Are you looking for the most beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan? No need to look further, cause this blogpost covers them all! Including some insider tips on how to get there and when to go!
All of the locations will be linked to Google Maps!
20 Beautiful Places to Visit in Uzbekistan
When planning my trip to Uzbekistan I especially had high hopes for Bukhara and Samarkand. Little did I know that Khiva would absolutely take my breath away. To me Khiva is definitely one of those places one should see before they die. The historical town of Khiva is so tiny and small that within 10 minutes you’ll be from the East Gate to the West Gate. But it’s exactly its size that makes it so enjoyable. Below you’ll find the best photography locations in Khiva, when to visit them and the best place to stay during your visit.
Good to know – At the West Gate you can purchase a single ticket for 150.000 SUM that will give you access to all of the attractions inside the city. Plus this ticket is valid for 2 days!
1. Kalta-minor Minaret
How to get there – You pretty much can’t miss this beautiful turquoise and blue minaret. As soon as you walk through the West Gate you’ll be greeted with the above view.
When to go – Go in the early morning to avoid the harsh sunlight BUT make sure to come back for sunset!
Google Maps Location – Click here
Tip – Enjoy the sunset view from the rooftop restaurant at Terrassa Cafe
2. Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah
How to get there – This Madrassah is located right next to the previous Minaret and also serves as a hotel.
When to go – Go in the early morning to get the best light.
Google Maps Location – Click here
3. Kuhha Ark
How to get there – This museum is located next to the Western Gate. The blue tiles can be found at the back!
When to go – Opening times are 9am to 6pm. It’s a very popular spot with tourists so you will need some patience to take nice photos ;).
Google Maps Location – Click here
4. Juma Mosque
How to get there – The Juma Mosque is only 5 minutes walking from the Kalta-Minor Minaret and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan.
When to go – I advise you to go as soon as it opens cause you really want to take out your wide angle lens in this place!
Google Maps Location – Click here
5. Mohammed Rakhim Khan Madrassah
How to get there – Well since Khiva is so tiny this Madrassah can also be found right next to the Kalta-Minor Minaret.
When to go – Go a little after sunrise or sunset
Google Maps Location – Click here
6. Islam Khoja Minaret
How to get there – There are two beautiful viewpoints to this Minaret. One is from the main square right in front of it, the other one is in the side street on the right.
When to go – Make sure to go at sunrise. A little later the vendor stalls will be out and a red chord will be places around the minaret to guide visitors to the entrance.
Google Maps Location – Click here
7. Yar Mohammed Divan Mosque
How to get there – This beautiful mosque is a must visit when you’re in Khiva. It is located in the side alley near the Islam Khoja Minaret.
When to go – You can just visit this place during the middle of the day and still take beautiful photos!
Google Maps Location – Click here
8. Hidden Carpet Store
How to get there – This beautiful photography spot in Uzbekistan is located between the Yar Mohammed Divan Mosque and the Islam Khoja Minaret.
When to go – We arrived in the late afternoon and it wasn’t busy at all. We asked the owner of the store if it was okay to take some photos and she was incredibly nice.
Google Maps Location – Click here
9. Toshhovli
How to get there – The entrance to the harem part of the palace is located on the East side.
When to go – Go as soon as it opens at 9am. A little later vendors will put out their stalls throughout the entire place.
Google Maps Location – Click here
Where to stay in Khiva
- Orient Star Khiva Hotel – This hotel is located inside the Mohammed Amin Khan Madrassah and offers a spectacular view from the balconies.
- Erkin Palace Hotel – Located right outside the old city center.
- Hotel Malika Kheivak – In the heart of Khiva and an amazing breakfast spread.
Bukhara is another ancient city in the center of Uzbekistan. It was a well known stop on the Silk Route and a must visit when traveling through Uzbekistan.
Below I will list all of the most beautiful places and the best photography viewpoints that you can find in Bukhara!z
10. Nadir Divan-Begi Madrassah
How to get there – The outside facade of this Madrassah is incredibly stunning and is located next to a small park.
When to go – Make sure to be there at sunrise! This one doesn’t work during sunset cause the blue won’t stand out that much because of the light and during the day it will be covered in ugly shadows coming from the trees nearby.
Google Maps Location – Click here
11. Chor Minor
How to get there – Chor Minor is located on the East side of Bukhara and 15 minutes walking from the city center. I went with the idea to go up on the tower to take photos but unfortunately the woman that holds the key wasn’t there.
When to go – Go for sunrise or sunset if you can.
Google Maps Location – Click here
12. Abdulaziz Khan Madrassah
How to get there – This Madrassah was one of my favourite places to visit in Uzbekistan and is located in the middle of the city centre of Bukhara. The easiest way to get here is to go on foot. We also took a look inside but it’s not well preserved at all.
When to go – Go at sunrise, from 9am the entrance will be blocked by a lot of vendors.
Google Maps Location – Click here
13. Kalon Minaret
How to get there – The Minaret is located in the middle of the city center and is best reached on foot. For a stunning sunset view have dinner at Minor Cafe House.
When to go – Go for sunrise to avoid the crowds. It’s also stunning during sunset but there will be a lot more people out and about.
