Bukhara 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Bukhara: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Toqi Sarrafon Bazaar

A covered 16th-century trading dome with a cobbled floor and vaulted ceiling. Traders sell hand-woven scarves, ceramics, and dried herbs. Browsing costs nothing.

🕐 09:00–19:00 (some stalls close for lunch 13:00–15:00)

Free entry

💡 The best time is mid-morning when the light streams through the dome's holes. Haggling is expected—start at half the asking price for souvenirs like embroidered suzani cloth.

Hotels near Toqi Sarrafon Bazaar →
Afternoon
Bolo Hauz Mosque

An early 18th-century mosque with an iconic 20-column wooden veranda, painted with floral motifs. It faces a small pool and is still used for Friday prayers.

🕐 Daily 07:00–18:00 (prayer times may restrict access)

Free entry

💡 Visit just after morning prayer (around 8am) when the courtyard is empty and the light hits the painted columns. Women should bring a scarf for entry.

Hotels near Bolo Hauz Mosque →
Evening
Where to eat

Elit Max restorani · ££

Silk Road Tea House · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Bukhara

Morning
Samani Park

A leafy public park with wide paths, a children's playground, and an artificial lake with pedal boats. Popular with locals for evening strolls and picnics under plane trees.

🕐 06:00–22:00

💡 Hire a boat for around 10,000 som (under £1) for 20 minutes—it's a quiet way to see the park from the water. Bring your own snacks as the cafes are pricey.

Midday
Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble

A 17th-century plaza built around a central pool, surrounded by mulberry trees and historic madrasas. Locals gather here in the evenings to chat or sip tea on the terraces.

🕐 Always open

💡 Go at sunset to see the pool reflect the gold-lit madrasas. The teahouses around the plaza charge for drinks, but sitting on the pool's stone edge costs nothing.

Evening
Dining tonight

Minzifa

Old Bukhara

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Ark of Bukhara

The former royal fortress, with thick mud-brick walls rising from Registan Square. Only the outer courtyard and some ramparts are free to explore—the interior m

💡 You can walk around the base and into the main gateway for free. For the best view without paying, cross the street to the pedestrian bridge near the Bolo Hauz Mosque.

Final meal

Кофе и сладости

Boloi Hovuz Choyxonasi

Getting Around Bukhara

Bus 80 or 9 From 1,400 UZS 30 min

Buy a reusable ATTO transport card at the airport kiosk (5,000 UZS) to avoid fumbling for coins. The bus stop is a 3-min walk east of the terminal. Tell the driver 'Lyabi Hauz' so they warn you—the stop is unmarked on the side of the main road.

Marshrutka (minibus) line 2 or 29 From 1,500 UZS 20 min

Minibuses don’t display route numbers well—just wave any marshrutka with '11' or '29' on its side and shout 'Lyabi!' The ride is bumpy but drops you 150m from the hotel area. Keep small change ready; drivers rarely give change for large notes.

Airport taxi (official stand) From 30,000-40,000 UZS 15 min

Ignore drivers inside the terminal offering 80,000+ UZS. Walk 50m past the parking lot to the main road and flag down a passing yellow taxi—they’ll take you for 30,000. Or order via Yandex Taxi app (prepaid, fixed price).

Yandex Taxi (shared / economy) From 5,000-8,000 UZS 5 min

Set the destination as 'Buxoro Lyabi Havuz'—drivers know it. Economy class is fine; avoid Comfort unless you need a newer car with AC. Pay cash don’t add card, as many drivers cancel card orders in this area.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Bukhara?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Toqi Sarrafon Bazaar and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Bukhara?

See our full best time to visit Bukhara guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Atlas, Mubinjon's Bukhara House, Zargaron. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.