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If you are in Dhaka and need a short break, you will not have to go far. Several destinations nearby are easy to reach and offer very different settings, some filled with history, others shaped by rivers, forests, or village traditions. These places to visit near Dhaka are ideal for a quick weekend away, especially if you want something that combines learning, nature, and local culture. From old palaces to national parks, each site has its reasons to explore. You can plan day trips or stay longer depending on what suits your schedule.
Top 10 Best Places To Visit Near Dhaka
From historic ruins to natural landscapes, these places to visit near Dhaka are ideal if you prefer meaningful short breaks over long-distance travel.
1. Sonargaon
Photo: Francisco Anzola / Wikimedia Commons
Sonargaon ranks among the most historically rich places to visit near Dhaka. It functions as a living museum of Bengal’s layered past, blending Sultanate, Mughal, and colonial influences. At Panam Nagar, you walk along a narrow street flanked by crumbling mansions once owned by Hindu merchants in the 1800s. The structures retain Indo-European influences, with plaster ornamentation, Corinthian columns, and iron balconies now worn by time. Inside the Folk Art and Crafts Museum, by the Shilpacharya Zainul Abedin Foundation, exhibits focus on regional design, including terracotta panels, brass utensils, and handwoven textiles.
Distance From Dhaka: 32.2 km
Cost: ৳100 / ₹70 for Bangladeshis, ৳500 / ₹360 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Meghna Riverbank picnic spots, Jamdani sari weaving villages, Narayanganj shipyards
2. Lalbagh Fort
Photo: Motiur Rahman Shakil / Unsplash
Lalbagh Fort stands as one of the most prominent Mughal-era tourist attractions near Dhaka. Its construction began in 1678 under Prince Muhammad Azam. Inside the complex, you can find three main structures that remain today. The Tomb of Pari Bibi, built in white marble and black basalt, holds the grave of the emperor’s daughter and is surrounded by a raised platform and intricate gardens. Opposite it stands the audience hall and Hammam complex, which includes restored frescoes, arched alcoves, and a museum with Mughal weapons, coins, and calligraphy. The third structure is Lalbagh Mosque, still active, known for its triple domes and floral ceiling patterns.
Distance From Dhaka: 13 km
Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM & 1:30 PM – 6 PM (closed on Sundays)
Cost: ৳20 / ₹15 for locals, ৳200 / ₹150 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Ahsan Manzil, Dhakeshwari Temple, Shankhari Bazar heritage lane
3. Savar National Memorial
Photo: Azim Khan Ronnie / Wikimedia Commons
The National Martyrs’ Memorial in Savar represents Bangladesh’s fight for independence. Architect Syed Mainul Hossain designed the structure, and it was completed in 1982. The seven triangular pillars, arranged in pairs, rise in sequence and mark key phases in the country’s political struggle, beginning with the language movement of 1952. The main monument is surrounded by gardens, still water canals, and walkways used by schools and families, especially on national holidays. Inside the small museum, you see wartime photographs, documents, and simple personal belongings of those who took part in the 1971 war.
Distance From Dhaka: 38.4 km
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Nearby Attractions: Jahangirnagar University campus lake, Fantasy Kingdom amusement park, Nandan Park
4. Bhawal National Park
Photo: Shimul Mohammad / Wikimedia Commons
Bhawal National Park, near Gazipur, is managed by the Bangladesh Forest Department and covers over 5,000 acres. It was established to protect the remaining sal forest and to support public education and light recreation. Large portions of the land were planted with trees during the 1960s and 1970s after extensive deforestation in the region. The main gate leads to shaded picnic spots, foot trails, and shallow ponds that attract weekend groups, especially school outings. The area is not commercialised, and signage is minimal. In the early hours, you often notice rhesus monkeys near the walking paths and hear calls of coucals and drongos.
Distance From Dhaka: 38.4 km
Timings: 8 AM – 6 PM
Cost: ৳10 / ₹10 for locals, ৳100 / ₹70 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Rajendra Eco Resort, Bhawal Rajbari ruins, Meghdubi Forest Garden
5. Baliati Palace
Baliati Palace sits in the village of Baliati under Saturia upazila and was built by the zamindar Govinda Ram Shaha in the 19th century. The family earned wealth through salt trading and operated under British patronage. The palace grounds contain four courtyards surrounded by a group of brick-built mansions, some of which still retain arched entrances, long balconies, and detailed cornices. About 200 rooms are distributed across multiple wings, though only a portion remains accessible today. Much of the structure uses lime plaster over red bricks, and parts of the roofing have been reinforced to prevent collapse. A moat encircles the complex, and several ponds lie just outside the boundary walls.
