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ZYL · 24.90° N · 91.87° E · Bangladesh

Sylhet

Tea gardens on rolling hills, the swamp forest at Ratargul, the river at Jaflong and the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, in the green north east of Bangladesh.

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About Sylhet

In short

  • The shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal
  • Malnichhara and Lakkatura tea gardens
  • Ratargul Swamp Forest by boat
  • Jaflong and the Piyain river
  • Keane Bridge over the Surma

At a glance

Country
Bangladesh
Region
South Asia
Local time
GMT+6
Time difference
Same time as Dhaka
Currency
Bangladeshi Taka (BDT)
Languages
Bangla and English
Main airport
  • ZYLOsmany International Airport
Best time to visit
November to February
Deals
2 deals

Sylhet, in the green north east of Bangladesh, grew up around the shrine of Hazrat Shah Jalal, one of the most visited places of pilgrimage in the country. Many British Bangladeshi families have their roots here. Osmani International Airport (ZYL) serves the city.

Tea country

Outside the city the land rises into hills covered in tea gardens. Malnichhara, on the edge of town and a short distance from the airport, dates from 1854.

Day trips

  • Ratargul Swamp Forest, about 26 km away, seen by small boat from Gowainghat. The forest floods in the rainy months, which is when most visitors go.
  • Jaflong, about 60 km away and roughly a two hour drive, for the clear river and stone beds on the border with India.

At the shrine

Dress modestly and keep your voice low. Only men may enter the tomb area, and women have a separate section near the entrance. Visitors often feed the catfish in the shrine's pond.

Where to stay

See our Sylhet hotels, the Grand Sylhet and the Rose View, or ask us for more.

Before you go

Entry and visas

With a Bangladeshi passport you need no visa. Relatives and friends visiting on another passport should check Bangladesh's entry rules for that passport when they book and again before they travel.

Health

Drink bottled or treated water, guard against mosquito bites, and take care on wet paths and in boats in the rainy season.

Money

The currency is the Bangladeshi taka (BDT). Carry cash for boats, day trips, markets and small shops.

General information only, not legal or medical advice. Rules change, so check the official source before you travel.

Checked on 14 October 2026

When to go

  1. JanuaryBest
  2. FebruaryBest
  3. March
  4. April
  5. MayNot ideal
  6. JuneNot ideal
  7. JulyNot ideal
  8. AugustNot ideal
  9. SeptemberNot ideal
  10. October
  11. NovemberBest
  12. DecemberBest

November to February is dry, with highs of about 26 to 30°C. Heavy rain falls from April to October, peaking in June, though that is when Ratargul's forest is flooded and seen by boat.

Deals to Sylhet

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  • Hotel

    Rose View Hotel

    A city hotel in Shahjalal Uposhohor, Sylhet, with 140 rooms and suites, a heated rooftop pool, several restaurants and a Thai spa. Three nights.

    Live prices

    Price checked when you search

  • Hotel

    Grand Sylhet Hotel and Resort

    A five star hotel on Sylhet's airport road with 235 rooms, a rooftop infinity pool, five places to eat and a Thai spa. Three nights.

    Live prices

    Price checked when you search

Pictures of Sylhet

  • A wooden passenger boat with a red canopy crossing a wide river, with trees on the far bank
    A boat carrying passengers across a river in Sylhet
  • A wooden boat in the shallow river at Jaflong, with stony banks and green hills beyond
    The river at Jaflong, on the border with the Indian state of Meghalaya
  • A cyclist seen from behind on a dirt road winding between tea bushes and tall shade trees
    A road through the tea gardens at Sreemangal, in the Sylhet region
  • A calm lake reflecting trees, with tea bushes in the foreground and wooded hills beyond
    Madhabpur Lake at Kamalganj, in the Sylhet region

Questions about Sylhet

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What should I know before visiting the shrine of Shah Jalal?

Dress modestly and keep your voice low, as the shrine is a place of pilgrimage. Only men may enter the tomb area, and women have a separate section near the entrance. Visitors often feed the catfish in the shrine's pond.

How do I get to Ratargul and Jaflong from Sylhet?

Both are day trips by road from the city. Ratargul is about 26 km away, and you see the forest by local boat from Gowainghat. Jaflong is about 60 km away, roughly a two hour drive.

Which airport serves Sylhet?

Osmani International Airport (ZYL) serves Sylhet. Tea gardens such as Malnicherra Tea Estate lie a short distance from the airport.

When is the best time to visit Sylhet?

November to February is the driest and most comfortable time, with daytime highs of about 26 to 30°C. From May to September the rain is very heavy, though that is when most visitors see the flooded Ratargul swamp forest by boat.

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