11 Must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka you can’t miss

Looking for the must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka?

Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, a residence of 16 million population and growing every day. It is one of the most densely populated cities in the world full of activities – a paradise for street photography. If you like street or portrait photography, Dhaka is your city. You’ll find unlimited subjects here to shoot for several days. Other than photography, Dhaka has many interesting sites to visit from the Mughal and colonial periods. In this article, you’ll find some of the must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka which you should not miss while visiting Bangladesh.

If you are interested in visiting them on a single day, you might be interested in checking our Old Dhaka Tour, which is our most popular city tour in Dhaka. Enjoy!

Dhakeshwari Temple in Old Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Raw Hasan

State-owned 1,200 years old Hindu temple built by one Mangat Ray, who was also known as Ballalasena, younger brother of Arakanese king Shri Sudharma, son of famous Arakanese king Raja Malhana alias Husen Shah. This is the center of the Hindu religion in Dhaka.

More reading: Dhakeshwari Temple – The center of Hindu religion in Dhaka

Lalbagh Fort in Old Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Raw Hasan

Lalbagh Fort is a 17th-century Mughal fort and one of the key tourist attractions in Dhaka. Started by Prince Mohammed Azam and handed to then governor of Dhaka Shaista Khan for completion, who didn’t finish it because of the death of her daughter Pari Bibi whose tomb is inside the fort. There is a small museum inside displaying Mughal paintings and calligraphy, along with swords and firearms.

More reading: History of Lalbag Fort

Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque in Old Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Raw Hasan

Erected in 1706, this Mughal structure is stylistically similar to Lalbag Fort, built on a raised platform, up to a flight of 25 steps. Three squat domes, with pointed minarets at each corner, dominate the rectangular roof.

More reading: Khan Mohammad Mridha’s Mosque at Old Dhaka

Armenian Church in Old Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Raw Hasan

Located at Armanitola, named after the Armenian colony that settled here in the late 17th century. The church is the soul of this now almost extinct community. Dates from 1781, it is an oasis of tranquility in the heart of the crowded city and a must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka.

More reading: Armenian church at Old Dhaka

Star Mosque in Old Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Raw Hasan

One of the city’s most popular tourist attractions in Dhaka, dating from the early 18th century. The whole walls of the mosque are decorated with mosaic stars, so is the name. It was originally built in the typical Mughal style, with for corner towers, but radically altered later.

More reading: Beautiful Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) in Old Dhaka

Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) in Old Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Raw Hasan

Dating from 1872, Ahsan Manzil was built on the site of an old French factory by Nawab Abdul Gani, the city’s wealthiest landowner. Some 16 years after it’s construction, it was damaged by a tornado, and reconstructed again altering massively and became even grander than before. Ahsan Manzil is one of the key tourist attractions in Dhaka someone should not miss.

More reading: Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) – The home of Dhaka Nawabs

Sadarghat River Station

One of the largest river ports in the whole world, passing about 30,000 passengers daily. You’ll get a truly authentic taste of Dhaka if you visit this chaotic and dynamic place. This is the hub of the southern part of the country. Sadarghat River Port is a must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka.

More reading: Sadarghat – The chaotic and dynamic river port of Dhaka

National Assembly Building in Dhaka

The finest architecture of world-renowned American architect and Yale University Professor Louis I. Kahn. Originally commissioned by the Pakistani’s when Bangladesh was known as East Pakistan after Partition of the Indian Sub-Continent, was meant to serve as the second seat of the national parliament. Construction started in 1964 but halted due to the Bangladeshi War of Independence, and finally completed in 1982. If you like architecture, this is one of the two must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka for you.

More reading: Parliament building of Bangladesh – The finest architecture of Louis Kahn

Kawran Bazar in Dhaka. ©Photo Credit: Daniel Whitfield

Kawran Bazar is the largest wholesale market in Dhaka city. It is full of activities and a gem for photographers. Trading starts here at midnight and ends by 9.00 in the morning. The permanent shops on the market will remain open the whole day though. Kawran Bazar is a must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka for the people who love photography.

Bait-ur-Rouf mosque in Dhaka

Bait Ur Rouf Mosque is the winner of the Aga Khan Award for Architecture 2014-2016. Designed by architect Maria Tabassum, this is a modern architecture hidden in a very dense neighborhood in Dhaka city. The design of the mosque is exceptional. Unlike any other mosques in Dhaka city, the symbolic elements of any mosque are absent on it, e.g mineral, dome. Inspired by the Sultanate mosque architecture, it breathes through porous brick walls, keeping the prayer hall ventilated and cool. Natural light brought in through a skylight is ample for the daytime. If you like architecture, this is one of the two must visiting tourist attractions in Dhaka for you.

Liberation War Museum in Dhaka

Liberation War Museum in Dhaka is an exceptional museum. It commemorates the Bangladesh Liberation War that led to the independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971. It showcases the genocide Pakistani military committed in Bangladesh during the war, and how Bangladesh was born. A must visit tourist-attraction in Dhaka to know the history of the country.

Have you ever visited Dhaka? How interesting have you found the tourist attractions in Dhaka? Have I missed something here? Share your experience and opinion with us in the comments.

You might also be interested in reading 13 Best places to visit in Bangladesh you can’t miss and 101 Things to know about traveling Bangladesh.

Check out our Old Dhaka Tour to visit the key attractions of New and Old Dhaka. The full-day tour starts from $55* US with an air-conditioned car, English speaking guide, all entrance tickets, lunch on a local restaurant with authentic local food, a rickshaw, and a boat ride.

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Raw Hasan ( র. হাসান )

I am the Owner and CEO of Nijhoom Tours, an award winning local tour operator in Bangladesh specialized in organizing memorable holidays in Bangladesh for the experienced Western travelers. Connect with me on Facebook or join the Facebook group Let’s Go To Bangladesh for updates and help about traveling Bangladesh.

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