8 Best Things to Do in Uzbekistan
A Hidden Gem in Central Asia, Uzbekistan is a Magical Country on the Silk Road
Guest Blog by Nadine Blamberger
Khiva is an amazing place & one of the best things to do in Uzbekistan. Photo by Federico Mata on Unsplash
Why Go to Uzbekistan?
Travel to Uzbekistan if you like: Historic places, beautiful lakes, breathtaking architecture. It has 2,000-year-old cities — Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva — amazing architecture, and a lake in the middle of the steppe.
The Silk Road: The world's first trade route passed through present-day Uzbekistan, the Silk Road. It contributed to the exchange of goods and ideas for more than 1,500 years.
From ancient times to the Middle Ages, the Silk Road consisted of different trade routes that connected China with the rest of the Far East, Middle East, and Europe.
The city of Tashkent, Uzbekistan's present-day capital, was one of the major trading centers along the Silk Road, and remains to this day one of the largest exporters of cotton, silk, and textiles to Eastern Europe.
🧢 What to bring: Bring a hat, hiking shoes, a head scarf (for ladies to enter mosques), and sunscreen if you come in summer. The less weight you bring in your bag, the better, as you will likely want to take home souvenirs you will find here 😄
Things to do in Uzbekistan: Start in Tashkent
Start your journey in Tashkent, the capital city, and check out the oldest local market in the country: Chorsu Bazaar.
From food to clothes to kitchenware to souvenirs or electronics. Whatever it is, you will find it here. We were looking for an adapter and spices and found both in no time.
Add Minor Mosque (pictured - photo by Nadine Blamberger) to your Tashkent list. If you are a woman, bring a head scarf so you will be allowed to enter. Minor Mosque was completed in 2014 and can house more than 7,000 worshippers.
🔥 Hot tip: Beware that before and after the Friday prayer it will be crowded. The prayers take place from 12am to 2pm.
2. Eat Delicious Somsas/Samsas
🔥 Hot tip: Across from the Minor mosque's entrance and across the road, there are steps down to the riverside and a beer garden-like restaurant. You won't find actual beer here, but the best somsa in town (called samsa in some areas).
Somsa (pictured - photo by Nadine Blamberger) is a classic of Uzbek street food. It is composed of a flour and butter pastry filled with minced beef or lamb. Here it’s served with a typical Uzbek tomato dip and kompot for drinks.
3. Magic City: One of the Top Things to do in Uzbekistan
Are you into Disney and fairy tales? Then Magic City, an attraction in central Tashkent, is the place for you! (pictured, photo by Nadine Blamberger).
The entrance is free. It’s an especially great place for kids, because they have it all: a games hall, a Disney castle, paddle boats, movies, and more.
🍲 You can also bring your own food and have a picnic in the close-by park and wait until the sun goes down to enjoy the fountain and lights show.
🔥 Hot tip: Check out the fountain and light show at Magic City, every night at 9pm. If you want to get soaked, stay close to the water :) The first 3 to 5 rows get wet! (we were in the 2nd row and... got soaked 🤣).
3. Samarkand: One of the Oldest Cities in Central Asia & Best Things to do in Uzbekistan
Start out at Registan Square in Samarkand (50,000 sums/ 3,80€ entrance fee).
The ensemble at Registan Square consists of three medreses: Ulugbek Medrese, built in the 15th century, Sherdor Medrese and Tillakori Medrese (both from the 17th century).
When the first medrese was built in the 15th century, all parades, festivals and holidays were held in this square. The Sunday bazaar had its place here, too.
Today there are beautiful backyards in each of the three buildings, with plenty of options to shop for souvenirs, sit down for tea, and soak up the unique atmosphere.
🚞 Getting there: Take a train from Tashkent to Samarkand (3,5 hrs, 90,000 sums/ 7€).
🔥 Hot tip: Come in the late afternoon and take spectacular pictures with the magical sunset light. Wait until darkness sets in and enjoy the illuminated architecture for more amazing memories and pictures.
Must see: Samarkand is also home to the Gur Emir Mausoleum, the burial place of one of the greatest Mongol Kings, Amir Timur, and his sons and grandsons, the Timurids.
Gur Emir Mausoleum translates to "Tomb of the Commander" and was built at the end of the 14th to the middle of the 15th century. At any time of day and depending on the lighting conditions, the dome color is different, especially in the evening light the play of colors is particularly beautiful. The entrance is beautifully illuminated at night (30,000 sums / 2,30€ entrance fee).
