Bukhara is a jewel in Uzbekistan’s Silk Road. Your first glimpse of the city may be the imposing Kalyan Minaret. It will appear as an inconspicuous dot on the horizon before growing ever more prominent as you speed your way towards the walls.
Nestled on the route between Samarkand and Khiva, Bukhara features in almost all Uzbekistan itineraries. Indeed, we stayed here twice on our trip through Uzbekistan and fell in love with this magical city. From the Ark of Bukhara to enjoying a traditional tea break, here is our list of the top things to do in Bukhara.
1. Visit the infamous Ark of Bukhara
Best for: Discovering the amazing history of Bukhara.
The Ark of Bukhara is very much a living archaeological site. It is a haphazard mix of ruins that will appeal to those interested in the turbulent history of Central Asia.
Barely a 5-minute walk from the Kalyan Minaret, the Ark has a history dating back to the 5th century AD. It was famously the seat of power for the Emirs of Bukhara.
The Ark of Bukhara was a complex of residences, royal courts, mosques and administrative buildings. Similar to Moscow’s Kremlin, these fearsome walls contained everything. Indeed, the Ark was a fortress until the 1920s, when Red Army bombs heavily damaged it.
Today, visitors can explore the restored section. You will walk through the imposing main gateway before discovering several modest museums and exhibitions housed in the public buildings. The Ark is most striking from the outside looking in, and is at its most photogenic towards sunset.
How to do it: Expect to pay a £2-3 entry fee to the complex. You will pay a little more if you have a camera or would like a guide to show you around.
2. Have tea at the Lyab-i-Hauz
Best for: A traditional tea break in Bukhara.
A favourite among both tourists and locals, the Lyab-i-Hauz complex is a beautiful place to relax on a summer’s day. Dozens of tables and benches encircle a sparkling pond, where you’ll likely find a duck or two swimming around. The mosques and madrasas on every side provide a dramatic – and typically Uzbek – backdrop.
As with everywhere in Bukhara, Lyab-i-Hauz has an interesting history. It was one of the last ponds (Hauz) in a city which used to have dozens. Eventually, the Soviets filled in the majority. This action may have been for the best, given that they were a fertile breeding ground for disease and illness. Nonetheless, Lyiab-i-Hauz survived thanks to its spectacular setting. Today it stands, thankfully, disease-free.
Grab yourself a tea, and maybe some plov, and watch the world go by!
3. Go Shopping in Bukhara’s mysterious domes
Best for: Feeling like you are part of the Silk Road story.
The trading domes of Bukhara lend an otherworldly feel to any stroll around the city. As a major centre of commerce on the Silk Road, Bukhara housed many markets under a magnificent network of domes. Each dome hosted artisans, spices, weavers and more.
Today the operation has been scaled back somewhat since Bukhara’s heyday. However, the essence of the domes remains unchanged. Hats, carpets, knives, scissors, spices, and even musical instruments – you can find, and haggle for, all these and more under Bukhara’s four remaining trading domes.
Tourists can browse the domes without feeling pressured to buy. This is a pleasantly relaxed experience compared to some covered markets. It is a must-do when visiting Bukhara.
4. Visit Bukhara’s Samanid Park and Mausoleum
Best for: Some of the most remarkable architecture you will see in Uzbekistan.
Head outside the old city, past the water tower and Bolo-Hauz Mosque. It won’t take too long to find the entrance to Samanid Park. The park houses one of the most remarkable examples of early Islamic architecture anywhere in the world.
Completed in the 10th century, the mausoleum has stood for over 1000 years. It is well worth a detour from the tourist-heavy centre of Bukhara. En route to the mausoleum, a pleasant stroll through the park provides a glimpse of local life in Bukhara. You will see families and students meeting for a walk or a trip to the fairground attractions.
Once you reach the mausoleum, the views are most impressive from the outside. On a still day, the adjacent pond’s waters perfectly reflect the structure. You may even find you’re sharing the experience with only a handful of others.
How to do it: There is a small (£1-2) entrance fee to go inside. This will allow a close-up view of the tombs and techniques used to build this ancient wonder.
5. Watch the sun set over the Kalyan Minaret
Best for: A classic sunset spot in Bukhara.
The Kalyan Minaret is perhaps the most impressive landmark on Bukhara’s skyline. It towers above the blue domes and intricate facades of the old town’s mosques and madrasas. The imposing structure is an icon of the city, with notoriety that spans the centuries.
As well as performing the expected functions of a minaret – namely to be used for the Islamic call to prayer (Adhan) – the Kalyan Minaret has also served a strategic function as an observation tower. In darker times, the Emirs of Bukhara used it to execute prisoners. The unfortunate souls were thrown unceremoniously from the narrow gallery at the top.
Thankfully for modern-day visitors to Bukhara, the minaret’s last execution took place a century ago. Nowadays, tourists can safely marvel at the intricate patterns on the minaret’s restored exterior walls before admiring the views from one of many excellent vantage points. These viewpoints range from alleys, adjacent mosques, or terraced cafes, which have secured a prized position with stunning views across the rooftops of Bukhara.
Experiencing sunset from one of these terraces is a must-do whilst in Bukhara – grab a tea and a dish of some hearty Uzbek food, and enjoy the spectacle as the sky turns a blazing gold and the light begins to fade. The icing on the cake is watching the Kalyan Minaret and surrounding buildings start lighting up as darkness falls. An unforgettable way to spend an evening in Bukhara.
