Top 10 Tourist Places in Dhaka With A First-Time Visitor's Guide
Your complete first-time visitor's guide to exploring Bangladesh's vibrant capital
Discover Dhaka's Hidden Gems
Are you planning to take a trip to Dhaka for the first time and don't know where to start?
Dhaka is known for its culture and rich history which offers a mix of ancient landmarks, markets, and natural retreats that can attract anyone who is visiting Dhaka for the first time.
Here, you can explore century-old buildings, find a variety of marketplaces, or relax in parks. Dhaka's attractions provide a unique glimpse into Bangladesh's legacy and charm.
This list presents the top sixteen places to visit in Dhaka to help you enjoy the best of the city's tourism. Let us dive into Dhaka's hidden gems.
π° Lalbagh Fort
Lalbagh Fort is a 17th-century Mughal symbol located in the core of Old Dhaka.
A beautiful Fort made with red bricks. It also has magnificent gardens that showcase Mughal craftsmanship. Visitors can see the tomb, mosque, and audience hall on the premises.
A visit to Lalbagh Fort provides insight into Dhaka's colonial history as well as serves as an excellent photo and picnic destination. It's a timeless recreation spot that draws attention for both locals and tourists.
ποΈ Ahsan Manzil
Another Mughal building which was used to be the residence of Dhaka's Nawab, next to the Buriganga River. The two-story palace, popularly referred to as the 'pink palace of Dhaka,' is now being used as a museum.
French traders purchased this land from the Mughals only because it is located next to a river. Later, however, the Mughals repurchased it.
It is one of the most beautiful places you will ever see, especially if you are looking around Dhaka for the first time.
π Baitul Mukarram Masjid
Being the biggest and Bangladesh's national mosque, it has a different architectural structure than any other mosque and can hold up to 40,000 Muslims at a time for prayers.
The president and other notable ministers attend the Eid prayers in this mosque.
Dhaka is often referred to as the 'city of mosques' because there is most likely at least one mosque on practically every street.
According to Muslim believers, mosques are considered to be Allah's house and Muslims pray there five times a day to receive His blessings. Mosques are therefore constructed in a very elegant manner.
βͺ Armenian Church
The Armenian Church, built in 1781 when Armenians came to the capital to do business, stands there as a reminder of how wealthy the city was once.
The neighbourhood where the church is located is named Armanitola, which means 'the region of Armenian' to Armenians.
The church served as a social and religious hub back then, but today it serves more as a tourist attraction, a stunning example of colonial church construction, a cemetery, and a memorial.
π Dhakeshwari National Temple
Dhakeshwari Temple is the largest Hindu holy site in all of Bangladesh. It is the most recognisable temple in Dhaka for Hindus.
This makes the temple the centre of Hindu worship in the country. Moreover, due to its historical significance, this temple is thought to have existed since the 12th century.
π¦ Bangladesh National Zoo
Bangladesh's only national zoo, which houses 191 species of both domestic and exotic wild animals.
The zoo has displayed those species and educated the public about the value of the nation's wild creatures. The zoo is generally regarded as one of Dhaka's top tourist destinations.
ποΈ Bangladesh National Museum
This is Bangladesh's biggest museum ever built. This museum is dedicated to collecting, conserving, displaying, and studying artefacts related to natural history, art, archaeology, and history.
There isn't a finer location in Dhaka to learn about Bengali history, customs, and culture. The construction of this museum portrays Bangladesh's independence.
ποΈ Liberation War Museum
After nine months of brutal war, which took over thirty lakh patriot lives, Bangladesh gained its independence in 1971.
The Liberation War Museum preserves the passion, suffering, bravery, hardship, fighting spirit, patriotism, artefacts, images, records, and everything else to show future generations how Bangladesh gained independence and how terrible war can be.
Therefore, everyone in this country should visit the museum at least once in their lifetime.
β Tara Masjid
Mirza Ghulam Pir first constructed the mosque as a three-domed rectangular structure in the early 18th century. Mughal architecture inspired the mosque's construction.
The most remarkable element of this construction is the elaborate tile work that beautifies the outside in star-shaped and hence it got the name Tara which means stars.
The Blue Mosque of Istanbul worked as the inspiration for the tiles' themes, and the mosque itself is decorated with blue star patterns.
The mosque's interior walls and ceilings are additionally decorated with intricate patterns and Quranic calligraphy which enhances its visual look and spiritual tone.
The Tara Masjid is famous for both tourists and worshippers. It highlights the city's rich religious and cultural legacy.
π Novo Theatre
The Novo Theatre is another iconic place in Bijoy Sarani in the Tejgaon region of Dhaka that first opened on September 25, 2004.
Its primary goal was to establish an area that offers astronomical shows which are educational as well as enjoyable. It also helps the local people to understand science, especially astronomy.
Visitors can view stars, planets, and other astronomical phenomena on the 15-meter dome-shaped projection screen, smartly integrated with current technologies such as a digital projection system to display virtual content.
Students, researchers, and everyone else with a strong interest in astronomy and the wonders of the cosmos will find the theatre to be an interesting educational destination.
Stay Guide: Where to Stay while Visiting Dhaka
Whether you're a student planning to appear in a College exam or a University exam, or someone trying to attend a job interview, or even need to go to Dhaka for medical check-up; Travela makes sure you don't need to worry about where you stay. It has especially been built to solve these short term stay issues which are not expensive at the same time.
Travela provides a smooth booking experience. It's simple and safe for tourists to locate affordable stays around you. The benefits of using Travela for tourists are as follows:
- βSaves time and eliminates booking headaches for guests by offering dependable rooms, guest house and hotel reservations near you with clear pricing.
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- βDedicated customer support to ensure smooth handling of booking issues, cancellations, or any last-minute changes during tours.
To book your quick accommodation, visit travela.xyz or download the app and find the best rooms for your tour.
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Final Words
The recommended places above are the first places you should visit when you come to Dhaka for the first time. Other than these, you should definitely visit Bashundha City Shopping Mall, Jamuna Future Park, Dhaka University area, Shaheed Minar in Shahbag, Dhaka Metro Rail, Hatirjheel, Dhanmondi Lake, cafes and restaurants in Gulshan and Mirpur, Army Museum, Airforce Basecamp etc.
Before visiting any of these places, it's important to make sure you stay at a nice and comfortable place. Enjoy your visits and have a safe trip.
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