Uzbekistan is a truly beautiful travel destination. Far from the crowds, this Central Asian country offers magnificent buildings inherited from the Silk Road, and unparalleled landscapes, between steppes, deserts, and mountains. Here are some unmissable sites to visit during a stay in Uzbekistan.

Bukhara

Bukhara is a city of the Silk Road perfectly preserved, gleaming with blue colors and mosaics. A commercial and strategic city, it has been conquered many times, notably by Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan. Its old town, which houses numerous religious and commercial buildings, is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can notably visit the famous Kalan Mosque, with its legendary minaret and mosaic facades.

Samarkand

Another world-renowned city of the Silk Road and recognized by UNESCO, Samarkand should be added to your list of destinations during your tour of Uzbekistan. This magnificent city has a history very similar to that of Bukhara. Nicknamed « the city of blue domes », « the Garden of the East » or even « the pearl of Uzbekistan », it houses hundreds of UNESCO-listed monuments. It also hosts the Afrasiab historical museum.

Khiva

Yet another historic city worth visiting in Uzbekistan, Khiva is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. This citadel houses numerous buildings, notably religious ones, known throughout the world and which attract many tourists each year. It's not for nothing that this city is called « the museum city » : for its architecture is a true dive into the complex history of Uzbekistan.

Tashkent

Capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent is a major city worth visiting for the richness of its history. A city of contrasts, it displays both very ancient monuments and large modern buildings. Spend at least a day there to discover its historical museum, Amir Timur Square, or the Khast Imam complex. For more ideas, read our article on the most beautiful places to discover in Tashkent.  

The Fergana Valley

Located between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan, the Fergana Valley is a place where peoples and cultures have crossed paths for centuries. It differs from other regions of these two countries and you can dedicate an entire trip to it. Nestled in mountains, Fergana offers very fertile land, hence its large population. In Uzbekistan, it is in the Fergana region that you will find the ancient city of Kokand, center of the empire of the same name with its impressive palaces and mosques, and the famous craft city of Margilan.

The Aral Sea

Uzbekistan is not only known for its Silk Road heritage and its many UNESCO-listed monuments : it is also a country of extraordinary landscapes, perfect for setting out on adventure. You can notably visit the Aral Sea, now dried up, which today resembles a graveyard of boats. Located in the Karakalpakstan region, it will be an opportunity to meet another culture.

The Surroundings of Sentob

North of Samarkand, you will find the Nourata Mountains and the village of Sentob. It is notably a region where you can sleep under a yurt or go hiking. The village of Sentob is a lovely alpine Tajik village, where you can discover another people and learn their traditions, enjoy their culture and gastronomy. Besides, the inhabitants of this village still cook over wood fires. They have preserved an ancestral way of life, and build their own houses !

The Kyzyl Kum Desert

Not far from Sentob lies the Kyzyl Kum Desert, which covers two-thirds of Uzbek territory. Shared with Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, this desert, whose name translates as « red sand », offers a beautiful contrast with the high, rugged mountains of Central Asia. It was once crossed by Silk Road merchants and you can in turn traverse it by camel, on horseback or on foot, sleep in a traditional yurt and enjoy beautiful starry skies.