Bukhara

Bukhara, one of Central Asia most historically significant cities, lies in southwestern Uzbekistan, approximately 225 kilometres west of Samarkand. With a history spanning over 2,500 years, it served as a pivotal centre of trade, culture, and Islamic scholarship along the Silk Road. The city’s UNESCO-listed historic centre contains over 140 architectural monuments, reflecting its importance as a medieval hub of learning and commerce.
Founded around the 6th century BCE, Bukhara became a major intellectual and religious centre under the Samanid Empire in the 9th and 10th centuries. The city was home to renowned scholars such as Avicenna (Ibn Sina) and played a crucial role in the development of Islamic theology and science. Its architectural legacy includes the 47-metre-high Kalyan Minaret (1127), the imposing Ark Fortress (5th century), and the intricately decorated Mir-i-Arab Madrasa (16th century).
Bukhara’s urban layout retains its medieval character, with labyrinthine alleyways, domed bazaars, and centuries-old water reservoirs. The city’s economy once thrived on silk, spices, and slave trading, leaving a lasting imprint on its cultural heritage. Today, it remains a key destination for those studying Islamic architecture and Central Asian history, offering well-preserved examples of Timurid and Shaybanid-era design.
Unlike many modernised Uzbek cities, Bukhara maintains an authentic atmosphere, with many of its historic structures still in active use as mosques, madrasas, and markets.
How to get to Bukhara
Bukhara has an international airport with flights to Russia and Turkey. Most travellers however arrive by train.
Accommodation
There are countless hotels, bookable via international hotel booking portals.