Dhaka walking tour & city guide

Old Dhaka

Lalbagh Fort is an unfinished Mughal fort with gardens. Ahsan Manzil, the 'Pink Palace', was the home of the Nawabs of Dhaka. Sadarghat, the river port, is a chaos of boats and ferries. The Star Mosque is decorated with mosaics of stars.

Modern Dhaka

The National Parliament House, designed by Louis Kahn, is a masterpiece of modern architecture. A new metro line now crosses the city.

A day in Dhaka

Start in Old Dhaka early, before the streets fill. Take a rowing boat across the Buriganga River at Sadarghat, one of the busiest river ports in the world, where ferries, launches and small boats crowd the water. Visit Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace of the Nawabs, and Lalbagh Fort, an unfinished Mughal fort with gardens.

In the afternoon, explore Armenian Church and the Star Mosque, decorated with mosaics of Japanese and English china. Then visit the National Parliament House, a modernist masterpiece by the architect Louis Kahn.

Good to know

Dhaka is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, and traffic is famously slow. Cycle rickshaws, colorfully painted, are part of the city's identity and the best way to move through Old Dhaka's narrow lanes. The Metro Rail line is a new and faster option.

The best time to visit is from November to February, when the weather is cool and dry. Try biryani from Old Dhaka, especially kacchi biryani, and fuchka, a crisp street snack.