Where to Stay in Bukhara (5 Hotel Options Near the Old Town)
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Post overview: This guide contains tips for where to stay in Bukhara, including some of my top hotel and guesthouse picks.
Every Bukhara hotel I listed is centrally located and within an easy walk of the city’s main sites.
Quick Bukhara Travel Guide
If you’re traveling to Bukhara at the last minute, be sure you have hotels and tours booked ahead of time. Below are some of my top picks:
🇺🇿 Best cultural workshops and activities from Bukhara:
- Plov masterclass in a traditional workshop (beautiful location!)
- Suzani embroidery workshop (organized by Craft&Culture, my fave company in UZ)
- Miniature painting workshop (another top-seller from Craft&Culture)
🛌 Top hotels and lodging in Bukhara:
- Duston Boutique Hotel (where I like to stay in Bukhara, near historic sites)
- Bibi-Khanym Hotel (beautiful, woman-owned hotel in the city)
- Rayhon Boutique Hotel (affordable option close to main sites)
Bukhara has an array of places to stay, and I feel so lucky I found a place I adored on my first stay (this rarely happens in Uzbekistan) that I booked for a later trip. I also went back a third time as part of a group trip, and they booked us into yet another fantastic place (that is a good choice for those with a tighter budget).
This guide contains those two hotels in Bukhara, plus a few others that I visited or heard good things about. I have been to Bukhara three times and have spent quite a bit of time there over those three visits… including a lot of time at my hotel since I couldn’t hack the heat on one of the trips (still in recovery mode!).
📝 Megan’s Notes
If you’re visiting Bukhara for the first time, I highly recommend getting a tour guide. I found the best guide named Kamilla for my trip. She spoke impeccable English, made the tour interactive, and showed me the best of her city, Bukhara. You can send her a message on WhatsApp to arrange a walking tour +998 97 300 69 99.
Do you have any questions or recommendations for good places to stay in Bukhara? Drop your favorite Bukhara hotels and guesthouses in the comments if so. Thanks!
Where to Stay in Bukhara Overview
There are heaps of accommodation options in Bukhara. I only cover 5 in this guide, however. Two I have stayed at, one I have visited, one I heard raving things about from my guide (it has a woman-owner), and the last is a highly-rated hostel for those traveling on a budget.
Here is a quick overview of the Bukhara accommodation options I discuss in greater detail below:
- Duston Boutique Hotel (my favorite place to stay in Bukhara; affordable luxury)
- Lyabi House Hotel (a gorgeous hotel that has one of Bukhara’s best restaurants)
- Rayhon Boutique Hotel (a family-owned place I stayed at; little no-frills, but the family was so nice and I enjoyed my stay)
- Bibi-Khanym Hotel (a woman-owned hotel that my guide recommended)
- Dervish Hostel (an affordable hostel that is not far from the historic center)
As noted above, I stayed at Duston Boutique Hotel on two of my trips (hey, if I like a place, I always return!) and Rayhon Boutique Hotel on my third trip (I was part of a group, so I wasn’t in charge of booking accommodation).
Best Area to Stay in Bukhara
I highly recommend looking at where you’re going to stay on a map and seeing how far it is from the historic city center of Bukhara (or ‘Registan’ on a map is a good place to keep an eye out for). Almost all of Bukhara’s famous sites are located in the city center, and staying far outside of it may mean you need to use your feet a lot, or a taxi service.
There are a lot of options in the city center, so you shouldn’t be hard-pressed to find one. Do know that the high season can book out quickly, so if you’re traveling in April/May or September/October, book ahead as much as possible to ensure availability.
Do not stay near Bukhara train station. It is a $2-3 taxi ride from the historic center but around a 30-minute commute. Just stay in the center.
My Favorite Hotels in Bukhara, Uzbekistan
1. Duston Boutique Hotel (My Top Pick)
Oh, how I love this place. I booked Duston Boutique Hotel on a whim on my first trip because it kept showing up in my hotel search on Booking.com. The staff was friendly, the breakfast was good, and the room was comfortable and spacious. I had a terrific stay.
So when I was heading back to Bukhara a few months later with a friend, it was a no-brainer that we had to book Duston for our trip. We ended up with a huge room, much-needed air-conditioning, and a fabulous stay.
The breakfast at Duston Boutique Hotel is delicious and offers a lot of variety (more in the high season than the low season when I first went).
