Old Dhaka half-day tour: Ahsan Manzil, Star Mosque, Lalbag Fort

Four centuries of palaces, forts and mosques in one morning through Old Dhaka's streets

A private half-day tour of Old Dhaka with an English-speaking guide, air-conditioned car, and entry to five historical sites: Ahsan Manzil (the Pink Palace), Lalbag Fort, Star Mosque, Armenian Church and Dhakeshwari Temple. You choose at checkout whether to include all entry tickets or arrange them separately. Pickup from your hotel is included, and the guide tailors the pace to your interests.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Star Mosque30m
2. Ahsan Manzil30m · entry included
3. Sadarghat Port30m · entry included

Explore historical sites in Old Dhaka

• Visit Dhaka University campus
• Tour Lalbag Fort
• See Star Mosque
• Visit Armenian Church
• Explore Ahsan Manzil Pink Palace
• Cross Buriganga River by boat
• Visit Ship Breaking & Repairing Yard

The experience

Ahsan Manzil, the 19th-century Pink Palace built as the official residence of the Nawab of Dhaka, anchors this tour. Completed in 1872 and now a national museum, it sits on the banks of the Buriganga River in Indo-Saracenic Revival style: the kind of architecture that defined the city's grandeur. From there, the guide moves through Old Dhaka's layered history: Lalbag Fort, built in the late 17th century by Mughal prince Muhammad Azam as a military fortification and palace; the Star Mosque, originally constructed by a local nobleman and renovated in 1926 with the stars and motifs that gave it its name; and the Armenian Church, which testifies to a significant Armenian community that lived in the region in the 17th and 18th centuries.

You navigate by car and on foot, moving at your own pace while the guide shares the heritage and cultural significance behind each stop. The tour includes entry to Dhakeshwari Temple and Curzon Hall alongside the major sites. Bottled water and wifi are provided, and the air-conditioned car keeps you comfortable as you move between locations spread across the city. The guide speaks English and shapes the experience around what interests you most, whether that is the architectural detail, the political history, or the daily life that surrounded these monuments.

One stop stands apart: the Ship Breaking and Repairing Yard on the far side of the Buriganga River. A small boat crosses in about three minutes, and this industrial waterfront has become a photographer's destination in its own right. It is a stark contrast to the palaces and mosques, and it sits on the itinerary as a window into modern Dhaka's working life alongside the heritage sites.

What’s included

• Entry to Ahsan Manzil, Lalbag Fort, Star Mosque, Armenian Church, Dhakeshwari Temple and Curzon Hall (when you choose the option with all tickets).
• air-conditioned car.
• English-speaking guide.
• bottled water.
• wifi.
• and hotel pickup and drop-off.

Options for this experience

2 options

Entry tickets are not includedGuide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:30Standard pickup is included

All entry tickets and fees are includedGuide in English · 14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:30Premium pickup is included

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day14 departure times: the first at 08:00, the last at 14:30

AgesAdult (10 and older) · Child (1 to 9 years)

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by bangladeshexplore

Is this one for you?The private format means the guide adjusts the route and timing to what interests you most, whether you want to linger at the palaces or move quickly through the mosques. If you prefer to arrange entry tickets yourself, the without-tickets option lets you book only the guide and transport.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

14 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (1 to 9 years).

What is Ahsan Manzil and why is it on this tour?

Ahsan Manzil, also called the Pink Palace, was the official residence of the Nawab of Dhaka, built between 1859 and 1872. It is now a national museum and the centerpiece of the tour, showcasing Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture and the city's 19th-century grandeur.

Do I need to buy entry tickets separately, or are they included?

You choose at checkout: one option includes all entry tickets and fees for the five sites (Ahsan Manzil, Lalbag Fort, Star Mosque, Armenian Church, Dhakeshwari Temple, and Curzon Hall). The other option does not include them, so you arrange entry separately.

How does the Star Mosque get its name?

The Star Mosque was originally built by a local nobleman, Mirza Ghulam Pir, but was renovated in 1926 by a businessman named Ali Jan Bepari, who added stars and other decorative motifs to the structure: giving it the name it carries today.

What is the Ship Breaking Yard and how do I get there?

The Ship Breaking and Repairing Yard is an industrial waterfront on the far side of the Buriganga River that has become a popular spot for photographers. A small boat takes about three minutes to cross the river and reach it, and it is included as a stop on the tour.

Is hotel pickup included, and what language does the guide speak?

Yes, pickup from your hotel is included in the tour price. The guide speaks English and will tailor the experience to your interests and pace throughout the four-hour tour.