Bangladesh National Museum
বাংলাদেশ জাতীয় জাদুঘর
The country's main museum at Shahbag, with galleries on history, art, natural history and the Liberation War.
At a glance
- Where
- Dhaka district, Dhaka division
- Entry / cost
- Small ticket for Bangladeshis; higher ticket for foreigners
- Best time
- winter (Dec–Jan), monsoon (Jun–Jul) and summer (Apr–May)
- Time needed
- About 2 h 30 min
Founded in 1913 as the Dhaka Museum, the National Museum at Shahbag is the best single place to get a feel for Bangladesh's past. Its floors cover stone and bronze sculpture, coins, folk art, textiles, natural history and the 1971 Liberation War. The collection is large, so pick a few galleries rather than trying to see everything. It is a good rainy-day or midday stop.
How to get there
Bus, CNG or rickshaw to Shahbag; the museum is on the main road next to the Shahbag intersection.
Good to know
The museum is closed on Thursdays (check before going). Bags may have to be left at the counter.
Where to stay in Dhaka
Common questions
Where is Bangladesh National Museum?
Bangladesh National Museum is in Dhaka district, Dhaka division, Bangladesh.
How do you get to Bangladesh National Museum?
Bus, CNG or rickshaw to Shahbag; the museum is on the main road next to the Shahbag intersection.
How much does it cost to visit Bangladesh National Museum?
Small ticket for Bangladeshis; higher ticket for foreigners.
When is the best time to visit Bangladesh National Museum?
The best time is winter (Dec–Jan), monsoon (Jun–Jul) and summer (Apr–May). Allow about 2 h 30 min for the visit.
More from Dhaka
District guide →
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লালবাগ কেল্লাAn unfinished 17th-century Mughal fort with lawns, a tomb and a mosque, a calm green pocket in Old Dhaka.
Place Ahsan Manzil
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Place Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)
তারা মসজিদA small mosque in Armanitola covered in star-patterned mosaic made from broken china.
Place Sadarghat and the Buriganga
সদরঘাট ও বুড়িগঙ্গাDhaka's chaotic river port, where multi-deck launches leave for the south and wooden boats ferry people across.
Nearby
Tradition Pohela Boishakh Procession
Dhaka · পহেলা বৈশাখের শোভাযাত্রাOn Bangla New Year the Charukola art students lead a colourful parade of giant masks and figures.
Representative photo Place Hussaini Dalan
Dhaka · হোসেনি দালানDhaka's main Shia imambara from the Mughal era, white-walled beside a large tank, the heart of the city's Muharram.
Place Dhakeshwari National Temple
Dhaka · ঢাকেশ্বরী জাতীয় মন্দিরBangladesh's national Hindu temple, said to give Dhaka its name, busiest during Durga Puja.
Food Bakarkhani
Dhaka · বাকরখানিFlaky, crisp layered bread baked in clay ovens, Old Dhaka's breakfast with tea.