Nadine & her partner at the Nur Fortress, of the best things to do in Uzbekistan. Photo: Nadine Blamberger.
4. The Nurata Mountains: A Hidden Gem of Uzbekistan
🚗 From Samarkand you can take a private car/taxi and make your way up North to the town of Nurata, the mountains of Nurata and Lake Aydarkul. This is one of the best things to do in Uzbekistan.
🚗 It takes about 3 hrs to reach Nurata by car, coming from Samarkand. Stay at Ruslan's Guest House that offers breakfast, clean rooms, a beautiful patio and great food. It is a small town and houses the remains of an ancient fortress, the Nur Fortress, which was erected by Alexander the Great.
🏰 The foundation of this structure dates back to the fourth century BC and is located at the top of a hill. Up there, enjoy a lovely 360 degrees view over the town and the mountains and steppe on the horizon. It is a short hike up, starting from Nurata's main mosque, the Chashma Holy Spirit, and it takes about 30 minutes to reach the top.
🥾 Day hike: Starting from Nurata do a day hike to the nearby small village of Zurkaynar. Experience the local life there. It might well be that a family invites you in for tea or lunch.
It takes about 4-5 hours round trip/return by walking. Bring enough water in summer, as there is no store to buy anything.
5. Hiking in the Nurata Mountains: Getting out into Uzbekistan’s Nature
The Nurata Mountains (pictured, photo by Nadine Blamberger) are a real hidden gem in the area. They’re the perfect spot for you if you like to leave the crowds behind. This is my top tip for Uzbekistan if you are into nature and hiking. You will get rewarded there with amazing views and the most friendly and hospitable people.
🥾 Go for a hike in these mountains less traveled. In Ukhum you can stay at Ulugbek's Guest House, which is located at the end of the village.
🚗 The road is narrow and rocky, so keep in mind that not every driver might take you to the doorstep. Our driver actually quit some 1.5 km before we reached the place and we walked the rest of the way. But this is all part of the adventure.
🚗 Getting there: It takes about 3 hrs by car to reach Ukhum, which is your starting point for hikes in the area. There are no buses going from Nurata to Ukhum, so make sure to find a driver in Nurata who takes you there. The best place to find a driver in Nurata is in front of the main mosque. The ride costs around 20$.
🛏️ Where to stay: One night at the guest house costs 30 $ per person and it includes breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
🥾 Hiking details:
Start your hike in the Nurata mountains from the guest house and make your way to the neighboring village of Hayat for a first stop.
The hike from Ukhum to Hayat takes around 1,5 hrs. Stroll through the little village and have a tea in one of the hotels, i.e. Hayat Guest House.
Continue along the main road through the village until you reach the last house. Take a right turn away from the main road and make your way up the mountain. You can see a walking trail that leads up to the pass. It takes around 45 minutes from the main road to reach the pass.
From the top you have a beautiful view of the Ukhum valley and the surroundings.
Beware that there are no signposts here that show the way. You can either ask a local at the main road for the way back to Ukhum or use an app for offline maps (e.g. maps.me).
🔥 Hot tip: Don't feel shy to ask locals for drinking water. They will be happy to fill your bottles from their wells. The water is fresh and revitalizing. We had a lot of water from different wells (and buckets…) and absolutely no problem digesting it.
6. Lake Aydarkul: Wonderful Swimming & Hidden Gem. A Great Thing to do in Uzbekistan
Lake Aydarkul is like a mirage in the middle of the Uzbek steppe. It consists of fresh and salt water and is the perfect refreshment after the bumpy car ride.
We came here just for a short stopover and a swim, but there are also some few options to stay the night. You can stay at a yurt camp along the shore in the west.
🔥 Hot tip: Bring your swimsuit for the lake! After the ride through the Uzbek steppe there is nothing more refreshing than taking a swim in the lake.
🚗 Getting there: From Ukhum it takes about 2 hrs to get to Aydarkul Lake. A private car or taxi are the only options to reach the lake.
7. Bukhara: Ancient Persian city: A Must-Do in Uzbekistan
🚞 After you have spent some time in the countryside, come back by car to Samarkand and take the train to Bukhara (3,5 hrs, 90,000 sums/ 7€).
This town is my favorite one in Uzbekistan. You can easily spend 3 days here and enjoy the atmosphere that is both relaxed and lively at the same time.
