30 Places to Visit in Bangladesh, Tourist Places & Attractions

Rajshahi

1618234102 mithu saif jhqj5ujpxu4 unsplash

Rajshahi is a vibrant city located on the Padma River's plains bounded on the north, west, and east by Paba Upazila. It is situated near the Bangladesh-India border and is surrounded by the towns of Kathakali and Nowhata.

Rajshahi captivates travelers through its world-class architecture, cultural institutions, and narrow cobblestone streets. It overflows with storybook charm due to its colorful buildings, lush green spaces, picturesque gardens, and turreted castles.

If you're hunting for the best places to see in Rajshahi, you can visit the Varendra Research Museum, a storehouse of artifacts and architectural exhibits. You can also visit Hardinge Bridge constructed on the Padma river and take a fascinating tour of Paharpur Buddhist Bihar. If you're a spiritual enthusiast, you can also visit Puthia Temple Complex, which is a large Annik temple.

No trip is complete without trying out some of the best activities that guarantee unlimited thrill and excitement to the visitors. You can seek enlightenment at Choto Sona Mosque and peek into the city's rich history at Mahasthangarh Museum.

Rajshahi is the coldest region in Bangladesh, with an average high temperature of 30 degrees centigrade. The best time for traveling to this city is from October to March as the weather remains pleasant.

Sylhet

Sylhet is a beautiful city in Bangladesh located on the bank of the River Surma in northeastern Bengal. It is the district-headquarters and the divisional headquarters of Sunamganj, Moulvibazar, Habiganj, and Sylhet District.

The postcard-perfect city has all the makings of an idyllic fairy tale world: a scenic harbor, sweeping views of the surrounding mountain group, and colorful rows of wooden houses. With its peaceful, tree-lined parks and cobblestone streets, it's not hard to see Sylhet as one of the most beautiful fairytale settings come to life.

Sylhet is home to some of the most iconic sites you should definitely include in your bucket list. You can visit Manipuri Rajbari, a significant piece of Sylhet's architecture, and take a tour of Hakaluki Haor, a marsh wetland ecosystem with a wide range of biodiversity. If you're looking for endless fun and excitement, you can visit Dreamland Park that offers some of the best rides.

Some of the best activities that you must try in Sylhet are enjoying a boat ride, shopping at the local stores, and sampling the lip-smacking cuisines. You can enjoy camping on the riverbank, explore Crusader Shah Syed Nasir Uddin's shrine, and take a trip to the Ratargul Swamp Forest.

The weather in Sylhet is generally temperate and warm, with a good amount of rainfall. The average annual temperature ranges around 23.6 °C, and annual rainfall is 198.7 inches.

Dhaka

1618293573 simon reza w6uplnegqz0 unsplash

Dhaka is the largest city in South East Asia, situated on the northern side of the Buriganga River. It is situated in central Bangladesh on the lower reaches of the Delta Ganges. Dhaka is Bangladesh's megacity with swathes of green spaces, beautiful museums, and storied red-brick facades. Here, glossy high-rises are beautifully juxtaposed against thousands-year-old mosques, giving the city a charismatic appeal you won't find anywhere else.

There are many popular attractions in Dhaka that will leave you spoilt for choices during your tour. You can visit the Ahsan Manzil museum to have a glimpse of the Mughal lifestyle and head to Lalbagh Kella that is renowned for its architectural beauty. Dhakeshwari Mandir, The Khan Muhammad Mirza Mosque, and Baitul Mukarram are the most famous spiritual attractions of the city.

Some of the best things to do in Dhaka for an ultimate experience are enjoying a boat ride to Buriganga, strolling around Gulshan Lake Park, and enjoying fun rides at Nandan Park. You can also learn about the rich history and culture of Dhaka by visiting the Bangladesh National Museum.

Dhaka experiences a tropical wet, and humid climate with a distinct monsoonal season. The temperature mostly varies from 93°F to 57°F and is rarely above 98°F or below 52°F.

Khulna

Khulna is the third-largest city in Bangladesh, located in the central part of the country. It lies on the bank of the Rupsha river and is served by Port of Mongla which is the second-largest seaport in the country.

