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: 2026-05-19
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000908
AAVE 0.000001
ADA 0.000331
AED 0.000305
AFN 0.005195
AKT 0.000103
ALGO 0.000774
ALL 0.006821
AMD 0.030588
AMP 0.099334
ANG 0.000150
AOA 0.076344
APE 0.000576
APT 0.000088
AR 0.000039
ARB 0.000711
ARS 0.116031
ATOM 0.000040
ATS 0.000982
AUD 0.000116
AVAX 0.000009
AWG 0.000149
AXS 0.000071
AZM 0.706451
AZN 0.000141
BAKE 0.112410
BAM 0.000140
BAT 0.000858
BBD 0.000166
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.010213
BEF 0.002880
BGN 0.000140
BHD 0.000031
BIF 0.247595
BMD 0.000083
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000106
BOB 0.000576
BRL 0.000416
BSD 0.000083
BSV 0.000006
BSW 0.097101
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.000216
BTN 0.008011
BTT 258.329879
BUSD 0.000083
BWP 0.001130
BYN 0.000229
BYR 2.285558
BZD 0.000167
CAD 0.000114
CAKE 0.000059
CDF 0.190737
CELO 0.001033
CFX 0.001411
CHF 0.000065
CHZ 0.001690
CLP 0.074886
CNH 0.000565
CNY 0.000565
COMP 0.000004
COP 0.315752
CRC 0.037626
CRO 0.001189
CRV 0.000352
CSPR 0.028135
CUC 0.000083
CUP 0.001994
CVE 0.007873
CVX 0.000048
CYP 0.000042
CZK 0.001736
DAI 0.000083
DASH 0.000002
DCR 0.000005
DEM 0.000140
DFI 0.084637
DJF 0.014789
DKK 0.000534
DOGE 0.000797
DOP 0.004920
DOT 0.000067
DYDX 0.000575
DZD 0.011034
EEK 0.001117
EGLD 0.000021
EGP 0.004432
ENJ 0.001935
EOS 0.001027
ERN 0.001247
ESP 0.011879
ETB 0.013087
ETC 0.000009
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000071
EURC 0.000071
FEI 0.000083
FIL 0.000086
FIM 0.000424
FJD 0.000183
FKP 0.000062
FLOW 0.002303
FLR 0.009950
FRAX 0.000084
FRF 0.000468
FTT 0.000257
GALA 0.024719
GBP 0.000062
GEL 0.000222
GGP 0.000062
GHC 9.507889
GHS 0.000951
GIP 0.000062
GMD 0.006140
GMX 0.000013
GNF 0.729036
GNO 0.000001
GRD 0.024328
GRT 0.003305
GT 0.000012
GTQ 0.000634
GUSD 0.000083
GYD 0.017382
HBAR 0.000923
HKD 0.000651
HNL 0.002211
HNT 0.000101
HOT 0.209470
HRK 0.000538
HT 0.000573
HTG 0.010878
HUF 0.025744
ICP 0.000032
IDR 1.473162
IEP 0.000056
ILS 0.000241
IMP 0.000062
IMX 0.000488
INJ 0.000016
INR 0.008011
IQD 0.108898
IRR 109.554334
ISK 0.010238
ITL 0.138238
JEP 0.000062
JMD 0.013142
JOD 0.000059
JPY 0.013209
KAS 0.002405
KAVA 0.001443
KCS 0.000010
KDA 0.009992
KES 0.010748
KGS 0.007270
KHR 0.333335
KLAY 0.001598
KMF 0.035124
KNC 0.000579
KPW 0.074799
KRW 0.125097
KSM 0.000017
KWD 0.000026
KYD 0.000069
KZT 0.038998
LAK 1.823010
LBP 7.450775
LDO 0.000233
LEO 0.000008
LINK 0.000009
LKR 0.027679
LRC 0.005128
LRD 0.015233
LSL 0.001384
LTC 0.000002
LTL 0.000247
LUF 0.002880
LUNA 0.001313
LUNC 1.057410
LVL 0.000050
LYD 0.000528
MAD 0.000765
MANA 0.000943
MBX 0.002122
MDL 0.001438
MGA 0.347767
MGF 1.738836
MINA 0.001455
MKD 0.004400
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.174471
MNT 0.297454
MOP 0.000670
MRO 0.033230
MRU 0.003323
MTL 0.000031
MUR 0.003930
MVR 0.001284
MWK 0.144652
MXN 0.001438
MXV 0.000163
MYR 0.000330
MZM 5.308367
MZN 0.005308
NAD 0.001384
NEAR 0.000052
NEO 0.000029
NEXO 0.000093
NFT 293.856773
NGN 0.113951
NIO 0.003055
NLG 0.000157
NOK 0.000771
NPR 0.012824
NZD 0.000142
OKB 0.000001
OMR 0.000032
ONE 0.040546
OP 0.000647
ORDI 0.000020
PAB 0.000083
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000284
PEPE 22.568571
PGK 0.000367
PHP 0.005129
PI 0.000548
PKR 0.023155
PLN 0.000303
POL 0.000914
PTE 0.014313
PYG 0.505854
QAR 0.000303
QNT 0.000001
QTUM 0.000092
ROL 3.719239
RON 0.000372
RPL 0.000048
RSD 0.008379
RUB 0.006024
RUNE 0.000186
RVN 0.015038
RWF 0.121519
SAND 0.001154
SAR 0.000312
SBD 0.000665
SCR 0.001220
SDD 4.988610
SDG 0.049886
SEK 0.000782
SGD 0.000106
SHIB 14.419106
SHP 0.000062
SIT 0.017109
SKK 0.002151
SLE 0.001904
SLL 1.903659
SNX 0.000268
SOL 0.000001
SOS 0.047493
SPL 0.000014
SRD 0.003094
SRG 3.093810
SSP 0.391840
STD 1.768010
STN 0.001768
STX 0.000348
SUI 0.000079
SVC 0.000727
SYP 0.009187
SZL 0.001384
THB 0.002711
THETA 0.000421
TJS 0.000774
TMM 1.457453
TMT 0.000291
TND 0.000241
TON 0.000041
TOP 0.000198
TRL 3,788.512118
TRX 0.000233
TRY 0.003789
TTD 0.000564
TUSD 0.000083
TVD 0.000116
TWD 0.002629
TWT 0.000174
TZS 0.216258
UAH 0.003669
UGX 0.313222
UNI 0.000024
USD 0.000083
USDC 0.000083
USDD 0.000083
USDP 0.000083
USDT 0.000083
UYU 0.003331
VAL 0.138238
VEB 4,299,575.922827
VED 0.042994
VEF 4,299.384105
VES 0.042994
VET 0.012338
VND 2.188360
VUV 0.009868
WAVES 0.000219
WEMIX 0.000308
WOO 0.004921
WST 0.000224
XAF 0.046831
XAG 0.000001
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000225
XCG 0.000150
XCH 0.000030
XDC 0.002674
XDR 0.000061
XEC 11.330210
XEM 0.124879
XLM 0.000566
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.046831
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.008520
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000060
XTZ 0.000243
YER 0.019832
ZAR 0.001384
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.021140
ZMK 1.570807
ZMW 0.001571
ZWD 0.030078
ZWG 0.002153
ZWL 5.380847

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.