6. Get up early to explore Bukhara at sunrise
Best for: Exploring Bukhara without the crowds.
Finding the perfect place to watch the sunset in Bukhara will undoubtedly be one of the highlights of your trip to Uzbekistan, but if you can power through the early start, it’s well worth heading out to explore the streets just before sunrise.
Sunrise in Bukhara is memorable for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, exploring at sunrise is almost certainly your only chance to have places like the trading domes and the Kalyan Minaret to yourself before the tour groups arrive – and they rock up early! So it’s well worth beating the crowds for the chance to wander the streets and feel like you could be in a scene from centuries ago. You might even grab that coveted photo all alone with one of Bukhara’s landmarks!
Secondly, heading out early in the morning will give you a glimpse of “real life” in Bukhara before the first groups of tourists arrive. Stallholders are setting out their wares, groups of schoolchildren are heading to lessons, and cyclists are weaving their way through the narrow streets. So pick a spot and watch the Old Town come to life before heading to breakfast once a cafe opens its doors!
7. Visit the Madrasas and Caravansereis of Bukhara
Best for: Enjoying more of the amazing architecture in Bukhara.
Bukhara’s wealth of madrassas and caravanserais are just waiting to be explored. Each has its charm – whether it’s a quieter, off-the-beaten-track complex, or one with a famous facade. Visiting these amazing structures is top of most people’s lists of things to do in Bukhara.
One of the best ways to spend a morning or afternoon in Bukhara would be to form a walking route between them, exploring the side streets as you go.
The madrasas around the Lyiab-i-Hauz ensemble would be an excellent place to start. The Nadir Divan-Beghi Madrasah has a dazzling portal featuring unique depictions of birds and other imagery. Inside, you will find the usual mix of artisans and stalls selling everything from rugs to postcards.
Heading down to the Po-i-Kalyan complex, which has the famous minaret as its centrepiece, will give you the chance to wander around the magnificent courtyard of the Kalan mosque, with its imposing portals and domed walkways.
Opposite the mosque is the Mir-i-Arab madrasa. Islamic scholars still use the madrasa, whose doors rarely open to the public. Nonetheless, the portal and domes are a sight to behold, and visitors can look through the honeycomb screen at the entranceway if they’d like to catch a glimpse of the inner courtyard.
Some more Madrasas to visit
Among the remaining places to explore, there are two that we’d like to call out. They could be easily overlooked but certainly have their charm. The first is the Olimjon Caravanserai, a charming little courtyard containing a couple of artisan stalls – including local painters – and a fascinating photo gallery run by local photographers, which is well worth a visit. You can buy prints, but even if you’re not looking to make a purchase, you can’t help but admire the work.
The second is the Kosh Madrasa ensemble, which is to be found slightly further out of town in the direction of the Samanid Mausoleum. You’ll find far fewer tourists here and may have the place to yourself even in the middle of the day. The ensemble consists of two madrasas that stand directly opposite each other and haven’t benefited as much from the same levels of restoration as others in the city. Nevertheless, they are still beautiful in their own right and certainly retain a heap of charm. As with other madrasas, stallholders can be found inside, including a lovely clay workshop selling everything from small models of Chor Minor to complete chess sets!
8. Check out Chor Minor
Best for: One of Bukhara’s most charming buildings.
We were utterly charmed by Chor Minor. This curious little structure means “Four Minarets” in Persian, and sits alone in a quiet courtyard within a residential area of Bukhara. Your walk to Chor Minor will be an exciting opportunity to journey through some of the residential areas of Bukhara, which might pass you by when sticking to the main complexes in the old town. Inside, you’ll find more items for sale but you can also pay a nominal fee to climb the stairs and head out onto Chor Minor’s roof.
The views from the top aren’t the most spectacular, but it’s an excellent chance to get up close and personal with its four little towers – which were used primarily as storage!
Once you’ve had your fill of Chor Minor, there’s an interesting stall opposite with a comprehensive collection of old Soviet pin badges. One for the collectors!
9. Marvel at the intricacy of the Bolo-Hauz Mosque
Best for: A stunning mosque.
In the shadow of the not-so-ancient water tower stands one of Bukhara’s most unique structures, a mosque that offers a stunning contrast to the grand portals and domes that adorn most city postcards.
The mosque was built in the early 18th century and used by the Emirs as their place of worship. It remains an active mosque today and is worth visiting to admire the incredible wooden columns, which have been painted and carved as true works of art, and which support a wooden roof in front of the stone entrance.
The mosque comes to life around prayer times, with rows upon rows of worshippers lining the ground – a scene which will be almost unchanged for hundreds of years.
This scene epitomises the beauty of Bukhara. It is a city that can transport you back centuries in an instant. However, you might well leave Bukhara on an ultra-modern high-speed train (see our post on how to travel Uzbekistan by train!) fit for the 21st century.
Fascinating post especially as we are planning a trip to Bukhara in May. Definitely going to try and do every single thing on your list especially the sunset and sunrise recommendations. Great photos too.
It looks absolutely stunning. Thank you for your tips. I really miss travelling!
Thanks Jodie! Bukhara was possibly our favourite city in Uzbekistan – so many amazing sights. We miss travelling too – hopefully we can all get back out on the road soon. Thanks again for reading!