Khulna remains a popular draw for the tourists due to its lush foliage, traditional shophouses, and best skylines. It is one of the most vibrant cities in Bangladesh that has glammed up with contemporary art galleries, religious centers, and boutiques. From fantastically craggy mountain ranges to beaches, you'll be greeted by spectacular vistas over here.

There are many impressive sites in Khulna that deserve the topmost spot in your itinerary. You can visit Shait Gumbad Mosque, Ron Jaipur Mosque, and Tomb of Khan Jahan Ali to satiate your spiritual soul. To learn about this city's rich history, you can take a tour of the Bagerhat Museum.

If you're looking for some of the best things to do in Khulna, you can admire the architectural beauty of the Nine-Domed Mosque and watch how the legal proceedings are carried out at High Court Building. You can also learn about the life of Rabindranath Tagore at Kuthibari.

Khulna experiences temperate and humid weather with a good amount of rainfall. June is the wettest month, with 368mm rainfall on average.

Chattogram

1618293692 ahsanul hoq imkawwiojbm unsplash

Chattogram is a financial center and a major coastal city in Southeastern Bangladesh. It is situated on the banks of the River Karnaphuli between the Bay of Bengal and the Chittagong Hill Tracts.

Chattogram is a wonderland for visitors looking for a digital detox from the fast-paced city life. On one side, you can see breathtaking mountain ranges overlooking the sea, and on the other is the vast ocean's tranquil water. Due to its geographical position, sea, lush greenery, and mountain, there is no other city in Bangladesh that offers similar geodiversity.

If you're looking for the best places to visit during your Chattogram, you must head to Patenga Beach, where you can soak the sun and enjoy picturesque views. You should also visit Chandranath Hill & Temple, a popular pilgrimage site, and explore Rangamati, a hilly district.

Some of the best things that you can try during your Chattogram tour are enjoying a scenic walk in Sajek Valley and boating at Kaptai Lake. You can also hike up to Nilgiri Mountain and enjoy shopping at Cox's Bazar.

Chattogram experiences dry and humid weather, and July is the hottest month of the year. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 15.8°C.

Other Attractions

Cox's Bazar

If you're looking for the most popular tourist places in Bangladesh, you should definitely visit Cox's Bazar, located alongside the Bay of Bengal beach. It has the world's largest unbroken sea beach that stretches more than one hundred and twenty kilometers.

You can also find here miles of golden sands, surfing waves, towering cliffs, rare conch shells, waterfalls, pagodas, and parks. Aggmeda Khyang, which is a huge Buddhist monastery, is the major attraction of Cox's Bazar, containing ancient manuscripts and large bronze Buddha pictures.

Location: Bay of Bengal, Cox's Bazar Bangladesh

Highlights: Restaurants, hotels, monasteries, waterfalls, pagodas.

The Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the world's largest mangrove forest, spread between Bangladesh and India. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a gateway to wildlife's unique genesis spread across 10,000 sq km. Hundreds of canals and creeks are spread across Sunderbans, where you can enjoy a morning boat ride.

It also has a beautiful beach where you can soak the sun and enjoy many water sports activities. You can spend the night on a houseboat that is parked on the rivers in different forest areas. It also has several wildlife sanctuaries where you can watch deers, monkeys, tigers, and other animals.

Location: Khulna, Khulna City 9100 Bangladesh

Highlights: Wildlife sanctuaries, Irrawaddy dolphins, Jamtola Beach, watchtower

Srimangal

Srimangal is known to be Bangladesh's tea capital as it contributes to 3% of the total tea production in the entire world. It is one of the most beautiful place in Bangladesh, blessed with rolling hills carpeted with dense forest sanctuaries, tribal villages, and endless tea plantations.

It is a prime eco-tourism destination that boasts of untouched flora and fauna and the highest waterfalls. Cycling around in its beautiful tea estates or exploring the nearby villages and forests is considered to be an amazing experience in itself.

