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Dhaka
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Dhaka, Bangladesh blends Mughal history, riverfront life, vibrant markets, Bengali cuisine and distinctive architecture for immersive city sightseeing.

Old Dhaka and the Buriganga

Dhaka is Bangladesh’s densely layered capital, a city where Mughal monuments, colonial-era institutions, garment workshops and contemporary Bengali culture occupy the same crowded urban landscape. The oldest quarters lie south of the modern centre, around narrow lanes, colourful rickshaws and the Buriganga River. Here, Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and the Armenian Church preserve evidence of the city’s commercial and political importance, while Sadarghat remains one of the country’s great river ports, alive with launches, ferries and riverside trade.
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Architecture, Memory and National Identity

Across central Dhaka, the city’s story continues through the Bangladesh National Museum, the Liberation War Museum and the grand National Parliament House, designed by Louis Kahn in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. Curzon Hall and the University of Dhaka add academic and architectural character, while Shahbagh’s museums, bookshops and cultural institutions form an important intellectual district. The capital’s streets can be noisy and congested, yet behind the traffic are courtyards, mosques, temples, galleries and food stalls that reward patient exploration.

Contemporary Dhaka

Modern neighbourhoods such as Gulshan, Banani and Dhanmondi contain embassies, offices, restaurants, cafés and shopping centres, contrasting with the wholesale markets and historic residences of Old Dhaka. Bengali food is central to the city’s identity, from fragrant biryani and fish preparations to sweets, tea and street snacks. Dhaka is not a conventionally easy city to navigate, but its energy, cultural confidence and constant movement offer an unusually direct encounter with Bangladesh’s history and everyday life.

When is the best time to visit Dhaka?

Best: December–February · 27–30°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January (best)2710
February (best)3010
March3520
April3640
May3640
June3540
July3440
August3440
September3440
October3320
November3210
December (best)2810

Getting to and around Dhaka

How to get there

Most international visitors arrive at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, north of central Dhaka and the country’s principal international aviation gateway. The airport serves the capital and the wider metropolitan area rather than being located in the historic centre. Dhaka is also connected to other Bangladeshi cities by intercity trains from Kamalapur Railway Station and by long-distance coaches using major terminals and highways. River launches and ferries connect Sadarghat with destinations elsewhere in Bangladesh, although services are more relevant to domestic journeys than to most international arrivals. Travellers entering overland should expect busy roads and variable journey times, particularly around the capital’s approaches.

Transportation

Dhaka’s traffic is a major consideration when planning any itinerary. Cycle rickshaws are common for short journeys in many neighbourhoods, while auto-rickshaws, taxis and app-based car services can be useful where available; fares and routes should be agreed or confirmed before travelling. Local buses serve wide areas but may be crowded and difficult for visitors unfamiliar with the system. The Dhaka Metro Rail has added a faster option on its operating corridor, although it does not reach every historic or residential district. Walking is practical for short explorations within a neighbourhood, but heat, congestion, uneven pavements and busy roads make longer walks demanding.

Best attractions in Dhaka

Dhaka’s principal attractions reveal several distinct sides of the capital. In Old Dhaka, Lalbagh Fort offers a tranquil Mughal complex of gateways, gardens and unfinished ambitions, while Ahsan Manzil, the pink palace beside the Buriganga, introduces the history of the city’s Nawab family. The narrow lanes of Shankhari Bazaar show an older craft and residential quarter, and Sadarghat provides a dramatic view of river transport, with launches and ferries moving constantly along the waterfront. The Bangladesh National Museum in Shahbagh presents the country’s archaeology, art and cultural history, while the Liberation War Museum provides essential context for the events of 1971. In Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, the vast geometric spaces of National Parliament House offer a very different architectural experience. Curzon Hall, the University of Dhaka campus and the city’s many rickshaws, markets and food streets add texture to sightseeing between the major sites.

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Best landmarks in Dhaka

Dhaka’s landmarks trace the passage from Mughal provincial capital to modern national centre. Lalbagh Fort, begun in the seventeenth century, is the city’s most recognisable Mughal remnant, with defensive walls, ornamental gardens and the tomb of Pari Bibi. Ahsan Manzil’s distinctive pink façade represents the later nineteenth-century Nawab era and the influence of regional elite culture. The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection reflects the long presence of Armenian merchants in the city, while Star Mosque is known for its decorative tiled interior and historic religious importance. Curzon Hall combines academic purpose with Indo-Saracenic design and remains associated with the University of Dhaka. Farther north, National Parliament House uses monumental concrete geometry, water and carefully controlled light to express the civic ambitions of independent Bangladesh. Together these buildings give physical form to Dhaka’s political, commercial and cultural development.

