Registan is the centrepiece of Samarkand and arguably the most spectacular plaza in Central Asia. Three soaring madrasas—Ulugh Beg (1420), Sherdor (1636), and Tilya-Kori (1660)—frame a 1.2-hectare open square covered in intricate geometric tilework. Entry costs around 100,000 UZS (about $8). Go at dawn and again at dusk when the light is extraordinary.
Shah-i-Zinda is a necropolis stretching up a hillside north of Registan. A narrow lane winds between mausoleums clad in the most intense turquoise, cobalt, and lapis lazuli tilework you will ever see. The complex was built across eight centuries, beginning in the 11th century. Open from 07:00; arrive early to see it in relative quiet.
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque was built by Tamerlane in 1404 to be the largest mosque in the Islamic world. Partially ruined by earthquakes and partially restored, it still impresses with its enormous arch and twin minarets. The adjacent Siab Bazaar sells dried fruits, spices, and the round flatbread Samarkand is famous for across Uzbekistan.
The Afrosiyob high-speed train connects Tashkent to Samarkand in about two hours. The train also continues to Bukhara, making a classic three-city circuit straightforward. Book tickets through the Uzbekistan Railways website.
Best time to visit Samarkand is April–June or September–October. Summers are very hot (40°C+) and winters cold. Spring brings green hills and clear skies.
Bukhara's UNESCO-listed historic centre is the most complete and best-preserved medieval city in Central Asia. For centuries it was one of the greatest centres of Islamic scholarship and commerce in the world, and its old town still reads like a living museum—without feeling like one.
The Poi-Kalyan complex is the heart of old Bukhara. The Kalyan Minaret (1127) is 47 metres tall and survived Genghis Khan's destruction of the city—legend says he ordered it spared because he was so struck by its beauty. The adjacent Kalon Mosque can hold 10,000 worshippers. Across the square, the turquoise-domed Mir-i-Arab Madrasa has been a functioning Islamic school since the 16th century.
The Ismail Samani Mausoleum (9th–10th century) is a masterpiece of early Islamic architecture—its fired-brick exterior creates a lattice that changes appearance with the angle of light. Many consider it the finest building in all of Central Asia. It sits in a park at the edge of the old city.
Lyabi-Khauz is Bukhara's old social hub—a pond flanked by a madrasa, a khanaka, and a mosque. Today its shaded teahouses and mulberry trees make it the perfect place to rest between monuments. Local crafts—silk ikat fabric, suzani embroidery, hand-painted ceramics—are sold in workshops throughout the old city.
Bukhara is smaller and more relaxed than Samarkand. Many travellers find it the more rewarding city to spend time in. Two full days give you the monuments plus unhurried evenings.
Khiva is Uzbekistan's smallest and most remote Silk Road city, but for many visitors it's the most striking. The Itchan Kala—the walled inner city—became the first site in Central Asia to receive UNESCO World Heritage status in 1990. Its brick walls rise 10 metres, enclosing over 50 historic monuments and 250 old houses.
Walking Itchan Kala feels like entering a set piece. The Islam Khodja Minaret (1910) is the tallest structure at 57 metres, striped in turquoise and white. The Djuma Mosque is supported by 213 carved wooden columns, some dating back over 1,000 years. The Pahlavon Mahmoud Mausoleum houses the tomb of Khiva's patron saint, with a vivid blue-tiled interior.
In 2026, a new high-speed bullet train connects Khiva directly to Bukhara and Samarkand for the first time, cutting the journey from Tashkent from 15 hours to under 8. The nearby Urgench International Airport is also being upgraded. Khiva is now easier to reach than it has ever been.
Khiva is best visited as an overnight stop. After day-trippers leave in the late afternoon, the old city becomes peaceful and atmospheric. A stay inside the walls at one of the restored caravanserai hotels makes the visit feel genuinely historic.
Tashkent is Uzbekistan's modern capital and your likely entry point. Most international flights land here. The city itself is worth half a day: Chorsu Bazaar is one of Central Asia's great markets—a dome of spices, dried fruit, meat, bread, and noise. The old city quarter around the Khast Imam complex holds mosques and madrasas going back to the 16th century.
Currency is the Uzbek Sum (UZS). ATMs are common in cities. Exchange rates at licensed exchange offices are better than banks. Prices are low by European standards—a full restaurant meal costs 50,000–80,000 UZS ($4–6). Accommodation ranges from basic guesthouses (from $15/night) to restored boutique hotels inside historic buildings.
Uzbekistan's national dish is plov—a slow-cooked rice dish with lamb, carrots, and onions, recognised by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Samarkand, the local plov is made differently from Tashkent's version. Eating both is considered a rite of passage. Samsa (baked pastry), lagman (noodle soup), and shashlik (grilled meat skewers) round out the essential food experience.
Visas are available online as an e-visa for most nationalities—apply before you travel. The country is safe for independent travellers. English is limited outside tourist areas; a translation app helps. Mobile data SIM cards are cheap and widely available at the airport on arrival.