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Things to Do in Dhaka (2026)
Begin your journey in the historic heart of the city around Sadarghat. Visit the iconic Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), open daily 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM except Thursday, with an en… 🏛️ Start at Old Dhaka
Begin your journey in the historic heart of the city around Sadarghat. Visit the iconic Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), open daily 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM except Thursday, with an entry fee of 500 BDT for foreigners. The narrow lanes nearby offer a glimpse into Mughal-era architecture and bustling river life.
🕌 Visit Star Mosque
Located in Old Dhaka's Armanitola area, the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) is a stunning 19th-century mosque adorned with blue star motifs. It is free to enter and best visited in the late afternoon when the light catches the tiles. Remember to dress modestly and remove shoes before entering.
🍛 Eat Like a Local
Head to Haji Biriyani in Old Dhaka for the city's legendary mutton biryani, priced around 250 BDT per plate. For street food, try fuchka (pani puri) at Shahbagh or New Market. Don't miss the kacchi biryani at Sultan's Dine in Dhanmondi, a modern classic.
🛶 Cruise the Buriganga
Take a boat ride on the Buriganga River from Sadarghat to see the city from the water. Public ferries cost as little as 10 BDT for a short trip, while private guided tours run about 500 BDT per hour. Early morning rides offer the best light and fewer crowds.
🌿 Escape to Ramna Park
Ramna Park in central Dhaka is a green oasis perfect for a morning walk or picnic. The park is open from dawn to dusk, free of charge, and features a lake and flower gardens. It is especially pleasant during winter months when the weather is cool.
🛍️ Shop at New Market
New Market in Dhaka is a sprawling bazaar for textiles, handicrafts, and electronics. Bargaining is expected, so start at half the quoted price. For higher-end souvenirs, visit Aarong in Dhanmondi, which sells fair-trade handloom products and crafts.
🎭 Catch a Performance
The Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Segunbagicha hosts regular theater, dance, and music performances. Tickets range from 100 to 500 BDT. Check their schedule in advance for traditional shows like jatra or contemporary plays.
🚇 Ride the Metro
Dhaka's metro rail (Line 6) opened in 2023 and now connects Uttara to Motijheel. A single ride costs 20 to 100 BDT depending on distance, and trains run from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM. It is the fastest way to cross the city, avoiding notorious traffic jams.
The guide covers the big landmarks well, but I'd add that walking through the lanes around Ahsan Manzil itself is half the experience. You'll find tiny shops selling everything from brassware to old books, and the smell of spices from the nearby wholesale market is unforgettable. Just go early, around 8 AM, before the heat and crowds get intense.
For the Buriganga cruise, skip the private tours and hop on a public ferry to the other side for 10 BDT. You get the same river views and a glimpse of how people actually commute, plus you can grab tea at a stall on the far bank before heading back. The ferries run constantly so you don't need to plan much.
One thing missing is the National Museum in Shahbagh. It's a bit rundown but has an incredible collection of Mughal artifacts and a separate gallery on the Liberation War. Entry is around 75 BDT for locals and maybe 200 for foreigners, and you can easily spend two hours there. It's a good break from the heat.
3 Days in Dhaka: Itinerary 2026
Start your morning at Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), open 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, entry 300 BDT for foreigners. Walk to Sadarghat River Port to see the bustling launch terminal and r… 🗺️ Day 1: Old Dhaka
Start your morning at Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), open 10:30 AM to 5:30 PM, entry 300 BDT for foreigners. Walk to Sadarghat River Port to see the bustling launch terminal and river life. Have lunch at Star Kabab & Restaurant for authentic Mughlai cuisine, around 300 BDT per person.
🛶 Afternoon on the Buriganga
Take a 1-hour boat ride from Sadarghat to explore the river and see old warehouses and shipyards. A shared boat costs about 50 BDT per person; private boats start at 500 BDT. Return to shore by 3 PM to visit the Armenian Church (free entry, open until 5 PM).
🏛️ Day 2: Colonial Dhaka
Begin at the National Museum in Shahbagh, open 10 AM to 5 PM, entry 100 BDT for locals, 500 BDT for foreigners. Walk to the nearby Curzon Hall (University of Dhaka) for its stunning architecture. Grab lunch at Haji Biriyani, famous for its mutton biryani, around 350 BDT.
🛍️ Shopping in New Market
Spend the afternoon at New Market (open 10 AM to 9 PM), where you can bargain for textiles, handicrafts, and electronics. Nearby, visit the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) with its mosaic tile work, free entry. End with a rickshaw ride to Ramna Park for a relaxing evening stroll.
🌆 Day 3: Modern Dhaka
Visit the National Parliament House (Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban), designed by Louis Kahn, with free guided tours at 10 AM and 3 PM. Then head to Gulshan Lake Park for a peaceful walk. Lunch at The Westin Dhaka's buffet (around 2,500 BDT) or try local street food at Banani.
🚇 Getting Around
Dhaka's traffic is heavy; plan 30-60 minutes for short trips. Use the metro (opened 2023) for quick travel between Uttara and Motijheel, fare 20-100 BDT. Rickshaws are best for short distances (20-50 BDT), while Uber and Pathao rideshare apps are reliable for longer journeys.
💡 Practical Tips
Carry small bills for rickshaws and street food, as many vendors don't have change. Stay hydrated with bottled water (20 BDT) and avoid tap water. Dhaka is safe for tourists, but keep valuables secure in crowded areas. Most attractions close by 5 PM, so plan accordingly.
I've done this exact route a few times and it holds up well. One thing I'd add: on Day 1, the boat ride from Sadarghat is better if you go around 4 PM instead of midday. The light hits the old warehouses and the river traffic gets more interesting as the launch terminals wind down for the evening. You'll also catch the call to prayer echoing across the water from the Shahi Mosque.
For Day 2, Haji Biriyani is legendary but the queue can be 30 minutes at lunch. Go at 11:30 AM if you can, or try the biryani at Fakhruddin's on North South Road instead. It's less famous but the meat is more tender and they have better borhani to wash it down.
Day 3's Gulshan Lake Park is nice but small. If you want a longer walk, head to Hatirjheel instead. It's a 3-kilometer loop around a restored lake with footbridges and food stalls, and it stays open until 9 PM. The view of the city skyline from the middle bridge around dusk is one of my favorite spots in Dhaka.
This is a solid itinerary, you've really covered the range of what Dhaka offers. I would add that if you're at Ahsan Manzil on Day 1, make sure to walk through the narrow lanes of Farashganj just behind it. The old Hindu merchant quarter has incredible 19th-century buildings that are crumbling but beautiful, and most tourists skip it entirely.
For Day 2, the National Museum is worth the foreigner fee, but the history section on the ground floor is the most interesting part. I'd also suggest skipping Ramna Park in the evening and instead going to Shahbagh Square around sunset. You'll see students hanging out and can get a cheap cup of cha from a street vendor for 10 BDT, it's a better slice of local life.
On the metro, just know that the line only runs north-south for now, so it won't help you get to Old Dhaka or Gulshan. Your 30-60 minute traffic estimate is generous for a Friday, I'd budget closer to 90 minutes if you're crossing the city during peak hours.