Dhaka Division is Bangladesh in microcosm—bustling river ports, Mughal monuments, rickshaw art, handloom villages, and forests where macaques chatter in the afternoon heat. Dhaka rose as a Mughal provincial capital in the 17th century; today its soul still hums along the Buriganga River, where wooden launches and ferries move like a living tapestry.

Just beyond the capital, the historic seat of Sonargaon whispers of pre-Mughal wealth, while Jamdani weavers keep a UNESCO-listed craft alive. North in Gazipur, Bhawal National Park offers pine-shaded trails and resort downtime; further northwest, Tangail is synonymous with sarees and the Jamuna’s wide water, where sunsets wash the bridge in copper light.

Practical notes: traffic is legendary—start early and build in buffers. Dress modestly for mosques; Fridays are the weekly holiday. Peak travel is November–March; monsoon (June–September) brings dramatic skies and occasional floods. For flights to/from Dhaka use Trip.com or Kiwi.com; for trains within Bangladesh, check Trip.com Trains.

Dhaka

Dhaka is kinetic poetry: pink palaces peeking over riverbanks, call to prayer drifting across alleys, and the sizzle of kebabs beside stacks of bakarkhani bread. Old Dhaka rewards wanderers—hidden havelis, spice-scented markets, and the hum of rickshaw bells that turn traffic into choreography.

Food is a pilgrimage here. Start with rich kacchi biryani, then sample bhorta (mashed vegetables with mustard oil), jilapi hot from the wok, and creamy lassi. Between meals, explore historic mosques and the city’s growing contemporary art scene.

• Where to stay: Browse stays on Hotels.com (Dhaka) and apartments on VRBO (Dhaka).
• Getting in: Fly into DAC (Shahjalal International). Typical long-haul fares are ~$600–1,200 roundtrip depending on season via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. For intercity trains, see Trip.com Trains.

Days 1–10: Old Dhaka’s History, Rivers, and Street Food

Kick off with the essentials: Ahsan Manzil (the “Pink Palace”), Sadarghat River Port at golden hour, Lalbagh Fort at dusk, and the ornate Star Mosque. Ride a hand-rowed boat across the Buriganga to see wooden launches up close.

• Guided highlight: Authentic Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit (full day; typically $50–$90 per person).

  

  Expect narrow alleys, hidden courtyards, and a ferry crossing—plus a stop for famed biryani.
• Photography lovers: Dhaka Photography Tour: Private Street Photography focuses on Kawran Bazar market, rickshaw art, and the shipyard for dramatic frames.

  

• Coffee & breakfast: North End Coffee Roasters (Gulshan/Banani) for single-origin pour-overs and cinnamon rolls; Crimson Cup (Dhanmondi) for V60s; Tabaq Coffee (Banani) for iced lattes and quiet corners.
• Lunch ideas: Star Kabab & Restaurant for kebabs and morog polao; Nirob Hotel (Old Dhaka) for a platter of bhorta with rice and lentils; Al Razzaque (Old Dhaka) for naan, nalli nihari, and halim.
• Dinner: Haji Biriyani (Old Dhaka) for the city’s most storied kacchi; Kacchi Bhai (multiple branches) for a modern take; Kosturi for classic Bangla thalis with seasonal fish curries.
• Evening strolls: Ramna Park and the lakes of Dhanmondi or Gulshan; stop for mishti doi or jilapi at a neighborhood sweet shop.

Days 11–20: Museums, Markets, and Contemporary Dhaka

Deep-dive into culture: the National Museum’s Liberation War galleries; modern art at university areas; New Market’s book alleys; Bangla Academy for poetry and publishing lore.

• Guided overview: Full-Day Dhaka City Guided Tour ties together neighborhoods, mosques, and markets in one tidy bow.

  

• Sports & culture: Catch a cricket match in Mirpur if schedules align; browse rickshaw-painting workshops for a hand-painted souvenir panel.

• Food trail: Try a fuchka-and-chaat crawl around Dhanmondi; seek out shorshe ilish (hilsa in mustard) and bhuna khichuri at homestyle eateries; finish with roshogolla from a trusted sweet shop.

Days 21–30: Sonargaon, Panam City, and Jamdani Weavers (Day Trips)

Reserve multiple days for Sonargaon, 1–1.5 hours from central Dhaka depending on traffic. Panam City’s abandoned merchant mansions make an atmospheric walk; the nearby Folk & Crafts Museum gives context. Jamdani weaving villages reveal mesmerizing pit looms and patterns passed down generations.

• Best day trip: Sonargaon Panam City and Mayadwip Riverside Village Tour for ruins, boat rides, and village life.

  

• Alternative guided option: Private Dhaka Heritage & Cultural Tour if you prefer a customizable day in and around the capital.

  

• Riverside bites: In Narayanganj, try fresh fried river fish with green chilies and puffed rice; pair with bhorta and seasonal vegetables.

Gazipur

North of Dhaka, Gazipur is the capital’s green lung. Bhawal National Park shelters sal forest, lakes, and dashed sunlight on pine needles—perfect for birding, cycling, and unhurried walks.

The area is dotted with resorts designed for exhale. Between spa time and forest trails, visit nearby villages to see pottery kilns, pineapple fields (summer), and serene fish ponds where kingfishers skim.

