10 Fascinating Things to Do in Bukhara (plus food & drink spots!)
Bukhara feels like you have quite literally stepped back in time a couple of millennia.
A maze of narrow winding alleyways of walls made of mud and straw (quite literally!) brings you to mausoleums decorated in small blue tiles, ancient caravanserais with hidden internal courtyards, and historic mosques and minarets.
If you are looking to experience a Silk Road city, this is the place. It feels real and authentic. Yes, there are elements that are commercialised, but overall Bukhara has held on to its traditional charm; it’s even recognised by UNESCO.
We explored Bukhara in July 2023 and 2025 seeing all the historical sights and hunting down the best spots for vegetarian dishes (which was pretty tough!).
So, what are the best things to do in Bukhara? Well, I hope you’re into history, architecture, and photography!
Everything in this post fits into these categories. The ‘things to do’ are all sights as opposed to activities, but these are some of Uzbekistan’s (and probably Central Asia’s) most spectacular!
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1. Wander the Main Square of Po-i-Kalon
One of Bukhara’s main squares, Po-i-Kalon has a mosque and a madrasah either side as well as arguably, Bukhara’s most impressive minaret.
Kalan Mosque and Mir Arab Mosque both date back to the 1500s, while the historic minaret dates back even further to the 1200s!
It is understood that when Genghis Khan invaded the city, he spared the minaret because of its beauty.
But it also has more of a dark past, as the minaret in the square was also used for public executions with people being thrown from the very top.
And make sure you visit during the day as well as once the sun sets! The mosques and minaret are lit up.
Kalan Mosque has a small entrance fee of 15,000 UZS which can be paid by card or cash.
2. See the Colourful Minarets of Chor Minor
Very often missed off of Bukhara itineraries because it’s not in the same main area of the city, Chor Minor is actually one of my favourite spots in Bukhara!
Its distinctive four minarets (the literal meaning of Chor Minor) with pale blue tiled tops make it stand out compared to the other monuments. It’s small but beautiful, and is hidden in amongst a maze of residential streets not far from Lyaubi Hauz Ensemble.
Each occasion we have visited the doors have been locked, but seeing from the outside is enough reason to visit.
Top tip: use the Yandex Maps location as opposed to Google Maps if you don’t want to get lost!
3. Ulug Bek Madrasah & Abdul Aziz Khan Madrasah
These two madrasahs sit facing each other and they are some of the most spectacular that you will see in Bukhara.
They both used to have entrance fees when we visited back in 2023, but on our 2025 visit, the fees were non-existent.
Out of the two, Ulug Bek is more understated with a classic brick façade and blue tiles in patterns across the front. Some of the front rooms are being used by carpet sellers and you can get some great photos incorporating these!
Abdul Aziz Khan Madrasah has such a unique façade with a lovely of pale pink in the tiling and painting which is something that I don’t think I have seen elsewhere in Uzbekistan.
Make sure you step inside this madrasah to check out the room of carpets. It’s pretty special with carpets displayed on every inch of floor space and wall space.
4. Explore the Ark of Bukhara
Now a museum, the Ark of Bukhara used to be a fortress. Inside, you’ll see original buildings, museums with artefacts, a coronation hall, ruins of a mosque, as well as a great viewpoint across Po-i-Kalon.
You could spend an hour and a half wandering through all the buildings and rooms. And make sure you wander around the outside of the fortress to see the impressive curved fortress walls that look a bit like a sandcastle!
5. Photograph the Wooden Facade of Bolo Hauz Mosque
Bolo Hauz is a beautiful mosque with wooden decorated pillars and wooden ceiling.
It is a working mosque that is usually locked up and is very difficult to get inside as a foreign woman. I did manage it after many outfit adjustments, but in all honesty, the outside is much more impressive.
In front of the mosque is a small stepwell/pond and a short minaret.
Savvy Traveller Pro Tips 🇺🇿
After exploring Uzbekistan for three weeks, these are our favourite booking tools that we couldn’t travel without!
6. Sip Tea by the Pond of Lyabi Hauz Ensemble
The main tourist centre of Bukhara is Lyabi Hauz. A large pond surrounded by madrasahs, coffee shops restaurants, market stalls.
It is a really beautiful spot and if you’re here in the summer, you’ll have the place almost entirely to yourself between 11:00 and 16:00. In the evenings, everyone comes out to this area, fountains are turned on in the pond, and the madrases are lit up.
Nadir Divan Begi Madrasah has a fascinating mosaic that depicts two huge birds and a sun with a face. It is SO unique.
7. See the Untouched Magoki Attori Mosque
For something a little more untouched, check out Magoki Attori Mosque. For whatever reason it hasn’t had the same five star maintenance that many of the others have. And I kind of love it for it!
8. Photograph the Intricate Brickwork of Ismail Samani Mausoleum
Another very different style to the other buildings in Bukhara, Ismail Samani Mausoleum has plain brick only (no colourful tiles).
But what it lacks in colour, it makes up for in unique brickwork. There is a small entrance fee of 15,000 UZS, but from what I could see, the inside seemed pretty similar to the outside.
