Explore Old Dhaka's Mughal-era architecture and river life
Narrow lanes packed with Mughal mosques, colorful rickshaws, and the bustling Buriganga River waterfront define Bangladesh's historic capital core.
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South Asia
Things to do in Bangladesh
The world's largest mangrove forest holding the highest concentration of wild Bengal tigers, a river delta that shapes daily life for over 170 million people, and a culture of hospitality that surprises most first-time visitors.
Explore Bangladesh on the map →Budget$
Best for8-10 days
CapitalDhaka
VisaVisa on arrival available at Dhaka and Chittagong airports for US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders, allowing stays up to 30 days; e-visa also available for advance application.
CurrencyBangladeshi taka (BDT)
LanguagesBengali (official); English widely spoken in urban and tourism contexts
InternetGood in Dhaka, more variable elsewhere
Typical lodging$10–$30/night
Driving sideLeft
Power & voltage220V / 50Hz (Type A/C/D/G plug)
Time zoneUTC+5:30 to UTC+6
Emergency number112
Dialing code+880
★★★★★ Wildlife★★★★★ Culture★★★★★ Adventure
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Bottled or purified water only. Not required; small tips are appreciated.
The Sundarbans, shared with India but largely within Bangladesh, is the largest mangrove forest on Earth and holds the highest concentration of wild Bengal tigers of any single ecosystem, uniquely adapted to swim and hunt in tidal saltwater terrain unlike tigers found anywhere else. Bangladesh is also built almost entirely on the delta of three of Asia's largest rivers, the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna, giving the country one of the most extensive and ecologically vital river systems in the world, central to nearly every aspect of daily life for its roughly 170 million residents.
When to go
Cool, dry seasonNovember–February
The most comfortable and popular window, with lower humidity and minimal rain, ideal for the Sundarbans and Dhaka.
Pre-monsoon heatMarch–May
Rising temperatures and humidity ahead of the monsoon, with occasional early storms.
Monsoon seasonJune–September
Heavy rain and flooding across much of the delta, though the lush green landscape and river life are at their most dramatic.
Post-monsoon transitionOctober
Rains easing and rivers still full, a scenic transitional month before the dry season begins.
20 things to do
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Culture & history
9Visit the Sixty Dome Mosque of Bagerhat
A UNESCO World Heritage 15th-century mosque complex, among the largest and most architecturally significant Islamic monuments in South Asia.
Visit the ancient ruins of Paharpur
A UNESCO World Heritage Buddhist monastery complex, among the largest such archaeological sites south of the Himalayas.
Explore the Lalbagh Fort in Dhaka
An incomplete 17th-century Mughal fort complex in the heart of Old Dhaka, with gardens, a mosque, and a tomb within its walls.
Visit the Ahsan Manzil Pink Palace in Dhaka
A restored 19th-century palace on the Buriganga River, once home to Dhaka's Nawab family, now a museum on the city's Mughal and colonial-era history.
Visit the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) in Dhaka
A small but ornately star-motif-tiled mosque in Old Dhaka, one of the city's most visually distinctive religious buildings.
Watch traditional Bengali boat races (nouka baich)
Competitive rowing races held on rivers during certain festivals, a genuinely lively and historic Bengali sporting tradition.
Explore the Bangabandhu Memorial Museum in Dhaka
A museum dedicated to Bangladesh's founding leader, offering context on the country's 1971 independence movement.
Visit a rural village to see traditional Bengali handicrafts
Jamdani weaving and other traditional Bengali crafts remain genuinely practiced in villages outside Dhaka, with community visits offering direct engagement.
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Adventure & outdoors
1Ride a traditional wooden boat on Bangladesh's rivers
River travel remains central to daily life across the delta, and traditional boat rides offer a genuine window into everyday Bangladeshi transport and trade.
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Wildlife
2Cruise the Sundarbans in search of Bengal tigers$2–9
The world's largest mangrove forest and highest concentration of wild Bengal tigers, uniquely adapted to hunt in tidal saltwater terrain.
Explore the Lawachara National Park rainforest
A protected rainforest near Srimangal, home to Bangladesh's only ape species, the hoolock gibbon, alongside diverse birdlife.
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Beaches
2Walk Cox's Bazar, the world's longest natural sea beach
An unbroken stretch of sand along the Bay of Bengal, stretching roughly 120 kilometres and drawing significant domestic beach tourism.
Explore Saint Martin's Island, Bangladesh's only coral island
A small island off Cox's Bazar with the country's only coral reef, offering a quieter, more remote beach experience.
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Food & drink
4Eat hilsa fish curry, Bangladesh's national dish
A prized river fish cooked in mustard-seed gravy, considered central to Bengali cuisine and a genuine point of national culinary pride.
Try Bangladeshi street food in Dhaka's Old Town
Fuchka, jhalmuri, and other spiced street snacks reflect Dhaka's vibrant, genuinely local street food culture.
Try Bangladeshi mishti, traditional sweets
Milk-based sweets like roshogolla and sandesh reflect Bengal's centuries-old confectionery tradition, sold at dedicated sweet shops nationwide.
Try Bangladeshi biryani in Old Dhaka
A rich, layered rice and meat dish with distinct regional preparation traditions, considered one of Dhaka's culinary highlights.
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Nature & scenery
2Tour the tea gardens of Sylhet
Rolling, terraced tea plantations in northeastern Bangladesh, offering a cooler, greener landscape distinct from the delta lowlands.
Visit Srimangal, the 'Tea Capital of Bangladesh'
A small town surrounded by tea estates and the Lawachara rainforest, known for spotting rare gibbons and a distinctive multi-layered tea.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Bangladesh?
US, UK, EU, Canadian, and Australian passport holders can get a visa on arrival at Dhaka or Chittagong airports for up to 30 days, or apply for an e-visa in advance.
▾Is Bangladesh safe for tourists?
Dhaka, the Sundarbans, and the main tourist circuits see regular tourism with normal precautions; as with much of South Asia, it's worth checking current advisories and being especially attentive during politically sensitive periods.
▾What makes the Sundarbans' tigers unusual?
Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans have uniquely adapted to swim and hunt in tidal saltwater mangrove terrain, a habitat unlike anywhere else wild tigers are found, though direct sightings remain rare given the dense, difficult terrain.
▾How many days does Bangladesh need?
8-10 days lets you combine Dhaka, a multi-day Sundarbans boat trip, and either the tea gardens of Sylhet or the world's longest natural beach at Cox's Bazar.
▾Is Bangladesh affordable?
Yes, among the most budget-friendly destinations in Asia, with strong value across food, accommodation, and guided river or wildlife tours.
▾How much does it cost to visit the Sundarbans?
Foreign visitor entry to the Sundarbans mangrove forest runs a modest BDT 260-1,050 (about $2-9) depending on which zone you enter, though most travelers book a multi-day boat tour that bundles the entry fee into a larger package cost. Boat tour prices vary widely by operator and duration.