Uzbekistan Guida di viaggio
Informazioni di viaggio essenziali — numeri di emergenza, sicurezza, valuta, visti, usanze e come spostarsi.
Uzbekistan is generally a safe and welcoming destination for travelers, with low rates of violent crime and a strong tradition of hospitality toward guests. The most common problems are petty theft in crowded bazaars and overcharging by taxi drivers rather than anything threatening. Police have a visible presence, especially in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara, and tourist areas are well patrolled. Solo and female travelers report feeling comfortable, though normal precautions apply after dark and in quiet areas.
Uzbekistani so'm (UZS)
Types C and F (European-style), 220V, 50Hz
Tipping is not deeply ingrained but increasingly appreciated. Upscale restaurants may add a 10-15% service charge; otherwise rounding up or leaving around 10% is generous. Tip guides and drivers for good service. Taxi fares are usually negotiated or metered via app, so no extra tip is expected.
Local SIM cards from Beeline, Ucell (Mobiuz), Uzmobile or Humans are cheap and offer good 4G in cities and most towns; you'll need your passport to register. Buy at official operator shops in Tashkent or at the airport. Coverage is strong in cities and along main routes but patchy in remote desert areas. eSIM options and tourist data bundles are available.
Citizens of many countries — including the EU, UK, and others — can enter visa-free for 30 days. Nationals of around 50+ countries, including the US, Canada and Australia, can apply for an e-visa online (valid 30 days) before travel. Check the official e-visa portal (e-visa.gov.uz) for your nationality, as the visa-free list is periodically updated. Passports should be valid for the duration of stay.
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Tashkent has a clean, efficient and famously ornate metro (now photo-friendly), plus extensive bus and electric-bus networks; pay with a contactless card or fare card. Other cities rely on buses, marshrutkas and taxis. Fares are very low.
Yandex Go, MyTaxi (Express24), Bolt
The high-speed Afrosiyob train links Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Shahrisabz quickly and comfortably — book tickets in advance as they sell out. Slower Sharq and regular trains serve more routes affordably. Shared taxis (collectivos) and long-distance marshrutkas (minibuses) connect most towns cheaply, and domestic flights via Uzbekistan Airways reach distant cities like Nukus, Urgench (for Khiva) and Termez.
- • Hospitality is central — if invited into a home, accept tea and bring a small gift; expect to remove your shoes at the door
- • Bread (non) is sacred: never place it upside down, on the ground, or throw it away
- • Greet elders first and show respect to older people, who hold high social standing
- • Use your right hand or both hands to give and receive items, money and food
- • Tea is offered constantly; a host filling your bowl only partly is a sign of respect, signalling they want you to stay longer
- • Remove shoes before stepping onto a supa (raised tea platform) or carpeted seating area
Dress is modest but relaxed in cities; smart-casual is fine for most situations. At mosques, mausoleums and madrasahs, women should cover their shoulders, knees and often their hair with a scarf, and men should wear long trousers. In rural and conservative areas, conservative clothing avoids unwanted attention. Beachwear belongs only at pools and resorts.
Uzbekistan is a predominantly Sunni Muslim country with a secular government and a moderate, tolerant approach to faith. Dress modestly and remove your shoes when entering active mosques; women should cover their hair. Visitors are generally welcome at historic religious sites, but avoid disturbing those at prayer and ask before photographing worshippers. During Ramadan, be discreet when eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours.
Football and kurash (traditional wrestling) — Football is the most widely followed sport, with a passionate national team following and players who have moved to top European clubs. Uzbekistan also excels in combat sports — boxing, judo, taekwondo and wrestling bring regular Olympic and world medals. Kurash, an indigenous form of upright jacket wrestling, is a cultural point of pride and now an international sport. Buzkashi (called uloq), a horseback game contesting a goat carcass, is still played in rural areas during celebrations.
March 21
Navruz (Nowruz)
The Persian-origin spring new year and the country's most beloved festival, marking renewal with music, dancing, festive fairs and the communal cooking of sumalak, a sweet wheat-germ dish stirred overnight by women.
September 1
Independence Day (Mustaqillik kuni)
Celebrates Uzbekistan's 1991 independence from the Soviet Union with grand concerts, fireworks and parades, centered on Tashkent's Independence Square.
Late August / early September (varies)
Sharq Taronalari (Melodies of the Orient)
A biennial international music festival held in Samarkand's Registan Square, gathering folk and traditional musicians from dozens of countries for several days of performances.
Varies (Islamic lunar calendar)
Eid al-Fitr (Ramazon Hayit) & Eid al-Adha (Qurbon Hayit)
The two major Muslim holidays marking the end of Ramadan and the feast of sacrifice, observed as public holidays with family gatherings, special meals and charity.