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.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Dhaka.
-
1
Lalbagh Fort
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.
-
2
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)
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.
-
3
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House)
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.
-
4
Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)
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.
-
5
Armenian Church (Church of the Holy Resurrection)
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.
-
6
Sadarghat River Port and Buriganga Boat Ride
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.
-
7
National Museum of Bangladesh
The country's main museum, with galleries on natural history, ethnography, classical and contemporary art and the independence movement. Foreign ticket prices are set higher than for locals; verify at the ticket window.
-
8
Liberation War Museum
A museum on the 1971 Liberation War and the genocide, with documents, photographs and personal belongings in a purpose-built building at Agargaon. It is the best single visit to understand modern Bangladesh.
-
9
Dhakeshwari National Temple
The country's national Hindu temple, dedicated to Goddess Dhakeshwari, with a history stretching back to the medieval period and rebuilding in the 20th century. Photography rules vary; ask at the gate.
-
10
Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
Bangladesh's national mosque, with a cubic form inspired by the Kaaba and room for tens of thousands of worshippers. A market of religious books and clothes wraps around its base.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Lalbagh Fort
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.
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)
The pink Indo-Saracenic riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, completed in 1872 and now a museum of period rooms, portraits and furniture.
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban (National Parliament House)
Louis Kahn's monumental concrete-and-marble parliament complex, completed in 1982 and widely regarded as one of the great 20th-century buildings.
Sadarghat River Port and Buriganga Boat Ride
Dhaka's main river port on the Buriganga, with double-decker launches to the south and hundreds of small wooden boats.
Central Shaheed Minar
The memorial to the 1952 Language Movement martyrs, whose sacrifice for Bangla is marked worldwide as International Mother Language Day.
Curzon Hall (University of Dhaka)
An 1904 Indo-Saracenic red-brick building now used by the faculty of science, in the heart of the Dhaka University campus.
Jatiya Smriti Soudho (National Martyrs' Memorial), Savar
A national monument in a large landscaped park remembering the martyrs of 1971, designed by architect Syed Mainul Hossain.
Cultural
Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)
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.
Armenian Church (Church of the Holy Resurrection)
A quiet 1781 church and cemetery built by Dhaka's Armenian trading community, whose merchants traded jute and leather in the 18th century.
Dhakeshwari National Temple
The country's national Hindu temple, dedicated to Goddess Dhakeshwari, with a history stretching back to the medieval period and rebuilding in the 20th century.
Baitul Mukarram National Mosque
Bangladesh's national mosque, with a cubic form inspired by the Kaaba and room for tens of thousands of worshippers.
Sat Gombuj Mosque (Seven Domes)
A 17th-century Mughal mosque with seven domes near Dhanmondi, dating to the era of governor Shaista Khan; a rare Mughal survivor in a modern suburb.
Shankhari Bazar
A narrow lane of tall merchant houses where the conch-shell cutters have worked for centuries.
Museums
National Museum of Bangladesh
The country's main museum, with galleries on natural history, ethnography, classical and contemporary art and the independence movement.
Liberation War Museum
A museum on the 1971 Liberation War and the genocide, with documents, photographs and personal belongings in a purpose-built building at Agargaon.
Nature
Hatirjheel Lake and Promenade
An urban lake and promenade linking Gulshan, Rampura and Tejgaon, popular with families for evening walks and boat rides.
Ramna Park
A historic green park with a lake, tea stalls and morning walkers, laid out over an old Mughal-era garden.
National Botanical Garden, Mirpur
A large botanical garden with lakes, orchids and shaded paths, beside the national zoo in the north-west of the city.
Baldha Garden
A small early-20th-century botanical garden in Wari, founded by landowner Narendra Narayan Roy, with rare tropical species.
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most sites close on Thursday or Monday and shift around Friday prayers (about 12:30-2:30PM); confirm locally.
- Fees
- Foreign tickets cost more than local ones (Lalbagh Fort about Tk 200 or approx $2; Ahsan Manzil about Tk 500 or approx $4). Mosques and parks are mostly free.
- Best Times
- November to February is the coolest, driest period; start early to avoid traffic.
- Booking
- Museums and forts sell tickets at the gate. Carry cash in taka.
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Use Uber or Pathao for fixed fares instead of negotiating with drivers
Old Dhaka is best on foot with a local guide; download an offline map before going
Dress modestly at mosques and temples; carry a scarf
Plan around Friday prayers; sites can close at midday
Traffic can double travel times; add 30-60 minutes to any cross-city trip
Carry small taka notes for rickshaws and entry
Frequently asked questions
What is the best season to visit attractions in Dhaka?
November to February is the cool, dry season with the best conditions for walking Old Dhaka. March-May are hot and humid; June-September is the monsoon with heavy rain and flooding.
Is Old Dhaka safe to walk?
Old Dhaka is crowded and chaotic; the main risks are petty theft and traffic. Go in daylight, keep phones secure, and consider a local guide.
Do foreigners pay more at Dhaka attractions?
Yes. Lalbagh Fort is reported at about Tk 200 (approx $2) and Ahsan Manzil at about Tk 500 (approx $4) for foreign visitors; verify at the gate.