Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh and one of the densest cities in South Asia. The Sadarghat port on the Buriganga River is the centre of the country's river transport, with hundreds of thousands of passengers leaving for the interior each day. The city's Mughal period reaches back to the seventeenth century and Lalbagh Fort survives from it. The most striking modern building is the national parliament, Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban, designed by the American architect Louis Kahn and completed in 1982, regarded as a major work of twentieth century architecture.
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See flights to Dhaka →When to visit Dhaka
November to February is dry and cool and the best time to travel, with days around 25C. March to May is very hot. June to October is the monsoon season and flooding can occur.
Things to do in Dhaka
Lalbagh Fort
Begun in 1678 and never finished, this Mughal fort comprises a mosque, an audience hall and the tomb of Pari Bibi. Its walled garden offers a pocket set apart from the noise of the city.
Ahsan Manzil
The pink palace on the Buriganga was the residence of the Nawabs of Dhaka in the nineteenth century and serves as a museum today. Its broad river front stair and dome are among the city's best known images.
Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban
The national parliament designed by Louis Kahn was completed in 1982, its concrete mass pierced by geometric openings and surrounded by water. Access inside is limited and it is usually seen from the grounds.
Star Mosque
Dating to the eighteenth century, the mosque took its present form in the early twentieth when it was clad in broken Chinese porcelain. The blue star motifs covering its domes and facade give it its name.
Sadarghat river port
The port on the Buriganga is the heart of the country's river network and stays full of passenger ferries all day. Walking the quay is the closest view of how the city works day to day.
Dhakeshwari Temple
Traced to the twelfth century, this is the country's national Hindu temple, dedicated to the goddess said to have given the city its name. Four small shrines stand together in its courtyard.
Flights from Turkey to Dhaka
The flight from Istanbul to Dhaka is about 8 hours 10 minutes on the great circle route, operated by Turkish Airlines. Hazrat Shahjalal Airport lies north of the city, and because city traffic is heavy it is worth leaving early for departures.
Dhaka FAQ
How many days do you need in Dhaka?
Two days cover Old Dhaka, Lalbagh and Ahsan Manzil. Adding the parliament and a river trip makes three days a suitable length.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport is about 17 kilometres from the centre. The journey ranges from 40 minutes to two hours depending on traffic.
What do you need to enter Bangladesh?
A visa is required for a Turkish passport, and a visa on arrival is available under certain conditions. The practice can change, so the current position should be checked before booking.
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