Location: Sylhet Division, North Eastern, Bangladesh

Highlights: Tea estates, tribal villages, hiking trails, forests

Lalbagh Fort

This is an incomplete seventeenth-century Mughal fort complex that is considered to be one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh. The fort stands before the Buriganga River, and a Mughal prince started its construction, but when he died, the construction was not completed by the next ruler because of a family tragedy.

Pari Bibi's tomb is the most impressive and has the best floral architectural works of the Lalbagh Fort. There are beautiful gardens and green fields inside the fort that are dotted with colorful flowers and green spaces.

Location: Lalbagh Rd, Dhaka City 1211 Bangladesh

Highlights: Pari Bibi's tomb, gardens, green fields, mosque

Rangamati

Located at the side of Kaptai Lake, Rangamati is the natural habitat of various indigenous groups and tribes that have a unique way of living. It is one of the best tourist places in Bangladesh, dotted with winding hills and lush green fields making it look like a wonderland on Earth.

Hanging Bridge, Rangamati Water Front, and Rajban Bihar Pagoda are the most popular attractions in Rangamati. You can meet with the tribal villagers, including Chakma, Marma, Tripura, Murong, Tanchangya, Bome, Khumi, Chak, Pankhoa, Kheyang, and Lusai over here.

Location: Lalbagh Rd, Dhaka City 1211 Bangladesh

Highlights: Tribal villages, hanging bridge, Rangamati Water Front

Bandarban

Bandarban is one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh, renowned for its exquisite greenery and exotic waterfalls. It gives a feeling of serenity to the visitors with its beautiful lake and breathtaking landscapes.

The largest Buddhist Temple, Buddha Dhatu Jadi, is also situated in the Bandarban district of Bangladesh. Boga lake is the highest natural lake in Bandarban that attracts nature lovers in a magnetic way.

Highlights: Buddha Dhatu Jadi, Boga lake

Saint Martin

Saint Martin is situated in the southeast part of Bangladesh and is the only coral island of the country. This tiny island is called "Narikel Jinjira" by the local people as abundant coconut grows here. It is one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh that harbors some of the most picturesque beaches in Bangladesh, where you can enjoy beach sports, a bonfire, and beach parties.

You can also go scuba diving or hire a speed boat and take a tour around the island. There are many restaurants and beach shacks here where you can enjoy local fresh seafood.

Location: Saint Martin Island, Tecnaf, Coxbazar, 97150 Bangladesh

Highlights: Beach sports, a bonfire, and beach parties

Paharpur

Paharpur is a popular archaeological site in Bangladesh where you can find the Ruins of the Buddhist Vihara. It gives evidence of the rise of Mahayana Buddhism from the seventh century onwards.

This ancient site is over twelve hundred years old, and the structures are completely destroyed here. It has played an important role in the rise of Vajrayana, which is a new branch of Buddhism and still the dominant form practiced in Tibet.

Location: Mymensingh Zl, Dhaka Div, Bangladesh

Highlights: Somapura Mahavihara monastery, Vajrayana Buddhism

Kuakata

Kuakata is a beautiful sea beach located in the southernmost part of Bangladesh where you can enjoy both sunset and sunrise. It is one of the best places in Bangladesh, with a wide sandy beach where you can enjoy the sand, surf, and the sun.

The beach is nineteen miles long and four miles wide and is part of the Sundarban forest. Gangamati Reserved Forest is a mangrove forest in the Kuakata with different kinds of wildlife and trees. During the festivals like Maghi Purnima and Rush Purnima, many Hindu devotees take a holy bath on this beach.

Location: Patuakhali, Bangladesh

Highlights: Gangamati Reserved Forest, diving, sunset, sunrise

Amiakhum Waterfall

Sitting deep within the hills, the Amiakhum Waterfall is a go to spot for locals, nature lovers as well as peace seekers. Among the beautiful patterns of nature, this scenic gushing stream falls from a small height and makes a perfect location to cool off in a pool.

While tourists enjoy swimming and other water based activities here, people are also attracted towards the scenic backdrop it provides for their pictures.

