Flights from Melbourne (MEL) to Dhaka (DAC)

About Dhaka

Discover Dhaka

Why visit Dhaka?
Dhaka is a dynamic riverside city where rickshaws weave past historic architecture, modern towers, and busy markets. You will find an energetic urban centre that blends heritage districts with a growing contemporary skyline, set against the waterways that shape everyday life.

What to expect
The city is dense and lively, with distinct neighbourhoods such as Old Dhaka, Motijheel, and Gulshan offering very different experiences. Expect colourful street scenes, bustling bazaars, tranquil parks, and an emerging café and arts culture that gives Dhaka a creative, youthful edge.

Plan your trip
Dhaka is a natural starting point for exploring Bangladesh, from river delta landscapes to tea-growing hills and coastal getaways. Plan time to adjust to the pace of the city, then use it as a base for day trips or onward journeys deeper into the country.

Top sights in Dhaka

Lalbagh Fort

Explore this unfinished 17th-century Mughal complex with its gardens, gateways, and historic halls tucked inside the city.

Ahsan Manzil

Visit the restored pink palace on the Buriganga River, once a residence of local nobility and now a museum of city history.

Sadarghat Riverfront

Watch ferries and boats come and go at this busy riverside terminal, offering a vivid glimpse of life along the water.

Old Dhaka streets

Wander through narrow lanes lined with characterful buildings, traditional workshops, and small neighbourhood shops.

National Parliament complex

Take in the striking modernist architecture of the Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban and its surrounding lakes and green spaces.

Curzon Hall

Admire the red-brick architecture and peaceful grounds of this historic university building in central Dhaka.

Hatirjheel Lake

Stroll or relax by this urban lake development, where walkways and bridges offer city views, especially in the evening.

Bangladesh National Museum

Discover collections that showcase the region's art, history, and natural heritage across well-curated galleries.

Experience Dhaka's everyday rhythm

Getting around
Rickshaws, taxis, and ride-hailing services are the most practical ways to move between districts, especially for shorter journeys. For longer trips, you can use the growing metro system and main arterial roads, then switch to rickshaws for the final stretch into narrower streets.

Local life & culture
Dhaka's streets are full of small workshops, bookstalls, and tea stands where people pause to talk and trade. Creative spaces, galleries, and cultural centres host exhibitions and performances, while major parks and riverside promenades become social meeting points for families and friends.

Where to unwind
Green pockets such as Ramna Park and Suhrawardy Udyan offer shaded paths and lawns where you can slow down. Lakeside areas like Dhanmondi Lake and Hatirjheel are especially pleasant in the late afternoon and evening, when the light softens and the city air feels cooler.

A taste of Dhaka

Street food & local specialties
You will find local snacks and hearty meals at casual eateries and stalls across Old Dhaka, Dhanmondi, and Mohammadpur. Busy lanes come alive in the evening with grills, fresh breads, and sweet treats that make it easy to sample a variety of flavours in a single walk.

Casual & modern dining hubs
Contemporary cafés and restaurants cluster in areas such as Gulshan, Banani, and Dhanmondi, offering both local and international menus. Many venues are designed for lingering with friends, so you can share several smaller dishes, enjoy desserts, and take your time over tea or coffee.

Signature & scenic dining
For a memorable meal, look for restaurants with rooftop terraces or higher-floor dining rooms that reveal views over Dhaka's city lights. Some venues near lakes or rivers give you a calmer backdrop, making them well suited to marking a special evening during your stay.

Retail therapy in Dhaka

Malls & lifestyle hubs
Dhaka's modern shopping malls gather international brands, local labels, and entertainment under one roof. Centres in Gulshan, Dhanmondi, and Uttara often combine retail with cafés and cinemas, making them easy places to spend a comfortable afternoon indoors.

Markets & local crafts
Traditional markets and smaller shopping streets are where you can look for textiles, clothing, and handcrafted items. Areas such as New Market, Chandni Chowk, and Gulshan's smaller boutiques are useful for finding everyday essentials alongside unique local designs.

Evening retail scene
As the day cools, many streets around major markets and malls remain active, with brightly lit shopfronts and plenty of places to pause for a drink. Some neighbourhoods host small evening bazaars and roadside stalls, which you can reach easily using taxis, rickshaws, or ride-hailing services.

Best time to visit Dhaka

Shital season (cool, dry months; November to February, shoulder season)
During these months, Dhaka is generally cooler and less humid, with average temperatures around 20–25°C (68–77°F). Skies are clearer, making it comfortable for walking tours, visiting parks, and exploring the city during the day and early evening.

Grishsho season (hot, pre-monsoon months; March to May, peak season)
This is Dhaka's warmest period, with daytime temperatures often between 28–34°C (82–93°F). The city feels energetic, and longer daylight hours are useful for fitting in sightseeing, museum visits, and evening outings by the lakes and rivers.

Barsha season (monsoon months; June to October, low season)
The monsoon brings regular showers and lush greenery, with temperatures usually around 27–31°C (81–88°F). It is a good time to enjoy indoor attractions, café-hopping, and watching dramatic skies and reflections over the city's lakes and waterways.

Frequently Asked Questions