Things to do in Bukhara
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Bella Italia
It's not the world's best Italian food, but nor is it the worst and by this point in your trip you're undoubtedly ready for some pasta.
reviewed
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Hammom Kunjak
This women's bathhouse is behind Kalon Minaret.
reviewed
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Bukhara Palace Hotel
The basement nightclub here gets going on weekends.
reviewed
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Yog' Du Bookshop
Sells picture books and maps of Bukhara and Uzbekistan.
reviewed
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Aka Ilkhom
Guides can be booked directly or through the Tourist Information Centre or Uzbektourism.
reviewed
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Zinnat Ashurova
English. Guides can be booked directly or through the Tourist Information Centre or Uzbektourism.
reviewed
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Noila Kazidzanova
English. Guides can be booked directly or through the Tourist Information Centre or Uzbektourism.
reviewed
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Gulya Khamidova
English. Guides can be booked directly or through the Tourist Information Centre or Uzbektourism.
reviewed
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Oscar
This small club draws a young, very local crowd. Foreigners welcome but will most definitely be exotic.
reviewed
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Nellia
From Salom Travel; French. Guides can be booked directly or through the Tourist Information Centre or Uzbektourism.
reviewed
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Maksuma
Maksuma, a guide at the Ark, is an archaeological specialist who can recommend excursions to excavations and petroglyphs in the desert north of Bukhara.
reviewed
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Nughay Caravanserai wine tasting
Djamal Akhrarov has an informal wine shop and tasting room in this 18th-century caravanserai. The local wines are surprisingly good, in particular the cabernets.
reviewed
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Kochevnik
This Korean eatery is ideally situated near Lyabi-Hauz and complements its Asian fare with Russian food. Lest you be sceptical about its authenticity, it's co-owned by an ethnic Korean.
reviewed
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Borzi Kord
Folk rave about Bukhara's famed hammomi (baths), most notably the Borzi Kord. It's technically a men's bathhouse but groups of tourists can reserve it after hours for mixed use.
reviewed
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Gaukushan Medressa
West of Taqi-Sarrafon is the interesting 16th-century Gaukushan Medressa with chipped majolica on its unrestored façade.
Across the canal is a little brother of the Kalon Minaret.
reviewed
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Bukhara Artisan Development Centre
At the Bukhara Artisan Development Centre you can watch artisans at work on a variety of handicrafts including silk-embroidered tapestries, miniature paintings, jewellery boxes and chess sets.
reviewed
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Hoja Zayniddin Mosque
Across from the Ark on Hoja Nurabad, the interior of the 16th-century Hoja Zayniddin Mosque has some of the best very old, original mosaic and ghanch work you're going to see anywhere.
reviewed
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East Line Tour
In a town that's perfect for exploring on bike, this is the only agency that rents them. Also runs full gamut of tours, but specializes in bird-watching tours around Tudakul Lake and further afield.
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Silk Road Spices
This boutique teahouse offers a delightful diversion from all that sightseeing. They have exactly six spicy varieties of tea and coffee, served with rich local sweets such as halva and qandalat.
reviewed
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Alyans
As in much of the country, locals tend to gravitate toward 'dance bars', basically restaurants that devolve into bacchanalian dance parties after dinner, often with floor shows. Alyans is a good example.
reviewed
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El Dorado
As in much of the country, locals tend to gravitate toward 'dance bars', basically restaurants that devolve into bacchanalian dance parties after dinner, often with floor shows. El Dorado is a good example.
reviewed
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Museum of Art
Museum of Art has mostly 20th-century paintings by Bukharan artists, some of which can be purchased in a gallery on the ground floor. It's in the former headquarters of the Russian Central Asian Bank (1912).
reviewed
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Medressas
Southeast of Samani Park are two massive medressas, one named for the great Shaybanid ruler Abdulla Khan, and one for his mother called Modari Khan (mother of the khan). The latter is locked, the former contains yet more crafts shops.
reviewed
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Unesco Carpet Weaving Shop
You can watch silk-carpet weavers in action at Unesco Carpet Weaving Shop. It no longer has anything to do with Unesco (which helped them launch in 2001), but uniquely produces only Bukhara designs. Call ahead to book a tour in English.
reviewed
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Abdul Aziz Khan Medressa
The student rooms (across from Ulugbek Medressa) at the 16th-century Abdul Aziz Khan Medressa are occupied, rather typically, by souvenir shops. This is another unrestored gem, built by its namesake to outdo the Ulugbek Medressa in size and splendour.
reviewed