Tourist Attractions in Uzbekistan

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Uzbekistan

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan is a bright, enthusiastic country of the East. It is simply impossible to count all the mosques, madrasas, mausoleums and minarets in the country. It is also impossible to convey their beauty. It is necessary to see it.

Many roads of the Great Silk Road passed through Uzbekistan. Uzbek cities grew up on this road of wealth and contact of cultures. Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva are dotted with magical architecture, they will captivate everyone who sees them at least once in his life.

One can endlessly describe the shrines and citadels of Uzbekistan, but besides that, it is rich in nature. Many tourists pass through the hot Kyzylkum desert, and then go to the picturesque Fergana Valley or the Chimgan Mountains. There are all conditions for a holiday there.

Uzbekistan is an ideal country for a budget tourist, which is not stingy at all on sights and will give inexpressible impressions to everyone who wants to see its beauty or try original Uzbek cuisine.

Top Cities to Visit in Uzbekistan

Tashkent

Let's Discover »

Top-24 Tourist Attractions in Uzbekistan

Tashkent

 0/5

It is the capital of Uzbekistan and is one of the five largest cities in terms of population among the CIS countries. Ancient buildings, mosques, museums and madrasas hide between modern buildings and skyscrapers. And colourful bazaars and markets where you can buy everything are surrounded by modern shopping centres. Tashkent is a very civilised and modern city, ideal to start exploring the East.

Samarkand

 0/5

Samarkand was founded back in the 8th century B.C. It is one of the oldest cities on the planet. For more than two thousand years Samarkand was a key point on the Great Silk Road. It is a precious pearl of Asia, the junction of two worlds – the West and the East. It was an important political, scientific and cultural centre and has preserved a huge number of historical and cultural monuments. The whole city is included in the UNESCO heritage list.

Registan Square

 4.8/5

9774 reviews

This is the heart of Samarkand. Once it was the centre of city life, and after the construction of a beautiful architectural ensemble of XV-XVII centuries, it became its pearl. Three madrassahs: Ulugbek, Shedror, Tillya-Kari encircle the square. Their décor is varied, but they look great together. Today, various cultural events are held on Registan, and tourists start their acquaintance with the city here.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Bukhara

 0/5

It is another city that grew up on the Great Silk Road and has become a real treasure of the East. It was founded 2500 years ago and has developed rapidly since then. Bukhara is called a museum city. The main exhibits here are citadels, mosques, madrassas and mausoleums. Some of them are over 1000 years old, and the Kalon minaret is about 2300 years old. The historical centre of Bukhara is on the UNESCO heritage list.

Khiva

 0/5

A small city, the capital of the Khorezm region, which, according to legend, grew up around a well dug by one of Noah’s sons. Khiva has a huge number of amazing shrines and buildings. The old city, Ichan Kala, was the first site in Central Asia to be protected by UNESCO. During its thousand-year history, fortresses, palaces and mosques were built, which are now admired by tourists.

Ichan Kala

 4.7/5

2252 reviews

This is the old city of Khiva, surrounded by a 2.5 km wall. Its height reaches 10 metres and thickness up to 6 metres. Round defence towers are erected every 30 m in the wall. The city of less than 1 km² has an incredible number of sights. Ichan Kala is a typical eastern ancient city. It is dotted with a lace of narrow, small streets leading to grandiose buildings.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Aral Sea

 4.1/5

1377 reviews

This is a dying sea on the border of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. It once had huge natural reserves and was a very attractive place to live. Due to the withdrawal of water from the rivers, which were the main source of nourishment for the lake, it began to dry up. Today it is divided into two parts: the South (Large) and the North (Small). The Aral Sea was once the fourth largest lake in the world.

Lyabi Khauz

 4.6/5

302 reviews

One of the squares of Bukhara, which was the centre of trade and now has become an object of admiration for tourists and locals. The first structure on the square that has survived to this day was built in 1569. It was the Kukeldash Madrasah, the largest madrasah in Central Asia. Then the Diwan-Beri Madrasah and the Diwan-Begi khanaka appeared on Lyabi-Hauz.

Open time

Observatory of Ulugbek

 4.5/5

2117 reviews

Ulugbek made a huge contribution to world astronomy, explaining the basics of this science and indicating the coordinates of more than 1000 stars. His observatory began to be built in 1424 on the Kuhak hill, and 5 years later it was equipped with an angle meter with a radius of 40.21 metres. The building itself was three storeys high and had a height of 30.4 metres. After Ulugbek’s assassination, the observatory was abandoned. It was found only in 1908.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

 4.7/5

1549 reviews

According to legend, Tamerlane, having returned from a campaign with victory, ordered to build a mosque in honour of his beloved wife. Construction began in 1399, and 5 years later most of the work was completed. The best masters from Khorezm, India, Iran and the Golden Horde worked on the mosque. Grandiose in beauty and size the construction could accommodate 10 thousand people at a time. Bibi-Khanum Mosque is the largest in Central Asia.

