Tourist Attractions in Bukhara

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Bukhara

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Bukhara

Bukhara is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Its history is connected with the Arabs and Mongols, who at different times ruled this territory. The location of the city can be called strategic, so it was often subjected to invasions. The Silk trade route passed through the city, which helped in the development and building up of ties. There was little crime in Bukhara of the past, so there were almost no prisons built. Only one zindan, a real fortress, has survived to this day.

Architectural ensembles of the district were sometimes formed over centuries, and look like a single whole. Every ruler wanted to leave behind a legacy, so new mosques, madrasas, minarets and tombs appeared regularly. Some of them retained their functions, while others became museums.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Bukhara

Kalan Mosque

 4.8/5

773 reviews

In the XII century, under the leadership of Arslan Khan, the city was completely rebuilt. Among other things, the ruler conceived the Poi-Kalyan complex. The minaret appeared at the same time, and the present cathedral mosque and Miri Arab madrasah only in the XVI century. The place was not chosen by chance: there was a mosque here in the past. At the time of the project’s creation, only ruins remained of it. The new building could accommodate about 12 thousand people for simultaneous prayer. By this indicator it became the second in the country. The minaret has a height of more than 46 metres. It has never been repaired. The madrasah is still used for its intended purpose.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Ark of Bukhara

 4.6/5

2694 reviews

The oldest archaeological monument of Bukhara. It was built in the 10th century, but the earliest surviving buildings inside the walls date back to the 17th century. Legends attribute the foundation of the fortress to the local hero Siyavush. Omar Khayyam also lived here for some time. The unique library did not survive because of regular wars and attacks on the citadel. Now the architectural and art museum is based here.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Toki Sarrofon

 4.5/5

133 reviews

The Silk Trade Route passed through Bukhara. For this reason, there was a lot of trade here. At the intersection of roads, domed buildings were erected – a kind of covered bazaars called “toki”. Under one roof, markets of different kinds were united. Traditionally, there are four toki: Toki Sarrafon, Toki Telpak Furushon, Tim Abdullah Khan and Toki Zargaron. You can buy everything from jewellery to antique books.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Ismail Samani Mausoleum

 4.7/5

757 reviews

Located on the site of an ancient cemetery, which was honoured in the past. It was erected in the IX century in the traditional Sogdian style, but with the use of more durable materials. The external features of the building refer to the creators’ vision of the world. At the base is a square – the symbol of the earth, and crowned with a dome – the vault of heaven. Three theologians, including the founder of the Samanid dynasty, are buried in the mausoleum.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Chashmai Ayub Mausoleum

 4.5/5

215 reviews

The name translates from Persian as “Job’s spring”. There is a spring near the tomb. According to legend, it appeared thanks to the prophet Job: he touched the ground with his staff to give water to the locals. Although the mausoleum was built in the XII century, there are no burials from that period. The building was rebuilt many times, including under Tamerlane. There is now a water museum and a carpet exhibition inside.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Şahı Nakşıbend Behaeddin-i Buhari Hazretleri

 4.8/5

590 reviews

The area was formerly the centre of one of the Sufi orders. The brotherhood got along well with official Islam and had no tendency to be reclusive. The burial place of the head of the brotherhood, mosques, a khanaka, a minaret and a madrassa are all present in the complex. The arrangement of the arched sakkahana is also curious. According to legend, if you quench your thirst here and leave an offering, any wish of the asker will be fulfilled.

Open time

Monday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Chor Bakr Memorial Complex

 4.7/5

342 reviews

Originally located in a village, but the grounds were later incorporated into the city. The Juibar seyyids are buried here. The history of their dynasty dates back to Muhammad himself. The necropolis was created to preserve the unique tombs. The neighbourhood over several centuries gradually became overgrown with buildings, and the entrance was made in the form of a distinctive gate. The last burials date back to the beginning of the last century.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Lyabi House Hotel

 4.5/5

1406 reviews

In the central part of Bukhara there is Lyabi-Hauz Square. Around it there is a complex of ancient buildings. This area was built in XVI-XVII centuries. Madrasah Kukeldash was erected first. It combined a mosque, residential areas and classrooms. And Nodir-Divan-Begi originally fulfilled the functions of a caravanserai, so it lacks many of the usual features for madrasahs. Khanaka Diwan-Begi is small in size, but has rich decoration. The fountain is a full-fledged component of the complex. During its history it has been a pond, a water tank and, after draining, a sports ground.

Open time

Nasreddin

 0/5

The sculptor Yakov Shapiro designed it in 1979. The author was tasked with conveying all the components of the complex image of the folk hero. Khoja Nasreddin is popular in the East. He appears as a man of great intelligence and a simpleton at the same time. The people’s favourite is able to profit from any problem. The bronze Nasreddin was placed on a donkey and gave his features a certain playfulness.

