Bangladesh rewards the curious. From Mughal-era forts and river life in Dhaka to the tea-scented hills of Srimangal and the endless surf of Cox’s Bazar, the country blends living history, lush nature, and a warm, hospitable culture.

Dhaka, once the Mughal capital of Bengal, still hums with old-world lanes, mosques, pink palaces, and aromatic biryani stalls. Srimangal is the “Tea Capital of Bangladesh,” where gibbons call from rainforest canopies and teashops pour gravity-defying seven-layer brews. Cox’s Bazar claims the world’s longest natural sea beach, with a Marine Drive that unfurls alongside dunes, casuarina groves, and fishing villages.

Practical notes: Fridays are the main weekly holiday, so plan museum hours accordingly. Dress modestly, carry small bills, and consider bKash (mobile money). Traffic in Dhaka can be intense—start early, pad transfer times, and use rideshare apps for efficiency.

Dhaka

Dhaka is a city of contrasts: rickshaws with hand-painted dreams, Mughal forts, British-era mansions, and glassy towers in Gulshan. The Buriganga River breathes life into Old Dhaka, where launches, ferries, and spice-laden warehouses create an unforgettable tableau.

Top sights include Lalbagh Fort’s Mughal architecture, the candy-pink Ahsan Manzil on the river, the National Museum’s sweeping galleries, and the Star Mosque’s mosaic sparkle. Food is half the journey: kacchi biryani, haleem, fuchka, and syrupy mishti.

• Where to stay (Dhaka): Search business-friendly Gulshan/Banani or central Ramna for easier sightseeing. Browse stays on VRBO or compare hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting in: Fly into Dhaka (DAC). Check fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrival and Old Dhaka at Sunset

Morning: In transit to Dhaka. Aim to arrive around midday to settle in before the evening rush.

Afternoon: Check in, then revive with specialty coffee and pastries at North End Coffee Roasters (Gulshan)—a local favorite for single-origin pours and cinnamon rolls. If you prefer a quieter nook, Tabaq Coffee (Banani) does strong cappuccinos and light sandwiches.

Evening: Head to Sadarghat for a golden-hour boat ride on the Buriganga; the jumble of ferries and wooden dinghies is a photographer’s dream. For dinner, choose between Haji (Hajir) Biriyani in Old Dhaka for classic kacchi biryani (aromatic basmati, tender mutton) or Fakruddin (Gulshan) for a polished, time-honored take; cap it with a frothy lassi at Beauty Lassi near Boro Katra.

Day 2: Forts, Faith, and Flavors

Morning: Tour Lalbagh Fort when gates open to enjoy quiet courtyards and Persianate gardens. Continue to the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) to see its dazzling tilework, then the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection—an evocative relic of 18th‑century merchants in Armanitola.

Afternoon: Lunch like a local at Nirob Hotel (Old Dhaka) for rice with a parade of bhartas (mashed spiced veggies), curries, and dal. Then browse the National Museum (Shahbagh) for archaeology to modern art, and shop responsibly sourced crafts at Aarong or indie designs at Jatra.

Evening: Sample chotpoti and fuchka around Dhanmondi Lake, then sit down at Star Kabab & Restaurant (Dhanmondi) for kebabs, parathas, and creamy firni. If you’re craving Japanese, Izumi (Gulshan) is beloved for pristine sashimi and a serene garden ambiance.

Sreemangal (Srimangal)

Srimangal is Bangladesh’s tea-scented escape: rolling emerald estates, bamboo villages, and forest reserves echoing with hoolock gibbons at dawn. It’s also home to the famed seven-layer tea—an eye-catching stack of tinted brews with distinct aromatics in each layer.

Nature lovers come for Lawachara National Park’s rainforest trails, Baikka Beel’s birdlife, and misty sunrises over tea pluckers at work. Evenings are gentle here—perfect for slow dinners and a second cup of experimental tea.

• Where to stay (Srimangal): Options range from eco-lodges near Lawachara to resorts with pools. Start your search on VRBO or browse hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting there: Morning trains from Dhaka’s Kamalapur (Parabat, Jayantika) take ~4–5 hours; seats $3–10 depending on class. Check regional train options on Trip.com Trains, or buy at the station.

Day 3: Dhaka to Srimangal and First Sips

Morning: Early train Dhaka → Srimangal (~4.5 hours, $3–10). Bring snacks, or grab a quick breakfast—meat samosas and cha—at the station kiosks.

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs with an easy walk through a nearby tea estate (ask your lodge for access). Visit Nilkantha Tea Cabin to try the iconic seven-layer tea—a playful tasting of spiced, milky, and citrusy notes stacked in one glass.