• Where to stay: Search resorts and hotels on Hotels.com (Gazipur) or find villas on VRBO (Gazipur).
• Getting there from Dhaka: 25–40 km by road; 1–2 hours depending on traffic. Ride-hailing cars typically $10–25 one-way. Local trains/buses run from Airport/Joydebpur stations; fares $1–3.

Days 31–35: Bhawal National Park and Forest Life

Spend mornings on forest trails—listen for drongos and woodpeckers—and afternoons by resort pools or lakes. Consider renting bicycles to loop quiet lanes under sal trees.

• Breakfast & coffee: Resort bakeries usually do eggs, parathas, and seasonal fruit; ask for local pineapple when in season. Cappuccinos and Bengali-style milk tea are widely available onsite.
• Lunch: Most resorts serve set Bengali menus—look for shorshe ilish, chicken jhal fry, bhuna khichuri, and mixed bhorta. Ask for a side of fresh green chilies and cucumbers.
• Dinner: Try a grilled river fish or prawn curry with steamed rice; for dessert, rice pudding (payesh) scented with cardamom.

Days 36–40: Villages, Pineapple Fields, and Slow Days

Visit Kapasia and Sreepur areas for village walks—pottery sheds, weaving on simple looms, and ponds edged with banana trees. Your resort can arrange a local guide and transport.

• Food moments: Sip cha (tea) at a roadside stall with jilapi hot from the oil; snack on puffed rice mixed with mustard oil, onions, and chilies (muri chanachur) as you watch dusk fall over the fields.

Tangail

Tangail is the pride of handlooms—sarees in intricate patterns woven on wooden pit looms. It’s also home to Porabari’s legendary chamcham sweets and the spectacular Bangabandhu (Jamuna) Bridge across a mile-wide river.

The district’s rhythm is agrarian and amiable: bikes on bund roads, dragonflies over jute fields, and tea shared on verandas. Time slows here, and that’s the gift.

• Where to stay: Find hotels and resorts—often around Elenga or near the bridge—on Hotels.com (Tangail) and vacation homes on VRBO (Tangail).
• Getting there from Gazipur: 80–100 km by road; 2–3 hours ($15–35 by private car). Trains from Joydebpur to Tangail take ~1–1.5 hours; AC seats ~$3–6 via Trip.com Trains.

Days 41–45: Weaving Villages, Atia Mosque, and Bridge Sunsets

Tour Pathrail and nearby villages to meet weavers; watch thread dressing, jacquard cards, and the quiet focus of loom-work. Visit the 17th-century Atia Mosque with its terracotta ornament.

• Sweet pause: Sample Porabari chamcham—dense, creamy, lightly caramelized. Ask your driver or hotel for the best current shop in Porabari.
• Evening: Drive to the Bangabandhu Bridge viewpoint for a wind-swept twilight and tea from a stall as trucks thread the horizon.
• Meals: Resort restaurants typically serve homestyle fish curries (rui, pangash), vegetable bhaji, and dal; request a mustardy shorshe preparation for a true local flavor.

Days 46–50: River Chars, Cycling, and Nawab Palace

Arrange a country boat to visit a Jamuna char (river island) and see sandbar farming and simple riverine life. Carry sun protection and go with a local guide who knows currents and landing points.

• Dhanbari Nawab Palace: A photogenic heritage stop for architecture lovers; combine with a countryside lunch of rice, mixed bhorta, and a fresh catch curry prepared by a homestay or resort kitchen.
• Evenings: Easy bike rides on quiet embankments; finish with warm milk tea and biscuits under a sky full of stars.

Back to Dhaka (Final Days)

Return to Dhaka by morning train (Tangail–Dhaka ~1.5–2 hours, $3–6) or car (2–4 hours depending on traffic). Use the last week for souvenirs, galleries, and any favorites you want to revisit.

Days 51–58: Shopping, Art, and “One More Bite” Week

Shop for Jamdani and Tangail sarees, nakshi kantha embroidery, and rickshaw art panels. Drop into contemporary galleries and university bookshops for design posters and poetry chapbooks.

• Breakfast cafes: North End for croissants and flat whites; Butlers Chocolate Café (Banani) for a decadent hot chocolate and waffles.
• Lunch/dinner reruns worth a second round: Haji Biriyani, Star Kabab, Kosturi, and Al Razzaque—then a sweet finish with mishti doi or rasmalai.

Days 59–60: Buffer Days and Departure

Keep these as buffer days for weather, shopping, or simply savoring a last riverboat at Sadarghat. Pack textiles carefully, and aim to reach the airport 3 hours early for international flights via Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-On Tours Featured Above (Bookable in Dhaka)

• Authentic Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit

  

• Sonargaon Panam City and Mayadwip Riverside Village Tour

  

• Dhaka Photography Tour: Private Street Photography

  

• Full-Day Dhaka City Guided Tour

  

Across two months you’ll taste the capital’s legends, stand among the ghostly mansions of Panam, listen to forest birdsong in Bhawal, and watch the Jamuna burn orange at dusk. This slow-travel Dhaka Division itinerary balances big-city stories with countryside quiet—the Bangladesh many travelers miss and locals love.