Unusual Traveler

10 reasons why Uzbekistan should be on top of your bucket list

By Author Christian L.

Posted on Published: June 24, 2020  - Last updated: October 2, 2021

Categories Destinations , Central Asia , Uzbekistan

Did you know the land of Uzbekistan is just  3 hours away from India and 6 hours away from central Europe through a direct flight? Uzbekistan is one of two double-landlocked countries in the world (meaning not only is it landlocked, but it is also surrounded by landlocked countries), the other one is Liechtenstein.

This strategic location gave it many advantages – it played a key role in the Old Silk Route. It is a destination you must see to believe.

TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT Uzbekistan in central asia

For years, it has escaped our prying eyes, but with ever-improving air connectivity, easier visas – the cat is out of the bag. Before mass tourism hits this country in a big way, take my words, add this destination to your bucket list.

I visited Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan and after spending almost 2 months in Central Asia, I can tell you Uzbekistan is definitely worth visiting. Here are my 10 reasons why Uzbekistan should be on your travel bucket list.

TOP 10 REASONS TO VISIT Uzbekistan.

Jewel of the silk road..

Uzbekistan lies at the core of the ancient Silk Road, it a country that is home to the three most important Silk Road cities, Samarkand , Bukhara , and Khiva.

Uzbekistan’s UNESCO World Heritage gem, the incredibly historic town of Samarkand is a melting pot of cultures from all over the world. Since aeons, traders (the original travellers) travelled from China to Europe through Uzbekistan and brought with them new cultures, religions, crafts, and food.

Gur e amir in Samarkand in Uzbekistan

Architectural feast.

Visiting Uzbekistan is a feast for the senses, from the wonderful tilework decorating madrassas and mosques to bustling markets and bazaars. Uzbekistan is a dream.

It is magical and absolutely stunning. The sheer mastery and craftsmanship that went into building the minarets, tombs, madrassas, mosques really baffles me. This place will gratify all your cultural, historical, and architectural craving.

uzbekistan builings

Vivid and vibrant local bazaars.

Exploring a local bazaar is a great place to get a taste of local food and treats. I highly recommend visiting the Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent.

It is where locals shop for fresh produce, meat (ranging from lamb to horsemeat, and their daily bread). Rows upon rows of fresh fruits and vegetables, spices, and dry fruits are what brings this bazaar to life.

Uzbek food & bread.

Central Asia has been dubbed as a vegetarian’s nightmare. For a vegan, it’s even worse. Vegetarianism is usually understood as “only eats chicken.” Yet, I was lucky to try a lot of vegetarian versions of many local foods like – Plov, Manti (meat or vegetable-filled dumplings), Lagman (a noodle dish), Shivit Oshi (a spaghetti pasta cooked with dill and topped with a vegetable/meat stew) and their variety of bread.

Do try a different type of non (Uzbek bread) – For locals, non is more than food, it is sacred. Non is placed under the head of a newborn as a way of wishing it a long, healthy life. It is put between the legs of a baby who has just taken its first steps. Mothers make their son take a bite, hoping they will return soon and safe from any army service.

Life without non is unthinkable.

Uzbekistan food

Soviet architecture and old soviet life.

Uzbekistan is an ex-Soviet Republic, which got its independence in 1991, after the USSR dissolution. After the 1966 earthquake in Tashkent, the city was revamped on Soviet architectural style.

The iconic hotel Uzbekistan is a stark example. If you want to get a glimpse of the old soviet life, then you travel once on a Russian/Soviet train. It is an experience by itself.

Travel back in time in the ancient city of Khiva.

I travelled back in time (in my best, of course) in Khiva when this place was bustling with caravans moving around, merchants selling spices, gave me a good glimpse of the Silk Road experience.

Khiva uzbekistan view

Maybe, the sepia tones of the place added to that feel. The old city of Khiva (also known as Itchan Kala) is essentially an open-air museum. It has a fortress surrounding the complex, within which, there are dozens of ancient madrasas, mosques, minarets, and clay-coloured houses.

Tip: Try to visit Khiva early in the morning because once the sun rises, the alleys of Itchan Kala saturated with textile salesmen and souvenir shops.

Kalta Minor in Khiva Uzbekistan

Witness the magic of Bukhara at sunrise and sunset.

Bukhara is a city that is said to be over 2,700 years old, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bukhara is best witnessed in the solitude of sunrise.

And if you are not a morning person, you can park yourself amongst the many café terraces opposite the courtyard in the evening. The sunset and the sights will be etched in your mind. The walls of the madrassas are bathed in the setting sun, and it is a sight to behold.

cafe in Bukhara Uzbekistan

Dark tourism.

The Aral Sea is considered one of the biggest natural catastrophes caused by humanity. What remains now is a receded dead desert and a ship cemetery which can be visited. This is another ‘attraction’ for travellers, particularly for those who are interested in dark tourism.

Uzbekistan is a Handicrafts Heaven.

This place is a shopper paradise. Isn’t this just obvious, since you are travelling through the old Silk Road. From ceramics to pottery to crockery to dry fruits to ikat print textiles they have it all. Ikat is a national pattern which you will see in a lot of textiles from tablecloths to scarfs.

Another great souvenir to pick from Uzbekistan is bread stamps since bread is so much more than just food for Uzbeks.

ikat print and hand craft in Uzbekistan

Warmest people I have ever met.

One thing that I will be treasuring the most from my journey is the pure-hearted people of Uzbekistan. The ever-smiling people, grinning with their golden teeth (gold teeth are a common ornament in Uzbekistan), the fun and Bollywood loving people who often gathered around me for a picture.

Thank you, Uzbekistan (read people) for the overwhelming love and support. So if you ever plan to visit this central-Asian gem, my Uzbekistan Travel Guide would help you plan your travels!

“This guest post was written by Shilpa Shashidhar from TenderfootTraveller . Shilpa works a 9 to 6 job so that she can indulge in her vice – travelling. Currently, based in Bangalore, India with an eye on the rest of the world. More often than not, she microblogs on Instagram sharing her travel pictures, experiences, and journeys.

She works in the space of Diversity & Inclusion by the day, and crafting travel plans and writing travel stories by the night, loving both jobs and never wanting to give either of them up.”

Alvaro Restrepo

Thursday 25th of June 2020

I visited Uzbekistan in 2011 with my wife and a group of friends from Colombia and Venezuela. We loved our visit and experience. Uzbekistan has the most beautiful islamic architecture we have ever seen. We viasited Khiva, Bukhara, Samarkand and Tashkent. Beautiful cities, very nice people. We want to come back and visit other countries in Central Asia.

Journal of Nomads

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) – 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

This is the most complete and updated online guide to travel in Uzbekistan with all the information you need to know to plan your visit to Uzbekistan!

Located on the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is a country in Central Asia that has recently opened its doors to the world. Since doing so, this off-the-beaten-path destination is gradually becoming more and more popular with tourists.

Nowadays, it’s far easier to travel independently around this spectacular place than during my first trip to Uzbekistan in 2017. I’ve seen many positive changes during my later trips since then.

That’s why I’m happy to share this complete and updated guide to travel in Uzbekistan that will help you in preparing for your trip.

This travel guide will provide you with useful and up-to-date Uzbekistan travel tips, and recommendations to visit Uzbekistan.

Come and find out more about this wondrous land, brimming with rich history, culture, and stunning Islamic architecture in this Uzbekistan travel guide!

Tip: See my Uzbekistan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Uzbekistan!

Discover the mystical Silk Road cities and travel along the ancient caravan trails in the mountains and desert of Uzbekistan during the 14-day H i g h l i g h t s o f Uzbekistan Adventure Tour !

Silk Road Tour - Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan - Bukhara Travel Guide - Best things to do in Bukhara Uzbekistan - The Complete Bukhara City Guide

Disclaimer: This posts might contain affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through these links, I may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for helping to support this website!

Plan your trip to Uzbekistan

  • 18 important things to prepare your trip to Uzbekistan
  • 26 beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan
  • Uzbekistan Itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan
  • How to travel aroun d Uzbekistan by train
  • What to pack for Uzbekistan
  • Uzbekistan Safety Guide
  • Uzbekistan Money Guide
  • Tours & Experiences: Guided City Tours in Uzbekistan, Adventure Tours in Uzbekistan

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Visiting Uzbekistan in 2024 – Uzbekistan Entry Requirements

1.1 do i need a visa to travel to uzbekistan.

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

Starting from 1 February 2019, citizens of the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and many more countries can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free for a period of 30 days .

Citizens of 76 countries including the United States, China, and India have been granted the right to receive an electronic entry visa for a period of 30 days.

If your country of citizenship isn’t on any list, you’ll need to apply for a visa at the Uzbek Embassy.

How to apply for an Uzbekistan e-visa?

Applying for an electronic visa for Uzbekistan is very easy but remember that you should apply at least 3 days before your arrival in the country .

Head online to the Official Electronic Visa Portal of Uzbekistan and fill in your information.

This visa is still date-specific so you need to enter the date of your arrival and departure. Remember that you can stay up to 30 days in the country.

Once you’ve filled in your personal details, you have to upload a passport photo and a scanned copy of your passport (look here for guidelines ).

After you’ve activated your application by entering your email address, you’ll need to pay the consular fee to receive your e-visa. The cost of obtaining an e-visa is 20 USD and has to be paid with a valid Visa card.

Once your application has been approved, the electronic visa will be sent to your email address in pdf format within 48 hours.

Print the e-visa so you can show it upon your arrival. Your passport should also be valid for three months from the date you arrive.

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking in Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

1.2 Can I extend my Uzbekistan visa?

If you travel to Uzbekistan on a free tourist visa, you can enter and exit as many times as you want.

I traveled for a couple of days to Tashkent and Samarkand , left the country by crossing the land border with Tajikistan and returned 8 days later to Uzbekistan. Upon my 2nd arrival in Tashkent, I received a new stamp that allowed me to stay another 30 days in the country. 

As there are no clear rules yet about how many days within a year you’re allowed to stay in Uzbekistan, you can currently do a couple of border runs in the nearby countries like  Kazakhstan ,  Kyrgyzstan , and  Tajikistan   and easily renew your tourist visa.

Before you get all excited, just keep in mind that this might change at some point in the near future. 

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

1.3 What happens if I overstay my Uzbekistan Visa?

Whilst traveling in Uzbekistan, it’s really important that you keep an eye on how many days you’ve spent in the country and that your outgoing flight is booked within your visa time allowance.

If you happen to overstay your visa for any extra time it may result in a 2,000 USD fine as well as the Uzbek authorities delaying your exit from the country by a week or more.

1.4 Uzbekistan Vaccination Requirements

There aren’t any compulsory vaccinations needed to travel in Uzbekistan.

However, it is recommended that you get vaccinations for DTP, Hepatitis A, and typhoid especially if you are planning on traveling to more remote villages.

Uzbekistan Travel Guide - Traveling to Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

The 26 most beautiful and best places to visit in Uzbekistan

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know - Samarkand - Journal of Nomads

2. When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is in spring (mid-April –  beginning of June) or autumn (mid-September – beginning of November). The temperatures during these seasons are very pleasant and it shouldn’t be too hot to walk around during the day.

Soaring temperatures usually start from the beginning of June until mid-September. When planning your travels in Uzbekistan, it’s also good to know that most of the country’s major events take place in either spring or autumn. 

2.1 What is the hottest month in Uzbekistan?

July and August are the hottest months of the year in Uzbekistan. With temperatures ranging from 35 ° C to sometimes even up to 40 ° – 45 ° C, visiting Uzbekistan during the summer can be quite uncomfortable.

It’s good to have this in mind if you are planning any long overland journeys as the sun is very strong.

2.2 Should I visit Uzbekistan in Winter?

Winter is a great time to visit Uzbekistan for anyone who wants to avoid crowds. The temperatures are not that cold, it can be sunny and crowds of tourists are nonexistent.

The chance of rain increases from mid-March, but March and April are still quiet months to visit.

Winter in Uzbekistan is very special and if it snows, you’ll get to see a magical winter wonderland. That’s why I once traveled to Uzbekistan in December. Unfortunately, I arrived a bit too late (or was it too early?) to see the cities fully covered in snow. 

It had snowed several days before my arrival and I could only enjoy the last bits of it in the capital Tashkent. In other cities, the snow had already disappeared by the time I arrived there. 

Another advantage of traveling during winter is that in the low season, the hotels and hostels are cheaper. 

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know - snow in Tashkent - Journal of Nomads

3. Travel Insurance for Uzbekistan

It isn’t mandatory to have travel insurance if you are traveling to Uzbekistan. However, I would suggest getting one for the period of your trip. You just never know when you might need it …

If you don’t have travel insurance yet, I highly recommend HeyMondo as it covers both medical costs and theft.

Travel Insurance for Backpackers - The 2 best backpacker travel insurance - Journal of Nomads

What are the 3 best budget-friendly travel insurance companies

Need Travel Insurance for Central Asia ? I use and highly recommend HeyMondo Travel Insurance . As a reader of Journal of Nomads, you get a 5% discount off your insurance plan!

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

4. What is the best way to get to Uzbekistan?

4.1 where do you fly into uzbekistan.

Tashkent and Samarkand both have international airports. Tashkent International Airport is the most popular arrival destination into Uzbekistan and because the airport is fairly small, you would struggle to get lost.

There is a currency exchange office in the airport that offers a good exchange rate if you have US Dollars. There are nowadays also ATMs available in the airport of Tashkent where you can take out and exchange US Dollars and Uzbek som (see 7.5 How much money should I take to Uzbekistan ).

How to get from the airport to Tashkent city center by taxi and how much does it cost?

It’s a 30-minute drive to get from the airport to the city center of Tashkent by taxi.

As soon as you exit the airport, you’ll be greeted by many eager taxi drivers who are happy to bring you to the city center of Tashkent for 50.000 Uzbek som.

This is the same rate as the “official” taxi office in the airport, which doesn’t make sense as the standard price for a taxi from the airport to the city center of Tashkent is 25.000 som (around US$2 – US$3).  

This means you’ll have to negotiate the price with the driver and you might not feel like playing the bargaining game after a long flight. So here’s a good personal tip. 

When you exit the airport, ignore the taxi drivers who are standing at the gate. Walk to the left towards the parking lot across ‘Departures’. There you’ll find taxi drivers who just drove travelers from the city center to the airport. 

They’ll be happy to quickly return to the city center and therefore are a lot easier to negotiate with. Offer the driver max 25.000 som. Show him the money and tell him to take it or leave it. He’ll probably try to ask for more but as soon as you start walking towards another taxi, he’ll very likely take it…

Another tip: if you buy a SIM card at the airport, install the Yandex Go app on your phone. This app works like Uber and shows you the taxi rates.

How to get from the airport to Tashkent city center by bus and how much does it cost?

There are buses that run daily from 6 am until 11 pm between the airport and the city center.

When you exit the airport, walk past the parking lot and you’ll see them on your left.  A bus ticket costs 1200 som and can be bought on the bus itself. 

As there are different buses, it might be hard to figure out which bus to take. The apps Maps.me and wikiroutes can help you to see which bus and route to take to your hotel. Bus #67 goes straight to the city center. 

How to get from Tashkent City center to the airport and how much does it cost?

The easiest and most straightforward way is to ask the receptionist of your hostel or hotel to call a taxi for you. You can also install the app Yandex Go to order a taxi.

A taxi from the city of Tashkent to the airport will cost around 20.000 som, depending on where you are in the city.

Alisher Navoi Opera of Tashkent - Fun things to do in Tashkent

Top Things to do in Tashkent – Tashkent City Guide

Hotel Uzbekistan Tashkent - Journal of Nomads

4.2 How to travel to Uzbekistan by road ?

Uzbekistan shares land borders with Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , and Tajikistan .

The security at the overland border points used to be very strict . Not only did you have to fill in a lot of paperwork, but you were also asked many questions about your trip and your bag would be opened and the contents searched for any prohibited items.

Nowadays, border crossings tend not to take so long. Border guards will still scan your luggage, ask if you’re traveling with a drone (which is strictly prohibited!) but they are not as strict as they used to once be. It’s rare that you will be asked to open your bag to be searched and you’re not required to fill in any paperwork.

Overland border crossings are now faster and far easier than they were. You should check online for up-to-date information, as borders can close without notice. All travel to the Termez region and to within 5km of the Uzbekistan-Afghanistan border is not advised at the moment.

Caution should be exercised in some areas bordering Tajikistan . The border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan is currently closed.

The most common and easiest routes to travel overland to Uzbekistan are:

  • From Almaty (Kazakhstan) to Tashkent by bus and train
  • From Shymkent (Kazakhstan) to Tashkent by bus and train
  • From Osh (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by bus, train or shared taxi
  • From Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by bus
  • From Penjikent (Tajikistan) to Samarkand by shared taxi
  • From Khudjand (Tajikistan) to Tashkent by bus

The 6 Best Places to visit in Fergana Valley Uzbekistan - Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan - Journal of Nomads

6 Best Places to visit in the Fergana Valley – The Complete Travel Guide

5. Where should you go in Uzbekistan?

5.1 top silk road cities to visit in uzbekistan.

If you’re going to travel in Uzbekistan to find treasures of the ancient Silk Road, you should visit the following 5 cities to see the most stunning and impressive Islamic architecture in the entire country:

The majority of these sites are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

What to do in Khiva - the open air museum of Uzbekistan

5.2 More interesting places to visit in Uzbekistan

The country has, of course, more to offer than only beautiful Silk Road cities. If you want to go off-the-beaten path, you can visit the follow destinations in Uzbekistan:

  • the Fergana Valley
  • Karakalpakstan , an autonomous republic of Uzbekistan
  • the Aral Sea and the ship graveyard in Moynoq
  • hiking in the Nuratau and Chimgan Mountains

5.3 How many days do you need for Uzbekistan?

If you’re wondering how many days you need to visit Uzbekistan, then it’s kind of an open-ended question. It would be possible to visit the main tourist attractions in Uzbekistan within one week.

If you’re not time-restricted, I’d recommend at least 10 days to fully absorb everything this country has on offer.

Tourism in Uzbekistan is an economy that is growing larger and becoming more popular as time passes. I would urge you to plan a trip to soak up the sights before it perhaps becomes super touristy.

Best Uzbekistan Silk Road Cities - Khiva

Uzbekistan itinerary suggestions: visit Uzbekistan in 1 to 4 weeks

6. Is Uzbekistan a safe country to visit?

Many people wonder if it’s safe to travel in Uzbekistan. It’s still a relatively unknown country in Central Asia and its neighboring country Afghanistan doesn’t have the best reputation. A country ending with -stan gets quickly associated with danger.

However, you absolutely have nothing to worry about! Uzbekistan is totally safe. You’ll see police officers on every street corner and at every public place. They even introduced a “Tourist Police” now. There Tourist Police officers have an office in every touristic city and are glad to be of any assistance when needed.

Tourism is a rich source of income and the Uzbeks genuinely want you to have a fantastic experience in their country. They are very hospitable and kind people and you’ll be received as a very welcome guest.

Is it safe to travel to Uzbekistan - Tourist Police Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

One of the most common scams in Uzbekistan is getting overcharged by taxi drivers. It starts as soon as you arrive at the airport or at any land border. The taxi drivers will usually charge you double or triple the standard rate.

You have to bargain hard and have a lot of patience to get the price down. If you’re not sure what the normal price is, try to get at least half the price of what the driver is offering you or install Yandex Go as this app will show you the rates upfront.

Another scam you have to be careful of is when you visit monuments or museums. When you pay the entrance fee, make sure that they don’t charge you automatically for a guide. In some places, especially in Samarkand , you have to pay extra if you want to take photos (with a camera, not with your phone).

Some ticket offices will automatically include a camera price or pretend there is one. If you’re in doubt, ask for the price list as every ticket office should have one, and check if you’re paying the correct fee.

Siyob Bazaar - places to visit Samarkand Uzbekistan

Is Uzbekistan safe? 1 4 useful safety tips

Uzbekistan solo travel/ Is Uzbekistan safe to travel alone?

Yes, Uzbekistan is a very safe country to visit for solo (female) travelers! When I first traveled on my own to Uzbekistan in 2017, I was a bit anxious but I quickly experienced I had nothing to worry about.

The Uzbeks are very kind and hospitable, welcome you as a guest in their country and they want you to enjoy yourself.

Solo female travel in Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

How is it to travel alone as a woman in Uzbekistan?

Khiva Uzbekistan - Khiva Travel Guide - Visit Khiva - Things to do in Khiva - Silk Road Tour

7. Money and currency in Uzbekistan

7.1 what kind of money do they use in uzbekistan.

The Uzbekistani Som (UZS) is the official currency used in Uzbekistan.

  • Banknotes circulating in Uzbekistan: 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000, 20,000, 50,000 and 100,000 som.
  • Coins circulating in Uzbekistan: 50, 100, 200 and 500 som

I always use the  Xe.com app  to convert and stay up-to-date with the current exchange rates. At this time of writing, the current exchange rates are ( November 2023) :

  • $1 USD = 12,300 UZS
  • €1 Euro = 13,000 UZS
  • £1 British Pound = 15,000 UZS

Only a few years ago, the highest denomination available was a banknote of 5000 Uzbeki Som. I needed an extra bag to carry the 2400 banknotes after exchanging 150 US dollars for 1.200.000 Som…

The new banknotes of 10.000, 50.000, and 100.000 UZS make a huge difference in size and weight in your wallet (and the amount of time spent on counting your change…).

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know - money in Uzbekistan- Journal of Nomads

7.2 Which credit cards are accepted in Uzbekistan?

Visa is probably the most widely accepted credit card in hotels and restaurants. However, Uzbekistan still has a cash economy which means you won’t always be able to pay with your credit card.

It is slowly becoming more common practice, but it would be wise to carry some cash rather than depending on your card whilst traveling in Uzbekistan. 

7.3 ATMs in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva nowadays all have ATMs where you can take out US dollars and/or Uzbek Som with a VISA card. There are also 2 ATMs at the international airport in Tashkent. 

Bankomats and ATM in Uzbekistan - Uzbekistan Travel Guide - Can I pay with credit card in Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

7.4 Exchanging money in Uzbekistan

The best place to exchange money in Uzbekistan is at one of the banks in Tashkent as they give the best exchange rate.

Just keep in mind that if you want to exchange money, your banknotes should be crisp and in good condition . It happened a few times that the exchange office gave me a lower rate as my banknotes were a little crumpled. 

Before you leave Uzbekistan, you can exchange your remaining Som at the bank or in one of the exchange offices at either the airport or at the land borders.

Update: You can nowadays also pay with Euro and US dollar bills in shops, restaurants, at the hotel, to guides and drivers,…

7.5 How much money do you need in Uzbekistan?

You may be wondering whether it is cheap to visit Uzbekistan? The average monthly wage in Uzbekistan is $300 which is useful to keep in mind.

With most people traveling to Uzbekistan visa-free these days, it’s pretty inexpensive to get around Uzbekistan. Although basic accommodation is not dirt cheap due to a convoluted tax code.

For a 10-day trip, depending on the activities you want to do, I would recommend taking 600 USD or Euro per person in cash to Uzbekistan (if you’re not planning on using your credit card).

Average prices are $10 for a basic meal, $15 for a hostel bed and $30 upwards for a double room in a decent hotel, and $10 for a train ticket.

Uzbekistan Fergana Valley - Kokand - Things to do in Fergana Valley - Khan's Palace Kokand

Uzbekistan Money Guide: How much does it cost to travel in Uzbekistan?

7.6 Should you tip in Uzbekistan?

You don’t have to leave a tip in the restaurant as the service is automatically included in the bill. However, this is not mentioned on the menu and a lot of foreigners get confused or think they’re being overcharged once they receive the bill.

If you take a look at the bottom of the bill, you will see the service fee of 10 -15% added to the total cost of your meal.

Tipping your guide or driver is not mandatory but is getting lately more and more expected… I usually give an additional 10% tip on top of the price.

Gur-e-amir Samarkand Uzbekistan

8. How to get around in Uzbekistan/Is it easy to travel around Uzbekistan?

8.1 are there trains in uzbekistan.

Yes, there are trains in Uzbekistan and the Uzbekistan railroad is the most convenient, interesting and fastest way to travel around the country!

The Uzbekistan railway connects now all the major touristic destinations: Tashkent , Samarkand , Bukhara , and – since December 2018 – Khiva . 

There are three types of trains (and I’ve tested them all!): the Afrosiyob , the Sharq  and the Night Train .

In my post Taking trains in Uzbekistan – The Uzbekistan railways guide , you’ll find a complete guide to the Uzbekistan train system, including information on taking the Uzbekistan high-speed rail, the Uzbekistan Sharq train and the Uzbekistan night train.

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

The Complete Guide to Train Travel in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Railways - taking trains in Uzbekistan

8.2 How to travel around Uzbekistan by bus

If you prefer to see the road instead of the railway, you can travel around Uzbekistan by bus. You can check the bus schedules and buy your ticket online or at the local bus stations. You’ll need your passport so bring it with you. You should also buy your ticket at least one day in advance.

Long distance buses are a slow and not very comfortable way to get around,  as well as not being much cheaper than a second class train or a ride with a shared taxi.

International Bus Station Almaty to Tashkent - Journal of Nomads

City buses are very cheap and you pay the fare directly to the driver on the bus. You can check the bus routes within cities on the apps maps.me and wikiroutes .

You’ll also see many minibuses racing around the cities. The most common ones are the ‘Damas’. These minibuses are great if you want to travel in a larger city or to travel to nearby towns or villages.

