Find places in Bangladesh

Must-Haves

• Lalbagh Fort (Lalbagh, Old Dhaka)
  An unfinished seventeenth century Mughal fort with gardens, a mosque and the tomb of Pari Bibi.
• Ahsan Manzil (Kumartoli, Old Dhaka)
  The pink riverside palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, now a museum of the city's grand past.
• Star Mosque (Armanitola, Old Dhaka)
  A small mosque covered inside and out in mosaics of blue stars and Japanese and English tiles.
• Dhakeshwari National Temple (Lalbagh, Old Dhaka)
  The national Hindu temple of Bangladesh, at its most joyful during Durga Puja.

Off the Beaten Path

• Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection (Armanitola, Old Dhaka)
  A quiet eighteenth century church and graveyard left by Dhaka's old Armenian merchant community.

Must-Haves

• Sadarghat river terminal (Sadarghat, Old Dhaka)
  Hire a small wooden boat and drift among ferries, launches and cargo boats on the busy Buriganga.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shankhari Bazar (Old Dhaka)
  A narrow lane of conch shell carvers, idol makers and tall slim houses that feels centuries old.
• Panam Nagar (Sonargaon)
  A ghostly street of crumbling merchant mansions from the old capital of Sonargaon, an easy day trip.

Fun for Everyone

• Hatirjheel (Hatirjheel)
  A lakeside loop with bridges, water taxis and evening light shows where all of Dhaka comes to stroll.
• National Botanical Garden (Mirpur)
  Wide lawns, a lake and old trees, a rare large green space in a crowded city.

Great for Date Night

• Dhanmondi Lake (Dhanmondi)
  Shady paths, cafés and boating on a long lake in one of the city's greenest neighbourhoods.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Ramna Park (Ramna)
  The city's historic park, home of the dawn Pohela Boishakh songs under the banyan tree.

Must-Haves

• Aarong (Gulshan)
  The country's best known craft store, with jamdani, nakshi kantha, leather and home goods.

Low Cost and Authentic

• New Market (Azimpur)
  A sprawling old market for fabric, shoes, books and kitchenware at local prices.
• Karwan Bazar (Karwan Bazar)
  The capital's wholesale market, a whirl of fish, vegetables and porters before dawn.

Fun for Everyone

• Bashundhara City (Panthapath)
  A huge mall with food courts, a cinema and air conditioning when you need a break from the heat.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shahbag flower market (Shahbag)
  Stalls of marigolds and roses that glow at night, busiest before holidays and weddings.

Must-Haves

• Haji Biryani (Nazira Bazar, Old Dhaka)
  The Old Dhaka institution for mutton kacchi style biryani cooked with mustard oil since the 1930s.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Nirob Hotel (Nazira Bazar, Old Dhaka)
  A busy canteen famous for bhorta mashes, brain curry and rice served fast.
• Beauty Lassi and Faluda (Johnson Road, Old Dhaka)
  A tiny old shop for thick lassi and faluda after a hot morning in Old Dhaka.

Fun for Everyone

• Star Kabab and Restaurant (Dhanmondi)
  A local favourite for kebabs, naan, kacchi and Bengali breakfasts at any hour.
• Fakruddin Biryani (Dhaka)
  The wedding caterer whose kacchi biryani became a city wide craving.

Must-Haves

• North End Coffee Roasters (Gulshan)
  Freshly roasted coffee, good baking and a calm space for laptops and catching up.

Fun for Everyone

• Hatirjheel evening water taxi (Hatirjheel)
  Ride the lake by night as the bridges light up, a nightlife favourite for families.

Must-Haves

• Pohela Boishakh (Ramna and Dhaka University)
  Bengali New Year in mid April, with dawn songs, a colourful procession and white and red clothes everywhere.
• Amar Ekushey Book Fair (Bangla Academy and Suhrawardy Udyan)
  A month long February book fair that is one of the largest literary gatherings in South Asia.

Fun for Everyone

• Durga Puja at Dhakeshwari (Lalbagh, Old Dhaka)
  Autumn pandals, drums and lights fill Old Dhaka during the great Hindu festival.

