Asia · Central Asia

Uzbekistan

Republic of Uzbekistan

Flag of Uzbekistan
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+05:00
🏛️ Capital
Tashkent
👥 Population
37,859,698
📐 Area
447,400 km²
💱 Currency
Uzbekistani soʻm (so'm)
🗣️ Languages
Russian, Uzbek
📞 Calling Code
+998
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+05:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Central Asia

About Uzbekistan

Standing at the crossroads of ancient civilisations, Uzbekistan beckons with its extraordinary heritage of Silk Road cities, ornate Islamic architecture, and a warmth you'll feel from the very first cup of green tea pressed into your hands. Whether you're wandering the labyrinthine old city of Bukhara or gazing in awe at the mosaic-tiled domes of Samarkand, every step rewards you with history layered upon history, stretching back more than two millennia.

Beyond its storied monuments, Uzbekistan surprises with dramatic landscapes that shift from the sun-bleached Kyzylkum Desert to the lush Fergana Valley and the rugged Tian Shan foothills. You'll discover bazaars bursting with hand-dyed silk, freshly baked non bread, and mountains of sweet Fergana melons. Street food vendors, caravanserai courtyards, and centuries-old madrasas fill daily life with a sense of continuous living history that few destinations can match.

Despite opening up significantly to international tourists in recent years, Uzbekistan retains an authenticity that feels rare. Locals are famously hospitable, and you're likely to find yourself invited into homes for plov dinners and evenings of traditional music. Modern Tashkent provides a comfortable base with excellent transport links across the country, while smaller towns like Shakhrisabz and Khiva offer intimate encounters with a world that seems untouched by the rush of modernity. Uzbekistan is not simply a destination — it is a sensory and spiritual journey along one of history's greatest trade routes.

History & Background

Uzbekistan's history reads like an epic novel. Samarkand, one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia, has been a nexus of commerce and culture for at least 2,700 years. Alexander the Great captured it in 329 BCE, calling it "the most beautiful city I have ever seen." The region then fell under a succession of empires — Achaemenid, Seleucid, Kushana, and eventually the Islamic Caliphate in the 7th century CE — each leaving architectural and cultural imprints that you can still observe today.

The 14th-century Turco-Mongol conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) made Samarkand his imperial capital and filled it with masterpieces of Islamic architecture funded by Silk Road tribute. His descendants, the Timurids, fostered a golden age of arts and science. The Russian Empire absorbed the region in the late 19th century, and Soviet rule from 1924 reshaped borders, society, and infrastructure. Independence in 1991 opened a new chapter, and Uzbekistan has since steadily reclaimed and celebrated its pre-Soviet heritage, restoring mosques, madrasas, and the memory of great medieval scholars like Al-Biruni and Ibn Sina.

Culture & People

Uzbek culture is a rich tapestry woven from Persian, Turkic, Mongolian, and Russian threads, shaped by centuries of trade and conquest along the Silk Road. The majority of the population is Muslim and Islam permeates daily life through prayer calls echoing from minarets, intricate tilework on religious buildings, and the rhythms of Ramadan. Yet Uzbek society is notably open and pluralistic, with a long tradition of welcoming strangers and honouring guests.

Craftsmanship is central to cultural identity here. Artisans in Bukhara still hand-carve wooden doors and paint papier-mâché ornaments using techniques passed down through generations. Samarkand produces famous handmade paper — identical in process to that used by medieval scholars — while Fergana Valley weavers create ikat silk with mesmerising geometric patterns. Traditional music, particularly the shashmaqam classical form, remains deeply cherished, and colourful national celebrations like Navruz in March fill public squares with dancing, wrestling, and communal feasts.

