A comprehensive list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh you can’t miss on your trip for a memorable experience of the country.
According to World Bank, Bangladesh is the least touristy destination in the world. It is a beautiful country in South Asia bordering India and Myanmar. Tourism is yet to develop in this country. For that reason, there is no tourism-related scam here, and people are generally surprised to see tourists, especially in the rural areas outside Dhaka, the capital city.
People welcome foreigners everywhere and try to help them in any way possible. Tourist sites are not overcrowded here yet. You’ll find very few tourists here during your visit. That is why it is the best time to travel to Bangladesh. Here you will find a list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh, which you should not miss on your trip for a memorable experience.
You can read some recent Bangladesh experiences of the western travelers and what travelers say about their Bangladesh experience with us and be surprised!
Table of Contents
- Sundarban Mangrove Forest
- Bandarban
- Cox’s Bazar
- Sreemangal
- Barisal
- Gauda / Gour
- Rangamati
- Puthia
- Dinajpur
- Dhaka
- Sylhet
- Paharpur
- Bagerhat
- Chittagong
- Sonargaon
- St. Martin’s Island
- Bagha
- Visiting Bangladesh
Best places to visit in Bangladesh
If you’re searching for the best places to visit in Bangladesh, get ready to be amazed by the country’s abundance of hidden treasures. With stunning natural marvels and culturally vibrant cities, Bangladesh provides an eclectic mix of locations that will enthrall any traveler. This comprehensive guide is perfect for curious adventurers, history enthusiasts, and nature lovers alike, as it will direct you to the most extraordinary and fascinating places to visit in Bangladesh.
A Bengal tiger in Sundarban Mangrove Forest. © Photo Credit: Alistair McKinley.
1. Sundarban Mangrove Forest
Best place to visit in Bangladesh for wildlife
The Sundarban is the largest mangrove forest in the world and one of the wildest, least-known environments in southern Asia. Located in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal, the Sundarban extends over 10,000 sq km. Two-thirds of the Sundarban is located in Bangladesh, and the rest is in India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and designated a wetland site of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
The Sundarban is the home of 104 Royal Bengal Tigers, 30,000 spotted deer, 35 species of reptiles (including giant cobras and pythons and eight species of amphibians), 300 species of birds, 120 species of fish, 42 species of mammals, numerous river dolphins, wild boars, claw-less otters, monkeys, and salt-water crocodiles together with many other species of wildlife.
Hundreds of rivers, creeks, and canals are the veins of the forest, making it a pristine environment. The environment of Sundarban is tranquilizing, and visiting this forest could be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Sundarban is number one on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Sundarban Mangrove Forest
You can book our small group Sundarban tour packages for a memorable experience of the Sundarban Mangrove Forest.
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A Mro family in Bandarban in the Chittagong Hill Tracts.
2. Bandarban
Best place to visit in Bangladesh for tribal life
Bandarban in the Chittagong Hill Tracts area is a naturally beautiful place full of beautiful hills. This is the only hilly region in Bangladesh, home to many tribal groups of the country. This is the best place in Bangladesh for adventure travel. Trekking through its hills, visiting different tribal villages and bazaars, and experiencing their lifestyle are the major attractions of Bandarban.
The most beautiful river in Bangladesh, Sangu, is located in Bandarban. It is the only hilly river in the country. A boat ride on the river Sangu in the afternoon would be a remarkable memory of Bandarban. Bandarban is number two on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Bandarban
Foreigners require a special permit from the government to visit Bandarban, which is only possible to get by traveling with a government-listed tour operator, like us. Tour operators must keep close contact with the law-enforcement agencies during the visit of any foreigner. They will be the tour operators’ responsibility during the stay in Bandarban. Also, the government limited the area where foreigners could go inside Bandarban.
You can book our 4-day Chittagong Hill Tracts Tour, 7-day Exploring Chittagong Tour, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Bandarban. All of these tours include getting the foreigner’s permit to visit Bandarban.
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A fishing port in Cox’s Bazar. © Photo Credit: Pongtharin Tanthasindhu.
3. Cox’s Bazar
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for beach holidays
Cox’s Bazar is the longest unbroken sandy beach in the world, 125 km in length. It is the most popular tourist spot among the locals in Bangladesh. Perfect place to relax at the end of a long trip. To avoid the crowd, stay at a resort with a private beach. The Wholesale Fish Market in Cox’s Bazar would be an interesting place to visit while you are here. Cox’s Bazar is number three on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Cox’s Bazar
You can book our 7-day Exploring Chittagong or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Cox’s Bazar.
