About
Nukus is the capital of Karakalpakstan, the autonomous republic in the north-west of Uzbekistan. It is a quiet provincial city in Central Asia, and for many visitors it is a destination in its own right as well as a gateway to the wider region.
The Savitsky Museum
The city's best-known attraction is the Savitsky Museum, which houses one of the largest collections of Russian avant-garde art anywhere in the world. Its holdings were gathered in the remote setting of Nukus, far from the major art centres of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, and the collection is the reason many travellers make the journey. Allow a good part of a day to see it properly, and check the museum's current arrangements before you go.
A gateway to the Aral Sea
Nukus also serves as a starting point for visits to the Aral Sea region, a landscape shaped dramatically by environmental change. Trips into the surrounding area are commonly organised from the city, so it suits travellers who want to combine art, history and a wider sense of the Karakalpak landscape.
What to expect
- A calm, low-key city rather than a busy tourist hub
- The Savitsky Museum as the central reason to visit
- Access to the Aral Sea region and its dramatic scenery
- A chance to see a part of Uzbekistan that is less travelled
Nukus suits visitors who are curious about art in unexpected places and about the regions beyond the better-known cities of Uzbekistan. Plan your route and timings in advance, as services in more remote parts of the republic can be limited.