Highlights: Shallow pools, hidden in forest, safe location, picnic area, perfect for photographers

Bagerhat

If you're looking for the best tourist places in Bangladesh, you should definitely visit Bagerhat, a historical town where you can unveil the mysteries of the past. Established in the fifteenth century by Sufi saint and ruler Khan Jahan Ali, Bagerhat remained hidden for hundreds of years by vegetation before being uncovered in the nineteenth century.

It is one of the best places to visit in Bangladesh that houses around fifty medieval mosques, mausoleums, and an open-air museum of Asian Muslim architectural heritage. One of the most popular attractions here is Chandra Mahal Eco Park that has been built on about thirty acres of land and is renowned for its architectural beauty.

Location: Khulna Division, Bangladesh

Highlights: Chandra Mahal Eco Park, Shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan

Sonargaon

Sonargaon is the major inland port and commercial center of Bangladesh, where you can witness mind-blowing historical sites that tell the story of human history. The main attraction here is Panam Nagar, an abandoned merchant city consisting of fifty-two houses built on a single street.

You can also visit the Folk Arts and Crafts Museum, where the fabrics in Sonargaon have been displayed beautifully. If you're looking for eternal bliss, you can visit the fifteenth-century Goladi mosque that is the only structure from the medieval period remaining in this area.

Location: 29 km from Dhaka, Dhaka City Bangladesh

Highlights: Goaldi mosque, Folk Arts and Crafts Museum

Comilla

Renowned for its colonial architecture, scenic attractions, and Rasmalai sweets, Comilla is one of the best tourist places in Bangladesh. According to famous historians, the Buddhist dynasty ruled here till the seventh century to the middle of the eighth century.

The district is renowned for Khadi or Khaddar fabric and pottery. The seventh-century Shalban Buddhist Bihar is the most popular attraction in this district, with one hundred and fifteen cells for monks. You can also visit Maynamati War Cemetery, built in memory of forty-five thousand Commonwealth soldiers who died in Burma's war.

Highlights: Maynamati War Cemetery, Shalban Buddhist Bihar

Bogra

Bogra is a northern district of Bangladesh where many mid-sized and small industries are sited. It is one of the best tourist places in Bangladesh, renowned for its ancient Buddhist stupas, ancient palaces of Muslim sultans, and Buddhist kings, and Hindu temples.

It contains the remnants of a city which was called Paundravardhanapura or Pundranagara in the ancient period. Panch Peer Mazar, Gokul Medh, Jogir Babhan, and Kherua Mosque are the popular attractions in Bogra.

Highlights: Muhammad Ali Palace Museum, Hindu temples

Gaur

This is a ruined city located on the India-Bangladesh border that you must visit if you're fascinated by archaeological artifacts. It was once the Bengal region's capital and is known to be the best place to find the historical treasure of Bengal.

During the twelfth to the fourteenth century, it was a wealthy city, but it lost all its charm later due to cholera. If you visit this city, you'll find some beautiful mosques hidden behind the mango orchards. Baroduari Mosque is the prime attraction here that is a massive rectangular structure made of brick and wood.

Highlights: Dakhil Darwaza, Feroze Minar, Baroduari Mosque

Barisal

Barisal is known to be the floating city of Bangladesh situated in the heart of the Ganges Delta. It is one of the best tourist places in Bangladesh, renowned for its floating markets that give Venice's feel. The area is dotted with breathtaking rivers, canal bills, picturesque forests, and natural diversity.

In monsoon, the canals are rivers that become full of water, and you can buy your favorite fruits from floating guava markets. The most accessible and beautiful parts of the backwaters are Kuriana Upazilla and Atghar.

Highlights: Floating markets, schools, villages

Puthia

End your search for the best places in Bangladesh by heading to Puthia, which is a culturally rich sub-district of the Rajshahi District. It is renowned for its innumerable number of historically important Hindu religious sites. It houses the Shiva Temple, which is the largest and the most beautiful Hindu temple in Bangladesh.

It has many other beautifully ornamented temples with gold and terracotta plaster, which describes epic Hindu stories. You can also visit the Puthia palace that exhibits Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture and was the residence place for the Puthia Raj families.

