Things to do and where to stay in Dhaka
Where to stay · Bangladesh

Where to stay in Dhaka — pick the right hotel, book in 3 clicks

Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh, is a city that never sits still for a second — thousands of brightly painted cycle-rickshaws jam the streets, horns blare nonstop, and the smell of spice drifts out of every alley. But step into Old Dhaka and you find another world: the pink Ahsan Manzil palace on the Buriganga River, the 340-year-old Mughal Lalbagh Fort, and the Star Mosque with its dazzling star-shaped mosaics. This is not a polished tourist town — it is raw, real, and fully alive, made for travelers who want South Asia before it gets staged for cameras. This guide helps you pick a neighborhood, find the sights, and eat like a local.

🏛️Ahsan Manzil Pink Palace🕌Lalbagh Fort & Star Mosque🛺City of cycle-rickshaws🍛Old Dhaka Kacchi Biryani🚇Country's first metro line
4areas to consider
1ranked guides
14See & Eat
🤝 Curated by the TopOfHotel team · scores from real guest reviews · live price comparison across 3 sites · no hidden adsHow we review →

Why stay in Dhaka

🏯

Mughal heritage by the river

The candy-pink Ahsan Manzil (completed 1872) and the Mughal Lalbagh Fort (1678) tell the full story of the Nawabs and the Mughal Empire in South Asia.

🛶

A river that never sleeps

Sadarghat terminal on the Buriganga is one of the busiest river ports on earth — ferries and cargo boats stream in and out all day long.

💸

Incredible value

Some of Asia's cheapest food, lodging, and transport — a heaped plate of Kacchi Biryani costs next to nothing. A backpacker's dream.

🤝

Genuinely warm welcome

Foreign tourists are still rare, so locals are unusually friendly and eager to help — the unstaged South Asia experience.

Pick an area first — where to stay in Dhaka

Location is the single most important thing about a hotel — choose the right area first, then pick the hotel

GulshanGulshan

Diplomatic zone with luxury hotels, malls and international dining. Safest, quietest and most comfortable — ideal for business and easy first visits.

Coming soon
BananiBanani

Right next to Gulshan but better value. A foodie hotspot packed with local and international restaurants, with good connections.

Coming soon
DhanmondiDhanmondi

Cultural and education heart, near the Liberation War Museum and Dhanmondi Lake. Leafy, local and relaxed.

Coming soon
Old DhakaOld Dhaka

The historic core beside the palace, fort, mosques and bazaars. Closest to the sights but heavy traffic and limited lodging.

Coming soon

Ranked reviews — find your ideal stay in Dhaka

Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then explore food and sights

Find the right Dhaka hotel for you

1 ranked reviews

Local dishes to try in Dhaka

  1. 1🍛

    Kacchi Biryani

    Marinated mutton slow-cooked dum-style with basmati rice, potatoes and saffron in a sealed pot. The signature dish of Old Dhaka — a must-try at least once.

    📍 National favorite
  2. 2🍚

    Bhuna Khichuri

    Hearty spiced rice and lentils, often served with fried eggplant or a meat curry. A comfort dish especially loved during the monsoon and on festive days.

    📍 Spiced rice & lentils
  3. 3🥩

    Beef Bhuna

    Beef slow-simmered in a thick, onion-rich spiced gravy until tender and fully infused. An Old Dhaka highlight, eaten with rice or Bakarkhani.

    📍 Thick spiced curry
  4. 4🥟

    Fuchka

    Tiny crisp shells filled with potato, chickpeas and tangy tamarind water that burst with flavor in one bite — Dhaka's most-loved street snack.

    📍 Beloved street snack
  5. 5🫓

    Bakarkhani

    A thick Mughlai flatbread of flour, oil and salt, baked crisp. A long-standing morning-tea companion for Old Dhaka residents.

    📍 Ancient Mughal bread
  6. 6🍮

    Mishti & Roshmalai

    Bengali milk-and-cheese sweets like roshmalai and mishti doi (sweet yogurt) — the classic soft, sugary way to finish a Bangladeshi meal.

    📍 Bengali sweets
  1. 1🏛️

    Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace)

    The vivid pink residence of the Nawabs of Dhaka, completed in 1872 on the Buriganga River. Now a museum on colonial-era aristocratic life — and the city's most iconic photo spot.

    📍 Riverside pink palace
  2. 2🏰

    Lalbagh Fort

    An unfinished Mughal fort begun in 1678 by Prince Muhammad Azam, son of Emperor Aurangzeb. Wander the tomb of Bibi Pari, a mosque, a hammam and the audience hall.

    📍 17th-century Mughal fort
  3. 3🕌

    Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)

    An early-19th-century mosque in Old Dhaka covered in blue-and-white star and crescent mosaics across its walls and floors — a calm pocket inside the teeming city.

