Dhaka Division is the beating heart of Bangladesh—an electric mix of Mughal forts, British-era relics, modern architecture, and river-powered commerce. Once a famed 17th-century Mughal capital, the city still hums to the rhythm of rickshaw bells, call to prayer, and the clang of metal at its shipyards. Just beyond, Sonargaon whispers of Bengal’s old capitals while Gazipur’s sal forests offer a slower, greener tempo.

Expect history at every turn: Lalbagh Fort’s unfinished Mughal ambitions, Ahsan Manzil’s pink-washed Nawabi grandeur, and the Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection in Old Dhaka. Dhaka is also a city of makers—jamdani weavers, rickshaw painters, and boat carpenters—whose crafts shaped world trade routes. The cuisine is as spirited as the city: kacchi biryani, beef bhuna, hilsa with mustard, spiced bhorta spreads, and winter pithas.

Practical notes: Fly into Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC). Traffic can be intense—use the Dhaka Metro (MRT Line 6: Uttara North–Motijheel), ride-hailing apps, and river boats where available. Dress modestly for religious sites, carry small bills (BDT), and consider a mask during high-pollution days. SIMs from Grameenphone or Robi are easy at the airport with a passport.

Dhaka

Dhaka is a living archive—Mughal lanes at Shakhari Bazar, pink palaces on the Buriganga, and Louis Kahn geometry at the National Parliament. Come for the history; stay for the street food and the city’s unfiltered human energy. Coffee culture and bakeries have blossomed too, fueling late-night conversations and early market runs.

• Top sights: Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil, Sadarghat, Star Mosque (Tara Masjid), Dhakeshwari Temple, Armenian Church, Liberation War Museum, National Parliament (exterior), Bait ur Rouf Mosque (modern masterpiece).
• Why it’s special: Rickshaw art capital; UNESCO-recognized jamdani craft nearby; one of South Asia’s most photogenic old quarters.

Where to stay: Search stays in Dhaka on VRBO and hotels on Hotels.com. Popular areas include Gulshan/Banani for dining and embassies, or Ramna/Shahbagh for museums and parks.

Getting in: Fly to DAC via Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Typical regional flight times: Kolkata 1 hr; Bangkok 2.5 hr; Kuala Lumpur 3.5 hr.

Gazipur

Just north of Dhaka, Gazipur trades traffic for trees. Bhawal National Park’s sal forest, lakes, and birdlife make it the capital’s favorite nature escape. Resorts with pools, lawns, and barbecue pits turn it into a restful finale to your city days.

• Top sights: Bhawal National Park trails, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park (Gazipur), village tea stalls and local markets near Mouchak and Sreepur.
• Why it’s special: Fresh air, forest walks, and easy access from Dhaka—great for families and couples.

Where to stay: Look for resorts like Sarah Resort (Bhawal) and Bhawal Resort & Spa. Compare options on Hotels.com or browse homes on VRBO.

Getting there from Dhaka: 35–50 km depending on resort. By car: 1.5–2.5 hours, ~BDT 2,500–4,000 one way. By train to Joydebpur: 50–90 minutes, ~BDT 20–120 in standard classes via Trip.com trains, then a short CNG/ride-hail to your resort.

Day 1: Arrive in Dhaka, lakeside stroll, and a first taste of Bangla flavors

Afternoon: Land at DAC and ride 30–60 minutes to Gulshan/Banani or Ramna (longer at rush hour). Check into your hotel from Hotels.com or an apartment via VRBO. Shake off jet lag with a gentle walk around Dhanmondi Lake or Hatirjheel’s promenade.

Evening: Dinner options: Sultan’s Dine for fragrant kacchi biryani (order the mutton with aloo), or Star Kabab & Restaurant for kebabs, paratha, and bhuna. For dessert, try mishti doi and roshogolla at Alauddin or Anondo Sweets.

Night: Coffee at North End Coffee Roasters (Gulshan or Dhanmondi) for locally roasted pour-overs, or Holey Artisan Bakery for breads and a quiet patio. Early night—tomorrow dives into Old Dhaka.

Day 2: Old Dhaka immersion—lanes, palaces, shipyard, and river life (guided tour)

Let an expert handle the maze of Old Dhaka so you can focus on people, history, and photos.

Recommended tour: Authentic Old Dhaka Day Tour with Shipyard Visit — markets, mosques, a Buriganga boat ride, and the dramatic shipyard across the river.

Food & drink: Ask your guide to include a stop for biryani (Haji/Hazir Biriyani in Old Dhaka), Hotel Al Razzak for beef bhuna and naan, and Beauty Lassi for thick lassi or falooda. Vegetarian delight: Hotel Nirob’s famed rice-and-bhorta spread in Nazira Bazar.

Evening: Return to your hotel. Light dinner near Gulshan—try Itihaas for homestyle Bangla thalis or Kacchi Bhai for a quick biryani fix.