Distance From Dhaka: 66.1 km
Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
Cost: ৳20 / ₹15 for locals, ৳100 / ₹70 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Dhamrai Metal Craft Village, Manikganj local markets, Kalampur Canal
6. Narsingdi Wari-Bateshwar Ruins
Photo: Salim Khandoker / Wikimedia Commons
Wari-Bateshwar, located in Belabo upazila, contains archaeological remains believed to be from one of the earliest fortified towns in the region. The first artefacts were reported in the 1930s, but systematic excavation began decades later when teams from Jahangirnagar University identified brick ramparts, pottery fragments, and silver coins. The site dates back to approximately 450 BCE, based on artefacts recovered during excavation. Several mounds in the area show traces of walls and structural foundations, possibly part of a central administrative zone. Archaeologists have recovered iron blades, glass beads, and early coins with stamped markings, which confirm trade links with nearby regions during that period.
Distance From Dhaka: 70 km
Timings: 24*7
Cost: ৳20 / ₹15 for locals, ৳200 / ₹150 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Brahmaputra Riverbank, Raipura pottery villages, Belabo countryside temples
7. Padma Resort, Munshiganj
Photo: Syed Sajidul Islam / Wikimedia Commons
Padma Resort is near the banks of the Padma River in Lauhajang upazila and is one of the few private leisure spots among the places to visit near Dhaka. The resort is built on elevated land just beside the embankment and includes cottages, outdoor seating areas, and river-view decks. Although entry is allowed for day use, most people come for the open lawn and riverside access rather than the accommodation. The main draw is the short boat ride arranged by local operators, which usually runs between the resort’s dock and nearby sandbars during low tide. On weekends, families often book lunch packages that include the use of the shaded areas and buffet services.
Distance From Dhaka: 60.4 km
Timings: 24*7
Cost: ৳300 / ₹220 for entry & ৳1000 / ₹700 full-day package
Nearby Attractions: Idrakpur Fort, Munshiganj bazaar, Louhajang riverside eateries
8. Gazipur Safari Park
Photo: Azim Khan Ronnie / Wikimedia Commons
Gazipur Safari Park, officially known as Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park, is located in the Baghbari area of Gazipur and is one of the largest wildlife enclosures in the country. Unlike a zoo, the animals are kept in semi-open zones that you view from inside guided vehicles. The main safari trail covers different sections of tiger, lion, deer, bear, and elephant, with restricted entry beyond designated areas. The park also includes a large lake, aviary enclosures, and information centres that explain species distribution and habitat details. Domestic visitors usually opt for the bus service provided by the park authority, which stops briefly at observation points within each zone.
Distance From Dhaka: 45.8 km
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM (closed on Tuesday)
Cost: ৳50 / ₹35 for locals, ৳200 / ₹150 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Bhawal Palace Hotel gardens, Nuhash Polli (home of Humayun Ahmed), Bhabanipur Lake
9. Nijhum Dwip
Photo: Md Saiful Islam Khan (Aopu) / Wikimedia Commons
Nijhum Dwip is a coastal island in the southern part of the Noakhali district. Access requires travel through Hatiya, followed by a local boat crossing. The landscape includes tidal mudflats, patches of mangrove forest, and stretches of open grassland. The island falls under the jurisdiction of the forest department and forms part of the Nijhum Dwip National Park, established mainly to protect the local deer population. Fallow deer are commonly seen in the early morning or late afternoon near forest edges and open grazing areas. The island also attracts seasonal migratory birds and includes stretches of sandy shoreline that remain mostly empty even on weekends.
Distance From Dhaka: 170 km
Cost: ৳150 – 300 / ₹105 – 220 (boat fee)
Nearby Attractions: Hatiya Island, Char Kukri-Mukri, Nijhum Dwip Eco Cottages
10. Mahasthangarh
Photo: Shahnoor Habib Munmun / Wikimedia Commons
Mahasthangarh is located in the Bogura district and served as the fortified capital of the ancient kingdom of Pundravardhana. The main structure is a rectangular citadel surrounded by high embankments made of brick, which enclose a space measuring over 1.5 square kilometres. Excavations over the past century have revealed temples, residential foundations, and drainage systems. Several of these areas are marked on-site, with walkways leading to exposed structural layers. The central museum, operated by the Department of Archaeology, holds terracotta plaques, coins, sculptures, and inscriptions found during excavations.
Distance From Dhaka: 200 km
Timings: 9 AM – 5 PM
Cost: ৳20 / ₹15 for locals, ৳200 / ₹150 for foreigners
Nearby Attractions: Govinda Bhita Temple ruins, Vasu Bihar Buddhist site, Bogura Mahasthan Eco Park
Each of these places to visit near Dhaka offers history, nature, or peaceful escapes. From ancient ruins to forest parks, you don’t need to travel far to find cultural landmarks or scenic retreats. These destinations reflect Bangladesh’s rich heritage and natural beauty, perfect for a day trip or weekend away. Easily reachable by road, each spot gives you a chance to slow down and explore. Plan your trip today with TripXL.
Cover Photo: Shaikhul Imran / Unsplash
