Dhaka City Tourist Attractions

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Dhaka is Bangladesh’s capital and largest city, a densely populated and vibrant metropolis that provides insight into the country’s rich culture and history. Dhaka is also known as the City of Mosques because of the over 700 mosques that dot its streets and neighborhoods. Dhaka is a city of contrasts, with modern skyscrapers coexisting with ancient monuments, rickshaws competing with cars for road space, and street food stalls serving delectable dishes alongside upscale restaurants.

If you are visiting Dhaka for the first time, you may be overwhelmed by the sheer number of attractions and activities available. To assist you, we have compiled a list of 13 places you should not miss on your first visit to Dhaka. These locations will provide you with a taste of Dhaka’s diverse and fascinating aspects, ranging from historical landmarks to natural beauty.

Fort Lalbagh

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Lalbagh Fort is a 17th-century Mughal fort and one of Dhaka’s most popular tourist attractions. During his vice-royalty in Bengal, Prince Muhammed Azam, the third son of Aurangazeb, began construction on the fort in 1678. However, he left for Delhi before finishing it, and his successor Shaista Khan also did not finish it because his daughter Pari Bibi died inside the fort. As a result, Lalbagh Fort remains unfinished to this day.

The fort complex is made up of three main structures: the Diwan-i-Aam (audience hall), where Mughal officials held court; the Hammam Khana (bathhouse), which houses Pari Bibi’s tomb; and the Quilla Mosque (fort mosque), which has three domes and four minarets. There is also a water tank, a garden, and several smaller structures at the fort. Lalbagh Fort’s architecture is in the Mughal style, with Persian and Indian influences.

Lalbagh Fort is open from Saturday to Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (closed on Thursday) and from 2:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Friday. Foreign visitors pay 200 BDT, while locals pay 20 BDT.

Sadarghat

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Sadarghat is Dhaka’s bustling waterfront, home to the Sadarghat River Port and numerous other small ports. Sadarghat River Port is one of Asia’s largest river ports, with approximately 30,000 passengers passing through daily. Hundreds of boats of various shapes and sizes can be seen docking at the shore or sailing on the Buriganga River. You can also see the daily lives of people who rely on the river for a living.

Sadarghat is also an excellent location for sampling Dhaka’s street food scene. Fuchka (crispy shells filled with spicy potatoes), chotpoti (spicy chickpea salad), jhal muri (puffed rice with spices), biryani (rice with meat), kebab (grilled meat), halim (lentil stew), and mishti doi are some of the snacks and dishes available (sweet yogurt).

Sadarghat is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, but it is best visited in the morning or evening when it is less crowded and more scenic.

Ahsan Manzil

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During British rule, Ahsan Manzil, also known as the Pink Palace, was the residence of Dhaka’s wealthiest family. Ahsan Manzil, which dates from 1740, was a small entertainment house owned by a local landlord that later became a French trading house. Nawab Abdul Ghani purchased it in 1859 and renovated it into an imposing palace with two wings: the eastern wing, which served as his residence, and the western wing, which housed his administrative office. His son, Nawab Ahsanullah Khan, was honored with the naming of the palace.

Ahsan Manzil was severely damaged in 1897 by an earthquake and again in 1906 by a fire, but it was rebuilt.