Top Tourist Places in Bangladesh: The Best Places to Visit in All 8 Divisions

Bangladesh is a small country with a surprising range of places to see: the longest stretch of sea beach in the region, cloud-covered hills, tea gardens, flooded forests, the world’s largest mangrove forest and ruins that go back more than two thousand years. This guide picks the top tourist places in Bangladesh division by division, with a short note on each and a link to its full Discover guide, where you will find the best season, how to get there and what to eat.

Nearly every place on this list can be reached by bus, either directly or with a short local ride at the end. When you have chosen where to go, search buses for your route and date.

Dhaka division

Old Dhaka: Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil

The capital’s oldest quarter is a trip on its own. Lalbagh Fort, begun in 1678 and never finished, holds the tomb of Pari Bibi, a three-domed mosque and a hall of audience among its gardens. On the Buriganga, the pink palace of the Nawabs of Dhaka, Ahsan Manzil, is now a museum. Walk on to the river port at Sadarghat to see the launches that sail south. Start from the Dhaka guide.

Sonargaon and Panam City

South-east of Dhaka, Panam City is a single street of 19th- and early 20th-century merchant houses in Sonargaon, the old capital of eastern Bengal. Pair it with the Sonargaon Folk Art and Crafts Museum for an easy day trip.

The haors of Kishoreganj

In the monsoon, Nikli Haor turns into an inland sea, and the Itna–Mithamoin–Austagram Haor Road runs across the water. It is one of the most popular new trips from Dhaka.

Chattogram division

Cox’s Bazar and the Marine Drive

Cox’s Bazar Sea Beach is the country’s best-known holiday spot. South of town, the Marine Drive runs between the hills and the sea to Himchari and Inani Beach, where coral stones line the shore.

Saint Martin’s Island

Off the southern tip, Saint Martin’s Island is the country’s only coral island. Visits are allowed only in the permitted winter season, and the rules on dates and overnight stays change, so check them before you plan anything.

The hill districts

The Chittagong Hill Tracts are a different world. In Rangamati, boats cross the blue water of Kaptai Lake to Buddhist monasteries and hill villages. Sajek Valley, reached by jeep from Khagrachhari, is famous for mornings above a sea of cloud. Bandarban has the country’s highest hills, the viewpoint at Nilgiri, the golden Buddha Dhatu Jadi and, deeper in, Boga Lake. Access rules in the hills can change, so check locally before you set off.

Cumilla and Sitakunda

Shalban Vihara and Mainamati are the ruins of an early medieval Buddhist monastery near Cumilla, close enough to Dhaka for a day trip. North of Chattogram city, the climb to the hilltop temple at Chandranath Hill and the walk to Khoiyachora Waterfall are favourites with young travellers.

Nijhum Dwip

Off Hatiya in Noakhali, Nijhum Dwip is a quiet island of mangroves and spotted deer, best in the calm winter months.

Sylhet division

Ratargul, Jaflong and the rivers

Sylhet is the country’s green north-east. Ratargul Swamp Forest stands in water from June to October, when boats slip between the trees. At Jaflong the river runs out of the Meghalaya hills over stones, and Bisnakandi and Lalakhal are known for their clear water.

Sreemangal and the tea country

Rows of tea bushes roll over the hills around Sreemangal, and the rainforest trails of Lawachara National Park are close by. Try the seven-layer tea while you are there.

Tanguar Haor

In Sunamganj, Tanguar Haor is one of the country’s great wetlands: a flooded basin under the hills in the monsoon, and a winter home for migratory birds when the water drops.

Rajshahi division

Paharpur and Mahasthangarh

The north-west holds some of the oldest heritage in Bangladesh. The Paharpur Buddhist Vihara, built in the late 8th century, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mahasthangarh near Bogura is the site of ancient Pundranagara, among the oldest city sites in the country.

Puthia and Rajshahi city

The Puthia Temple Complex is a cluster of zamindar-era temples around village ponds, with fine terracotta. In the city, evenings on the Padma riverbank are a Rajshahi tradition, and the mango season from May to July is the region’s great event.

Natore

Natore Rajbari, the seat of Rani Bhabani’s great estate, is set among ponds and old trees; in the monsoon, nearby Chalan Beel spreads into a wide sheet of water.

Khulna division

The Sundarbans

The world’s largest mangrove forest and home of the Bengal tiger is the highlight of the south-west. A short boat trip from Mongla, or a few days on a licensed tour boat, takes you in: see Sundarbans from Mongla and Sundarbans from Munshiganj in Satkhira.

Bagerhat’s Mosque City

The 15th-century Sixty Dome Mosque, built by Khan Jahan Ali, is the heart of a second UNESCO World Heritage Site. Khan Jahan Ali’s Tomb is a short ride away.

Kushtia

Called the cultural capital of Bangladesh, Kushtia has Lalon Shah’s Shrine at Cheuria, where Bauls gather to sing, and Tagore’s Shilaidaha Kuthibari by the Padma.

Barishal division

Kuakata

Kuakata Sea Beach is one of the rare places where you can watch the sun both rise and set over the sea, with Rakhine villages and Buddhist temples nearby.

The floating guava markets

From July to August, boats piled with guavas gather on the canals of Bhimruli in Jhalokati. Barishal city, reached by overnight launch or by bus, is the base; the grand Guthia Mosque is an easy trip from town.

Rangpur division

Kantajew Temple and Dinajpur

The 18th-century Kantajew Temple has every wall covered in terracotta panels, the finest of its kind in Bangladesh. Nearby, the great tank of Ramsagar is good for an afternoon walk.

Tetulia and the far north

On clear mornings from mid-October to November, the snow peaks of Kanchenjunga can appear above Tetulia, Bangladesh’s northernmost corner. Banglabandha Zero Point marks the country’s northern tip.

Rangpur city

The white Tajhat Palace, a zamindar’s mansion, is the city’s best-known sight.

Mymensingh division

Birishiri and Bijoypur

In Netrokona, Birishiri and the Someshwari River sit at the edge of the Garo Hills, and the Bijoypur China Clay Hills hold small blue-green lakes.

Mymensingh town

On the Old Brahmaputra, visit Shashi Lodge, the Zainul Abedin Museum and the Muktagachha Zamindar Bari, and buy Muktagachha’s famous monda before you leave.

Planning your trip

• Pick the season first. Beaches, the Sundarbans and heritage sites are best from November to February; waterfalls, Ratargul and the haors are at their best in the monsoon. Our guide to the best time to visit Bangladesh covers the whole year.
• Book ahead for weekends and holidays, when popular routes fill up. Read our long-distance bus travel tips before a long ride.
• Check locally for anything that changes: island access, hill permits, boat services and opening days.

There are guides for all 64 districts on Discover. When you know where you are going, search buses and book your seat online.