Private Tour
Half-day Old Dhaka History & Heritage Private Tour
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Public transportation options are available nearby
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Wheelchair accessible
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Snacks
Air-conditioned vehicle
Entry fee of Lalbagh Fort
Entry fee of Ahasan Monzil
Airport Pickup or Drop-off
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
What To Expect
Curzon Hall
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.
Shahid Minar
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.
Options
With Entry Tickets and Fees
Included Entry Tickets: All entry tickets and fees are included, eliminating the hassle of having to keep local currency.
Pickup included
Without Entry Tickets and Fees
Not Included Entry Tickets : Entry Tickets and fees are not included. You have to pay in cash on site.
Pickup included
Reviews
22 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Huge disappointment
Justyna D,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
1.00Our 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.
Had a great day
LarsSoholm,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Visited 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.
Excellent, comprehensive tour of all of Dhaka's gems!
39nabihai,
Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Shahadat 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.
Morning start
Sadia A,
Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00• 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.
Great tour with a very accommodating guide
KatriHas,
Sep 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00My colleague and I had a great time on our tour, particularly the boat trip and ship yard. Our tour guide, Nazmul, was knowledgeable and incredibly helpful, especially fitting our tour around our work schedule. Thanks for a lovely day out!
Life and colour of historical Dhaka
837alexias,
Jul 23, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour showed us the main Heritage sites of Old Dhaka, it gave us a real feel for the cultural history of Dhaka, and the multiple communities which lived together - from the forts and mosques of the ruling Muslim community to the Hindu temple to the Armenian orthodox church to the colonial style pink palace of the former ruling Nawabs who courted the British colonial rulers, to the historic Dhaka university grounds, thriving and bustling with students of today. Recommend doing this visit, before or after doing a heritage tour of Kolkata, to get a vivid sense of the rich culture and history of the 2 capitals of Bengal.
good
torreserica,
Jun 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The guide was nice and knowledgeable. Although it was a quick 5 hour city tour, I learned a lot about the place and enjoyed it.
1 Day in Dhaka
Joana M,
Apr 6, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It was very interesting to have this experience with a local. We were able to get an idea of the history and visit some of the city's most important monuments.
A taste of Bangla
Stephen B,
Mar 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great experience. Very knowledgeable and friendly. We saw a few key places in Old Dhaka and had an authentic experience amidst the busy lives of local Bangla people.
Good tour to experience the true Dhaka
Areeb S,
Jan 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained all relevant histories and culture. Driver was expert in navigating the tricky Old Dhaka streets.
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