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Tea workers at Sreemangal returning home at the end of the day. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
4. Sreemangal
One of the top places to visit in Bangladesh for nature
Sreemangal is the tea capital of Bangladesh, located in the northeastern part of the country. You’ll find lush green tea plantations anywhere you go here. This is one of the few places in the country where if you look around, you may not find any other people anywhere except you—a nice and calm place.
Walking through the trails inside the tea plantations here could be one of the best things you can do in Bangladesh. Also worth visiting is the Lawachhara National Park and the villages of different tribes. You can easily spend a few days here with nature. Sreemangal is number four on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Sreemangal
You can book our Sreemangal Day Tour, 2-day Sreemangal Overnight Tour, 3-day Sreemangal Leisure Tour, 11-day Highlights of Bangladesh, 14-day Glories of Bangladesh, 16-day Raas Festival Tour, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Sreemangal.
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A floating vegetable market of Barisal. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
5. Barisal
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for experiencing life
Barisal is a unique place located in the heart of the Ganges Delta. Life in Barisal is entirely based on the river. The main attraction of visiting Barisal is to experience the unique life and culture of the people of this region. You can see its many floating markets, bazaars, schools, and villages to experience the unique culture of Barisal. Monsoon is the best time to visit this region when its numerous rivers and canals become full of water and nature becomes very green. Also, it is time for the floating guava markets, which are very photogenic. Barisal is number five on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Barisal
You can book our 3-day Barisal Backwaters Tour or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Barisal.
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Choto Sona Masjid (Mosque) in Gaur (Gauda / Gour). © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
6. Gauda / Gour
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology
Gaur or Gauda is a ruined city from the ancient and medieval period, located on the India-Bangladesh border. The city was in its prime time from the 12th to the 14th century. It became the capital of the whole of Bengal. It was a vibrant and wealthy city in the medieval period, which was finally abandoned because of cholera.
Some of the beautiful mosques of Gaur are still remaining hidden behind the mango orchards. The archaeological department of Bangladesh has done some excellent restoration work to some of these mosques. This is a fantastic place to visit for history lovers. Gaur is number six on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Gaur
You can book our 4-day Exploring Rajshahi, 6-day Discover Rajshahi, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Gaur.
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Kaptai lake in Rangamati. © Photo Credit: Simon Roozendaal.
7. Rangamati
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for nature
Rangamti is a district of the Chittagong Hill-Tracts area. The main reason to visit this place is Kaptai Lake. It is a naturally beautiful artificial lake surrounded by beautiful hills. The best thing to do at Rangamati is to enjoy a boat ride on Kaptai Lake for the whole day. Rangamati is also home to many tribal groups. You can visit their handicraft market to buy some fine quality handmade fabrics. There is a Buddhist monastery called Rajban Bihara, which is also worth visiting. Rangamati is number seven on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Rangamati
You can book our 4-day Chittagong Hill Tracts Tour, 7-day Exploring Chittagong Tour, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Bandarban. All of these tours include getting the foreigner’s permit to visit Rangamati.
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Dilapidating temples at Puthia Temple Complex in Rajshahi. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
8. Puthia
Puthia is a small village in Rajshahi full of beautiful Hindu temples. The largest number of historical temples in Bangladesh are found in Puthia, some of which are well maintained. These temples are unique in design. Some of them are ornamented with beautiful terracotta plaques describing epic Hindu stories. This is a must-visiting place if you visit Bangladesh. Puthia is number eight on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Puthia
You can book our 3-day Best of Rajshahi, 4-day Exploring Rajshahi, 6-day Discover Rajshahi, 14-day Glories of Bangladesh, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Puthia.
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Kantajew Temple – a stunning Hindu temple in Dinajpur. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
9. Dinajpur
The most beautiful Hindu temple in Bangladesh, Kantajew Temple, is the main attraction of Dinajpur, a remote district in north-western Bangladesh. Built at the beginning of the 18th century by the maharaja (feudal landlord) of Dinajpur, every inch of this temple is wrapped in stunning terracotta plaques describing epic Hindu stories and life in the 18th century.
Another attraction of Dinajpur is the nearby Nayabad Mosque, a small Mughal period mosque built in 1793 AD. The locals believe that the Muslim architectural workers of Kantajew Temple built this mosque for their use. The mosque is located just 1.5km southwest of the temple.
Also worth visiting is a school made of mud and bamboo designed by a German architect, which received the Agha Khan Award for Architecture. Dinajpur is number nine on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Dinajpur
You can book our Kantajew Temple Day tour to visit all these places in Dinajpur with other attractions on a convenient day tour from Dhaka. Also, our 6-day Discover Rajshahi and 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour visit these places.
More Reading
- Kantajew Temple: Bangladesh’s most beautiful Hindu temple wrapped in stunning terracotta.
