Dhaka · 19 Places · Best November to February
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, a megacity of roughly 10 million people in the city and more than 20 million in the metro area on the Buriganga River. It combines Mughal and colonial monuments, the crowded lanes of Old Dhaka, Louis Kahn's parliament building and some of South Asia's best biryani and street food.
Dhaka sits on the Buriganga River in the centre of the Bengal delta and is one of the most densely populated cities on earth. Old Dhaka holds Lalbagh Fort, the Star Mosque, Ahsan Manzil and the river port of Sadarghat, while the north of the city (Gulshan, Banani, Uttara) has modern hotels, cafes and shopping. The city is a fascinating and demanding destination: traffic, heat and crowds are intense, but the food, history and hospitality are rewarding. Dhaka is a river and delta city, not a beach city; sea beaches such as Cox's Bazar are a separate, far trip.
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
The 19 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
An unfinished 17th-century Mughal fort complex begun in 1678 by Prince Muhammad Azam, holding the tomb of Bibi Pari, a mosque, and the Diwan-i-Aam with a small museum. Foreign visitor entry is reported at about Tk 200; verify at the ticket window.
The pink Indo-Saracenic riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, completed in 1872 and now a museum of period rooms, portraits and furniture. Foreigners are reported to pay about Tk 500.
Louis Kahn's monumental concrete-and-marble parliament complex, completed in 1982 and widely regarded as one of the great 20th-century buildings. Entry to the interior needs advance permission; most visitors see the exterior and surrounding lake and lawns.
An 18th-century mosque famous for its mosaic of white and blue stars formed from chinaware and ceramic tile, added in the early 20th century. Modest dress is required; women should cover hair and arms.
A quiet 1781 church and cemetery built by Dhaka's Armenian trading community, whose merchants traded jute and leather in the 18th century. Old gravestones and a clock tower survive in a leafy walled compound.
Dhaka's main river port on the Buriganga, with double-decker launches to the south and hundreds of small wooden boats. Agree a fixed price for a short wooden-boat ride before boarding; expect crowds and river odours.
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Five-star hotel on Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue between the Karwan Bazar business district and Farmgate, with an outdoor pool, 24-hour gym, spa and six dining venues including Jharna Grill and Cafe Bazar. Suited to business travellers who want central access rather than the Gulshan diplomatic area.
Check rates on Booking.comMarriott-operated five-star hotel on Gulshan Avenue overlooking Gulshan Lake, close to embassies, banks and the Gulshan-2 circle restaurant belt. One of the main international-chain addresses for business and diplomatic visitors.
Check rates on Booking.comFormer Sheraton and Ruposhi Bangla site, reopened as the InterContinental on 19 December 2018. Sits on Minto Road near Ramna Park and the government district, a practical base for Old Dhaka sightseeing and ministry meetings.
Check rates on Booking.comLandscaped five-star property on Airport Road facing the cantonment area, roughly midway between Shahjalal International Airport and central Dhaka. Popular with airline crews and corporate guests for its gardens, pool and easy airport access.
Check rates on Booking.comCafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Founded in 1939 in Nazira Bazar, Haji Biryani is Old Dhaka's best-known biryani shop and serves a single, famous item: a dry, aromatic mutton biryani cooked in the traditional Dhakai style. A plate costs roughly Tk 200-300 (approx USD 1.6-2.4). Service is fast, seating is basic and the dish often sells out by evening.
A long-running Old Dhaka institution in Bangshal, cooking on wood-fired stoves and serving over a thousand customers daily. Known for kacchi biryani, mutton glassi (a layered mutton curry), whole roast lamb (anam) and soup, and popular for a traditional Dhaka breakfast. Meals run about Tk 300-600 (approx USD 2.4-4.9).
Founded in 1965, Star is one of Dhaka's oldest restaurant chains with about a dozen branches (Wari, Banani, Gulshan, Karwan Bazar, Dhanmondi). Mutton leg roast with tandoori roti, kacchi biryani and chicken tawa kabab are the favourites; a quarter chicken tikka kabab was reported at Tk 120 (approx USD 1.0) and chicken tawa jhal fry at Tk 220 (approx USD 1.8).
Kabab-focused restaurant serving kababs, chicken curries and a wide range of Indian breads alongside biryani. The Banani branch is convenient for visitors staying in the diplomatic and business districts. Typical meal Tk 300-500 (approx USD 2.4-4.1).
