Half-day Old Dhaka History & Heritage Private Tour
Description
Dhaka is the capital city of Bangladesh, in southern Asia. Set beside the Buriganga River, it’s at the center of national government, trade and culture. The 17th-century old city was the Mughal capital of Bengal, and many palaces and mosques remain. American architect Louis Khan’s National Parliament House complex typifies the huge, fast-growing modern metropolis.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Curzon Hall is a striking early 20th-century brick landmark located in Shahbagh, within the University of Dhaka campus. Originally commissioned as a town hall, its foundation stone was laid by Lord Curzon in 1904 and the building was completed by 1908. Since 1921, the hall has housed the Faculty of Sciences. Its Indo-Saracenic architecture showcases a graceful fusion of Mughal and European styles—featuring domes, horse‑shoe and cusped arches, ornate turrets, deep eaves, and charming verandahs. Beyond its academic role, Curzon Hall played a pivotal part in Bangladesh’s history: it was a center for protest during the Bengali Language Movement (1948–56), where students condemned attempts to enforce Urdu as the sole state language. Surrounded by verdant lawns, a botanical garden, playing fields, and a historic pond, Curzon Hall offers a quiet and picturesque environment amid the bustling campus.
Shaheed Minar (Martyrs’ Monument) in Dhaka is a powerful national symbol honoring those who lost their lives during the Bengali Language Movement in February 1952. On those days, students and activists from Dhaka University and Dhaka Medical College were shot as they peacefully demanded Bengali be recognized as a state language. The current monument, standing about 14 meters tall, features soaring marble columns arranged in a semicircle—symbolizing a grieving mother with her fallen children—with a striking red sun disk behind. White stairways and railings give it a solemn, almost divine appearance, while inscribed iron‑letter poetry lines adorn the fences. Inside, marble floors and a large mural panel in the basement narrate the history of the movement.
Lalbagh Fort is an incomplete 17th-century Mughal fort complex that stands before the Buriganga River in the southwestern part of Dhaka, Bangladesh. The construction was started in 1678 AD by Mughal Subahdar Muhammad Azam Shah, who was a son of Emperor Aurangzeb and later emperor himself. Wikipedia * Please Note: It is closed on Sunday
Dhakeshwari National Temple is a Hindu temple in Dhaka, Bangladesh. It is state-owned, giving it the distinction of being Bangladesh's 'National Temple'. The name "Dhakeshwari" means "Goddess of Dhaka". Wikipedia
Star Mosque, is a mosque located in Armanitola area, Dhaka, Bangladesh. The mosque has ornate designs and is decorated with motifs of blue stars. It was built in the first half of the 19th century by Mirza Golam Pir. Wikipedia
The Armenian Church, also known as Armenian Apostolic Church of the Holy Resurrection, is a historically significant architectural monument situated in the Armanitola area of old Dhaka, Bangladesh. Wikipedia
Ahsan Manzil is the erstwhile official residential palace and seat of the Nawab of Dhaka. The building is situated at Kumartoli along the banks of the Buriganga River in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Construction was started in 1859 and was completed in 1872. It was constructed in the Indo-Saracenic Revival architecture. Wikipedia * Please Note: It is closed on Thursday.
A lively area of narrow streets crammed with cycle rickshaws, Sadarghat is known for its bustling river port and boat trips along the Buriganga. Textbooks and discounted volumes, plus stationery, are for sale at Banglabazar Book Market, while Shankhari Bazar Road is dotted with Hindu temples and stores selling conch shell crafts, spices, and textiles. Casual eateries serve mutton dishes and other traditional fare. ― Google
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We will contact you once your booking is confirmed. We will collect additional information if it pertains to pickup.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible
Reviews(28)
The guide provided me with a great introduction to Dhaka and it's history and origins with his vast knowledge of the city. He took me to several important sites in Old Dhaka explaining the significance of each in some detail. He was happy to answer any questions I had about Dhaka. Also he was interested in where I came from and why I had chosen to visit Bangladesh. A worthwhile tour which I am happy to recommend.
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review and kind recommendation. We are very happy to know that you enjoyed your introduction to Dhaka, its history, origins, and the important heritage sites of Old Dhaka. It was a pleasure to share the stories and significance of each place with you, and we truly appreciate your curiosity and interest in Bangladesh. We always enjoy learning about our guests as well, and we are glad the tour felt worthwhile and meaningful. Thank you again for choosing us. We hope to welcome you back for more experiences in Bangladesh in the future.
