Dhaka in 7 days

One of the world's most intense cities: rickshaw chaos, Mughal old town, Buriganga river life and unforgettable food. Best time to visit: November-February. Average daily budget: $20 to $50 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka), The Mughal-era heart: Sadarghat riverfront, Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort and food lanes.

Morning: Sadarghat riverfront at dawn. One of the world's busiest river ports: wooden boats, ferries and floating markets on the Buriganga.

Afternoon: Explore Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka), The Mughal-era heart: Sadarghat riverfront, Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort and food lanes.

Evening: Lalbagh Fort. The unfinished 17th-century Mughal fort complex with gardens, mosque and museum.

Eat: Old Dhaka biryani, kacchi-style with mutton and fragrant rice

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Gulshan & Banani, Diplomatic quarter with international restaurants, cafés and the city's best hotels.

Morning: Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace). The restored pink riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, now a museum.

Afternoon: Explore Gulshan & Banani, Diplomatic quarter with international restaurants, cafés and the city's best hotels.

Evening: Old Dhaka street food walk. Bakarkhani bread, biryani at Haji's, and lassi in lanes unchanged for centuries.

Eat: Bakarkhani, the flaky, slightly sweet Mughal-era bread

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Dhaka University & Shahbag, Bookshops, the national museum district and a lively student atmosphere.

Morning: A rowboat crossing of the Buriganga at sunrise among the cargo ferries.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Dhaka University & Shahbag, Bookshops, the national museum district and a lively student atmosphere.

Evening: The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, a quiet 18th-century survivor in Armanitola.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Bharta plates: mashed mustard-oil vegetables and fish, Bangladesh's soul food

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: Dhanmondi, Residential lakeside neighbourhood popular for evening walks and local eateries.

Morning: Star Mosque's (Tara Masjid) glittering mosaic of china and glass.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Dhanmondi, Residential lakeside neighbourhood popular for evening walks and local eateries.

Evening: Dhaka Art Summit galleries and the Bengal Institute's architecture walks (seasonal).. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Fuchka (pani puri) filled with spiced chickpeas and tamarind water

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Motijheel, The commercial downtown core with colonial-era banks and office towers.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Motijheel, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Motijheel, The commercial downtown core with colonial-era banks and office towers.

Evening: Dinner at Old Dhaka biryani, kacchi-style with mutton and fragrant rice, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Motijheel.

Eat: Old Dhaka biryani, kacchi-style with mutton and fragrant rice

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka), The Mughal-era heart: Sadarghat riverfront, Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort and food lanes.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka), then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka), The Mughal-era heart: Sadarghat riverfront, Ahsan Manzil, Lalbagh Fort and food lanes.

Evening: Dinner at Bakarkhani, the flaky, slightly sweet Mughal-era bread, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Old Dhaka (Puran Dhaka).

Eat: Bakarkhani, the flaky, slightly sweet Mughal-era bread

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Gulshan & Banani, Diplomatic quarter with international restaurants, cafés and the city's best hotels.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Gulshan & Banani, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Gulshan & Banani, Diplomatic quarter with international restaurants, cafés and the city's best hotels.

Evening: Dinner at Bharta plates: mashed mustard-oil vegetables and fish, Bangladesh's soul food, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Gulshan & Banani.

Eat: Bharta plates: mashed mustard-oil vegetables and fish, Bangladesh's soul food

Hidden gems

A rowboat crossing of the Buriganga at sunrise among the cargo ferries.
The Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection, a quiet 18th-century survivor in Armanitola.
Star Mosque's (Tara Masjid) glittering mosaic of china and glass.
Dhaka Art Summit galleries and the Bengal Institute's architecture walks (seasonal).

Getting around

Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is 30 to 90 minutes from Gulshan depending on traffic, which is severe at peak hours. Rickshaws and CNG auto-rickshaws cover short hops; Uber and Pathao (local app) work for cars and motorbikes. Hire a car with driver for full sightseeing days. Most nationalities need a visa; many can get a visa on arrival, but confirm eligibility before flying.

Safety

Dhaka is generally safe for visitors in the main districts, and violent crime against tourists is rare, but petty theft happens in crowds. Traffic is the biggest daily hazard. Dress modestly, avoid political gatherings and hartals (strikes), drink bottled water only, and check your government's travel advisory, especially around election periods.

Dhaka in 3 days | Dhaka in 5 days | Full Dhaka guide