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: 2026-08-21
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.000950
AAVE 0.000001
ADA 0.000412
AED 0.000310
AFN 0.005572
AGIX 0.001352
AKT 0.000161
ALGO 0.000962
ALL 0.006691
AMD 0.030785
AMP 0.211910
ANG 0.000152
AOA 0.077500
APE 0.000640
APT 0.000147
AR 0.000041
ARB 0.000925
ARS 0.126409
ATOM 0.000056
ATS 0.000994
AUD 0.000118
AVAX 0.000012
AWG 0.000151
AXS 0.000087
AZM 0.717645
AZN 0.000144
BAKE 0.112847
BAM 0.000141
BAT 0.001268
BBD 0.000169
BCH 0.000000
BDT 0.010327
BEF 0.002913
BGN 0.000141
BHD 0.000032
BIF 0.251294
BMD 0.000084
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000107
BOB 0.000975
BRL 0.000439
BSD 0.000084
BSV 0.000005
BSW 0.226093
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.000180
BTN 0.008083
BTT 297.979363
BUSD 0.000084
BWP 0.001135
BYN 0.000257
BYR 1.654664
BZD 0.000170
CAD 0.000116
CAKE 0.000051
CDF 0.193553
CELO 0.001247
CFX 0.001876
CHF 0.000067
CHZ 0.006395
CLP 0.077907
CNH 0.000568
CNY 0.000568
COMP 0.000004
COP 0.259266
CRC 0.038374
CRO 0.001573
CRV 0.000296
CSPR 0.032040
CUC 0.000084
CUP 0.002237
CVE 0.007964
CVX 0.000049
CYP 0.000042
CZK 0.001742
DAI 0.000084
DASH 0.000003
DCR 0.000007
DEM 0.000141
DFI 0.156700
DJF 0.015038
DKK 0.000540
DOGE 0.001028
DOP 0.004940
DOT 0.000100
DYDX 0.000744
DZD 0.011217
EEK 0.001130
EGLD 0.000028
EGP 0.004296
ENJ 0.003215
EOS 0.001208
ERN 0.001266
ESP 0.012016
ETB 0.013760
ETC 0.000012
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000072
EURC 0.000072
FEI 0.000084
FIL 0.000113
FIM 0.000429
FJD 0.000185
FKP 0.000062
FLOW 0.002905
FLR 0.012137
FRAX 0.000085
FRF 0.000474
FTT 0.000388
GALA 0.052010
GBP 0.000062
GEL 0.000220
GGP 0.000062
GHC 9.364146
GHS 0.000936
GIP 0.000062
GMD 0.006262
GMX 0.000012
GNF 0.742250
GNO 0.000001
GRD 0.024609
GRT 0.005585
GT 0.000012
GTQ 0.000644
GUSD 0.000085
GYD 0.017677
HBAR 0.001139
HKD 0.000662
HNL 0.002265
HNT 0.000464
HOT 0.238799
HRK 0.000544
HT 0.001796
HTG 0.011059
HUF 0.026335
ICP 0.000035
IDR 1.498133
IEP 0.000057
ILS 0.000253
IMP 0.000062
IMX 0.000763
INJ 0.000018
INR 0.008083
IQD 0.110762
IRR 116.043848
ISK 0.010255
ITL 0.139836
JEP 0.000062
JMD 0.013373
JOD 0.000060
JPY 0.013421
KAS 0.002933
KAVA 0.001989
KCS 0.000011
KDA 0.017297
KES 0.010928
KGS 0.007392
KHR 0.339846
KLAY 0.003129
KMF 0.035530
KNC 0.000775
KPW 0.075979
KRW 0.116646
KSM 0.000026
KWD 0.000026
KYD 0.000070
KZT 0.038587
LAK 1.902603
LBP 7.578563
LDO 0.000249
LEO 0.000009
LINK 0.000008
LKR 0.027890
LRC 0.010408
LRD 0.015330
LSL 0.001360
LTC 0.000002
LTL 0.000249
LUF 0.002913
LUNA 0.001824
LUNC 1.582918
LVL 0.000051
LYD 0.000535
MAD 0.000781
MANA 0.001197
MBX 0.003966
MDL 0.001451
MGA 0.361145
MGF 1.805725
MINA 0.001801
MKD 0.004453
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.177277
MNT 0.303876
MOP 0.000682
MRO 0.033711
MRU 0.003371
MTL 0.000031
MUR 0.003938
MVR 0.001305
MWK 0.146549
MXN 0.001430
MXV 0.000163
MYR 0.000341
MZM 5.388461
MZN 0.005388
NAD 0.001360
NEAR 0.000048
NEO 0.000043
NEXO 0.000106
NFT 303.602651
NGN 0.114001
NIO 0.003109
NLG 0.000159
NOK 0.000788
NPR 0.012939
NZD 0.000142
OKB 0.000001
OMR 0.000032
ONE 0.113136
OP 0.000872
ORDI 0.000020
PAB 0.000084
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000283
PEPE 26.197614
PGK 0.000379
PHP 0.005208
PI 0.000927
PKR 0.023454
PLN 0.000312
POL 0.001045
PTE 0.014479
PYG 0.509033
QAR 0.000307
QNT 0.000001
QTUM 0.000104
ROL 3.792409
RON 0.000379
RPL 0.000052
RSD 0.008474
RUB 0.006990
RUNE 0.000188
RVN 0.027874
RWF 0.124250
SAND 0.001916
SAR 0.000317
SBD 0.000677
SCR 0.001186
SDD 5.066889
SDG 0.050669
SEK 0.000800
SGD 0.000107
SHIB 17.007511
SHP 0.000062
SIT 0.017307
SKK 0.002176
SLE 0.001933
SLL 1.933424
SNX 0.000397
SOL 0.000001
SOS 0.048278
SPL 0.000014
SRD 0.003193
SRG 3.192796
SSP 0.474481
STD 1.784172
STN 0.001784
STX 0.000569
SUI 0.000114
SVC 0.000739
SYP 1.097650
SZL 0.001360
THB 0.002772
THETA 0.000519
TJS 0.000781
TMM 1.476015
TMT 0.000295
TND 0.000245
TOP 0.000203
TRL 4,056.915585
TRX 0.000250
TRY 0.004057
TTD 0.000573
TUSD 0.000085
TVD 0.000118
TWD 0.002689
TWT 0.000205
TZS 0.223368
UAH 0.003771
UGX 0.314010
UNI 0.000022
USD 0.000084
USDC 0.000084
USDD 0.000084
USDP 0.000085
USDT 0.000084
UYU 0.003388
VAL 0.139836
VEB 6,562,124.429809
VED 0.065439
VEF 6,543.937435
VES 0.065439
VET 0.016239
VND 2.198475
VUV 0.010011
WAVES 0.000410
WEMIX 0.000424
WOO 0.007272
WST 0.000229
XAF 0.047373
XAG 0.000001
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000229
XCG 0.000152
XCH 0.000058
XDC 0.002945
XDR 0.000062
XEC 12.164152
XEM 0.184032
XLM 0.000457
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.047373
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.008618
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000066
XTZ 0.000377
YER 0.020016
ZAR 0.001360
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.033379
ZMK 1.601929
ZMW 0.001602
ZWD 0.030555
ZWG 0.002248
ZWL 5.618093

No currencies match your search.

Cities in Uzbekistan 497
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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.