Welcome to Bangladesh’s coast-hugging duo: Cox’s Bāzār and Chittagong (locally Chattogram). Cox’s Bāzār famously unfurls one of the world’s longest natural sea beaches, named after 18th‑century British officer Hiram Cox. Chittagong, a centuries-old port on the Bay of Bengal, has traded stories, spices, and ships since Arab merchants first charted the waters.

Beyond the sand, you’ll find hills, waterfalls, and coral-studded shores for photography and gentle hiking. In Chittagong, the CRB Hill and Foy’s Lake bring green relief to the bustling city; Patenga Beach offers a late-day glow and river-meets-sea views along the Karnaphuli. Don’t miss mezbani cuisine—slow-cooked, spice-layered communal dishes that locals cherish.

Practical notes: November–March is drier and breezier; monsoon months (June–September) bring heavy rain and lively seas. Dress modestly, watch beach currents, and carry some cash alongside mobile payments (bKash is common). As of 2025, flights usually route via Dhaka or Chittagong; the Cox’s Bāzār rail has made travel between the two cities smoother.

Cox’s Bāzār

Romance here is simple: a soft dawn, a long walk where the water hems the sky, and tea from a beach stall as fishing boats return. The coastline arcs past Laboni, Sugandha, and Kolatoli Beach, with Himchari’s cliffs and seasonal waterfall adding drama just south of town. Inani Beach tempts photographers with golden light and wave-polished stones.

• Top sights: Laboni & Sugandha Beach (sunrise/sunset), Himchari National Park (viewpoints and a short hill trail), Inani Beach (coral stones and tidal pools), Burmese Market (lacquerware, handwoven shawls, dry fish spices).
• Local eats and coffee: Poushee (Bengali set meals and fresh fish), Mermaid Café (beachy, candlelit, and great for couples), Jhawban Restaurant (classic coastal fare), street-side “cha” stalls for milk tea and jilapi.
• Photography: Himchari viewpoint at golden hour, fishing boats at dawn near Laboni Point, blue hour silhouettes at Kolatoli.

Stay: Browse sea-view stays and mid-range hotels along Kolatoli Road and Laboni Beach on Hotels.com or apartments and villas on VRBO. Mid-range favorites include properties like Long Beach Hotel, Seagull Hotel, and Hotel The Cox Today (check current deals).

Getting there: Fly into Bangladesh via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. If landing at Chittagong (CGP), the road to Cox’s Bāzār is about 4–5 hours by car; trains now connect via the new line (about 2.5–3.5 hours—check schedules at Trip.com Trains).

Chittagong (Chattogram)

Bangladesh’s second city is equal parts port bustle and hilltop breeze. The historic neighborhoods cradle ornate mosques and old markets; CRB Hill whispers of the British-era rail offices and banyan-shaded walking paths. When the sun dips, locals head to Patenga Beach to watch ships trace the horizon and to snack on fried fish and chaat.

• Top sights: Ethnological Museum (cultures of Bangladesh), Foy’s Lake & the surrounding hills, Chandanpura Mosque (distinctive multi-domed architecture), Patenga Beach and Butterfly Park.
• Dining & night bites: Ambrosia (GEC Circle; broad Bangladeshi/Indian menu), Barcode Café (coffee, light bites, live music nights), The Exchange at Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View (mocktails and a city panorama), mezbani beef at traditional halls (ask your guide for current best spots).
• Shopping: Reazuddin Bazar (textiles), Sanmar Ocean City and Afmi Plaza malls, ship-scrap markets for quirky industrial décor.

Stay: For a comfortable night in the city, compare deals on Hotels.com and apartment-style options on VRBO. Central, mid-range choices place you near GEC Circle and Tigerpass for easy dining and transport.

Day 1: Arrival in Cox’s Bāzār — Sunset, Seafood, and a Moonlit Walk

Afternoon: Arrive in Cox’s Bāzār (or transfer from CGP). Check in and freshen up. Ease into the coast at Sugandha or Laboni Beach—stroll the firm sand, photograph the fishing boats, and sip milk tea from a beach stall.

Evening: Head to Mermaid Café for a candlelit dinner—think prawn curry with coconut, grilled reef fish, or vegetarian platters amid lanterns and palms. If you prefer homestyle flavors, Poushee serves set thalis with hilsa, prawn bhuna, steamed rice, and seasonal greens.

Night: Wander Kolatoli Beach at blue hour for long-exposure shots. Cap the night with faluda or mishti doi from a local sweet shop. Turn in early for tomorrow’s sunrise.

Day 2: Sunrise in Cox’s Bāzār, Train to Chittagong, and a City Highlights Tour

Morning: Greet the day at Sugandha Beach—soft light, gentle surf, and fewer crowds. Quick breakfast (paratha, egg curry, and tea) before catching the morning train or car to Chittagong. Trains on the new route take roughly 2.5–3.5 hours; private car is 4–5 hours (expect BDT 6,000–9,000 for a day charter). Check schedules and prices at Trip.com Trains or arrange a driver via your hotel.

Afternoon: Join a guided city experience to cover more in less time. We recommend the Day-Long Chittagong City Tour for a curated mix of history and nature—ethnology exhibits, colonial-era quarters, and waterfront stops.

Evening: Finish near Patenga Beach to catch a cinematic sunset with ships anchored offshore. Dinner at Ambrosia (GEC Circle) for a relaxed, mid-range meal—order mezbani-style beef, chicken rezala, naan, and a cooling borhani. If you need point-to-point rides all day, consider booking Private Transport within Chittagong City to keep the pace smooth.

Day 3: Hills, Markets, Nautical Finds, and Departure

Morning: Wake to a leafy walk on CRB Hill—giant banyans, old rail offices, and birdsong. Coffee and a light breakfast at a central café near GEC Circle (Barcode Café does omelets, sandwiches, and solid espresso). If you prefer a short hike, Foy’s Lake’s surrounding trails are a calm green escape.

Afternoon: Shop Reazuddin Bazar for fabrics and home goods, then pivot to something unique: browse maritime salvage and ship-scrap décor via Nautical Antiques—a trove of vintage lights and industrial pieces that nod to the region’s shipyards.

For lunch, try a mezbani beef set with rice and dal—rich, celebratory, and very Chittagong. If you’re flying out of CGP this afternoon, arrange a smooth ride with Private Airport Pick up and Drop off Service in Chittagong City. For onward flights, compare options on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

Optional Add-Ons (time and tides permitting)

• Himchari National Park (Cox’s Bāzār): A short, scenic hill walk to viewpoints; go early for soft light and fewer crowds.
• Inani Beach: Coral stones and tidal pools; bring sandals for rock-hopping and watch tide times for safe access.
• Burmese Market (Cox’s Bāzār): Pick up bamboo crafts, shawls, and chili-lime spice mixes.
• Karnaphuli Riverfront (Chittagong): Sunset photography near Shah Amanat Bridge and the riverside ghats.

Transport cheatsheet: Cox’s Bāzār ⇄ Chittagong by train ~2.5–3.5 hours (BDT ~350–700), by bus ~4–5 hours (BDT ~500–1,000), by private car ~4–5 hours (BDT ~6,000–9,000). Use Trip.com Trains and Trip.com Flights to compare schedules and fares.

With sunrise strolls, gentle hill walks, market meanders, and sea-breeze sunsets, this 3-day plan hits Cox’s Bāzār’s coastal romance and Chittagong’s cultural backbone. You’ll leave with memory cards full of golden light and a new appreciation for Bangladesh’s coast-hugging rhythm.