- Nayabad Mosque: A tiny Mughal mosque in a remote village at Dinajpur in Bangladesh.
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The hustle and bustle of megacity Dhaka. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
10. Dhaka
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for photography
Dhaka is a megacity and the capital of Bangladesh, located on the bank of the river Buriganga. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, home to 22 million people. The main attraction of Dhaka is its hustle and bustle, a paradise for street photographers. Walking on the backstreets of Old Dhaka, visiting its many busy bazaars, and enjoying a boat ride on Buriganga would be some of the great experiences travelers can have in Dhaka city.
Dhaka has a rich history of civilization, starting from the 7th century. It first became a capital city during the rule of the Mughal emperor Jahangir. In 1610, the newly appointed Mughal governor Islam Khan of the Bengal subah transferred the capital from Rajmahal in the current day Jharkhand state of India to Dhaka.
Dhaka was also an important city under British colonial rule for 200 years afterward. It has many archaeological sites from the Mughal and British periods that are major tourist attractions. Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort, Star Mosque, Dhakeshwari Temple, and Armenian Church are a few. Dhaka is number ten on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Dhaka
You can book our Dhaka City Tour to visit the major attractions of both the New and Old Dhaka conveniently on a day tour, including a boat ride on Buriganga and walking on the backstreets of Old Dhaka. Also can book our Dhaka Photography Tour to visit some interesting bazaars and backstreets of the city and get numerous photo opportunities.
More Reading
- 13 Places to visit in Dhaka not to miss on first trip.
- 7 Best things to do in Dhaka for the ultimate experience.
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People collecting sand from the riverbed in Jaflong. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
11. Sylhet
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for nature
Sylhet is a naturally beautiful place in northeastern Bangladesh, close to the Meghalaya state of India. It has many lovely places to visit. Green-water canal Lalakhal, stone collecting area Jaflong, Ratargul swamp forest and many of its tea gardens are the attractions to visit Sylhet. You can also meet some tribal people in Sylhet, especially in Jaflong. Here you can meet the Khasia tribal people who grow betel leaves in the forest. Sylhet is number eleven on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Sylhet
You can book our Sylhet & Sreemangal tour packages to visit the attractions of Sylhet.
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Somapura Mahabihara, a massive Buddhist monastery from the 8th century. © Photo Credit: Karen Fraser.
12. Paharpur
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology
In the north-western part of Bangladesh, there is a tiny little place called Paharpur, which holds the most impressive archeological site in Bangladesh called Somapura Mahabhihara, a UNESCO world heritage site. It was the second-largest Buddhist monastery south of the Himalayas in the 8th century. In its prime time, monks worldwide came here for higher education. It was one of the best Buddhist monasteries in the world at that time. Paharpur is number twelve on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Paharpur
You can book our 3-day Best of Rajshahi, 4-day Exploring Rajshahi, 6-day Discover Rajshahi, 14-day Glories of Bangladesh, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Paharpur.
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Sixty Dome Mosque (Shat Gombuj Mosque) at Bagerhat City. © Photo Credit: Daniel Whitfield.
13. Bagerhat
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology
Bagerhat is a city founded in the 15th century by a Turkish general, which was formerly known as Khalifatabad. It is full of beautiful historic mosques, among which 60 Dome Mosque is the most famous. This whole city is recognized as a UNESCO world heritage site. The historic city, listed by Forbes as one of the 15 lost cities of the world, has more than 50 Islamic monuments that have been found after removing the vegetation that had obscured them from view for many centuries. Bagerhat is number thirteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Bagerhat
You can book our 4-day Bagerhat & Sundarban Tour, 5-day Dhaka, Bagerhat & Sundarban Tour, 8-day Sundarban Safari, 11-day Highlights of Bangladesh, 14-day Glories of Bangladesh, 16-day Raas Festival Tour, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit the attractions of Bagerhat.
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The fishing port of Chittagong.
14. Chittagong
Chittagong is the second largest city in Bangladesh, located in the south-eastern part of the country. The largest seaport in Bangladesh is located here. The major attraction of Chittagong is fishing port of Chittagong. Set early in the morning and full of activities, this is an excellent place for photography. Chittagong is number fourteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Another attraction of Chittagong is the Commonwealth War Cemetery, established to honor Commonwealth soldiers and others who died in World War II. The British Army created the cemetery, and there were about 400 burials. Graves have since been transferred to this cemetery from other isolated sites, making the current number 731.
Visiting Chittagong
You can book our Exploring Chittagong Tour to visit the attractions of Chittagong.