Evening: Dinner at Kutum Bari for homestyle Bengali thalis (think mustard hilsa, chicken curry, shobji, and chutney). For a lighter option, Green Leaf Café serves veg-forward plates, fried rice, and fresh juices in a traveler-friendly setting.

Day 4: Lawachara Rainforest and Wetland Birds

Morning: Sunrise guided walk in Lawachara National Park (arrange permits/guide via hotel). Keep voices low to spot hoolock gibbons, giant squirrels, and drongos; trails vary from 1–3 hours through bamboo, jackfruit, and towering evergreens.

Afternoon: Refuel with tea and hot parathas back in town, then drive to Baikka Beel Wetland Sanctuary for birdwatching: pygmy geese, jacanas, herons, and winter migrants (peak Nov–Feb). If time allows, swing by a Khasia village to learn about betel leaf cultivation.

Evening: Unwind with a gentle curry at Hotel Mohua or return to Kutum Bari for seconds; share a dessert of rosogolla or mishti doi. A late cup of masala tea at Nilkantha (or a simpler roadside stall) sets you up for tomorrow’s journey.

Cox’s Bazar

Cox’s Bazar unspools more than 100 km of sand along the Bay of Bengal—arguably the world’s longest natural sea beach. The vibe shifts from lively Laboni and Sugandha to quiet stretches near Inani and the breathtaking Marine Drive.

Expect photogenic sunsets, fresh seafood, Buddhist monasteries like Aggmeda Khyang, and easy day trips to Himchari’s cliffs and waterfalls. Seafood grills, beach cafés, and family-run eateries serve everything from crab curries to smoky kebabs.

• Where to stay (Cox’s Bazar): For convenience, stay near Kolatoli/Sugandha; for tranquility, consider Inani. Compare stays on VRBO or Hotels.com.
• Getting there: From Dhaka, flights to Cox’s Bazar (CXB) are ~1 hr; expect $45–$90 one-way. Compare on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Day 5: Srimangal → Dhaka (Train), Dhaka → Cox’s Bazar (Flight)

Morning: Board a mid-morning train Srimangal → Dhaka (~4.5 hours). Grab breakfast boxes from your hotel—egg parathas, bananas, and bottled water work well for the ride.

Afternoon: Connect to a late-afternoon flight Dhaka → Cox’s Bazar (~1 hr). Check in, then stroll Laboni or Sugandha Beach for a first sunset; the light on the wet sand is spectacular for photos.

Evening: Dinner at Poushee for quintessential Bangla sets—rice, fish curry (try coral or pomfret), vegetables, and lentils. For a breezier vibe, Mermaid Café plates excellent grilled prawns, coconut curries, salads, and good espresso under bamboo lanterns.

Day 6: Marine Drive, Himchari, and Inani Beach

Morning: Breakfast with sea views, then hire a car to cruise the Marine Drive to Himchari National Park (waterfall in monsoon, sweeping viewpoints year-round). Continue to Inani Beach for photogenic coral-studded rock shelves and calmer crowds.

Afternoon: Lunch at Salt Bistro & Café (Kolatoli) for butter-garlic crab, grilled fish, or a burger with iced coffee. Post-lunch, laze under umbrellas or try a beginner’s surf lesson near Laboni when conditions permit.

Evening: Visit Aggmeda Khyang, a local Buddhist monastery, for a quiet, respectful look at monastic life. For dinner, pick live fish at EFC-A Live Fish Restaurant to be fried or curried to order, or settle into Jhawban Restaurant for mezban-style beef (a Chattogram specialty) with fragrant rice.

Day 7: Beach Morning and Departure

Morning: One last barefoot walk at sunrise; look for fishermen hauling in nets and egrets patrolling the shallows. Brunch at Poushee (if you missed it) or a coffee-and-pastry set back at Mermaid Café.

Afternoon: Fly Cox’s Bazar → Dhaka (~1 hr) and connect to your international flight. Compare schedules and fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If you have extra time in Dhaka, North End Coffee Roasters (Airport Road branch) is a handy last caffeine stop.

Optional extensions: Add a day in Sylhet city for the shrines and river scenery, or (in season and with an overnight) venture to Saint Martin’s Island via Teknaf for turquoise water and coral—plan carefully due to long transfer times and seasonal boat schedules.

This week-long Bangladesh trip balances a historic city, a green retreat, and a soulful beach town. You’ll leave with the taste of kacchi biryani, the scent of tea leaves, and the hush of the Bay of Bengal at dusk.