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 beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Dhaka.
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- Paved lakeside walkway
- Boat rides
- Food stalls
- Lit evening bridges
Hatirjheel Lakefront
Dhaka's biggest lakeside promenade, with boat rides and evening crowds; there is no sand and swimming is not allowed or advised.
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- Promenades
- Benches
- Snack stalls
- Small boat hire at some points
Dhanmondi Lake
A curved central lake with promenades, small parks and food stalls, popular for evening walks.
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- Shaded paths
- Benches
- Tea stalls
- Small entry ticket
Ramna Park Lake
A shaded lake in the historic Ramna Park with walking loops and morning walker groups.
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- Boat hire
- Street food
- Ghats and landing stages
Sadarghat and Buriganga Riverfront
The historic river port on the Buriganga, best for watching boats and launches, not for swimming or relaxing at the water's edge.
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- Landscaped lawns
- Paths
- Lake views
Chandrima Uddyan Lake
A landscaped park with a lake near the National Parliament, containing the Ziaur Rahman memorial.
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- Walking paths
- Benches
- Cafes nearby
Gulshan Lake Park
A lakeside park in the Gulshan district with walking paths and views of the lake.
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- Sunbeds and umbrellas
- Hotels and restaurants
- Water sports on some sections
- Horse and jet-ski rides
Cox's Bazar Beach
One of the longest natural sea beaches in the world at about 120km, reached from Dhaka by a domestic flight of about an hour or a long overnight road or bus trip.
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- Beachfront hotels
- Local seafood stalls
- Sunrise and sunset viewing
Kuakata Sea Beach
A broad sandy beach on the Bay of Bengal where both sunrise and sunset can be viewed over the sea, reached from Dhaka by a long road-and-river trip.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.