Dhaka travel guide
Old Dhaka lanes, river life and modern Gulshan evenings. Most people stay 3–5 nights. Best months: Nov, Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar.
Highlights
- Old Dhaka food walk
- Lalbagh Fort
- Ahsan Manzil
- Sadarghat riverfront
- Gulshan / Banani evenings
Things to do in Dhaka
- Old Dhaka lane walk and street food · 4 h · about ₹1,200 per person. Go with a local guide for traffic and food safety; carry small cash.
- Lalbagh Fort · 2 h · about ₹200 per person
- Ahsan Manzil Pink Palace · 1.5 h · about ₹200 per person
- Sadarghat riverfront and ferry views · 2 h · about ₹300 per person. Keep bags close; the launch terminal is busy.
- National Parliament exterior and Crescent Lake · 1.5 h · free
- Gulshan and Banani dinner evening · 3 h · about ₹2,000 per person
- Rickshaw art lanes and local markets · 2 h · about ₹500 per person
Where to stay in Dhaka
- Motijheel / older centre (budget, ₹1,800–₹3,500 a night): Simple hotels closer to Old Dhaka sights.
- Gulshan / Banani (mid, ₹4,500–₹8,500 a night): Safer evenings, restaurants and easier airport runs.
- Gulshan lakeside hotels (premium, ₹10,000–₹18,000 a night): Larger rooms and quieter compounds.
What to eat
- Biryani and kebab platters: Old Dhaka or Gulshan restaurants
- Fuchka and sweet misti doi: Neighbourhood snack stalls
Getting there
- DAC Hazrat Shahjalal International
- Ride-hailing across the city
- ~1h flight to Cox's Bazar
Good to know
- Traffic is heavy — plan one neighbourhood per half-day
- Monsoon floods can slow road transfers Jun–Sep
Bangladesh itineraries with Dhaka
- Dhaka long weekend · 5 days · 5 days, Dhaka · from ₹20,200 per person before flights. Forts, riverfront and modern Dhaka dinners.
- Dhaka & Cox's short · 6 days · 6 days, Dhaka → Cox's Bazar · from ₹26,875 per person before flights. A compact city-plus-beach hop for a short leave.
- Dhaka city week · 6 days · 6 days, Dhaka · from ₹23,450 per person before flights. Old Dhaka, forts and Gulshan evenings without changing cities.
- Dhaka family week · 7 days · 7 days, Dhaka · from ₹26,700 per person before flights. Easy forts, parks and Gulshan meals with kids.
- Dhaka with friends · 7 days · 7 days, Dhaka · from ₹26,700 per person before flights. Food walks, riverfront and late Gulshan dinners.
- Beach first, Dhaka finish · 8 days · 8 days, Cox's Bazar → Dhaka · from ₹35,250 per person before flights. Swim first, then city food before a DAC departure.
- Dhaka & Cox's Bazar · 8 days · 8 days, Dhaka → Cox's Bazar · from ₹35,250 per person before flights. City heritage, then a long Bay of Bengal beach finish.
- Dhaka deep dive · 8 days · 8 days, Dhaka · from ₹29,950 per person before flights. Extra days for markets, museums and neighbourhood food.
- Bangladesh honeymoon coasts · 9 days · 9 days, Dhaka → Cox's Bazar · from ₹35,875 per person before flights. A short city opener and a long beach unwind.
- Dhaka & Cox's slow · 10 days · 10 days, Dhaka → Cox's Bazar · from ₹41,125 per person before flights. Buffer days for traffic and weather.