You are in the Heart of Nukus

Nukus is the gateway to the mysterious world of Karakalpakstan, where masterpieces of avant-garde art are kept among the sands, and the songs of yurts echo at sunset. Here, you can witness the disappearing sea, taste the most delicious fish, and explore the ancient fortresses of Khorezm. Follow our guide to discover the spirit of a land where the desert remembers the past and nomadic traditions are not museum exhibits, but a way of life.

Top things to do in Nukus

1. Explore the Savitsky State Museum of Art, often referred to as the “Karakalpak Louvre” or the “Hermitage of the Desert”.

2. Visit the Museum of History and Culture of Karakalpakstan.

3. Learn more about Karakalpak culture at the Berdakh National Museum.

4. Attend a performance at the Berdakh Karakalpak State Academic Musical Theater.

5. Shop for souvenirs and local products at the Central Market.

6. Stop by the fish market, where you can buy and taste carp, perch, and crucian carp.

Top Things to do Beyond Nukus

7. Visit the vanishing Aral Sea and explore the ship graveyard, Aral Sea Museum, and the abandoned fish cannery in the former port city of Muynak.

8. Enjoy fresh fish at the annual culinary festival “99 Dishes from the Fish of the Aral Sea” in Muynak.

9. Take a jeep tour across the dried seabed of the Aral Sea.

10. Embark on a jeep tour to the Ustyurt Plateau with its multicolored and fantastically shaped cliffs.

11. Learn about local craftsmanship – specifically yurt-making – and meet master yurt builders (uishi).

12. Spend a night in a yurt camp under the starry sky.

13. Discover archaeological sites: the Toprak-Kala fortress (former capital of ancient Khorezm), the Kyzyl-Kala fortress, and the Ayaz-Kala settlement.

14. Hear the legend of the “World Clock” or “Apocalypse Clock” at the ancient necropolis of Mizdakhan, which dates back more than 2,500 years.

What to try

- Fresh fish and a traditional Karakalpak dish called karma;
- Patyr – thin layered flatbreads, including versions with fried onions;
- Ak-saulak – a local noodle dish, with strips resembling hand-cut pasta;
- Jugeri gurtyk – a dish made from sorghum flour dough;
- Karashay – traditional Karakalpak tea brewed with milk, sometimes with honey or butter.

What to bring home

- The traditional Karakalpak headdress shogirme;
- Local musical instruments like the dutar and girjek;
- Textiles or clothing featuring traditional ornaments;
- Kurt – salty balls made from sour milk;
- Handcrafted knives made by local artisans.