Food & Cuisine

Uzbek cuisine is hearty, communal, and built around the tandoor oven and the kazan — a deep cast-iron cauldron used to prepare the nation's most celebrated dish: plov. This fragrant rice dish, slow-cooked with lamb, carrots, onions, chickpeas, and aromatic spices, is prepared by men at large gatherings and considered a form of art. Samarkand and Fergana both claim their own superior versions, sparking friendly regional rivalries. Alongside plov, you'll encounter samsa — flaky pastries stuffed with lamb or pumpkin — and lagman, hand-pulled noodles in a rich meat broth influenced by neighbouring China.

Street food culture thrives in Uzbek bazaars. Tandoor-baked non bread, puffy and hot from the clay oven, accompanies every meal. Shashlik — skewered lamb or beef grilled over charcoal — fills the air with irresistible smoke in every market. Seasonal melons and grapes are legendary in quality, and the Fergana Valley's dried fruits and walnuts make excellent gifts. Green tea, served in a small kosa bowl, flows endlessly throughout the day, while the slightly tangy fermented mare's milk known as qimiz appears in more rural areas. Uzbek hospitality demands that your table is never empty.

Top Attractions

  • Registan Square, Samarkand — Three soaring, tile-clad madrasas enclosing a grand plaza that defined the heart of Timur's empire and remains the most iconic sight in Central Asia.
  • Old City of Bukhara — A UNESCO-listed ensemble of mosques, caravanserais, and bazaar domes largely unchanged since the 9th century, best explored on foot at dusk.
  • Itchan Kala, Khiva — A perfectly preserved walled inner city of turquoise-tiled minarets and mud-brick palaces that feels like stepping into a living open-air museum.
  • Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, Samarkand — A spine-tingling avenue of royal mausoleums adorned in the most exquisite azure and cobalt tilework in the Timurid world.
  • Fergana Valley — Lush agricultural heartland dotted with silk workshops, pottery villages, and bustling bazaars, framed by the snow-capped peaks of the Tian Shan.
  • Aral Sea — The haunting graveyard of stranded fishing vessels on the former seabed offers one of the world's most powerful environmental lessons and a uniquely surreal landscape.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Dress modestly when visiting mosques and madrasas — cover shoulders and knees; women should carry a headscarf.
  • Carry small denomination Uzbekistani so'm for bazaar purchases; market vendors rarely have change for large notes.
  • Register your accommodation within three days of arrival — most hotels handle this automatically, but check if staying with a host family.
  • Download the offline maps for Uzbekistan before arriving; English signage is limited outside Tashkent.
  • Book train tickets on the high-speed Afrosiyob service between Samarkand and Tashkent well in advance during peak season.
  • Bargaining is expected in bazaars but not in fixed-price shops — start at roughly half the asking price and negotiate with a smile.
  • Tap water is not reliably safe to drink; stick to bottled water and avoid ice in drinks at small local establishments.

Visa Overview

Citizens of many countries, including the EU, UK, USA, Canada, and Australia, can enter Uzbekistan visa-free for stays of up to 30 days. Most other nationalities can obtain an e-visa through the official Uzbekistan e-visa portal before departure — the process typically takes three to five business days and costs around USD 20. You'll need a valid passport with at least six months remaining, a return ticket, and proof of accommodation. Check the latest requirements with your nearest Uzbek embassy before travelling, as visa policies have evolved rapidly in recent years.

Getting Around

Uzbekistan has excellent internal connectivity. High-speed Afrosiyob trains link Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara quickly and comfortably; book tickets through the official railway website or at station counters. Shared taxis (known as marshrutkas) fill gaps between smaller towns at very low cost. Domestic flights connect Tashkent to Urgench (gateway to Khiva) and Fergana in under two hours. In cities, Yandex Go and Uber operate reliably. Tashkent has a clean, efficient metro system that is excellent for navigating the capital.

Safety Notes

Uzbekistan is generally a safe destination for travellers. Petty theft in crowded bazaars and pickpocketing near tourist sites are the most common concerns — keep valuables secure and stay alert. Avoid photographing military installations, government buildings, or border areas, as this can attract unwanted police attention. Solo female travellers report feeling comfortable in most areas, though modest dress and confident body language help. Road conditions outside major cities can be poor, so if renting a car or hiring a driver, choose carefully.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Uzbekistan.