Traveling by public transportation in Uzbekistan - Minibus - Damas - Journal of Nomads

8.3 Getting around Uzbekistan by shared taxi

A shared taxi is a taxi that you share with usually 4 to 5 other passengers. It doesn’t have a fixed schedule but leaves once the taxi is full. They leave from a fixed location which is often near a bus station or just outside of a city.

Your hostel or hotel will know where to find them and you usually won’t have to search long for one. The drivers will probably find you first, they’ll ask where you’re going or they’ll be shouting out their destinations to you.

Be careful because they can be quite pushy and they like to double the rate if they think you’re an ignorant tourist. That’s why it’s a good plan to have an idea of how much you should pay for a ride beforehand and you can ask about this in your hotel or hostel.

Before you get into a shared taxi, confirm the price with the driver and tell him clearly that you want to share the taxi with other passengers. It can happen that the driver may think that you’d like to have the taxi to yourself and if you don’t want to share a taxi, you’ll have to pay for the other seats as well.

A trip of 2 to 3 hours to another city will cost you around 60.000 UZS, depending on how good you are at bargaining.

You can also take a private taxi to get around cities. Just flag them down on the side of the road. You should pay a maximum of 8.000 UZS for a ride within the city.

Taking a shared taxi used to be the only way to travel from Bukhara to Urgench and Khiva. This trip costs 80.000 UZS and isn’t very comfortable as it’s an 8-hour long drive, mainly through the desert. Since there is a train nowadays that connects Bukhara and Khiva, I’d go for this option.

You can also take a private taxi to get around cities . Just flag them down on the side of the road or, if you have a sim card, install the Yandex Go app   on your phone. The app functions like Uber.

Pay a maximum of 10.000 UZS for a ride within the city . 

If you’re visiting Tashkent, you can also get around the city by metro.  The Tashkent Metro Stations are very beautiful and taking the underground should be one of the things you definitely have to do while visiting Uzbekistan’s capital!

Kosmonavtlar Metro Station Tashkent Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

The 1 3 m o s t b e a u t i f u l m e t r o s t a t i o n s i n T a s h k e n t

Alisher Navoi Metro Station Tashkent - Most beautiful metros of Tashkent - Journal of Nomads

8.4 Renting a car in Uzbekistan

It used to be impossible for foreigners to rent a car in Uzbekistan. This has changed and now you can find several car rental places in Tashkent . 

You can also travel to Uzbekistan with your own car, as long as you have all the required documents. More information can be found here .

It’s important to note that it’s very difficult to find diesel; propane is the main fuel in Uzbekistan, petrol comes in second. It’s also worth noting that some secondary roads can be difficult to drive on unless you have a 4×4. 

Check out the website of Caravanistan for more information on traveling by car in Uzbekistan.

8.5 Hitchhiking in Uzbekistan

Hitchhiking in Uzbekistan is possible and a fun way to connect with the locals. One thing you have to know is that most drivers will charge you money for the ride.

Be very clear from the start that you don’t have money if you don’t want to pay for the ride.

If you want to hitchhike, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to learn some Russian so you can explain your intentions to the driver and have a conversation with him. 

8.6 Domestic flights in Uzbekistan

If you don’t have much time and you want to cover the distance between Tashkent and Khiva quickly, you can take a domestic flight between Tashkent and Nukus or Tashkent and Urgench. Urgench is a 30-minute drive from Khiva.

The duration of the flight between Tashkent and Urgench is only 1.5 hours, between Tashkent and Nukus 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can book easily your flight ticket(s) on the website of Uzbekistan Airways.

If you book well in advance, the average price for a flight between Tashkent and Urgench costs 60USD. You can pay online by Visa and Mastercard.  

Important: When arranging a taxi to drop you off at the domestic airport, make sure the driver brings you to terminal 3 (domestic flights) and not terminal 2 (international flights).

When using the Yandex Go app, it will only show you “Tashkent International Airport”. Make sure you type in “Tashkent International Airport Terminal 3” , or you’ll end up at the wrong terminal!

Top Things to do in Khiva – The Complete Guide to Uzbekistan’s Open-Air Museum

Registan Samarkand Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

9. Uzbekistan Tours

Uzbekistan could be described as one of the most special yet overlooked countries in the world that is brimming with natural beauty and rich with culture. Going on an organized private/group tour is a wonderful and worthwhile way to see some of this country’s most beautiful spots.

I recommend checking out some of these guided city tours in the Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan as you don’t only get to see the highlights of the city but also learn more about the rich historical background.

10. Where to stay in Uzbekistan – Accommodation in Uzbekistan

It used to be illegal to stay with a host family in Uzbekistan. Travelers had to register every night in a hotel or hostel. These rules have since become more flexible. 

Nowadays you’re allowed to camp, stay with a host family or book a room or apartment on Airbnb for 3 nights in a row without having to register. If you stay longer than 3 nights, you will need to check again in order to register.

The registration happens automatically as soon as you check in and payment for this registration is in the form of a “city tax” which is usually $3 per night.

The receptionist will ask for your passport and register you online. Sometimes you’ll receive a registration slip upon check-out, which you should keep in case the border guards would ask for them when leaving the country (although, I haven’t noticed them doing this in the past 2 years). Nowadays, all your stays should be registered online and traceable via your passport.

If you take the overnight train, this ticket is also seen as registration, so don’t throw this one away. If you’re overlanding and/or planning to regularly camp in the wild or stay with a local family, you have to register online on Emehmon .

If you’re having trouble with your online registration, I’d recommend staying in a ho(s)tel every 3 to 4 nights, just to have some proof of registration.

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know - registration - Journal of Nomads

10.1 Hostels, hotels and Airbnb in Uzbekistan

Because of the growing number of tourists traveling in Uzbekistan, there are many new hostels and hotels appearing in all of the larger cities. It’s important to remember the $3 city tax that is added (or sometimes already included) in the price of your accommodation per night.

Booking.com is a great website to use when looking for hostels and hotels whilst staying in Uzbekistan and Airbnb also has many great apartment options to choose from. It all is just dependent on what your budget is.

There are some lovely options for independent and solo travelers such as small-scale boutique hotels or B&B’s. There is a wide range of high-quality hotels in Uzbekistan but keep in mind that the tourist economy is still developing in Uzbekistan.

During the high season, many of the rooms can be booked up weeks in advance, so if you know your itinerary , book early to avoid disappointment.

Not all of the hotels available are online yet so there may be a chance of securing a room for the night upon spontaneous arrival at a hotel and booking on the spot.

If you plan on visiting Uzbekistan during Winter, keep in mind that electricity black-outs can be an issue and in the Summer the hot water can sometimes be turned off. You can ask at reception if this is likely to happen during your stay.

10.2 Homestays in Uzbekistan

If you’re drawn to spending a few days in the countryside soaking up the Uzbek culture then a homestay is for you.

There is a network of homestays in the Nuratau mountains as well as in the village of Katta Langar near Shahrisabz . Vegetarian meals, solar-powered showers, and clean toilets are all available.

Hiking in Uzbekistan - Nuratau Mountains in Uzbekistan - best hiking trails Uzbekistan

6 Fantastic Hiking Trails in the Nuratau and Chimgan Mountains in Uzbekistan

10.3 Staying in a yurt in Uzbekistan

Some of the people in Karakalpakstan still live in yurts for part of the year as they are culturally much closer to Kazakhs and Turkmens than to Uzbeks.

There are some desert yurt camps in the Kyzyl Kum and Aral Kum deserts and also near Urgench. These have been specifically set up for tourists so if you have your heart set on staying in a yurt, you can experience it here.

However, budget for this before you set off on your trip as they can be quite expensive.

Travel Guide to Moynaq Ship Graveyard Aral Sea Disaster Uzbekistan

How to visit the ship graveyard in Moynaq and the Aral Sea Disaster in Uzbekistan

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

10.4 Camping in Uzbekistan

Wild camping is permitted in Uzbekistan so why not take the opportunity to sleep under the stars whilst on your Uzbekistan trip. Why not camp in the mountains near Samarkand and Tashkent or in the desert for epic and atmospheric starlit skies.

It’s important that you are aware of the registration rules and it’s a good idea to camp for only a couple of nights before then booking into a hostel or hotel in order to fill in your registration card.

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

11. Uzbekistan Food and drinks

Uzbek food is characterized by meals including noodles, mutton, rice, and vegetables.

Traditional bread (tandir non) is particularly sacred in Uzbek culture. Flat and round, this bread is torn by hand and never thrown out.

The summers bring fresh, delicious and vibrant fruits that you can buy at the local markets along with vegetables, spices and sweet Uzbek candy.

Green tea is often drunk regularly throughout the day and is a common drink offered to guests.

There are many international restaurants in the larger more touristic cities if you find that you are craving a change from traditional Uzbek cuisine. 

Uzbekistan markets - Journal of Nomads

11.1 5 Uzbek Dishes you have to try

Trying local cuisine and traditional dishes is a great way to experience a country’s culture.

‘Plov’ is the national dish of Uzbekistan and it’s one that Uzbeks are extremely proud of. It is commonly made as a family meal or made in larger quantities to celebrate special occasions such as weddings.

It is traditionally prepared in a large cooking pot (a Kazan) and the most famous version is made with a base of onions, carrots, and meat that is sautéed in fat.

The rice is then added, topped up with water and simmered until everything is cooked. Sometimes additional ingredients are added such as chickpeas, other vegetables, raisins, and fruit.

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know- food in Uzbekistan - plov - Journal of Nomads

2) Shashlik

If you’re a fan of meat dishes, then you should try ‘shashlik’. Not only is it one of the most popular dishes in Uzbek cuisine, but it’s also a dish that is enjoyed right across Central Asia.

The word ‘shashlik’ comes from the Russian word for ‘shish kabob’. Traditionally, the dish is made with lamb however beef, chicken, and venison can be used instead. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, you could try the grilled skewers with horse meat.

3) Kazan Kabob

‘Kazan kabob’, as its name suggests, is a dish that is prepared in a kazan, a large cooking pot also commonly used to make plov.

Marinated meat such as mutton or beef is fried with potatoes and then covered and steamed in a kazan on a low heat. When the meat is fully cooked it is finally served with onions and some fresh vegetables.

‘Obi non’, also known as ‘lepyoshka’, is a type of round, flat Uzbek bread that has been baked in a traditional clay oven called a ‘tandyr’. Similar to Indian naan bread, it’s thicker and then decorated on top. Additional meat, nuts, seeds and raisins are sometimes added.

It is considered one of the most important foods in Uzbekistan and is eaten with just about anything. It can be made in a variety of ways and changes slightly from region to region.

The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024) - 18 Very Useful things you need to know to visit Uzbekistan

5) Shivit oshi

‘Shivit oshi’, also known as ‘khorezm lagman’ is an eye-catching Uzbek dish. Hand-pulled Lagman noodles are infused with fresh dill which gives them their distinctive bright green color. The dish originates from Khiva .

Fresh herbs and vegetables feature more in cuisine in this region in comparison to other areas in Uzbekistan. It’s a summer dish that is served only in Khiva and is traditionally topped with a meat and vegetable stew and a side of sour cream or yogurt.

11.2 Is vegetarian food available in Uzbekistan?

If you happen to be a vegetarian, visiting Uzbekistan and finding a meat-free meal can sometimes be tricky but not impossible. When visiting the cities, it’s quite common to find vegetarian options available in many of the restaurants.

Some vegetarian dishes available are eggplant satay with egg, pumpkin-filled dumplings and vegetarian flatbread (lavash) filled with cheese and tomato.

However, the main issue with eating vegetarian food in Central Asia is the bacteria in the water that is used to wash and rinse them. If there is a choice between a raw salad or a cooked meal, it’s wise to choose the cooked option.

If you happen to be a vegan, you may struggle to find a wide variety of choices available to you without dairy or meat.

11.3 What is the national drink of Uzbekistan?

Uzbek people are really big tea drinkers. Green tea or ‘Kuk-choy’ is served in a bowl or a glass and all meals start and end with tea.

Tea is offered as a gesture when welcoming guests into a home. If you happen to be poured a half-full bowl of tea, see it as a gesture of respect from the pourer.

12. What to pack for Uzbekistan?

Let’s start with a few things that you are NOT allowed to bring into Uzbekistan

12.1 Prohibited items – what is forbidden to bring to Uzbekistan.

Some guards might check your phone or laptop for any pornographic content (photos or videos of naked people) which is forbidden and will have to be deleted before entering Uzbekistan (I’m sure you can travel without for a while).

It also used to be strictly forbidden to bring painkillers with codeine, sleeping pills, antidepressants or any other medication with narcotic substances in the country. Nowadays the border guards don’t check the medication you’re bringing with you.

However, if you are bringing medication with you, ensure you keep things in their original packaging if you bring them from overseas. If you have a prescription, make sure it has the same name as on your passport.

And – unfortunately – drones are still prohibited .

12.2 What should I wear in Uzbekistan?

Uzbekistan has a continental climate with four seasons. Pack appropriate clothes for the period in which you’re traveling.

If you’re traveling to Uzbekistan in winter (November – March), bring warm clothes as it can be very cold. Average Winter temperatures can be around -10°C/ 14°F and there can be a lot of snow.

Pack light clothing if you’re visiting Uzbekistan between the months of June and September as the temperatures in summer are around 38°C/ 97°F.

Uzbekistan is a secular state which means that in theory, people can wear whatever they want. However, the Uzbek people are rather conservative people who do not show much skin so it’s important to keep this in mind when packing.

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know - Samarkand - Journal of Nomads

Men can wear shorts and T-shirts but it’s better to leave any sleeveless shirts at home. It’s also not appropriate to walk around bare-chested.

You’ll see many Uzbek women wearing beautiful colored scarves tied around their heads. This is a cultural thing and it’s mainly older Uzbek women who wear these. Younger female travelers need not worry about covering their hair.

What is seen as appropriate will depend on where you’re going. Tashkent, the capital, is a modern city and many young girls and women walk around in short skirts, dresses, and shorts.

It’s okay if you wear shorts, dresses, skirts and tops or T-shirts with short sleeves in tourist places like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. But it would be viewed as disrespectful to parade around in revealing mini-skirts, dresses and tops. You’ll draw unwanted attention to yourself.

If you like to explore less-touristic places like small towns and villages, dress modestly. Wear a T-shirt or a tunic over long trousers or a long skirt. Three-quarter pants or skirts are also fine, just don’t walk around the village in a vest top and short shorts.

If you visit mosques and religious sites, even in touristic cities, cover your arms. If you’re an influencer who wants a nice photo for Instagram, please remain respectful of the culture in Uzbekistan.

What to wear as a woman in Uzbekistan

12.3 Travel essentials for Uzbekistan

  • Water Filter Bottl e : I wouldn’t advise you to drink tap water in Uzbekistan. Buy bottles of water in the local supermarkets or better, bring a water bottle with a filter . These are reusable bottles that filter water using a microfiltration device. When you drink tap water using a water bottle with a filter, any dirt, bacteria or parasites will be trapped in the fibers of the filter, while the clean water passes through. It’s not only good for your belly and wallet, but it’s also great for the environment because you don’t have to buy any plastic bottles of water. I use and highly recommend the  Lifestraw Water Filter Bottle . 
  • Anti-diarrhea tablets: yes, I’m afraid that this is an essential as well… 50% of the travelers I’ve met struggle at some point with stomach issues, due to a certain bacteria in the food. I always have Furazolidone tablets (which you can buy over the counter at a local pharmacy) as it has proven its worth. These tablets tackle the bacteria causing bowel problems within a day.
  • International travel adapt or : the power sockets in Uzbekistan are of type C and F (the same as in Europe). The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz. In case you need an adaptor, I use and recommend this  all-in-one Universal Travel Adaptor  as you can use it worldwide.
  • Power bank :  a power bank is always handy to have with you in case of a power outage (which sometimes happens, even in the major Uzbek cities), during long bus or train rides, or if you’re planning to go camping.I use and recommend  Anker Power Bank   as it has a 20,000mAh cell capacity providing at least 5 full charges for my phone. I can even charge my camera batteries with it!
  • Anti-theft money belt : handy and safe when you travel with cash
  • Photography equipment: you can’t visit Uzbekistan without capturing its beauty on camera! Below is an overview of the gear I used. You can also see my article on  photography essentials and cameras for travel photographers  for more information.
  • Camera: Panasonic LUMIX DC-90
  • Main lens: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6
  • Wide-angle lens : Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0
  • Prime lens: Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7
  • Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod (Hybrid Head)

The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking in Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

13. Are drones allowed in Uzbekistan?

Drones in Uzbekistan are strictly prohibited. Operating, selling, importing, or buying a drone in Uzbekistan could even result in a prison sentence.

Best places to visit in Karakalpakstan Uzbekistan - The complete Travel Guide to Karakalpakstan and the Khorezm Fortresses - Journal of Nomads

7 Best Places to visit in Karakalpakstan – The Complete Travel Guide

14. How is the Internet in Uzbekistan?

The internet connection in Uzbekistan isn’t always the best so downloading city maps for offline usage and bringing an old-fashioned travel guidebook with you will be useful.

The wi-fi connection in big cities like Tashkent and Samarkand is usually reliable and relatively fast. There’s also internet connection in Bukhara and Khiva but it can be slow.

It’s difficult to find a good internet connection when you travel to more remote areas.

14.1 Which is the best sim card in Uzbekistan and how to get one?

There are 5 main mobile phone providers in Uzbekistan: Ucell, Uzmobile, UCell, UMS, and Beeline.

The coverage with Ucell is pretty good and $7 will get you 22GB of data. You have to bring your passport with you to buy a SIM card and you must provide a registration slip of your ho(s)tel to have a SIM card registered to your name.

Update: you can now easily buy a SIM card at the airport in Tashkent upon arrival.

14.2 Uzbekistan Wi-Fi rental services

If you need to stay connected at all times during your trip (work or personal reasons), you can also opt to rent a Wi-Fi pocket device in Uzbekistan .

This device works like a home wi-fi router and allows you to stay connected at all times. It also has unlimited date plans and you can use the connection on multiple devices and even share it with your fellow travelers. You can read more about this Wi-Fi service here .

14.3 Recommended apps for travel in Uzbekistan

Here are some useful apps to use while traveling in Uzbekistan:

  • Maps.me : This is a very practical app to find your way in Uzbekistan. You can download the map of the country for offline usage. The app gives you accurate directions and shows you where you can find the nearest restaurants, bus stations, ATM, hotels, places with wi-fi, points of interest. It also tells you the number of the bus you need to take when you travel within a city.
  • Wikiroutes : Wikiroutes is a handy app if you travel by public transportation. It shows you the bus and/or metro route and tells you where to hop on and off. 
  • Google Translate :   Translates written and spoken Russian or Uzbek. Only Russian is available to download for offline usage.
  • Xe currency:   a very handy currency conversion app that always uses the latest rates in effect. It’s useful to keep track of how much things cost in Uzbekistan This app also works offline.
  • Booking.com : I made all my reservations for hostels and guesthouses in Uzbekistan through this hotel and hostel booking website, which is also available as a phone app. No other app comes close to it in terms of inventory and price.
  • Yandex Go Taxi : Yandex is the Central Asian version of Uber. I used this app to get around the major cities in Uzbekistan by taxi without having to bargain for the price and/or getting ripped off by a taxi driver. You can also use Yoko Taxi for getting around Bukhara.

Inside Gur-e-amir Samarkand Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

15. Culture and etiquette in Uzbekistan

The Uzbek people of today hail from Turkic and Persian people who lived along the country’s borders and Turkic-Mongol nomads. During the Soviet rule, many other nationalities living in Uzbekistan were labeled Uzbeks in an effort to create more easily governable subdivisions.

Today, under the Islamic faith, women are expected to cover their bodies when in public. Although full veils are not that common, there are areas where it still is expected.

Elders in Uzbek culture are very highly respected and it’s customary for men to greet one another with a handshake. And overall Uzbek people try to carry themselves with dignity and patience.

Here are some handy tips:

  • Bread is sacred in Uzbekistan. Try not to leave chunks on your plate or drop it on the floor. Especially don’t put it under your lap and save for later and, even worse, throw it in the bin (this will deeply upset the people)!
  • Remove your shoes before going inside a guesthouse, homestay or any home. Even if you don’t need to, it’s a sign of respect.
  • Don’t blow your nose at the table. Apparently it’s incredibly disrespectful and it will not go down well. By all means, itch your nose or wipe away snot with a tissue, but don’t go gung-ho and start emptying the bats in the cave.
  • Veggies/vegans! When traveling in the cities and eating at restaurants, you’ll be fine. But… if you’re staying at guesthouses or homestays in the mountains, it’s a huge sign of honour for the hosts to present the guest with meat at dinner. You could try not eating the meat but it would be pretty disrespectful. I don’t eat meat in Europe but appreciated where I was and how kind it was of the host to cook me it and dove in. Same goes for the other dishes with dairy etc really.

Uzbek girls in traditional cloths - Uzbekistan Travel Guide - Backpacking in Uzbekistan

16. What is the Religion in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a secular state. When the country was under the control of the Soviet regime, religious practices were dramatically suppressed. It was only after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 that the country gained back religious freedom.

Around 90% of the population are Sunni Muslim and the rest are Russian Orthodox. And though many people actively practice their religion, they can be quite liberal in their views about it. 

You’ll see women wearing headscarves but this is more connected to the culture than to the religion.

As a foreign woman, you’re not expected to cover your hair. There’s also no strict dress code (as you could read in 12.2 What to wear in Uzbekistan) that is related to religion.

Backpacking to Uzbekistan - Everything you need to know - Religion in Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

17. Do people in Uzbekistan speak English?

In general, the Uzbek people don’t speak a lot of English. People who work in the hospitality sector know a bit of English but most people in Uzbekistan don’t speak the language.

Young people in the larger cities will know some English but with older people, it’s less common. However, in touristy areas, English is spoken and understood so don’t fear!

17.1 What languages are spoken in Uzbekistan?

The official language is Uzbek and it belongs to the family of Turkic languages so if you speak some Turkish, it may help you understand Uzbek a little bit. Especially the numbers are similar. My knowledge of the Turkish language helped a lot when I had to bargain with vendors and taxi drivers!

Russian is the second most commonly spoken language in Uzbekistan. Many people know and understand Russian and for 14% of the population, it’s their first language. If you can read the Cyrillic alphabet or you happen to know some Russian phrases, both would come in handy whilst traveling in Uzbekistan.

I learn a new language using the audio classes of Pimsleur . This is a great learning method to study a new language. It helped me a lot to quickly reach a basic level of Russian.

11 Tips to learn Russian Quickly and Effectively

11 Tips to learn Russian quickly and effectively

I also recommend bringing a small pocket phrasebook like the Lonely Planet Centra Asia Phrasebook & Dictionary  as it contains useful phrases that you might need on your trip around Uzbekistan.

I also suggest you install the Google Translate App  for Uzbek translations (only online) and download Russian into your app that you can use offline.

Gur-e-amir Samarkand Uzbekistan - Journal of Nomads

17.2 Useful expressions to know before visiting Uzbekistan

  • ‘Assalomu alaykum’ translates as ‘hello’ .
  • ‘Salom’ means ‘good afternoon’.
  • ‘Ismingiz nima?’ translates ‘What is your name?’
  • ‘Tanishganimdan hursandman’ translates ‘I am glad to meet you’.
  • Xayr! means Good bye!

18. Recommended books in Uzbekistan  

When traveling in Uzbekistan, I would recommend bringing a small pocket phrasebook like the Lonely Planet Central Asia Phrasebook & Dictionary as it contains some useful phrases.

I would also recommend reading one or more of the following books:

  • Uzbekistan Bradt Travel Guide : one of the most comprehensive travel guide books about Uzbekistan
  • Lonely Planet Central Asia , is ideal if you’re also planning on visiting other destinations in Central Asia
  • The Silk Roads: A New History of the World : a journey through time, a revelatory new history of the world, connecting all the vast webs of roads to gain a greater understanding of modern history
  • Uzbekistan – Culture Smart! offers an insider’s view of Uzbekistan’s fascinating history, national traditions, various cuisines, and cultural scene
  • Uzbekistan: the Road to Samarkand is a stunning coffee table book with unique and luxurious, vibrant pictures that really highlight the wonders and history of Uzbekistan

Traveling and Backpacking Uzbekistan - Samarkand - Journal of Nomads

I hope this guide helps you to travel around Uzbekistan with ease. I’m wishing you a fantastic time in this special country and enjoy marveling at the exquisite architecture! 

Do you still have questions about your upcoming journey to Uzbekistan? Let me know in the comments below or send me an emai l!

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55 thoughts on “the complete guide to travel in uzbekistan (2024) – 18 very useful things you need to know to visit uzbekistan”.

Hi Cynthia. Thank you so much for your insightful website. Do you know if it is possible to hire a driver that speaks English or a combination driver and guide one of which speaks English who could travel with my wife and I for the week we will be there?

Hi Doug, yes, that’s possible. You can send me an email (hello (at)journalofnomads.com) and I’ll help you further.

Cynthia! Your blog is so so helpful! Loads of love to you!

Thank you Paridhi! 🙂

Thank you so much for your excellent description. I will visit in last week of October,23.I am a senior Banker from Bangladesh. I have gone through the top to bottom of your literature it would be very helpful for my visit .

Hi Zulfiquer, happy to hear! Thank you for reading!

This is a great resource, Cynthia. Thanks so much for all your recommendations. I’m going to Uzbekistan in October with a group of friends and your guide is exactly what I was looking for.

