Stand on the Khan Jahan Ali Bridge in the late afternoon and the Rupsha river opens out beneath you, with Khulna's rooftops on one bank and the road to Bagerhat and Mongla running off the other. It is the city's most reliable viewpoint, and locals treat it as a place to linger rather than simply cross.
Khulna suits travellers using the city as a base for the Sundarbans and the Mosque City of Bagerhat, or those with an interest in the 1971 Liberation War. Rickshaws and auto rickshaws cover short trips, and Nagar Paribahan buses run frequently between Rupsha and Phultala.
This guide covers the sights named in the source material, ordered so that the strongest come first, plus a one-day plan that strings them together.
Top things to do in Khulna
1. Khan Jahan Ali Bridge
A long bridge over the Rupsha river, connecting Bagerhat and Mongla port, in the Lobon Chora area. It is frequently visited by local people, and you can walk along it and photograph Khulna city and the river.
Go late in the day for the light on the water, and combine the walk with the market stalls that run along the river between the train station and the ferry terminal.
2. The Torture & Genocide Museum
A confronting and powerful exhibition on the 1971 war for independence. It offers a different take from Dhaka's Liberation War Museum and is well worth a visit, especially for the art and photography displays.
There is a small entrance fee, with donations encouraged. Allow time to sit with the material rather than rushing through.
3. Bonobilash Zoo
Along the Dhaka–Khulna highway north of downtown, this is a nice place to spend a whole day. It is open daily from 9AM to 6PM.
Take a scooter from the city centre to get there. Because it fills a full day, keep it separate from the shorter city sights.
4. Khulna University
Located at Gollamari, this is a modern university area with a nice view and lakes. It is good for spending an afternoon in natural surroundings.
Pair it with the Gollamari Memorial, which is on the way to the university.
5. Gollamari Memorial
A memorial for the mass murder in the Gollamari river during the independence war of 1971. It stands on the way to Khulna University.
Visit it as part of the same trip as the university, rather than as a separate journey.
6. Birsrestho Ruhul Amin Complex
The tomb of a much-loved country freedom fighter. It is a place of remembrance rather than a conventional sight, and worth the time if the 1971 period is part of why you came.
Combine it with the other war-related sites on this list so the day holds together thematically.
7. St Joseph's Church
A Catholic church on Babu Khan Rd, run by the friendly, English-speaking Father Jacob. Daily mass is at 6AM, and visitors are welcome.
If you attend morning mass, the rest of the day is free for the river and the bridge.
8. Divisional Museum, Khulna
On 1a Majid Sarani, with small exhibits on archaeology, coins and art relating to Khulna. It is open Saturday to Thursday, 10AM to 5PM.
Photography is not welcome here, so leave the camera in your bag.
9. River market stalls
Market stalls run along the river between the train station and the ferry terminal. Their products are unlikely to be what tourists are looking to buy, but the people are friendly, many of the tea stalls are great, and from time to time you get a glimpse of the river.
Come for the tea stalls and the river view rather than for shopping, and walk it before or after the bridge.
10. Hadis park
In the city centre, and worth a look if you are lucky enough to find a show of some kind on there.
Treat it as a flexible stop rather than a fixed appointment, since what is on varies.
If you only have one day
Morning: Start at St Joseph's Church on Babu Khan Rd for the 6AM daily mass, then walk the river market stalls between the train station and the ferry terminal while the tea stalls are busy.
Afternoon: Head to the Divisional Museum, Khulna on 1a Majid Sarani, open Saturday to Thursday 10AM to 5PM, and leave the camera behind. Follow it with the Torture & Genocide Museum, allowing enough time for the art and photography displays.
Evening: Finish on the Khan Jahan Ali Bridge in Lobon Chora, walking along it as the light drops and the Rupsha river and the city come into view.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time of day to visit the Khan Jahan Ali Bridge?
Late in the day works well, since the point of the visit is walking along the bridge and taking in Khulna city and the Rupsha river. The source notes it is frequently visited by local people, so expect company.
Is the Divisional Museum, Khulna open every day?
No. It is open Saturday to Thursday, 10AM to 5PM, and photographs are not welcome inside.
How do I reach Bonobilash Zoo?
It lies along the Dhaka–Khulna highway north of downtown, and the source suggests taking a scooter from the city centre. It is open daily from 9AM to 6PM and is best treated as a full-day outing.
Can I visit St Joseph's Church as a traveller?
Yes. It is a Catholic church on Babu Khan Rd, run by the English-speaking Father Jacob, with daily mass at 6AM, and visitors are welcomed.
Decide how many days you can give Khulna, check the museum's Saturday-to-Thursday hours against your dates, and start building the trip around the river.