Nukus is the capital of the autonomous Republic of Karakalpakstan.It lies hidden in the remote western reaches of Uzbekistan. While it might not capture your attention at first glance and rarely tops the usual travel itineraries, the city offers unique experiences beyond the medieval monuments of the famed Silk Road cities of Uzbekistan. From exploring one of the country’s most impressive art collections at the Savitsky Museum to serving as a gateway to the vanishing Aral Sea – a stark reminder of one of the world’s worst man-made ecological disasters – Nukus has a lot to offer.
For travelers looking to explore a different side of Uzbekistan and eager to add a “bonus” stan to their itinerary, Nukus promises an enriching journey through art, history, and cultural traditions. To fully appreciate Nukus and its sights, however, one needs to understand Karakalpakstan itself, a land shaped by deserts, ancient civilizations and ecological disasters. Most importantly, Nukus provides a rare glimpse into the rich heritage and ancient traditions of the Karakalpak people, a distinct Turkic-speaking ethnic group with deep ties to a nomadic way of life.
You can easily reach Nukus by air from several cities. Flights are available from Tashkent with Silk Avia and Uzbekistan Airways, providing direct connections. FlyArystan operates flights from Almaty, while SCAT Airlines offers services from Aqtau. Uzbekistan Airways also connects Nukus to international destinations like Istanbul and Moscow, as well as domestic routes from Muynak. With various options, flying to Nukus is both convenient and accessible.

What to see & do in Nukus
Savitsky Museum
One of the main reasons to visit Nukus is the Savitsky Museum, officially known as the Museum of Arts of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, named after Igor Savitsky. Often dubbed the “Louvre in the Desert,” the museum houses the world’s second-largest collection of Russian avant-garde paintings.

In addition to its avant-garde masterpieces, the museum boasts a remarkable collection of archaeological artifacts gathered from various sites across Karakalpakstan. Many were found in excavations by the Khorezmian Archaeological Expedition, one of the first large investigations of the type in the region. These artifacts tell the story of the region’s ancient civilizations, including those that flourished in ancient Khorezm and along the northern branch of the Silk Road. Moreover, the museum’s ethnographic exhibits showcase traditional Karakalpak crafts, including textiles, jewelry, and ceramics.

STATE MUSEUM OF THE HISTORY AND CULTURE OF KARAKALPAKSTAN
Although the Savitsky Museum has its own rich collections of archaeology and ethnography, it currently lacks space to display them. You should therefore visit the State Museum of the History and Culture of Karakalpakstan (also known as the Regional History Museum) to learn about Karakalpakstan’s past and its fascinating applied arts traditions.
The museum’s archaeology gallery provides important context for your visits to Karakalpakstan’s desert fortresses. The scale models are helpful in understanding what these sites would have looked like in their prime. You can also see many of the artefacts excavated here: the three-legged bronze cauldron, which dates from the 5th century BC, is particularly impressive.
In the entrance hall of the museum is a full size yurt, decorated with all the traditional weavings, rugs, and everyday items needed by a Karakalpak family. This complements the excellent collection of costumes upstairs; the indigo-dyed dresses with embroidery, and the intricately beaded wedding headdresses are magnificent.

ARTISTS’ STUDIO TOUR
The community of artists inspired by Savitsky is one of his greatest legacies. For three generations now, Karakalpakstan has produced contemporary artists who are pushing the boundaries of subjects, materials, and techniques not only in their homeland but around the world. Meeting them in their homes, studios, and galleries is one of the highlights of any trip to Nukus.
Start with Sarsenbay Boybosinov, a People’s Artist of Karakalpakstan, whose career has straddled the Soviet and independence periods. Boybosinov is well-known for his pointillism technique, which links him to other post-Impressionists like the French artist George Seurat; but he also produces stormy landscapes reminiscent of John Constable, still lifes, and collages.

