Dhaka Division is the beating heart of Bangladesh: a place where Mughal-era forts and mint-green mosques sit beside rickshaw-clad streets, rivers churn with wooden launches, and markets wake the city before dawn. Once a Mughal provincial capital and later a British trading hub, Dhaka still spins on crafts, commerce, and food—especially biryani, bhorta, and street snacks that invite curiosity and a second helping.

Just east, Sonargaon—one of Bengal’s medieval capitals—reveals abandoned merchant mansions in Panam City and the living craft of Jamdani weaving. North in Gazipur, forests and lakes offer a calm counterpoint: walking trails, birdsong, and restful resorts near Bhawal National Park where you can trade car horns for cicadas.

Practical notes: Friday is the main weekly holiday; some museums and government sites observe different hours—verify before you go. Dress modestly for mosques and temples. Rideshares (Uber/Pathao), CNG auto-rickshaws, and metro/buses cover most trips; traffic can be heavy, so allow buffer time. Peak travel months are November–February (cool/dry), while June–September brings monsoon rains and photogenic skies.

Dhaka

Dhaka is kinetic and characterful—best savored through its neighborhoods. Old Dhaka fills narrow lanes with spice-scented air, faded pink palaces, and shipyards that clang and sing. New Dhaka counters with serene modernism: Louis Kahn’s Parliament complex, tidy parks, art spaces, and third-wave coffee.

• Top sights: Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), Star Mosque, Armenian Church, Sadarghat launch terminal, Dhakeshwari Temple, Curzon Hall, Liberation War Museum, Bangladesh National Museum, Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament), Hatirjheel.
• What to eat: Haji Biriyani’s legendary kacchi; tehari at Nanna in Nazira Bazar; bhorta and fish curries at Kasturi; fresh lassi at Beauty Lassi; specialty coffee at North End.
• Fun fact: Dhaka’s rickshaws are moving canvases—painters keep the tradition alive with folk motifs and film-star portraits.

Where to stay (Dhaka): Search vetted stays on VRBO Dhaka and a full range of hotels—from business to boutique—on Hotels.com Dhaka.

How to get here: Fly into Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC). Compare fares on Trip.com flights and Kiwi.com. Within Bangladesh, intercity trains can be checked via Trip.com trains.

Gazipur

Gazipur is Dhaka’s green getaway. A short drive brings you to sal forests, quiet lakes, and resorts perfect for families or couples who want fresh air without going far. It’s also home to Bhawal National Park and creative day-outs like Nuhash Polli (the late author-filmmaker Humayun Ahmed’s countryside retreat).

• Top sights and activities: Bhawal National Park walking trails and birding, lakeside paddling, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park (Sreepur), and countryside tea stalls for smoky clay-cup cha.
• Stay and dine: Resorts such as Sarah Resort, Bhawal Resort & Spa, and Rajendra Eco Resort focus on nature, pools, and local fare (think grilled river fish and seasonal pitha).
• Fun fact: The sal forest here is one of the largest in Bangladesh, and mornings can be misty even when Dhaka is bright.

Where to stay (Gazipur): Browse nature-friendly stays on VRBO Gazipur and compare resort options on Hotels.com Gazipur.

Getting from Dhaka to Gazipur: Drive 1.5–2 hours (traffic-dependent); a private car is typically 2,500–4,000 BDT one way, rideshare around 1,200–2,200 BDT. Trains from Dhaka to Joydebpur take ~45–70 minutes (50–120 BDT; see Trip.com trains), then taxi/CNG to your resort.

Day 1 – Arrive in Dhaka, settle into Gulshan/Banani, lakeside evening

Morning: Fly into DAC. For best prices and schedules, compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Arrange a rideshare (Uber/Pathao) to your hotel in Gulshan, Banani, or Shahbagh.

Afternoon: Check in, refresh, then stretch your legs at Gulshan Lake Park. Coffee and a cinnamon roll at North End Coffee Roasters (Gulshan) kick jet lag; they roast locally and pull a balanced flat white.

Evening: Dinner choices: Izumi (Gulshan) for meticulous sashimi and a serene courtyard; or Star Kabab (Dhanmondi) for smoky sheekh kababs, naan, and mutton tikka. Cap the night with a breezy stroll or short boat ride at Hatirjheel to watch the bridges glow.

Day 2 – Old Dhaka immersion: palaces, shipyards, and river life (guided day tour)

Spend the day unraveling Old Dhaka’s layers on this curated experience: Authentic Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit.

Expect highlights like Lalbagh Fort’s rose-stone gateways, the starry-tiled beauty of Tara Masjid (Star Mosque), the pastel façade of Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace), Sadarghat’s river bustle, and a gritty-charming shipyard visit. Your guide navigates alleys and ferries, with stops for snacks and photography.

Fuel up beforehand with a quick breakfast—paratha, dal, and omelet—at a local “tong” (tea stall) near your hotel. After the tour, head to Haji Biriyani (Kazi Allauddin Road) for fragrant kacchi layered with tender mutton and potatoes; finish nearby with a cold, frothy lassi at Beauty Lassi (Johnson Road).

