Bukhara: historic city and vast desert landscape
Accommodation in Bukhara
Bukhara combines an exceptionally ancient historic center with a region whose largest part is covered by the sands of the Kyzylkum Desert. In the city, mosques, mausoleums and minarets tell the story of different periods of Islamic architecture. Outside this urban focal point, historic settlements, a fortress and the desert landscape are among the attractions. When choosing your holiday apartment, consider which of these sides of Bukhara you want to make the focus of your trip.
Islamic architecture in the historic center
Bukhara’s historic center is more than 2,000 years old and is among the best-preserved examples of Islamic cities in Central Asia from the 10th to the 17th century. More than 140 monuments from different eras have been preserved in Bukhara. For those interested in culture, this offers a theme that can be explored through specific buildings: the tomb of Ismail Samani is considered the best-preserved example of 10th-century architecture in the entire Muslim world. The Samanid Mausoleum is also a Muslim pilgrimage site.
The Poi-Kalon ensemble brings together two madrasas, the Kalon Minaret and a mosque of the same name. The minaret was built in 1127 by Arslankhan, ruler of the Qarakhanid state; its brick decoration is considered a masterpiece. These different dates apply to the respective buildings and show the many historical layers encompassed by Bukhara’s architecture.
Other important buildings offer different points of interest: Magoki Attori is one of Uzbekistan’s oldest mosques, and the Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum is architecturally significant. Ark is currently considered the oldest archaeological monument. If you want to focus your trip primarily on the city’s historic buildings, you can include these places among the cultural highlights when choosing where to stay.
Residence, settlement ruins and regional history
The former residence of Sitorai Mohi-khosa is now a museum of decorative and applied arts. Its architecture is divided into an old section in the Oriental style and a new section in the European style. This contrast offers another way to explore Bukhara’s history, complementing the religious buildings in the historic center.
Historic sites outside the city also shape the character of the region. Paykend developed into an important center of trade and craftsmanship during the rule of the Samanids. The ruins of the medieval settlement were preserved beneath the desert for thousands of years and have been called the “Pompeii of Asia” by archaeologists. The remains of an 11th-century Friday mosque were also discovered there. The core of Varakhsha, in turn, is a two-part fortress with large mud-brick walls. Its western section is almost square and about 26 meters wide.
The grounds of the ancient Gijduvan Kurgan fortress contain cultural and heritage sites prepared for tourist visits. These include the Old Stone Bathhouse. Kurgan was granted the status of a tourist mahalla in November 2024. Visitors can also see Gijduvan embroidery in the craft centers and home workshops of Gijduvan. If you are interested in history and crafts, you can include these themes in your regional trip planning alongside Bukhara’s architecture.
Desert, pilgrimage traditions and local cuisine
The “Bukhara Desert Oasis & Spa” tourism cluster is located in the desert area of the Romitan District in the Bukhara Region. Together with the sands of the Kyzylkum, this part of the region has a different landscape from the city and its historic center. It therefore makes sense to choose a holiday apartment based on the places that interest you most, rather than planning all your experiences as a single city itinerary.
For those interested in pilgrimage, Bukhara’s official travel program includes the “Seven Pirs of Bukhara” route with ziyarat rituals. The Mausoleum of Khaji Mukhammad Arif al-Rivgari is also a religiously significant site: it is the burial place of the murshid Khaji Mukhammad Arif Rivgari, who was laid to rest in the village of Shafirkan in the Bukhara Region. Bukhara is also known for Osh-Sophie plov, which is not stirred and is cooked exclusively in a copper cauldron. Thus, in addition to heritage and landscape, pilgrimage traditions and a distinctive local dish are separate interests to consider for your trip.
For regional orientation, see also the Shafirkan District. Other destinations at the same level include Bukhara Region, Qashqadaryo Region, Samarkand Region, Surxondaryo Region, Jizzakh Region, Andijan Province and Navoiy Province.
For the broader travel overview: Uzbekistan.
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