Things to do in Bangladesh

25 things to do in Bangladesh

Listed in full below. The running order is set by votes and loads with the page.

• Embark on a guided boat safari in the Sundarbans to spot Royal Bengal Tigers

  Glide through the world's largest mangrove forest on a multi-day boat trip, keeping watch for the elusive Royal Bengal Tiger, spotted deer, and Ganges dolphins.

  Sundarbans, Khulna Division

• Watch sunrise over Cox’s Bazar, the world’s longest natural sea beach

  Start the day at Laboni Point as the first light illuminates the endless 120 km sandy expanse and the Bay of Bengal stretches to the horizon.

  Cox's Bazar

• Cycle through the lush tea gardens of Srimangal

  Pedal along winding trails through endless emerald tea plantations, pausing to witness pluckers at work and sip freshly brewed local tea.

  Srimangal, Moulvibazar District

• Snorkel in the crystal-clear waters off Saint Martin’s Island

  Explore the only coral island in Bangladesh, swimming among vibrant fish and living coral gardens just offshore from this car-free island.

  Saint Martin's Island

• Navigate the submerged Ratargul Swamp Forest by wooden boat

  Float through a freshwater swamp forest hidden in Sylhet, where the roots of hijol and koroch trees vanish into the still, green water.

  Ratargul, Sylhet Division

• Trek to the pristine Boga Lake in the Bandarban hill tracts

  Hike through bamboo groves and tribal villages to reach a deep blue hilltop lake, a sacred natural wonder surrounded by rocky cliffs.

  Bandarban District, Chittagong Hill Tracts

• Witness a traditional nouka baich (boat race) in the Barisal delta

  Join villagers along the riverbanks during the monsoon to cheer on colorfully painted longboats paddled to the beat of drums and chants.

  Barisal Division

• Sample Dhaka-style biryani at the legendary Haji Biryani in Old Dhaka

  Savour the renowned aromatic biryani, layered with fragrant rice, delicate spices, and succulent goat meat, from a family-run shop since 1939.

  Old Dhaka

• Taste mishti doi (sweet yogurt) from a traditional shop in Comilla

  Spoon into the famed creamy, caramelized yogurt of Comilla, set in earthen pots and a staple of festive banquets in Bengali households.

  Comilla

• Explore the terracotta-covered Kantajew Temple in Dinajpur

  Marvel at the 18th-century Hindu temple’s every surface covered with intricate terracotta plaques depicting mythological scenes and floral motifs.

  Dinajpur District

• Wander through the ruins of the ancient monastery at Paharpur

  Roam the sprawling Somapura Mahavihara, a 8th-century Buddhist complex, once the largest monastery south of the Himalayas and now a UNESCO site.

  Paharpur, Naogaon District

• Step inside the Sixty Dome Mosque in the medieval mosque city of Bagerhat

  Admire the 15th-century Khan Jahan Ali’s mosque with 77 squat domes and 60 pillars, a UNESCO World Heritage site set among mossy brick structures.

  Bagerhat

• Visit the excavated citadel of Mahasthangarh, Bangladesh’s oldest known city

  Walk the ramparts and ruins of a 3rd-century BC fortified city, uncovering Hindu and Buddhist artifacts and the sacred Khodar Pathar well.

  Bogra District

• Watch the chaos and sunset at Sadarghat River Port in Dhaka

  Stand at the bustling Buriganga River terminal as hundreds of overloaded passenger boats, ferries, and cargo vessels jostle in the golden evening light.

  Sadarghat, Dhaka

• Admire the architecture of the National Parliament House by Louis Kahn

  Take a guided walk around the monumental concrete complex set in an artificial lake, a masterpiece of modernist architecture that houses the legislature.

  Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka

• Lose yourself in the narrow lanes of Shankhari Bazar and ride a rickshaw in Old Dhaka

  Weave through a vibrant Hindu street known for its sari shops and sweet makers, then hail a decorated cycle rickshaw to clatter through the historic district.

  Old Dhaka

• Step back in time at the Armenian Church in Old Dhaka

  Enter this quiet 1781 church with a tidy whitewashed exterior, a relic of the Armenian merchant community that once thrived in Mughal Dhaka.

  Armanitola, Old Dhaka

• Visit the Liberation War Museum in Agargaon

  Witness a deeply moving collection of photographs, personal artifacts, and audiovisual exhibits that document the 1971 war for independence.

  Agargaon, Dhaka

• Marvel at the fully mosaic-clad Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)

  Gaze at a white marble mosque adorned with blue-star and floral patterns made from broken China tiles, a glittering gem in the old city.

  Old Dhaka

• Tour the opulent Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) on the riverbank

  Explore the restored 19th-century pink palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, featuring grand staircases, period photographs, and waterfront views.

  Kumartuli, Islampur, Dhaka

• Explore the Mughal-era Lalbagh Fort and its secret tomb

  Stroll through the unfinished fort complex with its three grand gateways, mosque, and the poignant mausoleum of a Mughal princess.

  Lalbagh, Old Dhaka

• Hike up to Nilgiri Hills for panoramic views over clouds in Bandarban

  Ascend to the resort at 2,200 feet where dawn unveils a sea of clouds blanketing the valleys and the distant peaks of the Mizo Hills.

  Bandarban District

• Catch a live performance of Jatra (folk theatre) in a Manikganj village

  Sit under the open sky with locals as performers in bright costume enact mythological tales with high drama, booming dialogue, and traditional music.

  Manikganj District

• Sample spicy fuchka from a busy street cart in Chawkbazar

  Crack open a hollow, crispy puri filled with tangy tamarind water, mashed potato, chickpeas, and a secret chili mix at Dhaka’s favorite roadside snack hub.

  Chawkbazar, Old Dhaka

• Glide through the floating guava market in Swarupkathi, Barisal

  Board a dingi boat at dawn to navigate the canals where farmers sell fresh guavas directly from their boats, creating a colorful, fragrant waterborne bazaar.

  Swarupkathi, Barisal Division