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Uzbekistan - 04 Nights - Taskent & Samarkand - History, Culture & City Life

 

In May 2025, we wanted to travel for a quick holiday to a country nearby, as well as budget friendly. Uzbekistan was an option from a list of countries in central Asia.

From historic monuments to futuristic metro stations, Uzbekistan gave us a perfect blend of old world charm and modern cities. We spent 04 nights exploring the capital Tashkent and the legendary Silk Road city of Samarkand. With scenic day trips to the mountains, delicious Uzbek cuisine, and vibrant markets, this trip was a true cultural delight.

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Getting There

 

Air Arabia was a clear winner in terms of flights, as they were cheap, from Sharjah (close to where we live) and flight timings were also fantastic. Both legs of our flights were departing and arriving during the day. Which is great. We flew early morning from Sharjah and landed in Tashkent in the afternoon. After clearing immigration, we exchanged US dollars (as dirhams aren't accepted) and also learned that many places accept cards, but cash is great for taxis and small vendors at the bazaars and markets. Yandex Go is a lifesaver for hailing rides. After a brief walk from where the cab dropped us, we checked into our hotel: Qonoq Railway Hotel, located inside the railway station and just steps from the metro.

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Accommodation

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We decided to book everything ourself, rather than go for a tour package. Uzbekistan is very cheap and affordable, budget friendly. We chose the hotel as it was within the railway station, and 05 minutes walk from the metro station. So it was incredibly easy to navigate Tashkent via metro, as well as catch a train to Samarkand early in the morning. We did not use Taxi in Tashkent at all, except going to and from the airport. As well as going to and from the Railway Station and our main attractions in Samarkand.  

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Qo'noq railway hotel proved to be a very nice and clean accommodation. The staff are very polite, and they also have a decent breakfast. The only challenge was locating it initially, as it's tucked inside the station grounds but otherwise, very convenient. Of Course, there are various hotels within the city you can choose from. There is no shortage of good hotels.
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Itinerary

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  • ​Day 1: Arrival in Tashkent

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We arrived in Tashkent around noon, and completed immigration. Once done, we collected our bags and headed towards the exchange center to Once settled into our hotel, we spent the evening soaking in the city vibe. We roamed nearby streets and had a lovely Turkish dinner at a nearby restaurant. The area was lively and walkable, setting the tone for our trip ahead.

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  • Day 2: Mountains, Lakes & Nature
     

​We set off in the morning for a full day nature escape outside Tashkent, heading towards Uzbekistan’s most scenic mountain region. The drive took just over an hour, and we shared the trip with a friendly solo traveler, making it both social and cost effective.

    Chimgan Mountains – A peaceful mountain getaway popular for hiking and skiing, offering panoramic views and crisp air.
    Chorvak Reservoir – A large turquoise lake surrounded by mountains, ideal for photos and relaxation; a favorite summer retreat for locals.
    Amirsoy Resort – A modern, alpine style resort featuring cable cars and activities; a great place to enjoy cooler weather and scenic views even in warmer months.

We skipped lunch thanks to a filling breakfast and instead enjoyed snacks and kebabs from local stores later in the day. After exploring each spot at a relaxed pace, we returned to Tashkent by evening, pleasantly tired from a day filled with nature and fresh mountain air.​​

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  • Day 3: Day Trip to Samarkand – History & Landmarks

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We woke up early for the 06:30 AM Afrosiyob high-speed train to Samarkand. This is where living right within the railway station came in handy. We barely had to rush as we could take our own time and just walk to the train, which took 02 minutes. We reached Samarkand at around 08:30, after walking out of the station and having a delicious breakfast nearby, we hailed a cab to the starting point of our self tour, and set off on foot to explore this legendary city filled with Silk Road history. 

    Amir Temur Monument – A grand statue honoring the 14th century conqueror, set in a spacious, leafy square.
    Rukhobod Mausoleum – A serene 14th century tomb with a distinct domed design and deep historical significance.
    Amir Temur Park – A peaceful park ideal for strolling, filled with fountains, trees, and monuments.
    Registan Square – The crown jewel of Samarkand, this majestic complex of 03 madrasahs is a must see, it defines the city’s iconic image.
    Bibi-Khanym Mosque – Once among the largest mosques in the Islamic world, it still stuns with its massive scale and beautiful tile work.
    Siyob Bazaar – A lively market just next to the mosque, full of dried fruits, local spices, souvenirs, and Uzbek street food.
    Hazrat Khizr Mosque – A religious site overlooking the city, with sweeping views and cultural value.
    Shah-i-Zinda – A breathtaking necropolis lined with intricately tiled mausoleums; one of the most visually stunning sites in Uzbekistan.