Hi Rebecca, thanks so much! Wishing you all a fantastic trip!

hI FIRST OF ALL CONGRATULATIONS FOR YOUR INFOS I’m planning to go to Samarcand in october and got to know that once arrived I need to register within three days.. I am a free lance journalist writing travel reports for people on a budget so I will stay in a hostel. the hostel keeper asked me 5$ per day per registration and other rinfo say that surfing into the following site http://reg.emehmon.uz/ you can buy it on line BUT BUT BUT this site opens up but clicking on FILL IN THE FORM this is not hypertestual and doesn’t send to another proper page…. do you know or perhaps somebody who recently visited Uzbekisthan personally how to help me? thanks sauro

Hi Sauro, the website to register online often doesn’t work properly. The best way would be to do it via your hostel but they have to register you automatically and NOT charge extra for it. Guess you should check with another hostel…

Hello, Cynthia. What a comprehensive overview! I’m feeling a little wary to visit as a lone female traveler but after reading your article, I now feel excited to plan my trip. One question though, if tourists want to cross the border to Kyrgyztan and Kazakhstan, for example, are they simply allowed to do so, or must they secure a visa for those other countries (depending of course, on country of origin) beforehand? Thank you so much!

Hi Bernadette, I’m happy my article has helped you. Central Asia is fine for a solo female traveler! Whether or not you need a visa depends on the country of your passport. Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan offer a free visa on arrival for a lot of countries, check if your country is on the list too. Best wishes, Cynthia

Hi Cynthia, This is an amazing resource you’ve created – even better than the Brandt guide (which is now sadly 4 years out of date)! It is a treasure trove of down-to- earth, practical information which is exactly what you need. I’ve been dreaming about (and had already done all the planning) for going to Uzbekistan in May 2020. But then a little virus stopped me in my tracks. My question is: has the war in Ukraine made any difference for visitors travelling in Uzbekistan? Given the country’s previously strong links to Russia (and with a large Russian speaking minority)? Especially if you are from Europe/England which is experiencing having a very hostile relation with Russia.

Hi Ben, thanks so much! And no, the war hasn’t made any difference. You don’t have to worry about it at all. I hope you can make your dream to visit Uzbekistan soon a reality!

Hi Cynthia, sorry to border you, have you heard of Advantour which is a website that helps visitors from abroad to buy train ticket with a commission? I was not able to pay for my night train ticket from Khiva to Tashkent on May 20 (Saturday) at 16h22 as the screen freeze & I tried many times. So happened I came across the above website not sure whether I should go ahead as I don’t mind to pay a bit more so I can plan the rest & in fact I save money for accomodation. Thank you very much for your attention and have a great day! Caterlina

Hi Caterlina, yes, Advantour offers train booking services but I don’t know what their commission is. It might be worth it to be certain that you have train tickets.

Wishing you already a fantastic trip to Uzbekistan! Warm wishes, Cynthia

Thank you soooo much, have a good day…! Can’t wait to go there in May. cc

Hi Cynthia,

Excellent resource on Uzbekistan – thank you so much for creating this.

Is there a resource that you used for homestays? How did you go about finding and selecting those?

Hi Joel, I found those homestays through my local guides. If you’d be interested in visiting f.eg. the Nuratau Mountains, you can always send me an email and I’ll bring you in touch with the right people.

Enjoyed reading your guide for Uzbekistan. It dies cover almost everything that is essential. I dont have immediate plans to go there but i will use the information provided by you whenever travel to Uzbekistan beckons in us.

Thanks for this wonderful post.

Hello Harshad, thank you so much!

I came across your website when I was searching infos about Uzbekistan. A country I wanted to visit since a long time and see all this beautiful architecture.

Thank you for the massive information you put out there. It’s probably the most comprehended and most detailed travel blog I’ve seen. You have no idea how helpful the infos are to me. Even-tough I traveled a lot in my life so far, Central Asia sounds more challenging. So after reading so much on your website I feel much more comfortable to fly there and explore it. So I booked for March 23 a trip there, TAS and SKD ! Can’t wait to see it all !

Thank you very much ! Best regards and stay safe

Hi Henri, thank you so so much for your kind words and I’m very happy that my blog inspired you and helped you with planning your trip to Uzbekistan!

Wishing you an unforgettable trip! Warm wishes, Cynthia

I had a wonderful time in Uzbekistan. Much better than I anticipated ! Came back with lots of memories of friendly people who sometimes didn’t spoke English and great pictures of all the sites. Thanks to you and all the information you put out and shared with us.

Oh, that’s wonderful to hear! Thank you so much for sharing!

Hi Cynthia, I have planned a trip Almaty to Tashkent to Samarkand to Bukhara for October 8 to October 20, booked the hotels (cancelable) but now trying to use your links to pay for train tickets I have hit problems. The Uzbek site will not let me register. (I click to register and get no response, with 3 different email addresses). Any ideas?

Hi Stuart, are you trying to buy your tickets via this link ? You should be able to easily register via your Google account.

Hi Cynthia, thank you so much for the article on UZBEKITSTAN, especially all useful tips on traveling around. My family will be entering Tashkent from the Tashkent Airport in September and we need to take private taxi to Samarkand due to tight scheduale. Do you think taxi on this destination is doable and do you have any experience/recommendations on this.

Hi Alenka, as Samarkand is a 4,5-hour drive from Tashkent, I don’t think you’ll find many taxi drivers at the airport who are keen to drive this distance. What I would recommend is contacting a local tour agency to arrange private transfer. It will be easier and a lot less hassle than negotiating with a taxi driver at the airport. Hope this helps?

Hi Cynthia, thx a lot for the info… Tour agencies are quite expensive, could you recommend someone ? Also my husband researched yandex app and he thinks, we have pretty good chance getting reasonable priced taxi from the airport … if of course we can buy a SIM card on the airport.

Hi Alenka, are you looking for city guides or a tour in Uzbekistan? The Yandex app works well in Tashkent and is so handy to get fair taxi rates. You should be able to buy a SIM card at the airport. Have a great trip! I’m currently in Uzbekistan 🙂

I’m visiting Uzbekistan soon on an organised trip. I have arranged to have 4 days on my own in Tashkent before the tour starts and I have found your article very useful and reassuring. Thank you. Well done travelling young. I left it until my sixties and now have less energy and bits of my body are wearing out!!

Hi Jane, I’m happy you found my posts useful! Wishing you a fantastic trip to Uzbekistan and kuddos for still traveling at a later age!!

Thanks for the wonderful background. I will be traveling to Uzbekistan with a few other hikers in September to hike the Marco Polo Trail.

You’re welcome Mary Lou! Wishing you a fantastic adventure ahead! Let me know if you’d have more any questions 🙂

Very nicely put through. good work

Thank you Ramneek! 🙂

Thanks so much – I am travelling solo to Uzbekistan tomorrow and this was very comprehensive.

Hello Hoey, I’m very happy to hear this guide will help you with your solo journey to Uzbekistan! I’m wishing you a fantastic trip!!

Excellent article. Thank you so much for all the information and your tips. I’ve been wanting to visit Uzbekistan for a whule now.

Hi Emma, thank you so much! Now is the best time to visit Uzbekistan. It’s not such a ‘hot’ destination yet and it’s so much easier now since they started issuing visas on arrival. When are you planning on going?

Hello Cynthia! I have read your vacation experience. Thank you for sharing your holiday experience.

Hi Sora, thank you! I’m happy you enjoyed reading this post!

Hi Cynthia! Great blog post! I’m researching the destinations for a 6 months trip around Asia next year and I found your blog really helpful on Central Asia. I got a bit of bad surprise when I saw that antidepressants are not allowed in Uzbekistan, do you know of any way I could legally take them with me anyway? I know you’ve probably no experience but it can’t hurt to ask, right? Have a nice day!

Hoi Annelies! Thank you 🙂 I think that you can bring antidepressants legally with you as long as you have the prescription with you. The rules in Uzbekistan are becoming less and less strict so I don’t think they’ll give you a hard time when you can show them the prescriptions of your medication. Hope that helps! Have a beautiful day and a great trip! Know that you can always email me if you have more questions or need help with planning your trip!

Super bedankt! This blogpost answered all my questions. I’m going backpacking with a friend (2 females) in april. Felt nervous but this post made me very excited!

Hoi Nanouk, ik ben heel blij om dit te horen! You really don’t have to be nervous about traveling as a woman in Uzbekistan. Honestly, I felt the same way before I traveled there as I had no idea what to expect. But the people were super friendly and they welcome travelers with open arms! Have a great time in April and enjoy the beauty of the country!

Thanks for providing such detailed information. Uzbekistan is on my bucket list, I fell in love with the architecture. One question I had was in regard to taking in medication. You mentioned antidepressants are strictly forbidden but the attached medications list from Caravanistan doesn’t have any SSRIs or SNRIs listed (as far as I can tell). Any place I can check this for sure?

You’re very welcome! I’m glad this post is useful to you! Regarding the medication, here’s another reliable source where you can check whether or not you can take any SSRIs or SNRIs with you: http://uzbekistan.travel/en/list-of-prohibited-drugs/

When are you planning on going to Uzbekistan?

Thanks! After looking this over, it doesn’t seem to contain any antidepressants, only short term anti anxiety medications like benzodiazepines. I was thinking of going in the fall of next year, which is a while away. It’s not the easiest to find travel information on the Central Asian countries, so I wanted to do some research well beforehand.

I don’t have much knowledge about medications and what is in there but it’s good to double-check with countries like Uzbekistan 🙂 If you would have a prescription that you can show at the border and what it’s used for, you should be fine! It’s good to think ahead and do some good research so you’re well-prepared, especially in countries that are still off-the-beaten-path. Central Asia is worth it, beautiful architecture (Uzbekistan), amazing nature and landscapes (Kyrgyzstan), hospitable people,… I’ll keep writing guides and posts about these destinations in the coming months but feel free to send me an email if you’d have any more questions!

Hi cynthia, thank you somuch for the article on UZBEKITSTAN. I will be entering Tashkent from the oybek border Tajikistan, sometime in September,I have read some daunting posts about crossing the border, Iam a little nervous,any recommendations.

Hi Magalie, the border crossing isn’t as bad as many might make it sound. I was pretty nervous about it as well but if you don’t take items with you that are on their ‘illegal’ list of things, you’ll be fine! They checked my first aid kit and the books that were on my e-reader but the officials were nice and friendly so you don’t have to worry. The rules are slowly on becoming less strict (f.eg. they never checked my hotel registration papers when I left the country) and if you’re traveling as a woman alone, they’re very respectful to you. I wish you happy and safe travels and let me know if there’s anything else I can help you with!

I’ve been wanting to visit Uzbekistan for a while, partly because of the amazing architecture! This was great to read and really interesting. It sounds pretty strict.Thanks for sharing your tips and advice!

Hey Mike! Thank you! 🙂 It sounds strict but once you’ve passed the border, it’s actually really fine. The people are very nice and yes, the architecture is stunning! Any idea yet when you will go?

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why to visit uzbekistan

60+ things you need to know before traveling to Uzbekistan

A complete guide of things to know before you’re visiting Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan has some peculiar rules to adhere to when visiting the country, but no worries, I got you! Read on for an overview of everything you need to know when you visit Uzbekistan. U pdated in 2020  after my second visit to the country.

Uzbekistan is the ultimate destination when you’re backpacking the Silk Road , but it also has a reputation for being difficult to travel through.

Luckily, Uzbekistan is realizing its tourism potential, and has done away with many of the restrictive measures putting tourists off of visiting this amazing Central Asian country. Traveling in Uzbekistan is getting easier with every passing day; there’s no time like the present to plan a trip to Uzbekistan!

Pin for things to know before traveling to Uzbekistan

  • Before you go
  • Entering and exiting
  • Accommodation
  • Transportation
  • Culture and dress
  • Officialdom

A girl sitting in the Andijan bazaar in the Fergana Valley in Uzbekistan

A moment of peace in a bustling bazaar in Andijan  

Things to know before visiting Uzbekistan

Here’s some practical information you need to know before visiting Uzbekistan:

  • Fall (September – October) is generally the best time to visit Uzbekistan. The summer heat is gone, and the harvest season is in full swing, which means plenty of delicious fruits and veggies to be found all over the country!
  • Many people can now enter Uzbekistan visa-free or with an e-Visa. Uzbekistan has recently eased its visa process, allowing several countries 30-day visa-free travel (or more!), and introducing an e-visa system. Check out the website of the MFA to find out whether you need a visa and how to apply.
  • Uzbekistan has land border crossings with Afghanistan , Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. Border crossings were once strict, but as of 2019 they’re getting much, much easier and straightforward. You’ll have a different experience at each border crossing, so it pays to do a bit of research beforehand. Caravanistan is a great resource for all things in Central Asia.
  • You can also fly in by plane, of course! Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, is the country’s main hub for international flights.
  • Don’t try to get a visa valid on or around Uzbekistan’s independence day, September 1. You’ll have trouble getting a visa for that time.

Going to Uzbekistan? Check out my two-week Uzbekistan itinerary .

Ceiling in the Registan in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

One of many bedazzled ceilings in the Registan in Samarkand

Entering and exiting Uzbekistan

There are some interesting border formalities that you need to know before traveling into Uzbekistan, overland or by air.

  • You need to declare how much money you’re bringing into the country at the border. You’ll fill out an immigration form with the amount on it—don’t lose it! You need to show it when exiting the country.
  • You must leave with less money than you entered with. That’s why you need to save the immigration form. If you’re exiting with more money than you came in with, it’ll look like you went into the country to work… and that will not bode well with officials.
  • Don’t bring in any porn into Uzbekistan. It’s not allowed, and will be confiscated if (when) the customs officials find it. This includes videos and photos on your phone. Though phones are not checked as often these days, it would behoove you to delete anything racy. You can always stream once you’re in the country if you have a VPN !
  • Sometimes you’re thoroughly checked at the border. In 2016, when I was exiting to Afghanistan , they went through every. single. thing. in my bags, and almost all the files on my computer. However, in recent times things have become more relaxed at the borders. When I crossed in and out in 2020, they didn’t even look at my bag, let alone go through it.
  • Officials might check your mobile phone and/or computer when entering and exiting the country. They’re looking for anything suspicious, from religious material to photos of police/military in Uzbekistan to commentary on the government… but adult content is mainly what they’re looking for. Again, this is less likely since the relaxing of borders in 2019.
  • You can’t bring in any drugs containing codeine. Yes, they’ll check the ingredients of any drugs you bring in, so do keep your pills in their designated boxes or bottles.
  • Don’t bring in any prescription pills unless your name is on the bottle. Just in case.
  • Hide any photo (or other) files that border officials might find suspicious. This could include that one porno you really just can’t go without (seriously, though, streaming, it’s the 21st century) , or photos from inside Uzbekistan that have guards or other officials in them—a big no-no. Here’s how to hide files on your computer .

Read more:  Crossing the Kyrgyzstan – Uzbekistan border at Dostyk

A large stack of Uzbek money

This is what $200 in Uzbek som looked like in 2016. Oy vey!

Money in Uzbekistan

Money in Uzbekistan used to be a bit of a nightmare. There were no working ATMs, money was traded on the black market, and you needed to carry around massive stacks of bills for every little transaction. Luckily, things have changed a lot in recent years! Here’s what you need to know about money in Uzbekistan as of 2020:

  • Uzbekistan’s currency is the Uzbek som. Up until recently, there was a black market rate and an official rate. However, as of September 2017 this is no longer the case; exchange rates for Uzbek som in banks are about the same as black market rates.
  • Change money at banks. Before September 2017, visitors were advised to change money with black market money changers. However, this is no longer the case. Foreign currency can and should now be changed at money exchanges and banks where possible. You can find them in every major city, though you might need to rely on unofficial exchanges in more remote areas.
  • You don’t need a bag for your money anymore.  Uzbekistan has finally introduced large denomination banknotes. Before you needed a separate bag just to carry your cash, but now a wallet will suffice!
  • Don’t count on always having access to ATMs. They don’t always work, and sometimes have withdrawal limits set up. ATMs are available in Tashkent and Samarkand, but they don’t always have money. Count on bringing US dollars and exchanging them, or picking up a hell of a lot of som in the big cities.
  • No need to tip. Tipping isn’t common in Uzbekistan, short of rounding up the bill to something even at nicer restaurants.
  • Many sights have a second entrance where you can walk in for free. You’ll see plenty of Uzbeks sidling in through side and back entrances at sights, so if you’re on a tight budget, feel free to join them.

Read more:  Here’s how much it costs to go backpacking in Uzbekistan

Sunrise in the old city of Khiva

Sunrise in the old city of Khiva, something you have to see while in Uzbekistan

Accommodation in Uzbekistan

Staying in places in Uzbekistan used to be complicated thanks to a strange registration system, but rules have eased in recent years. Accommodation in Uzbekistan isn’t hard to find, but there are still a few things to be aware of:

  • Hotels and guesthouses in Uzbekistan should still give you registration slips. These slips will have the dates of your stay written on them, and hotels will usually give them to you when you check out. You may need them to exit the country, but officials have become much more lax about this in recent times; they just want to see if you have enough registration slips to (loosely) show how long you were in the country.
  • Hostels exist, but they fill up quickly in high season… as do hotels. Be sure to book ahead at popular hostels and hotels in major cities. You can book online using sites like Booking.com .
  • Couchsurfing is technically not allowed. There  are  people who host or are hosted, but we can’t officially recommend it, as you could potentially get your host in trouble. It’s up to you to use your own discretion, of course. Homestays are becoming more popular in Uzbekistan these days, if you’re interested in getting a local experience.
Note:  Whatever you decide Couchsurfing-wise, do  not go Couchsurfing anywhere in the Fergana Valley . You  must  have registration slips for every night you spend in the valley.

Alisher Navoi metro station in Tashkent, Uzbekistan

A train at Alisher Navoi, one of the more stunning stations in Tashkent’s Soviet metro system.

Transportation in Uzbekistan

Getting around in Uzbekistan is generally a breeze, as long as you know the following things about transportation in Uzbekistan:

  • Shared taxis are often the cheapest transportation option. Shared taxis in Uzbekistan are often the same price—or cheaper!—than trains. Check with a local or your hotel manager to get an idea of how much they cost before you go; you usually have to haggle.
  • When taking a shared taxi, do not let the taxi driver leave before the car is full. Some taxi drivers will try to rip you off by claiming they’re a shared taxi, then driving off and making you pay for all of the seats. To prevent them from doing this, stand outside the taxi until it’s full. Be bold!
  • Don’t be afraid to ask other passengers how much taxis should cost. Most Uzbeks are very friendly and will be happy to help you get the proper price. (Unfortunately, some are also shady and will make you pay more so they get a discount, but I’ve found the former is more common than the latter!)
  • You’ll be checked before entering the metro in Tashkent. Uzbekistan is big on security. Guards will scan your bag and possibly peek inside before you can fully enter the metro. Never fear, the guards are quite friendly!
  • You  can  take photos inside Tashkent’s metro!  Years ago, photography was strictly prohibited; unfortunate considering how beautiful the Tashkent metro is! These days, photography is allowed so long as there are no guards in your photos (they usually step out of the way) and you don’t photograph down the train tunnels themselves.
  • Buses stop often, but not for food. Don’t forget to pack snacks when heading off on a long journey!
  • You should keep windows closed while driving. Uzbeks believe open windows on the road will lead to colds, and will often shut the windows right after you open them. Don’t ask questions… unless it’s too hot to function.
  • You can see trains and travel times on the Uzbekistan Railways website .  It doesn’t always work when it comes to buying tickets—I’m not sure it works at all for foreign cards, actually—but it gives a good overview of options.
  • You need your passport to buy train tickets. It shouldn’t be a problem since you’ll always have your passport on you… right?
  • There are 4 train classes: spanlny vagon (SV), kupe (K), platzkartny  (P) and obshchy  (O). All trains will have at least K and P classes. SV, the most expensive, is made up of cabins with two beds. K is four-bed cabins, P is an open carriage with dormitory-style bunks, and O is like P, but with more beds squeezed in. The Man in Seat 61 blog has more on train travel in Uzbekistan .
  • The new Afrosiyob trains are the fastest option. Uzbekistan’s new high speed rail runs between Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara. It’s the most expensive, but very comfortable and it cuts down travel times of common journeys to just a few hours.
  • If you’re looking for a balance of space and value, P class on trains will be fine. Platzkart is a good place to meet and chat with Uzbek travelers, and there’s nice a sense of camaraderie in the P class.
  • If security is important to you, look to the SV or K classes. You can lock the doors of the cabins if necessary.

Read:  A two-week overland itinerary for Uzbekistan and Tajikistan

Family walking around in traditional Uzbek clothes in Samarkand -

A colorful family outing in Samarkand. Uzbek clothes are gorgeous!

Culture and dress in Uzbekistan

Learning about the culture and how to dress is one of the most important things you need to know before traveling Uzbekistan! Here are some things you need to know:

  • Uzbekistan’s official language is Uzbek. It’s a Turkic language and is written using Latin letters. If you know a bit of Turkish, you might be able to understand snippets of conversation!
  • Russian is common in Uzbekistan. Many Uzbeks know Russian as a second language, and it’s the main language of 14% of the population. Being able to read the Cyrillic alphabet or knowing some Russian phrases is useful in Uzbekistan. You can learn some basic Russian through free apps like Duolingo , though for more in-depth learning I personally use and highly recommend Pimsleur audio lessons .
  • English isn’t so common. Youth in cities will often know some English (because internet), but the older people get, the less common English is. Never fear, people in tourist areas usually speak some English.
  • Islam is the majority religion in Uzbekistan. Figures say anywhere from 70% to 96% of the Uzbek population is Muslim.
  • Islam can be loosely interpreted in Uzbekistan’s cities. You won’t be hard-pressed to find Muslim men downing a shot of vodka (or three) in the evenings, and women move more freely and dress much liberally than in other Islamic countries. However, things get conservative quite quickly in rural areas.
  • Uzbekistan was part of the Soviet Union. It declared its independence on September 1, 1991. There’s still a large minority community of Russians living in Uzbekistan.
  • There’s not much of a dress code for women at major sights. Despite being an Islamic country, plenty of women go into major Islamic sights without headscarves in shorter dresses and skirts. That doesn’t mean girls should roll in with hot pants and tube tops, though—modest dress is always appreciated. Headscarves aren’t mandatory, even in major mosques, though it would be wise to bring a scarf for less touristy mosques.
  • Islam Karimov was the first president of Uzbekistan, and you don’t want to insult him. He died in 2016, to the great sorrow of the Uzbek people, but was internationally known for running an authoritarian regime guilty of many human rights abuses . Uzbeks love him, foreigners are dubious, and it’s better to avoid the subject overall.
  • Uzbeks pray by holding their hands out, then making a wiping motion over their face. They’re holding out their hands for Allah to fill, then washing the blessings over themselves. You’ll see this before and after meals and inside mosques and other religious sites.
  • The country is highly dependent on cotton and other commodities. You’ll see endless fields of cotton when driving through the countryside. Unfortunately, there are plenty of problems plaguing cotton production, ranging from extremely poor wages for cotton pickers to serious water scarcity . The Aral Sea between Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan is drying up, and much of that is due to the high water demands of growing cotton.

Plov cooking at the Central Asian Plov Center in Tashkent

A steaming vat of plov at the ever-popular Central Asian Plov Center in Tashkent

Food in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan isn’t known for its cuisine, but there’s plenty of food to go around, Check below for all you need to know about food in Uzbekistan.

  • Prepare for culinary monotony. Though Uzbek food can be delicious and Uzbek produce is rich and varied, food can be heavy and pickings slim when eating out on a budget. By the time you leave Uzbekistan, you’ll be having nightmares about plov .
  • The most common dishes are lagman (noodle dish), plov (rice), shashlik (kebab), and manty (dumplings). Though restaurants usually have all of them listed as options, it’s also common to be told they only actually have one or two of the options. For more famous Uzbek dishes, check out this guide to food in Uzbekistan .
  • Plov is king in Uzbekistan. Plov is a rice pilaf-like dish commonly found in Uzbekistan (and throughout the rest of Central Asia) and is the proclaimed National Bestest Food Evar according to many an Uzbek. Though simple—and heavy, as it’s cooked in animal fat—it can be hearty and delicious. Beware: you’re guaranteed to need a nap after eating.
  • If you are getting scurvy need a dose of veggies in your life, head to the market. There’s a decent Korean population in Uzbekistan. Refreshing Korean-influenced vegetable salads are common in many of the bazaars.
  • For cheap eats, look for “CHOYXONA” signs. Chaikhanas are small teahouse-restaurant combinations. If there are plenty of locals inside, you know you’ve found a keeper!
  • Eat melons. Lots and lots of melons. The melons in Uzbekistan are utterly succulent, and famous in the region. You don’t want to miss out! Late summer/early fall is melon season in Uzbekistan.
  • Vegetarians and vegans are not common in Uzbekistan. People will have trouble understanding what you’re asking for. Be cautious; what you get might still have meat or animal products in it.

Need more inspiration? Check out these epic photos to inspire you to travel Uzbekistan !

Uzbek officials at the border between Uzbekistan and Afghanistan

Border officials snooping through our bags at the Uzbekistan – Afghanistan border … not knowing that they’d turned on the GoPro in the process!

Officialdom and security in Uzbekistan

I saved the best for last! (Sarcasm.)

Uzbekistan is a land in love with all things official and bureaucratic. There are a handful of things you definitely need to be aware of before entering the country, else you risk pissing off people in power. Though things might sound complex, I assure you it’s not so bad in practice.

