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Top 9 Things to Do in Bangladesh

Bangladesh is an often-underrated travel destination that is rich in culture, home to some beautiful natural areas, and filled with history to learn about through the local attractions. It is a country of rivers, has the world’s longest unbroken stretch of beach, and remains largely untouched by the commercial tourism industry. To help you plan your itinerary and have some unforgettable experiences, here are some of the top things to see and do in Bangladesh.

Tour the Pink Palace (Ahsan Manzil) Steps to the Mughal Palace, Ahsan Manzil in Dhaka
Credit: Steps to the Mughal Palace, Ahsan Manzil in Dhaka by © Milosk50 - Dreamstime.com

Tour the Pink Palace (Ahsan Manzil)

What Is It? Ahsan Manzil was once the official Nawab family residence and an impressive palace built in the mid-late 1800s. It is a national museum today that contains family artifacts and glimpses into local history.

Why Do It? This is one of the most iconic structures in all of Bangladesh and offers an opportunity to learn about history and architecture.

Good to Know: Many guided tour groups that provide Dhaka excursions include this palace on their itineraries. Visiting hours based on the season and have special hours on holidays.

Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) Dhaka Tara mosque
Credit: Dhaka Tara mosque by © Soyebtontu - Dreamstime.com

Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)

What Is It? Tara Masjid is a beautiful mosque that was built in the early 19th century and is covered in mosaic stars. It has a reflecting pool, marble domes, and other iconic religious architecture that you can see on your own or as part of a tour group in Old Dhaka.

Why Do It? This is a beautifully designed mosque, both inside and out. Non-Muslims are welcome to visit this site outside of prayer times by asking the caretaker to come in and visit it.

Good to Know: Since this is a functioning mosque, it is not advised to visit the mosque as a tourist during prayer times. Women must cover their hair, shoulders, and knees when visiting the mosque.

Photograph the Ships at Sadarghat Port Wooden rowing boats at Keraniganj, opposite Sadarghat, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Credit: Wooden rowing boats at Keraniganj, opposite Sadarghat, Dhaka, Bangladesh by © Mortenhuebbe - Dreamstime.com

Photograph the Ships at Sadarghat Port

What Is It? Sadarghat Port is a busy river port in Dhaka that welcomes many passengers every hour. This is an awesome spot to snap some photographs of daily life in Bangladesh.

Why Do It? This area is home to interesting markets, great views, and people-watching opportunities that can’t be beaten on a trip to Bangladesh.

Good to Know: If you’re feeling adventurous, consider hiring a paddleboat and taking a trip across the water on the Buriganga River to get the full experience of this port.

Experience Sundarbans Mangrove Forest Sundarbans is a vast forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal
Credit: Sundarbans is a vast forest in the coastal region of the Bay of Bengal by © Mortenhuebbe - Dreamstime.com

Experience Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

What Is It? The Sundarbans are a large mangrove area that is protected where the local rivers meet. The mangrove forest spans about 10,000 square kilometers and is home to many wildlife species. The most famous animal here is the royal Bengal tiger.

Why Do It? There are excellent opportunities here to view wildlife and plants, including threatened species. It’s also one of the largest remaining mangroves in the entire world.

Good to Know: Consider booking a guided tour to fully experience the mangrove forest that includes accommodations by boat and overnight accommodations.

Enjoy Cox’s Bazar Beach Wooden Fishing Boat On a Cox Bazar Sea Beach
Credit: Wooden Fishing Boat On a Cox Bazar Sea Beach by © StockNinjaStudio - Dreamstime.com

Enjoy Cox’s Bazar Beach

What Is It? Cox’s Bazar is a fishing port, touristic center, and has the longest sea beach in the world extending 120 kilometers long. Here you’ll find hotels, pagodas, Buddhist temples, and delicious seafood.  Private tours of the area include Cox’s Bazar, 100 Feet Buddha, Himchori Waterfall, and a local Buddhist temple.

Why Do It? You’ll find lots of great restaurants along Sea Beach Road and also in the Hotel Motel Zone to enjoy traditional Bangladeshi cuisine around Cox’s Bazar. You can also swim in the sea as long as the conditions are marked as safe.

Good to Know: Be aware that the beach tends to be crowded with tourists between October and March. It is typically recommended tor tourists to not stay at the beach after dark. Many first-time tourists stay in the hotels in this area for the location, views, and amenities.

Find Peace at the Dhakeshwari Temple Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka
Credit: Dhakeshwari Temple in Dhaka by © Suronin - Dreamstime.com

Find Peace at the Dhakeshwari Temple

What Is It? Another beautiful site to see in Dhaka is the Dhakeshwari Temple, which is a Hindu temple built in the 12th century.  The temple is typically open daily and welcomes people of all religious backgrounds.

Why Do It? The temple’s design is fascinating to see with both an ancient style and a more contemporary style constructed by the East India Company.

Good to Know: Make sure to leave your shoes outside the temple before going inside as a sign of respect. Also, never touch any of the food offerings inside the temple because they are considered sacred.

Eat Street Food Around Patenga Beach Salty sour and peppery olive pickle fruit are marinated for snack recipe street food in Bangladesh
Credit: Salty sour and peppery olive pickle fruit are marinated for snack recipe street food in Bangladesh by © Jahangir Alam Onuchcha - Dreamstime.com

Eat Street Food Around Patenga Beach

What Is It? Patenga beach isn’t an ideal place for swimming, but it is a destination to watch fishing boats in the early morning and sunsets in the evening.

Why Do It? At the mouth of the Karnaphuli River, this beach is a great place for nature lovers and to get away from busy city life for a while.

Good to Know: Some of the best cheap and tasty Bangladeshi street food can be found around Patenga Beach.

Visit a Local Tea-Growing Region Tea bud and leaves at a tea plantation, Moulovibazar, Bangladesh
Credit: Tea bud and leaves at a tea plantation, Moulovibazar, Bangladesh by © Jahangir Alam Onuchcha - Dreamstime.com

Visit a Local Tea-Growing Region

What Is It? Tea is very important to Bangladeshi culture and the local economy, so plan to visit a local tea-growing area when you’re here. Guided tours take you out into nature to experience the rich biodiversity and learn about how tea is grown and harvested.

Why Do It? A visit to a local tea plantation is a memorable experience and an opportunity to taste locally grown teas.

Good to Know: The Sylhet area is a prominent tea-growing location, while Srimangal is called the tea capital of Bangladesh. This area has over 150 tea gardens.

Explore the Lalbagh Fort (Fort Aurangabad) Lalbagh Fort also Fort Aurangabad is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka
Credit: Lalbagh Fort also Fort Aurangabad is an incomplete 17th century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka by © Caoshiren - Dreamstime.com

Explore the Lalbagh Fort (Fort Aurangabad)

What Is It? Fort Aurangabad was built in 1677 but never actually completed because the builder’s daughter died suddenly, which was considered to be bad luck. Today, tourists can visit the fort grounds to see the audience hall, mausoleum, mosque and museum.

Why Do It? This fort allows you to learn about the Mughal Empire and a fascinating piece of Dhaka history. There are multiple parts of this complex to explore and learn about on a tour.

Good to Know: There were secret tunnels (now sealed off) in the fort to reach certain places by underground transportation and also serve as mazes to distract intruders and attackers.

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