They also have a tapchan in the courtyard that you can enjoy breakfast at, or a rooftop terrace that you can sit at and watch the sun come up (or go down). Duston is only steps away from the historic center and Toqi Telpakfurushon.
2. Lyabi House Hotel
Located in a 19th-century building in the heart of Bukhara, Lyabi House Hotel is a popular place to stay that is upper mid-range for Uzbekistan standards. I haven’t stayed there, but I did walk around the courtyard after one of my dining experiences at Ayvan, the on-site restaurant that I had the pleasure of dining at twice.
Each room comes with air-conditioning, a fridge, a work desk, and a TV. There is also a private bathroom that comes equipped with a hair dryer and other toiletries. The staff speaks good English and the breakfast area is beautiful.
3. Rayhon Boutique Hotel
I feel so bad that I only had one night at Rayhon Boutique Hotel. I stayed here as part of my group tour down into Turkmenistan, but we had a few nights in Uzbekistan beforehand. Rayhon is located quite close to Bolo Hauz Mosque, which is a stone’s throw from the old town. The street was quiet, as was the guesthouse, and the family that ran it was so lovely!
The breakfast was typical Uzbek and tasty, and my room had all the necessary amenities, including air-conditioning, a nice bathroom, etc. There was also a large courtyard.
When I was back in Bukhara two weeks after staying there, I passed Rayhon while sightseeing and the owner was out front and remembered me, and said hello. This is really why I love family-owned businesses and try to stay at them whenever I can.
4. Bibi-Khanym Hotel
Bibi-Khanym Hotel is next on my list of places to stay in Bukhara. I asked my guide about woman-owned businesses in Bukhara and she instantly mentioned this hotel. The rooms have a very Uzbek aesthetic, along with spacious bathrooms. There is a green courtyard with plenty of space to enjoy an evening outside when the sun goes down.
There is a family-friendly restaurant on-site that serves halal food, along with Russian and Asian flavors. Each room has an electric kettle, TV, and air-conditioning.
5. Dervish Hostel
Dervish Hostel is a local accommodation that offers dorms and private rooms for affordable prices. They are very close to the old town and you can walk between the two on foot. Each room has air-conditioning, a private bathroom, and a wardrobe.
Another thing I love is that they offer female dorms which is a huge plus for me (I like being able to recommend that to the women reading my blog). On the flip side, they also have male dorms. Breakfast is included in your stay and if you’re looking for one of the cheapest places to stay in Bukhara that is still highly-rated and nice, Dervish is a place to consider.
Where to Stay in Bukhara FAQ
What’s the best area to stay in Bukhara?
The best area to stay in Bukhara is in or near the historic old town. The UNESCO World Heritage historic center is where most landmarks and sites are situated and you will be able to visit them all on foot if you stay close by.
Look for hotels near Po-i-Kalyan Square or Lyabi Havuz on a map. Anything in close proximity means you’re close to the old town.
Should I stay in a boutique guesthouse or a larger hotel?
I, personally, think boutique guesthouses and hotels in Bukhara are better than larger, chain hotels. Many are family-run and they offer a taste of Uzbek hospitality which is truly something special.
Most boutique hotels have air-conditioning, a 24-hour desk or reception, and a delicious breakfast.
How far in advance should I book accommodation in Bukhara?
If you are visiting Bukhara in the summer or winter, you are coming out of season so you have more flexibility with your trip planning.
High season is spring and autumn (April/May and September/October), so if you are coming to Bukhara then, book ahead as far as you can, especially with accommodation.
How many nights should I stay in Bukhara?
I would stay in Bukhara at least two nights to ensure you can see all the main sites, as well as take a workshop or two to honor the artisan culture of the city. This also gives you time to enjoy Bukhara at night, which is special in its own right!
Is breakfast usually included?
Yes, breakfast is usually included at most Bukhara hotels and guesthouses. Just double-check at the time of booking, but I had breakfast included in every stay I have had in Uzbekistan as a whole, so it is pretty common.
Is Bukhara’s old town walkable from where I’ll be staying?
If you stay close to the historic center, then yes, everything is accessible on foot. The only two sites that require a taxi ride to get to are Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa (the Summer Palace) and Chor Bakr.
Do you have any questions about where to stay in Bukhara? Let me know your favorite hotels in Bukhara… or the place you’d love to stay most when there. Thanks!
