Set at the crossroads of the ancient Silk Road, Uzbekistan is famed for its stunning historical architecture and beautiful mosques and madrassas, alongside Soviet modernism, a flourishing arts and crafts scene, a rich traditional culture, and the genuine hospitality of local people.
The continental climate brings four distinct seasons, and escaping into nature and visiting off-the-beaten-track destinations are adventures that will leave lifetime memories. Here are our top recommendations of places to visit in Uzbekistan for architecture, culture, nature and immersion in the arts.
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, the square consists of three striking madrassas – the Ulugbek, Sherdor and Tilla-Kori – which together served as a university for Islamic scholars. The name Registan means "a sand place." Since the Timurid period, this has been a place where people have met, important decisions were announced, and crucial events in Uzbekistan’s history occurred.
Samarkand is blessed with many other historical attractions, including the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum and Ulugbek’s Observatory – all of them well worth visiting. One day might be enough to cover most important stops, but if you want to enjoy the pace of life in Samarkand, wander around talking to local craftspeople and leave some time for tea and local cuisine, allow two days or more.
Local tip: Opened in 2022, Samarkand International Airport is the second-biggest airport in the country and a good entry point to Uzbekistan. Turkish Airlines, WizzAir, AirDubai, FlyAirstan, Jazeera Air and several Uzbek airlines operate regular flights to this modern airport, and from Samarkand, it’s easy to travel around the country by rail – to Bukhara, Khiva and Nukus and then fly back to the capital Tashkent.
Best for history
In Samarkand, an ancient mosque might sit alongside an office tower or a modern neighborhood, but Bukhara’s old city really makes you travel in time. Protected by Unesco, the historical part of the city still feels completely authentic, with timeless mosques, minarets, madrassas, craft workshops, caravanserais and local eateries. Set around an artificial pool called Labi Hovuz, the central square has a unique atmosphere and is a great place to admire the architecture, enjoy local food, sip tea or slurp ice cream, bargain with souvenir sellers or just have a breather sitting on a bench in the sun.
There are many must-visit stops in Bukhara. Be sure to make time for the Ark, a former residence of Bukhara Emir, the eye-catching madrassas of
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