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Explore Dhaka on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Dhaka

Best restaurants in Dhaka

Dhaka’s food culture reflects Bengal’s rivers, fertile plains and centuries of trade. Rice, freshwater fish, lentils, vegetables, mustard oil and fragrant spices shape everyday meals, while biryani is associated especially with Old Dhaka’s long-established dining culture. Visitors may encounter kacchi biryani, tehari, bhorta, hilsa preparations, kebabs, paratha, fuchka and a wide range of Bengali sweets such as roshogolla and mishti doi. Old Dhaka contains traditional eateries and busy food streets, including the areas around Chawkbazar, while Gulshan, Banani and Dhanmondi offer cafés, international restaurants and more contemporary interpretations of local cooking. Tea stalls remain important social spaces, and markets provide glimpses of the ingredients behind home-style cuisine. Menus and standards vary widely, so busy establishments with high turnover are generally preferable for informal meals, particularly when choosing cooked street food.

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Best bars in Dhaka

Dhaka’s evening life is more varied and restrained than the nightclub image associated with some Asian capitals. In Gulshan and Banani, hotel lounges, cafés and restaurants provide the principal settings for socialising after dark, while Dhanmondi has a substantial café and student-oriented scene. Alcohol is regulated and is not available everywhere, so nightlife often centres on tea, coffee, late meals, live music, cultural programmes and conversation rather than public drinking. Hotels with the appropriate licences may offer bars, and some venues host performances or private events, but opening arrangements and access can change. Old Dhaka is better suited to early evening food and walking than late-night entertainment. Visitors should dress respectfully, use established venues and confirm current local conditions rather than assuming that every listed place operates as a conventional bar or club.

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Best nightclubs in Dhaka

Dhaka’s evening life is more varied and restrained than the nightclub image associated with some Asian capitals. In Gulshan and Banani, hotel lounges, cafés and restaurants provide the principal settings for socialising after dark, while Dhanmondi has a substantial café and student-oriented scene. Alcohol is regulated and is not available everywhere, so nightlife often centres on tea, coffee, late meals, live music, cultural programmes and conversation rather than public drinking. Hotels with the appropriate licences may offer bars, and some venues host performances or private events, but opening arrangements and access can change. Old Dhaka is better suited to early evening food and walking than late-night entertainment. Visitors should dress respectfully, use established venues and confirm current local conditions rather than assuming that every listed place operates as a conventional bar or club.

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Best shops in Dhaka

Shopping in Dhaka ranges from wholesale markets and traditional craft quarters to modern malls and carefully presented Bangladeshi brands. Islampur is associated with textiles and wholesale clothing, while the lanes of Shankhari Bazaar retain specialist craft and long-established Hindu neighbourhood traditions. New Market remains a familiar destination for clothing, books, household goods and everyday bargains, although its crowded layout rewards patience and attention to belongings. Karwan Bazar is known primarily for wholesale produce and market activity rather than leisurely browsing. In newer districts, shopping centres and boutiques offer contemporary fashion, homeware and international labels, while outlets such as Aarong showcase Bangladeshi textiles, crafts, jewellery and design-led souvenirs. Handloom fabrics, jamdani-inspired textiles, nakshi kantha embroidery, leather goods and tea can make meaningful purchases, but visitors should distinguish genuinely handmade work from factory-produced items and agree prices before buying in informal markets.