The chain that popularised the Dhaka kacchi-house format; its Dhanmondi outlet on Satmasjid Road serves halal basmati kacchi biryani, mutton tehari and beef chap. Kacchi around Tk 280 per plate (approx USD 2.3), meatier and spicier than rivals. Other Dhaka outlets: Gulshan 2, Bailey Road, Mirpur, Bashundhara.
A newer kacchi chain popular for value; reviewers note better rice quality and a less oily plate than Sultan's Dine. A plate is around Tk 240 (approx USD 2.0). Several outlets in Dhanmondi, Mirpur and other districts; check the official Facebook page for the nearest branch.
Dhaka is one of the densest cities on earth, and its roads are permanently congested. The single best upgrade for visitors is MRT Line 6, an elevated metro that runs from Uttara in the north through Mirpur, Farmgate and Shahbagh to Motijheel and Kamalapur in the south. Beyond that corridor, ride-hailing cars and motorbikes, CNG auto-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws handle most trips. Long-distance travel radiates from three bus terminals (Gabtoli, Sayedabad, Mohakhali), Kamalapur railway station and the Sadarghat river port.
Daily spend by tier in BDT, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | Tk 1,200 (approx $10) (basic hotel or guesthouse; hostels cheaper) | Tk 6,500 (approx $53) | Tk 24,000 (approx $196) |
| Food (per day) | Tk 1,000 (approx $8) | Tk 3,000 (approx $24) | Tk 7,000 (approx $57) |
| Transportation | Tk 600 (approx $5) | Tk 1,500 (approx $12) | Tk 3,000 (approx $24) |
| Activities | Tk 700 (approx $6) | Tk 1,000 (approx $8) | Tk 1,000 (approx $8) |
| Daily total | Tk 3,500 (approx $29) | Tk 12,000 (approx $98) | Tk 35,000 (approx $285)+ |
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Dhaka.
November to February is the cool, dry season with pleasant days of 15-28 C. March-May are hot and humid, and June-September brings heavy monsoon rain and flooding that can slow the city.
Ramadan changes opening hours and eating in public; Eid holidays close many shops and empty the city. Friday is the weekend day (Friday-Saturday).
Dhaka is a busy, crowded megacity of over 20 million people; the main risks for visitors are traffic, petty theft, phone snatching, air pollution and political demonstrations.
Check the current advisory before departure: as of July 2026 the US State Department rates Bangladesh Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution) after a period at Level 3; other governments may differ, so check your own.
Avoid political rallies, marches and any large gathering; hartals (general strikes) and blockades can shut roads with little notice and sometimes turn violent.
Keep phones, cameras and bags away from open rickshaw sides, bus windows and car windows in slow traffic, where snatching happens.
Use ride-hailing apps (Uber, Pathao, Obhai) or hotel-arranged cars after dark rather than hailing rickshaws or CNGs from the street.
Drink only bottled or filtered water, eat freshly cooked hot food, and use mosquito repellent all day for dengue prevention, especially from June to October.
Register with your embassy, buy travel insurance including medical evacuation, and carry photocopies of your passport and visa.
Air quality is very poor from December to February; check an AQI app and carry N95 masks.
Most foreign visitors need a visa; check the Bangladesh e-visa and embassy pages before travel. Many nationalities can apply online or obtain visas from a Bangladeshi mission; visa on arrival is limited. Requirements vary by nationality. Check with your nearest Bangladesh embassy or the official immigration website before travelling.
No. Dhaka is inland on the Buriganga River. Riverside and lake spots such as Sadarghat, Hatirjheel and Purbachal Lake are the nearest water. Cox's Bazar's sea beach is about 400 km away and needs a flight or an overnight trip.
The MRT Line 6 metro, Uber and Pathao ride-hailing and short rickshaw rides. Traffic is severe, so add extra time for any trip.
Kacchi biryani, kebabs, bakarkhani flatbread, chotpoti street snacks and hilsa fish. Try Hazir Biriani or Nanna Biryani in Old Dhaka.
Friday and Saturday. Friday prayers close many sites around midday.
The cities below have their own guides — hotels, attractions and where to eat, in depth.
Dhaka is the capital and largest city of Bangladesh, a megacity of roughly 10 million people in the city and more than 20 million in the metro area on the Buriganga River. It combines Mughal and colonial monuments, the crowded lanes of Old Dhaka, Louis Kahn's parliament building and some of South Asia's best biryani and street food.
Gazipur is the industrial and forest district immediately north of Dhaka, home to Bhawal National Park, the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, Nuhash Polli and a belt of weekend resorts.
