How to Spend 2 Days in Dhaka

Two days in Dhaka gives you enough time to tour the city’s highlights, get out on its rivers, and venture a bit farther afield to explore Bangladesh’s cultural and religious history from ancient times to the Raj. Here’s how to make the most of two days in the Bangladeshi capital.

Day 1: Get to Know Dhaka

**Morning:**Get your bearings with a walking tour of Old Dhaka. Touring with a local guide is an ideal way to get a close-up look at life in Bangladesh’s capital and check off historic and cultural attractions such as Lalbagh Fort and Dhakeshwari Temple, plus you won’t have to worry about getting lost in the busy city. 

**Afternoon:**Enjoy some city sightseeing from a different perspective this afternoon onboard a Buriganga River cruise. This river runs through central Dhaka, so it offers a front-row seat to daily life and commerce in the capital. Choose a more upmarket cruise boat on a guided tour, or ride a water taxi independently with the locals.

**Evening:**Dip into Bengali culture this evening with a show at the top-notch National Theatre. Performances often include a mixture of drama and music that’s accessible to non-Bengali speakers, with elegant traditional costumes and elaborate sets.

Day 2: Day Trip to Sonargaon

**Morning:**Start your day early and travel to Sonargaon, southeast of Dhaka, on a full-day tour. A city of great historic importance, Sonargaon was the capital of a Hindu dynasty and later a British city during the Raj. Visit a 12th-century mosque, then perhaps stop at a former palace that’s now a folk-art museum. 

**Afternoon:**After lunch, continue your tour of the Sonargaon ruins, learning about the various periods of Bangladesh’s history as you go. Many tours from Dhaka also include a boat ride on the Meghna River, and some stop at fishing villages along the way for a glimpse of daily life in the Bangladeshi countryside. 

**Night:**After a full day in Sonargaon, arrive back in Dhaka in the evening. If you’re not feeling too tired, wrap up your visit with some local food, either at a sit-down restaurant or on the go from street-food stalls.