Just be attentive… and play nice.

  • Never, ever take photos of anything military, power plants, or transportation. You’ll get in trouble, and security forces may think you’re a spy. You never ever want to give an official reason to believe you’re a spy in these kinds of countries.  
  • Always carry a copy of your passport with you. Uzbekistan loves a good security check. It’s wise to have an ID on you at all times.
  • Be wary of police after bribes. This used to be a big problem, but not so much anymore. However, this almost happened to me once in Andijan in 2016. To avoid coughing up any baksheesh (bribe money), always show a copy of your passport to officials, rather than the real deal. Otherwise, they could take your passport and demand money from you to get it back.
  • You officially need hotel registration slips for every night you’re in Uzbekistan. Though this is still officially the case, as of 2019 airport and border crossing officials only sometimes check if you have hotel registration slips. You don’t really need to have one for every day.
  • If traveling through the Fergana Valley, do make sure to have a slip for each night. The valley is the one place where you might get in trouble if you don’t have registration slips for each night. It’s closely watched by the government due to violent uprisings in the past . Don’t worry, the area is safe to visit (I highly recommend it!), but you need to be on top of your slips there.
  • Keep your tickets when taking overnight trains. You can use them as registration slips, too.

So ends my lengthy list of things to know before visiting Uzbekistan! If any of you have more tips or questions about things you need to know when traveling to Uzbekistan, give a shout in the comments . The more information, the merrier.

Travel to Uzbekistan in Central Asia can seem intimidating, but with the right preparation, you'll have no problem. Here's a list of things you should know before traveling to Uzbekistan. A must-read for anyone interesting in traveling the Silk Road, or exploring the wonders of Central Asia!

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Alex Reynolds profile picture

Alex Reynolds

22 thoughts on “ 60+ things you need to know before traveling to uzbekistan ”.

Hi, thanks a lot for the info. Can we get a local person who can speak English to be alongside us in Tashkent in return for money? I am planning to visit, but I can just speak English

Hey that was amazing bro thank you

Based on your description, the country seems like hell on earth. Why would I, or anyone else.bother traveling to a country with so many rules and regulations? Tourism helps to improve the economy. Sadly, the government of Uzbekistan doesn’t realize it.

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ASIA , CENTRAL ASIA , UZBEKISTAN · September 10, 2018 Last Updated on March 10, 2024

A COMPLETE GUIDE TO TRAVELING IN UZBEKISTAN (AND WHY YOU SHOULD ABSOLUTELY DO IT)

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When I told people that I was going to Uzbekistan for 10 days, the reactions I got all shared a similar sentiment. “Why Uzbekistan?” “Where is that?” “I literally know nothing about that place.”

Truth is, I barely knew anything about traveling to Uzbekistan either. But having been to many “popular” destinations in the past, I was thirsty to explore somewhere less-known; somewhere relatively untouched.

As it turns out, Uzbekistan is actually not as hidden as I had thought — there were quite a lot of tourists — but it’s still one of the most underrated and breathtaking places I’ve ever visited. So here’s a guide on what to do and what to expect in Uzbekistan. I hope it will convince you to pay a visit too!

BACK STORY: UZBEKISTAN AND THE SILK ROAD

If you don’t have time to travel the entire length of the Silk Road, Uzbekistan is the perfect week-long glimpse into it. Located in the center of Eurasia, it played a key role back in the days not only in the trade of gold, silk, and spices but also of culture and religion.

Missionaries, scholars, and musicians who passed by the Silk Road hubs of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva brought Islamic art and teachings along with them. Today, you’ll see these three key cities bustling with beautifully ornate madrasas, mosques, and minarets — scenes you’d only expect to see inside a chapter of One Thousand And One Nights .

GETTING TO UZBEKISTAN — BY AIR OR BY CAR

Uzbekistan is one of only two double-landlocked countries in the world (the other one being Liechtenstein. This means that not only is it landlocked, but it’s also surrounded by other landlocked countries. So the most common ways of getting to Uzbekistan are by air or by car.

Flying is the easiest way to reach Uzbekistan. The main international airport is in Tashkent (TAS), but there’s also one in Samarkand (SKD), which is where my partner and I flew into.

Aeroflot and Turkish Airlines are the two main airlines that operate flights to Uzbekistan. You would therefore either have a layover in Moscow or in Istanbul somewhere on your journey. My partner and I took the Aeroflot route from London. The flight was around four hours to Moscow and another four hours from Moscow to Samarkand.

It is definitely possible to do a roadtrip around Central Asia, covering Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan as well. Taxis and buses are also available to help you cross the borders into Uzbekistan.

There are three main border crossings between Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in the cities of Gisht Kuprik, Chinaz, and Kungrad. From Kyrgyzstan, the main border crossings are at Gisht Kuprik, Khanabad, and Andijan. In Tajikistan, Dushanbe (its capital) is about 55 km from the border of Uzbekistan in Denau.

Some borders do have opening hours. For example, if you’re planning to enter through Gisht Kuprik, be sure to do so between 7am–9pm (Tashkent time).

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ABOUT THE UZBEKISTAN VISA

If you’re a citizen of the European Union or other select countries such as the USA, Canada, India, and Australia (there are many more too), you’re eligible for an e-visa. This means you simply have to fill out a standard online application (without needing a letter of invitation), and you’ll receive your visa to visit Uzbekistan via e-mail within two working days. You can find more information about the e-visas here , including whether you’re eligible for it.

If you’re not eligible for e-visas, you will need a letter of invitation, which isn’t as hard to obtain as it may sound. There are many travel agencies that can do that for you, online. The one my partner used is Global Connect and it cost around $65. He then applied for his visa in person through the embassy and received it within one week. We found the visa procedure to be fairly simple overall and did not encounter any issues at all.

WHAT TO SEE IN UZBEKISTAN — A SAMPLE ITINERARY

While it’s feasible to cover the main attractions of Uzbekistan in one week, my partner and I found that spending 10 days in this country was ideal. This gave us the perfect amount of time to really absorb everything and relax while sightseeing. Below are the main cities to visit, along with their must-see spots.

How long you should stay : 2-3 days

Founded in the 7th century B.C., Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia. Its geographic location in the center of major trade routes attracted a lot of travelers and invaders. It has been captured by both Alexander the Great in 329 BC and Genghis Khan in 1220. In the 14th century, it became the capital of the Timurid Empire.

Through the course of its history, it has been ruled by Persians, Greeks, Turks, Mongols, Chinese, and Russians. Half a dozen religions have found a home here. Today, it is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and part of the UNESCO World Heritage, listed as ‘Samarkand — Crossroads of Cultures.’

Must-see places in Samarkand

  • Registan – the pearl of the city; a square with three of the world’s oldest madrasas, worth visiting both at day and at night.
  • Gur-e-Amir – this stunning piece of architecture was the model for the Taj Mahal.
  • Shah-i-Zinda – an avenue of mausoleums that showcase some of the richest tile work in the Muslim world.
  • Bibi-Khanym Mosque – the jewel of the Timurid Empire, this was once one of the biggest mosques in the Islamic world.
  • The Siob Bazaar – the city’s vibrant main market is a great place to get a taste of local food and treats – be sure to try halva (a sweet that resembles fudge).

Ulugh Beg Observatory – it showcases some of the world’s most advanced astronomical studies led by a Timurid ruler.

Note : The above places are all within walking distance of each other, aside from Ulugh Beg Observatory, which may require a taxi. In addition, if you have an extra day in Samarkand, a day trip to Shakhrisabz ,  one of Central Asia’s most ancient cities, is very much recommended.

Tip: When you visit Registan, make sure to watch a traditional Uzbek concert inside the Sher-Dor Madrasah. Against the backdrop of the gorgeous madrasah walls, you’ll see locals perform in their traditional clothing, showcasing not only their music but also their culture, such as scenes from a Uzbek wedding. The concert starts at 7pm daily, and it’s $5 per person. You can buy tickets right inside the square even right before the concert starts.

The city of Bukhara is more than 2,000 years old. Its historic center has been preserved very well for the last two centuries. It therefore gives a great glimpse into a medieval Central Asian Muslim city filled with ancient religious architecture.

Must-see places in Bukhara:

  • Kalon Minaret – Genghis Khan was so impressed by this tower that back in the 13th century, that he ordered it to be spared while his troops destroyed the rest of the city.
  • Kalon Mosque – this mosque, with a spectacular courtyard, is right next to Kalon Minaret.
  • Ark Fortress – Bukhara’s oldest structure was the residence of its emirs for centuries .
  • Chor Minor – the gatehouse of a long-gone madrasah built in 1807, it has four minarets that each represent a different religion.

Abdulaziz-Khan Madrasah – built in 1652, its intricate, colorful tiles are truly impressive.

Bolo Hauz Mosque – known as the 40 Pillar Mosque, its ceiling is held by 20 wooden pillars that reflect elegantly in the pond in front of it.

Lyabi-Hauz Complex – a peaceful yet lively 17th century trading square with music playing in the evenings, and a pond with restaurants around it.

Taki-Telpak Furushon – a colorful domed bazaar with lots of interesting souvenir shops.

Tip: To get a taste of the “real Bukhara,” make sure to book a slot at a Hammam, a traditional steam bath. The Bozori Kord Hammam is one of the oldest in the world (built in the 14th century) and a great way to experience this exotic ancient ritual. Not only would you be discovering the secrets of the Oriental Massage, but you’ll also get a sense of the real way of life in Bukhara.

How long you should stay : 1-2 days

Out of all the Silk Road gems in Central Asia, the city of Khiva is perhaps the most intact, remote, and preserved of them all. This medieval town is essentially an open air museum. It has a fortress surrounding its inner city, which is home to dozens of ancient madrasas, mosques, minarets, and clay-colored houses.

Must-see places in Khiva :

  • Itchan Kala – the inner town of Khiva, in which most of the city’s attractions reside. It gets crowded with tourists during the day, but walking around at dawn or dusk makes for a very peaceful and unique experience.
  • Tash Hauli – a palace inside the Itchan Kala with extravagant interior decorations, blue ceramic tiles, more than 150 rooms, and 9 courtyards.
  • Juma Mosque – this unique mosque has 218 wooden columns supporting its roof.
  • Kuhna Ark – a fortress that used to be the residence of Khiva’s rulers.
  • Watchtower – accessible through the Kuhna Ark, this is a really good spot to watch sunset with a gorgeous view of the city.
  • Isfandiyar Palace – a 10-minute walk outside the west gate, it’s home to gold-embroidered ceilings and lavish chandeliers.
  • Kalta Minor Minaret – a turquoise-tiled minaret begun in 1851 by Mohammed Amin Khan, who aspired for it to be 80m tall. Unfortunately, he dropped dead in 1855, leaving the structure unfinished at 29m, but still looking mesmerizing.
  • Islom Hoja Minaret – standing 57m tall, it has the resemblance of a lighthouse, and you can climb it for fine views over the city.

Tip #1: Do not miss out on Khiva. Due to its remoteness and small size, Khiva is often overlooked and people tend to skip it if their schedule is tight. If your time in Uzbekistan is limited, cut your visit in Bukhara or Tashkent shorter by a day so that you’d have time to see Khiva. Because of how well it’s been preserved, this city truly stands out with its ancient and authentic vibe. Being there felt like walking inside a film set. The clay-colored architecture makes this town resemble a real life sand castle city — something truly unique and hard to find anywhere else in the world.

Tip #2: Get a personal guide inside Itchan Kala. There are many places in Khiva that are quite hard to find on your own. Lavish, colorful courtyards tend to be hidden behind small doors you’d never think to walk through because, from the outside, they don’t appear to lead to anywhere special. Getting a guide costs around $30 for a 3 hour tour (you pay a total of $30 even if you’re traveling in pairs), and you can request this service inside the ticket office right at the entrance of Itchan Kala.

Being the capital of Uzbekistan with the largest international airport in the country, you are most likely to fly into and out of Tashkent. Wandering around the city, you’ll find part of it cluttered with modern buildings; another part adorned with Soviet-style architecture, and yet another part that’s more traditionally Uzbek with mud-walled houses, crowded bazaars, and traditionally clad farmers hard at work.

Must-see places in Tashkent :

  • The metro stations – if you’ve seen or heard about the very artistic and well-decorated metro stations in Moscow, you’ll find something very similar in Tashkent. The metro stations there were built in the former USSR and are among the most ornate in the world.
  • Minor Mosque – built in 2013, it’s one of the newer monuments of the city and is covered in white marbles.
  • Chorsu Bazaar – being the biggest farmers market in town, it’s the perfect place to find colorful mountains of spices, sweets, souvenirs, and the freshest fruits around.
  • Hazrat Imam Complex – a religious center with a madrasah, mausoleum, and Islamic Institute, where future preachers are taught.
  • Amir Timur Museum & Square – a museum about the Timurid empire sitting inside a square that also houses the very interesting architecture of Uzbekistan Hotel.

GETTING AROUND UZBEKISTAN

It’s very easy to navigate Uzbekistan on your own, and you can do so via trains, flights, or taxis. My partner and I used a mixture of them all.

There are multiple daily trains connecting Samarkand, Bukhara, and Tashkent. Many of them are high-speed, meaning a journey between Samarkand and Tashkent or Samarkand and Bukhara would only take 1-2 hours.

My partner and I took the Afrosiyob high-speed rail and it was a very comfortable experience. The trains were punctual, clean, and equipped with AC — a lifesaver during the summer months. Tickets cost $7 if you buy them at the train stations and around $25 if you reserve online in advance.

Note : There are no websites from which you can directly buy these train tickets. If you’d like to reserve them in advance, the only way is to go through Uzbek travel agencies, which will buy and email them to you.

We used Global Connect to reserve ours as it was the most affordable option we found, and it was a smooth and pleasant experience. As I mentioned before though, it is much cheaper and less of a hassle to buy the tickets in person at the station.

There are airports in Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Urgench (which is about a 30-minute drive from Khiva). Flights between these cities typically range from $25 – $50 one way. Because trains are much more affordable and not that different in their length of the journey, it’s almost illogical to fly between Tashkent, Bukhara, and Samarkand.

Flying does become a convenient option, however, when going to Khiva. This ancient town is quite remote and a bit harder to reach. A flight from Tashkent to Urgench is the fastest way to get there and it takes about 1.5 hours, costing $50 one way.

Taking a taxi between the main cities is not recommended unless you’re going to Khiva. Aside from flying into Urgench, a very common way of reaching this remote town is via a private or shared taxi from Bukhara.

The journey is around 7 hours (with breaks in between) and costs $50 for a private ride and $20 for a shared ride. An advantage of choosing to go to Khiva by car (rather than by air) is that you can take a little detour along the road trip to visit some ancient fortresses, such as the one in Tuprakkala. It will prolong your trip by two hours and cost an extra $10, but getting to explore exotic ruins in the middle of a desert is not an experience you get every day.

Within Uzbekistan cities, taxis are very cheap. They usually cost $1.25 for a 10-15 minute ride. With that said, Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva are walkable cities for the most part. So you’d only need taxis when going to the train station/airport, or when visiting a few remote attractions away from the historic centers.

ACCOMMODATION IN UZBEKISTAN

We were completely stunned by how gorgeously decorated, cozy, and homey Uzbekistan hotels were. They were also very affordable. You can find a variety of high quality boutique hotels, B&Bs, and guesthouses for $20 – $30 a night on sites like Booking.com .

The hotels we stayed at were clean, well-situated, and well-renovated. The staff were also very friendly. Just don’t expect good WiFi connection — that’s a rare luxury in Uzbekistan no matter where you stay.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAMARKAND

Registan is the pearl of the city and close to many other attractions. I highly recommend staying within walking distance of it. A few suggestions:

  • Antica B&B – We stayed in this family-run B&B and felt very welcomed. They also have a very stylish courtyard and garden.
  • Jahongir B&B – A family-run B&B with stylishly adorned rooms.

Other Accommodation Options in Samarkand

  • Platan Hotel
  • L’Argamak Hotel
  • DiliMah Hotel
  • Hotel GalaOsiyo

WHERE TO STAY IN BUKHARA

The historic center, where you can find most of the city’s attractions, has a variety of hotels from which to choose, and it’s the best area in which to stay. Two places I’d recommend are:

  • K. Komil Bukhara Boutique Hotel – We’ve long heard of how gorgeous and stylish this hotel is, but were unable to stay there due to it being booked out. We did manage to tour this place despite not being guests there, as the hotel staff were super welcoming and happy to show us around. Every room is uniquely adorned with traditional art and it truly looks like a unique place to stay in — just remember to book well in advance as it’s quite popular!
  • Samani Bukhara – We stayed in this cozy hotel with a stylish courtyard, where you can enjoy breakfast on a table bed.

Other Accommodation Options in Bukhara

  • Amulet Hotel
  • Hotel Fatima Boutique
  • Emir Bed and Breakfast
  • Hotel Khurjin

WHERE TO STAY IN KHIVA

I’d recommend staying inside or as close to Itchan Kala (the inner town) as possible. It’s where almost everything worth seeing is concentrated. Two hotels you might enjoy are:

  • Euro-Asia – We stayed in this clean, elegant, and newly renovated hotel and the staff were amazing. The first night we arrived, a reception staff personally took us to a restaurant a little out of the way because everything around us was closed (it was very late).
  • Orient Star Khiva Hotel – If you want to get the unique experience of staying inside a majestic ancient madrasah inside the historic inner town, then this hotel is the one for you. The rooms are all refurbished and said to be comfortable.

Other Accommodation Options in Khiva

  • Bek Khiva Hotel
  • Arkanchi Hotel
  • Zukhro Boutique Hotel
  • Qosha Darvoza Hotel

WHERE TO STAY IN TASHKENT

Tashkent is a big city, so staying close to a metro station makes things a lot more convenient. I’d recommend finding a hotel near the Central Square (close to Amir Temur metro station) as you can meet lots of locals there and enjoy the shopping centers and cafes nearby.

Accommodation Options in Tashkent

  • Hyatt Regency Tashkent Hotel
  • Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel
  • Aster Hotel
  • Navruz Hotel

FOOD IN UZBEKISTAN

The Uzbek cuisine is one of the most exquisite and flavorful ones I’ve tried, and it’ll leave you longing for more even after leaving the country. Some must-try national dishes are: plov, shurpa, lagman, manti, somsa, naan bread, shashlik, kazan kabob, and shivit oshi.

If you’re a vegan or vegetarian, you unfortunately might have a hard time finding adequate options. This country loves meat to the n th degree, and most if not all of their signature dishes either include or are prepared with it. With that said, there definitely are restaurants that offer vegetarian options, and salads are available almost everywhere.

In the list of restaurants further down, I have added an asterisk next to places that offer vegetarian dishes.

A tip for vegetarians : say “bez myasa” when ordering salads. It means “without meat”. This can come in handy as some salad plates may also occasionally contain sliced meat (you can see how much Uzbeks love their meat!).

WHERE TO EAT IN SAMARKAND

  • Oasis Garden * – An elegant place with friendly staff, great food and fancy decor.
  • Bibikhanum Teahouse – An excellent place to experience the colourful, cozy, and traditional bed tables, and the decor here is incredible.
  • Samarkand Restaurant – Gorgeous interior, amazing decor and delicious authentic food.
  • Platan * – A nice place to eat outside and the food is delicious.

* Has good vegetarian options

WHERE TO EAT IN BUKHARA

  • Lyabi House Bukhara – A restaurant by the water with a great atmosphere.
  • Temir’s Restaurant – They have some interesting things on their menu — do try out their “mimoza” dish.
  • Doston House * – Amazingly decorated restaurant with friendly service; try out their pumpkin manti.
  • Restaurant Mavrigi – Another stunningly adorned place; definitely try their Uzbek spice tea!
  • Chor Bakhr Restaurant – Very popular amongst locals, this is a must-go! Best tandoor & shashlik we had in Uzbekistan.
  • Minzifa * – Great food paired with an awesome rooftop view.

Restaurant Bedruddin – Really good service, food, and live music.

CAFES/TEAHOUSES NOT TO MISS IN BUKHARA

  • Terrace Cafe near Kalyan Square – This spot offers a magnificent view of the Kalon Minaret and Kalon Mosque. It’s a must-go if you want to stop somewhere for a tea or a drink. It’s located on top of Old Bukhara Restaurant .
  • Silk Road Tea House – The owners of this place have been making tea and trading spices for 600 years; make sure to try their delicious Spices and Herbs tea as well as their Silk Road Confection sweets!

WHERE TO EAT IN KHIVA

  • Xojiakbar – About a 10 min walk from Itchan Kala, this local restaurant offers delicious kazan kabob.
  • Terrassa Cafe * – Delicious food paired with an epic view over part of the city; this place is a must-go. Some highlights of their menu include pumpkin manti, shivit oshi, and lamb shashlik.
  • Cafe Mirza Borsh – They have exquisite plov, mastava, tuhum barak, and shivit oshi.
  • Yasavul Boshi * – Some dishes to try here are mix dumplings, shivit oshi, and pakhlava.

WHERE TO EAT IN TASHKENT

  • Plov Center – Hands down the best plov we had in Uzbekistan. The portions are big, the prices are affordable, and it’s very popular amongst locals so it’s a great place to meet people!
  • Caravan * – You can find traditional home decor here with great food and good live music.
  • The revolving restaurant inside Tashkent TV tower – If you want to enjoy a fancy meal overlooking the entire city, pay this place a visit!
  • Afsona Restaurant * – A high-end restaurant with an excellent variety of local food.

WHEN TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN

The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during spring or autumn: end of April to mid-May, or end of September to mid-October tend to offer the most pleasant temperatures (around 14 ° – 26 ° C). It doesn’t rain much during those periods either. During these times you can enjoy the heat without it being uncomfortably hot like it is in the summer, when temperatures can go up to 40 ° C. In the winter, temperatures can go as low as -10 ° C.

RELIGION & HOW TO DRESS IN UZBEKISTAN

Contrary to popular belief, Uzbekistan is actually quite liberal. Although most of its population is Muslim, this country isn’t officially a Muslim country and many cultures and religions coexist and are welcome here. Uzbek people consider their homeland to be secular and modern, and there are no strict rules here about how women should dress.

We saw schoolgirls wearing short skirts especially in large and modern cities like Tashkent. Headscarves are not required at all, even when entering many mosques. There are some mosques that require you to wear them though, such as Minor Mosque in Tashkent. That is however the only one we personally encountered that has the requirement.

You may get certain looks from the older generation if you’re seen in short dresses and tank tops, but just like in many other secular countries, that is only because of cultural and generational differences rather than religious ones. Like many other places in the world, the older generation in Uzbekistan dresses more conservatively while the younger generation is far more liberal.

My suggestion is therefore: do what’s most comfortable for you. But do keep in mind that Uzbek people don’t think of their country as Muslim and don’t expect you to dress like you’re in one. All that being said, definitely still bring some clothes that cover your knees and shoulders for mosques and mausoleums. No one will scream at you for not doing so, but it’s the respectful thing to do.

SAFETY & SOLO TRAVELING IN UZBEKISTAN

Uzbekistan is one of the safest countries you can visit. It boasts a very low crime rate and doesn’t have the safety concerns (such as pickpocketing) that you may find in many European cities. Never once did we feel threatened when we were there, even when walking around at night.

We also met a woman who was traveling solo in Uzbekistan, and she shared some of her experiences with us. She said that during her time there, she’s been met with nothing but kindness from the locals, who were there to help her out whenever she needed it. She said that when she first landed at the airport, she couldn’t find taxis anywhere. A local who needed a taxi too saw her struggling and hailed one for both of them. He asked the driver to drop her off at her hotel but insistently refused to let her pay her share, essentially giving her a free ride.

She also shared that one of the locals she met in Uzbekistan spent an entire day giving her a free tour of Samarkand, showing her all the hidden and local spots that she would have never discovered by herself. This was not surprising to hear, as our own encounters with Uzbek people had been nothing short of heartwarming. They are, in general, extremely friendly and welcoming, and often go out of their way to make sure you have the best experience in their country.

So if you’re thinking about traveling solo as a woman in Uzbekistan, just apply common sense like you would anywhere else, and you will have a great time.

For more information, be sure to read our Guide To Solo Female Travel In Uzbekistan !

OTHER THINGS TO NOTE

  • LANGUAGE – While Uzbek and Russian are the main languages spoken in Uzbekistan, basic English is understood at most tourist attractions. You may have to rely on hand gestures (or Google Translate) in other parts of the city, but we never found the language barrier to be big enough to cause any real issues.
  • Good hotels & guest houses cost around $20 – $30 a night.
  • A full-course meal with several mains, appetizers, and drinks usually totals up to $6 per person (the amount of food would be enough to feed four people though).
  • As I mentioned before, taxis within cities are around $1.25 for a 10-15 minute ride, and fast-speed trains connecting Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent cost $7 if you buy them at the station.
  • Your flight is the only thing that may be costly. A flight from Europe to Tashkent or Samarkand is usually around $600, and that number will probably be a lot higher if you’re flying from somewhere further away. If that is the case, it may be a good idea to visit Uzbekistan as part of a bigger European or Central Asian trip.
  • CASH – ATMs are everywhere, unlike a few years ago when you had to travel around the country with bags full of cash. Nowadays, you can find ATMs in many hotels and restaurants, and scattered all over the city.
  • WIFI (OR LACK THEREOF) – As I mentioned briefly before, be prepared for very poor WiFi connection in hotels and guest houses. Uploading and downloading small files can take up to an hour, if it works at all. Often times, the connection would fail altogether. Expect some quality time away from technology.
  • TOUR GROUP OR ON YOUR OWN? – As you can see from all the information above, Uzbekistan is incredibly easy to navigate on your own. Going with a tour agency would be a lot more expensive and in my opinion, unnecessary and not worth it. Unless you prioritize having a tour guide who can explain every attraction in each city, I’d highly recommend booking everything yourself as it’s cheap and a piece of cake to do.

