Best Things to Do in Dhaka: A Practical Guide

Travel advisory, checked October 2026. British FCDO advice is against all but essential travel to the Chittagong Hill Tracts (Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarban), and the US government also warns against going there. Terrorist attacks are called very likely in the UK advice. Hartals (general strikes) and political demonstrations can turn violent fast, so stay away from them. Since 2024, bag snatching from motorbikes and CNG auto-rickshaws has become more common. Before booking, read the UK FCDO page and the US State Department advisory .

How Dhaka works for visitors

Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh, a flat river-delta metropolis with over 23 million residents. Its appeal lies in heritage buildings, museums, markets and street food rather than parks or beaches. The Bay of Bengal is more than 250 km away, and there are no hills nearby. Currency is the taka (BDT), and roughly 120 taka make a US dollar, though the rate moves. Foreign visitors pay a higher ticket tier than locals at nearly every monument.

Use the Metro to skip the jams

Metro Line 6 is an elevated line from Uttara North to Motijheel with 16 stations over about 20 km, taking around 33 minutes end to end. Tickets cost 20 BDT at the cheapest and 100 BDT for the whole line, and a Rapid Pass is 10% cheaper. Four stops matter to visitors: Agargaon (Liberation War Museum), Bijoy Sarani (Military Museum), Shahbagh (National Museum) and Dhaka University (Curzon Hall). The line does not yet reach Kamalapur. That extension is expected between late 2026 and spring 2027.

Four ticketed sights

  • Lalbagh Fort: 200 BDT for foreigners. Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 17:00 with a lunch pause, Monday afternoon only, closed Sunday.
  • Ahsan Manzil: 500 BDT. Saturday to Wednesday 10:30 to 16:30, Friday 15:00 to 19:00, closed Thursday.
  • National Museum: 500 BDT. Saturday to Wednesday 10:30 to 16:30, Friday 15:00 to 18:30, closed Thursday.
  • Bangabandhu Military Museum: 800 BDT. Closed Wednesday, open until 19:00 on most other days.

Official online tickets add a 4% service fee. The Liberation War Museum is covered on the attraction tours page , because it deals with the 1971 genocide and needs a quieter visit.

Eat in Old Dhaka

Old Dhaka is known for biryani, kebabs and bakarkhani bread. Haji Biryani, open since 1939 on Kazi Alauddin Road, and Nanna Biryani are the two names to look for. Copycat signs are common, so check the spelling. Choose hot, freshly cooked food and avoid raw salad and street juices.

Getting around

Rickshaws and CNG autos have no working meters, so settle the price before you board. Short rickshaw hops are often 30 to 100 BDT, and a cross-city CNG is commonly 250 to 500 BDT, though the price is always negotiable. Because criminals have used CNGs and motorbikes for snatch thefts, use Uber or Pathao with the driver and plate checked, especially at night.

Health and weather

Tap water is not safe to drink, even in hotels. Buy sealed bottles. From November through February, air pollution is often among the worst of any city in the world, so people with breathing problems should plan carefully. Monsoon months bring flooding and the dengue peak, so wear repellent in the daytime.

River terminal warning

Sadarghat is the central launch terminal. Overcrowded ferries and weak safety certification are known problems, and a 2020 collision killed 34. Visit only in daylight, hire a boatman through a reputable guide and use a life jacket.

Visa and bookings

Apply for the tourist e-visa before you travel. Visa on arrival covers only narrow categories. For a driver and guide, see GetYourGuide .

Read more: Dhaka sightseeing , Dhaka walking tours .