Urban Park • Dhaka
Best Time
Morning hours
Entry
Free
Rating
⭐ 4.0
Tucked away in the bustling heart of Dhaka, Ramna Park is a vast 68.5-acre green escape, often fondly called the "lungs of the city." This historic park has roots stretching back to the Mughal era, but its current beautiful layout was shaped during the British colonial period in 1908. It offers a peaceful retreat from the city's noise and chaos, centered around a calm lake and filled with hundreds of species of plants and towering trees, including the legendary Ramna Batamul, a massive banyan tree. More than just a place for a stroll, it's a cultural landmark, famously hosting the massive dawn celebrations of Pohela Boishakh, the Bengali New Year.
Reaching Ramna Park is very easy, as it's well-connected to the rest of the city. You can easily grab a CNG (auto-rickshaw) or book a ride-sharing service like Uber or Pathao to Shahbag or Kakrail. The most convenient option now is the metro; get off at the Shahbag station on MRT Line 6, and you'll find the park's main gate just a short walk away. Once inside, you can blend in with the locals and enjoy a peaceful walk along the paved paths, or perhaps rent a paddleboat to glide across the serene lake. It's also a haven for photographers, especially during spring when the Krishnachura trees bloom in fiery red. While you're in the area, you can easily explore nearby attractions. Suhrawardy Udyan, a historic field, is just across the main road. The vibrant Dhaka University campus and the Bangladesh National Museum are also within a short distance. A local tip: weekday mornings are the quietest and most pleasant for a visit. The park gets wonderfully crowded with families on weekends, which has its own charm. As you're visiting a public place in Dhaka, dressing modestly is always a good idea.
The best part about visiting Ramna Park is that it is completely free. Any cost you incur will be for travel or snacks. Getting to and from the park by bus, CNG, or rideshare might cost you between 50 and 300 taka, depending on where you're coming from. If you feel like a snack, there are small stalls and vendors just outside the gates where you can buy water, chips, or local treats for 20 to 100 taka. And if you want to take a boat out on the lake, the fee is very nominal, usually around 20 to 50 taka per person.
The best time to truly enjoy Ramna Park is during Dhaka's mild winter, from October through March. The weather is cool and dry, perfect for long walks and relaxing outdoors. Early morning, from around 6 AM to 9 AM, is a magical time when the park is fresh and filled with people jogging and exercising. The soft morning light is also beautiful for photography. Late afternoons, from about 3:30 PM until sunset, are when families come out to play, and the fading light casts a golden glow over the lake. But the most unforgettable time to be here is at dawn on Pohela Boishakh (April 14th), when thousands gather under the historic Ramna Batamul to welcome the Bengali New Year with music and song.
