Uzbekistan lies in Central Asia and is one of only two countries in the world that are double-landlocked. We visited Uzbekistan back in Summer 2022 and it was extraordinarily hot — every day was above 40°C, with some days reaching 50°C! Despite the heat, this trip turned out to be one of our best travel experiences and Uzbekistan quickly became one of my favorite countries. In this post, I’ll break down our itinerary, share some impressions, and hopefully inspire you to explore this fascinating country yourself!

Arrival in Tashkent

After a marathon journey from Zurich — via Geneva, Amman, and Dubai — we finally landed in Tashkent, nearly 40 hours after setting off. As budget-conscious student backpackers, we had gone with the cheapest route possible. Completely wiped out, we grabbed a quick dinner and collapsed into bed.

Exploring Tashkent

The next morning, we hit the streets to explore the capital. Despite the intense heat, we found Tashkent to be surprisingly pedestrian-friendly.

One of the coolest things was the Tashkent Metro. The stations are like art galleries. We especially liked:

• Alisher Navoi Station – decorated in honor of a famous Uzbek poet.
• Kosmonavtlar Station – space-themed, with portraits of Soviet astronauts.

Later, we visited Amir Timur Square before heading to the legendary Plov Center for lunch. Plov is Uzbekistan’s national dish, made with rice, meat, carrots, and spices. It’s cooked in giant pots called kazan and it was delicious. A must-try!

We ended the day at Tashkent Magic City, a quirky entertainment complex with cafes, shops, and an amusement park vibe — like a mix between a theme park and a shopping street.

Onto Samarkand

A comfortable ride on the Afrosiyob high-speed train took us to Samarkand — the heart of ancient Silk Road.

Our first glimpse of Registan Square left us speechless. The three massive madrasahs, covered in stunning blue tiles, were unlike anything we had ever seen. It was easily one of the most unforgettable sights of our entire trip.

The following day, we explored the hauntingly beautiful Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis, a avenue of tiled mausoleums. After that, the rest of the day, we just enjoyed walking around and relaxing.

Craving a bit of adventure, we hired a taxi for a day trip to Shahrisabz, near the Afghan border. The main highlight in Shahrisabz was to visit the Ak-Saray Palace ruins.

Bukhara’s Timeless Allure

Next, we hopped on the high-speed train again and arrived in Bukhara — a city that felt like a living museum. Its old town, full of labyrinthine alleys and centuries-old buildings, was pure magic.

Highlights included the imposing Ark Fortress, the elegant Bolo Hauz Mosque with its reflecting pool, and the Samanid Mausoleum, one of the oldest Islamic monuments in Central Asia. We also loved discovering Chor Minor, a charming madrasa with four minarets, and shopping in the covered bazaars like Toki Zargaron and Toki Telpak Furushon.

Into the Desert and to Khiva

Leaving Bukhara, we journeyed deep into the Kyzylkum Desert, stopping to explore several ancient fortresses scattered across the sands — Toprak-Kala and Ayaz-Kala were especially striking, silent witnesses to past empires.

Eventually, we reached Khiva, and it instantly stole our hearts. Walking through the walled old town of Itchan Kala felt like stepping onto a movie set — perfectly preserved and atmospheric.

We spent the next day admiring Khiva’s many treasures: the unfinished but iconic Kalta Minor Minaret, the serene Juma Mosque, and the regal Kunya Ark and Tash Khauli Palace.

From there, we took a long but unforgettable trip to Muynak, a former fishing town now marooned in the desert due to the Aral Sea disaster. The Ship Cemetery — rusting boats stranded in sand — and the small museum documenting the sea’s retreat made for a powerful and worthy visit.

Wrapping Up the Journey

After a restful final day in Khiva, we headed to Urgench and flew back to Tashkent.

Our last full day was laid-back — more wandering, one final meal of juicy cheburek (deep-fried pastries filled with minced meat), and reflecting on the journey.

Eventually, it was time to board our flight back to Dubai.

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✨ Bonus Tips

🚆 Take the Afrosiyob high-speed train whenever possible — it’s fast, clean, and comfortable.
🥵 Traveling in summer? Pack water, sunscreen, and a hat — it regularly hits 40°C and up.
💸 Bring cash. While card payments are on the rise, many vendors still prefer cash (Uzbek som or USD).
🗣️ No need to worry much about language — younger people usually speak English; older folks understand Russian.