Must-Haves

• Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka (Karwan Bazar)
  A long established central hotel with pool and restaurants, handy for most of the city.
• The Westin Dhaka (Gulshan)
  A dependable international hotel in the diplomatic and café district.

Great for Date Night

• InterContinental Dhaka (Shahbag)
  A restored landmark hotel near Ramna Park and the museums.

Fun for Everyone

• Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden (Cantonment)
  Gardens and a big pool close to the airport, easy for arrivals and departures.

Must-Haves

• Shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal (Dargah Gate)
  The country's most visited Sufi shrine, with sacred catfish ponds and crowds of pilgrims.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Shrine of Hazrat Shah Paran (Khadim Nagar)
  A hilltop shrine of Shah Jalal's nephew, quieter and full of devotion.

Must-Haves

• Ratargul Swamp Forest (Gowainghat)
  Glide by small boat between flooded trees in the country's best known freshwater swamp forest.
• Jaflong (Gowainghat)
  Stone collectors, river beaches and views of the Meghalaya hills on the Piyain River.

Fun for Everyone

• Bholaganj Sada Pathor (Companiganj)
  Clear water flowing over white stones at the foot of the hills, a favourite family outing.

Great for Date Night

• Lalakhal (Jaintiapur)
  A turquoise river winding past tea gardens, best seen from a boat in winter.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bisnakandi (Gowainghat)
  A remote meeting of hills, waterfalls and stony streams near the border, best after the monsoon.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Keane Bridge and Surma riverside (Surma River)
  The old steel bridge and the clock tower beside it are the classic Sylhet evening stroll.

Must-Haves

• Panshi Restaurant (Zindabazar)
  A buzzing Bengali canteen with dozens of curries, bhortas and fish dishes.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Pach Bhai Restaurant (Zindabazar)
  Rice, curries and Sylheti shatkora beef at honest local prices.

Fun for Everyone

• Zindabazar shopping area (Zindabazar)
  Sylhet's main shopping street for clothes, saris, sweets and gifts.

Great for Date Night

• Nazimgarh Resort (Khadimnagar)
  Hillside cottages among forest and tea, a peaceful base just outside the city.

Must-Haves

• Rose View Hotel (Shahjalal Uposhohor)
  A long running city hotel with a pool, popular with visiting diaspora families.

Must-Haves

• Shah Jalal Urs (Dargah Gate)
  The annual remembrance at the shrine draws pilgrims from across the country.

Must-Haves

• Nilkantha Tea Cabin (Ramnagar)
  Home of the famous layered tea, poured in bands of colour into one glass.

Must-Haves

• Lawachara National Park (Kamalganj Road)
  Rainforest trails with hoolock gibbons, langurs and birdlife, plus the railway line from Around the World in 80 Days.

Off the Beaten Path

• Baikka Beel (Hail Haor)
  A wetland sanctuary with a watchtower over waterlilies and winter migratory birds.
• Hum Hum Waterfall (Rajkandi forest)
  A muddy jungle trek to a hidden waterfall, best with a local guide after the rains.

Fun for Everyone

• Madhabpur Lake (Kamalganj)
  A lake ringed by tea covered hills, lovely for a quiet walk and photos.
• Madhabkunda Waterfall (Barlekha, Moulvibazar)
  One of the tallest waterfalls in Bangladesh, an easy walk from the road.

Must-Haves

• Tea garden walk (Sreemangal)
  Wander the rolling estates in early morning to see pluckers at work.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (Sreemangal)
  The national tea research station with tidy gardens and a nursery of tea plants.

Great for Date Night

• Grand Sultan Tea Resort and Golf (Radhanagar)
  A large resort among the tea hills with pools, golf and family activities.

Must-Haves

• Cox's Bazar Beach (Laboni, Sugandha and Kolatoli)
  One of the longest natural sea beaches in the world, famous for sunsets and evening crowds.

Fun for Everyone

• Inani Beach (Ukhia)
  A quieter stretch with coral stones and clear water south of town.
• Himchari National Park (Himchari)
  Hill forest, a seasonal waterfall and a view point over the beach.

