Why visit
Dhaka is dense, riverine, and intense, with Mughal forts, rickshaw art, textile trade, old-city lanes, and boat traffic on the Buriganga. It is not easy, but it is one of South Asia's most vivid capitals.
How to use this result
Use it as a capital-city prompt
Dhaka is useful when you want a city-level starting point in Bangladesh. Check whether the capital is the best arrival city, a practical transfer point, or mainly a geography and planning reference.
Check practical trip fit
Before planning around Dhaka, compare airport access, local transport, time zone, neighborhood choices, weather, safety guidance, and whether another city in Bangladesh better matches the trip style.
Dhaka at a glance
City population
10.4 million
Elevation
23 m
75 ft
Time zone
UTC+6
Asia/Dhaka
Airport
DAC
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport
Bangladesh at a glance
Country center
24.0°, 90.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
147,570 km²
56,977 mi²
Country population
172.9 million
1,172/km²
Subregion
Southern Asia
Currency
Bangladeshi taka (৳)
BDT
Dial
+880
Language
Bengali
Demonym
Bangladeshi
Internet
.bd
UN
Member state
ISO code
BD / BGD
Where in the world
24.0° - 90.0°
Bangladesh
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Dhaka is one of the world's most densely populated large cities.
- Rickshaw art is so associated with Dhaka that UNESCO recognized it as intangible cultural heritage.
- Dhaka's hand-painted rickshaw art was added to UNESCO's intangible cultural heritage list in 2023.
- Bangladesh is among the most densely populated mid-size countries (1,265 people/km²): 170+ million people in an area smaller than Iowa.
- The country is crossed by over 700 rivers: the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna all empty here.
Bordering Bangladesh
Traveler notes
- Lalbagh Fort is the key Mughal-era landmark
- Ahsan Manzil faces the river in Old Dhaka
- Sadarghat launches show the city's river traffic at full volume
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Dhaka
What currency is used in Dhaka?
Dhaka uses the Bangladeshi taka (৳), ISO code BDT.
What languages are spoken in Bangladesh?
The primary language is Bengali.
What is the international calling code for Bangladesh?
The calling code is +880.
When is the best time to visit Dhaka?
Nov–Feb. Check current weather and local events before booking.
What airport serves Dhaka?
Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (IATA: DAC).
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