A Full-Day Tour of Old & New Dhaka: What to Do and See in Dhaka?

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a city with diverse historical and cultural heritage. With a population of over sixteen million people, it is one of the most populous cities on the planet. With a huge variety of attractions to explore, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when planning a trip. For those looking for a full-day tour, here’s a comprehensive guide outlining everything worth seeing and doing in Dhaka.

Old Dhaka: Sightseeing Tour

Start your trip with a tour of the city’s history. Dhaka’s ancient past can still be seen in various colonial-era buildings and monuments located around the city. Some of the most notable ones are Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Star Mosque, National Memorial Monument, and Ramna Park – all of which are fantastic living reminders of Dhaka’s former glory.

Lalbagh Fort is an impressive Mughal-era fort, located in Old Dhaka. Its walls and gateways feature intricate carvings and latticework, which create an atmosphere of awe and mystery. Built in the 16th century, the fort includes several magnificently decorated buildings inside its walls, such as Lalbagh Mosque, Begum Khurshid Banu’s cottage, Hussain Mosque, and many more.

Ahsan Manzil is another important example of Mughal-era architecture. Located just next to Lalbagh Fort, the palace was originally built for a rich businessman but later served as residence for the nawabs of Dhaka. The building is now open as a museum and gives visitors an insight into the lifestyles of the region’s nobility.

The Star Mosque, or Tara Masjid as it is known locally, is a stunning example of Mughal-architecture. Built in the 18th century, it features ornate designs and unique interior decorations that remind visitors of its fascinating history.

The National Memorial Monument is a must-visit for history buffs. This monument was built to commemorate Bangladesh’s independence struggle against Pakistan. The area surrounding this tombs has well-maintained parks and gardens, making it a great place for some leisurely sightseeing.

Finally, Ramna Park should not be missed when exploring Old Dhaka. This park contains many landmarks from Bangladesh’s independence movement such as Lalbagh Gate, Automobile Museum, Memorial Monument, and much more. It also offers scenic views of the historic area.

Mother Language Monument

The Jatiyo Smriti Soudho or the National Martyrs’ Monument is another must-visit while sightseeing in Dhaka. This monument was erected to honor those who died in Bangladesh’s fight for independence in 1952. The monument is highly symbolic and an important site for Bangladeshis. It features a seven-point star representing seven Bengali spokesmen who were executed by the Pakistani authorities during Bangladesh’s independence struggle.

Adjacent to this monument is the Shaheed Minar – also known as Mother Language Monument – which was built in 1952 to commemorate International Mother Language Day. The monument has become an important symbol for Bangladeshis who actively campaigned for the use of Bengali as the official language in East Bengal at the time.

New Dhaka: Shopping, Dining, and Sightseeing

After exploring Old Dhaka, switch gears to visit the city’s vibrant modern side. New Dhaka offers excellent shopping and dining opportunities that showcase Bangladeshi culture at its finest. Here are some notable places you can visit:

Shopping

For those looking for souvenirs, Dhaka has plenty of great bazaars – Sunderbans Market in Gulshan is one such market where visitors can search for antiques and handcrafted items like traditional saris and batik artworks. For those looking for more modern items, Hotel Mirpur City Centre is another place to visit where visitors can find items at discounted prices. The Turag Bazar in Mirpur is also worth a visit – it’s especially popular for jewelry shopping.

Dining

Dhaka has plenty of restaurants that serve traditional Bangladeshi dishes as well as international cuisine from all around the globe; some of the most notable ones being Tabura restaurant in Gulshan, Gardenia Restaurant & Lounge in Uttara, Banz Cafe & Restaurant in Banani, La Vinci in Gulshan and so on. There are also plenty of street food stalls offering affordable snacks such as pani puri (fried dough with vegetable stuffing), jhal muri (puffed rice with vegetables), chickpea curry with parathas (Indian flatbread) and much more.

Sightseeing

For those looking to explore Dhaka’s modern lifestyle, there are plenty of places which offer an insight into the city’s bustling atmosphere such as Gulshan Lake, Hazi Ashraf Ali Park in Uttara, Skywalk Shopping Mall, Jamuna Future Park, Botanical Garden, Ekattor TV Tower and many others. For adventurers there’s also Sonargaon Amusement Park – a great place for families or groups of friends to spend some quality time together.

Enjoying a Day Trip to Dhaka

With so much to do and see in Dhaka, it can be difficult to decide which attractions should be included in one day trip; however, for those planning to cram all that the city has to offer into one day, we recommend starting with a tour of Old Dhaka with visits to Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Star Mosque, National Memorial Monument and Ramna Park. Afterward head over to places like Sunderbans Market or Hotel Mirpur City Centre for shopping before heading out for lunch at one of the many restaurants or street food stalls around town. Finally enjoy some more sightseeing at places like Gulshan Lake or Ekattor TV Tower before winding your journey down with some leisure activities such as horse riding at Jamuna Future Park or roller-coaster rides at Sonargaon Amusement Park.

By planning your day trip well ahead of time and including a few crucial attractions from across different areas of communication in Dhaka (modern and historical), you can get the most out of your full-day experience in this incredible city. Make sure to book a full-day Dhaka city tour to discover all the must-see attractions in this vibrant capital!