Full-Day Dhaka City Tour: Lalbagh Fort, Ahsan Manzil & Old City

Walk through Mughal palaces and 17th-century forts, then navigate the narrow streets of old Dhaka's river port.

A full-day guided tour of Dhaka covers the city's Mughal heritage, colonial landmarks and bustling riverside markets across eight hours with a live English or Bengali-speaking guide. Transport by car or minivan, snacks and WiFi are included. Entry fees to Lalbagh Fort and Ahsan Manzil are separate. Pickup is included. Airport pickup or drop-off is optional at checkout.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Lalbagh Fort1h
2. Dhakeshwari Temple30m
3. Star Mosque30m
4. Armenian Church30m
5. Ahsan Manzil1h
6. Sadarghat Port30m

Explore Dhaka's historic and cultural sites

• Visit Curzon Hall
• Tour University of Dhaka
• See Faculty of Fine Arts
• Visit Shaheed Minar monument
• Explore Lalbagh Fort
• Visit Dhakeshwari Temple
• See Star Mosque
• Visit Armenian Church
• Tour Ahsan Manzil palace
• Explore Sadarghat Port area
• Visit National Parliament House
• Relax at Hatirjheel lakefront

The experience

Dhaka sits on the Buriganga River at the heart of Bangladesh's government, trade and culture. This tour threads through the layers: the 17th-century Mughal fort at Lalbagh, the Indo-Saracenic palace of Ahsan Manzil (the former seat of the Nawab of Dhaka), and the ornate Star Mosque with its blue-star motifs built in the early 19th century. You'll also visit the Armenian Church in the old city's Armanitola area and the Dhakeshwari Temple, Bangladesh's national temple dedicated to the Goddess of Dhaka.

The tour moves through the University of Dhaka campus, where the Curzon Hall, a British Raj-era building from 1904, houses the Faculty of Sciences, and the Shaheed Minar national monument marks the 1952 Bengali Language Movement. From there, the route descends into Sadarghat, the lively river port crammed with cycle rickshaws, narrow streets, the Banglabazar Book Market and vendors selling spices, textiles and conch shell crafts. You'll end at Hatirjheel, a lakefront recreation area that transformed from a slum into a modern gathering space.

A live guide in English or Bengali leads the full eight hours, and transport adapts to group size: a car for smaller groups, a minivan for larger ones, or metro and electric auto options depending on numbers. Snacks and WiFi are provided throughout the day.

What’s included

• Live guide in English or Bengali.
• transport by car, minivan, metro or electric auto depending on group size.
• snacks.
• WiFi throughout the day.
• hotel or central pickup included.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Bangla

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 18 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 54

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Travel Mate

Is this one for you?Choose the morning or afternoon departure based on when you want to explore the old city's markets and riverside: the fixed eight-hour schedule fits the full route from Mughal monuments through Sadarghat's narrow streets and book bazaar into a single day. If you need airport pickup or drop-off, add it at checkout.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Bangla.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Lalbagh Fort and why is it important to Dhaka's history?

Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete 17th-century Mughal fort complex built starting in 1678 by Muhammad Azam Shah, son of Emperor Aurangzeb, and stands on the banks of the Buriganga River in southwestern Dhaka. It is a key monument to the city's Mughal past. Note that the fort is closed on Sundays and entry fees are not included in the tour price.

Can I visit Ahsan Manzil on this tour?

Ahsan Manzil, the former palace and seat of the Nawab of Dhaka, is included as a stop on the tour. The Indo-Saracenic Revival building was constructed between 1859 and 1872 and sits along the Buriganga River at Kumartoli. Entry fees are separate and the palace is closed on Thursdays.

What is the Star Mosque and where is it located?

The Star Mosque is located in the Armanitola area of old Dhaka and was built in the first half of the 19th century by Mirza Golam Pir. It is known for its ornate designs decorated with blue-star motifs and is one of the tour's key religious landmarks.

How does the tour handle transport for different group sizes?

Transport adapts to the number of people: a car for small groups, a minivan for larger ones, or metro and electric auto options depending on group composition. The guide and transport are included in the tour price.

What is Sadarghat and what will I see there?

Sadarghat is a bustling river port area in old Dhaka filled with narrow streets, cycle rickshaws, and the Buriganga waterfront. The area includes the Banglabazar Book Market selling textbooks and stationery, Shankhari Bazar Road with Hindu temples and shops selling spices and textiles, and casual eateries serving traditional Bangladeshi food.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility concerns?

The tour is wheelchair accessible and suitable for all physical fitness levels. Public transportation options are available nearby, and specialized infant seats are available if needed. The tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers.