Things to do in Uzbekistan: best places to visit
Uzbekistan's Silk Road trio: Registan Square, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda in Samarkand, Lyabi-Hauz and the trading domes of Bukhara, and walled Khiva with its stubby Kalta Minor minaret. Most trips start in Tashkent, with its ornate metro, the Hazrati Imam complex and the Afrosiyob fast train on to Samarkand and Bukhara.
Sights in Uzbekistan
40 places in 4 cities
Itineraries across Uzbekistan
City itineraries in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan travel guide
Before you go: Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva, high-speed trains, visa and money, weather by month.
Uzbekistan on your own: the essentials
- Visa
- Visa-free for many passports, often 30 days
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Currency
- Uzbek som (UZS); cards accepted in cities
- Route
- Tashkent — Samarkand — Bukhara — Khiva
- Trains
- Afrosiyob: Tashkent → Samarkand ≈ 2 h, → Bukhara ≈ 4 h
- When to go
- April–May and September–October
- Time zone
- UTC+5
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage ListSourcei
Wikipedia, “Silk Road”Sourcei
UNESCO Intangible Cultural HeritageSourcei
UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage, 2016Best places to visit in Uzbekistan
The classic Uzbekistan route is Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva: in a week you can see all four by high-speed train and a short flight. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above; the “Map” button shows them on a map.
| Tashkent | Metro, Chorsu, plov | 1–2 days |
|---|---|---|
| Samarkand | Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Shah-i-Zinda | 2 days |
| Bukhara | Lyabi-Hauz, Kalyan, the Ark | 2 days |
| Khiva | Itchan Kala inside the walls | 1–2 days |
Ready trips around the country — “Uzbekistan in 7 days” and city itineraries — are above on this page.
Uzbekistan visa and currency
Citizens of many countries — including the EU, UK and US — can visit Uzbekistan visa-free, often for up to 30 days; others can apply online for an e-visa. The currency is the Uzbek som (UZS); cards work in hotels and cities, cash is useful at bazaars.
Check the current entry rule for your passport on Uzbekistan’s official e-visa site before you travel.
Uzbekistan weather by month
The best time to visit Uzbekistan is April–May and September–October — warm and dry. Summer heat reaches 36–38 °C, especially in Bukhara and Khiva. Winter is cool, about 7 °C by day. Below is Tashkent.
TashkentiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 7° | 10° | 16° | 22° | 28° | 34° | 36° | 35° | 29° | 21° | 14° | 8° |
| Night | -2° | 0° | 5° | 10° | 14° | 19° | 21° | 19° | 14° | 8° | 3° | 0° |
| Rain | 12 | 11 | 13 | 11 | 9 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 11 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–May and September–October
- day ≈ 7°
- night ≈ -2°
- rain 12 days
Cool.
- day ≈ 10°
- night ≈ 0°
- rain 11 days
Cool.
- day ≈ 16°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 13 days
Navruz, spring.
- day ≈ 22°
- night ≈ 10°
- rain 11 days
Warm — a great time.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 9 days
Warm — one of the best months.
- day ≈ 34°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 4 days
Hot.
- day ≈ 36°
- night ≈ 21°
- rain 2 days
Peak heat.
- day ≈ 35°
- night ≈ 19°
- rain 1 days
Hot.
- day ≈ 29°
- night ≈ 14°
- rain 2 days
Warm, fruit harvest.
- day ≈ 21°
- night ≈ 8°
- rain 6 days
About 21° — the best month.
- day ≈ 14°
- night ≈ 3°
- rain 9 days
Cool.
- day ≈ 8°
- night ≈ 0°
- rain 11 days
Cool.
Each city page has its own weather: Bukhara and Khiva are hotter in summer.
Tips
- Book Afrosiyob train tickets in advance.
- Exchange cash at banks for the official rate.
FAQ
Do I need a visa for Uzbekistan?
Citizens of many countries can visit visa-free, often for up to 30 days; others can apply for an e-visa online. Check the rule for your passport.
Is Uzbekistan safe for tourists?
Uzbekistan is generally considered safe and welcoming for visitors; take the usual precautions and check your government’s travel advice.
What is the best route around Uzbekistan?
Tashkent, then the fast train to Samarkand and Bukhara, and a flight or train to Khiva — about a week.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List — sites in Uzbekistan; UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
- Wikipedia, “Uzbekistan”; Tashkent climate (1991–2020 normals)