Natore travel guide

Natore, Bangladesh

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Natore

Introduction

Natore District sits in the Rajshahi Division of northern Bangladesh, bordering the metropolitan city of Rajshahi. It was once part of Rajshahi District before becoming a district in its own right, and that proximity to Rajshahi shapes how you reach it and what you pair a visit with.

Getting there

To reach Natore by air, fly into Shah Makhdum Airport, the primary airport serving Rajshahi, then continue by bus for about 45 minutes. Flights connect from Dhaka and Saidpur, but schedules change frequently and the airport sometimes has no services at all; after arriving in Rajshahi, buses are available from Vodra and Talaimari Mor, where you'll find the BRTC bus counter.

By road, the journey from Dhaka takes roughly 5 hours, and you'll cross the Jamuna Bridge along the way. Several bus services run from Dhaka via Natore, some with air-conditioning, including Shamoli Paribahan, and buses to other major districts leave from the bus terminal. Intercity trains also connect Dhaka and Natore each day, with the main services being the Padma Express, the Silk City Express and the Dhumketue Express; note that the Silk City Express does not operate on Sundays, the Padma Express has no service on Tuesdays, and the Dhumketue Express does not run on Mondays. The major station for long-distance trains is Rajshahi Railway Station, north of the city centre, though times may change.

Getting around

Getting around Natore is straightforward, and walking is the sensible default for short trips in the centre. The city is a district headquarters town of modest size, but the Narod river runs through the middle, so it helps to think of the town as divided by the waterway: note where the crossings sit relative to your accommodation before you set out, since some routes will be direct and others will require crossing. The river carries pollution from upstream industrial developments, so choose riverside routes with that in mind. For longer hops across town, local buses and services based at the bus terminal are the main public transport. Do not expect a metro, tram or suburban rail network within the city; rail here is oriented towards intercity travel. Taxis and ride-hailing are not described, so plan on buses and walking rather than assuming an app-based car service will be available.

Where to stay

Lodging within the city itself is limited, so you may need to look to a nearby town for a place to stay. Plan your overnight arrangements around that possibility rather than assuming you will find accommodation on arrival.

Food & drink

For authentic Bengali cooking, head to Islamia Pochur Hotel & Restaurant on the Dhaka–Natore Highway at Chakrampur. Quince Restaurant, on the same main thoroughfare through town at Kanaikhali, serves good biryani, though expect to pay a little more there than at other restaurants in Natore. Be sure to try kacha golla, a half-prepared sweet that is a local specialty.

What to see and do

Natore's royal past is its main draw, and the two palaces at its heart are the places to start. Natore Rajbari on Rajbari Road was the seat of the Rajshahi Raj family of zamindars, a significant royal palace raised in the early eighteenth century and home to the famous queen Rani Bhabani. Its grounds are the real reward: colonnaded quarters framed by lagoons and trees, an aesthetic ensemble worth lingering in. Further out, off the Rajshahi–Bogra Highway to the northeast on the way towards Chalan Beel, Uttara Ganabhaban is another stately royal palace, built in 1734 as the seat of the Dighapatia Raj, an aristocratic landed estate of the Bengal Presidency under the British Raj. Also known as Dighapatia Rajbari, it keeps a regal setting and now serves as the northern residence of the Bangladeshi Prime Minister and a site for receiving foreign ambassadors. For something more natural, head to Chalan Beel, a large wetland that rewards a slow wander — part of it is apparently known as Halti Beel.

Three days in Natore

Day one: Arrive in Natore District in Rajshahi Division, Bangladesh, by way of Rajshahi. It is possible to reach Rajshahi from Dhaka by air, landing at Shah Makhdum Airport, with flights also connecting to Saidpur. By road, BRTC and Shamoli Paribahan intercity buses cross the Jamuna Bridge, and several services run from Vodra and Talaimari Mor. By rail, the Padma Express, Silk City Express and Dhumketue Express serve the route, with the Padma Express running on Sundays, Tuesdays and Mondays. From Rajshahi Railway Station, taxis and other transport are available for getting to Natore.

Day two: Settle into your lodging and plan your time in Natore. For meals, Bengali food is widely available, and the Islamia Pochur Hotel and Restaurant is a place to eat. Narod is another name you may come across for the area.

Day three: Use your final day to move around the district. Taxis are one way of getting about, and the Natore Highway and Chakrampur are places within reach. Do check your onward transport before you leave.

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