Must-Haves

• Marine Drive (Cox's Bazar to Teknaf road)
  A coastal road between hills and sea, perfect for a ride to Inani and Himchari.

Off the Beaten Path

• Ramu Buddhist monasteries (Ramu)
  Old Buddhist temples and a giant reclining Buddha in a peaceful village.
• Adinath Temple (Maheshkhali Island)
  A hilltop Shiva temple reached by a short speedboat trip across the channel.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Burmese Market (Cox's Bazar town)
  Rakhine run shops for pickles, sandals, wooden crafts and cloth.

Must-Haves

• Poushee Restaurant (Kolatoli)
  Bengali seafood and rice meals in a long running local favourite.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Jhawbon Restaurant (Cox's Bazar town)
  Fresh fish curries, bhorta and dal near the beach at local prices.

Great for Date Night

• Beachside fish fry stalls (Sugandha Beach)
  Choose your fish, crab or lobster from evening stalls and have it fried on the spot.

Must-Haves

• Sayeman Beach Resort (Kolatoli)
  A sea facing hotel with a rooftop pool overlooking the beach.

Great for Date Night

• Mermaid Beach Resort (Pechar Dwip)
  Eco style bungalows on a quiet beach south of town along the Marine Drive.

Fun for Everyone

• Royal Tulip Sea Pearl Beach Resort (Inani)
  A big resort with pools and water play, good for families.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Long Beach Hotel (Kolatoli)
  A central hotel a short walk from the beach.

Must-Haves

• Sundarbans National Park (Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira)
  The largest mangrove forest on earth and home of the Bengal tiger, explored by boat.

Fun for Everyone

• Karamjal Wildlife Centre (Mongla)
  A short boardwalk into the mangroves with deer, monkeys and a crocodile breeding centre.

Off the Beaten Path

• Kotka (Sundarbans)
  A remote ranger station where spotted deer graze and tiger tracks appear on the beach.

Must-Haves

• Sixty Dome Mosque (Bagerhat)
  The great fifteenth century mosque of Khan Jahan Ali, heart of a UNESCO listed mosque city.

Off the Beaten Path

• Shrine of Khan Jahan Ali (Bagerhat)
  A domed tomb beside a pond of revered crocodiles, part of the Bagerhat mosque city.
• Shat Gambuj area mosques walk (Bagerhat)
  Walk between Singair, Bibi Begni and Chunakhola mosques scattered among ponds and palms.

Must-Haves

• Chuknagar chui jhal (Chuknagar, Dumuria)
  Beef or mutton cooked with chui jhal, the fiery local vine, at the famous roadside eateries.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Rupsha River ferry ride (Rupsha ghat)
  A simple crossing that shows the busy life of the southern rivers.

Must-Haves

• Varendra Research Museum (Rajshahi city)
  The oldest museum in Bangladesh, rich in Pala sculpture and terracotta.
• Somapura Mahavihara at Paharpur (Naogaon)
  The vast ruins of an eighth century Buddhist monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Puthia Temple Complex (Puthia)
  Ornate terracotta Hindu temples and a palace set around tranquil ponds.

Off the Beaten Path

• Mahasthangarh (Bogura)
  The oldest archaeological site in Bangladesh, an ancient walled city dating back over two thousand years.
• Bagha Mosque (Bagha)
  A sixteenth century mosque with superb terracotta panels beside a large pond.

Great for Date Night

• Padma riverbank promenade (Rajshahi city)
  Watch the sun set over the Padma from the riverside walk at T Badh.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Kalai ruti stalls (Rajshahi city)
  The local flatbread of lentil flour served hot with chilli and mashed eggplant.

Fun for Everyone

• Bogura mishti doi (Bogura)
  The sweet baked yoghurt Bogura is known for across the country.

Must-Haves

• Rajshahi silk shops (Sopura)
  Buy the famous Rajshahi silk straight from the factories and showrooms.

Fun for Everyone

• Mango season (Rajshahi and Chapainawabganj)
  From late May the orchards and markets overflow with some of the best mangoes in South Asia.