Bukhara is a wonderfully affordable place to visit, and one of its great pleasures is staying in a traditional guesthouse within the old city itself. From restored merchant houses to simple family-run rooms, there is plenty of good-value accommodation to choose from. Here is a district-by-district guide to help you decide where to base yourself.
Around Lyab-i Hauz
The area around the Lyab-i Hauz pool is the most popular and atmospheric place to stay. Many old houses here have been converted into small guesthouses and boutique hotels, often arranged around a traditional courtyard with carved wooden balconies. Prices range from modest to mid-level, and you are right in the middle of the action, steps from teahouses, bazaars and the main monuments.
The Madrasa and Bazaar Quarter
Closer to the trading domes and the Kalan complex, a number of simple, inexpensive guesthouses occupy the quiet lanes between the madrasas. These tend to be excellent value, with friendly hosts and home-cooked breakfasts, and they put the city’s greatest religious monuments within an easy walk. It is a peaceful area once the day-trippers have left.
The Modern Town
Beyond the historic core, the newer part of Bukhara has a selection of budget and mid-range hotels along its main streets. They lack the charm of the old houses but are practical, with easy parking and quick transport links. This area suits travellers who prefer a more conventional hotel or who are passing through briefly.
Near the Train Station
The railway station lies some way outside the centre, in the satellite town of Kagan, where a few simple hotels cater to those with early or late trains. It is convenient for transport but far from the sights, so most visitors prefer to stay in the old city and take a short taxi to the station when needed.
Recommended Budget Stays in Bukhara
To help you start your search, here are some highly rated budget guesthouses in and around the old city, with their Google ratings at the time of writing. Ratings and prices do change, so always confirm the latest before booking.
- Mahbubakhon Family Guest House – a warmly reviewed family-run stay, rated about 5.0 from 39 Google reviews.
- Guest House An & Tea House – a charming guesthouse with its own tea house, around 5.0 from 38 reviews.
- Uzbegim Family Guest House – a friendly, well-priced option, roughly 4.9 from 62 reviews.
- Native Guest House – one of the best-value stays in the old town, about 4.5 from 70 reviews.
- Nemo Guest House – a small, highly rated guesthouse, around 5.0 from a handful of reviews.
Budget Tips
As elsewhere in Uzbekistan, room rates climb during the pleasant spring and autumn high seasons and fall in the heat of summer and the cold of winter. Booking a courtyard guesthouse directly usually brings the best price and a generous breakfast. With the old city so compact, wherever you stay within it leaves the monuments within easy reach on foot.
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