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Dhaka essentials

Currency and Payment
Bangladesh uses the taka, abbreviated BDT or ৳. Cash remains important for rickshaws, small eateries, markets, street vendors and many independent businesses, so visitors should carry modest amounts of taka in low denominations. International cards are more likely to work in established hotels, larger restaurants, shopping centres and modern businesses in districts such as Gulshan and Banani, but acceptance is not universal. ATMs are available in commercial areas and at major transport points, although overseas cards can occasionally encounter compatibility or security restrictions. Inform the card issuer before travel and keep a separate reserve of cash rather than relying exclusively on electronic payment.
Safety
Visitors should take ordinary urban precautions in Dhaka, particularly in crowded markets, transport terminals and busy streets where bags, phones and wallets can be vulnerable. Traffic is a more immediate practical hazard than the appearance of many streets suggests, so use care when crossing roads and entering or leaving vehicles. Avoid isolated areas after dark, keep valuables discreet and use reputable transport arrangements. Demonstrations and political gatherings can occur and may disrupt roads or create unpredictable conditions; check current local advice before travelling through affected areas. Heat, humidity, air pollution and contaminated food or water can also affect visitors, making bottled or treated water and sensible food hygiene advisable.
Emergency Situations
Bangladesh’s national emergency number is 999, which connects callers with police, fire and ambulance assistance. Explain the location as precisely as possible, using a recognisable building, road or neighbourhood, since street addressing can be difficult in parts of Dhaka. International visitors should also keep their accommodation details and embassy or high commission contact information accessible. For non-urgent medical needs, established private hospitals and clinics in central and northern districts are commonly used by expatriates, but standards, costs and language support vary. Travel insurance with medical cover is advisable, and serious incidents should be reported to the relevant diplomatic mission as well as local authorities.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress modestly when visiting mosques, temples, shrines and family-oriented neighbourhoods, and ask before photographing people, religious activity or private property. Remove shoes where required and follow local instructions inside places of worship. Public displays of affection are best kept discreet, while polite greetings and patient negotiation are valued in everyday interactions. Tipping is not governed by one universal rule, but a modest gratuity may be appreciated in restaurants or for helpful service where a service charge is absent. Avoid blocking narrow lanes, touching food or merchandise without permission, and treating low-income areas as spectacles; respectful, unobtrusive photography is particularly important in Old Dhaka.
Local Tips
Organise sightseeing by district rather than attempting to cross the whole city repeatedly: Old Dhaka can be paired with Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil and Sadarghat, while Shahbagh and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar suit museum and architecture visits. Early mornings are generally more comfortable for outdoor exploration and offer a closer view of market life before traffic intensifies. Friday and other religious or public holidays can alter opening arrangements and transport patterns, so check locally before setting out. Bengali is the principal language, though English is widely used in hotels, universities, offices and many visitor-oriented businesses. A local guide can add useful context in the historic quarters.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
Helloহ্যালো[helo]
Goodbyeবিদায়[biday]
Yesহ্যাঁ[haan]
Noনা[na]
Please/You're welcomeদয়া করে[doya kore]
Thank youধন্যবাদ[dhonnobad]
Excuse me/Sorryদুঃখিত[dukhit]
How are you?তুমি কেমন আছো?[tumi kemon asho?]
Fine. And you?ভালো। তুমি কেমন?[bhalo. tumi kemon?]
Do you speak English?তুমি ইংরেজি কথা বলতে পারো?[tumi inglizi kotha bolte paro?]
I don't understandআমি বুঝতে পারি না[ami bujhte pari na]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseদয়া করে মেনু দেখান[doya kore menu dekhan]
I don't eat meatআমি মাংস খাই না[ami mangsh khai na]
Cheers!চিয়ারস![cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseদয়া করে আমি দাম দিতে চাই[doya kore ami dam dite chai]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!সাহায্য![sahayyo!]
Go away!চলে যাও![chole jao!]
Call the Police!পুলিশকে কল করুন![polishke kol korun!]
Call a doctor!ডাক্তারকে কল করুন![doctorke kol korun!]
I'm lostআমি হারানো গেছি[ami harano geshi]
I'm illআমি অসুস্থ[ami osustho]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...আমি ... কিনতে চাই[ami ... kinte chai]
I'm just lookingআমি কেবল দেখছি[ami kebol dekhchi]
How much is it?এটা কত?[eta koto?]
That's too expensiveএটা খুব বেশি দাম[eta khub beshi dam]
Can you lower the price?দাম কমানো যায়?[dam kamonu jay?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?এখন কতটা বাজে?[ekhon kotta baje?]
It's one o'clockএকটা বাজে[ekta baje]
Half past (10)10 টা হাফ[10 ta haf]
Morningসকাল[shokal]
Afternoonবিকাল[bikal]
Eveningসন্ধ্যা[shondhya]
Yesterdayগতকাল[gatkal]
Todayআজ[aj]
Tomorrowআগামীকাল[agamikal]
1এক[ek]
2দুই[dui]
3তিন[tin]
4চার[char]
5পাঁচ[pach]
6ছয়[chhoy]
7সাত[shat]
8আট[at]
9নয়[noy]
10দশ[dosh]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?...কোথায়?[...kothay?]
What's the address?ঠিকানা কি?[thikana ki?]
Can you show me (on the map)?আপনি আমাকে দেখাতে পারবেন?[apni amake dekhate parben?]
When's the next (bus)?পরের (বাস) কখন?[porer (bus) kohon?]
A ticket (to ....)একটা টিকেট (.... এ)[ekta ticket (.... e)]

History of Dhaka

Early Settlements and River Trade

The area now occupied by Dhaka developed among waterways and settlements on the eastern bank of the Buriganga, within a wider region shaped by the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. Before the city became a major capital, local communities were connected to river transport, agriculture and regional trade. The waterways provided access to markets across Bengal, while the surrounding fertile land supported dense settlement. Dhaka’s later importance cannot be separated from this geography: the city grew not on an isolated site but within a continuously connected river landscape. Evidence of earlier occupation is less monumental than the Mughal remains visible today, yet the pattern of river commerce, specialised neighbourhoods and dense urban growth has deep roots in the region’s pre-modern history.

