Dhaka is a fast-growing metropolis where historic quarters, waterways, and modern districts sit side by side. You experience both energetic street life and warm local hospitality in one compelling city.
Discover Dhaka
Discover Dhaka
Why visit Dhaka?
What to expect
You find busy streets, colourful rickshaws, and lively riverfronts, balanced by leafy campuses and quiet lakes. Old Dhaka, Gulshan, and Dhanmondi each reveal a different side of the city.
Plan your trip
Dhaka is a key gateway to Bangladesh, from tea gardens and river deltas to heritage towns. Plan time for city exploration before continuing to regional destinations by road or domestic flight.
Top sights in Dhaka
Lalbagh Fort
Explore this Mughal-era fortress complex, with its gardens, pavilions, and views that offer a calm contrast to the surrounding city.
Ahsan Manzil
Visit the restored pink palace on the Buriganga River, once a grand residence, now a museum telling Dhaka's urban story.
Sadarghat Riverfront
Experience the bustle of ferries and boats at one of the city's busiest river terminals, especially atmospheric in the late afternoon.
National Parliament House area
See the striking modernist architecture around Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and stroll by the surrounding lake and green spaces.
Old Dhaka streets
Wander narrow lanes lined with historic buildings, small workshops, and traditional shops that reveal the city's layered past.
Hatirjheel Lake
Walk or cruise along this urban lake development, with bridges and promenades that light up after sunset.
National Museum
Discover galleries showcasing Bangladesh's history, art, and archaeological finds in a comprehensive city-centre museum.
Experience Dhaka's everyday rhythm
Getting around
Move between key districts using ride-hailing cars or taxis for comfort in traffic, and try a colourful rickshaw for short hops and vivid street-level views. For the last mile, walking the final blocks often becomes the quickest option.
Local life & culture
You feel Dhaka's energy in its workshops, bookshops, galleries, and lakeside promenades, where families and friends gather. Neighbourhoods like Dhanmondi and Gulshan mix modern lifestyles with long-standing community traditions.
Where to unwind
Relax around Ramna Park, Hatirjheel, or Banani Lake in the early morning or late afternoon, when the air is cooler. Many hotels and spas offer massages and pools, giving you a quiet pause between city explorations.
A taste of Dhaka
Street food & local specialties
Try biryani, kebabs, and savoury snacks in Old Dhaka, and look for sweet treats such as traditional desserts in long-standing neighbourhood eateries and local markets.
Casual & modern dining hubs
In areas like Gulshan, Banani, and Dhanmondi, you find casual cafes and restaurants serving Bangladeshi, South Asian, and international flavours, with portions suited to sharing and sampling several dishes together.
Signature & scenic dining
Book a table at rooftop venues in Gulshan or along Hatirjheel to pair your meal with city or lake views, or choose elegant hotel restaurants for refined surroundings and attentive service.
Retail therapy in Dhaka
Malls & lifestyle hubs
Large shopping centres offer a mix of international brands, local labels, cinemas, and food courts, becoming convenient places to combine errands with dining and entertainment.
Markets & local crafts
Look for textiles, handicrafts, and everyday essentials in traditional bazaars and local shopping streets in areas such as New Market, Dhanmondi, and Gulshan.
Evening retail scene
After dark, many streets and malls stay lively, with illuminated storefronts and late-opening shops, and you can usually rely on taxis and ride-hailing services to get back to your hotel easily.
Best time to visit Dhaka
Cool and dry months (November to February, shoulder season) bring average temperatures of about 18–25°C (64–77°F), with clearer skies and more comfortable humidity. Pre-monsoon and early monsoon (March to June, peak season) can be hot and humid, around 28–34°C (82–93°F), with occasional storms but plenty of city life outdoors. Late monsoon to early autumn (July to October, low season) is wetter, with temperatures near 26–32°C (79–90°F) and frequent showers, suiting travellers who do not mind rain and prefer fewer crowds.