We had a wonderful experience exploring Old Dhaka with Travel Mate. The guide was friendly, knowledgeable, and explained the history and culture of the area in a very engaging way. The tour was well organized and covered many beautiful heritage locations. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to experience the authentic beauty and history of Dhaka.
Thank you so much for your kind words and recommendation. We are delighted to know that you had a wonderful experience exploring Old Dhaka with Travel Mate. It was our pleasure to share the history, culture, and heritage of this beautiful part of the city with you. We are very happy that you enjoyed the organization of the tour and the heritage locations we covered. Thank you again for choosing Travel Mate. We hope to welcome you on another memorable experience in Bangladesh soon.
Great - thanks for early pick up and drop off at another location. Very flexible and felt very looked after throughout!
Thank you so much for your kind feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you appreciated the flexibility with the early pickup and alternate drop-off location. It’s wonderful to know that you felt well looked after throughout the experience. We truly appreciate your support and hope to welcome you again on your next visit to Bangladesh!
Very fun and exciting tour. Trust me, you cannot do this on your own! We visited all the spots listed in the itinerary and then some! Shahadat knows so much about the history of each place, knows how to he you in and knows how to take a good photo.
Thank you so much for your fantastic review! We’re thrilled to hear that you had such a fun and exciting tour and were able to experience all the highlights—and even more! Shahadat will be very happy to know that his knowledge, guidance, and even photography skills helped make your experience special. Your trust and kind words mean a lot to us. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another unforgettable adventure in Bangladesh! 😊
We really only visited two of the sights; the other ones we saw only from the outside and after it got dark. I think it's probably impossible to do this tour in half a day and the guide, although well intentioned, couldn't manage the time adequately in a city with Dhaka's traffic.
Thank you very much for your honest feedback. We truly appreciate you sharing your experience. We sincerely regret that the tour did not fully meet your expectations. You are absolutely right that Dhaka’s traffic can be highly unpredictable sometimes, and managing multiple sites within a half-day schedule can sometimes be challenging. That said, we understand your disappointment in not being able to explore all locations properly in daylight. Thank you again for your constructive feedback. We hope to have the opportunity to provide you with a smoother and more fulfilling experience next time.
I booked the tour last minutes, however, everything was organized and planned well, on time pick up，my guide Shahadat is accommodating and explain the places well. I’ve learned the history of Bangladesh along this tour, would recommend if you have one day to spare in Dhaka.
Thank you so much for your kind review! We’re delighted to hear that, even with a last-minute booking, everything was well organized and the pickup was on time. It’s great to know that my explanations helped you learn more about the history of Bangladesh and made the most of your day in Dhaka. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for another memorable experience!
Our tour was initially postponed by one hour and suddenly canceled 15 minutes before the start. We checked with our hotel concierge, and some places on the list were closed and shouldn’t be even proposed. This was a huge disappointment.
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment you experienced. Due to receiving the booking at the last moment, we faced scheduling challenges. We did our best to operate the tour; however, it was canceled for unavoidable reasons. As previously discussed, we have issued a full refund.
Visited lots of places in Old Dhaka. Such an amazing place with narrow streets and authentic buildings. Fantastic driver and guide who did everything to show the highlights of the Bangladeshi capital. I recommend this tour. Easy commucation, punctual pick up and great stops.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed exploring the charm of Old Dhaka, with its narrow streets and historic architecture. Our team is glad to know that the communication, pickup, and tour highlights met your expectations, and that both the guide and driver made your visit memorable. We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again for more incredible experiences in Bangladesh!
Shahadat Hossain was a great guide, very accommodating of our special requests to visit particular parts of Dhaka University, and always willing to lend a helping hand to carry fruits or other items we bought along the way. Really comprehensive tour that shows you all the gems of Dhaka.
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed your Dhaka tour with Shahadat Hossain. He always goes the extra mile to make sure guests feel comfortable and get the most out of their experience. We’re glad you appreciated the flexibility and little touches along the way. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in Bangladesh!
• Lalbagh Fort (1678, Mughal era): Incomplete fort started by Prince Azam, later used by the Nawabs of Bengal. Key sites inside: Pari Bibi’s tomb, mosque, Diwan-i-Aam. • Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace): Built in the 19th century as the residence of Nawab Abdul Ghani, symbol of aristocracy and politics of Old Dhaka.
