bigtravelbuzzAlong the Zarafsyon River along the ancient Uzbek Silk Road lies the ancient city of Bukhara. The many mosques, turquoise domes of historic buildings, and elaborate tilework have transformed Bukhara’s city center into a pedestrian-only, car-free museum. So plan a trip to Uzbekistan for about two days to explore beautiful Bukhara on foot.
Things to do in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
West of Samarkand, Bukhara gets a lot of tourists, but its labyrinth of narrow streets and green parks make the streets seem calm and quiet.
Chor minor
Tucked away in the middle of Bukhara’s neighborhood is Cho He Minor Mosque. A beautiful, small and unique looking mosque with 4 minarets which is fairly new compared to other mosques in Bukhara.
In the morning you can experience the sunrise behind the quiet streets and minarets. There is a small souvenir shop inside and you can climb to the top for a small fee.
Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah
Abdullazizkhan is perhaps the most decorated archway in Bukhara. The multicolored tiles within the arches date back to his 17th century and are best seen in the morning when the shops open from 9am.
Lyabi Khauz
It is a famous hangout place for locals. The ponds and parks are surrounded by wonderful cafes and shops selling carpets and other handicrafts. There used to be hundreds of ponds, but they were removed because diseases spread easily.
Nadir Divanbegi Madrassa
At the other end of the park, the beautiful Madrassa Nadir Divanbegi shows how elaborate and creative 17th-century tilework was.
Po-i Kalyan Complex
The most famous place in the city is the Po-i Kalyan Complex. 3 stunning buildings where you can spend more time than other activities in Bukhara.
Kalyan Mosque
It is an incredibly picturesque Mosque from every angle. Surprisingly, the open, bright white passageways and expansive courtyards make it the perfect place to escape city life.
Admission fee: 7,000 SOM (0.75 USD) (valid for 2 days)
Optimal travel time: Mornings or afternoon
Mir-i-Arab Madrasa
Opposite the mosque is a complex madrasa. As this is an active school, the building with its two bright blue domes can only be admired from the outside.
Tips: Sip a refreshing drink on the terrace of the Chasmai-Mirob restaurant and enjoy the stunning views of the square.
Kalyan Minaret
After all, 45-meter-high brick towers tower over the entire city of Bukhara. The shocking story behind the Tower of Death is that long ago criminals were executed by being thrown from the tower.
Toqi Telpak Furushon
Escape the warmth of the day via way of means of purchasing withinside the Bukhara bazaar. The energetic and colourful dome-styled bazaar hosted many stores promoting pleasant carpets, rugs, and exceptional handicrafts. Bargaining is a part of their way of life so in case you’re inquisitive about shopping for some thing like a rug, intention to get at the least 30% off the beginning price.
The Ark
If there may be one region you ought to go to in the course of the tender morning light, it’s far the Ark of Bukhara. The town’s oldest shape is an considerable army citadel with 20-meter excessive partitions that, at the inside, consists of a whole town subsequently the name ‘Ark’. Inside isn’t as surprising because the outdoor because it has truely now no longer a great deal to offer.
Bolo Hauz Mosque
Right throughout the principle front of the Ark is the exciting searching Bolo Hauz mosque. The 20-meter tall wood columns, decoration, and mirrored image withinside the pool in the front are properly really well worth a brief go to.
How to get to Bukhara, Uzbekistan
Train to Bukhara
The excessive-velocity educate takes much less than 2 hours to Samarkand and simply four hours to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. Traveling via way of means of educate is a quick manner to get round. The educate from Samarkand to Bukhara departs at 09:50 AM and 21:08 PM.
Bukhara fast train tickets
Buy the short educate tickets earlier as they promote out rapid. Booking thru the Uzbek railways’ internet site is extraordinarily difficult (2019) so we suggest the use of Advantour. The tickets are barely better priced however they do the give you the results you want via way of means of arranging all of the office work and ready withinside the line.
A price price tag to Samarkand to Bukhara expenses 35-50 USD relying at the class.
Train station
Bukhara educate station is positioned in any other town named Kogon. A taxi from the educate station to Bukhara takes 20 mins and expenses approximately 10,000 – 15,000 SOM.
Flying to Bukhara
The global airport of Bukhara gives direct flights to Tashkent and St. Petersberg however we might incredibly suggest taking the excessive-velocity trains as a substitute in case you journey inside Uzbekistan.
Getting round in Bukhara
The principal a part of Bukhara can handiest be explored via way of means of foot due to the fact that automobiles aren’t allowed in that center. Just like Samarkand, Bukhara is straightforward and secure to discover via way of means of taking walks from region to region so there may be no motive to apply taxis in Bukhara. Sightseeing is excellent withinside the mornings or overdue afternoon whilst the solar isn’t at its strongest.
Best resorts in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
It’s excellent to discover a motel in Bukhara close to the vicinity in which automobiles aren’t allowed and maximum eating places are positioned.
Restaurants in Bukhara
There is a superb kind of eating places in Bukhara. Western and Uzbek cuisines are all there for an lower priced price. From all of the eating places you’ll byskip in the course of your Uzbekistan itinerary the excellent eating places could be in Bukhara.
- Bella Italia – Great Italian meals
- Café Wishbone – For espresso and German cakes
- Minzifa – Delicious neighborhood cuisine (vegan options)
- Chayxana Chinar – Great neighborhood cuisine
- Old Bukhara – Fantastic rooftop & meals (vegan options)