If you’re still debating about whether or not you should visit Uzbekistan, I’ll end this guide by saying that out of the 50+ countries I’ve been to, Uzbekistan is one of the most breathtaking, remarkable, and underrated places I’ve ever experienced. Never in my life have I come across architecture so mesmerizing that it left me speechless every corner I turned; people so friendly that I felt genuinely welcomed into a country so foreign to me; food so delicious that I still dream about it everyday; and beauty so staggering that I still refuse to believe what I saw in this country was real at all.

Uzbekistan is an utter dream. An architecture fiend’s fantasy, a photographer’s heaven, and an intrepid traveler’s ultimate gem to uncover. If you don’t stop by, you’re truly missing out.

We hope this guide has inspired you to travel to Uzbekistan! If you have any additional tips for our readers or questions please leave these in the comments below.

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Read More About Central Asia

  • A Guide To Solo Female Travel In Uzbekistan
  • A Girl’s Guide To Solo Travel In Tajikistan
  • Solo Travel In Pakistan
  • Conquering Stigmas: Travelling Solo Through The Silk Road
  • Ultimate 10 Day Itinerary for Uzbekistan

We Are Travel Girls Contributor Jiayi Wang   of TheDiaryOfANomad.com Connect With Jiayi  Instagram

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September 11, 2018 at 3:14 am

What a comprehensive and beautifully written piece!

Ankur Priyadarshan says

April 18, 2023 at 10:54 pm

This is one of the best articles on Uzbekistan. Not dying without seeing this place

September 14, 2018 at 11:11 am

I’m right now in Uzbekistan and it is wonderfull!! I would recommend it to everyone! Since august this year it is possible to buy traintickets in advance at http://www.railway.uz . You need a visa card to buy the tickets. For some trains you get an e-ticket and for others a form to pick up the tickets at the trainstation. We used both of the options and it worked perfect.

Joe Keane says

August 16, 2019 at 9:33 am

Trouble is the form is in part english and part Uzbek. They need names like e.g. Tashkent in their language – which I do no know. Why do they not accept MasterCard – only Visa

shokha says

September 14, 2018 at 11:36 am

Wow, such an amazing description, thank you so much for sharing it with us, everyone should definitely visit Uzbekistan

Marielena says

October 17, 2018 at 10:15 am

Thanks for such a comprehensive guide, Jiayi. Your gorgeous imagery on Instagram has inspired me to visit next year. Since I always prefer independent travel, it’s great to know how easy it is to get around as well a the affordable pricing. Given that I’m a photographer, I plan to maximize my time in each place so that I can capture images at sunrise and sunset and will definitely plan to visit Khiva as a result of your description.

November 5, 2018 at 5:32 am

I live in Uzbekistan, although I am not Uzbek. It is a wonderful country. Your guide is pretty accurate.

I do need to say that Uzbeks do think of themselves as Muslim and are quite proud of it. However, thanks to the years of Soviet official atheism, it is more of a cultural identity for many. People believe, but not everyone practices fully. Uzbeks are moderate, not liberal. The culture is generally very conservative, even in the cities.

I would recommend conservative dress, especially when visiting mosques, madrasahs, bazaars, etc. It should be the same as if you visit churches or cathedrals in Europe. The Uzbeks are too polite to say anything negative to a guest, but they will appreciate the respect. Although your blog is geared to women, it should be noted that shorts are rarely worn by men in public. Young men are starting to wear shorts, but you won’t see anyone out of their 20s wearing them. Young women rarely wear shorts (older, never). Again, no one will say anything, but you will be very conspicuous.

Uzbekistan is being discovered. Come!

March 28, 2019 at 4:35 pm

Thanks for your insight and great comment. As a tourist, I think it’s very important to respect the local culture wherever we go.

May 30, 2019 at 5:04 am

Hi, do you know if the meat/chicken is halal in Uzbekistan?

TezWiFi says

July 25, 2019 at 12:27 am

I believe any meat (except pork :)) is halal in Uzbekistan.

January 18, 2019 at 7:22 am

I have been thinking to visit my best friend in Bukhara and this article really helped alot. It contains all the remarkable things one need to mention in a travel guide. It is just perfect.

January 18, 2019 at 1:28 pm

Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story of my home country . I’m so glad to see more and more people discovering this wonderful country which I call home. All your comments, thoughts, images about Uzbekistan is making me miss the motherland .

Lacaysse says

January 20, 2019 at 12:18 am

What should be the average budget of a single traveler when visiting Uzbekistan?

Ojas Mangaonkar says

March 7, 2019 at 8:30 am

Hi, your information is very good especially for new travellers like us…bt can you pls tell me how much did it cost you per day in Uzbekistan (total cost- food per day + rent per day(we looking for reasonable)+ traveling mentioned in your information)

Patrick Keane says

August 15, 2019 at 12:34 pm

Hello, I read your guide to Uzbekistan with great interest. By the way I am 78 and my wife and I are traveling from Ireland via Istanbul. The account of your travels is clear and concise. Because of the way that you highlight the different attractions in the main cities, I feel confident that we may get a good taste of the country, despite our limited itinerary. We are going in late September. One of your contributors gave a link, which may allow us to book trains in advance. By the way we are in the 50+ category ourselves as regards going to places less traveled. Keep up the good work.

March 28, 2019 at 4:33 pm

Wow!!! What a wonderful and comprehensive piece of writing. Thank you so much!! I came here from your amazing Instagram photos, and now Uzbekistan is definitely on top of my bucket list!! Great work!!

March 31, 2019 at 7:06 am

Such an informative article on Uzbekistan, I’m definitely going to be planning to go there soon. I love the architecture and the relaxed vibe.

Katherine says

May 17, 2019 at 11:27 am

We just got back from Uzbekistan and loved it! Had a terrible guide in Samarkand when we booked through hotel, and then found a great female private guide in Bukhara. Her knowledge of history was unstumpable. Was about $60 for a full day with great historical background. Wanted to post her info in case anyone is looking for a great experience supporting local women: Larisa Whatsapp +998 907181015 Email: [email protected]

Hussain says

May 26, 2019 at 11:27 pm

Thanks for sharing the tour guide contact!! I am planning to visit it Uzbekistan in two weeks and definitely to visit bukhara and Samarkand as well!! I saved her number in order to call her once I am there!! I seriously seek the right historical information!!

Eric Wilson says

May 21, 2019 at 4:41 am

The best thing is accommodation is very affordable here than other countries.

DSwito says

June 8, 2019 at 3:24 am

What a comprehensive blog… I Would like to visit these beautiful places. What i like the most is all your photos always like you are alone there. Im curious what time all those photos are taken…

ZOHER DAGINAWALA says

June 8, 2019 at 6:13 am

HI IAM STAYING INDIAN STAYING IN DUBAI -I AM A SOLO TRAVELER AM PLANNING TO VISIT UZBEKISTAN IN SEPTEMBER 2019 —-BUT AFTER READING YOUR ARTICLE -I AM VERY EXCITED ,IS IT POSSIBLE TO TRAVEL IN AUGUST END OR SEPTEMBER –YOU EXPLAINED EVERY THING IN A QUIET SIMPLE WAY TO THE POINT-WILL FOLLOW YOUR INTERNIARY

August 4, 2019 at 2:10 pm

I wish I’d discovered this amazing site before today. I leave for a 9 night trip to Uzbekistan in one week’s time. I am dreadfully disorganised and am now in that last minute panic stage. Thanks to your fantastically detailed account I can at least rest assured that I shall find somewhere good to eat! I look forward to a little tech free time but hope that I can locate your suggested restaurants.

August 20, 2019 at 10:06 pm

Hi! I came back from Uzbekistan yesterday. Just wanted to add a little about internet there. If you want to continue using your sim card from your home country and try to go online, it won’t work. I purchased roaming option from my provider and it gave me internet for about 10 m, and then it was gone. I purchased UzMobile sim card for 10,000 soums, and had internet non stop. Just needed to change numbers in Whatsapp, Telegram and etc apps, so, my friends knew where to contact me. It’s very cheap comparing to using your own sim card. You just need to put money in your acct from time to time, and the ATM machines are everywhere.

October 18, 2019 at 7:23 am

I AM A SOLO TRAVELLER FROM U.A.E DUBAI I JUST RETURNED FROM A WONDERFUL TRIP OF THE HEARTH OF SILK ROAD COUNTRY UZBEKISTAN -YOUR TIPS AND ARTICLE MADE BY TRIP VERY EASY AND IT HELPED ME A LOT THANKS

Keith Johnson says

January 19, 2020 at 8:40 pm

Wow! This was so well written and with so much detail! Thank you! Can I ask you, where is the restaurant (dining room) in the picture that is above ‘Where to stay in khiva’. I think it is somewhere in Bukhara but I would love to know where exactly. Thank you!

May 18, 2020 at 9:23 pm

I’m planning a trip to Uzbekistan for after travel restrictions are lifted and LOVE this post. Every time I see pictures of Uzbekistan I get excited again, but all of my friends and family are in that boat of “but why uzbekistan??”. I think I might just let them keep that illusion alive and enjoy it’s splendor myself! Thank you for all of the tips!

mehvash Khan says

February 11, 2022 at 3:53 am

Great blog. Please add the names of the places under the pictures, especially the restaurants and the cafes. They are too gorgeous to be missed out !

Wendy Light says

August 20, 2022 at 12:24 pm

We traveled to UZB in March 2022 from the USA. The food is inexpensive and so good. $8 for the best filet mignon. The patisseries are just like being in Paris. Leave room for dessert. Hotels have amazing service. Everywhere is clean and everyone is very friendly and polite. I don’t recommend renting a car. Driving would be difficult for a foreigner not used to chaotic roads. Horn honking is a national pastime. Use Yandex for taxis, it is very inexpensive. I would go back in a second.

Rebecca Carter says

October 30, 2022 at 7:25 pm

Thank you, do you need to pre-book accommodation and train travel?

Thank you in advance

August 28, 2022 at 5:49 am

Thank you for this very detailed traveling guide! It helps me a lot to organise my trip :)

Fnagdi @ Hotmail says

October 1, 2022 at 7:19 am

Thank you so much it is so well written and made it easy. Going on the 8th October. I’m well excited

carmin says

December 16, 2022 at 7:10 am

Hi, has anyone traveled in january? we’d like to go around jan 1-10th, just not sure how much will be open and available for sightseeing and eating out. Cold is not an issue, we actually want a change from the middle east.

Maryanah says

December 26, 2022 at 9:53 am

Hi Thank you for the comprehensive and informative blog on Uzbekistan. It really helps with my planning for this June trip and I hope the weather is not too hot.. I think 14 days for this trip is barely scratching the surface. We visited Iran in 2018 and I am looking forward to similar architectural wonders and amazing history from Uzbekistan. Praying that the historical sites are open for visits after pandemic.

February 12, 2023 at 1:19 pm

what a trip! this country must be truly amazing! superrandom question -where is the dress from that you are wearing in the last pis (the blue one)?

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Uzbekistan tourism: Top 10 reasons to visit Uzbekistan

The Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Table of Contents

Guest post by Sophie Ibbotson. I fell in love with Uzbekistan 10 years ago on a journey from the United Kingdom to Afghanistan. After weeks crossing Eurasia, I arrived in Uzbekistan: Heart of the Silk Road and was dazzled by the UNESCO monuments, the warmth of the hospitality, and the majesty of the landscapes. As a guidebook author and Ambassador for Uzbekistan Tourism, I have now had the great privilege to travel to every corner of the country, and want to share with you my top 10 reasons to visit Uzbekistan.

Desert fortress in Uzbekistan with mountains

Ancient cities of Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan has been inhabited by mankind for more than 10,000 years, and in the dry, arid climate, the ancient cities are well preserved. Archaeological sites such as Kampir Tepe (built by Alexander the Great as Alexandria on the Oxus) and the Desert Fortresses of Khorezm are now romantic ruins, occupied only by the ghosts of the past. When you explore them, more often than not you will be the only tourist there. This contrasts with the likes of Tashkent and Samarkand, both of which are more than 2,500 years old, where each generation of rulers has built another layer of the city. Ancient, medieval, and modern marvels jostle for your attention, and whether you are exploring the streets or touring one of the many museums, you will certainly be awed by the richness of Uzbekistan’s history.

Gur-i Amir, Samarkand, Uzbekistan Tourism

Magnificent mountains 

When people think about Uzbekistan tourism, they imagine the deserts crossed by camel caravans, the majolica tile covered mosques and madrassas, and the bustling Silk Road bazaars. That Uzbekistan is also a mountainous country comes as something of a surprise! But what this means is that in the heat of the summer you can escape into the relative coolness of the Western Tien Shan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can hike, mountain bike, picnic by one of the many lakes, and soak up the beauty of the great outdoors. The winter snowfall is superb for skiing, and the brand new Amirsoy Mountain Resort has world class facilities, giving Europe’s Alpine ski resorts fierce competition in quality, not to mention price. The day I spent heli-skiing with Uzbekistan Tourism last season was quite unlike anything I’ve ever experienced anywhere else in the world. 

The Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Medieval monuments

The UNESCO-listed Registan in Samarkand is Uzbekistan’s answer to India’s Taj Mahal . This economic complex of World Heritage Buildings graces postcards and the covers of guidebooks, and it is the #1 site that every tourist in Uzbekistan wants to visit. But the Registan is just one of hundreds of breathtakingly beautiful medieval monuments spread across Uzbekistan. The Gur-i Amir (the mausoleum of Emperor Timur) is believed to be the architectural model for both Babur’s Tomb in Kabul and Humayun’s Tomb in Delhi . The Kalyon Minaret in Bukhara (another UNESCO World Heritage Site) was the only structure in the city to survive destruction by Genghis Khan, and it is flanked by the Kalyon Mosque and the Mir-i Arab Madrassa, both of which are decorated with the mesmerising patterns of tiles and glazed turquoise domes that are so evocative of the Silk Road. 

dishes of various foods in Uzbekistan

Mouthwatering foods

When you visit Uzbekistan, you will spend a disproportionate amount of time eating and drinking. Nothing beats the smell of fresh non which has been cooked in a tandoor, or the sizzling of lamb kebabs on the grill. The winter melons of Uzbekistan are so famous that even the UK’s Financial Times newspaper published a eulogy to them, and in the summer months, the market stalls groan beneath the weight of locally grown strawberries, cherries, apricots, and pomegranates. Uzbekistan’s national dish, plov , is the Central Asian sister to a biryani , and every region has its own variation of the recipe. Everyone you meet in Uzbekistan will tell you that their mother’s plov is the best and urge you to try a portion. Resistance is futile: eat another mouthful, and enjoy!

women at Yurt camp, Aydarkul, Uzbekistan Tourism

Quirky places to stay

When it comes to accommodation, Uzbekistan tourism’s top draw is not its five-star hotels, but rather the small, unique places to stay. In Bukhara’s UNESCO Old Town, historic merchants’ houses are now boutique hotels. You can breakfast in their galleried courtyards, or in dining rooms decorated with antique paintings. Khiva’s madrassas are no longer in use as religious schools, but in some cases the cells where students studied and prayed have been converted into atmospheric guest rooms. Hotel Orient Star occupies a prime location within the Mohammad Amin Madrassa, right next door to the Kalta Minaret. Out in the Kyzylkum Desert, you can spend the night in a yurt camp at Aydarkul, with camels watching on. Alternatively, if you need your mod cons, you can upgrade to a rather swankier yurt with an en suite bathroom at Sarmishsoy. It’s important to remember that when you stay in local properties like these, you not only learn more about Uzbekistan, its culture and hospitality, but you also contribute directly to the local economy, making tourism much more sustainable .

Chasma Ayub, Bukhara, Uzbekistan Tourism

Sacred shrines

The BBC called Uzbekistan “Land of a thousand shrines” and indeed there are countless religious sites across the country, from the Graeco-Bactrian era Buddhist monastery at Fayaz Tepe, to the Zoroastrian altars excavated in Khorezm. It is for the Islamic shrines that most pilgrims visit Uzbekistan, however. Sunni Muslims come to the holy shrine of Imam Bukhari, author of the Sahih al-Bukhari collection of hadiths, near Samarkand. Followers of the Naqshbandi order of Sufism pay their respects at the shrine of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband in Bukhara. I appreciate the peace of the Nurata Chashma in Navoi Region, and the small shrine amongst a glade of chinar trees at Urgut. There are shrines connected with the Prophets Job (Ayub in Uzbek) and Daniel, too, and as Daniel’s body is said to still be growing, his casket is now more than 18 metres long.

statue in Uzbekistan at dusk

Star-filled skies

Uzbekistan has some of the darkest night skies I have ever seen. When I am out in the desert or in the mountains, I long for nighttime to come, because as soon as you leave the cities behind, countless stars prick the heavens, sparkling bright. With the naked eye you can see the edge of the Milky Way, planets in our solar system, shooting stars, and even manmade items like the International Space Station. Uzbekistan Tourism has begun investigating opportunities for astro tourism, and it is my dream that one day soon we will have an International Dark Sky Place in Uzbekistan, as well as astro guides to help dark sky tourists enjoy such a high quality of astronomy. It is no wonder that Ulug Beg, the grandson of Emperor Timur, was inspired to become one of the great astronomers of the medieval age: he would have been awed by the stars over Samarkand night after night. You can still visit his astronomical observatory to learn about the scientific instruments he used.

Metro station in Uzbekistan Tourism

Tremendous trains

As an environmentally conscious traveller, being able to travel safely and affordably by public transport is important to me. In the capital, Tashkent Metro is cheap and efficient, but just as excitingly, it is a subterranean art gallery! Every station on the network was designed by a different artist or architect, and the themes vary from the Soviet space programme to the poetry of Alisher Navoi. To reach the UNESCO cities of Samarkand and Bukhara (and, very soon, Khiva), I always recommend taking the high speed train. Modern, air conditioned, and spotlessly clean, the Afrosiab train service is not only the fastest, but also the most responsible, way to travel across Uzbekistan. The Afrosiab makes it viable to fly direct to Tashkent from New Delhi (three hours away) and visit Samarkand and Bukhara for a long weekend.

Girls posing in traditional dress at The Registan, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Tourism offers a warm welcome

In Uzbekistan tourism is relatively new: it is only since 2016 that international arrivals have soared. One of the advantages of this is that tourists are still viewed first and foremost as honoured guests, and in many communities the novelty of seeing foreigners hasn’t yet worn off. Wherever you go in Uzbekistan, you will receive a warm welcome from the local people you meet. People are curious to find out who you are and where you are from, to practise their English with you, and to teach you about their culture and traditions. I adore being invited into people’s homes for tea, and sitting chatting for an hour or two, even if we share relatively few words in common. It is a privilege to have such personal, authentic experiences, and these intimate social interactions will be one of the highlights of your trip. 

Woman selling ceramics in Uzbekistan

Vibrant festivals

One of the very best ways to experience Uzbekistan’s intangible cultural heritage is by attending a festival or other public event. Uzbekistan Tourism puts on a calendar of inspiring cultural events throughout the year, so there is always something to enjoy. The biennial International Festival of Handicrafters takes place with the dazzling Kokand Palace as its backdrop, and the Sharq Taronalari International Music Festival uses the central square of the Registan as its unforgettable stage. Electronic music lovers should schedule their visit to coincide with Stihia Festival, a celebration of Techno which takes place in the eerie desert town of Muynaq, surrounded by the skeleton ships of the shrunken Aral Sea. Billed as Central Asia’s answer to Burning Man, Stihia also does an important job of raising awareness of the Aral Sea environmental disaster and the efforts to restore its water levels.

Adbulaziz Khan Madrassa, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Guest post by Sophie Ibbotson. Sophie is Uzbekistan’s Ambassador for Tourism and the author of Bradt Travel Guides’ Uzbekistan guidebook. She runs tourism consultancy Maximum Exposure Ltd and is an advisor to the World Bank in Central Asia and the Balkans. You can follow her on Twitter and Instagram at @ uzambassador .

man selling carpets in Uzbekistan

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Uzbekistan travel guide – all you need to know about visiting Uzbekistan

I’ve been hoping to visit Uzbekistan for years.

The famous Silk Road cities, full of incredible monuments, were calling my name. But the timing never was right.

Fortunately the new and much easier visa procedure made me really motivated and shortly after it was introduced I’ve decided to travel to Uzbekistan .

And I loved it!

I could have spent only one week in Uzbekistan but I think it was enough to see the biggest highlights and get a glimpse of the country.

Of course more time would be better but when working full time my travel time is usually limited and that was the case here as well.

Uzbekistan travel guide

While there are many organized tour groups (so many more than I expected) the independent tourism is still at very early stages.

There are of course people like me, who prefer to see the country at their own pace.

And for those of you I’ve gathered all the useful information that you might need when you visit Uzbekistan and put it together to create some sort of Uzbekistan travel guide.

They are all based on my experience from October 2018 so I can only assume with time Uzbekistan will be more and more accessible.

Right now I can say nothing but good things about this country and especially its people!

Uzbekistan essentials

Planning a trip to Uzbekistan? Here are the services I always use and personally recommend:

  • Accommodation : I always book a place to stay on Booking.com
  • Tours: when I decide to go on a tour I use Viator
  • For transportation and booking tickets online , I usually use 12Go which works in Uzbekistan too.
  • Get insured for your trip to Uzbekistan with SafetyWing

Table of Contents

Getting a visa to Uzbekistan

Until recently getting a visa to Uzbekistan was the most difficult part of the journey.

Not only it was a bit expensive, it was also somehow difficult to get and required a lot of paper work, including obtaining a letter of invitation.

Fortunately Uzbekistan is opening up to tourism and changed the rules in July 2018.

Now passport holders of 17 countries can travel to Uzbekistan without a visa and 51 more countries (including all from European Union, Australia, Canada or the US) can apply for a e-visa and that’s what I did too.

EDIT: On February 2019 a new, visa-free regime, was introduced to citizens of numerous countries, including all European Union.

You can see more details here, at the website of Uzbek Ministry of Foreign Affairs .

Citizens of the US still need to apply for a visa.

To get an e-visa you need to register at this official website .

It was a standard form to fill, nothing extraordinary. You also have to attach a picture (I used mine from a visa to Russia ) so be prepared for that.

Generally just followed the instructions and everything should be fine. You also have to a pay a small fee – $20.

I got my visa via email after 2 working days.

Before my trip I printed the visa (a standard A4 page) and after arriving at Tashkent airport I gave it to the officer together with my passport.

No extra questions were asked, the whole procedure took maybe 2 minutes and I was given back my passport with visa with a big smile and “welcome in Uzbekistan” sentence.

It was the same on the way back, minus the smile and welcoming part.

The e-visa works also on land border crossings.

Uzbekistan travel guide

How to get to Uzbekistan

Few airlines serve Uzbekistan so there are no big issues with getting there.

The national airline – Uzbekistan Airways – fly to Tashkent from several European airports, including Paris, London or Rome.

There is also Turkish Airlines flying from Istanbul.

After spending some time in Kazakhstan I flew from Almaty with Uzbekistan Airways (there is also Air Astana serving this route but it was much more expensive on the day I was travelling).

I knew next to nothing about Uzbek national airline but since they are allowed to fly in European Union I assumed they are saved to fly with.

And everything was fine, the plane was fairly new and the cabin crew was very nice. Even if the flight was only 1 hour and 10 minutes we were served some snack and drinks.

On the way back from Tashkent to Almaty it was even better – we had a small delay as apparently the airport in Almaty was closed and as soon as they announced it the flight attendants went through the cabin, offering drinks to everyone – that might be a small thing but definitely not something many of the airlines would think of.

The total costs of my tickets from Warsaw via Kyiv and Almaty to Tashkent was $290 and that included 6 flights in total:

  • Warsaw – Kyiv and return ($40 with Ukrainian International Airlines, bought 10 months before the trip)
  • Kyiv – Almaty and return ($110 with UIA, bought 10 months before the trip)
  • Almaty – Tashkent and return ($140 with Uzbekistan Airways, bought 2 months before the trip)

I was travelling with carry-on luggage only and this, together with a very early purchase, made this trip so affordable.

By the way, Tashkent isn’t the only international airport in Uzbekistan. You can also fly to couple of other places such as Urgench, Bukhara or Samarkand but these airports offer international flights to Russia only.

You can also travel to Uzbekistan by land from Kazakhstan , Kyrgyzstan , Tajikistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan but obviously I didn’t do it.

How to get from Tashkent airport to the city center

After arriving at Tashkent airport you still have to get out to the city somehow.

And that’s where the hardest part starts as taxi drivers are insane there.

Ask your accommodation if they can provide an airport transfer for you, that would make everything so much easier.

We didn’t have this arranged, we arrived at midnight so it was a bit stressful to get the transport out of the airport.

We managed to pass through the crowd of drivers, walk a bit away from them and then eventually returned to the area where the cars were parked.

After a few second we were approached by one driver who was nice enough that agreeing on the price with him and then the ride to the hotel was a very smooth experience.

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How to travel around Uzbekistan

We chose trains as our main way of transport around Uzbekistan and it was a good decision. They were comfortable and reliable.