Uzbekistani soʻm (UZS) so'm
Updated: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000804
AAVE 0.000000
ADA 0.000315
AED 0.000312
AFN 0.005493
AKT 0.000111
ALGO 0.000662
ALL 0.006973
AMD 0.030755
AMP 0.132578
ANG 0.000153
AOA 0.077872
APE 0.000531
APT 0.000104
AR 0.000019
ARB 0.000417
ARS 0.129211
ATOM 0.000047
ATS 0.001043
AUD 0.000122
AVAX 0.000007
AWG 0.000152
AXS 0.000065
AZM 0.722608
AZN 0.000145
BAKE 0.331205
BAM 0.000148
BAT 0.000806
BBD 0.000170
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.010450
BEF 0.003058
BGN 0.000148
BHD 0.000032
BIF 0.255411
BMD 0.000085
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000109
BOB 0.001020
BRL 0.000425
BSD 0.000085
BSV 0.000004
BSW 0.206590
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.001217
BTG 0.000129
BTN 0.008197
BTT 228.667946
BUSD 0.000085
BWP 0.001170
BYN 0.000259
BYR 1.666457
BZD 0.000171
CAD 0.000121
CAKE 0.000035
CDF 0.196461
CELO 0.000817
CFX 0.001549
CHF 0.000071
CHZ 0.005082
CLP 0.082719
CNH 0.000570
CNY 0.000570
COMP 0.000003
COP 0.271921
CRC 0.038900
CRO 0.001252
CRV 0.000231
CSPR 0.033327
CUC 0.000085
CUP 0.002036
CVE 0.008359
CVX 0.000038
CYP 0.000044
CZK 0.001854
DAI 0.000085
DASH 0.000001
DCR 0.000005
DEM 0.000148
DFI 0.093016
DJF 0.015124
DKK 0.000567
DOGE 0.000897
DOP 0.005095
DOT 0.000069
DYDX 0.000582
DZD 0.011428
EEK 0.001186
EGLD 0.000019
EGP 0.004457
ENJ 0.002568
EOS 0.000837
ERN 0.001275
ESP 0.012612
ETB 0.013828
ETC 0.000010
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000076
EURC 0.000076
FEI 0.000085
FIL 0.000071
FIM 0.000451
FJD 0.000191
FKP 0.000064
FLOW 0.002687
FLR 0.011794
FRAX 0.000086
FRF 0.000497
FTT 0.000329
GALA 0.035088
GBP 0.000064
GEL 0.000221
GGP 0.000064
GHC 9.994518
GHS 0.000999
GIP 0.000064
GMD 0.006292
GMX 0.000010
GNF 0.747436
GNO 0.000001
GRD 0.025830
GRT 0.002920
GT 0.000008
GTQ 0.000649
GUSD 0.000085
GYD 0.017746
HBAR 0.000844
HKD 0.000667
HNL 0.002279
HNT 0.000164
HOT 0.185631
HRK 0.000571
HT 0.002331
HTG 0.011109
HUF 0.027846
ICP 0.000024
IDR 1.523003
IEP 0.000060
ILS 0.000260
IMP 0.000064
IMX 0.000464
INJ 0.000011
INR 0.008197
IQD 0.111139
IRR 152.895542
ISK 0.010380
ITL 0.146774
JEP 0.000064
JMD 0.013453
JOD 0.000060
JPY 0.013441
KAS 0.001982
KAVA 0.001226
KCS 0.000011
KDA 0.008707
KES 0.011035
KGS 0.007435
KHR 0.344391
KLAY 0.002041
KMF 0.037292
KNC 0.000594
KPW 0.076521
KRW 0.114125
KSM 0.000017
KWD 0.000026
KYD 0.000071
KZT 0.038704
LAK 1.907552
LBP 7.666565
LDO 0.000186
