Uzbekistan
Mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs



Central Asia’s showstopper, Uzbekistan is synonymous with the famed Silk Road which weaved its way through much of this historic country. Cities like Bukhara and Samarkand bustled with life as spice and silk traders plied their wares along the route. However, with trade came trouble and Uzbekistan has seen its fair share of problems over the years.
Today, Uzbekistan offers intrepid visitors a mix of Islamic architecture and ancient cities. Look for Samarkand’s Registan - a public square at the heart of the city, crowned by three madrasahs (Islamic schools) all showcasing distinctive architecture. In contrast, capital Tashkent – completely destroyed in 1966 by a merciless earthquake – is a mishmash of restored 12th-century mosques and the brutalist Russian buildings that sprung up during its recovery.
Visiting Uzbekistan isn’t just about its cities. The Kyzyl Kum Desert is the world’s 11th largest and is famous for its red sand, camel treks and yurts offering starlit nights. Remote Karakalpakstan has fortresses, castles and the infamous Aral Sea, which is now a dry, barren but spectacular sight.
It’s impossible to ignore the complexity of Uzbekistan’s authoritarian regime. Homosexuality is illegal and the country’s state has a reputation for corruption. However, most visitors find only friendship, fun and intrigue among Uzbeks. A word of warning – pick your season. November to February can be bleak, with temperatures regularly below freezing, while the intense heat of July can see 50C melt Tashkent’s pavement.
The Five Stans
Where to go and what to do in Central Asia
The Five ‘Stans… just a handful of countries, but covering a vast swathe of Central Asia. Where do you start an introduction to a region that stretches from China in the east, to the Caspian Sea in the west, when just one of the countries, Kazakhstan, is almost the same size as Europe?Some definitions to get us going: the Five 'Stans consist of Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkmenistan, and the largest, Kazakhstan. Although these five countries have much in common, they also have quite different cultures and traditions...read more
Uzbekistan Travel Guides
14 days
Essential Uzbekistan & Turkmenistan
Explore the historical heritage of Persian Central Asia
21 days
The Silk Road Trail
Explore Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Turkmenistan
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Khiva
The walled city of Khiva is made up of mud-brick buildings and has over 50 historic monuments meaning you will need a few days to explore the city... -
Bukhara
Bukhara is over 2,000 years old, built on the site of a former Buddhist monastery, it has hundreds of minarets, mosques and madrassas with key sites being the Kalyan minaret, that's tower is a prominent landmark of the city, the Ismail Samani mausoleum and Bolo Haouz Mosque, one of many UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the city... -
Samarkand
A rebuilt 14th-century city, Samarkand in Uzbekistan is a striking place to visit with mosques covered in ceramic tiles and sand coloured buildings... -
Tashkent
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Termez
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Derbent
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Fergana Valley
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Urgench
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Urgut
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Nukus
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Places to go in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan Tours

Best of Central Asia
Experience the people, history and nature of the 'Five Stans
22 daysFrom €5,360
Historical Cities of Central Asia
Following in the footsteps of Marco Polo
15 daysFrom €4,740
Uzbekistan in Depth
Explore Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Termez and Fergana Valley
14 daysFrom €2,890
Best of Kyrgyzstan & Uzbekistan
Follow the footsteps of the Kyrgyz Nomads and ancient Silk Road traders
15 daysFrom €3,680Uzbekistan Travel Companies