We took the night train from Tashkent to Urgench (15 hours, we traveled in kupe – 4 beds compartment), regular train from Urgench to Bukhara (7 hours, it was the night train all the way to Tashkent, we traveled in platzkarta – an open carriage with beds) and fast trains from Bukhara to Samarkand (1,5 hour) and from Samarkand to Tashkent (2 hours).

The last two trains were really comfortable, similar to fast trains in Europe like Thalys, Eurostar, TGV or ICE. The fastest speed I’ve seen on the screen was 240 km/h.

You can also travel around by buses or shared taxis but obviously I can say nothing about them. And I can definitely recommend trains.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Buying a train ticket online

All the trains were full so it’s best to buy the tickets in advance. Apparently they also get cheaper if you buy them early enough.

Fortunately you can do it online but there might be some issues with the website so be patient.

Here is the official website of Uzbek Railways . You can also purchase train tickets for some of the connections at 12Go website here.

First you have to create the account and sometimes the confirmation email does not arrive to your mailbox – that’s what happened with me. My friend however had no issues and she bought the tickets for us.

It takes time to finish the purchase as the website is rather slow and you need to choose many options (route, train, carriage, seats) before proceeding to the payment.

The website is still not fully working in English and some things are written in Russian language.

After placing the order you have 8 minutes to finish the purchase, at some point you might get a blank page but don’t close it, eventually you will be taken to the summary.

You need to download the pdf files with tickets yourself and print them at home.

We got only order forms for trains from Tashkent to Urgench and from Urgench to Bukhara (we had to exchange them for real tickets at the train station) but for the fast trains there were electronic tickets and they were enough to take the train.

For our tickets we paid:

  • Tashkent – Urgench night train – 153 058 soms (around $18.50)
  • Urgench – Bukhara day/night train – 67 673 soms ($8,20)
  • Bukhara – Samarkand fast train – 56 700 soms (around $7)
  • Samarkand – Tashkent fast train – 78 000 soms ($9,45)

At the train station

If you got the order forms you have to exchange them for the regular tickets at the train station.

In Tashkent it can be done at the desk no 6.

Now the thing with the train stations at ticket offices can be a bit confusing as the tickets are sold at the separate building, not at the station itself.

It’s usually next to it, like in Tashkent – it will be on your left side when facing the main building and the ticket offices usually have the word “kassa” written somewhere.

Before taking the train it’s best to arrive at the station ahead of time.

First, before even entering the building, you need to go through the ticket control where you have to show the ticket and the passport.

The next step, at the entrance to the station, is the security control where your luggage will be scanned.

Once you’re done with it you have to complete the registration for the train.

Somewhere near the security control you should find a desk where the tickets are stamped.

You have to show the ticket and the passport again and on the back of the ticket you will receive the stamp.

It is especially important before taking the night train as it will be proof of where you spent that night.

Once you’re done with all the controls you are free to board the train.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Getting a taxi in Uzbekistan

Uzbek taxi drivers are somehow a legend and not in a positive way.

Before arriving here some of my friends who have already visited Uzbekistan told me how challenging dealing with the drivers might be so I was prepared for the worst.

And well, after few fairly good encounters (at the airport after getting through the crowd, at Urgench train station and Khiva old town) we finally had some issues after arriving to Samarkand.

Of course there was a big crowd of hungry drivers waiting for tourists at the exit of the train station, we asked some of them for the price but it was obviously much more than it should have been so we kept walking and ignoring them.

After couple minutes we were approached by one more driver who again told us a higher price but he was way too aggressive in his behavior so we passed too and kept walking, hoping that a bit away from the train station we will get a taxi for a acceptable price.

But this driver started following us. He was driving next to us and was stopping few times, hoping we won’t figure out it’s him and will approach him again.

After five of so attempts he finally gave up but it was enough to scare us a bit, especially that it was already almost dark.

We were even considering going inside one of the shops to tell them the guy follows us and we don’t feel safe.

Once he was gone we indeed find a taxi for the price we were willing to pay and arrived to our hotel save and sound.

I’m well aware we might have paid more for taxis only because we were tourists but these were still very acceptable and reasonable prices and I never felt I was overcharged (except the airport maybe but these always have their own rules).

We took following routes and paid those prices:

  • Tashkent airport – hotel (around 5 kms) – $10
  • Urgench train station – Khiva old town (35 kms) – 40 000 soms (less than $5), the same price for the way back
  • Bukhara 2 train station – hotel in the center (around 15 kms) – 30 000 soms ($3,63; we had it organized from the hotel)
  • Samarkand train station – hotel in the center (5 kms) – 10 000 soms – $1,20
  • Hotel in Samarkand – the train station – 15 000 som ($1,82)s but it was the taxi the hotel got for us, not the one stopped at the street, and it was at 5.45 in the morning
  • Tashkent center – the airport (around 5kms) – 13 000 soms ($1,58). It was Yandex taxi (Eastern version of Uber), ordered for us by the nice guy at the cafe we killed time at.

One more thing – the majority of cars in Uzbekistan don’t have seat belts on the back seat (I managed to buckle myself up only once…). Prepare for that.

At first I wasn’t very comfortable with it but after a while I got used to it really.

Getting money in Uzbekistan

Until recently the best way to get Uzbek soms was at the black market but in September 2017 the government regulated the exchange rate and now it is 8 220 soms for 1 US dollar, no matter where you exchange.

You can still meet man offering you exchanging money at the markets but to be honest I wouldn’t go with it.

I exchanged the money at the hotel in Tashkent , at the official point in Khiva and at the hot dog stand next to the official point in Bukhara.

Two of them offered 8200 soms for 1 dollar but I didn’t mind as it was next to nothing when I exchanged 100 USD and I didn’t feel like looking for another exchange place only to get a slightly higher rate.

In general US dollars are your default currency to use in Uzbekistan. You can even pay for hotels in dollars (in 3 out of 4 places I did it without any problems).

I saw they also exchange Euro and Russian rubles but I would still go with dollars.

Be sure the money you want to exchange is clean and crisp and can’t be torn (even tiny little bit, they didn’t accept one bill I had because of that).

In Tashkent I saw some ATMs but didn’t use them, in other cities I didn’t see any although I’m sure there must be some.

Just in case take with you as much money as you think you’d spend plus a bit extra and don’t rely on the bank card in Uzbekistan.

Prepare to carry a lot of money with you.

The highest bill you can find here is 50 000 soms (a bit over $6) but you will be mostly using 5 000 and 10 000 bills.

Exchanging $100 is worth a bag full of Uzbek soms.

why to visit uzbekistan

Solo female travel in Uzbekistan

While I usually travel solo in Uzbekistan I was accompanied by my friend Ewa .

But we’ve seen few women travelling on their own so solo female travel in Uzbekistan is definitely doable.

I think I would also feel rather comfortable if I were there alone.

People are very respectful and there wasn’t even one situation when we felt something might be wrong only because we are women.

As everywhere else use your common sense when travelling in Uzbekistan but I don’t expect you to have any major issues there.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Is Uzbekistan safe?

Yes. For all the time I felt very safe in Uzbekistan, even more than in many of the places I travel to .

I can’t really explain why was it but people were really nice and welcoming, they were curious about us but in a friendly way and had no bad intentions.

Besides charging more for a taxi I didn’t feel like they are using us only because we are tourists.

There is a lot of police and military present on the streets so that actually made me feel even safer.

At first it is a bit disturbing to see so many green uniforms around but you get used to it after a day or two.

Just remember not to take any pictures with police and military on them. And obviously don’t do anything stupid.

Sightseeing – what to see in Uzbekistan

Three main reasons why tourists visit Uzbekistan are Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva – beautiful old cities located on the Silk Road route. They were the reason why I came to Uzbekistan too.

But this is a big country and have much more to offer!

Don’t miss the capital Tashkent. It’s an interesting city to visit for a day or two, with vibrant market, some Islamic monuments, numerous green spaces and incredible metro stations (I found them to be more beautiful than Moscow metro !).

If you have more time to spend in Uzbekistan you should also consider visiting Nukus, Aral Sea, Fergana Valley or Termez.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Entrance fees

Uzbekistan, like few other countries ( Iran , Turkey etc) charge more from tourists for visiting the monuments.

But it’s still very affordable and worth paying for, especially that even if overprices it’s still a fair price.

That’s how much we spent for entrance fees in each place:

  • Tashkent – 0
  • Khiva – 178 000 soms ($21,69) but some of the places were not worth it, you will find more details in my post focusing on Khiva
  • Bukhara – 39 500 soms ($4,81)
  • Samarkand – 106 000 soms ($12,92)

Sometimes you need to pay extra for taking pictures too but there is no general rule about it.

why to visit uzbekistan

Restaurants in Uzbekistan

I haven’t eaten in a bad restaurant in Uzbekistan.

Every place had some really good food and the prices were fair as well, even if I’m aware these were often touristy restaurants and charged more than local eateries.

In most of the places you can find the menu in English, often with pictures too so that makes choosing what to eat so much easier.

All the restaurants add the tip to the bill, usually between 10 and 15%.

Vegetarian in Uzbekistan

I’m a vegetarian and I was expecting Uzbekistan to be a country of meat lovers where I would have issues finding something for myself.

I was so wrong.

Could be the touristy spots but I managed to find vegetarian options of all the best Uzbek dishes without any problems.

There were manti with pumpkin, plov without meat and lagman with vegetables (my favorite, it was so damn good!).

And when I couldn’t find a vegetarian version of the main course I just went for a salad (basic tomato + cucumber or some variation with eggplant) and/or the homemade fries and was more than satisfied too.

Food in Uzbekistan is really amazing, so fresh and tasty and it was definitely one of the biggest surprises of this trip for me.

why to visit uzbekistan

Tea culture in Uzbekistan

Tea deserves its own part in this post.

Uzbekistan is a heaven for every tea fan!

The culture of drinking tea is very much alive there and you can’t escape it really.

When ordering a tea you will be served a pot, usually enough for 3-5 cups, of delicious black or green tea.

It was really among the best tea I’ve ever had and I’m a huge fan of this drink.

Fun fact – tea is never served with sugar so if you add it you need to ask for it and sometimes even pay extra.

In one of the restaurants in Bukhara the sugar was twice as expensive as the pot of tea itself! (Well, it was also the cheapest pot I’ve had there, for 1 000 soms / $0,12).

Usually you can expect to pay 5 000 – 10 000 soms for the pot but I had the tea as expensive as 20 000 soms (at the Summer Palace in Bukhara).

In Tashkent I’ve seen and visited some of the Western style cafes (I haven’t really looked for them in other places). My favorite one was Multi MaFé Pastry and Bakery.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Toilets in Uzbekistan

Everything is fine until you need to use the toilet outside your hotel. Prepare yourself for some horrific experiences really.

Not always it’s that bad but it’s better to expect the worst, even in the decent restaurants and tea houses.

In general, except of hotels, you will find mostly squat toilets.

Language in Uzbekistan

The default language to use in Uzbekistan, besides Uzbek of course, is Russian.

But don’t worry if you don’t know it as you can get around with English too.

After travelling a bit in post Soviet countries I was actually surprised how many people can speak really good English.

Of course these were mostly touristic places but they were well prepared for tourism.

I was using mostly Russian because I like practicing it but knowing only English wouldn’t be too difficult either.

It’s worth knowing at least one word in Uzbek and that’s “rahmat” – “thank you”.

It’s an easy word to remember and brought so many smiles when I used it. I learned it on my first day in Tashkent from friendly girls at the shop.

Also, if you don’t know Russian, you should at least how to say the name of your country in that language.

Locals are curious and you will be asked countless times each day where you are from.

Accommodation in Uzbekistan

It’s worth to book the accommodation in advance, especially in the season.

We’ve heard from the local guides that the number of good and centrally located places to stay is still not big and they are often taken by the tour groups which leaves not enough options for individual tourists.

You can expect the regular but big rooms, nothing extraordinary really. All the places we’ve stayed at were clean, comfortable and offered good breakfast.

We stayed at following places:

  • Tashkent – ART Palace (8.3/10 on Booking)
  • Khiva – Arkanchi Hotel (9.1/10 on Booking)
  • Bukhara – Hotel Fatima Boutique (9.3/10 on Booking)
  • Samarkand – Hotel Caravan Serail (8.4/10 on Booking)

Uzbekistan travel guide

Registration

At every place you stay you should get a registration card to confirm where you spent a night. The cards might be checked when you leave the country so keep them all in the save place.

If you take the night train remember to get the stamp at your ticket and keep it with you as well.

I wasn’t ask for anything when departing but you never know…

Uzbekistan travel guide

Metro in Tashkent

Metro in Tashkent is incredible, one of the most beautiful you will ever see.

There are 3 lines, 29 stations and some of them look like museums with incredibly beautiful ornaments around.

You pay 1 200 soms for the token (the system used in numerous post-Soviet countries) and you are free to ride and visit the stations.

Before entering you might be asked to have your belongings scanned but that’s a standard procedure that doesn’t even take a minute.

Until recently it was prohibited to take pictures inside the metro and at the stations but these rules have fortunately been changed and now you can freely take pictures around.

Just be careful and avoid having military officers pictured (and there are many of them around).

I took lots of pictures in Tashkent metro, some of the train dispatchers were looking at me with a friendly smile, others were just staring curiously but no one bothered me.

Most of the stations were beautiful and worth visiting but my favorite ones were Alisher Navoyi, Mustaqillik maydoni, Chilonzor, Kosmonavtlar and Ozbekiston.

You can find the map of Tashkent metro here , it’s worth to downloading it to your phone before the trip.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Internet in Uzbekistan

Again, I was expecting a terrible internet in Uzbekistan and it wasn’t that bad.

The speed was decent enough to download Netflix shows even if it took a while.

What surprised me was that in 3 out of 4 hotels I’ve stayed at Facebook was banned and I needed VPN to access it.

All the other regular websites and social media platforms were working just fine.

Another surprise was that in Khiva and Bukhara as well as some train stations (Urgench for sure) there was a free internet opened and working fine as well.

Sometimes it was even faster than the one we had in the hotels.

You only had to log in using the code they send to your phone number (Polish number worked fine).

I was considering getting a local sim card but eventually didn’t.

If you’d like to do that there are plenty of shops by mobile phone providers around.

Taking pictures in Uzbekistan

It’s forbidden to take pictures of government buildings and military and it’s really better to avoid those.

I’ve read horrific stories where tourists were asked to delete all the pictures from their time in Uzbekistan only because there was a military official barely seen in the corner.

To be on the safe side before leaving the country I’ve hidden all the pictures on my computer and went through all those that I had on the memory card to delete all the suspicious ones but at the airport in Tashkent no one asked me to see the pictures and go through my files.

It might be different at the land crossing though.

Uzbekistan travel guide

What to buy in Uzbekistan

I didn’t buy anything, unfortunately, as I was travelling with the carry-on backpack only. But there were so many things I really wanted to get!

Beautiful ceramics and hand-made textiles were my top pick but there were lots of others souvenirs that looked nice enough I would consider purchasing them too.

If you like beautiful things that can decorate your home Uzbekistan might be a good souvenirs destination for you.

I didn’t ask for prices as I was afraid the sellers would convince me to get something but I assume it’s rather affordable.

The only thing I didn’t really like about Uzbekistan was the fact that souvenirs stands were literally everywhere.

They occupied the main streets, small squares next to monuments or even monuments themselves.

You enter a madresa and then you see numerous stands with all the souvenirs that kind of spoil the visit.

Uzbekistan travel guide

Is it expensive to visit Uzbekistan?

I found Uzbekistan to be a rather affordable country, much cheaper than destinations in Central Europe or the Balkans that I usually go to.

We were in Uzbekistan for 7 days and spent $120 per person for food, taxis and entrance fees.

We didn’t really look for the cheapest places to eat, we went inside probably every possible monument and in general we didn’t really save money.

Besides that we paid (per person) $144,60 for accommodation, $14 for city taxes and $43 for train tickets.

Altogether the cost of the 7 day trip to Uzbekistan was $630 , including everything (also getting there from Poland and obtaining the visa).

I really think that wasn’t so much for such an exceptional destination to visit!

Uzbekistan travel guide

All the information above are based on my own experience visiting Uzbekistan in October 2018.

If there is anything else you would like to know that I haven’t thought of feel free to ask below in the comments or at the amazing Facebook group I’m a founder of .

And don’t wait too long with visiting Uzbekistan as I’m sure this jewel will be discovered by many soon!

Travel Resources

Below you can find the brands I trust and use when planning trips:

  • You can find the best accommodation options at Booking . They have many discounts and excellent customer service. Click here to look for the place to stay in Uzbekistan
  • I recommend joining organized tours to get to know the place better and to visit more places during your trip. You can find a great selection of tours at Viator or Get Your Guide .
  • To always stay connected I use Airalo eSim cards – click here to get yours!
  • For transportation and booking tickets online , I usually use 12Go or Omio
  • Looking for the airport pickup ? Check Welcome Pickups!
  • Never travel without travel insurance , you never know what might happen and better safe than sorry. You can check the insurance policy for Uzbekistan here.
  • If you plan to rent a car during your trip to Uzbekistan check Discover Cars to compare prices and find the best deals
  • Make sure to have the offline map always installed on your phone, they can save you so many troubles. I always use the free app Maps.Me .

For the end I left a few announcements that might interest you:

  • Sign up to my newsletter or follow me on Bloglovin to get updates about the new posts
  • Join my Facebook group about Eastern Europe, the Balkans and former USSR and connect with fellow travellers and enthusiasts of these regions – just click here!
  • I’ve included a few handy links of services and products I personally like and use so you can plan your own trip to Uzbekistan too. They are often affiliate links. This means I will get a small commission if you book/purchase anything through my links, at no extra costs for you. Thank you!

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Uzbekistan travel guide

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33 Comments

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Victoria@TheBritishBerliner

This is a wonderful guide Kami! I used to live opposite the Uzbekistan Embassy in Berlin. I found them hilarious as they always used to wave through the lush gardens! I can’t wait to visit for myself!

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Thank you Victoria, that’s so sweet of you! I really hope you will be able to visit Uzbekistan yourself soon, it’s amazing!

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Am heading to Uzbekistan in March so once again lots of great information to help me on my travels

Ah, you will love it Kris! If there’s anything else you need to know feel free to let me know, I will try to help!

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anjci @ ANJCI ALL OVER

Well written, Kami! It is so wonderful to see that Uzbekistan is changing for the better. I visited in October 2012 (imagine!): there definitely wasn’t free Internet at train stations and my bag was searched every time I entered the Tashkent metro… Forget photography! On the other hand, Uzbekistan seemed a lot less touristy then. I was lucky that Latvia was among only a handful of countries not needing a LOI for the visa then… So much easier now!

Thank you :) It’s actually super easy now! I’ve been having my eye on Uzbekistan for years but the complicated visa procedure stopped me from going and now I kind of felt that part of the charm of Uzbekistan travel is gone as I felt it really was touristy. Still not super busy but enough for a comfortable trip without too many challenges of off the path destinations. But this is a great country with great people so they definitely deserve the tourist and money flowing in!

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Now that’s it’s easier to travel to Uzbekistan, we (4 of us) are looking forward to our trip in Autumn this year.

Your insights & updates are really helpful. Thank you so much for sharing your experiences especially the price breakdowns as we planning a our own trip (not joining a tour guide). But we do plan to join a local tour from there. What’s your advice on that?

Thanks again from us all. Cheers from Singapore. Dean S.

I’m glad the post was useful to you. I only had a local driver-guide in Bukhara, it was arranged through the hotel I stayed at and he took us to sights that were a bit far from the center, in different directions. Other than that I explored everything on my own but if it wouldn’t be difficult to arrange the guide / local tour on spot, best would be to get in touch with the hotel you’re about to stay in. Uzbekistan is great, I’m sure you will enjoy it!

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You’re an amazing writer, this is so helpful and you wrote it in such a compelling manner, even the parts that weren’t relevant to my trip i was still intrigued to read. Thanks for an awesome post

Thank you so much for your nice comment, it means a lot to me!

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Afzalkhan Kasamkhan Pathan

Four of us are travelling to Uzbekistan in June (from London). After reading your blog, I am excited and looking forward to visit the country. I wish you would have included information about private, friendly guide.

Thank you. I haven’t used the guide there so can’t recommend any but you should join my FB group about traveling in the former USSR and ask there, I’m sure someone will be able to help you. You can find the link in the sidebar on the right side

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Hi Kami from Honduras, I’ll be traveling to Uzbekistán the first days of September, I’ll be there for a week, so I wanna ask you if the night train from Tashkent to Urgench is available all days?

It’s best to check on the Uzbek Railways website, here is the link https://railway.uz/en/

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Anamika Govind Rao

It is the best Uzbek guide. It is extremely helpful. Looking forward for a pleasant Uzbek trip.

It’s a wonderful blog post.

Thank you! All the best.

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Eric Wilson

Your photography attract me to visit Uzbekistan to see traditional attractions.

I hope you will go there one day!

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Hi Kami, Thank you for sharing your experiences. I planned to visit Uzbekistan this October. Just as others commented above, the information are extremely useful to me as well, especially on accommodation registrations, train tickets and price breakdowns. Its beautifully written travel guide. Thanks again.

Thank you! I’m glad you found it useful :)

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Farida Bobat

Dear Kami I’m so happy i came across your website and your travel tips are great. Thank you. I’m a solo lady traveler and would like your help in preparing an itinerary that includes culture, local way of life, meeting local people, islamic sites, nature and places of interest. I Thank you in advance

Hi Farida, you should join my Facebook group and ask there, I’m sure you will find some good tips there. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/121053081614593/

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Thank you for the beautiful post. It is indeed very helpful for me as two days later I am traveling to Uzbekistan from Osh, Kyrgyzstan. you mentioned that “|At every place you stay you should get a registration card to confirm where you spent a night. The cards might be checked when you leave the country so keep them all in the safe place. If you take the night train to remember to get the stamp at your ticket and keep it with you as well.” May I ask you where can I get these registration cards? and who will stamp the tickets?

I’m glad you found the post useful, Kashif. Your reception should give you the cards, they issued mine without asking so I think it is a standard procedure. At the train station there is a person sitting behind the desk at the entrance to the platform who stamps the tickets. Lots of people approach the desk to have their tickets stamped so you should just follow them. Happy travels!

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indeed it’s interesting what you are writting about Uzbekistan. I’m planning to go there in Thursday (two days in Tashkent) – but I can’t find any car rental companies on the airport (TAS airport).

Do you have any expierence in this matter? Did you noticed any car rental offices in arrival hall?

I know I can take a taxi or ask any other driver to give me a lift – but this is my “tradition” to traveling by rented car.

I would be grateful for any information about reccomended car rental companies in Tashkent.

Unfortunately I don’t know much about rentnig a car in Uzbekistan and I don’t even know anyone who has done it. But, if it’s not too late, ask on my Facebook group about traveling in former Soviet Union, maybe someone will have more experience in this. Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/121053081614593/ Have a good trip!

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Great info, good thanks .

happy to help!

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What a clear and comprehensive article Kami. This is a wonderful guide to Uzbekistan that you have written. Thankyou so much! Right now a friend is visiting Uzbekistan and a couple of other countries around and she sent me amazing pictures of the place. Until now, I had never considered visiting these places and now I am getting interested. Always wanted to visit Iran and tried to get a visa directly, but gave up when our photos were not returned and we were told to come through an agent. But after reading about Uzbekistan it seems like the place to go. Will rely on your guide to get the information. Thanks Again.

Thank you for your kind words. Uzbekistan is amazing and I think you really should go there when you have a chance. The architecture is very similar to Iran so I’m sure you would enjoy the place a lot. All the best and happy travels!

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Hi Kami, I would like to share a piece of information which would be, I guess, interesting and beneficial for travellers wishing and planning to visit Uzbekistan. The issue I want to bring up is the problem with buying train tickets online. You mentioned that online purchase is possible for foreigners, however, it is not so. Foreigners have trouble buying tickets with their Visa cards. Therefore, I want to give a solution by offering the assistance of local people who will make a purchase instead of travellers. Unlike travel agencies, they do not charge much. The fee varies from 5 to 10 dollars per person, no matter how many tickets the one is going to buy. Isn’t it a solution? The only thing needed is a copy of the passport. The same can be done with airplane tickets. There is no place for hesitation about their reliability as such kind of services can be found on respectable travelling and guiding platforms. I dont know whether I can refer to any of them here. But if you need I can write more.. Any questions are welcome.

Thank Mikie. I purchased the tickets for trains online so it is possible but not easy. Good to hear locals are willing to help.

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Ángel García

Very good references, Kami. We are excited to visit Uzbekistan at the end of September and found your story very interesting. thanks!

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Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Travel Guide

Beautifully-tiled mosques, hearty, aromatic food, and some of the most welcoming people you will ever meet.

Best time to visit Uzbekistan

Travel insurance for uzbekistan, best places to visit in uzbekistan, samarkand, uzbekistan: best things to do & see, the ancient mosque city bukhara, uzbekistan, things to do in khiva, uzbekistan: the open air museum, map of uzbekistan, weather in uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan’s weather is continental, meaning it’s dry year-round, with sweltering summers and cold winters. For this reason, the seasons of spring and fall are the best times to visit when the weather is milder for exploring the incredible cultural highlights of the Silk Road.

Best Travel Insurances

How to plan a trip.