LEO 0.000010
LINK 0.000006
LKR 0.028040
LRC 0.008280
LRD 0.014507
LSL 0.001415
LTC 0.000001
LTL 0.000262
LUF 0.003058
LUNA 0.001665
LUNC 1.607760
LVL 0.000053
LYD 0.000545
MAD 0.000848
MANA 0.000822
MBX 0.002874
MDL 0.001524
MGA 0.376469
MGF 1.882344
MINA 0.000631
MKD 0.004664
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.178454
MNT 0.305632
MOP 0.000687
MRO 0.034036
MRU 0.003404
MTL 0.000033
MUR 0.004030
MVR 0.001314
MWK 0.147141
MXN 0.001537
MXV 0.000175
MYR 0.000347
MZM 5.426224
MZN 0.005426
NAD 0.001415
NEAR 0.000016
NEO 0.000034
NEXO 0.000100
NFT 356.254894
NGN 0.112389
NIO 0.003125
NLG 0.000167
NOK 0.000816
NPR 0.013121
NZD 0.000152
OKB 0.000001
OMR 0.000033
ONE 0.000580
OP 0.000632
ORDI 0.000019
PAB 0.000085
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000293
PEPE 19.656611
PGK 0.000383
PHP 0.005343
PI 0.000974
PKR 0.023506
PLN 0.000332
POL 0.000777
PTE 0.015197
PYG 0.496637
QAR 0.000309
QNT 0.000000
QTUM 0.000087
ROL 4.051912
RON 0.000405
RPL 0.000044
RSD 0.008903
RUB 0.007212
RUNE 0.000109
RVN 0.034649
RWF 0.125305
SAND 0.001293
SAR 0.000319
SBD 0.000686
SCR 0.001204
SDD 5.102230
SDG 0.051022
SEK 0.000854
SGD 0.000109
SHIB 14.522574
SHP 0.000064
SIT 0.018165
SKK 0.002284
SLE 0.001960
SLL 1.959932
SNX 0.000340
SOL 0.000001
SOS 0.048368
SPL 0.000014
SRD 0.003205
SRG 3.205431
SSP 0.486830
STD 1.870324
STN 0.001870
STX 0.000227
SUI 0.000071
SVC 0.000744
SYP 1.105473
SZL 0.001415
THB 0.002861
THETA 0.000367
TJS 0.000782
TMM 1.491689
TMT 0.000298
TND 0.000254
TOP 0.000205
TRL 4,180.494115
TRX 0.000253
TRY 0.004180
TTD 0.000576
TUSD 0.000085
TVD 0.000122
TWD 0.002702
TWT 0.000149
TZS 0.224293
UAH 0.003829
UGX 0.341759
UNI 0.000010
USD 0.000085
USDC 0.000085
USDD 0.000085
USDP 0.000086
USDT 0.000085
UYU 0.003434
VAL 0.146774
VEB 7,402,165.908751
VED 0.074022
VEF 7,402.165909
VES 0.074022
VET 0.009742
VND 2.209907
VUV 0.010219
WAVES 0.000285
WEMIX 0.000444
WOO 0.006210
WST 0.000237
XAF 0.049723
XAG 0.000001
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000230
XCG 0.000153
XCH 0.000054
XDC 0.002530
XDR 0.000063
XEC 10.660544
XEM 0.135406
XLM 0.000394
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.049723
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.009046
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000057
XTZ 0.000254
YER 0.020080
ZAR 0.001415
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.023297
ZMK 1.680709
ZMW 0.001681
ZWD 0.030766
ZWG 0.002276
ZWL 5.686820