Highlights: Puthia palace, Shiva Temple

Bangladesh National Parliament

Situated at Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Bangladesh National Parliament is the place where the important laws regarding politics, administration, and economics are created and approved. It is an architectural masterpiece designed and conceptualized by American architect Loius I. Khan.

The interiors of this building resemble a modern cathedral with pure geometric elements and windows that allow natural light to enter in the form of rectangles and circles. The complex has been divided into three parts- The Presidential Plaza, The South Plaza, and The Main Plaza. You cannot enter the main building as it is reserved only for the officials and authorized members of Parliament.

Location: Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka City Bangladesh

Highlights: Prime Minister's residence, MP hostel, lake

Ahsan Manzil Museum

Known to be the seat of the Nawab of Dhaka, Ahsan Manzil Museum is one of the best places in Bangladesh where you can have a glimpse of Dhaka's rich history. It is located on the Buriganga river bank and was the residence place of the most influential family in Dhaka.

The palace declined with the end of British rule, and the government opened it as a museum for the people. Inside the museum, the visitors can learn about the Bengali Nawab's culture and lifestyle. There is a huge ballroom inside the museum that houses many beautiful paintings and artifacts.

Location: Old City Old Dhaka, Dhaka City, Bangladesh

Highlights: Paintings, artifacts

Liberation War Museum

If you wish to know about the liberation war and the struggle for people's human rights, you must visit the Liberation War Museum. It has four galleries that display the struggle of the people of Bangladesh to establish their identity as a nation and their struggle for political and economic emancipation.

The museum is housed in a three-storied building with various displays in six galleries. The galleries exhibit the personal belongings of the freedom fighters and martyred intellectuals.

Location: Sher-e Bangla Nagar, Civic Centre, Agargaon, Dhaka

Highlights: Rare photographs, newspaper clippings, documents

Ramna Park

If you're looking for an iconic green space where you can get back to nature, you must visit Ramna Park. It is the most beautiful place in Bangladesh, spread over sixty-eight acres, and you can relax here under the canopies of numerous blooming trees.

The park has well-maintained paths suitable for walkers, prams, and joggers, and you can sit on the benches and admire the breathtaking beauty of nature. You'll also find here many food vendors selling some of the most lip-smacking delicacies.

Location: Moulana Bhasani Rd, Dhaka City 1217 Bangladesh

Highlights: Well-maintained paths, lake

Baitul Mukarram National Mosque

This is the National Mosque of Bangladesh situated at the center of Dhaka, known to preserve the traditional principles of Mughal architecture through its iconic design. It is the largest mosque in the country, and it can accommodate around sixty thousand people at one time.

The building is ninety-nine feet tall and is made up of eight stories, with the main prayer hall measuring 26,517 square feet. It has Mughal-style gardens with rows of fountains and beautiful flowers.

Location: Dhaka, Dhaka Division, Bangladesh

Highlights: Mughal-style gardens, prayer hall, patios

Banglar Taj Mahal

Banglar Taj Mahal is a replica of the Indian Taj Mahal, and it took more than five years to build this impressive monument. The construction of this beautiful monument began in 2003, and it is renowned for its intricate design and breathtaking architecture.

It has a lush green garden with fountains and blooming flowers, and you can enjoy a rejuvenating walk over here.

Location: Mahajampur Rd, Narayanganj Bangladesh

Highlights: Wide grounds, garden

Armenian Church

If you're looking for Bangladesh famous places where you can feel closer to God, Armenian Church should be your ideal destination. The beautiful church bears testimony to the existence of a former Armenian community in the region.

The site where the church stands presently was an Armenian graveyard. The tombstone area serves as a chronicle for Armenians' history in the area, and a clock tower has been built on the church's western side. The most interesting thing about this church is that the clock's sound can be heard from six kilometers.

Highlights: Clock tower, tombstone

National Botanical Garden Dhaka

National Botanical Garden Dhaka is Bangladesh famous places spread across two hundred and five acres of land. It has been built to preserve animals and plant species and is the favorite destination of nature lovers and botanists.