The Mughal Provincial Capital

Dhaka rose to major political prominence under the Mughal Empire in the early seventeenth century, when Islam Khan Chishti established the provincial capital of Bengal at Dhaka in 1608 and named it Jahangirnagar after the emperor Jahangir. The city expanded through Mughal administration, military activity and river-borne commerce. During the seventeenth century, Bengal’s textile production, particularly fine muslin, connected Dhaka to Asian and European trading networks. Mughal governors enlarged the settlement and commissioned mosques, gardens, roads and administrative buildings. The surviving Lalbagh Fort complex, begun in 1678 but left incomplete, belongs to this period and illustrates both the ambition of Mughal Dhaka and the political changes that interrupted its construction.

Trade, Decline and Regional Change

Dhaka’s political prominence weakened after the provincial capital was moved to Murshidabad in 1704, although the city remained an important centre of trade and textile manufacture. The decline of the muslin industry was accelerated by changing commercial conditions and the expansion of British influence in Bengal. Local production continued, but the city no longer held the same administrative status it had enjoyed under the Mughals. Buildings and communities associated with Armenian, Hindu, Muslim and European merchants testify to Dhaka’s continuing commercial diversity. Ahsan Manzil, developed by the Dhaka Nawab family in the nineteenth century, reflects the later history of influential local elites within a city increasingly shaped by colonial economic and administrative structures.

Colonial Dhaka and the University City

Under British rule, Dhaka became part of the shifting administrative arrangements of Bengal. The partition of Bengal in 1905 made it the capital of the new province of Eastern Bengal and Assam, bringing renewed investment and political attention; the partition was annulled in 1911, reducing its immediate administrative importance. The city nevertheless gained durable institutions in the early twentieth century. The University of Dhaka was founded in 1921, and buildings such as Curzon Hall embodied the educational and civic ambitions of the period. Colonial urban development added new roads, offices and institutions beside older quarters, creating the layered city of historic neighbourhoods and formal academic districts visible today.

From Pakistan Province to National Capital

After the partition of British India in 1947, Dhaka became the capital of East Bengal, later East Pakistan. Political tension grew as residents of the eastern wing challenged economic inequality, administrative control and the imposition of Urdu alongside Bengali. The Bengali Language Movement of 1952 became a defining expression of cultural and political resistance, and demands for autonomy intensified during the 1960s. In 1971, conflict between the Pakistani state and the Bengali nationalist movement led to the Bangladesh Liberation War. Dhaka was central to the struggle and became the capital of independent Bangladesh after victory in December 1971. Memorials, museums and public observances continue to shape the city’s civic identity.

An Expanding Modern Capital

Since independence, Dhaka has expanded rapidly as Bangladesh’s administrative, educational, commercial and cultural centre. Rural-to-urban migration, industrialisation and the growth of the ready-made garment sector have transformed the metropolitan area, while new residential and business districts have spread beyond the historic core. National Parliament House, designed by Louis Kahn and completed in the early 1980s, became a major symbol of the modern republic and its architectural ambitions. The city’s growth has also brought severe congestion, pressure on waterways and a sharp contrast between established neighbourhoods and rapidly developing districts. Contemporary Dhaka therefore combines the institutions of a national capital with the dense social and economic activity of a major delta city.

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Evendo - Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Dhaka

Discover Dhaka with Evendo, a 100% free app-based travel guide offering comprehensive details on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

  • Comprehensive details on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, and restaurants
  • Rich information including images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences
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More about the Evendo app

Plan your perfect trip to Dhaka with Evendo, the free travel guide app that offers detailed insights on attractions, landmarks, dining, and activities.

  • History of Dhaka and travel essentials
  • Good local advice to maximize your visit
  • Intuitive navigation through the app
  • 'Near Me' feature to see nearby attractions
  • Curated local tips for an authentic experience
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases

Welcome to Dhaka, the bustling capital of Bangladesh, where rich history meets vibrant culture. Whether you're exploring the ancient Lalbagh Fort, wandering through the colorful streets of Old Dhaka, or savoring authentic Bangladeshi cuisine at Star Kabab and Restaurant, Evendo is your indispensable travel companion.

Evendo provides detailed information on all the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, experiences, and activities in Dhaka. Each location comes complete with images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it easy for you to plan and organize your trip.

With Evendo, you can effortlessly book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences in the city. No more searching for what to see, do, or experience—everything you need is in one place. The app also features the history of Dhaka, travel essentials, and tons of good local advice to ensure you get the most out of your visit.

Navigate easily through the app and the city with our intuitive interface. The 'Near Me' feature helps you see what's around you, no matter where you are. Curated local tips let you experience Dhaka like a local. Plus, the app is 100% free with no in-app purchases or additional costs.

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