Unseen BangladeshDhaka Division
Dhaka travel guide
The capital of Bangladesh and a city about 400 years old. A mix of Mughal architecture, Old Dhaka's food and a modern city.
⭐ Famous food and products of Dhaka
📜 How Dhaka got its name
There are several theories about the name. There were once many dhak trees here; others think it comes from the Dhakeshwari Temple. Another popular story is that when subahdar Islam Khan made it the capital in 1610, the occasion was celebrated by beating dhaks (drums).
How to get to Dhaka
Inside Dhaka district. Get around the city by bus, CNG, rickshaw or ride-sharing.
Places to visit (9)
An unfinished fort begun in 1678 under the Mughal subahdar Prince Azam Shah. Inside are Pari Bibi's tomb, an audience hall and a mosque.
The pink palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka on the Buriganga, now a museum. You can see furniture and pictures from the Nawabs' time.
World-famous modern architecture designed by Louis Kahn. The lake around it and Chandrima Udyan are lovely for an afternoon stroll.
A lake, bridges and walkways in the middle of the city. Evening lights and water taxis are popular.
The country's largest museum; huge collections of archaeology, history, the Liberation War and folk art.
A beautiful 18th-century mosque decorated with star patterns in broken china.
Dhaka's oldest temple and the national temple, thought to be linked to the city's name.
The Armenians' church, built in 1781, witness to Old Dhaka's multi-ethnic history.
A modern museum of documents, photos and relics of the 1971 Liberation War.
What it costs
৳1,000–2,500 per person per day (transport and food; accommodation extra)
Where to stay
- Pan Pacific Sonargaon and InterContinental Dhaka (luxury)
- Plenty of mid-range hotels in Gulshan-Banani, Paltan and Farmgate (৳2,000–6,000)
What to eat
Old Dhaka kacchi biryani, Haji's biryani, bakarkhani, borhani, Nanna Mia's morog polao
Other districts in Dhaka Division
FaridpurGazipurGopalganjKishorganjMadaripurManikganjMunshiganjNarayanganjNarsingdiRajbariShariatpurTangail