No currencies match your search.

Cities in Uzbekistan 497
Browse all cities and towns
Abdukarim Ahunabayev Akkurgon Almazar Altınkól Altyarik Andijon Andijon Angor Angren Angren Aqmanǵıt Arnasoy QFY Asaka Asaka Avazali Avval Aytim Badahshon Bagʻdod Baht Baliqchi Bandixon Bekobod Bekobod Bektemir Beruni Beruniy Besarik Besbulok Beshariq Beshkent Beshrabot Beskent Bo'ka Bo'ston Bo'ston (Bo'z) Bo‘yrachi MFY Bog'don Bog'ot Bog‘bon MFY Boʻston Boʻston Boshdarxon MFY Boysun Boysun Boz Buhoro Buka Bulish Buloqboshi Bulungʻur Bulungur Bunyodkor Bunyodkor MFY Bustan Buston Buvayda Buxoro Camboy Cangeldi Carhin Carkurgon Cartak Celak Ceynau Charxin Chelak Chig'iriq Chimgan Chimyon Chinobod Chinoz Chirchiq Chiroqchi Cho'lquvar QFY Chorshanbe Chorvoq Chuvilloq Cimboy Cingeldi Cinoz Cirakci Circik Cizah Cuma Cust Dahbed Dahbed Dang'ara Darvoza QFY Dashtobod Dehkanobod Dehqonobod Dehqonobod Denau Denau Denov Dinau Do'stlik Do'stlik Do'stobod Drujba Dustlik Elbayon Eshong'uzor Eski Yakkabogʻ Eski-Jomboy Eski-Olimkent Eskiarab Farg'ona Fargona Forish QFY G`oliblar G'allaorol G'allaquduq G'ijduvon G'ozg'on Gagarin Gagarin Gajdumak Gala Osiyo Galaosiye Gallaorol Gandumtosh Gazalkent Gazli Gazli Gʻazalkent Gʻijduvon Gʻuzor Gijduvon Gozgon Guliston Gulobod Gumbaz Gurkirov Gurlan Gurlan Guzor Hakkulobod Halkobod Hamza Hamza Hazorasp Hazorasp Heva Hisorak Hocaobod Honko Honobod Hovos Hucayli Ibrat Ilg'or Ilyichevsk Ingichka Ipak-Yo'li QFY Ipoq Ishtixon Iskandar Iskandar Iskavat Ispanza Istihon Izboskan Jalaquduq Janubiy Olamushuk Jarariq Jarqo‘rg‘on Jaslıq Jeynov Jibek-jo'li Jizzax Jo'sh Jomboy Jondor Jozmon MFY Juma Jumabozor Kakaydi Kalkuduk Kallig Kamasi Karabag Karabagis Karauzyak Karmana Karmana Karsi Kasbi Kasbi Katqal'a Kattakurgon Kattaming Kattaqo'rg'on Kegayli Kegeyli Keles Keles Keskanterak Kibray Kirgili Kitob Kitob Kizilravbe Kiziltepa Kizketken Ko'kdala Kogon Kogon Komiljon Otaniyozov MFY Konimeh Konimex Korakul Korovulbazar Koson Koson Kosonsoy Kozokdaryo Krasnogorskiy Kuchkak Kukca Kukon Kumkurgon Kungirot Kurgontepa Kuskupir Kusrobod Kuva Kuvasoy Kuyganyor Kuyluk Lalmikor Langar Loyish Madaniyat Mahallai-Mirishkor Malikrabot Mangit Mańǵıt Marcanbulok Marg'ilon Margilon Marhamat Marhomat Marjonbuloq Maydayap Maygir Maymanak Maymanoq Mesekli Minbulok Mirbozor Miroqi Mirzaqishloq MFY Mitan Moynaq Muborak Muborak Mug'lon Muqimiy Muruntov Muynok Namangan Navbahor Navoi Navoiy Nayman Nazarbek Nisbot MFY Nishon Nókis Novdak Nukus Nurafshon Nurbuloq Nuriston Nurlı yol Nurobod Nurobod Nurobod Nurota Nurota Nursux O'rtasaroy O'zanon Ohangaron Ohangaron Oʻsmat Oktos Oktyabrskiy Olimkent Olmalik Olmaliq Olot Olot Oltiariq Oltinko'l Omongeldi QFY Oqoltin Oqqo'rg'on Oqqo'rg'on Oqtosh Oyim Oyokkuduk Ozod-Vatan Pahtakor Pahtaobod Parkent Parkent Paskurd Paxtakor Paxtakor Paxtaobod Payariq Paysanba Payshanba Paytug Peshku Piskent Pitnak Po'lati Pomuq Pop Poytug‘ Pskent Qalqonota Qamashi