Looking for the best places to visit in Dhaka City?
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 best places to visit in Dhaka City (New & Old Dhaka) that you must not miss on your first trip to 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!
Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) in Old Dhaka. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan
Top places to visit in Dhaka City (New & Old Dhaka)
1. Ahsan Manzil: One of the key places to visit in Dhaka City
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 its 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 City someone should not miss.
More reading: Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace): The residence of the feudal landlords of Dhaka
Lalbagh Fort in Old Dhaka. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan
2. Lalbag Fort: One of the top places to visit in Dhaka City
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 the 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: Lalbagh Fort: An unfinished Mughal fort in Old Dhaka
Armenian Church in Old Dhaka. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan
3. Armenian Church: One of the key places to visit in Dhaka
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 attraction in Dhaka.
More reading: Armenian church at Old Dhaka
Start Mosque: One of the must places to visit in Dhaka City. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan
4. Star Mosque: One of the top places to visit in Dhaka City
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 four corner towers, but radically altered later.
More reading: Star Mosque (Tara Masjid): A mosque decorated with star motifs made with China clay mosaic
Dhakeshwari Temple: A key places to visit in Dhaka City. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan
5. Dhakeshwari Temple
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
Sadarghat Waterfront: One of the must places to visit in Dhaka City. © Photo Credit: Raw Hasan
6. Sadarghat: One of the must places to visit in Dhaka City for photography
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 attraction in Dhaka.
More reading: Sadarghat – The chaotic and dynamic river port of Dhaka
Parliament Building of Bangladesh: One of the best places to visit in Dhaka City. © Photo Credit: Kawe Safavi-Bayet.
7. Parliament Building: Must visiting tourist attraction in Dhaka for architecture
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 the 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: One of the best places to visit in Dhaka City. © Photo Credit: Daniel Whitfield
8. Kawran Bazar: Must visiting tourist attraction in Dhaka for photography
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 around 8.30 in the morning. The permanent shops on the market will remain open the whole day though. Kawran Bazar is a must-visiting tourist attraction in Dhaka for people who love photography.
Watch video of Kawran Bazar, a much visiting tourist attraction of Dhaka city
Bait-ur-Rouf mosque: One of the best places to visit in Dhaka City
9. Bait Ur Rouf Mosque: A must-visiting tourist attraction in Dhaka for architecture
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.
Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque in Old Dhaka. © Photo Credit: Eric Lynn.
10. Khan Mohammad Mridha Mosque
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 Mosque in Old Dhaka
Liberation War Museum in Dhaka
11. Liberation War Museum: Top places to visit in Dhaka City to know the country’s history
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 the 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 $70* US with an air-conditioned car, English-speaking guide, all entrance tickets, lunch at a local restaurant with authentic local food, a rickshaw, and a boat ride.
Check out our 1-7 days tour and excursion packages in Bangladesh and 8-28 days holiday packages in Bangladesh to travel Bangladesh with comfort.
I plan to visit Dhaka this February. Please advice places of interest (day tour) with cost. Thank you.
You will find all of our day tours and other tours here: http://nijhoom.com/bangladesh-tour/
Thank you!