5 Things to Do in Dhaka, Bangladesh

This unfinished 17th-century Mughal fort complex, begun by a son of Emperor Aurangzeb, includes a mosque, the tomb of Bibi Pari (said to be the builder's daughter), and a museum of Mughal-era weapons, manuscripts, and artifacts inside a fortified garden setting. It's one of the best-preserved Mughal sites in Bangladesh and a relatively calm, green space by Dhaka's standards.

Good to know: Closed Sundays and government holidays; go in the morning for cooler temperatures and better light for photos of the gardens.

A short country-boat ride on the Buriganga River from the Sadarghat river terminal — one of the busiest river ports in the world — puts you in the middle of a dense traffic of cargo boats, ferries, and passenger launches, with a view back at Old Dhaka's riverside buildings and the constant motion of one of the city's oldest trade routes still in daily use.

Good to know: Negotiate the boat fare before boarding, and go in late afternoon for the best light and the busiest river traffic.

The former residential palace of the Nawab of Dhaka, restored and painted its namesake pink, sits directly on the Buriganga riverbank and now houses a museum of 19th-century Nawabi furniture, portraits, and household items across more than 20 rooms. Its riverside setting and grand staircase make it one of the more elegant single stops in Old Dhaka.

Good to know: Closed Thursdays; combine with a Sadarghat river visit since both are within walking distance of each other.

Bangladesh's most important Hindu temple, whose name literally means 'Goddess of Dhaka' and is widely believed to have given the city its name, dates to at least the 12th century in some form. The temple complex includes several shrines around a central courtyard and remains an active site of worship, offering a quieter, more contemplative counterpoint to Old Dhaka's markets and mosques.

Good to know: Respectful, modest dress is appropriate; the temple is most active — and most atmospheric — during morning and evening aarti (prayer) times.

Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) is a small but strikingly decorated 18th-century mosque covered in star-motif mosaic tilework, added during a later renovation using British and Japanese ceramic tiles and broken china — a genuinely unique decorative style. Afterward, New Market nearby is Dhaka's classic shopping and street-food destination, good for local snacks, textiles, and simply absorbing the density of the city's street life.

Good to know: The mosaic detail on Star Mosque rewards a slow walk around the exterior — don't just glance and move on.