Best Cities to Visit in Uzbekistan: A Journey Through Time and Culture

Situated in the center of Asia, Uzbekistan is a very culturally and historically rich nation. It has a thriving market, a wealth of cultural legacy, and some of the most amazing architectural marvels as one of the primary centers of the old Silk Road. Every city in the nation, from the contemporary capital of Tashkent to the historic cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, provides a different window into its colorful history. The best cities to visit in Uzbekistan are listed below.

Discover the best cities to visit in Uzbekistan

Registan, Samarkand

Samarkand is one of the best Uzbek cities to visit in 2024 

First-time tourists to Uzbekistan are most impressed with the magnificent Registan Square in Samarkand. The plaza, which is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is made up of three stunning madrassas: the Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tilla-Kori, which operated as an Islamic academy for academics. Registan means "a sand place." Since the Timurid time, this has been a site where people have gathered, significant choices have been made, and pivotal events in Uzbekistan's history have occurred. 

Samarkand has numerous more historical sights, including the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, and Ulugbek's Observatory, all of which are well worth seeing. One day may be enough to visit the most significant sights, but if you want to experience the rhythm of life in Samarkand, roam around chatting to local crafters, and have time for tea and local cuisine, plan two days or more.

Samarkand International Airport, which opened in 2022, is the country's second-largest airport and serves as an excellent entrance point into Uzbekistan. Turkish Airlines, WizzAir, AirDubai, FlyAirstan, Jazeera Air, and other Uzbek airlines fly to this sophisticated airport regularly, and from there, it's simple to travel throughout the nation by train to Bukhara, Khiva, and Nukus before flying back to Tashkent.

Tashkent

Tashkent is one of the best cities to visit in Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital, is one of the best cities to visit in Uzbek; it is also a diverse and intriguing destination in and of itself. Islamic architecture, colorful avenues, art and history museums, theaters, foreign cuisine, and nightlife create a contemporary, cosmopolitan atmosphere. Begin by visiting central Amir Timur Square, where you may see the Amir Timur Museum, the Amir Timur Monument, and the Tashkent Clock Tower (which currently houses two odd eateries), as well as the Hotel Uzbekistan, a notable specimen of Soviet monumental architecture.

The nearby "Broadway Street" is particularly vibrant at night, with tourist stores, street food, and entertainment. Tashkent City Park, just a short drive to the west, has a planetarium, aquarium, dancing fountains, street performances, a variety of eateries, contemporary lodging options, retail centers, and an outdoor theater. Visit the expansive Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent's most beloved marketplace, or the Navruz Ethnopark for a shopping adventure where you can get traditional Uzbek cuisine, local crafts, and apparel. 

Ichan Kala, Old Khiva

Keeping its language, customs, and culture, the city of Khiva is an outdoor museum that was once the capital of the Khorezm Shakhs and subsequently the center of the Khiva Khanate. Situated near the center of Khiva, the bulk of the architectural features are found inside the magnificent Ichan Kala, often known as the "inner city." Take in the majesty and serenity of medieval Central Asia by visiting the striking Juma mosque, the Tosh-Hovli Palace (complete with harem chambers for the ruler's wives), and the Kalta Minor minaret.

A few of the old buildings have been turned into boutique hotels; spending the night in a room with medieval accents combined with all the contemporary conveniences you might need, including air conditioning and a hot shower, is a truly unique experience. Learn about Khiva culture via sessions that include anything from bread baking to strenuous Khorezm dance. 

Bukhara

Bukhara is a great place to visit in Uzbekistan for travelers

An antique mosque in Samarkand could be next to a contemporary neighborhood or office building, but seeing Bukhara's old city is like stepping back in time. The UNESCO-protected old district of the city, with its classic mosques, minarets, madrassas, artisan studios, caravanserais, and neighborhood restaurants, still has a genuine vibe. Nestled around the man-made Labi Hovuz pool, the center plaza has a distinct ambiance and serves as an excellent spot to take in the architecture, relish regional cuisine, indulge in tea or ice cream, haggle with souvenir vendors, or simply relax on a sunny seat. 

In Bukhara, there are several places you simply must see. Make time to see the impressive madrassas of Mir-i-Arab, Nadir Divanbegi, and Abdul Aziz Khan, the fascinating Sitorai Mohi Hosa summer house, the Ark, which was formerly the home of the Emir of Bukhara, and the Kalon Minaret. 

Rishtan

Rishtan is perhaps the world's city with the highest concentration of ceramic artisans. There are ceramic products for sale on both sides of the highway as soon as you reach the town, but you should wait to buy them because local craftspeople's studios have superior, more genuine pieces.

A millennium ago, Rishtan's glazed pottery gained fame due to its distinct soil, which is the most abundant supply of terracotta clay in the area. The traditional methods of Uzbek ceramic art have been preserved and popularized thanks to the renowned studios of Rustam Usmanov and Alister Nazirov. However, the city has plenty of talented artisans and ceramics studios catering to various preferences and price ranges.

Margilan

The Fergana Valley city of Margilan is a fantastic place to learn about the history of ikat, the weaving of textiles with motifs pre-dyed into the fibers. This brings us from historical places to artistic ones. Although this distinctive weaving method has grown on its own around the world, notably in Indonesia, Japan, India, and Latin America, Uzbek ikat gained particular notoriety along the Silk Road due to its high caliber and the wide range of ikat textiles manufactured from silk, cotton, and velvet. 

Margilan is a quaint little town where you may visit the Yodgorlik Factory, a long-standing manufacturer of Central Asian ikat, talk to contemporary weavers at nearby craft centers, or simply take in the bounty of the neighborhood farmers market and the relaxed atmosphere of this mostly agricultural region.

Zaamin National Park

Zaamin National Park is a great place to see the wildlife animals

Because of its pristine natural beauty, Zaamin National Park is one of Uzbekistan's numerous gorgeous mountain regions that occupies a particular place in the hearts of the people who live there. This charming location east of Samarkand was well-known to locals but undiscovered by international visitors until recently. Zaamin's beautiful and plentiful environment is said to offer therapeutic effects; in fact, the area is sometimes likened to Switzerland.

Here, you may find a wide variety of unusual plants and animals, such as black storks, black bears, lynx, and snow leopards, as well as friendly, genuine residents. Visitors come here in the summer and winter to stay in the new international hotels in the region and run the June Zaamin Ultramarathon. There's also a gorgeous lake-like reservoir and excellent hiking routes. 

Planning your trip to explore the best cities to visit in Uzbekistan by applying Uzbek e-visa

Since the Uzbek e-visa system was implemented, organizing a trip to explore the best cities to visit in Uzbekistan has been easier. Travelers may easily receive their visa online without having to physically visit an embassy by applying for an e-visa through the GVC website. The procedure is simple just complete an online application, send in the necessary paperwork, and electronically pay the visa cost. With the e-visa, visitors may enter Uzbekistan easily and spend less time dealing with red tape as they take in the country's breathtaking scenery and rich cultural history. To account for processing time and any unanticipated delays, make sure you apply well in advance of your trip dates.