Qangliobod Qanlıkól Qaraózek Qaraqalpaqstan Qarliq Qarshi Qaynar MFY Qazanketken Qibray Qilichboy Qiziltepa Qiziltepa Qiziltog' Qo'rg'ontepa Qo'ytosh Qo‘qon Qoʻshkoʻpir Qoʻshrabot Qońırat Qorako'l Qoraqursoq Qorashina Qorasuv Qoraul Qorovulbozor Qovchin Qumqishloq Qumqo‘rg‘on Quva Quvasoy Quyi Beshrabot Rapkan Rishton Riston Romitan Romitan Safirkon Sahrihan Sahrisabz Salar Salar Samarkand Samarqand Sargun Sariasiya Sariosiyo Sariq Sariqtepa MFY Serobod Shahrisabz Shahrixon Shalxar Sharg'un Shayxali Sherali Sherobod Shımbay Sho'rchi SHO‘RSU Shofirkon Shomanay Shovot Sirdare Sirin Soldatski Sovot Sultonobod Superfosfatniy Surci Suvhovuzi Tahiatos Tahtakupir Talimarcon Tallimarjon Taqıyatas Tashkent Taxtakópir Termiz Termiz Toʻrtkoʻl Tomdibulok Tomdibuloq Topolino Tórtkúl Tosbulok Toshloq Toskent Toslok Toyloq Turakurgon Turpokkala Turtkul Tuyabo'g'iz Tuytepa Uchkoʻprik Uchqizil Uchquduq Uchtepa Uckuduk Uckurgon Ulyanovo Unhoyat Urganch Urgenc Urgut Urgut Urtaaul Urtacim Uyci Uzun Uzunkuduk Vang'ozi Vobkent Vobkent Vodil Vodnik Xalqabad Xalqobod Xalqobod Xartum Xiva Xoʻjaobod Xojeli Xonbandi Xonobod Xonobod Xonqa Yakkabog Yakkabog' Yangi Andijon Yangi Marg'ilon Yangi Mirishkor Yangi Nishon Yangiariq Yangibozor Yangibozor Yangibozor Yangihayot Yangiobod Yangiobod Yangiqo'rg'on Yangirabot Yangiyo'l Yanikurgon Yaninison Yaniobod Yanirobod Yaniyer Yaniyul Yaypan Yaypan Yozyovon Yuqori G'azberon Zafar Zafarobod Zafarobod Zan Zarafshon Zarafson Zarbdor Zarkent Zarmetan Zavroq Ziadin Ziyovuddin Zomin Zomin Кантубек (Аральск-7)

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Uzbekistan needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Uzbekistan?
The capital of Uzbekistan is Tashkent.
What currency does Uzbekistan use?
Uzbekistan uses the Uzbekistani soʻm (so'm) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Uzbekistan?
The official language(s) of Uzbekistan include Russian, Uzbek.
What is the population of Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan has a population of approximately 37,859,698 people.
What region is Uzbekistan in?
Uzbekistan is located in Asia, specifically in the Central Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Uzbekistan?
The international dialing code for Uzbekistan is +998.
What time zones does Uzbekistan observe?
Uzbekistan observes the following time zone(s): UTC+05:00.
What is the current time in Uzbekistan?
The local time in Uzbekistan is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Uzbekistan?
Uzbekistan covers a total area of 447,400 km².
How many states or provinces does Uzbekistan have?
Uzbekistan is divided into 24 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Uzbekistan in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Uzbekistan in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Uzbekistan?
Visa requirements for citizens of Uzbekistan vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.