Samarkand
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Registan | Three historic madrasas with blue mosaic façades, loveliest when lit at night. | Central Samarkand |
| Bibi-Khanym Mosque | One of the largest mosques of the Silk Road, with a huge turquoise dome. | Near Siyob Bazaar |
| Siyob Bazaar | A traditional market for Samarkand bread, dried fruit and sweets. | Samarkand |
Bukhara and Khiva
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Po-i-Kalyan complex | The towering Kalyan Minaret, its mosque and the Mir-i-Arab Madrasa, the historic heart of Bukhara. | Bukhara |
| The Ark of Bukhara | The old fortress of the emirs of Bukhara, with its high walls. | Bukhara |
| Lyabi-Hauz | A square around an old pool, lined with madrasas and cafés. | Bukhara |
| Itchan Kala in Khiva | A complete walled city of minarets and palaces, like an open-air museum. | Khiva, western Uzbekistan |
Tashkent
| Place | Why go | Before you go |
|---|---|---|
| The Hazrati Imam complex and the Uthman Quran | A mosque, madrasas and a library holding one of the oldest Qurans in the world, attributed to the time of Caliph Uthman ibn Affan. | Old Tashkent |
| Chorsu Bazaar | A market under a huge blue dome, for spices and dried fruit. | Old Tashkent |
| The Tashkent Metro | Stations decorated with marble and chandeliers, an art tour underground. | Tashkent |
| The Chimgan mountains and Charvak Lake | Green mountains and a wide lake close to the capital. | About 2 hours from Tashkent |
Tips before you go
- Saudis enter Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days, with an onward ticket within that time.
- The high-speed train links Tashkent with Samarkand in about two hours, and goes on to Bukhara.
- The best times are spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October).
Hotels in Samarkand
Flights to Tashkent
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Uzbekistan?
The Registan and Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand, Po-i-Kalyan and the Ark in Bukhara, Itchan Kala in Khiva, and the Hazrati Imam complex and Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent.
Where is the Uthman Quran in Uzbekistan?
In the library of the Hazrati Imam complex in old Tashkent.
How long is the train from Tashkent to Samarkand?
About two hours by high-speed train.
Planning your trip to Uzbekistan? Read Travel to Uzbekistan from Saudi Arabia.
Last updated: October 2026. The information is for guidance only; ticket prices and opening hours are set by each attraction and may change, so check them on the official website before you go.