Bazarbay Serekeev was Boybosinov’s contemporary, though he died in 2017. His family have preserved his studio as a museum, and added a modern gallery space showing both his paintings and his distinctive painted gourds.
Serekeev’s son, Bakhtiyar, is the leading light of the Nukus School, a group of four young artists from Karakalpakstan. He is represented internationally by Saachi Art and produces dramatic paintings of surreal, sometimes nightmarish figures in acrylics and oils. His home and studio are easy to spot on account of the three graffiti-style figures decorating the gateway. Serekeev Jnr works closely with Temur Shardemetov, another member of the Nukus School, whose studio is in a building which was built as a Soviet-era artists’ commune.
Mizdakhan Necropolis

20 km outside Nukus, and so easily accessible on a day trip from the capital, is Mizdakhan. This extensive site includes a citadel, fortress, and necropolis, and is arguably the most significant archaeological site in Karakalpakstan. It was probably founded in the 4th century BC, and at its height, it was the second-largest city in Khorezm, a bustling center of culture and trade.
Thousands of people are buried at Mizdakhan, but the most beautiful tomb is that of Mazlumkhan Sulu. Half-buried in the ground, it dates from the 12-14th centuries and is decorated with glazed turquoise tiles. Legend has it that Mazlumkhan Sulu was a princess who fell in love with a humble builder. Her father rejected the match, and in what seems to be Karakalpakstan’s answer to Romeo and Juliet, the young couple died in an accident and/or suicide pact.
Equally curious is the Mausoleum of Shamun Nabi, a revered figure and preacher in local tradition. His long grave is covered by an elongated seven-domed building which was recently reconstructed. Some say that the grave is so long because the holy man’s body is still growing, even centuries after his death.

Another of Mizdakhan’s must-visit sites is a unique structure known as the “Apocalypse Clock.” This brick-built structure with fragmented walls and dome resembles a large, hollow cylinder, and local legend says that it’s slowly “counting down” to the end of the world. Every year, a single brick is said to fall from the structure, bringing humanity one step closer to an apocalyptic event. It’s a fascinating piece of folklore that reminds us to appreciate the time that we have.
As you wander through the ruins and tombs of Mizdakhan, you encounter not only the remnants of ancient Khorezm but also a sense of timeless reverence for those who once lived, loved, and were laid to rest here. Mizdakhan remains an essential stop for those interested in the layered history of Karakalpakstan, where echoes of the past can still be felt among the silent bricks.
The Aral Sea
The Aral Sea, once one of the largest inland bodies of water in the world, has dramatically shrunk due to irrigation projects that diverted the rivers feeding it. This environmental disaster has left behind a haunting, barren landscape, offering a stark reminder of the impact of human activity on nature. Visiting the Aral Sea from Nukus provides a chance to witness this ecological tragedy firsthand. To begin your journey, you can drive from Nukus, a 3-4 hour trip to the nearby Moynaq region. Once a bustling port town located at the shoreline, Moynaq now houses the Aral Sea Ship Cemetery, where abandoned ships, once docked along the shore, are stranded in the dry, cracked earth. Along the way, you’ll pass through eerie remnants of once-thriving fishing towns and witness the dramatic changes in the environment. From Moynaq, it’s an additional 3-4 hours of off-roading to reach the actual shores of the Aral Sea today, where the vast emptiness and remains of the sea stand as a powerful testament to environmental change.

In conclusion, Nukus is a captivating destination that is easily accessible by air. Whether you’re drawn to its rich cultural heritage, such as the Savitsky Museum, or interested in witnessing the environmental impact of the Aral Sea, getting to this hidden gem of Uzbekistan is both simple and convenient. For more information and to book your tour, contact Kalpak Travel. Our team will ensure you have an unforgettable journey to Nukus and beyond, helping you experience the best of Uzbekistan and Central Asia.
This blog is written by Bekhruz Kurbanov, head of the Bukhara department of the Institute of Archaeology, PhD in Islamic Art and Archaeology from University of Bamberg, Germany.