Bangladesh offers an incredible mix of natural wonders, from the world's longest beach at Cox's Bazar to the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans. Experience vibrant culture, ancient heritage sites, and warm hospitality in this South Asian gem.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Jamdani Saree
Exquisite handwoven muslin fabric with intricate floral motifs, designated as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. These lightweight sarees are woven in Demra and Rupganj near Dhaka and have been prized since Mughal times.
Price: $20-200
Where: Aarong stores, Demra weavers' village, New Market Dhaka
Nakshikantha Quilt
Traditional hand-stitched embroidered quilt made from layers of old saris, featuring colourful patterns of fish, trees, and village life. Each piece is unique and represents Bengal's rich folk art tradition.
Price: $15-80
Where: Aarong, Kumudini Welfare Trust, Jessore craft shops
Rajshahi Silk Products
Smooth, lustrous silk produced in Rajshahi from locally reared silkworms, available as scarves, ties, and fabric. The distinctive sheen and quality make it a prized textile gift from Bangladesh.
Price: $10-60
Where: Rajshahi Silk Industry shops, Aarong, Biswa Road Market Rajshahi
Dhokra Brass Figurines
Hand-cast brass figurines depicting rural life, animals, and deities made by indigenous craftspeople using lost-wax technique. Small, lightweight, and distinctly Bangladeshi, they make ideal travel souvenirs.
Price: $5-30
Where: Dhaka New Market, Bangladeshi Handicraft stalls in Gulshan
Shital Pati Mat
Intricately woven cool-touch mats made from murta grass found in Sylhet region, with geometric patterns in natural and dyed grass. Recognized as UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, these fine mats are unique to Bangladesh.
Price: $10-50
Where: Sylhet local markets, Aarong, Comilla craft shops
Srimangal Seven-Layer Tea Kit
Packaged set of seven premium teas from the Srimangal tea gardens, including the unique layered tea blend created by tea maestro Ramesh Ram Gour. A distinctive and practical gift from Bangladesh's tea capital.
Price: $8-25
Where: Nilkantha Tea Cabin Srimangal, tea estate shops, Dhaka airport
Rajshahi Terracotta
Hand-thrown terracotta pots, bowls, and decorative pieces with traditional geometric etchings, made in the Rajshahi and Bogra regions. The reddish clay and hand-painted motifs reflect ancient Bengal's artistic tradition.
Price: $3-20
Where: Rajshahi pottery markets, National Museum gift shop Dhaka
Muslin Handkerchiefs and Scarves
Ultra-fine muslin cotton accessories in the style of the legendary 'woven air' fabric once traded across the Mughal Empire. Modern versions produced in Dhaka retain the gossamer quality of the historic cloth.
Price: $5-25
Where: Aarong, Kumudini Handicrafts, Dhaka New Market
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Bashundhara City Shopping Complex
One of the largest shopping malls in South Asia with over 2,500 shops across multiple floors. Ideal for local electronics, clothing, books, and household goods at competitive prices.
Where: Panthapath, Dhaka 1215
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
New Market (Nayabazar)
Historic shopping complex established in 1954 with hundreds of stalls selling fabrics, clothing, cosmetics, and everyday goods at wholesale prices. A quintessential Dhaka shopping experience.
Where: Mirpur Road, Dhaka 1205
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM (closed Tuesday)
Karwan Bazaar Wholesale Market
Dhaka's largest wholesale fruit, vegetable, and grocery market operating from the early morning hours. An incredible sensory experience with mountains of tropical produce and the energy of a working city market.
Where: Karwan Bazaar, Dhaka 1215
Hours: 5:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Shakharibazar Street
Ancient bazaar street in Old Dhaka specializing in traditional conch-shell bangles and Hindu ceremonial items, crafted by artisans whose families have worked here for generations.
Where: Old Dhaka, near Lalbagh Fort
Hours: 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Aarong Flagship Store
Flagship store of BRAC's iconic fair-trade retail brand showcasing the finest Bangladeshi handicrafts, textiles, and home decor at fixed prices. The best one-stop shop for quality souvenirs.
Where: 12 Gulshan Avenue, Gulshan 1, Dhaka
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Gulshan Avenue
Dhaka's premier shopping boulevard lined with international brands, boutique stores, and high-end restaurants. Home to Aarong, Bishwo Sahitto Kendro bookshop, and numerous jewellery stores in a walkable district.
Best for: Designer clothing, jewellery, international brands, souvenirs
Old Dhaka Markets
Dense network of specialist markets in Old Dhaka including Chawk Bazaar (spices), Islampur (wholesale fabrics), Shakharibazar (bangles), and Tanti Bazaar (weavers), each occupying streets unchanged for centuries.
Best for: Spices, raw fabrics, traditional crafts, authentic Dhaka experience
Banani and Dhanmondi
Trendy residential-commercial neighbourhoods with contemporary fashion boutiques, cafes, and home-decor stores catering to Dhaka's young professional class. Excellent for local fashion and lifestyle brands.
Best for: Contemporary Bangladeshi fashion, coffee, home decor
IDB Bhaban Electronics Complex
Multi-storey complex housing hundreds of electronics dealers offering everything from smartphones and laptops to components and accessories at prices well below retail.
Best for: Electronics, phone accessories, computer parts
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Bashundhara City
Largest shopping mall in Bangladesh with over 2,500 shops, a multiplex cinema, food court, and amusement zone spread across nine floors. A landmark destination for shopping and entertainment in Dhaka.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Jamuna Future Park
One of Asia's largest shopping centres in Dhaka's Kuril area, featuring 600+ shops, an ice rink, bowling alley, Cineplex, and extensive food court. Popular among families for full-day outings.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Shimanto Shambhar
Modern lifestyle mall in Dhanmondi with a curated mix of Bangladeshi and international fashion brands, book stores, and dining options. Less crowded than the mega-malls with a pleasant atmosphere.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 8:30 PM
Rifles Square
Well-established shopping centre in Dhanmondi with a broad range of clothing, electronics, and lifestyle shops. Convenient location makes it popular with locals and visitors to the area.
Hours: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected in open markets, bazaars, and from roadside vendors — never at fixed-price shops like Aarong or mall chains
Start your counter-offer at roughly 40-50% of the asking price in markets, then work toward a middle ground
Walking away often brings the vendor back with a better price — this technique works well in places like New Market and Karwan Bazaar
Buying multiple items gives more bargaining power — ask for a bundle discount
Be polite and friendly throughout; aggressive bargaining is considered rude in Bangladeshi culture
Check the going rate with multiple vendors before buying to understand fair pricing
Fixed-price shops and government handicraft emporiums are reliable for quality purchases without the negotiation
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Antiques and items over 100 years old cannot be exported without government approval. Bangladeshi currency (Taka) cannot be taken out of the country in amounts over BDT 5,000.
Tax Refund: Bangladesh does not currently operate a VAT refund scheme for tourists.
Duty Free: Arriving travellers may bring up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars, one bottle of spirits (for non-Muslim travellers), and gifts up to a reasonable personal allowance without duty.
Shipping: International parcel services available via DHL, FedEx, and Bangladesh Post from major cities. Pack purchases carefully as customs may inspect parcels.