Is Uzbekistan Worth Visiting? 10 Pros & Cons

Uzbekistan and Central Asia seem to be booming in popularity for tourists. In fact, Uzbekistan is undergoing a massive infrastructure overhaul to make it more welcoming to tourists and accommodate the growing number of visitors each year.

My trip to Central Asia was rather unplanned, and in all honesty, it turned out to be a bit of a disaster (but that’s a story for another time). But, I did get to spend two whole weeks exploring Uzbekistan, one of the most unique places I’ve ever visited.

I had mixed thoughts on whether to visit here. I’m an outdoor girl through and through, and would much rather be in the mountains or exploring somewhere off-grid. But there was an enchanting thought about visiting Uzbekistan that I couldn’t get out of my mind… so, I went!

So, is a visit to Uzbekistan worth it? Well, yes, it is! But it won’t be for everyone. I very much enjoyed my trip to Uzbekistan, but it wasn’t exactly how I had pictured it, and two weeks was probably a little bit too long for me.

If you’re in the same boat as me and wondering whether you should visit Uzbekistan, keep reading to discover the pros and cons.

P.S. Check back soon for my Uzbekistan travel guide (and in the meantime, check out my solo female guide).

5 reasons to visit Uzbekistan

To learn about its fascinating history and culture

My bad… but I didn’t know too much about this part of the world before I started planning my visit. But Uzbekistan and the Silk Road have some of the most interesting history I’ve ever experienced.

Even if history isn’t always your thing, it truly is an incredible part of the world to learn about.

Some of the major cities along the Silk Road, including Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, were once lively crossroads where traders exchanged everything from silk to spices.

Although it’s not quite the same today, walking around these historic cities and markets felt a little like stepping back in time, and at times almost like walking on a movie set. It’s like nowhere else I’ve ever been.

Many of the cities and towns are well-preserved, and just walking around is a history lesson in itself.

I highly recommend joining walking tours, as there really is so much to learn. My favourite walking tour was in Bukhara, our guide was incredible, and it was so much fun. You can book the exact tour I did here.

The architecture is breathtaking

I’m not usually a city or museum person, but the architecture in Uzbekistan truly never failed to take my breath away. With its iconic turquoise domes, stunning mosaics, incredible madrasas, and beautiful minarets, the architecture here is something else.

Samarkand’s Registan Square, for example, is often considered one of the most beautiful architectural collections ever built. It’s particularly magical at sunset. Another favourite spot of mine was the Kalan Mosque in Bukhara…. it was simply breathtaking!

For some beautiful skyline views, I recommend visiting the Ark Watchtower at sunset. You’ll have fantastic views of the town, and the sunset makes it even more beautiful.

For its tasty and unique cuisine

As a vegetarian, I wasn’t expecting much from Uzbekistan’s cuisine, but I was pleasantly surprised. Uzbek cuisine is hearty and flavourful, and everywhere I visited, there was a unique speciality, often with a vegetarian version.

No trip to Uzbekistan would be complete without trying plov, the national dish. Made from rice, meat, carrots and spices, it sounds simple, but it’s delicious. When looking for vegetarian plov, look for a place that specifically advertises it as vegetarian. Often, they will still cook the plov in animal fat. I found this out the hard way, so won’t share where I tried it…

One of my favourite foods in Uzbekistan was samsa, a small pastry. The filling was typically pumpkin, and it was so tasty (and very cheap). There are also many noodle and dumpling dishes to try.

Plus, don’t forget the bread! Each city I visited had a slightly different version of Uzbek bread, but it was always freshly baked and tasted incredible.

To experience one of the local bazars

No trip to Uzbekistan would be complete without trying one of the local bazaars. These vibrant markets are filled with vendors selling pretty much everything you can think of.

In Tashkent, the Chorsu Bazaar is well worth a visit. This huge indoor market has everything from spices, cheese, nuts, meat and vegetables. The locals weren’t too pushy, and many let you try their products without any pressure to buy.

For a more relaxed experience, consider one of the Silk Road’s more traditional markets in Khiva or Bukhara. Many of the Madrasas have now been converted to hold vendors selling the famous carpets, scarves and unique hand-carved wooden gifts.

It has a great infrastructure for tourists

Travelling around Uzbekistan is much easier than many people expect. The country has invested heavily in its tourism infrastructure, offering modern hotels, comfortable guesthouses, and reliable transportation.

One thing I wasn’t expecting in Uzbekistan was its fantastic train network. Honestly… it was more reliable and efficient than the UK’s! While some traditional Soviet trains still operate, many high-speed trains connect major cities, making it quick and easy to get around.

If you want to experience an older-style train, I’d suggest taking a night train between Khiva and Tashkent. This is one of the most unique experiences in Uzbekistan.

The only downside of the trains is that you need to book well in advance if you’re travelling during the peak season. You can book your train tickets through Uzbekistan Railway, rather than going to the train station.

Additionally, the visa process has become significantly simpler, with many nationalities now eligible for e-visas or visa-free entry. Tourist information centres, improved signage, and tourist police close to every attraction make it one of the best countries for tourists looking to visit Central Asia.

5 cons of visiting Uzbekistan

It can be VERY busy and feels touristy

When I researched my trip to Uzbekistan, most blog posts and reviews suggested it was unexplored and rarely visited by tourists.

