Turquoise domes, desert caravan cities and the heart of the Silk Road.
Uzbekistan holds some of the finest Islamic architecture in Central Asia. Samarkand's Registan square is framed by three tiled madrasas, Bukhara's old town is full of mosques, minarets and trading domes, and Khiva's walled Itchan Kala feels like an open-air museum. Tashkent, the capital, mixes Soviet-era avenues with ornate metro stations and the sprawling Chorsu Bazaar.
Plov, samsa and bread from tandoor ovens anchor meals, often with endless green tea. Fast trains make it easy to link Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, while Khiva takes longer to reach. April, May, September and October are ideal, with warm days and cool evenings; summer is very hot and winter can be cold.
Best time to visit Uzbekistan
April, May, September, October.
Places to visit in Uzbekistan
Samarkand: Timur's legendary capital, home to the Registan's tiled madrasas, the Gur-e-Amir mausoleum and the necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda.
Bukhara: One of Central Asia's best-preserved medieval cities, with a towering minaret, domed trading bazaars and a pool-side old centre.
Khiva: A walled inner city of mud-brick minarets and palaces on the edge of the Karakum Desert, preserved almost like an open-air museum.
Tashkent: Uzbekistan's capital and main gateway, a city of wide avenues, ornate metro stations, a huge domed bazaar and fine plov.
Essentials
Currency: Uzbekistani Som (UZS)
Language: Uzbek; Russian widely spoken, Tajik in Samarkand and Bukhara
Plugs: Type C / F, 220 V
Driving: Right side
Time zone: UTC+5
Tipping: Not expected; around 10% in restaurants is appreciated
Getting around: Fast trains link the main cities; shared taxis and domestic flights elsewhere
Entry: Check the official rules for your passport before booking