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Abandoned city Panam Nagar in Sonargaon. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
15. Sonargaon
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for culture
Sonargaon is a popular tourist destination near Dhaka. It was the old capital of Bengal in the medieval period – a mint capital beside Gaur or Gauda. Although the prime time of the ancient capital is gone, some interesting sites are still there to spend a whole day.
The main attraction of Sonargaon is the abandoned merchant city, Panam Nagar. Built in the early 19th century during British rule, this was a city of wealthy Hindu cotton merchants who fled to India during riots after the partition of the Indian sub-continent in 1947 and the Indo-Pak war in 1965. They intended to return someday, which never happened. Nowadays, this is an entirely abandoned city of 52 houses built on a single street, forming a ghost city and the main tourist attraction of Sonargaon.
Other attractions of Sonargaon are the Folk-arts and Crafts Museum, 16th-century Goaldi Mosque, the tomb of Ghiyasuddin Azam Shah, the 3rd independent sultan of Bengal in the 14th century, whose capital was Sonargaon, and the interesting sandbank islands of river Meghna. Sonargaon is number fifteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Sonargaon
You can book our Sonargaon & Panam City Tour to visit all the attractions of Sonargaon on a convenient day tour from Dhaka. Also can book any of our Bangladesh holiday packages, all of which include visiting Sonargaon.
More Reading
- Panam Nagar: An entirely abandoned city of the wealthy Hindu cotton merchants in Bangladesh.
- Goaldi Mosque: The little-known pre-Mughal mosque in Sonargaon.
- Sonargaon Travel Guide: Visiting Museum and other attractions in the old capital.
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A girl cycling at a beach on St. Martin’s Island in Bangladesh. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
16. St. Martin’s Island
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for island holiday
St. Martin’s Island is a beautiful coral island in the Bay of Bengal in Bangladesh. For beach lovers, this is the best place to visit in Bangladesh. Local tourists go to visit this island mainly on a day trip. After they leave in the afternoon, it becomes tranquil. You can stay in any resort with a private beach and relax on the island for a couple of days when you are tired of traveling for several weeks in the country. St. Martin’s Island is number sixteen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting St. Martin’s Island
You can book our Chittagong & Cox’s Bazar region tours to visit St. Martin’s Island.
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Historical Bagha Mosque in Rajshahi. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan.
17. Bagha
One of the best places to visit in Bangladesh for archaeology
Bagha is a village in north-western Bangladesh, 20 km away from the temple village of Puthia. The attraction of this place is Bagha Mosque, a pre-Mughal architecture in Bengal. Built in 1523-1524 by Sultan Nusrat Shah, son of Alauddin Shah, the founder of the Husain Shahi dynasty, Bagha Mosque is the most beautiful terracotta mosque in Bangladesh.
Unlike other historical mosques in Bangladesh, extensive terracotta work is present on this mosques’ inside and outside walls. It would be very convenient to combine a visit to Bagha with your visit to Puthia. Bagha is number seventeen on our list of the best places to visit in Bangladesh.
Visiting Bagha
You can book our 3-day Best of Rajshahi, 4-day Exploring Rajshahi, 6-day Discover Rajshahi, 14-day Glories of Bangladesh, 18-day Best of Bangladesh, or 28-day Discover Bangladesh tour to visit Bagha Mosque.
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Visiting Bangladesh
Planning to visit Bangladesh? We can help organize a memorable holiday in Bangladesh for you to experience the best of it. We are an award-winning local tour operator in Bangladesh specializing in organizing tours and holidays in Bangladesh for Western travelers, with 375+ reviews on TripAdvisor with an average rating of 5/5. Check out our 1-7 days Bangladesh tour packages and 8-28 days Bangladesh holiday packages to see what we can organize for you in Bangladesh. Contact us now for your memorable Bangladesh holiday!
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I traveled through Bangladesh in 2015 and visited most places. I could found main highlights was the people of Bangladesh.
Wonderful breakdown of places to see and the experiences to expect! I hope to come to Bangladesh soon.
Please feel free to publish my post in your site.
Thank you and very best wishes.
JT
I traveled extensively through Bangladesh in 2013 and visited most places on your list as well as a few others.
One of the main highlights for me could be found in every city, every village street, every single location.
The People !
The welcome I received as a foreign tourist was absolutely spectacular, the people of Bangladesh could not have been more welcoming, polite, helpful, kind, compassionate, considerate, generous and thoughtful.
Bangladesh is a spectacular destination and I would strongly recommend it to anyone considering it.
Thank you for the testimonial! Indeed it is the people of Bangladesh who are the main attraction of Bangladesh. Glad to know that you liked it here!
If you are interested, we can publish your Bangladesh travel story in our site, so that more people can know about Bangladesh, which is the least traveled destination in the world.