Bolo Khauz

 3.8/5

75 reviews

The mosque, the house and the minaret form a single ensemble. In the past, this mosque was the main mosque in the city for Friday prayers. It is divided into two parts: winter and summer. Columns play an important role in the decoration of the interiors. They not only support the ceiling of the iwan, but also frame the entrance. The minaret appeared only in the last century. And the first buildings on the registan date back to the XVIII century.

Open time

Chor Minor Madrasah

 4.6/5

1101 reviews

It was built at the expense of a local merchant at the beginning of the century before last. Since the madrasah has 4 towers in the form of minarets, it got this name. It also has another name – Khalif Niyazkul in honour of its founder. The paintings on each tower are unique. It is believed that they refer to the world’s major religions. Subsequently, living quarters were added to the madrasah. They are decorated in a traditional style.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Ulugʻbek madrasasi

 4.6/5

379 reviews

The complex was formed over a long period from the 15th to the 17th century. The Ulugbek Madrasah was built earlier. More than 150 years after its foundation, its appearance has changed due to the new cladding. Now the premises are given to the Museum of History of Restoration of Monuments of the city. Yellow paint was used for the first time in the decoration of Abdullaziz Khan Madrasah. The wall painting is very diverse, which is atypical for such buildings.

Open time

Qo'sh Madrasa

 4.5/5

126 reviews

The complex consists of two madrasas that stand opposite each other. Hence the name, which translates as “double”. The first madrasah in honour of Modari Khan was built in the 16th century, and the second one in honour of Abdullah Khan a couple of decades later. These landmarks are not only examples of architecture of their time. They were very popular educational institutions. Not everyone could get to classes here.

Open time

Hodscha-Zaynuddin-Komplex

 3.9/5

9 reviews

Formed in the 16th century. It is surrounded by a residential neighbourhood. On the territory of the complex one finds a marble-lined house. Its spillway is made in the form of a dragon’s head. Another notable structure is the hanaka. The building was used as a neighbourhood mosque. The walls have unusual and extensive paintings. The open gallery is also decorated with all kinds of decorative elements and patterns. At the same time, they are kept in calm colours.

Open time

Magoki Attori Mosque

 4.4/5

174 reviews

It is located on the site of an ancient shrine. It was created to worship the moon, so the mosque is sometimes called Moh, which translates as “moon”. The premises of the mosque literally went under the ground, but are now restored to their former form. In ancient times, Jews were also allowed to perform rituals in Magoki-Attari. Because of this, the followers of Judaism from Bukhara had a special wish for peace when praying.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Sitorai-Mokhi-Khosa palace

 4.5/5

811 reviews

The palace was built at the beginning of the last century. It served as a country residence of the Emir of Bukhara. Although the complex was characterised by European style, there was a division into male and female halves inside. Nowadays there is a museum of decorative and applied arts inside. It has been in operation since 1927 and has been seriously updated several times. One of the most popular exhibitions is the interiors of the palace.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

Fayzulla Khodjaev Museum

 4.5/5

161 reviews

Fayzulla Khodjaev was a prominent fighter for equal rights, political and social activist. He was repressed and executed in the 30s of the last century. The museum exposition is divided into 3 parts. The first one is devoted to the life of Faizullah himself. The other two are ethnographic in nature. They tell about the life of rich merchants of that period and their cuisine. The museum is located in the house where the Khojaev family lived.

Open time

Khoja Gaukushan Ensemble

 4.5/5

26 reviews

The Cathedral Mosque and Madrasah form a single complex. It was formed by the end of the XVI century. The courtyard arrangement is typical for that time. But the minaret stands out, it is one of the highest in the city. On this place formerly bulls were slaughtered. Hence the name, which is translated accordingly. Together with other sites in the historic part of the city, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Open time

Zindan

 4.4/5

208 reviews

One of the city’s two prisons. The fortress was built in the 18th century and was used for the detention of debtors who failed to attend the morning obligatory prayer and other lawbreakers. The maximum term of imprisonment was 15 days, as the court met in the square twice a month. The final punishment was handed down at that time. Inside the zindan there were torture rooms and a pit with scorpions.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Bukhara Tower

 4.2/5

91 reviews

The tower was erected in the 1920s. Since the project belonged to Shukhov, the tower was named in honour of the author. Until 1975, the tower was actively used as part of the city’s water supply system. As a result of dilapidation it fell into disrepair and was decommissioned. Later, the object was included in the number of historical monuments. The authorities carried out restoration and a restaurant was opened inside, but not for long.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM