights: Baitul Mukarram National Mosque, Lalbagh Fort, Shaheed Minar, Bangladesh National Museum and Ahsan Manzil. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Dhaka?
- Gulshan: Hotels, restaurants and embassies; the city’s most orderly area. Other options: Banani, Dhanmondi, Old Dhaka and Motijheel.
- How do you get from the airport to Dhaka city centre?
- Hazrat Shahjalal International (DAC): Taxi, Uber or Pathao ≈ 30 min; can take much longer in traffic.
- How do you get around Dhaka?
- Traffic is very heavy; the MRT metro line helps north to south, otherwise use Uber or Pathao. In Old Dhaka, cycle rickshaws are good for short hops.
- What is the emergency number in Dhaka?
- Emergency: 999.
- Do you tip in Dhaka?
- 5–10% is customary.
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