Bukhara in 7 days

A living Silk Road museum of minarets, madrasas and trading domes, beautifully preserved and uncrowded. Best time to visit: April to May and September to October. Average daily budget: $30 to $60 USD.

Day 1, Land & wander

Base: Lyab-i Hauz, The shaded plaza around an old pool, ringed by madrasas, mulberry trees and teahouses, the social heart of the old town.

Morning: Poi Kalyan & Kalyan Minaret. Stand beneath the 12th-century minaret so impressive that Genghis Khan reportedly ordered it spared.

Afternoon: Explore Lyab-i Hauz, The shaded plaza around an old pool, ringed by madrasas, mulberry trees and teahouses, the social heart of the old town.

Evening: The Ark of Bukhara. Explore the colossal mud-brick fortress that was the seat of the city's emirs for centuries.

Eat: Plov, the rich rice, carrot and meat pilaf that is Uzbekistan's national dish

Day 2, Iconic sights

Base: Poi Kalyan complex, The monumental ensemble of the Kalyan Minaret, mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.

Morning: Wander the trading domes. Shop for carpets, miniatures, scissors and spices beneath the old covered bazaars.

Afternoon: Explore Poi Kalyan complex, The monumental ensemble of the Kalyan Minaret, mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.

Evening: Chor Minor. Seek out the charming little four-towered gatehouse tucked in the back streets.

Eat: Shashlik, char-grilled skewers of marinated meat

Day 3, Food & markets

Base: Trading domes, The covered bazaars (Toki) where Silk Road merchants once traded silk, spices and jewellery.

Morning: Wander the ancient centre. Bukhara's old town is a living museum, the Po-i-Kalyan complex, the Lyabi-Hauz pool, trading domes and madrasas, all within walking distance. One of the Silk Road's best-preserved cities.

Afternoon: Explore Trading domes, The covered bazaars (Toki) where Silk Road merchants once traded silk, spices and jewellery.

Evening: Browse the trading domes. Shop for carpets, scissors, silk and spices under the historic covered bazaars (taqi), then sip tea by the Lyabi-Hauz pool under ancient mulberry trees.

Eat: Samsa, flaky baked pastries filled with meat or pumpkin

Day 4, Local neighbourhoods

Base: The Ark area, Around the massive royal fortress at the edge of the old centre.

Morning: The Bolo Hauz Mosque with its slender carved wooden columns reflected in a pool.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore The Ark area, Around the massive royal fortress at the edge of the old centre.

Evening: Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the last emir's summer palace on the city's edge.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Non, the round tandoor-baked bread, and green tea

Day 5, Day trip

Base: Lyab-i Hauz, The shaded plaza around an old pool, ringed by madrasas, mulberry trees and teahouses, the social heart of the old town.

Morning: Sunset over the rooftops from a teahouse terrace near Lyab-i Hauz.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Afternoon: Explore Lyab-i Hauz, The shaded plaza around an old pool, ringed by madrasas, mulberry trees and teahouses, the social heart of the old town.

Evening: The Jewish quarter and old synagogue, a reminder of Bukhara's diverse past.. A local favourite most visitors miss, worth the detour.

Eat: Plov, the rich rice, carrot and meat pilaf that is Uzbekistan's national dish

Day 6, Hidden gems

Base: Poi Kalyan complex, The monumental ensemble of the Kalyan Minaret, mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Poi Kalyan complex, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Poi Kalyan complex, The monumental ensemble of the Kalyan Minaret, mosque and Mir-i-Arab Madrasa.

Evening: Dinner at Shashlik, char-grilled skewers of marinated meat, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Poi Kalyan complex.

Eat: Shashlik, char-grilled skewers of marinated meat

Day 7, Slow finish

Base: Trading domes, The covered bazaars (Toki) where Silk Road merchants once traded silk, spices and jewellery.

Morning: Slow start: coffee in Trading domes, then an unhurried walk before the heat or the crowds.

Afternoon: Explore Trading domes, The covered bazaars (Toki) where Silk Road merchants once traded silk, spices and jewellery.

Evening: Dinner at Samsa, flaky baked pastries filled with meat or pumpkin, then a quiet drink wherever the locals are in Trading domes.

Eat: Samsa, flaky baked pastries filled with meat or pumpkin

Hidden gems

The Bolo Hauz Mosque with its slender carved wooden columns reflected in a pool.
Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa, the last emir's summer palace on the city's edge.
Sunset over the rooftops from a teahouse terrace near Lyab-i Hauz.
The Jewish quarter and old synagogue, a reminder of Bukhara's diverse past.

Getting around

Bukhara's old town is small and entirely walkable, with nearly all the major sights within fifteen minutes of Lyab-i Hauz. Taxis and ride apps (Yandex Go) are cheap for reaching the train station or the summer palace. The high-speed Afrosiyob train links Bukhara to Samarkand and Tashkent comfortably.

Safety

Bukhara is very safe with low crime and hospitable locals. Standard precautions apply. Summers are extremely hot, so plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings. Carry some cash, as card acceptance is limited, and dress modestly when entering mosques and madrasas.

Bukhara in 3 days | Bukhara in 5 days | Full Bukhara guide