Since it's already early evening in Dhaka, treat the morning as a relaxed start: enjoy a late-morning brunch at Dhaka's Flavors Café sampling dim bhuna and mishti alongside local chai, then take a gentle walk through the leafy lanes around Gulshan Lake Park to stretch your legs and get a feel for city life. Finish with a short visit to the nearby Bashundhara City Mall food court or rooftop café to orient yourself, pick up a local SIM or SIM recharge, and plan the rest of your stay while soaking in skyline views.
Spend a relaxed afternoon exploring the historic charm of Old Dhaka with a guided rickshaw ride through narrow lanes to see bustling marketplaces and colonial-era architecture, then visit Ahsan Manzil (Pink Palace) to catch the late afternoon light on its riverside façade. Afterward, wander to Sadarghat Pier for a short boat trip on the Buriganga River at sunset and enjoy steaming street-side fuchka and local sweets from stalls nearby as you watch the city's river life unfold.
As the city lights come on, head to Banani Lakefront for a peaceful riverside stroll and sunset views, then stop at Izumi Japanese Restaurant or Chowdhury's Kabab & Kebab for a casual dinner sampling grilled kebabs and local biryani flavors. After dinner, wander through the lively Bashundhara Residential Market for artisanal snacks and tea, or enjoy a rooftop drink at The Westin Dhaka's Sky Lounge to relax and plan tomorrow's early start without rushing.
Start your day with a guided walking tour of Lalbagh Fort, exploring its Mughal gardens, museum galleries and the atmospheric unfinished mosque while a local guide recounts 17th-century tales. From there, wander to nearby Armenian Church and the fragrant spice stalls of Chawk Bazaar, finishing with a mid-morning pause for traditional piyaju and sweet doi at a riverside stall near Talibuddin Bazar before continuing into Old Dhaka's deeper lanes.
After a morning at Lalbagh Fort and Chawk Bazaar, spend the afternoon discovering the colonial and artistic side of Dhaka: start with a guided visit to Ahsan Manzil Museum to see Nawab-era interiors and riverfront history, then walk to Star Mosque (Tara Masjid) to admire its glittering mosaic work. Finish with a relaxed tea break at Baitul Mukarram Café near the national mosque before exploring the nearby galleries at Shilpakala Academy for contemporary Bangladeshi art.
As twilight falls, take a leisurely stroll through the leafy grounds of Curzon Hall and linger by its colonial facades before heading to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park Café for an informal riverside tea with local snacks. Finish the night with a classical music performance or folk show at Bulbul Lalitkala Academy, followed by dinner at Nirob Hotel's traditional Bengali restaurant to sample seasonal fish preparations and mishti for dessert.
Catch an early morning private car or comfortable CNG ride toward Savar National Martyrs' Memorial to pay respects and walk the landscaped grounds before crowds arrive; the memorial's open lawns and museum panels set a reflective tone after your Dhaka explorations. From there, continue to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Safari Park (Savar) for a guided vehicle loop to spot resident deer and peacocks, then enjoy a riverside breakfast at the park's café sampling egg bhurji, parathas and fresh local fruit while planning the rest of your Sonargaon visit.
After the morning at the memorial and safari, cross over to Sonargaon and wander the historic riverside town starting with Panam City, where you can explore crumbling colonial mansions and photograph atmospheric alleyways; stop at Folk Arts and Crafts Museum (Sonargaon) to see traditional boats, pottery and weaving demonstrations. Finish with a late-afternoon pottery workshop or boat ride from Goaldi Ghat, sampling roadside doi-flavored sweets and watching the sun set over the Meghna - a peaceful contrast to Dhaka's bustle that ties neatly into your earlier explorations.
After returning from Panam City and the Folk Arts museum, slow the pace with a riverside dinner at Haji's Ghat Restaurant where grilled hilsa and seasonal river fish are served with mustard sauce while you watch longboats glide by. Later, take an atmospheric twilight walk along Goaldi Ghat to see local fishermen mend nets, then finish with a cup of spiced tea and mishti at Sonargaon Riverside Tea Stall, letting the calm river views bridge the day trip back toward Dhaka.
Begin with a lively food-market crawl at New Market, sampling steaming puri with aloo dum and roadside jilapi before moving to Kawran Bazar to taste fresh cha with kebab rolls and watch wholesale activity. Then head to the artisanal lanes around Mouchak Market to try local sweets and pick up spices, finishing with a late-morning cooking demo at Aroma Bangla Culinary Studio where you learn to prepare a simple hilsa or vegetable bhuna that ties together flavors you've discovered earlier in the trip.
Spend a flavorful afternoon wandering Gulistan Market for vibrant street-food stalls-try kati rolls and charcoal-grilled chotpoti-then head to Bangshal to browse vintage textiles and pick up hand-printed muslin while chatting with local traders. Later, take a short rickshaw ride to Shankhari Bazaar to admire traditional crafts and stop at a nearby tea stall for sweet samosas and masala chai before returning to your hotel to prepare for the evening festivities.
As night falls for New Year's Eve, begin with cocktails and small plates at the rooftop bar of The Westin Dhaka to watch the city lights, then stroll to nearby Bashundhara City Mall's rooftop promenade for a lively street-food pop-up featuring fusion kebabs and mocktail stalls. Later, join a festive boat cruise from Sadarghat Launch Ghat arranged for NYE - enjoy live folk music, sparkling river views and a special banquet of grilled hilsa, biryani and mishti while counting down to midnight.
Ease into the new year with a peaceful breakfast picnic at Ramna Park, enjoying fresh parathas and seasonal fruit from a nearby vendor while strolling past the lake and flowering bougainvillea. Afterward, rent a paddle boat at Ramna Lake Boating Club for a gentle glide, then wander over to the nearby Ahsanullah Botanical Garden to spot native birds and see local gardeners tending medicinal plant beds - a calm, green morning that soothes after the holiday bustle.
Spend a gentle afternoon exploring Hatirjheel Urban Lake - stroll its landscaped promenades, sit on a shaded bench with a takeaway mango lassi from a waterside stall, and watch local families paddle toy boats. Then head to Badda Bridge Park for a short nature trail and birdwatching, finishing with an early-evening riverside tea and mishti at the charming riverside café Riverside Corner where you can reflect on the trip and watch the sun lower over Dhaka's skyline.
As the day winds down, take a gentle riverside amble along Gulshan-Banani Lake Walkway, pausing at the floating cafés for a mango lassi or spiced chai while watching local families and kite-flyers. For a low-key dinner, head to Izumi Rooftop Garden for grilled fish and seasonal vegetable bhuna with skyline views, then finish with a late-night dessert stop at Fuchka Corner (Banani branch) for warm mishti and conversation under string lights.