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Foreign tourist flow to Uzbekistan increased by 48.3% year-on-year in January-June 2025. The largest number of tourists arrived from Russia, the National Statistics Committee of Uzbekistan reports.
First place went to Russia, with 166,600 tourists visiting Uzbekistan in the first half of 2025. Turkmenistan was in second place, sending 123,000 travelers to Uzbekistan in the same period, and Kazakhstan was in third place with 77,700. The top ten countries for tourist arrivals in Uzbekistan also include Kyrgyzstan (71,600), Tajikistan (49,100), China (39,100), Turkey (29,300), India (22,000), Italy (18,600), and South Korea (14,900). Among the outliers were 14,700 tourists from Germany and 13,200 from the United States during the same timeframe of 2025.
Uzbekistan, despite being a double-landlocked country, has been actively developing its transportation infrastructure to improve connectivity for road, rail, and air travel. This includes expanding railway networks, modernizing airports, and upgrading road infrastructure to facilitate both domestic and international trade and travel and toboth trade and tourism.
There is no consensus on which city in Uzbekistan is the most beautiful, accessible, and well set up for tourists. Several places are usually mentioned.
Bukhara. One of the oldest eastern cities with a history of more than 2,500 years. Its city center offers a wealth of historical and cultural attractions. Must-see places include the Poi-Kalyan complex, Lyab-i Hauz Ensemble, Samanid Mausoleum, Chor Minor Madrasah, and the Ark Fortress. The city also boasts several museums, including the Workshop Museum of Bukhara Dolls and the Palace of Moonlike Stars.
Khiva. An oasis city with many ancient monuments, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Main attractions: the fortresses of Ichan-Kala, Kunya-Ark, and Dishan-Kala; mosques and madrasas; palaces and residences of the Khiva rulers; and ancient caravanserais.
Samarkand. A city that is over 2,700 years old and is a unique museum where the country’s most famous sights have been preserved. The city was a nexus on the ancient Silk Road and is known for its stunning Islamic architecture and historical sites. Key places include Registan Square, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, the Gur-e Amir mausoleum (Mausoleum of Timur), the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and the Ulugbek Observatory.
Further Reading
Lukoil Researching Kandym Oil and Gas Deposits in Uzbekistan
