Uzbekistan Tourism
Uzbekistan, with its vibrant colours and rich culture, attracts an increasing number of travellers each year, becoming a key destination for various types of tourism. Ancient cities with historic mosques and caravanserais, bustling bazaars, unique national cuisine, spectacular natural landscapes with silent deserts and snow-capped mountain peaks—all of this entices visitors eager to experience the hypnotic culture and traditions of this exceptional country.
Covering every aspect of travel in just one trip may be challenging. You will undoubtedly explore the main attractions, visit museums, and savour traditional dishes. However, as many visitors, you might be drawn to a specific type of tourism that resonates most with you. Nature lovers will be delighted to see where the wind takes them, through the pristine splendor of rocky gorges or tranquil lakes for a perfect adventure. Health-conscious travellers seek out Uzbekistan’s renowned health resorts, famous for their thermal springs and distinctive sanatoriums. If cultural experiences intrigue you, spending a night in a yurt and riding camels across the desert dunes is a must. Whatever your interests, Uzbekistan tourism offers a wide range of experiences. Let’s embark on an unforgettable journey together, where Uzbekistan will reveal its beauty and the incredible secrets of its ancient past!
We invite you to explore some of the most popular types of Uzbekistan tourism, and perhaps this article will inspire you for your next great adventure!
Cultural Tourism
Uzbekistan’s centuries-old history is a compelling reason to visit this ancient land. You can witness the grand architectural masterpieces built during the reigns of great rulers. Wander through Registan Square in Samarkand, admiring the magnificent madrassahs that have become iconic emblems of the city. Explore the towering walls of Khiva’s old Ichan-Kala (Ichan-Qаl'а) citadel and discover its treasures, like the opulent Tash-Khovli (Tach Khaouli) Palace, the elegant Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum, and the intricately carved Ak Mosque. In Bukhara, enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the Lyab-iHauz Ensemble and behold the impressive Kalyan Minaret, one of the tallest in Uzbekistan. And this is just a glimpse of the cultural wealth that awaits you.
Besides its medieval architectural complexes, Uzbekistan is also home to the artwork of ancient civilisations. Petroglyphs, or rock engravings, can be found in four major areas: Sarmyshsay, Karakiyasay, Beldersay gorges, and the village of Khojikent. These mysterious engravings depict human characters, animals, hunting scenes, ritual dances, migratory herds, and enigmatic symbols, providing insight into ancient societies. These ancient drawings, which have survived for millennia, connect Uzbekistan's modern-day to its distant ancestors.
Exploring Uzbekistan’s cultural legacy might take more than a week, and to have a better grasp of its historical significance, we recommend embarking on a cultural tour of the country with an experienced guide.
Ethnic Tourism
Being welcomed as a guest in the residence of a local family is the best approach to getting to know the heart of Uzbek culture. Every Uzbek has a strong sense of hospitality and the willingness to share a meal and a roof. Personal interaction unveils the Uzbek soul—simple, kind, warm, and as comforting as a mother’s smile. We invite you to experience Uzbeks' daily lives by visiting traditional homes in remote mountain villages or small desert communities.
Throughout your voyage, you will hear Uzbek folk songs played on traditional musical instruments such as the sato, doira, bulaman (bülban), and nay. During major festivities in main cities, you will hear the melodious notes of the shashmaqom, a traditional Uzbek music genre composed of six harmonies. One of the most exciting occasions to visit Uzbekistan is during the Nowruz holiday, a local New Year celebration held annually on March 21 to commemorate the renewal of nature. The streets bloom with flowers, fairs abound, as well as dances and national songs fill the air. On the eve of Nowruz, families prepare sumalak, a special dish made from sprouted wheat. This springtime treat is cooked in large cauldrons, with families and neighbours coming together to prepare it.
Do you wish to delve deeper into Uzbekistan’s cultural traditions? Discover centuries-old crafts and high-level techniques that remain central to local life. Visit a silk carpet factory or a mulberry bark paper-making workshop in Samarkand. Head to Chust, which is renown for its intricate embroidery on traditional Uzbek skullcaps and masterfully crafted pchak knives. In Rishtan (Rishton), famous for its painted ceramics, and Khiva, where puppet masters create remarkable dolls in traditional Uzbek attire, you will find rich examples of Uzbekistan’s artisan heritage.
Ethnic tourism in Uzbekistan offers a boundless exploration of ancient customs, millennia-old traditions, and ritual ceremonies—a treasure trove of knowledge waiting to be discovered!
Pilgrimage Tourism
Pilgrimage tours in Uzbekistan provide a unique opportunity to connect with sacred sites and spiritual traditions of the ancient East. Thousands of pilgrims visit the country’s revered Muslim shrines, including ancient mosques, madrassahs, and the mausoleums of great Sufi sheikhs.
In Tashkent, visit the religious centre of Khast Imam (Hazrati Imam) to see the authentic Uthman Quran, dating back to the 7th century. Travel to Bukhara, known as the “Sacred City” for its numerous mosques and the mausoleums of Muslim Sufi saints. Conclude your journey in Samarkand at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the burial site of Kusam ibn Abbas (Qutham ibn Abbas), a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad. While in Samarkand, you can also visit the Imam Al-Bukhari (Mouhammad al-Boukhârî) complex, dedicated to one of the greatest Islamic scholars and hadith compilers. These and other sacred sites will immerse you in centuries-old Islamic traditions, offering a chance to connect spiritually with ancient shrines that continue to hold profound significance today.
In addition to Islamic landmarks, pilgrimage tourism in Uzbekistan includes visits to Buddhist monuments near Termez, Zoroastrian relics in Khorezm, and Christian churches in Tashkent and Samarkand.
