Ahsan Manzil
আহসান মঞ্জিল
The pink riverside palace of the Dhaka Nawabs, now a museum facing the busy Buriganga.
At a glance
- Where
- Dhaka district, Dhaka division
- Best time
- winter (Dec–Jan) and spring (Feb–Mar)
- Time needed
- About 2 h
Ahsan Manzil was the seat of the Nawab family of Dhaka and was rebuilt in its present form after a tornado in 1888. The pink, domed building looks over the Buriganga, and a grand staircase climbs from the front lawn to the first floor. Today it is a national museum with restored rooms, furniture, portraits and displays on the city's 19th-century history. Pair it with a boat ride from the nearby ghats to see the palace from the water.
How to get there
Rickshaw from Sadarghat or Islampur Road in Old Dhaka; it sits on Kumartoli, close to the river.
Good to know
Usually closed Thursdays. Photography is not allowed inside the galleries.
Ready-made trips that include it
Where to stay in Dhaka
Common questions
Where is Ahsan Manzil?
Ahsan Manzil is in Dhaka district, Dhaka division, Bangladesh.
How do you get to Ahsan Manzil?
Rickshaw from Sadarghat or Islampur Road in Old Dhaka; it sits on Kumartoli, close to the river.
When is the best time to visit Ahsan Manzil?
The best time is winter (Dec–Jan) and spring (Feb–Mar). Allow about 2 h for the visit.
More from Dhaka
District guide →
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Place Sadarghat and the Buriganga
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Hidden place ▶ Video Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection
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Nearby
Place Sadarghat and the Buriganga
Dhaka · সদরঘাট ও বুড়িগঙ্গাDhaka's chaotic river port, where multi-deck launches leave for the south and wooden boats ferry people across.
Hidden place ▶ Video Armenian Church of the Holy Resurrection
Dhaka · আর্মেনিয়ান গির্জাA quiet 18th-century church and graveyard that recalls Dhaka's small Armenian merchant community.
Tradition Shakrain Kite Festival
Dhaka · সাকরাইন উৎসবEach January, Old Dhaka's rooftops fill with kites, music and fire-breathers to mark the end of Poush.
Place Star Mosque (Tara Masjid)
Dhaka · তারা মসজিদA small mosque in Armanitola covered in star-patterned mosaic made from broken china.