Cheap Flights to Bishkek Jazeera Airways Tickets from KWD 40*

Discover Bishkek

The capital of the Kyrgyz Republic (also known as Kyrgyzstan) is a vibrant and exciting city with a buzzing atmosphere and a warm, friendly welcome for visitors. It sits in the Tien Shan Mountain range, so this is a perfect destination for anyone looking for a city break combined with some serious adventure trekking!

The alpine lakes of the Tien Shans beckon invitingly, but if you pause a while in the city itself you'll find grand, sweeping boulevards, and a real feeling of space that's often lacking in other locations. The city is laid out in a grid system, so it's incredibly easy to find your way around, with everything focused around the huge Ala-Too Square. Use this as your landmark and you'll never get lost in Bishkek.

With a charming and welcoming feel to it and a lively nightlife scene, holidays to Bishkek are popular with younger travellers, who will also love the plentiful activities on offer throughout the whole of the nearby Chui Valley. For a more relaxed time, explore the boutiques and shops, or check out some of the city's best restaurants. It may not be the oldest city in the world, but it's certainly one of the most interesting.

Ala-Too Square

The beating heart of the city is a huge open space that is a hive of activity in the evenings, with street entertainers, karaoke booths, and a music and lights show that has the square's fountains dancing and changing colour in a dramatic display.

Osh Bazaar

From sheep's heads and Korean Kimchi to clothes and a huge range of wonderful spices, Osh Bazaar is a fabulous way to experience everyday life in the city.

Panfilov Park

For the best view of the city, take a ride on the Ferris Wheel in the centre of the park, or pack a picnic and spend a lazy afternoon exploring the rides and sites throughout the park.

Shopping

While the bazaars may be the big draw when it comes to shopping, there are plenty of boutiques and stores to explore on your holiday to Bishkek. Look out for traditional patterned carpets known as shyrdaks, while stylish men can pick up a kalpak or felt hat that's bound to help you blend in with the locals.

The city has several department stores selling everything from electronics to clothing, but for the best deals you'll inevitably head back to the markets and bazaars. For some real bargains, head out of the city centre to the north-east to the Dor Doi Bazaar, which is noisy, lively, and full of haggling opportunities.

Food And Drink

Keep your belt loose if you go out for a meal, because Kyrgyz food is incredibly rich and filling. Lamb, mutton, and beef are favourite main courses, accompanied by rice or potatoes and plenty of vegetables. On-the-go snacks include samsas, which are very similar to Indian samosas, but are usually made with puff pastry rather than filo and filled with spicy muttons and onions.

Besh barmak (translates to 'five fingers' because you use your hands to eat rather than cutlery) is boiled mutton or beef (or traditionally, horsemeat) that's served with noodles. It's delicious and very filling, but expect the unexpected as it's also often served with a sheep's head as a side dish!

Restaurants serving both western and Russian food are plentiful and very reasonable, and you can eat out extremely well even on a budget.