Uzbekistan: The country that’s currently on everyone’s radar and why you should go now
- Roxana Nothaft
- Apr 8
- 6 min read
Why travel to Uzbekistan?
National Geographic – list of top travel destinations for 2026/2027
Read the full article from National Geographic here. By Roxy · Roxys Travel Plan · Best time to travel: April–June & September–October · Reading time: approx. 8 minutes There are moments when you discover a destination and instantly know this is it. When National Geographic released its Best of the World 2026 list, the obvious question was: which places made it this time? When I opened the list, I couldn’t help but smile. Two of the destinations featured are already part of our own tours at Roxys Travel Plan. Uzbekistan is one of them.
More specifically, Khiva was named one of the 25 most important travel destinations worldwide for 2026 by National Geographic. Not because of hype, but because in 2026 a new high-speed train will run directly to Khiva, cutting travel time from Tashkent from 15 hours to under 8. This is the window, and it’s opening right now.
Why Uzbekistan is truly booming right now
This isn’t a short-lived travel trend that disappears in a few months. The numbers speak for themselves. According to the UN World Tourism Organization, Uzbekistan is among the seven countries worldwide with the highest growth in international visitor numbers. Between January and September 2025, international arrivals increased by 73% compared to the pre-crisis year 2019. By the end of 2025, more than 10.7 million foreign visitors had already been recorded.
For travelers from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, there’s another major advantage: visa-free entry for up to 30 days. No paperwork, no waiting at the consulate. Just book and go.
Uzbekistan has just crossed the line from a regional hidden gem to a global travel destination. But the crowds aren’t here yet. You’re still in that short, golden window.
And yet, the big crowds haven’t arrived yet
Search interest in Uzbekistan is growing by 30 to 40 percent every year. Travel journalists are going. Boutique lodges are opening. But those who travel now still experience Uzbekistan before the big boom. The real one. The untouched one. The kind that takes your breath away, without lines at the major sights.
This window is closing. Not tomorrow, but in three to five years, it will be a very different destination.
What you can truly expect in Uzbekistan
Forget everything you think you know. Uzbekistan is not what most people expect.
It’s not a harsh travel destination, not a politically tense region, and not some backpacker-only adventure. It’s a country that resonates with you on a deeper, more personal level. With a level of comfort that surprises even experienced travelers.
Samarkand: the place that brings you to your knees
Registan Square in Samarkand is one of the most breathtaking ensembles of Islamic architecture in the world. Three madrasas from the 14th to 17th century, perfectly preserved, glowing in a shade of blue no photo can truly capture. When the sun sets, the lights come on, and there are maybe twenty other people around you, something shifts. You grow quiet. You feel small in the most beautiful way.
At the Taj Mahal in peak season, you’re pushing through 50,000 visitors. In Samarkand, there is silence. That’s the difference that matters.
For those who want to go even deeper, the Shah-i-Sinda necropolis, an avenue of intricately decorated mausoleums from the 11th to 15th century, is considered by many travelers to be the most emotionally powerful place along the entire Silk Road.
Bukhara – a city that feels untouched by time
Bukhara is not a city with an old town. It is an old town, the entire city. Around 140 architectural monuments are concentrated within a compact area. Traders still operate in 16th-century caravanserais. In the evening, locals gather around the Lyabi-Hauz pool, sip green tea, and watch the world go by, just as they have for centuries.
There are few places in the world where past and present exist so naturally side by side.
Khiva: National Geographic’s top pick for 2026/2027
Itchan Kala, the fully walled inner city of Khiva made of clay brick, is the place National Geographic says: visit before everyone else does. And I agree, without hesitation.
You walk through the city gate and you’re gone. Out of the 21st century. The minarets, the narrow alleys, the golden light in the early morning. If someone asks me which place on earth feels most like One Thousand and One Nights, my answer is always the same: Khiva.
Starting in autumn 2026, a new high-speed train will directly connect Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, and for the first time Khiva. Travel times will be cut in half. Accessibility will surge. In two to three years, Khiva will be a different place. Right now is the moment.
Hospitality that takes you by surprise
In Uzbekistan, hospitality isn’t just politeness, it’s a deeply rooted cultural value. It goes back to the days of the Silk Road caravans, when travelers depended on the goodwill of locals. You’ll receive invitations you never planned for. Tea. Bread. Conversations that last for hours. Evenings you’ll never forget.
This is the kind of experience no guidebook can truly describe and no photo can capture.
Bazaars and food - a full sensory experience
The Siab Bazaar in Samarkand. Mountains of dried apricots, pomegranates, walnuts, spices in colors you’ve never seen before. Samsa fresh from a clay oven. Plov, Uzbekistan’s national dish made with lamb, rice, carrots, and cumin, slow-cooked for hours. Manti, lagman, shashlik grilled over open fire.
Uzbek cuisine is still largely unknown worldwide and seriously underrated. It will surprise you.
The most common misconceptions and why they’re not true
I hear them all the time when I talk about Uzbekistan. Let me address them directly.
“Isn’t it dangerous?”
No. In an international safety survey, Uzbekistan ranked 5th out of 135 countries, ahead of the UK (21st) and the US (35th). Petty crime is minimal, political stability is solid, and Western travelers are welcomed with open arms.
“Isn’t it uncomfortable and far away?”
In recent years, Uzbekistan has invested over €1.4 billion in more than 420 tourism projects. The result: over 6,800 hotels across all categories, excellent boutique stays, and the modern Afrosiyob high-speed train connecting Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara in just a few hours. On top of that, there are direct flight connections via Istanbul and other European hubs.
Uncomfortable is a thing of the past.
“Is it even for me?”
If you’re interested in culture, it’s absolutely worth the trip. Whether you’re a seasoned traveler or just getting started, there’s something here for everyone. If you enjoyed places like Jordan, Morocco, or Cambodia, this will fit your taste perfectly. And if you’ve ever dreamed of traveling the Silk Road, this is your moment.
Why now is the best time and not in three years
I know the feeling of discovering a destination before everyone else does. And I know what it feels like to arrive too late. Uzbekistan is exactly at that tipping point.
Uzbekistan is right at that moment.
Three reasons why 2026/2027 is your year for Uzbekistan
First: the new high-speed train to Khiva. From autumn 2026, the entire Silk Road route will be accessible by fast train. In one to two years, bookings will surge. Those who travel now will experience Khiva without the crowds.
Third: you’ll be among the first to talk about it. You come back, share your experience, and suddenly everyone wants to go.
We’ve created a 14-day Uzbekistan journey — Discover Uzbekistan: Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva, Tashkent. Carefully curated, focused on authenticity rather than typical tourist experiences. From €2,241 per person.
This isn’t mass tourism. This is travel that actually feels like travel.
How to travel Uzbekistan the right way
I’ve experienced the route myself, personally selected the accommodations, and carefully chosen the guides based on trust and passion. 14 days. Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva. Small group, private, with a focus on authenticity rather than typical tourist experiences..
What to expect on the Discover Uzbekistan tour
Samarkand at night: the Registan illuminated, without the crowds
Bukhara: an old town that feels like stepping into another time
Khiva: this year’s highlight according to National Geographic
Tashkent: a modern capital with deep historical roots
Personal insights into Uzbek cuisine, craftsmanship, and hospitality
Private experience: no crowded buses, no rushing from place to place
From €2,241 per person · 14 days · private · minimum 2 people (solo travel is absolutely possible, just reach out to me)
If you’re interested in other top destinations named by National Geographic for 2026, you can also explore our Philippines tours or Hawaii here.
Or just message me directly. I personally answer every question and help you figure out if and how this journey fits you.
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