After a delicious local lunch featuring Uzbek plov, we continued exploring before returning to the Samarkand railway station. The high-speed train was fully booked, so we took the slower option, arriving in Tashkent around 11:30 PM, tired but full of great memories. Again, our hotel being within the railway station, all we had to do was walk for a few minutes and done, we were in bed in no time. 

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  • Day 4: Tashkent Metro Tour, Bazaars & City Squares

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After a well-deserved late start and breakfast, we spent our final full day exploring the capital on foot and via its famous metro. The Tashkent metro is incredibly cheap. For 3000 UZS, you get to travel anywhere within the metro line. Once you exit the station, you do need to pay another 3000 to travel again. But even then, incredibly cheap. 

    Chorsu Bazaar – A massive dome-covered market filled with spices, fresh produce, clothes, and souvenirs, a feast for the senses.
    Tashkent Metro Stations – Known for their artistic architecture, each metro station felt like a mini museum:
        Toshkent Station – Clean, central, and well connected.
        Pakhtakor Station – Themed around cotton (Uzbekistan’s historic crop).
        Yunus Rajabiy Station – A modern, elegant design.
        Kosmonavtlar Station – A cosmic themed station honoring Soviet space achievements.
        Abdulla Qodiriy Station – Named after the famous Uzbek writer, this station blends classic and modern decor.
        Alisher Navoi Station – An artistic tribute to the great poet, with stunning tile work.

For lunch, we dined at a banquet-style plov and kebab hall, enjoying hearty local flavors.
Afterward, we explored more landmarks on foot:

    Amir Temur Square – A central square with fountains and the famous statue of Temur on horseback.
    Tashkent Chimes – A Soviet-era clock tower that chimes melodically through the city center.
    Ankhor Park – A lush green space by the river, perfect for strolling and people-watching.
    Mustaqillik (Independence) Square – The symbolic heart of Uzbekistan’s independence, complete with monuments and memorials.

As the day wound down, we picked up takeaway dinner, returned to our hotel, and packed up for our departure.

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  • Day 5: Farewell to Uzbekistan

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On our final morning, we had a relaxed breakfast at our hotel and packed up for the airport. As we headed to the airport, we felt a mix of sadness and gratitude, Uzbekistan had surprised us with its rich history, modern infrastructure, warm people, and affordable travel.
While we only managed to explore Tashkent and Samarkand, we left with no regrets; only a note to return one day and explore Bukhara and Khiva, the other Silk Road gems of this beautiful country.

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Cost

 

We opted to book everything ourselves rather than a tour package, as Sri Lanka is a relatively cheap destination and budget friendly. It was an easy choice.

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Final Thoughts, Tips and Advice

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  • Visa Requirements: Check if you need a visa before traveling. We had to apply for e-visa. 

  • Use Yandex Go for reliable, affordable taxi rides without language barriers.

  • Bring cash in USD, and exchange at official booths - avoid relying solely on cards. You can also exchange Euros, Pounds, Japanese Yen, and a couple of other major currencies at the airport. Do NOT use the ATM as we found that the exchange rate was terrible on the ATM. The Uzbekistani Som (UZS) is a relatively weak currency compared to the UAE Dirham (AED) and US Dollar (USD).
    As of our trip in May 2025, 1 AED ≈ 3,300 UZS, and 1 USD ≈ 12,000 UZS.

  • Book Afrosiyob train tickets in advance, especially for weekends and holidays. The high speed train gets booked quickly.

  • Tashkent metro is a hidden gem. Cheap, clean, safe, and a visual treat for architecture lovers. 

  • Try the local pilaf (plov). Each region has its own twist, and it's hearty and flavorful.

  • Most signage is in Cyrillic or Uzbek, so use Google Translate’s camera mode when needed.
     

Uzbekistan gave us a short yet unforgettable taste of Central Asia—ancient cities, friendly people, modern infrastructure, and a deep cultural heartbeat.
We explored the capital Tashkent, with its unique metro stations and green boulevards, and walked through the rich, historic streets of Samarkand, home to majestic madrasahs and timeless Silk Road monuments.
Nature lovers will enjoy day trips to the Chimgan Mountains and Chorvak Reservoir, while food lovers will be spoiled with hearty kebabs and aromatic plov.
It’s affordable, safe, scenic; and a destination we’d happily return to.

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Check out our Other Destinations! Click here. 

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