Open time

Shah-i-Zinda

 4.8/5

2837 reviews

It is a complex of 14 mausoleums where the Samarkand elite are buried. It was created during 9 centuries, constantly being completed. The ensemble is also called the street-cemetery. The blue domes of mosques and mausoleums, which stretch one after another, resemble an expensive necklace from above. The last structure of the complex is the entrance to the crypt. To see the mausoleums, you have to climb 36 steps.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM

Ark of Bukhara

 4.6/5

2694 reviews

It is the oldest building of Bukhara, rising on a hill, which was manually built by slaves. One and a half thousand years ago, the ruler lived in it, and the foundation of the fortress was laid in the IV-III centuries B.C. The citadel was a place of residence not only for the ruler, but also for poets, scientists and philosophers. It has survived many wars and absorbed all the history of the East.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex

 4.7/5

3489 reviews

Gur-Emir was built by order of Muhammad Sultan in the early 15th century. At first, the complex consisted of a madrasah, where children of Samarkand’s nobility were educated, and a khanak. But after the sudden death of his grandson, the terribly grieving Amir Timur ordered to build a mausoleum, which was to complement the Gur-Emir ensemble. Its interior decoration is rich and luxurious, and at the top of the building is a dome lined with blue mosaic.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Rukhobod Mausoleum

 4.5/5

269 reviews

The mausoleum was built in 1380 by order of Amir Timur right above the tomb of Burhannedin Sagaraja. He was famous for his great contribution to the spread of Islam among the nomads. To pay his respects, the ruler erected the mausoleum of Ruhabad. It is not characterised by opulence or wealth. Everything is very strict and simple, without excessive gloss. Amir Timur himself, passing by the mausoleum, always got off his horse and walked.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Ismail Samani Mausoleum

 4.7/5

757 reviews

It is a vivid representative of early medieval architecture. There are three tombs in the mausoleum, one of them belongs to the son of Ismail Samani. The mausoleum was built in the IX century. It has a symbolic shape of a cube with a dome, and its walls resemble openwork ornamentation. All elements of ornaments merge together and represent a unique example of Central Asian architecture.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Kalan Mosque

 4.8/5

773 reviews

The Kalyan Minaret and Mosque belong to the most beautiful architectural ensemble in the centre of Bukhara. They are located on Registan Square. Kalyan Minaret is the oldest building on the square, it was built in 1127. During its existence it has hardly been repaired. Kalyan Mosque is the second largest mosque in Central Asia, its construction was completed in 1514. It is beautifully decorated with mosaics.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Charvak Reservoir

 4.7/5

314 reviews

After the earthquake in 1966, there was an urgent need for cheap energy. It was decided to build the Charvakskaya TPP. The 168 metre high dam formed a blue, picturesque mountain lake. But its beautiful waters hid important archaeological sites. Once there were ancient settlements at the bottom of the lake. Scientists investigated and photographed them, but now they have completely disappeared.

Amir Temur Square

 4.6/5

2328 reviews

Originally Amir Temur Square under the name of Konstantinovsky Square was laid by order of General Chernyaev in 1882. It was a carriageway and was located at the intersection of the two main streets of the city, which repeated the ancient trade routes. Subsequently, the square was changed many times. Only in 1994 it was renamed and a monument to Amir Temur was erected there.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Tashkent Tower

 0/5

It is the second tallest structure and the tallest TV tower in Central Asia. Its height is 375 metres and it can be seen from anywhere in the city. It was put into operation after 6 years of construction in 1985. Inside the TV tower there is an observation deck, it is placed at a height of 100 metres. A little higher, on two floors, there are restaurants. Their platform revolves around the tower. While eating, you can once again admire the views.

Kyzylkum Desert

 0/5

It is one of the greatest deserts in Eurasia. Its area is 300,000 square kilometres. Even in the shade, temperatures in it rise to 50 degrees Celsius, and the sand heats up to 70-80 degrees Celsius. The longest tourist route between Bukhara and Khiva passes through the Kyzylkum desert. Its length is 450 kilometres. In the desert grow some species of tulips and grasses, live jackals, snakes and birds.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Fergana Valley

 4.4/5

1007 reviews

Among the mountains, almost completely surrounded by green peaks, lies the Fergana Valley. Its territory is 22 thousand km², and together with the area of the Tan-Shan Mountains it makes up almost 80 thousand km². The valley is fed by the waters of the Syr Darya and Naryn rivers and is an ideal place for cattle breeding and farming. There are several interesting towns in the valley, which are periodically visited by tourists.

Greater Chimgan

 4.7/5

122 reviews

The mountains are located 80 kilometres from Tashkent. The mountain range is relatively low, the average height of the mountains is 1500 metres, but it is considered one of the best places for winter holidays in Asia. There are many routes for skiers and hikers in the mountains. There are also conditions for mountaineering. In summer the meadows with flowers are amazingly beautiful. Mountain villages welcome tourists and provide them with accommodation.

Chorsu Bazaar

 4.4/5

6037 reviews

Chorsu is located on Eski Zhuva, the main square of Tashkent. It is an old colourful bazaar, where traders of oriental sweets and spices have been coming for centuries. The bazaar is covered with an ornamented dome, which is meant to save from the heat. It is customary to bargain in this bazaar. A friendly attitude will help you get a good bargain and make excellent purchases.

Open time

Monday: 5:00 AM – 8:15 PM
Tuesday: 5:00 AM – 8:15 PM
Wednesday: 5:00 AM – 8:15 PM
Thursday: 5:00 AM – 8:15 PM
Friday: 5:00 AM – 8:15 PM
Saturday: 5:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 4:30 AM – 9:00 PM

Muynak Ship Cemetery

 4.7/5

99 reviews

Muynak was once one of the two main cargo and fishing ports of the Aral Sea. After the sea began to dry up, fishing fell into decline. The city is frozen in past decades, grasping at the remnants of the once lucrative water. The main attraction is a graveyard of ships no longer needed. The rusted, derelict ships can be touched or even climbed on.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours