Bukhara is the easiest of Uzbekistan's great cities to see on foot: the main monuments sit within a walk of each other in the old town. One day will not show you everything, but it shows you the heart of the city. This is the order we use when a guest has only one day.
Morning: Lyabi-Hauz and the trading domes
Start at Lyabi-Hauz, the pool surrounded by old mulberry trees, with the Kukeldash madrasa and the Nadir Divan-Begi madrasa and khanaka around it. From there, walk through the trading domes — covered crossroads bazaars where money changers, hat makers and jewellers once worked. On the way, stop at the Magoki-Attari mosque, sunk below today's street level.
Late morning: Po-i-Kalyan
The Kalon minaret has stood over Bukhara since the 12th century. Around its base are the Kalon mosque and the Mir-i-Arab madrasa, together called Po-i-Kalyan. Go before midday, when the square is at its quietest and the light on the tiles is still soft.
Afternoon: the Ark and beyond
After lunch, visit the Ark, the fortress of Bukhara's rulers, then cross to the Bolo-Hauz mosque with its tall wooden columns. If you still have energy, take a short ride or a longer walk to the Samanid mausoleum in the park — one of the oldest buildings in Central Asia, made entirely of patterned brick.
Evening: back to Lyabi-Hauz
End where you started. In the evening, Lyabi-Hauz fills with local families, and the old town is pleasantly lit.
If you have a second day
Add Chor Minor, the small four-towered gatehouse in a residential quarter, and the Emir's summer palace Sitorai Mohi Hossa on the edge of the city. See our full-day private tour for a day that goes beyond the centre.
Practical notes
- Most monuments charge separate entrance tickets; your guide helps you buy the right ones.
- Wear comfortable shoes — the old town has uneven stone paving.
- In summer, plan the open squares for the morning and late afternoon.
Prefer a shorter walk? Our half-day private tour of the old town covers the essentials in about four hours.
