Uzbekistan welcomed 10.3 million foreign tourists in January–September 2026, a 20.4% increase on the same period of 2025, according to the country's Committee on Tourism – with arrivals from the United States up 1.4 times and from the United Kingdom and Germany up 25%. The message for travellers is simple: the Silk Road is no longer a secret, and the best guides, hotels and train seats for the coming seasons are worth securing early.
Stand in Samarkand's Registan at golden hour and you will understand why. Three madrasas wrapped in turquoise tilework glow as the sun drops, the call to prayer drifts across the square, and the smell of fresh non bread rises from a nearby bakery. More and more people from every continent now want to feel that moment for themselves.
The figures released by the Committee on Tourism and reported by Trend on 10 October 2026 show growth across almost every market:
The boom is part of a long-term strategy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev has set a goal of up to 20 million foreign tourists a year by 2030, with tourism contributing 7% of GDP and the number of four- and five-star hotels doubling (Travel And Tour World, 4 October 2026). Planned projects include the Samarkand Heritage Trail, a 6.6-kilometre route designed to connect the Registan, Bibi-Khanum, Shah-i-Zinda and the Ulugh Beg Observatory, while Khiva has added a new Congress Hall in 2026.
For travellers, this means better infrastructure year after year – but also busier peak seasons in the most famous cities.
Book early for spring and autumn. The classic months are when demand for experienced guides, boutique hotels and high-speed train tickets is highest. Planning several months ahead gives you the widest choice.
Consider the quieter months. Winter and early spring bring calmer squares in Samarkand and Bukhara, softer prices and a more intimate experience of the monuments.
Go beyond the famous triangle. Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are unmissable, but the Fergana Valley, Karakalpakstan and the mountains near Tashkent add depth and fewer crowds.
Choose the right length. Short on time? Our 5-day tour of Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara covers the essentials. Want the full story? The 10-day Grand Silk Road tour adds Khiva and more time in each city. In Samarkand, the Hilton Garden Inn Samarkand is one of the hotels we work with.
Check your entry rules. Citizens of around 90 countries can visit Uzbekistan visa-free, including the UK and Germany for up to 30 days; others can use the e-visa system. Always confirm current rules before booking flights.
GoUzbekistan is a licensed tour operator with offices in Tashkent and Bukhara, operating since 2007. As demand grows, a local team that knows the hotels, guides and train timetables makes the difference between a rushed trip and a seamless one. Create your own custom tour or explore our tours – and contact us on WhatsApp +998 93 963-00-00 or at info@gouzbekistan.com.
السياحة في أوزبكستان تحقق رقماً قياسياً: 10.3 مليون زائر في تسعة أشهر من عام 2026. احجز مبكراً رحلتك إلى سمرقند وبخارى على طريق الحرير. صمّم رحلتك الآن
Usbekistan Reise im Trend: 25 % mehr Gäste aus Deutschland in den ersten neun Monaten 2026. Sichern Sie sich frühzeitig Ihre Seidenstraße Rundreise nach Samarkand und Buchara. Jetzt Reise planen
Viajes a Uzbekistán en auge: 10,3 millones de visitantes en nueve meses de 2026. Reserva con antelación tu ruta por la Ruta de la Seda hasta Samarcanda y Bujará. Diseña tu viaje
Voyage Ouzbékistan : 10,3 millions de visiteurs en neuf mois en 2026, dont 21 % de Français en plus. Réservez tôt votre circuit sur la Route de la Soie vers Samarcande. Créez votre voyage
乌兹别克斯坦旅游持续升温：2026年前九个月接待外国游客1030万人次，中国游客增长至2.1倍。提前规划您的丝绸之路撒马尔罕之旅。定制行程
Туры в Узбекистан бьют рекорды: 10,3 млн иностранных туристов за девять месяцев 2026 года. Бронируйте заранее путешествие по Шёлковому пути в Самарканд и Бухару. Создать свой тур
More than 100,000 exhibits, from Russian avant-garde to ancient Khorezm: why the Savitsky Museum in Nukus belongs on every Uzbekistan journey — combined with Khiva and the Aral Sea....
Read moreUzbekistan welcomed 10.3 million foreign tourists in January–September 2026, up 20.4%. What the record numbers mean for your Silk Road trip — and how to plan it smartly....
Read moreAt the heart of the Silk Road Samarkand complex, the 17-hectare Eternal City brings the crafts, costumes and cuisine of Uzbekistan's regions together in one walkable quarter....
Read moreBeyond Samarkand and Bukhara, Uzbekistan's far south holds the mausoleum of Imam at-Tirmidhi, the Sultan Saodat complex of the Sayyids of Termez and the shrine of al-Hakim at-Tirmidhi....
Read more
Having trouble deciding on the right option?
We have experienced managers who will help you choose the perfect tour.
