Travel landscape in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan flagRoutaya · Country guide

Travel guide to Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, located in Central Asia, is a country rich in history with ancient Silk Road cities, a unique culture, and diverse landscapes from deserts to mountains.

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Two ways to explore

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ELEVATION PROFILE

Altitude 580 m

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Information is provided as a travel-planning aid. Confirm entry, health and safety requirements with official authorities before departure.

Quick facts

Official languages
Uzbek
Time zones
UTC +5
Electrical outlets
230 V, 50 Hz. Plugs type C and F (European).
Climate
Continental climate with hot, dry summers and cold winters. Best travel seasons are spring and autumn.

Health

Consult a doctor before travel for a check-up. Medical facilities in cities are limited in scope.

Travel health advice

  • Drink bottled water.
  • Avoid raw foods in rural areas.
  • Arrange international health insurance.

Recommended vaccines: Hepatitis A; Hepatitis B; Typhoid; Diphtheria-Tetanus-Polio

Required vaccines:

Money

Currency: Uzbekistani som (UZS)

Best to exchange money at official bureaus or banks in cities.

Credit cards accepted in major cities; cash remains king in many places.

Safety

Uzbekistan is relatively safe but vigilance is advised in urban and tourist areas.

  • Do not display valuables publicly.
  • Beware of unlicensed taxis.
  • Respect local customs and traditions.

Areas to check before travel: Remote border areas sparsely visited by tourists.

Regions

Samarkand — travel guide
Region

Samarkand

Ancient caravan city rich in historical monuments and distinctive Islamic architecture.

Bukhara — travel guide
Region

Bukhara

Historic city with mosques, madrasas, and a well-preserved medieval center.

Khiva — travel guide
Region

Khiva

Open-air museum city with its old town Ichan-Kala, UNESCO World Heritage site.

Tashkent — travel guide
Region

Tashkent

Modern capital blending Soviet architecture with vibrant cultural sites.

Fergana — travel guide
Region

Fergana

Fertile agricultural region with traditional crafts and ethnic diversity.

Kyzylkum Desert — travel guide
Region

Kyzylkum Desert

Arid desert with dunes offering nature excursions.

Cities

Tashkent — city guide
City guide

Tashkent

Cosmopolitan capital and economic hub with museums, colorful bazaars, and parks.

  • Independence Square
  • Applied Arts Museum
  • Chorsu Bazaar
Samarkand — city guide
City guide

Samarkand

Historic city famed for 14th-century Timurid architecture.

  • Registan Square
  • Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
  • Ulugh Beg Observatory
Bukhara — city guide
City guide

Bukhara

Ancient Islamic center with many madrasas and mosques.

  • Ark Citadel
  • Kalyan Mosque
  • Mir-i-Arab Madrasa
Khiva — city guide
City guide

Khiva

Fortified city with a well-preserved old town.

  • Ichan-Kala
  • Kalta Minor Minaret
  • Tash Khauli Palace
Nukus — city guide
City guide

Nukus

Cultural center with a unique avant-garde art museum.

  • Savitsky Museum of Art
  • Freedom Park
Shahrisabz — city guide
City guide

Shahrisabz

Birthplace of Tamerlane with significant historical ruins.

  • Ak-Saray Palace
  • Dorut Tilovat Mausoleum
Termez — city guide
City guide

Termez

Border city with Buddhist and Islamic historical sites.

  • Fayaz-Teppa Monastery
  • Local History Museum

Highlights

Silk Road — travel guide
Must-see

Silk Road

Historic route encompassing emblematic cities and cultural sites.

Tamerlane's Mausoleum in Samarkand — travel guide
Must-see

Tamerlane's Mausoleum in Samarkand

Architectural masterpiece and resting place of the famous conqueror.

Ichan-Kala Old Town in Khiva — travel guide
Must-see

Ichan-Kala Old Town in Khiva

Fortified town with centuries-old monuments.

Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent — travel guide
Must-see

Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent

Vibrant traditional market offering local products and crafts.

Ruins of Afrasiab — travel guide
Must-see

Ruins of Afrasiab

Ancient city site with archaeological remains near Samarkand.

Ark Citadel in Bukhara — travel guide
Must-see

Ark Citadel in Bukhara

Ancient fortress and historical power seat.

Nature & other places

Kyzylkum Desert — travel guide
Desert

Kyzylkum Desert

Extensive desert with dunes and steppes ideal for excursions.

Tian Shan Mountains — travel guide
Mountain

Tian Shan Mountains

Mountain range offering spectacular scenery and hiking opportunities.

Chatkal Nature Reserve — travel guide
Nature Reserve

Chatkal Nature Reserve

Protected area rich in wildlife and flora in mountainous region.

Aydarkul Lake — travel guide
Lake

Aydarkul Lake

Large saline lake in desert providing leisure and birdwatching activities.

Zaamin National Park — travel guide
National Park

Zaamin National Park

Park with forests, mountains, and popular hiking areas.

Travel conditions can change. Always consult official government travel advice and health authorities shortly before your trip.

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