9. Shop for Souvenirs at the Many Market Stalls
Out of everywhere we have visited in our six weeks across the country over the last couple of years, Bukhara is without doubt the best place to buy the best quality products.
Floaty patterned trousers, jewellery, figurines of local vendors selling watermelons (honestly, they are SO cute!).
These spots are where markets are housed in traditional brick domes buildings: Toqi Sarrofon & Toqi Telpakfurushon & Toqi Zargaron.
10. Get Lost in the Maze of Residential Streets
So, hopefully you’ll book accommodation at a locally-run guesthouse because these are almost always the most beautiful, authentic, and affordable. And the majority of these are hidden in the winding alleyways around Bukhara!
So take yourself for a wander round these backstreets because it is a whole experience in itself, and keep an eye out for the beautiful doors everywhere.
Where to Eat & Drink in Bukhara
1. Magic House
A cute little spot just tucked away from the central Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, Magic House serves coffees, juices, and teas in a cafe covered in carpets.
2. Donuts and Coffee
Another cute coffee spot! The coffee is strong and the doughnuts are great!
3. Lyabi Hauz
Right in the centre of Lyabi Hauz Ensemble, the restaurant has seating encircling the central pond. There aren’t a ton of vegetarian options, but it is also a lovely spot to sit with a pot of tea.
4. Sitora Kafe
A proper local place that has no frills but does has photos of Lenin, Stalin, and the Mona Lisa on the Wall?
There are a few dishes on the menu that they can vegetarianise for you, so ask for veg options and they will help you out. We went for the pelmeni which are small dumplings filled with greens and herbs.
5. Restaurant Old Bar
The fella that runs this place is SO lovely! Tucked away in the maze-like residentially streets, this underground bar serves beer on tap and some snacks.
6. Terrace Bukhara ECO Cafe
Not our favourite restaurant by any means, but there are veg and even vegan options! Not super tasty, but you’ll be able to eat something here as a vegetarian.
Where to Stay in Bukhara
Both guesthouses we stayed in in Bukhara were beautiful!
Bekhzod (£)
On our most recent visit in July 2025, we stayed at Bekhzod. It is affordable, the rooms are small but comfy and clean, there is a nice courtyard to relax in the evenings, the breakfast is tasty and varied each morning. And most importantly, the woman who runs the guesthouse is SO SO lovely!
🛏️ Reserve your room 🛏️
Mukhlisabegim (££)
If you’re looking for a traditional almost han/caravanserai, Muxlisabegim has beautiful rooms, a large decorated courtyard with wooden pillars, and the breakfast included. Tucked down the residential side streets, this is the perfect location to see the sights but also get a quiet night’s sleep.
🛏️ Plan your Stay 🛏️
How to Get to Bukhara
One of Uzbekistan’s major cities, Bukhara is pretty straight forward to get to. Taking the train is by far the best method; Samarkand and Tashkent are both connected. Check out our blog on all the top things to know about Uzbek train travel and how to book your tickets.
And if you’re in Khiva, the train will be different to the Tashkent/Samarkand train. Make sure you read our post on taking the Khiva to Bukhara train before you head off on this journey because it’s not for the faint of heart (particularly in the summer!)
When to Visit
Uzbekistan gets bloody HOT in the summer, so if you are not good at dealing with 40°C+ temperatures, avoid July/August.
On both our trips to Uzbekistan, we visited during July and yes it’s hot, but that also means there are far fewer crowds of tourists! So it depends on what you value.
On the flipside, winters get bloody cold too. Check out our blog post on what to wear in Uzbekistan for all seasons and to generally respect local culture.
How Long to Spend in Bukhara?
Two full days is probably the perfect amount of time to stay in Bukhara. All of the major sights are in walking distance from each other.
So, where is next?
If you’re looking for more sparkling Silk Road architecture, head up north to the ancient city of Khiva.
In the middle of the Kyzylkum Desert, you’ll have to get a long train ride up here, but it is absolutely worth it. You’ll feel like you’re in an open-air museum set in a sandcastle!
Samarkand has the Silk Road gems as well as the perks of a modern city. Wander the Registan, Bibi Khanum Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda necropolis by day and drink craft beer and cider by night!
Or maybe you’ve had your fill of sparkling mausoleums? Head back to Tashkent for some great restaurants and to spend an afternoon eating your way around Chorsu Bazaar!
Plan more of your trip with these:
- Travel Tips for Uzbekistan: 13 Useful Things to Know
- Uzbekistan Railways: Your Guide to Uzbek Train Travel
- How to Take the Khiva to Bukhara Train for Adventure Travellers
- What to Wear in Uzbekistan: Responsible Travel Tips
- Uzbek Food: What to Eat as a Vegetarian Traveller
- 9 Spectacular Things to Do in Samarkand, Uzbekistan
- Things to Do in Khiva: The Traveller’s Guide
- Top 12 Things to Do in Tashkent
- Tashkent’s Best Restaurants for Vegetarians: 8 Top Spots
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