Day 3 – Modern Dhaka: architecture and museums + evening food tour

Morning: Coffee and a croissant at Holey Artisan Bakery (Gulshan), then a guided stroll around Jatiyo Sangsad Bhaban (Parliament) to admire Louis Kahn’s monumental geometry reflected in still water. Continue to Chandrima Udyan for a leafy walk.

Afternoon: Dive into the Liberation War Museum (Agargaon) for a moving look at 1971, then the Bangladesh National Museum (Shahbagh) for folk arts and archaeology. Lunch at Kasturi (Paltan) where mustardy fish curry, eggplant bhorta, and rice make a classic spread.

Evening: Join a deliciously focused walk: Food Tour in Old Dhaka: Taste Local Delicacies.

Sample shingara, jilapi, chotpoti, fuchka, kebabs, and seasonal pitha while learning the stories behind each bite. If you’re still peckish later, grab a late tea and mishti doi from a nearby sweet shop.

Day 4 – Day trip to Sonargaon: Panam City, folk arts, and a Meghna backwater boat

Head east for heritage with water views on the Sonargaon Panam City and Mayadwip Riverside Village Tour.

Walk Panam City’s abandoned 19th–20th century merchant mansions, visit the Folk Art & Crafts Museum, and take a scenic boat on the Meghna to Mayadwip (Maya Island) to glimpse riverine life. Many tours include a Jamdani weaving stop—watch master artisans float motifs into gauzy cotton.

Logistics: Dhaka–Sonargaon is ~1.5–2 hours by car each way (25–35 km, traffic-dependent). Private car/ride-hailing typically 1,500–2,500 BDT one way. Post-trip dinner back in Dhaka at Ghoroa Restaurant (Dhanmondi) for home-style bhorta, fish fry, and lentils.

Day 5 – Markets and moments: a full-day Dhaka photography walk

Photograph the city’s soul at first light with Dhaka Street & Culture Photography – Private Full-Day Tour.

Expect dawn at Kawran Bazar’s fish and vegetable markets, rickshaw workshops, spice alleys, and riverfront vignettes with guidance on composition and etiquette. Build in a late breakfast stop for hot puri with cholar dal and a sweet cha. After sunset blue hour, celebrate your shots over dinner at Nanna in Nazira Bazar (beef tehari) or a more relaxed option back in Banani.

Day 6 – To the trees: transfer to Gazipur and explore Bhawal National Park

Morning: Depart Dhaka for Gazipur around 8:00 a.m. Driving takes 1.5–2 hours (budget 2.5 with traffic). A private car is 2,500–4,000 BDT; train to Joydebpur is ~45–70 minutes (50–120 BDT; check Trip.com trains) plus a short taxi/CNG to your resort. Check in at a nature-focused resort (Sarah Resort, Bhawal Resort & Spa, or Rajendra Eco Resort).

Afternoon: Head to Bhawal National Park for shaded sal-forest trails, birding, and a lakeside pause. Many resorts offer bike rentals; a gentle loop followed by coconut water is ideal in the cooler hours.

Evening: Resort dinner—look for grilled rui or hilsa (seasonal), mixed vegetable bhaji, and bhorta trio (potato, eggplant, mustard greens). Night swim or quiet stargazing if skies are clear.

Day 7 – Countryside morning, then depart

Morning: Unhurried breakfast; if time allows, a short trip to Nuhash Polli (Sreepur) to see gardens, ponds, and the late Humayun Ahmed’s creative retreat, or visit Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park for a quick circuit.

Afternoon: Check out and return toward DAC. From Gazipur, allow 2.5–3.5 hours to reach the airport depending on traffic. For onward flights, compare times and fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have a late departure, consider an early dinner en route near Uttara: try kacchi from a reputable spot or a cafe stop for sandwiches and a final cha.

Eat & drink highlights by neighborhood (quick reference)

• Old Dhaka: Haji Biriyani (kacchi), Nanna (beef tehari), Beauty Lassi (lassi/falooda), Bismillah Kabab Ghar (kabab platters).
• Gulshan/Banani: North End Coffee Roasters (specialty coffee), Holey Artisan Bakery (pastries/brunch), Izumi (Japanese), InterContinental’s Spice & Rice (regional Bengali done with finesse).
• Dhanmondi/Shahbagh: Star Kabab (grills), Ghoroa Restaurant (home-style plates), Kasturi (bhorta and fish curries), roadside “tong” stalls for cha, shingara, and jilapi.

Where to book your stays: VRBO Dhaka | Hotels.com Dhaka | VRBO Gazipur | Hotels.com Gazipur

This week blends Dhaka’s moving history, photogenic streets, and river life with a restful green finale. From Panam City’s haunting façades to Bhawal’s forest hush, you’ll taste, see, and feel why the Dhaka Division rewards unhurried curiosity.