Shopping in Uzbekistan - Oriental Bazaars and Shopping Centers

Shopping is one of the highlights of any trip, and in Uzbekistan, it’s a treat for anyone who loves vibrant bazaars and bustling markets filled with the treasures of the East. Every souvenir you bring back from Uzbekistan isn’t just a purchase; it’s a piece of memory, a story crafted into fabric, wood, metal, or ceramics by artisans who have passed down their skills for generations. Taking home an Uzbek souvenir means carrying a piece of the country's soul with you.

In ancient cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, you’ll discover beautiful works of art made using traditional methods. For those who enjoy sweets, dried fruits, and fresh nuts, Tashkent’s oldest market, Chorsu, offers endless rows of baklava, dried apricots, and sesame-coated peanuts.

Uzbekistan also features modern shopping malls with international brands, cinemas, food courts, and play areas for children. In these spacious venues, you can find stylish clothes, luxury perfumes, or exquisite jewelry. Whatever your taste, Uzbekistan offers something for everyone. Whether you’re looking for traditional or modern, there are plenty of places to explore and shop. We've gathered the best shopping destinations to ensure you find exactly what you’re looking for.

Tashkent

The capital city, Tashkent, is one of the best places in Uzbekistan to find gifts for yourself or loved ones. Here, you can discover national Uzbek attire, hand-painted ceramic dishes, silk products, jewelry, home decor, and much more.

The most famous bazaar in Tashkent is Chorsu, a large market where people flock to buy fresh seasonal fruits, spices, dried fruits, and nuts. In addition to food, Chorsu offers a variety of traditional goods, from Uzbek musical instruments and hand-carved chess sets to paintings by local artists. It’s a perfect place to pick up a unique souvenir.

For a different shopping experience, Tashkent’s modern malls provide a great alternative. The city is home to large shopping centers where you’ll find branded clothing, footwear, perfumes, cosmetics, electronics, and decorative items. These malls are also ideal for spending time with family and friends, equipped with movie theaters, food courts, and play areas for children. Some of the largest shopping centers include Tashkent City Mall, Samarkand Darvoza, Compass Mall, Next, and Riviera Mall.

Tip: Allow at least 3 hours, or even half a day, to visit each shopping spot. Exploring unique items, chatting with vendors, and enjoying the entertainment options can take up more time than you expect, but it’s time well spent!

Bukhara

Shopping in Bukhara is a journey through history combined with modern retail experiences. The famous trading domes, or covered bazaars in the city center, showcase a vast array of oriental treasures, while new shopping centers cater to even the most discerning shoppers.

Bukhara has four main trading domes: Sarrofon Toki, Telpak Furrushon Toki, Abdullah Khan Tim, and Zargaron Toki. Built at key trade intersections, these domed structures cover streets filled with vendors' stalls, creating a maze of passageways. In the past, these hidden corners were home to merchants selling food, knives, hats, dishes, books, and other essential goods. Today, much like centuries ago, Bukhara’s trading domes are alive with activity, offering souvenirs such as national clothing, traditional musical instruments, accessories, hand-painted ceramics, carpets, tapestries, and other handcrafted Uzbek items.

Bukhara’s modern shopping centers complement the craftsmanship found in the domes. These malls provide a comfortable shopping environment and a great place for family outings. Spacious pavilions offer jewelry, stationery, handicraft tools, clothing, shoes, and other goods. After a day of shopping, visitors can enjoy a meal, watch a movie, or spend time with children at playgrounds. The largest shopping centers in Bukhara include Buxoro Savdo Majmuasi, Chinar Mall, and MINOR.

Tip: Study the selection in advance. Deciding what to buy before shopping will help save time and keep you focused.

Samarkand

Shopping in Samarkand is a treat for those who value authentic Eastern charm. Local bazaars and workshops offer thousands of handcrafted items, each a work of art. Here you’ll find Samarkand artisans’ creations: elegant glassware, sharp pchak knives with carved handles, intricate jewelry, silk and wool carpets, and notebooks made from mulberry paper, among other treasures.

Siab Bazaar is a bustling center of trade with a wide variety of Uzbek sweets, dried fruits, nuts, and spices. You’ll find everything from meaty apricots to fruity sherbets. Halva, especially, is a popular sweet, available in pieces or as a cake, often given as a gift for engagements or weddings. The bazaar also offers national clothes, souvenirs, skullcaps, and other colorful items that make perfect mementos of your trip.

The artistic workshop “Center of Craftsmen” is a must-visit for lovers of vibrant Eastern flair. It houses showrooms where you can purchase one-of-a-kind handcrafted souvenirs. Discover embroidered robes, luxurious glass vases, painted ceramic plates, patterned carpets, and tapestries, as well as paintings by Samarkand artists and thousands of other captivating items.

Tip: Bring cash. While some places accept cards, cash is preferred in bazaars and smaller shops.

Khiva

Khiva is one of the oldest cities, where many of Uzbekistan’s enduring crafts originated. It’s nearly impossible to leave without picking up a silk scarf, a carved wooden box, or even a beautifully intricate carpet. Known as the city of craftsmen, Khiva warmly welcomes visitors eager to dive into the culture and traditions of Uzbekistan, exploring the wisdom of its thousand-year history.

The Khiva Silk Workshop is a hub for artisans who create stunning handmade silk carpets. These intricate pieces, often taking months of detailed work, are true masterpieces. Here, not only can you buy a unique, ornamented carpet, but you can also observe the creative process. Skilled craftswomen work at looms, using hooks and scissors to transform thousands of tiny knots into mesmerizing designs. The workshop is located within the ancient Ichan Kala Fortress, placing your shopping experience in a magical setting surrounded by vibrant streets, ancient mosques, and madrasas.

In addition to carpets, the street stalls of Ichan Kala offer skullcaps, woodwork, suzanes, scarves, bags, ceramics, traditional Uzbek clothing, musical instruments, as well as spices and dried fruits.

Tip: Bargain! Khiva’s workshops, showrooms, and souvenir stalls are perfect for practicing your bargaining skills. Before you shop, try to learn the average price of the items you’re interested in. This will give you an idea of how much you can negotiate. Sellers typically start with a higher price than they’re willing to accept. Begin by offering about half of their initial price and gradually meet them in the middle. Take your time to browse the market and compare prices—it may even be worth returning to a seller after visiting other shops.

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