Districts · Dhaka
Dhaka by district
Old Dhaka and Lalbagh lie in the south by the river; Shahbag and Ramna are the central academic and park district; Gulshan and Banani are the northern hotel and dining districts, 10–15 km from the old city.Old Dhaka and Lalbagh lie in the south by the river; Shahbag and Ramna are the central academic and park district; Gulshan and Banani are the northern hotel and dining districts, 6.2–9.3 mi from the old city.
About these names
Distance in kilometres is a poor guide: traffic makes any cross-city ride 45 to 120 minutes. Pick one district per outing.
- Old DhakaseeeatSuits: A morning with a guideMughal- and Nawab-era sights, the river and street food; not a place to sleep or drag luggage.4 sights · 3 eatsDistrict guide →
- LalbaghseeSuits: A weekday morningThe fort, the tomb of Pari Bibi and the mosque, set among lawns.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Shahbag and RamnaseeSuits: A museum and park morningThe National Museum, the university, Ramna Park and the Shaheed Minar.2 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- Gulshan and BananisleepeatSuits: First-timers wanting hotels and cafésWider streets, embassies, restaurants and 24-hour hotel desks; a long ride to every sight.2 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- DhanmondisleepeatSuits: A quieter, more local baseLakeside and residential, with cafés and guesthouses; closer to Shahbag than Gulshan is.2 sights · 1 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC) (30–75 min by the usual route).
Where’s what, as a list:
- Old Dhaka: Mughal- and Nawab-era sights, the river and street food; not a place to sleep or drag luggage. Suits: A morning with a guide.
- Lalbagh: The fort, the tomb of Pari Bibi and the mosque, set among lawns. Suits: A weekday morning.
- Shahbag and Ramna: The National Museum, the university, Ramna Park and the Shaheed Minar. Suits: A museum and park morning.
- Gulshan and Banani: Wider streets, embassies, restaurants and 24-hour hotel desks; a long ride to every sight. Suits: First-timers wanting hotels and cafés. Price band $$$.
- Dhanmondi: Lakeside and residential, with cafés and guesthouses; closer to Shahbag than Gulshan is. Suits: A quieter, more local base. Price band $.
- Sleep area Dhanmondi: suits A quieter, more local base, price band $.
- Sleep area Gulshan: suits First-timers wanting hotels and cafés, price band $$$.
- Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (DAC), 30–75 min by the usual route.