    📍 Star-tile mosaics
  4. 4🏟️

    Jatiya Sangsad Bhaban

    The National Parliament House designed by world-famous architect Louis Kahn, ringed by lakes and gardens — one of the most significant modern buildings in South Asia.

    📍 Louis Kahn masterpiece
  5. 5🛶

    Sadarghat River Terminal

    On the banks of the Buriganga, one of the world's busiest river ports. Watch the endless flow of passenger ferries and cargo boats for a raw look at Dhaka's river life.

    📍 Busiest river port
  6. 6🌉

    Hatirjheel

    A lake-and-bridge district linking several neighborhoods. Locals come for evening strolls, boat rides and the night lights — the city's favorite breathing space.

    📍 Lakeside in the city
  7. 7🛍️

    New Market & Old Dhaka bazaars

    The markets and lanes of the old city sell everything from fabric and spices to street food — the chaotic, joyful commercial heart of Dhaka.

    📍 Electric markets
  8. 8

    Armenian Church

    Built in 1781 in Old Dhaka, a relic of the city's former Armenian merchant community — a quiet, hidden corner to explore amid the old quarter.

    📍 Historic Armenian chapel

Things to do in Dhaka

Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Dhaka — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.

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★ TEAM'S TOP PICKS

3 Dhaka hotels our team picked for you

Selected from real reviews — one per budget tier, each with a score and instant 3-site price comparison

Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel★ 8.9Luxury

Renaissance Dhaka Gulshan Hotel

📍 Dhaka⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#4 new luxury · Gulshan

From~$166/night
read the full review →
Le Méridien Dhaka★ 8.7Luxury

Le Méridien Dhaka

📍 Dhaka⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#1 near the airport · 5-star

From~$206/night
read the full review →
Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden★ 8.6Luxury

Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden

📍 Dhaka⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

#6 closest to the airport · green garden in the city

From~$137/night
read the full review →
🏨 ALL PICKS

โรงแรมแนะนำทั้งหมดในDhaka

ครบทุกระดับงบ — คัดจากคะแนนรีวิวจริง พร้อมเทียบราคา 3 เว็บ

#4

InterContinental Dhaka

★ 8.5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Dhaka

#2 city legend · 5-star in the government heart

~$194/night
#5

Sheraton Dhaka

★ 8.5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Dhaka

#7 Business stay · heart of Banani

~$149/night
#6

The Westin Dhaka

★ 8.4⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Dhaka

#3 Business hotel · central Gulshan

~$186/night
#7

Crowne Plaza Dhaka Gulshan

★ 8.4⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Dhaka

#8 Embassy district · Best-value IHG

~$120/night
#8

Hotel Sarina Dhaka

★ 8.2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Dhaka

#9 Best value · central Banani

~$80/night
#9

Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka

★ 8.0⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Luxury📍 Dhaka

#5 best value in the 5-star bracket · central garden hotel

~$100/night
#10

Asia Hotel & Resorts

★ 7.8⭐⭐⭐Value📍 Dhaka

#10 midscale · best value for heritage travelers

~$31/night

🚆 Getting around Dhaka

✈️

Hazrat Shahjalal Airport (DAC)

The main international airport north of the city. Reach the center by taxi, private car, or the Uber/Pathao apps — always agree the fare first if you take a CNG.

🚇

MRT Line 6 metro

The country's first metro, running Uttara North–Motijheel in about 40 minutes for ৳20–100. Clean, fast, and the best way to skip the traffic.

🛺

CNG auto-rickshaw

The green motorized three-wheelers (CNG) are cheaper than taxis, but always agree the fare before setting off. Not ideal with large luggage.

📱

Uber & Pathao apps

Both Uber and Pathao (cars and motorbikes) work citywide with transparent pricing — the easiest option if you'd rather not haggle.

💵

Cash-first (Taka)

The currency is the Bangladeshi Taka (BDT) and most things run on cash. Carry small notes for rides and tips; exchange at the airport or in the city.

Where to go next near Dhaka

Frequently asked — where to stay in Dhaka

When is the best time to visit Dhaka?+

November to March is the dry, cool season and by far the most comfortable for sightseeing and river trips. March starts to heat up, and the monsoon (Jun–Sep) brings heavy rain and flooding.

Do I need a visa?+

Bangladesh offers a 30-day visa on arrival to many nationalities for around USD 50 in cash, though it's granted at the immigration officer's discretion. Check the latest rules for your passport before you travel.

Which area should I stay in?+

For safety and comfort, choose Gulshan or Banani (great for dining). To be near the old-city sights, pick Old Dhaka, but expect heavy traffic. Dhanmondi suits those who want a more local, cultural vibe.

Ready to book your Dhaka stay?

Start with the 3 hotels our team picked, or search all 3 sites — always compare before booking