Chattogram is the country's principal seaport and second city, set between the forested ridges of the Hill Tracts and the blue waters of the Bay of Bengal. For centuries Arab, Portuguese and Mughal seafarers anchored along the Karnaphuli River, leaving a legacy of maritime trade, Sufi shrines and mountain temples. Today the city blends modern shipping and commerce with sandy beaches, hill trails, and its famous mezban feasting tradition.
- From Dhaka
- About 245 km, 5 hours by road
- Best time
- November to February
- A day costs
- About ৳1,500 to ৳9,000 per person
- Nearest airport
- Shah Amanat International Airport (CGP)
What Chattogram is famous for
- Mezban spiced beef মেজবানি মাংস
- Churi and loitta dried fish ছুড়ি ও লইট্টা শুঁটকি
- Marine port and shipping চট্টগ্রাম বন্দর ও জাহাজ শিল্প
How Chattogram got its name
The name is said to derive from Chati-gaon, recalling the legendary lamp or chati lit on a hilltop by the 14th-century Sufi saint Hazrat Badruddin Allama to reclaim the wild hills from dark spirits.
Places to visit in Chattogram
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Patenga Sea Beach পতেঙ্গা সমুদ্র সৈকত
A popular coastal promenade at the mouth of the Karnaphuli River where ocean waves break against concrete sea blocks.
- Best time
- October to March
- Give it
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free entry; auto-rickshaw from city centre about ৳250–350; fried seafood snacks roughly ৳100–200
Photo: Fahad Faisal, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Foy's Lake ফয়'স লেক
A historic reservoir created in 1924 by the Assam Bengal Railway, surrounded by forested hills and an amusement park.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳350 including boat ride; amusement park rides extra; auto-rickshaw from town about ৳100–150
Photo: Shahidul Hasan Roman, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chandranath Temple চন্দ্রনাথ মন্দির
A sacred Hindu pilgrimage shrine perched atop Chandranath Hill in Sitakunda, roughly 1,020 feet above sea level.
- Best time
- November to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free entry; bus from Chattogram about ৳70–100; walking sticks at base roughly ৳30
Unseen Chattogram: the lesser-known places
Quieter spots most visitors miss. Go with a local driver or ask us to arrange one.
Photo: Md. T Mahtab, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Chittagong War Cemetery চট্টগ্রাম ওয়ার সিমেট্রি
A Commonwealth war cemetery established after World War II, holding the graves of over 700 soldiers and airmen who fell in the Burma campaign.
- Best time
- November to March
- Give it
- About an hour
- Cost
- Entry free; rickshaw from GEC Circle about ৳30–50
Photo: Moheen Reeyad, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Mahamaya Lake মহামায়া হ্রদ
Bangladesh's second largest artificial lake, set in a mountain basin in Mirsharai with natural cascades and calm kayaking routes.
- Best time
- October to February
- Give it
- Half a day
- Cost
- Entry roughly ৳30; kayak hire about ৳200–300 per hour; boat tour to waterfall about ৳800–1,200 for up to ten people
How to get to Chattogram
- Shah Amanat International Airport has multiple daily flights from Dhaka operated by Biman, US-Bangla and Air Astra, taking about 45 to 50 minutes. The terminal sits in Patenga, about 45 minutes south of the city centre.
- Fast intercity trains including the non-stop Suborno Express and Sonar Bangla Express, as well as the Turna Nishitha and Mahanagar Prabhati, depart Kamalapur station daily, arriving at Chattogram Central station in 5 to 6 hours.
- Premium AC coaches from Green Line, Shohagh, Desh Travels and Hanif leave Sayedabad, Arambagh and Fakirapool around the clock, reaching Dampara or AK Khan terminal in Chattogram in 5 to 7 hours along the four-lane highway.
Where to stay in Chattogram
Rooms run from about ৳1,200 a night for a simple hotel, around ৳4,500 mid-range and ৳12,000 or more for the most comfortable. Prices are approximate.
- Radisson Blu Chattogram Bay View, SS Khaled Road
- The Peninsula Chittagong, GEC Circle
- Hotel Agrabad, Agrabad Commercial Area
- Hotels around Station Road and GEC Circle
What to eat in Chattogram
Chattogram's culinary pride is mezban: tender spiced beef cooked in mustard oil with white peas and aromatic garam masala, served with plain rice. Also enjoy crispy loitta fry at Patenga beach, kala bhuna, and clay-oven bakarkhani.