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: 2026-07-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.001166
AAVE 0.000001
ADA 0.000445
AED 0.000307
AFN 0.005313
AGIX 0.001071
AKT 0.000133
ALGO 0.000933
ALL 0.006849
AMD 0.030747
AMP 0.187332
ANG 0.000151
AOA 0.076739
APE 0.000596
APT 0.000134
AR 0.000042
ARB 0.001045
ARS 0.124715
ATOM 0.000053
ATS 0.001006
AUD 0.000121
AVAX 0.000012
AWG 0.000150
AXS 0.000083
AZM 0.710239
AZN 0.000142
BAKE 0.111203
BAM 0.000143
BAT 0.000949
BBD 0.000167
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.010300
BEF 0.002948
BGN 0.000143
BHD 0.000031
BIF 0.248751
BMD 0.000084
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000108
BOB 0.000579
BRL 0.000432
BSD 0.000084
BSV 0.000006
BSW 0.249653
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.001577
BTG 0.000290
BTN 0.007961
BTT 315.060657
BUSD 0.000083
BWP 0.001128
BYN 0.000243
BYR 1.637886
BZD 0.000168
CAD 0.000119
CAKE 0.000058
CDF 0.192788
CELO 0.001244
CFX 0.001868
CHF 0.000067
CHZ 0.004628
CLP 0.076973
CNH 0.000567
CNY 0.000567
COMP 0.000005
COP 0.279294
CRC 0.038076
CRO 0.001398
CRV 0.000391
CSPR 0.043024
CUC 0.000084
CUP 0.002214
CVE 0.008059
CVX 0.000069
CYP 0.000043
CZK 0.001768
DAI 0.000084
DASH 0.000002
DCR 0.000008
DEM 0.000143
DFI 0.100573
DJF 0.014881
DKK 0.000546
DOGE 0.001081
DOP 0.004952
DOT 0.000096
DYDX 0.000633
DZD 0.011113
EEK 0.001144
EGLD 0.000030
EGP 0.004105
ENJ 0.002887
EOS 0.001154
ERN 0.001253
ESP 0.012161
ETB 0.013365
ETC 0.000012
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000073
EURC 0.000073
FEI 0.000084
FIL 0.000106
FIM 0.000435
FJD 0.000188
FKP 0.000063
FLOW 0.002982
FLR 0.012021
FRAX 0.000084
FRF 0.000479
FTT 0.000351
GALA 0.036473
GBP 0.000063
GEL 0.000219
GGP 0.000063
GHC 9.492956
GHS 0.000949
GIP 0.000063
GMD 0.006162
GMX 0.000014
GNF 0.732594
GNO 0.000001
GRD 0.024904
GRT 0.004404
GT 0.000012
GTQ 0.000638
GUSD 0.000084
GYD 0.017490
HBAR 0.001107
HKD 0.000655
HNL 0.002237
HNT 0.000349
HOT 0.231550
HRK 0.000551
HT 0.002332
HTG 0.010937
HUF 0.025844
ICP 0.000038
IDR 1.503409
IEP 0.000058
ILS 0.000251
IMP 0.000063
IMX 0.000605
INJ 0.000017
INR 0.007961
IQD 0.109560
IRR 114.982137
ISK 0.010525
ITL 0.141516
JEP 0.000063
JMD 0.013237
JOD 0.000059
JPY 0.013524
KAS 0.002724
KAVA 0.001852
KCS 0.000012
KDA 0.014336
KES 0.010803
KGS 0.007308
KHR 0.335052
KMF 0.035956
KNC 0.000750
KPW 0.075209
KRW 0.128082
KSM 0.000024
KWD 0.000026
KYD 0.000070
KZT 0.039501
LAK 1.889157
LBP 7.503754
LDO 0.000309
LEO 0.000009
LINK 0.000010
LKR 0.027983
LRC 0.006801
LRD 0.015176
LSL 0.001358
LTC 0.000002
LTL 0.000252
LUF 0.002948
LUNA 0.001701
LUNC 1.360979
LVL 0.000051
LYD 0.000536
MAD 0.000782
MANA 0.001201
MBX 0.003322
MDL 0.001471
MGA 0.354579
MGF 1.772894
MINA 0.001762
MKD 0.004502
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.175415
MNT 0.299482
MOP 0.000675
MRO 0.033370
MRU 0.003337
MTL 0.000031
MUR 0.003928
MVR 0.001292
MWK 0.144942
MXN 0.001461
MXV 0.000166
MYR 0.000341
MZM 5.336530
MZN 0.005337
NAD 0.001358
NEAR 0.000042
NEO 0.000042
NEXO 0.000109
NFT 315.287450
NGN 0.114497
NIO 0.003076
NLG 0.000161
NOK 0.000822
NPR 0.012743
NZD 0.000147
OKB 0.000001
OMR 0.000032
ONE 0.066850
OP 0.000777
ORDI 0.000026
PAB 0.000084
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000285
PEPE 30.634579
PGK 0.000368
PHP 0.005140
PI 0.000739
PKR 0.023247
PLN 0.000314
POL 0.001136
PTE 0.014653
PYG 0.508250
QAR 0.000304
QNT 0.000001
QTUM 0.000118
ROL 3.819519
RON 0.000382
RPL 0.000041
RSD 0.008572
RUB 0.006439
RUNE 0.000202
RVN 0.021925
RWF 0.122485
SAND 0.001675
SAR 0.000313
SBD 0.000676
SCR 0.001194
SDD 5.015503
SDG 0.050155
SEK 0.000807
SGD 0.000108
SHIB 19.084559
SHP 0.000063
SIT 0.017515
SKK 0.002202
SLE 0.001908
SLL 1.908451
SNX 0.000365
SOL 0.000001
SOS 0.047715
SPL 0.000014
SRD 0.003145
SRG 3.145493
SSP 0.396830
STD 1.803912
STN 0.001804
STX 0.000489
SUI 0.000112
SVC 0.000731
SYP 0.009237
SZL 0.001358
THB 0.002777
THETA 0.000596
TJS 0.000775
TMM 1.466097
TMT 0.000293
TND 0.000246
TOP 0.000201
TRL 3,911.784695
TRX 0.000254
TRY 0.003912
TTD 0.000566
TUSD 0.000084
TVD 0.000121
TWD 0.002681
TWT 0.000243
TZS 0.219557
UAH 0.003724
UGX 0.305362
UNI 0.000026
USD 0.000084
USDC 0.000084
USDD 0.000084
USDP 0.000084
USDT 0.000084
UYU 0.003363
VAL 0.141516
VEB 5,384,771.396112
VED 0.053843
VEF 5,384.291991
VES 0.053843
VET 0.017712
VND 2.197582
VUV 0.010043
WAVES 0.000314
WEMIX 0.000323
WOO 0.007057
WST 0.000231
XAF 0.047942
XAG 0.000001
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000226
XCG 0.000151
XCH 0.000053
XDC 0.002974
XDR 0.000062
XEC 15.730233
XEM 0.195186
XLM 0.000419
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.047942
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.008722
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000073
XTZ 0.000336
YER 0.019803
ZAR 0.001358
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.027087
ZMK 1.533224
ZMW 0.001533
ZWD 0.030239
ZWG 0.002241
ZWL 5.600423

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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.