Many content creators would post epic videos of their adventures in the country, making out like they were the only tourists.

Honestly… this could not be further from the truth.

Uzbekistan is one of the most tourist-y countries I have ever been to. In Bukhara, it almost felt like I could be in the middle of a European city. There were coachloads of people, and many historic sites are being updated to accommodate the number of tourists.

Tourism has BOOMED in Uzbekistan in recent years. In fact, there are even suggestions that tourist numbers doubled in 2025 compared to 2024.

This has been great for locals and the economy, with lots of new jobs and an entirely new industry creating new opportunities.

However, it does distract a bit from its authenticity. Many of the historic sites are filled with markets of locals trying to sell you things, and you have to fight through crowds at nearly all of the major attractions.

In Samarkand, I counted 12 coaches outside one of the main sights at 8 a.m. Many people opt to visit Uzbekistan on organised tours, which seem to make the crowds much more intense.

I’m a tourist too, so this isn’t an attack in any way whatsoever. But, I do think it’s an important thing to be aware of. Personally, I prefer to avoid touristy destinations like this. I find crowds overwhelming and would rather be in more unexplored destinations.

So, if you’re going to Uzbekistan to “get off the beaten path”, you might be disappointed…

It’s a little on the expensive side

Another misconception about Uzbekistan is that it’s a cheap place to travel. Okay, it’s hardly the most expensive compared to Western Europe and the USA, but it’s not cheap either.

In tourist towns like Bukhara and Samarkand, restaurant prices were much higher than I expected. Some of the main restaurants in the Bukhara Square area were charging $12-15 for a main meal.

Even away from those tourist traps, meals were still on the expensive side. I really had to walk away from the main tourist areas to find meals that fit my budget.

I was also a little surprised at the cost of accommodation. This is going to be an individual thing, but hotels and guesthouses were between $40 and $60 per night in Bukhara and Samarkand.

I know some people will be reading this and screaming “BUT THAT’S CHEAP”, but as a budget backpacker, it’s certainly on the higher side. It’s also quite high if you’re travelling alone in Uzbekistan.

Ironically, I actually found Tashkent, the capital city, to be the cheapest place I visited.

Tip: Most restaurants in Uzbekistan will add a 10-20% tax (I never quite worked this out as it varied) – but this isn’t a service fee! So I often found myself paying 30% more than the menu stated (including a tip).

It can become a bit same-y

Okay, I’m probably going to turn a few heads with this one… but it can become a little “same-y”.

While the architecture never failed to take my breath away, fourteen days of walking through cities began to feel a bit old. It’s a bit like the “temple fatigue” in Thailand (if you know, you know).

That said, I’m an outdoor/adventure person and much prefer hiking in the mountains or swimming in the ocean, so I knew two weeks in Uzbekistan might not be my cup of tea.

Even so, it’s truly a fascinating place to visit, with some of the most interesting history to discover. Just be aware that if you’re not really a city/museum/history person, one week in Uzbekistan will be more than enough.

It’s not the best for outdoor and nature lovers

Building on my earlier point, Uzbekistan isn’t the most exciting for those who love nature and the great outdoors.

While there are some mountains in Uzbekistan, it’s not quite the same as the neighbouring Kyrgyzstan or Kazakhstan.

If you want to experience some mountains, I suggest heading to the Nuratau Mountains from either Samarkand or Bukhara. There’s an incredible Yurt Camp called Sayyod, where you can experience local Uzbek life and go for nearby walks.

Another option is to visit the Aral Sea, one of Central Asia’s most famous destinations. This sea was once a thriving hub of life, but after the Soviet Union diverted its rivers for large-scale irrigation projects, it began to shrink dramatically.

To reach the Aral Sea, you’ll need to join a tour either from Khiva or Nukus. I recommend Islambek Travel. I sadly didn’t get to go here, but I heard great things about this company.

Just be aware that it’s a long drive and a lot of sitting, but it will be a change from walking around the cities.

Another way to escape the cities is to take a Fortress Tour from Khiva. The tour visits several fortresses, some of which are believed to be thousands of years old.

My tour took me to five of the fortresses. It was a fun day, and I’m really glad I did it.

It’s not ideal for solo travellers

If you’ve read my solo travel guide to Uzbekistan, you’ll know that while I think it’s a fantastic country, it’s not ideal for solo travellers.

While it’s a generally safe country, it doesn’t really have a strong solo-traveller/backpacker community. In fact, I barely met another solo traveller the whole time I was there.

That’s not to say you can’t or shouldn’t travel there solo (I did), but if you enjoy meeting people and being social, it might not be the best place for you.

I was lucky to meet people in Kazakhstan who had also gone to Uzbekistan, so I was able to meet up with them several times.

Summary: Is Uzbekistan worth visiting?

Yes, overall, I think Uzbekistan is a wonderful country, and well worth a visit. It’s rich in culture and history, home to some of the most unique and incredible architecture, and unlike anywhere else I’ve ever been.

However, unless you are very interested in the history and want to explore every madrasa and historic sight, I don’t think you need to spend more than a week in Uzbekistan. And if you’re really not interested in that type of thing at all, it’s probably not the place for you.