Day TourBukhara

Bukhara in a Day

This one-day walking route takes you through the heart of old Bukhara — a city that has preserved the atmosphere of the medieval East better than almost anywhere else in Central Asia. You'll visit the Ark Fortress, the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, the central Poi-Kalyan ensemble with its Kalyan Minaret, the Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan madrasas, the trading domes of Toki Zargaron and Toki Telpak Furushon, the Magoki-Attari Mosque, and the Lyabi-Hauz ensemble with the Nodir Devonbegi madrasa. The route ends at the unique four-towered Chor-Minor and at the local market, with free time to shop for souvenirs.

Highlights

Fully walkable route, everything within easy reach
The central Poi-Kalyan ensemble with the Kalyan Minaret
The unique four-towered Chor-Minor
Free time at the market at the end of the day
Entrance tickets to all paid sites already included

Day-by-day itinerary

The route begins at the Ark Fortress, the ancient residence of Bukhara's rulers, from which the city was governed for centuries. Nearby stands the Bolo-Hauz Mosque, known as the "mosque of forty columns" for the way its wooden pillars reflect in the pool in front of it. The central Poi-Kalyan ensemble brings together the Kalyan Minaret, the Kalyan Mosque, and the Mir-i Arab madrasa — the main architectural landmark of old Bukhara. Next to it stand the Ulugbek and Abdulaziz Khan madrasas, facing one another. The route then passes through the trading domes of Toki Zargaron and Toki Telpak Furushon, covered markets that have survived since caravan times, as well as the Magoki-Attari Mosque, one of the oldest in the city. The Lyabi-Hauz ensemble, with the Nodir Devonbegi madrasa and khanaka, is one of Bukhara's most atmospheric spots — a traditional gathering place by the water. A few minutes' walk away is Chor-Minor, a small but instantly recognizable structure with four unusual domed towers. The day ends with free time at the local market, where you can take your time choosing souvenirs and gifts.