Top Ten Things To Do In Uzbekistan

For a destination that’s dripping in architectural marvels, Khiva stands out. Make sure to visit the inner city of Itchan-Kala on your Uzbekistan trip. This impressive old town has been left mostly untouched for the past 100 or so years.

Awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990, the now open-air museum is home to dozens of spectacular structures like the Kalta Minor Minaret and the impressive Kunha Ark Fortress. You can also visit less grand sites such as local carpet weaving workshops and charming clay houses still inhabited today.

We recommend timing your walk through Itchan-Kala at sunset to witness the orange light reflecting off the Kalta Minor Minaret’s bright turquoise-colored tiles.

The Silk Road was once a vital trade network that connected the East and the West — and Uzbekistan sits right in the middle. There are many locations throughout the country where you can learn more about this incredible trade route.

The Silk Road’s history includes the Feragana Valley: a vast swathe of land spread across eastern Uzbekistan, northern Tajikistan and southern Kyrgyzstan. The breathtaking region isn’t just a brilliant place to admire Central Asia’s outstanding natural beauty. It’s also home to numerous artisan workshops and other key sites whose histories can be linked to the Silk Road — from the Yodgorlik Silk Factory in Margilan to the family-run potteries in Rishton.

It’s not just Khiva that’s home to some truly magnificent buildings. Bukhara, a prominent Silk Route stop, is also one of Central Asia’s most well-preserved Persian cities and a must-visit for those who love exploring historic landmarks.

Major highlights include the 5th-century Ark Fortress of Bukhara — the city’s oldest and most recognizable monument — and the 150-foot-tall Kalyan Minaret. The latter was known as the ‘Tower of Death’ during medieval times because criminals would be thrown off the top as punishment.

Venture to the very heart of UNESCO World Heritage-listed Samarkand in southeast Uzbekistan to marvel at the exquisite buildings that line its central Registan Square. Once upon a time, this grand central square was where people gathered to hear royal proclamations or witness public executions!

This breathtaking landmark is also where you’ll find ancient treasures like the gilded Ulugh Beg Madrassah which was constructed in the 15th century as an institute of scientific learning. Other structures to seek out include the Tilla-Kori Madrassah with its vibrant blue-domed mosque and majestically tiled portal.

Samarkand may be best known for its ornately tiled mosques and majestic mausoleums. However, the Silk Road city is also famous for its papermaking — a craft practised in the city for over 1000 years.

Paper made from mulberry trees was once highly sought after in Samarkand to create manuscripts and other important documents. Today, one of the best places to discover more about this ancient art and purchase traditional paper is the historic paper factory in the nearby village of Konigil. Add a village visit to your Uzbekistan itinerary and enjoy a fascinating demonstration of this local tradition.

Uzbekistan has a long and rich religious history. Islam has been one of the country’s dominant religions for centuries and you’ll find many monuments that reflect its importance. One such place is the Mausoleum of Bahauddin Naqshbandi in Bukhara: the final resting place of the founder of the Sufi order.

Sufism is a mystical form of Islamic religion that aims to create a more personal connection with Allah and reveal knowledge of eternal life. It was popular in the region during the 14th century, shaping religious beliefs and culture. Numerous monuments related to Sufism dot the landscape and you can also learn all about its history and principles at the dedicated museum next to Bahauddin Naqshbandi’s mausoleum.

For souvenirs galore, add Tashkent’s traditional Chorsu Bazaar to your Uzbekistan travel itinerary. It lies within the city’s impressive old town and you’ll find it very easy to spot the market building’s huge aquamarine domed roof.

Open seven days a week, Chorsu Bazaar features hundreds of interesting stalls. Inside, you’ll find a wide variety of fresh produce — from fruit and vegetables to spices and herbs. Surrounding the main building are more rows of stalls laden with household items, clothing, crafts and more.

As well as being one of the best places in the capital to pick up fresh produce and affordable gifts, the bazaar is a fantastic place to soak up local city life in Tashkent.

Bukhara is home to several medieval bathhouses — some of which you can still visit today for a soothing spa session. Once upon a time, these were integral to urban life and interactions between people. Today, they function as both historical monuments and locations for locals and visitors to enjoy a relaxing massage or steam bath.

Many of Bukhara’s hammams are similar to those you might find in Turkey, with various treatment rooms, saunas and ornate tiled interiors. For a spa day in between sightseeing, book a traditional massage at Hammam Bozori-kord (for men) or Kundjak Hammam (for women).

Whether you’re a food connoisseur or not, you’ll be able to sample all kinds of delicious traditional dishes on your Uzbekistan vacation. Thanks to the country’s vast history of trading, its cuisine is highly eclectic with various spices and flavors from Europe, Asia and beyond.

One dish you must try is simple yet wholesome plov. It’s Uzbekistan’s national dish and features a mix of rice, carrots, onions and mutton. It’s simmered in a meaty broth and sometimes flavored further with chickpeas, raisins and cumin. Look out for plov on restaurant menus and at street food stalls. Each region has its own version of the dish too, so you’ll be able to sample multiple varieties during your stay if you wish.

It’s not just opulent mosques and mosaic-covered portals that you’ll spot on your tour of Uzbekistan. You can also glimpse striking Soviet-era modernist architecture all over Tashkent.

The country’s capital was an important city during Soviet times when the former Eurasian federation stretched across the region, encompassing Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and others, until its dissolution in 1991. Unsurprisingly, many buildings date back to this period of history such as the Hotel Uzbekistan and the State Museum of History, which feature Brutalist-style, concrete lattice facades. You can also take a trip to Kosmonavtlar metro station to admire its amazing space-themed decor.

For more ideas about things to do in Uzbekistan on a custom trip with us, speak to our experts today.