  • Find Hotels via Booking.com
  • Find Hostels via Hostelworld
  • Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
  • Find Flights to Uzbekistan via Skyscanner
  • Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
  • Book Tours & Attractions via GetYourGuide
  • Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
  • Get a Visa via iVisa
  • How to pack light for your trip
  • How to plan your trip our tips

Why is Uzbekistan worth visiting?

Part of the epic Silk Road (an ancient trade route that connected China with the West), Uzbekistan welcomes travelers with its rich cultural heritage. With stunning Islamic architecture around every corner and gold and blue domes dotting the skyline, every inch of the country brings history to life. It’s also home to some of the friendliest people in the world, providing an extremely hospitable travel experience.

Is Uzbekistan cheap to visit?

Uzbekistan is a dream for budget travelers, mainly because it is relatively new as a travel destination. With such a low cost of living, you can stay in beautiful hotels for anything between $15 – $30 and dine on plates of doughy flatbreads, fresh fruits, and honeyed tea for $2 – $5. Even the excellent train network is affordable, making it accessible for every kind of traveler!

Can I drink tap water in Uzbekistan?

There are still some concerns about tap water quality in Uzbekistan, so it’s better to stay hydrated by using a reusable water bottle with a filter system. Alternatively, refill your bottle at hotels or restaurants with water filtration systems to quench your thirst and explore worry-free!

Do I need a visa for traveling in Uzbekistan?

Most travelers need a visa to explore Uzbekistan, but the good news is that it’s super easy to apply. Simply check your country’s entry requirements , apply online, pay the visa fee (which varies according to nationality), and wait for approval. Once accepted, pack your bags and get ready for the trip of a lifetime!

What language do they speak in Uzbekistan?

The Turkic language of Uzbek is spoken in Uzbekistan, which is a blend of continental influences from Arabic to Persian. Luckily, the alphabet is a Latin script so it’s easy to learn a few useful phrases before your trip — particularly helpful if you’re traveling outside larger cities like Tashkent. Grab your phrase book and get practicing to connect with the wonderful local people. 

Do I need travel insurance for Uzbekistan?

Having travel insurance for your vacation in Uzbekistan is always a good idea, acting as a safety net for unforeseen circumstances like lost belongings and medical emergencies. Insurance will keep you protected on the go and ensure peace of mind while you explore this mesmerizing nation.

Is Uzbekistan safe?

Uzbekistan is one of the safest countries to travel to, with a low crime rate and a government that works hard to foster a warm, tourist-friendly environment. Of course, like any destination, it’s always a good idea to watch out for petty crime in major cities and busy areas; keep an eye on your belongings and leave any valuables at home to be on the safe side.

What power plug type does Uzbekistan have?

The standard plug used in Uzbekistan is the two round-pin plug, known as plug type C (used widely in Europe ), and the three flat-pronged plug type I. Make sure to bring an adapter or purchase one at the airport to keep connected during your trip.

Why do people love Uzbekistan?

The rich Silk Road history is what beckons travelers to explore Uzbekistan. As you travel throughout the country, discover palatial Islamic buildings, ancient-preserved traditions, fantastic food, and warm hospitality. From one moment, explore the beautiful green mountain valleys and contemporary cities in the east, and in the next, travel to the sandy deserts and magnificent fortresses of the west.

Uzbekistan Travel 

Discover the jewel of the Silk Road on a vacation in Uzbekistan , one of the most astonishingly beautiful destinations on the planet. Tourism is relatively new to the country, and, as a result, the hospitality of the local people is overwhelming. Experience the journey of a lifetime through a variety of phenomenal landscapes from East to West, making memories and friends that will last forever.

How to plan your trip to Uzbekistan

Use our Uzbekistan travel guides to create the ultimate adventure! Whether you’re planning to explore the cosmopolitan capital Tashkent, eager to take in the cultural wonders of ancient Silk Road cities like Bukhara and Samarkand , or looking for a desert experience in the far West, our guides have you covered with all you need to plan the perfect Uzbekistan holiday . 

On a backpacking Silk Road adventure? The affordable nation is the perfect place, best explored on an Uzbekistan itinerary of 10 days . This covers a range of cultural highlights, allowing you to discover all the best places in Uzbekistan .

Best time to visit Uzbekistan 

Heading on vacation to Uzbekistan ? Plan ahead for the best time to visit according to the season, and find the perfect time for you!

Spring and Fall (April – June, September – November): The best time to visit Uzbekistan is during these seasons when the temperatures are milder and perfect for exploring. Because of this, though, these months see the highest number of visitors, so booking your accommodation and tours well in advance is advisable. This period brings temperatures between 17°C – 25°C with fresh blooms in Spring and colorful foliage in Fall, making the landscapes even more beautiful.

Winter (December – February): Winter in Uzbekistan can get very cold, with some regions seeing below-freezing temperatures; you may even get some snow in the higher, more mountainous areas! Particularly over the festive period, this brings a cozy feel to your Uzbekistan travels, with twinkling lights, markets, and charming guesthouses providing a warm and welcoming environment for a fraction of the prices seen in the high season. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly trip, this is the best time to visit Uzbekistan !

Summer (June – August): Summer in Uzbekistan is scorching! Daily temperatures are above 30°C, and afternoons see an intensely dry heat, which can make it a difficult time to explore. Therefore, avoiding these months is best, as it can make touring the Silk Road a little more challenging. Higher regions like Fergana Valley in the East can see slightly cooler temperatures during the summer, so it is a good alternative. 

Other than the summer months, which can be intensely hot, Uzbekistan weather is typically beautiful, clear, and dry year-round, perfect for exploring the architectural gems of the Silk Road. 

Landscapes in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a double landlocked country, so it’s not a destination for those looking for beaches and coastlines. That doesn’t mean it’s not worth visiting, though! Although often considered a dry, arid destination, it has some surprisingly luscious and green areas, offering an incredible diversity of landscapes. 

Follow an Uzbekistan itinerary from East to West, covering green rolling valleys, mountains, and arid deserts. The one constant, however, is a horizon dotted with the endless turquoise-blue domes of stunning mosques, palaces, and madrassas. The best places in Uzbekistan are the cities home to these architectural beauties; discover a time capsule to a fascinating past. Enter through fort walls to find sensational golds, oranges, and blues of mesmerizing palaces, religious relics, and squares. Witnessing this architecture against a backdrop of varied landscapes is one of the most extraordinary things about a vacation in Uzbekistan .

Food, culture, and religion in Uzbekistan

From the divine smells that float down every ancient passageway to the vibrant blue domes of the mosques that pepper the landscapes, Uzbekistan is a nation where food, culture, and religion are integral to its story, each with a spectacular history just waiting to be discovered.

Food: Exciting cuisine might not be the first thought when considering a holiday in Uzbekistan . However, the country is home to some incredibly diverse dishes from a range of continental influences. Dine on fragrant rice plates bursting with aromatic spices, or savor warm doughy flatbreads, hearty dumplings, or flaky pastries selected from sensory bazaars. Tea traditions in Uzbekistan are also important (the national drink), served green or black on arrival in every home and office, and drunk from a traditional bowl named piala. Even in the height of summer, hot tea is served as a thirst-quencher when walking in warm temperatures.

Culture: Uzbekistan’s culture is all about vivid details — in the detailed soviet mosaics on many walls in Tashkent, in the intricate patterns of the tiles or carved wood, and the rainbow colors of market fruit and veg. The best way to discover these wonders is to travel the country’s length via train, stopping off at living museums like Samarkand , Bukhara , and Khiva . Discover iconic sites like the Ark Fortress and the Registan, and explore vibrant markets with Uzbek textiles, ceramics, and food, all created from ancient methods passed down for generations.

Religion: Religion is an integral part of Uzbekistan life, with most of the population following Islam. Predominantly, this is Sunni Islam, the largest branch of the religion that strives for a harmonious community. As you travel Uzbekistan , you’ll see and hear this influence through the stunning mosques, majestic mausoleums, and daily calls to prayer, showcasing the country’s dedication, spirituality, and sacredness of faith. 

Why you should travel to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a delight for the senses, offering culture vultures one of the most enriching travel experiences in the world. As the jewel of the Silk Road, the county is home to ancient civilizations that have stood the test of time, with perfectly preserved cities like Samarkand , Bukhara , and Khiva acting as open-air museums and providing a unique window into the past. Detailed tilework, gold detailing, epic fortress walls, and awe-inspiring religious buildings showcase architectural wonders on a different scale, and you can’t help but marvel at the work of the Uzbek in creating such magic. 

Witnessing history in this way is truly something magical; you’ll not only learn about it, but you’ll become a part of the rich tapestry as you travel — the story of your Uzbekistan holiday leaving its own imprint on the people and cities. Immerse yourself in fantastic flavors, make local friends, and explore an incredible diversity of landscapes as you tread the Silk Road for yourself. 

Additionally, as a relatively new travel destination, Uzbek locals are eager to greet you, tell you their stories, and show you around their cities, providing an unrivaled travel experience. Warm smiles greet you at every market, restaurant, and guesthouse as people open their doors with an infectious patriotism for their country that’s hard to beat.

Safety and travel advice Uzbekistan

Traveling Uzbekistan, a landlocked land of mysteries in central Asia , is one of the most rewarding journeys. Follow our Uzbekistan travel guides to get the most out of your trip and take the necessary precautions using this safety information.

Crime and safety in Uzbekistan: Crime rates are very low in Uzbekistan, and the government has worked hard to create a warm and welcoming environment for tourists. As such, Uzbekistan feels like one of the safest destinations to travel in Asia . However, it’s always good to exercise caution, especially in popular tourist areas where there may be pickpockets. Be aware of your belongings and surroundings, and leave any important valuables at home or in your hotel.

Natural Disasters: Uzbekistan can be prone to earthquakes, particularly in regions like the Fergana Valley. Earthquakes are often minor, but there have been reports of significant damage, so it’s essential to learn about safety procedures for your trip. Stay informed about your vacation in Uzbekistan by registering with your embassy for telephone updates. 

Driving in Uzbekistan: Uzbekistan has a generally good infrastructure, but road quality can be mixed, especially outside major cities. As such, it’s a good idea to research ahead of time if you’re considering driving in Uzbekistan. Ensure you have an international driving license and stick to the speed limit, as speed checks are frequent.

Travel Insurance: Don’t forget travel insurance for your vacation in Uzbekistan! This will cover you for unexpected incidents such as medical emergencies, flight delays, and theft, ensuring you have a worry-free trip. 

Find the best travel insurance

why to visit uzbekistan

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Picturesque mountains, blooming valleys, hot deserts, rivers and crystal lakes – all this beauty you can enjoy here in Uzbekistan!

Uzbek cuisine

Fragrant pilaf, delicious kazan-kabob, samsa, bread and hot shurpa - amaze the residents and guests of Uzbekistan with their color and incomparable taste.

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Magnificent architectural ensembles, palaces, mosques and minarets decorated with blue mosaics and colorful paintings have been striking the eyes of millions of guests of Uzbekistan for many centuries

Cultural heritage of Uzbekistan

The culture of Uzbekistan has a rich history, which was inextricably linked by centuries-old traditions and lifestyle of the peoples of Central Asia

Unique patterns weawing products of applied art of Uzbekistan, the deep meaning and significance of which have been formed over many centuries

Discover new Uzbekistan!

Uzbekistan is a mysterious country of the East, where the history of cities gathered in legends, where the sun shines all year round and this reflects the unique nature and beautiful hearts of people.

Welcome to the country of magnificent architecture and ancient traditions preserved a unique heritage. Everyone who comes to this blessed land is welcome here! If you have visited Uzbekistan once, be sure, you will want to return back here again.

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Surkhandarya – the cradle of ancient civilizations

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Big Uzbek tract

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Miri Arab Madrasah

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12 Gates of ancient Tashkent

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Travel to the landmarks of the Gijduvan region

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Tourist routes of Akhangaran district

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Margilan Craft Centers

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The route is done: Shakhrisabz - Gissarak reservoir - Sarchashma

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Langar village in the mountains of Kashkadarya region

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Pilgrimage tour to Andijan and Namangan regions

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Navruz Park, Tashkent

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4 reasons why now’s the time to visit Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan Bukhara Minaret

In an era where overtourism is a concern for most travellers, it’s always refreshing to learn about an up-and-coming destination.

Uzbekistan combines everything that makes for a fan-favourite in the travel space. Incredible architecture from the Silk Road? Check. A mixture of fascinating Soviet , Islamic and Asian cultures and histories? Check. An underrated food scene? Check. Friendly locals? Check. Untapped natural beauty from deserts to lush mountain areas? Okay, you get the idea…

DISCOVER INTREPID TRAVEL’S RANGE OF UZBEKISTAN TRIPS HERE

While some people will credit Joanna Lumley’s recent television special with Uzbekistan’s current ‘hotspot’ status, there are many other reasons why this Central Asian gem is rising in popularity with travellers all over the world.

1. The new e-visa is simple and affordable

happy traveller in Samarkand_Shah-i-Zinda

Visiting Uzbekistan is SO much easier than it used to be, it will have you jumping for joy.

In years gone by, getting a visa into Uzbekistan for most nationalities involved getting an official ‘Letter of Invitation’, which was time-consuming and tedious. However, since July 2018 a 30-day e-visa has become available for 51 different countries. All you need to do is fill out basic information and upload a digital passport-quality photo – the whole thing only takes about 20 minutes. It costs USD20 and will arrive in your inbox in a matter of weeks (even faster, if you’re lucky). If your country doesn’t appear on the e-visa list, you can contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Uzbekistan for more information.

EXPLORE THIS FASCINATING COUNTRY ON OUR 9-DAY UZBEKISTAN ADVENTURE NOW

2. A number of airlines fly in and out of Tashkent

Tashkent at sunset.

Tashkent at sunset.

No matter where in the world you are based, there are a number of different ways to get to Uzbekistan. Both Korean Air and Turkish Airlines fly directly in to Tashkent and are great options for international flights. Otherwise, if you want to fly with national carrier Uzbekistan Airways, there are flights from major airports like Delhi and Dubai daily. Just be aware you may not be able to get connecting flights with certain airlines, so be sure to allow plenty of time to get from your first flight to your Uzbekistan Airways flight.

READ MORE: THE HOTTEST TRAVEL TRENDS FOR 2019

3. The new president is changing things for the better

One of Tashkents amazing metro stations.

One of Tashkent’s amazing metro stations.

Uzbekistan has not always had the best record when it comes to humanitarian issues. The combination of a controversial president and a hangover from the Soviet-era security contributed to some archaic social stances. While things are by no means perfect yet, the death of President Islam Karimov in 2016 and a new, more liberal successor in Shavkat Mirziyoyev, means Uzbekistan is making steps towards being more open and progressive. Noticeable differences for travellers would include relaxed security in regard to photography of icons like the Tashkent metro stations and a welcoming attitude towards foreigners.

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4. The borders have opened up

Samarkand_Registan square

A traditionally dressed family in Registan Square, Samarkand.

As anyone who travelled to the ‘Stans before 2016 will tell you, crossing borders in Central Asia used to be quite tricky. Many borders were closed completely but have reopened in the last year or so. This includes the border with Tajikistan , meaning many popular routes out of Uzbekistan’s stunning city of Samarkand are accessible again.

So, what are you waiting for? Beat the crowds and book a spot on our  9-day Uzbekistan Adventure .

All images by Liam Neal.

Feeling inspired?

why to visit uzbekistan

Amy Foyster

My main goal in life is to find ways that I can eat, travel and then write about it and pass it off as gainful employment. In fact, I normally plan my holidays entirely around where and what I am going to eat. Writing this has made me hungry…

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The 14 BEST Places to Visit in Uzbekistan [2024 Guide]

Richard Barnes

  • Last Updated: February 5, 2024

If you’re not sure what places to visit in Uzbekistan then check out our guide on some of the top spots in this beautiful Central Asian nation!

Uzbekistan is growing in popularity as a travel destination and is home to some of the Islamic world’s most stunning architecture, pretty epic scenery and a fair number of reminders of its brief stint as part of the Soviet Union.

With the visa process now very straight forward and currency exchange rates at banks matching what’s on the black market, Uzbekistan has become a far more accessible travel destination. 

Without further ado, let’s check out some of the best places to visit in Uzbekistan. 

Table of Contents

1) Tashkent

2) chimgan canyon, charvak reservoir and chatkal biosphere reserve, 3) samarkand, 4) shahrisabz, 5) bukhara , 7) elliq-qala fortresses, 9) aral sea, 11) fergana, 13) nurata and lake aidarkul, the most incredible places to visit in uzbekistan.

Uzbekistan is a relatively small country and each of these places is quite accessible with a one or two-week itinerary.

Uzbekistan’s capital is the largest city in Central Asia. A sprawling metropolis of almost 2.5 million people, it is here where Tashkent’s Soviet past is most apparent.

The area around Amir Timur Square and the Navoi Theatre is home to plenty of Soviet-style buildings. Giving the impression that the influence of mother Russia is still strong here. 

For the majority of travellers, Tashkent is their first stop. Sadly it doesn’t get a lot of love from the travel community, with many seeing it as a more of a get-in-get-out kind of place.

However, if you scratch the surface you’ll find there is plenty to see and do , with the city offering a very different experience to anywhere else in the country.

Check out old Tashkent around the Kolkuz Canal . Get lost in the hustle and bustle of Chorsu or immerse yourself in one of the cities many museums.

Alongside this, there’s some lovely Islamic architecture. Although it’s not really on par with Uzbekistan’s ancient cities, it’s certainly nothing to scoff at.

Khast Imam and Tashkent’s Islamic University are well worth checking out. The modern, but little known Minor Mosque is also particularly lovely to visit at sunset.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union, the country was ruled by it’s President/Dictator Islam Karimov .

Since his death in 2016 the country has opened up to the outside world. But it’s still one of the world’s most repressive states.

Head to the Islam Karimov museum close to Kosmanavtlar subway station for an understanding of the cult of personality that surrounded and, to some extent, still surrounds Mr Karimov.

READ MORE: Check out all the other great things to do in Tashkent in this post !

Khast-Iman Best Places To Visit In Uzbekistan

Approximately 2 hours north of Tashkent you will find one of Uzbekistan’s mountain playgrounds.

Granted Uzbekistan doesn’t have the alpine wonder of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. However, there is some decent hiking and outdoor activities to be taken on in this small northeastern pocket of the country. 

The Charvak reservoir is a great place to visit if you want to relax by the water. Plenty of locals from Tashkent head up here in the summer months.

And there’s a healthy community of windsurfers and paraglider’s here as well!

Half an hour or so up the road you will find the village of Chimgan , the gateway to the Chimgan canyon. There are quite a few hiking trails here. But don’t expect things to be clearly marked.

Further on again and you will find the Chattel Biosphere Reserve . There are oodles of trekking options.

However, as this region and this type of tourism is still very under-developed in Uzbekistan you need to be an experienced trekker with all your own gear.

Although it can be a challenge to get out here, the rewards are worth it.

READ MORE: This travel guide will help you prepare for your trip to Uzbekistan.

Samarkand may be home to some of the most breathtaking architecture in the Islamic world .

At the city’s beating heart is the Registan , which is a stunning complex made up of 3 madrasas and a public square.

The Registan at Samarkand is regarded as being the hub of the Timurid Renaissance; a period of extensive culture, architectural and scientific discoveries and developments within the Timur empire between the 14th and 16th centuries. 

From 1370 to 1405 Samarkand was the capital of the Timurid Empire and the empire’s opulence and power can be seen everywhere.  

Although a modern city has grown around the Registan, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda, the history that conceived the stunning structures is still almost tangible. 

Get to the Registan early to avoid the crowds before checking out the Bibi-Khanyam Mosque and Shah-i-Zinda . Sunrise presents great lighting for photos, with the Registan being particularly stunning. 

Further away from the city centre you’ll find Ulugbek’s Observatory and Russified Navoi Ko’chasi area . The latter generally escapes the tourist radar and has plenty of old mosques and mausoleums to check out. 

If architecture is your thing then this is one of the best places to visit in Uzbekistan and, indeed, in all of Central Asia.

READ MORE: Check out all of these other great things to do in Samarkand!

Registan-Uzbekistan

About an hour outside of Samarkand is Shahrisabz, a town of great importance during the Timurid empire.

Its highlight is the ruins of the Ak-Saray Palace . Building commenced on the orders of Timur, Central Asia’s greatest conqueror.

Although now all that remains of this once spectacular palace is two 38 metre Pishtaqs (a rectangular frame around an archway in Islamic architecture).

Shahrisabz’s sights are clustered together in the city’s heart. Alongside the Ak-Saray palace, there is the rather lovely Kok-Gumbaz Mosque and the Khazrati-Imam Complex that are well worth checking out. 

Taking your time exploring the ruins and mosques and madrasa’s that make up the centre of Shahrisabz. On a hot day, this huge open area bakes under the oppressive Uzbek sun. 

Most people visit Shahrisabz as a day trip from nearby Samarkand, with private taxi’s available for roughly $40+ for the day. 

Khazrati-Imam-Complex-Shahrisabz

Important Note! Before you book any international trip, we honestly recommend getting travel insurance. You never know when things will go wrong, and medical bills can add up quickly if you get sick or injure yourself overseas.

Our personal recommendation based on our own experience is World Nomads .

Bukhara is the second of Uzbekistan’s 3 ancient cities , the other two being Samarkand and Khiva.

Much of the old town remains, with its iconic Kaylon Mosque and minaret and the Ark forming the slightly off-centre portion of the city. 

Bukhara was at the heart of the great game between the Russian and British Empires, with the former moving south and latter have interests in Afghanistan. 

The fearsome Khan of Bukhara was an uncompromisingly cruel ruler with a penchant for rules, order and respect. The city became synonymous with the fate of Charles Stoddart and William Conolly .

Both men were beheaded outside the Ark. Safe to say their missions were not a great success.

You could easily while away a couple of days exploring the city’s back streets and various nooks and crannies. Bukhara is chock-full of mosques and mausoleums that are well worth exploring.

Head a little further afield to check out the Emirs summer palace and the Jewish cemetery. 

Make sure you head to Chashmai Mirob for a spectacular sunset view over the city. 

In addition head over to the Emirs Summer Palace on the city’s outskirts for a glimpse of the luxury, the last Khan of Bukahra lived in.

READ MORE: Be sure to read this post for all of the other great things to do in Bukhara !

Kaylon-Minaret-Bukhara

The smallest of Uzbekistan’s three ancient cities, Khiva’s highlight is the beautiful walled Ichan-Kala .

Whereas the history of Samarkand is routed in majesty and opulence, and Bukhara is known for its historical executions, Khiva was home to the largest slave market in Central Asia.   

It was here that slaves from Russia, Persia and various other tribes we brought, sold and held to ransom. But walking amongst the mosques, madrases and mausoleums the city certainly has a very different feel now. 

At the Ichan-Kala’s western gate you can purchase a 2-day ticket giving you entry to numerous sights within the old town’s walls.

The city’s most well-known sight is the Kalta Minor Minaret . Whereas most minarets are tall and slender, the Kalta Minor is short and fat. And when it’s lit up at night it’s absolutely spectacular.

There are also numerous other mosques, madrasas and mausoleums dotted throughout the city’s narrow twisting streets.

The Islam-Khoja Minaret offers some amazing views over the city.

One great tip is to start the day with an early morning walk around the city walls, the old town will be coming to life and you will avoid the brutal midday sun. 

READ MORE: We recommend these other great things to do in Khiva!

Khiva-Sunset

Another gem close to Khiva are the Elliq-Qala fortresses, a group of 50 of so ancient desert fortifications.

The vast majority have been lost to the harsh desert climate.

However, there are some that are still in standing tall and give a sense of the power of the regions ancient khanates. 

Your guesthouse or the guesthouses close to the west gate will be able to arrange transport for the day.

Expect it to be between $20-$40 depending on the number of people and the size of the vehicle.

Alternatively head to the north gate where private taxi and marshrutka drivers hang out.

You may be able to negotiate a cheaper price, but be aware that it’s very unlikely any of them will speak English. 

Ayaz Kala Ii, One Of The Most Spectacular Elliq Qala Fortresses

Nukus is the capital of Karakalpakstan and rather unsurprisingly has an ‘end of the line’ feel about it.

All organised tours to the Aral Sea depart from and finish in Nukus. However, it is also possible to reach Moynaq by public transport from Nukus. 

Nukus is mainly known for being the home of the Savitsky Museum , a collection of banned Soviet-era art.

There are some rather fantastic pieces on display. However, it’s hard to really understand why some of these pieces were banned.

Let’s face it, if you were to hide some artwork from the authorities, Nukus is a pretty good place to start.

There’s also the number of mini versions of Uzbekistan’s architectural wonders at the children’s recreation centre. It also contains a few fairground style activities and refreshment stands.

Just on the outskirts of Nukus, you will find the spectacular mausoleums of Mizdakhan , although they are very often included in Aral Sea tours.

If you have the time and money (it’s not a budget-friendly option) then a 2 day trip out to the Aral Sea is an experience you won’t soon forget.

Once the world’s 4th largest lake, the Aral Sea is now just 20% of its original size. This is because the Soviet Government diverted tributary rivers to feed thirsty cotton fields elsewhere in Uzbekistan.

Its decline has decimated towns and industries. Cancer rates in the surrounding areas have skyrocketed thanks to the saline-rich dust and the exposure to metals as the sea has receded.

This is of the greatest man-made ecological disasters in history.

As the sea has receded, numerous countries are now searching for the natural gas Soviet scientists believed lay below the sea bed. 

Check out the abandoned fishing village of Urga and the spectacular views from the Ustyurt Plateau .