Day 3: Forts, museums, and architecture—Dhaka’s layered story

Morning: Visit Lalbagh Fort when gates open to beat the heat and crowds. Continue to Dhakeshwari Temple, then the Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) for exquisite tilework. Grab a mid-morning shingara and cha at a corner tea stall.

Afternoon: Explore the Liberation War Museum—powerful exhibits that contextualize 1971. Swing by Curzon Hall’s red-brick colonial architecture and the serene Armenian Church in Armanitola if you missed it on the tour.

Evening: Architecture fans should view the National Parliament Building from Crescent Lake at golden hour; the play of light on Louis Kahn’s concrete is unforgettable. Dinner at Al Razzak (Old Dhaka classic) or Fakruddin for the city’s other legendary kacchi. Nightcap coffee at Crimson Cup (Banani) with a caramel latte or cold brew.

Day 4: Sonargaon day trip—Panam City, jamdani looms, and a river island

Trade city streets for Bengal’s old capital and riverscapes on a curated day trip.

Recommended tour: Sonargaon Panam City and Mayadwip Riverside Village Tour — explore Panam City’s abandoned merchant mansions, the Folk Art & Crafts Museum, and a scenic boat to Maya (Mayadwip) for village life.

Lunch: Most tours include a local restaurant stop; try ilish (hilsa) in mustard if in season, or chicken rezala with hot rice. Don’t leave without tasting bhapa pitha if it’s winter.

Evening: Back in Dhaka, stroll Hatirjheel. Dinner at Star Kabab (Dhanmondi) for grilled tikka and naan, or a mellow meal at your hotel.

Day 5: Modern Dhaka—metro, markets, cafés, and contemporary design

Morning: Ride MRT Line 6 from Gulshan-adjacent stops toward Motijheel to see commuters’ Dhaka in motion (tickets ~BDT 20–100). Coffee and pastries at Holey Artisan Bakery, then shop at Aarong for quality handicrafts—textiles, leather, and jamdani-inspired designs.

Afternoon: Seek out Bait ur Rouf Mosque in Uttara, a minimalist brick masterpiece by Marina Tabassum—quiet, contemplative, and photogenic. Late lunch at Itihaas (Bangla set menus) or Star for butter-soft kabab rolls.

Evening: Make it a foodie finale in town: Hotel Nirob for a bhorta medley (think smoked eggplant, mustard potato, dried fish), or Sultan’s Dine for a “half kacchi” shared between two. Sweet finish with mishti from Shwapno/Well Food counters near your hotel.

Day 6: Dhaka → Gazipur resort life and Bhawal National Park

Morning: Transfer to Gazipur by private car (1.5–2.5 hrs, ~BDT 2,500–4,000) or train to Joydebpur via Trip.com trains (50–90 min, ~BDT 20–120), then a short ride to your resort. Check in at Sarah Resort or Bhawal Resort & Spa—both offer pools, lawns, and on-site dining.

Afternoon: Wander Bhawal National Park’s sal forest. Easy trails, lakeside breezes, and good birding make for a gentle few hours. Families might add Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park (allow ~2–3 hrs) for wildlife enclosures and a forest drive.

Evening: Resort dinner—look for bhuna khichuri, fried ilish or rui curry, and seasonal vegetables. End with tea under the stars or a bonfire if your property arranges one.

Day 7: Forest morning, return to Dhaka, and departure

Morning: Sunrise walk or bicycle ride inside the resort or Bhawal National Park; listen for drongos and barbets. Brunch at the resort, then check out.

Afternoon: Drive back to DAC (plan 2–3 hrs with city traffic). For flights, compare on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If time allows, a last cup at North End or a quick stop for boxed sweets to take home.

Optional add-ons and swaps (if you have extra energy)

• City photography day: Dhaka Street & Culture Photography – Private Full-Day Tour for serious shooters seeking markets, boats, and backstreets.

  

• Self-guided Sonargaon alternative: If you prefer more craft focus, swap in the Sonargaon, Panam, Jamdani Village Cultural and Heritage Tour.

  

• Foodie focus: Short on time? Book the Food Tour in Old Dhaka: Taste Local Delicacies for a curated street-eats crawl—perfect as a Day 5 evening.

  

Wherever you go, start mornings with paratha and omelet from your hotel or a café, break for cha and jhalmuri during walks, and leave space for dessert—mishti doi is a must. For moving around, combine metro, rideshares, and the occasional rickshaw for short hops.

In a week you’ve traced Bengal’s timeline—from Mughal lanes and Nawabi palaces to modern mosques and Parliament’s monumental geometry—then exhaled under Gazipur’s trees. Dhaka Division rewards curiosity, appetite, and an open schedule; let the river, the craft, and the tea shops set your pace.