It is the largest plant conservation center, having fifty thousand plants and twelve hundred species of trees. Hundreds of roses, an orchid house, six lakes, a cactus house, a lotus pond, and a tissue culture research center can also be found here.

Location: Chiriakhana Road Mirpur-1, Dhaka City Bangladesh

Highlights: A cactus house, a lotus pond, and a tissue culture research center

Which are the famous historical places to visit in Bangladesh?

1. Kotila Mura: It is one of the best tourist places in Bangladesh that consists of three stupas that represent the three Jewels in Buddhism: Dharma (discipline), Buddha (order), and Sangha (unity). Archaeological excavations on this site have uncovered items like gold coins and sculptures.

2. Shalban Bihar: Shalban Bihar was a Buddhist monastery in the ancient era, with more than a hundred cells for monks. It was in use from the seventh to the twelfth centuries, and today the visitors can see the ruins and the lush green landscape that surrounds it.

3. Mahasthangarh: Mahasthangarh is the earliest urban archaeological site of Bangladesh that contains an ancient city's ruins, dating back to the third century BC. Researchers have found ceramics, coins, and a limestone slab with beautiful inscriptions here.

4. Lalbagh Fort: This fort dates back to the seventeenth century and is an excellent example of the Mughal Empire's brilliant architecture. The fort is incomplete, as the Governor's daughter passed away during its construction, and it became an example of a bad omen.
Which are the famous beaches to visit in Bangladesh?

1. Inani Beach: It is Bangladesh famous place where you can watch the beautiful sunset, take part in beach parties and enjoy a leisurely stroll along its shoreline. It is located twenty-seven kilometers away from Cox's Bazar and has rows of coconut trees and palm trees.

2. Saint Martin Beach: It is the only coral island in Bangladesh situated at Naf River's side with infinite blue sky, rows of coconut trees, and turquoise blue water. You can enjoy swimming, picnicking, camping and diving.

3. Patenga Beach: This is a beautiful sea beach situated in the mouth of the River Karnaphuli, fourteen kilometers south of Chittagong city. You can ride in horses and speedboats here and enjoy mouthwatering food at the beach shacks.

4. Kuakata Beach: This is an eighteen kilometers long sea beach where you can enjoy both the sunset and sunrise simultaneously. You will find a speedboat, trawler, engine boat, and large boats to travel the island.
Which are the best national parks to visit in Bangladesh?

1. Bhawal National Park: This is a nature reserve and a national park of Bangladesh dotted with green trees and blooming flowers. It is an attractive picnic spot and treasure of nature designed to provide the best recreational opportunities to people. You can spot here a wide array of animals, birds, reptiles, and flowers.

2. Cox' Bazar Kaptai National Park: Feel like entering into nature's haven as you visit Cox' Bazar Kaptai National Park, the most beautiful place in Bangladesh for nature lovers. It is spread across 5,464.78 hectares and houses both deciduous forest and evergreen forests. You can spot here Asian elephant, western hoolock gibbon, Phayre's leaf monkey, covered leaf monkey, dholes, wild hog, sambar, etc.

3. Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary: This is a wildlife sanctuary situated in southern Charfession Upazila of Bangladesh on the mouth of the Meghana river. Most of this sanctuary is submerged in water due to high tide and is completely covered with dense mangrove vegetation.
What is the best time to visit Bangladesh?

Mid-December and February (Winter) is the best time to visit Bangladesh as the temperature never goes beyond 29 degrees Celsius and is apt for enjoying outdoor activities. Many festivals like New Year and Christmas are also organized during this time of the year.
What is Bangladesh famous for?

1. Sundarbans Mangrove Forest: It is the largest mangrove forest and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

2. Srimangal: Srimangal is Bangladesh's tea capital with lush green tea gardens.

3. Rangamati: It is a vibrant district of the Chittagong Hill Tract area that is home to many tribal groups.

4. Paharpur: It is the most popular archeological site in Bangladesh where monks come for higher education.