Google Maps Location – Click here
14. Mir-i-Arab Madrassah
How to get there – You can’t actually visit this Madrassah, at least so we were told by the people at the entrance. However the outside makes for stunning photos! It is conveniently located next to the Minaret.
When to go – Go during sunset.
Google Maps Location – Click here
15. Kalan Mosque
How to get there – This mosque is located on the opposite side of the Madrassah and for 10.000 SUM you can also visit it inside.
When to go – The light is the most beautiful during sunset and the Mosque only opens at 8am.
Google Maps Location – Click here
16. Ark
How to get there – This fortress is 10 minutes walking from the main square.
When to go – You can simply visit during the day.
Google Maps Location – Click here
17. Chor Bakr Memorial Complex
How to get there – This location is a 20 minute drive from Bukhara but in my honest opinion totally worth the visit. A taxi ride there and back to the city centre (including a 20 minute wait) should be around 60.000 SUM. Chor Bakr is one of those hidden gems not many people know of and therefore one of the more unique places to visit in Uzbekistan.
This photo was taken on top of the roof.
The entrance fee is 15.000 SUM and an extra 5000 SUM to take photos.
To get to the roof simply ask one of the guys there and for 10 000 SUM/per person they will take you up.
When to go – You can simply visit it during the day.
Google Maps Location – Click here
Where to stay in Bukhara
- Komil Bukhara Boutique Hotel – An incredible boutique hotel in the heart of Bukhara. The rooms are decorated in true Uzbek style and the breakfast is amazing!
Samarkand is the highlight for almost everyone when visiting Uzbekistan. It does however have a completely different feel than Khiva and Bukhara. The city itself is more modern and the monuments are spread out over the city.
18. Registan
Registan is an enormous complex that consists of 3 beautiful Madrassah’s.
The entrance fee is 40.000 SUM/per person and the ticket is valid all day long.
Opening hours: 8am – 12am
How to get there – When staying at B&B Antica Registan is only 15 minutes walking.
When to go – Make sure to be there at opening time. It is possible to go inside a little earlier. But you will have to pay one of the guards to be let in (100.000 SUM). Important to know is that during this time you can’t take photos on the courtyard cause there are camera’s. You can however go inside one of the Madrassah’s and go on the balconies.
Google Maps Location – Click here
19. Shah-i-Zinda
How to get there – If you go on a sunrise mission to take photos I advise you to take a taxi. Shah-i-Zinda is absolutely magical early in the morning and one of the most incredible places to visit in Uzbekistan!
Entrance fee – 25.000 SUM/per person
When to go – The complex opens at 7am and I strongly advise you to be there on time. This will give you plenty of time to take stunning photos before the crowds arrive.
Google Maps Location – Click here
20. Gur-e Amir
How to get there – Gur-e Amir is located around the corner of Antica B & B Samarkand.
Entrance fee – 25.000 SUM/per person
When to go – Go during sunset
Google Maps Location – Click here
Where to stay in Samarkand
- Antica B & B Samarkand – A cute local B & B with a main garden. Not to mention, the breakfast is absolutely amazing and freshly made every single day.
- Bibikhanum Hotel – A cute hotel that offers rooms with a balcony and a stunning view over the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
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Tina says
Charlotte, your photos! STUNNING. I used to work with a girl from Uzbekistan and its been on my bucket list ever since. This post bumped it up a few spots for sure.
Charlotte says
Thank you so much Tina!! That really means a lot to me! 🙂
Nicola Lavin says
Uzbekistan has been on my list for a really long time. Your photos make me want to go even more.
Charlotte says
Thank you so much Nicola 🙂
Leslie says
omg! The colors. Everything looks amazing. It’s now on my bucket list.
Charlotte says
Thank you so much Leslie 🙂
Joanna says
These photos are amazing! I am actually planning on going to Uzbekistan next summer, so thank you for these suggestions on where to take the best photos.
Charlotte says
Oh you will have a fab time in the summer! It does tend to get really hot thought so maybe consider the shoulder months?
Alex says
Absolutely gorgeous photos, Uzbekistan looks like such a dreamy place to visit! Also loving the cute dress flips for the photos, I can never seem to get that shot down no matter how hard I try lol!
Charlotte says
thank you! Well it takes a lot of practice :p most photos the dress goes the wrong way 😉
Vanessa Shields says
Absolutely love all of your photos! Uzbekistan looks so pretty and is a country I have been wanting to visit. Thanks for all the great tips and info!
Charlotte says
My absolute pleasure Vanessa! I am sure you would have a wonderful time!
Emma says
Instagrammable for sure. These photos are amazing. What a beautiful place. So colorful and such intricate detail on the buildings. Love it!
Charlotte says
Thank you so much Emma! 🙂
Brianna says
Love your photos here! The shades of blue and teal in the tiling look really beautiful to photograph. I hadn’t really considered traveling to Uzbekistan but these photos are making me change my mind!
Charlotte says
Thank you so much for saying that Brianna! That really means a lot to me 🙂
Bliss Eatts says
It’s such an undiscovered country. Your photos of it are stunning!
Charlotte says
Thank you so much! 🙂