Adventure and Active Tourism
Sports enthusiasts and lovers of an active lifestyle will find plenty of opportunities for adventure in Uzbekistan. You can embark on a desert safari across the endless dunes, ski and snowboard down the gentle slopes of the Chimgan Mountain Resort, swim in deep lakes, or hike along rocky paths in scenic gorges. Experience the thrill of rafting and kayaking down rushing mountain rivers, or enjoy a peaceful day fishing with locals in hopes of catching carp or pikeperch.
Just a few kilometres from Tashkent lies Ugam-Chatkal National Park, home to more than 30 mountain trails. Here, you can hike, climb rocks, paraglide, ascend the Bolshoi Chimgan Mountain's peak, or explore by bike or horseback. After a day of adventure, unwind in the tourist zone along the banks of the man-made Charvak Reservoir.
One of the most spectacular activities in Uzbekistan is helicopter tours. You may soar over breathtaking landscapes, fly above rivers and snow-capped mountains, and take in the ancient cities from a bird’s-eye perspective. These excursions provide access to the high Pulatkhan plateau, the emerald shores of Urungach Lake, or the slopes of Amirsoy Mountain Resort, with helicopter transfers available from Tashkent airport. This flying experience offers a unique way to explore Uzbekistan’s most remote and beautiful locations, blending natural wonders with stunning architectural monuments.
Gastronomic Tourism
Uzbekistan’s rich and flavourful cuisine is yet another reason to visit this captivating country. Food aficionados, whether gourmets or those simply seeking a hearty meal, will find an appealing selection of local delicacies. Gastronomic tourism in Uzbekistan is a voyage through vibrant flavours and aromas, where every dish becomes part of an unforgettable culinary experience.
Savour the taste of juicy kebabs, fragrant lagman, soft flatbreads, tender samsa, rich shurpa, and the country’s signature dish, plov. Whether you dine in luxury restaurants, enjoy street food at Tashkent’s Chorsu Bazaar, or stay as a guest in a welcoming Uzbek home, you will be treated to a feast wherever you go. As part of a gastronomic tour, not only will you taste these delicious dishes, but you will also discover the secrets behind their preparation. Expert chefs will teach you ancient recipes and show you how to combine ingredients. After an engaging cooking class, you will sit down to enjoy the dishes you created with your own hands.
Few people realize that Uzbekistan has been producing wine for over 150 years, with local wines earning awards at international exhibitions. A visit to the Khovrenko Winery in Samarkand is a must on your gastronomic tour. There, you may learn about the region's winemaking history, see rare artefacts in the museum, and finish your tour with a tasting of the top 10 wines of the cellar's winery.
You could also visit the cosy Uzumfermer family winery, which is located on the outskirts of Tashkent. Stroll around the lush gardens and vineyards, visit the production workshop, join a guided tour, and of course, take part in a local wine tasting. The winery’s restaurant, with its exquisite dishes and desserts, offers the ideal backdrop for relaxation. With beautiful views of the vineyards, an extensive wine selection, and excellent service, your gastronomic journey in Uzbekistan will be unforgettable!
Ecological Tourism
Ecotourism in Uzbekistan offers an exciting journey into the realm of untouched nature. Majestic mountains, silent deserts, blooming valleys, and crystal-clear lakes beckon adventurers to immerse themselves in a landscape of pristine beauty and tranquillity, where every path leads to new discoveries.
Travel to the dried-up shores of the Aral Sea, once a vast and bustling body of water stretching for hundreds of kilometres. Now, only a fraction remains, surrounded by rocky cliffs and the Ustyurt Plateau. Standing at the edge of this vanishing natural wonder, you grasp the delicate balance between nature's grandeur and fragility.
A completely different scene awaits at Aydarkul Lake (Aydar Lake), which is a source of pride for Uzbekistan. Its waters teem with fish, and birds of all kinds soar above. If you are lucky, you might spot rare and beautiful species like dalmatian pelicans and graceful pink flamingos.
Even rarer fauna can be seen at the Jeyran Ecocentre near Bukhara. This sanctuary is home to several thousand gazelles, known as Jeyran, as well as kulans, saigas, and Przewalski’s horses.
No matter where travellers venture in Uzbekistan, they will find peaceful, secluded places where nature thrives. Experience the harmony and beauty of this vibrant and picturesque country.
Wellness Tourism
Uzbekistan is also a destination for individuals seeking wellness and relaxation. The country has sanatoriums and resorts that provide treatments to prevent various illnesses and strengthen the immune system.
Among the popular wellness destinations is AkTash, one of Uzbekistan’s oldest sanatoriums, located an hour and a half from Tashkent by car. Specialising in the treatment of respiratory conditions, the sanatorium uses pure mountain air to alleviate symptoms such as asthma, COPD, and pneumonia. The program includes therapeutic exercises, massages, electrophoresis, baths, circular showers, fresh air walks, and dietary guidance.
Kohinur is a state-of-the-art health resort offering treatment programs for cardiovascular issues, gastrointestinal disorders, skin diseases, respiratory conditions, and nervous system diseases. The resort offers a wide range of treatments, including inhalations, mineral and coniferous baths, paraffin therapy, and more.
Khodjaikon is a therapeutic salt cave in southern Uzbekistan, nestled among steep, rocky mountain slopes. Inside a 145-metre gallery carved into the rock, five wellness chambers provide a unique microclimate rich in minerals that aid patients suffering from respiratory and lung ailments.
These and dozens of other wellness facilities attract visitors from all over the world. Wellness tourism in Uzbekistan is gaining popularity due to its wide range of services and natural surroundings. Many sanatoriums are equipped with modern amenities, such as pools, gyms, and comfortable accommodations. Guests can also enjoy excursions and cultural events, combining their treatments with active leisure and exploring the region’s traditions.