Bukhara is more than 2,000 years old and was a major trade and crafts center along the silk road. Its historic city center is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1993.
With its unique architecture, the famous Kalyan Minaret from 1127 AD, the Ark, the city fortress, covered bazaars, carpets and handicraft, you will feel as if you have entered the universe of Aladdin.
🔥 Hot tip: For delicious vegetables and fruits at amazingly cheap prices, leave the city center to the West gate and walk 10 minutes until you reach the local market. Make sure to taste the peaches and take home a watermelon 💪🏽 This may be the best one you will ever taste. A 10 kg watermelon costs less than 2€ and can last for 4 days…
8. Khiva: One of the Most Wonderful Things to Do in Uzbekistan
🚞 Take the night train from Bukhara (8,5 hrs, 255,000 sums/10,50€) and wake up early in the morning to the town of Khiva in the far west of Uzbekistan, close to the border of Turkmenistan.
I recommend spending 2 days here. The old city center with its famous landmark — the half finished blue minaret — are impressive.
🔥 Hot tip: Get an ice cream from one of the many mini markets (blombir is my top choice: vanilla cone in a waffle, 0,35€), take a seat on a bench with views of the old city, and enjoy the moment as the sun slowly sets.
🚗 Day trips: From Khiva you can take a private car to the Aral Sea for a day trip (100 kms) and see the shipwrecks in Moynak in this remote area. Pass by Topraq-Kala (10,000 sums /0,75€ entrance fee) the former royal residence of the kings, on your way back to town.
Take the night train back to Tashkent again (14 hrs, 315,000 sums/ 15€).
Practical tips for visiting Uzbekistan
🛂 Visa: A visa is NOT required for EU passport holders, and you can stay up to 30 days. Americans have to apply for an eVisa to enter Uzbekistan. You can stay up to 30 days and it costs 20$ for a single entry, the double entry visa is 35$ and the multiple is 50$.
Getting around:
🚌 City transportation: Public transportation is the cheapest way you can get around in Uzbekistan’s cities. A metro or bus ticket costs you 1,400 sums (0,18 €).
🚆 Intercity connections: The train is often the best choice to travel from one city to the next & get to the best things to do in Uzbekistan outside the cities. Make sure to book your ticket online in advance, since the trains book out fast. Especially when you decide to take a night train (for example from Khiva back to Tashkent). Use the Uzbekistan railways website, register on the site, book your ticket, and you are good to go 🙌🏼
🚗 You can also cover longer distances with private cars or taxis. Prices vary according to your bargaining ability :) But drivers can bring you to more remote places like Aydarkul Lake or Aral Sea.
Woman weaving a rug in Uzbekistan. Photo by Joel Heard on Unsplash
Important to know about visiting Uzbekistan:
🛏️ If you stay longer than 3 days in Uzbekistan, it is mandatory to get a registration of each of your stays in hotels/guest houses. Tell the hotel staff you are in need of a registration and they will hand it out to you on the day of your check out. It can either be print or digital.
Upon leaving the country immigration officers might ask you about it. They asked me at the airport and I showed my collection of the printed out registrations and was ready to show the digital ones, too. But in the end, he didn't check on them. Beware that some hotels will ask you an extra charge for the registration. Sometimes it is included in the room price. Sometimes it is not.
Nadine Travel Berger, our guest blogger, in Uzbekistan in 2023.
About the guest blog author: Nadine Blamberger
After 10 years of working in an office job from 9 to 5, Nadine quit her job, left her apartment, and got rid of almost all of her possessions. She started an open-ended journey in December 2022, together with her partner from Nepal. They are currently traveling in Southeast, Central, and South Asia.
Note from the editor — child labor improvement. Uzbekistan has been at the center of child labor campaigns because of Uzbek cotton for over a decade. In good news, there was a major improvement in 2022, with government-imposed forced labor lifted. It was a major victory in the fight against child labor.
Hi! We’re Sasha & Megnote
We’ve traveled to 50 countries on 5 continents & have been full-time travelers for the past 2 years with our now 5-year-old son. He now teaches us how to skateboard…
We got engaged in Bolivia, started a nonprofit in Uganda, and love outdoor adventures (& a good pisco sour).
We’re writing the book Travel More, Spend Less to help people get to full-time travel.
We’re passionate about finding hidden travel gems & off the beaten path destinations, and we want to share our tips with you. Come explore with us!