Be bowled over by military-grade runway in the heart of said plateau and contemplate it all as you watch the sunset over the Aral Sea.

This is definitely a fascinating and emotive experience.

Sunrise-Aral-Sea

Moynaq is perhaps the starkest demonstration of the human impact of the Aral Sea disaster.

As the sea receded the fishing industry, which was the lifeblood of the town, literally dried up. Unemployment remains high and many people still live in poverty. 

For many, tourism brings in much-needed revenue.

As the sea receded many of the fishing ships that used to ply these waters were left to rust. They now sit some 50km from the sea itself as a poignant reminder of the impact felt in this town. 

Moynaq’s ship graveyard is what draws visitors. The sight of rusting ships alone on what was once the seabed is tragically poignant.

Moynaq-Sign

Located in the heart of the Fergana Valley, this is one of the newest and least Uzbek (in terms of ethnic makeup) cities in the area.

However, it is a great place to base yourself to explore the surrounding area.

With a large population of Russians and Koreans, it offers something very different from other cities in Uzbekistan.

Its tree-lined streets and Russian architecture give it a mini Tashkent feel.

The city’s bazaar is the most notable attraction. However the museum of regional studies and Al-Fergani Park are also worth visiting. 

The town of Margilon is an easy day trip from Fergana.

The main attraction here is the Yodgorlik Silk Factory , where silk garments are still made using the traditional method of steaming the silkworms. Tours are available in multiple languages.

Home to some of the most spectacular architecture in the Fergana Valley, Kokand is definitely worth a visit if time permits.

The jewel in the crown here is the Khan’s Palace .

It was built in 1873 by Khudayar Kahn, a cruel and ruthless ruler.

Revolts by his people meant that he was booted out of the palace 2 years after it’s construction. After winding up under Russian protection, the Tsar’s forces moved in defeated the Khanate permanently relieving him of his job. 

Half of the palace was taken up by the Khan’s harem. With Islam only permitting four wives the Khan had a mullah on stand by to perform marriages that were set to last one night at the drop of a hat. 

In addition to the Kahn’s palace make sure you check out Dakhma-i-Shokhon, the Modari Khan Mausoleum, the Narbutabey Mosque and Madrasa and the Stone Tablet of Nodira .

These sights are all clustered together in the city’s North East. 

Also, be sure to spend some time wandering around the city’s old town, which has few mosques and madrasas that are worth checking out. 

This area is home to Uzbekistan’s burgeoning eco-tourism movement around Lake Aidarkul and within the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve. 

Nurata is a great place to base yourself to experience either.

The town itself has a few quirky sights including the fortress of Alexander the Great and Zukarnay Petroglyphs that are believed to be from the Bronze Age.

Beneath the fortress, you will find the Chatham Spring where the Prophet Mohammed’s son-in-law drove his staff into the ground.

The trout that live in the spring live off of the mineral-rich waters of the spring.

To experience Lake Aidarkul head to the yurt camps in Yangikazgan or Dungalok.

Camel treks and hiking tours can be arranged. Hiking tours are also offered, ranging from short treks to multi-day hikes. 

Within the Nuratau-Kyzylkum Biosphere Reserve, there are some excellent community-based tourism projects where local families have converted parts of their homes into guesthouses.

To arrange homestay’s and activities head to this website . 

This rather colourful border town is Uzbekistan’s last stop before Afghanistan. The surrounding area is home to numerous excellent archaeological sites and finds. 

The excellent archaeological museum is well worth visiting and is a highlight of any trip to Termiz.

The collection contains artefacts from the many ravaged civilisations of the Surkhandarya region, which Termiz is the capital of. 

Out of town, two major highlights are Fayoz-Tepe and Kara-Tepe .

Fayoz-Tepe is the ruins of a Buddhist monastery from the 3rd-Century-AD. Work to restore the structure is ongoing and some good progress has been made.

Kara-Tepe is a Buddhist cave monastery which is very close to the Afghan border. You must have special permission to visit this monastery, though this can be arranged through the archaeological museum. 

Another interesting site is Kyr Kyz (forty girls), where legend has it 40 young women fought off the sex-crazed nomads who had slain their noblemen husbands.

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9 of the best things to do in Uzbekistan

Dinara Dultaeva

Sep 28, 2023 • 9 min read

why to visit uzbekistan

Experience the best of Uzbekistan with this list of the top things to do © Anya Newrcha / Shutterstock

From admiring Silk Road architecture to wine-tasting, from heli-skiing in Amirsoy to exploring a graveyard of ships in the Aral Sea, Uzbekistan has something to offer for every type of explorer. To help you plan a trip to this fascinating Central Asian nation, here are our favorite things to do.

1. Step back in time in the cities of the Silk Road  

Magnificent Samarkand , noble Bukhara , atmospheric Khiva – the cities on the path of the historic Silk Road have a special allure. Conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Genghis (Chengiz) Khan and Amir Temur (Tamerlane) left behind an amazing legacy, bringing together thinkers, traders and scholars from around the world.

Local guides bring each location to life with inspiring stories – learn about the wisdom of Amir Temur’s wife, Bibi-Khanum, in Samarkand; unravel the destiny of the last Emir of Bukhara in the Sitorai Mokhi-Khosa summer palace; and discover the life of the harem in Khiva’s Tosh-Hovli palace .

In fact, historical architecture can be found in every region of Uzbekistan, be it Soviet modernism, ancient mosques and minarets or even the ruins of Buddhist temples at Termez. Standout sites include Shakhrisabz with its ruined Ak Saray palace complex, the scattered townships of the Fergana Valley (particularly Khudayar Khan’s grand palace at Kokand) and Tashkent , with its characterful Soviet-era buildings. 

Planning tip: Book high-speed trains from Tashkent to Samarkand , Bukhara or Shakhrisabz well in advance as tickets are usually in great demand. For online booking, visit the Uzbekistan Railways website or use the national railways’ mobile phone app.

A chef prepares traditional Uzbek rice in a large cauldron

2. Find the real plov in a local chaikhana  

Plov is the answer in Uzbekistan, no matter what the question. This traditional rice dish is cooked for every occasion. Plov is a source of national pride and each region, each city, every oshpaz (master plov -maker) has their own recipe and secrets for preparing this special dish. 

There are more than 30 varieties of plov in Uzbekistan, but most share the same core ingredients – rice, carrots, onions, meat, chickpeas, raisins, spices and oil. Sampling the varied local styles of preparation and the unique types of rice grown in different parts of Uzbekistan is a delicious and nourishing indulgence.

In Tashkent, you can head to the Besh Qozon plov center to see giant pots filled with different types of plov , with portions doled out to up to 500 people at a time. Samarkand and Bukhara have their own variations, which can be sampled in many local cafes. In Kokand or Rishtan in the Fergana Valley, visit a local chaikhana (teahouse), where you can sit in traditional wooden seats by the water and have a leisurely meal of plov , followed by tea or freshly harvested watermelon in season.

Local tip: If you are trying plov for the first time, try not to overdo it. In Uzbekistan, plov is usually eaten for lunch as it is too heavy to eat in the evening. Be sure to balance a big serving with vegetables or yogurt-based salads and green tea for digestion.

3. Go skiing in the Amirsoy mountains  

The opening of the Amirsoy mountain resort in 2019 transformed Uzbekistan into a regional hub for skiing and snowboarding. Only just being discovered by international visitors, Amirsoy offers high-level infrastructure and excellent natural conditions for all types of winter sports. And with aviation growing in Uzbekistan, skiing by helicopter is an exciting way to get deeper into the mountains. 

Planning tip:  If you prefer wild nature for your mountain adventures, you should go to the Chatkal, Beldersoy or Chimgan mountain regions near Tashkent, or Zaamin National Park in Jizzakh, all with infrastructure for skiers. 

Rusting hulls of two ships on dry land

4. Be amazed by the surreal landscapes of the Aral Sea

One of the darker legacies of Soviet history in Uzbekistan is the draining of the Aral Sea. Located in Karakalpakstan, the Aral Sea used to be the fourth-biggest lake in the world, until its waters were redirected to provide irrigation for cotton fields. As a result, the sea shrank dramatically, changing the landscape and the whole ecology of the region. 

Today, visitors make a pilgrimage to this remote area to see the salty desert at the bottom of this former inland sea. Famous sights include the graveyard of ships, the "lakeside" cities of Muynak and Nukus , the former island of Barsakelmes, and the arid Ustyurt plateau. While in Nukus, you can visit the Savitski Museum – known as "the Louvre in the desert" – to view a unique collection of Russian avant garde art, hidden by the art connoisseur Savitski in Soviet times. 

Planning tip: Allow at least two days for a visit to the Aral Sea. You’ll need to fly to Nukus, capital of Karakalpakstan autonomous republic, and then take a 4WD tour to reach the Aral Sea. It’s not an easy journey but the impressions and photos you take away make the trip totally worth it.

5. Experience Uzbek wine-making 

One of Uzbekistan’s less-known experiences is wine tasting. Although the poet and polymath Omar Khayyam was romanticizing local wines nine centuries ago, in Soviet times Uzbekistan fell under the influence of Russian vodka. However, dessert wines from Uzbekistan kept winning prizes at international competitions, and wine-making has seen a major revival in recent decades in many regions.

One of the most interesting venues is the Uzumfermer family winery, a 30-minute drive from Tashkent. The name comes from the Uzbek word for grape – uzum – and founding family members offer specialist tours exploring grapevines, picturesque gardens, rosariums, and production facilities spread over 20 hectares (49 acres), followed by a wine tasting meal of European cuisine in the terrace restaurant. 

You can spend a whole afternoon here, or there are a few rooms where oenophiles can stay overnight and watch the sunrise. Another exciting way to delve into Uzbekistan’s wine history is at the Khovrenko factory in Samarkand, one of the earliest centers for alcohol production in the country.

6. Immense yourself in Uzbek art forms

This Silk Road crossroads was always a melting pot for arts and crafts, and the art scene in modern Uzbekistan is flourishing, with local artists and family dynasties making a mark almost in every area of creativity, from fashion to ceramics, suzani embroidery to knife-making, and fine art to miniature paintings.

In Tashkent, the Fergana Valley or Bukhara, you can visit local ceramic-making families in their home studios, take a pottery master class, buy a unique art object, and, if you are lucky, cook plov together or even stay overnight. In Rishton, the Rishton Ceramic Museum , run by master potter Rustam Usmanov, is a good place to start. 

To see the traditional process of making ikat – a traditional weaving style where patterns are dyed into the fibers – head to the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan. To learn more about the ancient art of making silk paper, visit the Meros Paper Mill in Samarkand. The Bukhara School of Miniature Painting offers many insights into life in Uzbekistan, and some travelers spend weeks here taking classes in this unique art form. There are many creative experiences offered by local studios, craft centers and artists in their own homes. 

Modern fine art is also trending in Uzbekistan, with many young artists and edgy galleries in Tashkent. Being an emerging art market, Uzbekistan is starting to attract the attention of the likes of Christie’s and Sotheby’s, but things are still at a very early stage. If you do buy a painting, valuation and certification services are now offered by the Art Vernissage gallery or you can ask an artist to get an artwork certified at the Ministry of Culture.

A row of small ceramic pots with intricate blue-and-white glazed patterns on them in front of a large tiled building

7. Treasure hunt in Uzbekistan’s bazaars and art studios

With Uzbekistan’s colorful culture and Silk Road legacy, and the limitless talent of local artists and artisans, it’s almost impossible to leave Uzbekistan without buying a homemade masterpiece as a souvenir. 

Artisans’ workshops and factories are the best places to buy traditional craft objects such as ceramics, suzani , wood carving, carpets and fabrics. For fashions, go to modern showrooms such as Navruz Ethnopark in Tashkent, home to many local brands, including Azukar Moreno, Mursak and Two Eagles (all using traditional fabrics to make modern outfits and accessories).

Also in Tashkent is newly opened concept store Teplo, a chic home for fashion brands such as Dildora Kasymova, Maru and Soondook, and emerging makers of jewelry and home decor items. For handmade crafts, every weekend there are art fairs and craft shops in parks and cities across Uzbekistan, where you can buy a colorful chapan ( coat), a traditional Uzbek hat, leather goods, ceramics and other local creations.

8. Unite with nature in Zaamin National Park

Uzbekistan’s natural landscapes are diverse and picturesque, spanning mountains, foothills, deserts and dramatic valleys, as well as the impressive Amu Darya and Syr Darya rivers, the Aral Sea and several scenic lakes. Zaamin National Park, just three hours’ drive from Tashkent, is one of the country’s most unique nature sanctuaries, and it recently became much more accessible, thanks to the opening of several international hotels and the launch of the annual Zaamin Ultra Marathon. For experiences such as hiking in the mountains, stargazing, trying authentic local food and bargaining at roadside markets, Zaamin is especially mind-blowing in the spring.

Planning tip: For more outdoor experiences that are both adventurous and rejuvenating, try hiking in the Chimgan mountains, stargazing at the Maidanak observatory, camping near Aydarkul Lake or visiting the dunes near Muynak in Karakalpakstan. 

9. Stay in a yurt

If you want to experience nomadic life, Uzbekistan’s deserts are the perfect place to go. At every traditional festival and ethnic park, you’ll see a sample yurt and maybe be invited for tea inside, but in regions such as Karakalpakstan, there are areas where local people live in yurts full time and this is not something staged just for tourists.

In Central Asia, people decorate the interiors of their yurts with carpets, low seating and a short wooden table, set in the middle of the tent. It takes up to three hours to set up or take down a yurt, and each can fit up to 15 people at a time. Traditionally, yurts are used for family meals and sleeping; in winter, the table is moved and a fire is lit in its place, with sleeping spaces arranged around it.

In the tourist camps, yurts are fitted out with relatively comfortable mattresses and washroom facilities are provided in a separate building. A trip to a yurt camp will usually include camel-riding, watching the sunrise or sunset (perhaps at a nearby lake) and meals and evening folklore performances around the fireplace. The most popular yurt camps in Uzbekistan are at Nurata in the Navoi region, and the Aidar and Muynak yurt camps in Karakalpakstan. The conditions can be very modest and the wildlife and nature unpredictable – be ready for adventure!   

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  • General information
  • History of Uzbekistan
  • Culture of Uzbekistan
  • Arts and Crafts in Uzbekistan
  • Festivals in Uzbekistan
  • Customs and Traditions
  • Uzbek Cuisine
  • Climate of Uzbekistan
  • Reasons to visit Uzbekistan
  • Border crossings
  • Uzbekistan Embassies
  • Uzbekistan Consulates
  • Embassies in Uzbekistan
  • Consulates in Uzbekistan
  • Useful information
  • Shakhrisabz
  • Muynak (Aral Sea)
  • Kala (Citadels)
  • Chimgan mountains
  • Nurata mountains
  • Navoi region
  • Active tours
  • Combined tours
  • Cultural tours
  • Eco/Rural/CBT Tourism
  • Religious tours
  • Extension/short tours
  • Special Tours
  • Guaranteed Departures
  • MICE tourism
  • Tailor made tours
  • Tashkent hotels
  • Samarkand hotels
  • Bukhara hotels
  • Khiva hotels
  • Fergana hotels
  • Kokand hotels
  • Nukus hotels

Why you should visit Uzbekistan?! Is it worth to visit Uzbekistan?

Reasons why you should visit uzbekistan.

It is really worth to Uzbekistan! There are numerous reasons to visit Uzbekistan and you will have an enormous experience because Uzbekistan is a land of:

  • Sun because it has 300 sunny days during a year;
  • Sweetest and perfume smelling fruits and vegetables;
  • Tours to Uzbekistan include a visit to the legendary cities of the Great Silk Road described in 1001 nights like Samarkand , Bukhara , Khiva …;
  • Giant tiled blue domes (mosques, minarets and madrasahs);
  • The most hospitable and sociable nation;
  • Delicate handicrafts passing from ancestors to generations during centuries;
  • Culture , customs and traditions remaining unchanged for centuries;
  • Still existing oriental bazaars;
  • Numerous archaeological sites ;
  • Rich cuisine (Samosa, Shashlyk, plov…);
  • Picturesque mountains suitable for trekking and hiking ;
  • Diverse nature: deserts, forests, valleys, mountains, lakes, hills…;
  • Incredible shopping facilities (carpets, silks, wood carvings; jewelry, and scarves…which are ideal gifts)
  • The cleanest and one of the most beautiful Underground stations in the world!
  • Thousand shrines-Imam Al Bukhariy, Bakhouddin Naqshbandiy, Saint Daniel….;
  • Hosting Holy Uthman/Usman Quran/Koran since the XV century;
  • Shrinking Aral Sea which has become nowadays a global disaster. By visiting it, one can realize how human mistake can disturb the Nature!

Is Uzbekistan safe?

  • Safety assurance. Thus, anyone can walk at night without any fear. Also, there are tourist polices in each historical city.
  • Safety care. The government of Uzbekistan worked out safety standards against COVID-19 basing on the protocols and recommendations of World Travel & Tourism Council , Spanish ICTE , and Turkey. All hotels, transport companies, restaurants, guides and museums must follow it. Thus, a travel to Uzbekistan is safe. To get more detailed information of safety standards, please visit our page Uzbekistan Travel Safety Measures .

Is Uzbekistan accessible?

Easy accessibility. Nowadays Uzbekistan is one of the easiest accessible countries of the world. Because Uzbekistan is a visa free for 86 countries and has simplified online visa system for the rest countries! For the detailed info, please visit our visa section.

Looking forward to seeing you in Uzbekistan!!!

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  1. 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Uzbekistan

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  5. Five reasons to visit Uzbekistan, from Unesco heritage sites on the old

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  4. Почему обязательно надо поехать в Узбекистан? / Презентация "Путешествуй в Узбекистан"

  5. Cheapest Country in the World / Travel Guide Uzbekistan 🇺🇿

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COMMENTS

  1. 16 things to know before going to Uzbekistan

    The most common complaints amongst visitors are heat exhaustion in summer and the occasional dodgy tummy after eating too much oily plov or shashlik. Wash your hands, avoid the tap water, and wash all fruit and salads before eating and you should be fine. 16. Get more from the sights. We have a couple of bonus tips.

  2. 10 Reasons Why You Should Visit Uzbekistan

    2. Ancient history. Uzbekistan is home to many famous cities along the Silk Road, and it still has remnants of when it was a part of the Soviet Union. 3. Beautiful blue tiles. The mosques are covered in gorgeous blue tiles, making for lots of great photo ops.

  3. 10 reasons why Uzbekistan should be on top of your bucket list

    Top Reasons why you should visit Uzbekistan a must-visit in central Asia. For years, it has escaped our prying eyes, but with ever-improving air connectivity, easier visas - the cat is out of the bag. Before mass tourism hits this country in a big way, take my words, add this destination to your bucket list. I visited Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan ...

  4. The Complete Guide to travel in Uzbekistan (2024)

    Starting from 1 February 2019, citizens of the European Union, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and many more countries can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free for a period of 30 days.. Citizens of 76 countries including the United States, China, and India have been granted the right to receive an electronic entry visa for a period of 30 days.

  5. 9 of the best places to visit in Uzbekistan

    Here are our top recommendations of places to visit in Uzbekistan for architecture, culture, nature and immersion in the arts. 1. Registan, Samarkand. Best for dramatic architecture. The historic Registan Square in Samarkand impresses first-time visitors more than any other attraction in Uzbekistan. Included on the UNESCO World Heritage list ...

  6. 11 Fascinating Reasons to Visit Uzbekistan as a Traveller

    Reasons to Visit Uzbekistan. Reasons to Visit Uzbekistan. 1. Uzbekistan is a relatively unknown tourist location; 2. There is no religious clothing code for visitors; 3. Uzbeks are by far the most endearing individuals on the planet; 4. eVisa is now available in over 70 nations;

  7. Travel Uzbekistan: 60+ Things To Know Before You Go

    Uzbekistan is the ultimate destination when you're backpacking the Silk Road, but it also has a reputation for being difficult to travel through. Luckily, Uzbekistan is realizing its tourism potential, and has done away with many of the restrictive measures putting tourists off of visiting this amazing Central Asian country.

  8. Uzbekistan travel

    Check out this year's Best in Travel winners. The region's cradle of culture for more than two millennia, Uzbekistan is the proud home to a spellbinding arsenal of architecture and ancient cities, all deeply infused with the bloody, fascinating history of the Silk Road. In terms of sights alone, Uzbekistan is Central Asia's biggest draw and ...

  9. A Complete Guide To Traveling In Uzbekistan

    BUDGET - Uzbekistan is a very budget friendly country (below prices in USD): Good hotels & guest housescost around $20 - $30 a night. A full-course meal with several mains, appetizers, and drinks usually totals up to $6 per person (the amount of food would be enough to feed four people though).

  10. Uzbekistan Travel Guide: The Ultimate 10-Day Itinerary

    Costs of Traveling in Uzbekistan. Travel on a budget in Uzbekistan, from $290 − $460 USD weekly per person, mid-range $710 − $1240 USD, and high-end from $1200 − $1810 USD. However, costs depend on factors like accommodation, transportation, and activities. We did not include flights. Check flight prices here.

  11. Uzbekistan tourism: Top 10 reasons to visit Uzbekistan

    It is for the Islamic shrines that most pilgrims visit Uzbekistan, however. Sunni Muslims come to the holy shrine of Imam Bukhari, author of the Sahih al-Bukhari collection of hadiths, near Samarkand. Followers of the Naqshbandi order of Sufism pay their respects at the shrine of Baha-ud-Din Naqshband in Bukhara.

  12. Uzbekistan travel guide

    Sightseeing - what to see in Uzbekistan. Three main reasons why tourists visit Uzbekistan are Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva - beautiful old cities located on the Silk Road route. They were the reason why I came to Uzbekistan too. But this is a big country and have much more to offer! Don't miss the capital Tashkent.

  13. Uzbekistan: The Central Asian country is opening up to the world

    Now, 93 countries - including all EU member states and UK citizens- can travel to Uzbekistan visa-free, while over 50 countries can visit with an electronic visa. This relaxation of travel rules ...

  14. Uzbekistan Travel Guide 2024 · Itineraries, Top Places, Safety

    Uzbekistan is a dream for budget travelers, mainly because it is relatively new as a travel destination. With such a low cost of living, you can stay in beautiful hotels for anything between $15 - $30 and dine on plates of doughy flatbreads, fresh fruits, and honeyed tea for $2 - $5.

  15. Reasons to visit Uzbekistan at least once in your lifetime

    Why go to Uzbekistan? You must visit Uzbekistan at least once in your lifetime because it is a land of awe-inspiring beauty. It appears much like the photos you see of its cities. Stunning blue mosques, intricately carved minarets, Soviet-style architecture, and historic settlements seem frozen in time, making this country a must-see vacation. ...

  16. National Uzbekistan Tourist Information Center

    Discover new Uzbekistan! Uzbekistan is a mysterious country of the East, where the history of cities gathered in legends, where the sun shines all year round and this reflects the unique nature and beautiful hearts of people. Welcome to the country of magnificent architecture and ancient traditions preserved a unique heritage.

  17. 4 reasons why now's the time to visit Uzbekistan

    3. The new president is changing things for the better. One of Tashkent's amazing metro stations. Uzbekistan has not always had the best record when it comes to humanitarian issues. The combination of a controversial president and a hangover from the Soviet-era security contributed to some archaic social stances.

  18. Why now is the time to visit Uzbekistan

    Uzbekistan's ambitious plan to institute visa-free travel - announced in 2017 - has been shelved until 2021, but the visa situation is still much easier than it was even a year or two ago. In 2018, Uzbekistan introduced 30-day visas that replaced the previous 15-day visa duration. Subsequently, visa-free travel was enacted for tourists from ...

  19. The Ultimate 10-Day Uzbekistan Itinerary [2024]

    If you're tight on time and can't spend 10 whole days in Uzbekistan, I recommend the following 7-day itinerary: Day 1: Arrive into Tashkent. Day 2: Take an early morning flight to Khiva; spend the rest of the day there. Day 3: Take a train to Bukhara in the morning; spend the rest of the day there. Day 4: Explore Bukhara; take a train to ...

  20. The 14 BEST Places to Visit in Uzbekistan [2024 Guide]

    The Most Incredible Places to Visit in Uzbekistan. Uzbekistan is a relatively small country and each of these places is quite accessible with a one or two-week itinerary. 1) Tashkent. Uzbekistan's capital is the largest city in Central Asia. A sprawling metropolis of almost 2.5 million people, it is here where Tashkent's Soviet past is most ...

  21. Why Uzbekistan is said to be a top travel destination for 2020

    Uzbekistan, long unknown to most Westerners, is already shaping the travel scene for 2020. This culturally rich and historically compelling country, along with the rest of central Asia, has been ...

  22. 9 of the best things to do in Uzbekistan

    1. Step back in time in the cities of the Silk Road. Magnificent Samarkand, noble Bukhara, atmospheric Khiva - the cities on the path of the historic Silk Road have a special allure. Conquerors such as Alexander the Great, Genghis (Chengiz) Khan and Amir Temur (Tamerlane) left behind an amazing legacy, bringing together thinkers, traders and ...

  23. Reasons to visit Uzbekistan! Why you should travel to Uzbekistan?!

    There are numerous reasons to visit Uzbekistan and you will have an enormous experience because Uzbekistan is a land of: Sun because it has 300 sunny days during a year; Sweetest and perfume smelling fruits and vegetables; Tours to Uzbekistan include a visit to the legendary cities of the Great Silk Road described in 1001 nights like Samarkand ...