Uzbekistan sits at the heart of the Silk Road, where turquoise domes and tiled portals once greeted camel caravans carrying spices and silk. Today, its cities balance this storied past with broad boulevards, contemporary cafes, and a revived craft scene. Expect mosaicked madrasas, fragrant bazaars, and the kind of hospitality that insists you take a second cup of tea.

In this relaxed 9-day itinerary, you’ll split your time between Tashkent, a green, cosmopolitan capital, and Samarkand, the legendary city of Timur. We favor leisurely mornings, long lunches, mellow evenings, and ample time to savor coffee, shop for ceramics and textiles, and enjoy refined Uzbek cuisine.

Practical notes: Many nationalities can obtain an e-visa; always check current entry rules. The currency is the Uzbek so’m (UZS). Dress modestly in sacred sites, carry small bills for markets, drink bottled water, and plan intercity journeys on the fast Afrosiyob train for comfort and speed.

Tashkent

Tashkent is your modern doorway to the Silk Road—tree-lined avenues, Soviet-era architecture, brilliant metro art, and a dining scene that runs from time-honored plov halls to stylish rooftop bars. It’s a city built for easy strolling: parks, fountains, and open squares lead to historic quarters where blue-tiled madrassas and bustling markets still hum.

Don’t miss the Khast-Imam complex and the famed Uthman Quran, Chorsu Bazaar’s spice pyramids and fruit mountains, and the Museum of Applied Arts with its carved plaster and lacquered miniatures. Ride the metro just for the stations—Kosmonavtlar’s celestial blue tiles are a small museum underground.

• Where to stay (Tashkent): For five-star ease and a stellar rooftop, consider Hyatt Regency Tashkent. Solid business-class comfort: Wyndham Tashkent. Social, wallet-friendly options: Art Hostel or Topchan Hostel. Browse more stays on Hotels.com (Tashkent) or apartment-style places on VRBO (Tashkent).
• Getting in: Fly into Tashkent International (TAS). Compare fares on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.
• Moving on: Afrosiyob high-speed trains link Tashkent and Samarkand in ~2 hours (typically $15–35 depending on class). Check schedules on Trip.com Trains or secure seats via Viator’s pass below.

Day 1: Arrival, Squares, and a Soft Landing

Afternoon: Arrive at TAS and settle into your hotel. Shake off jet lag with a gentle loop: Amir Timur Square, the bronze conqueror on horseback, and the leafy Sayilgoh (“Broadway”) for artists’ stalls and street snacks.

Evening: Dinner at Afsona—modern Uzbek dishes like quail samsa, lamb shashlik, and sumalak-infused desserts in an elegant setting. For a nightcap with views, head to the Hyatt Regency’s rooftop bar (excellent spritzes and mocktails), or try Steam Bar for craft cocktails and a lively crowd.

Day 2: Old Tashkent, Bazaar Bites, and Metro Art

Morning: Coffee and croissants at Breadly Cafe & Bakery. Tour the Khast-Imam ensemble and the Tilla Sheikh library’s early Quran manuscript. Wander Chorsu Bazaar for melons, nuts, and fresh non (tandoor bread); grab a warm samsa from a bakery stall.

Afternoon: Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, then ride the Tashkent Metro to admire stations like Kosmonavtlar and Alisher Navoi. Lunch at Caravan—try lagman noodles and achichuk salad under carved wood ceilings.

Evening: If there’s a performance, book the Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet (box office on-site). Otherwise, sample fragrant pilaf at the Central Asian Plov Center (Besh Qozon)—watch chefs stir vast cauldrons of rice, carrots, and tender beef.

Optional guided experience: Tashkent City Tour to cover major highlights comfortably in one day.

Day 3: Mountains, Cable Cars, and Lake Charvak (Day Trip)

Head into the Tian Shan foothills for alpine air and wide views.

Explore Amirsoy, Chimgan & Charvak – A Full-Day Mountain Tour (hotel pickup, scenic drives, optional cable car, lakeside photo stops).

Return to Tashkent for a relaxed dinner—try Sette (Hyatt) for handmade pasta and a good Italian wine list, or a late plate of kebabs at Caravan.

Day 4: To Samarkand by Afrosiyob, Sunset at Gur‑e‑Amir

Morning: Depart on the Afrosiyob high-speed train (≈2h). Expect ~$15–35 per person. Check times on Trip.com Trains or secure seats via Afrosiyob high speed train tickets - Guaranteed Pass.

Afternoon: Check into your Samarkand hotel and take a gentle walk through leafy lanes. Coffee and cake at Café Magistr near the university quarter.

Evening: Visit Gur‑e‑Amir, Timur’s luminous mausoleum, for a golden-hour glow. Dinner at Platan—order the trout with herb butter, manti dumplings, and a local dry white. If the Registan sound-and-light show is scheduled, cap the night beneath the three madrasas.

Samarkand

Samarkand is the Silk Road’s poster child—the Registan at its heart, flanked by towering portals stitched with lapis tiles. But beyond the icons, the city softens into orchards, artisan workshops, and teahouses where non bread is still stamped by hand. It’s an easy place to slow down, wander, and let history do the talking.

Top sights cluster within a short radius: Registan, Bibi‑Khanym Mosque, the kaleidoscopic necropolis of Shah‑i‑Zinda, and the Afrosiab site with its mural fragments. For a hands-on detour, head to Konigil’s water‑powered paper mill to see mulberry bark become parchment.

• Where to stay (Samarkand): Elegant boutique options and family-run inns abound near Registan and the old town. Browse top-rated stays on Hotels.com (Samarkand) and apartments on VRBO (Samarkand).
• Getting around: Taxis are affordable (use a ride‑hailing app), and most sights are a short drive or 20–25 minute walk apart.

Day 5: Registan, Bibi‑Khanym, and Siyob Bazaar

Morning: Start early at the Registan to enjoy its symmetry before the crowd. Walk to the vast Bibi‑Khanym Mosque, then continue to Siyob Bazaar to taste halva, dried apricots, and fresh samarkand non—thick, sesame‑speckled rounds best eaten warm.

Afternoon: Break for lunch at Bibikhanum Teahouse (pillowy bread, shivit oshi herb noodles, and kebabs). Meander back through artisan courtyards for ceramics, suzani textiles, and hand-carved woodwork.

Evening: Dinner at the grand Samarkand Restaurant with live music most nights; ask for the tandoor lamb and a light local red. Stroll past the illuminated Registan after dark—magical in photographs.

Optional guided experience: Private Samarkand City Tour With Transportation for a relaxed, door‑to‑door overview.

Day 6: Shah‑i‑Zinda, Ulugbek Observatory, and Afrosiab

Morning: Coffee at Café Magistr or a tea at a local chaikhana, then ascend the mosaic-lined alley of Shah‑i‑Zinda—a jewel box of mausoleums from the 11th–15th centuries.

Afternoon: Visit the Ulugbek Observatory, where a 15th‑century sextant advanced medieval astronomy. Continue to the Afrosiab Museum to see fragments of Sogdian wall paintings depicting ambassadors and banquets. Lunch at Platan or the shady garden of a nearby café.

Evening: Wine tasting at the Khovrenko Winery & Museum (historic cellar; sample semi‑sweet reds and local dessert wines). For dinner, try Old City Restaurant—rustic clay pots, salads with walnuts and herbs, and mellow courtyard vibes.

Day 7: Konigil Paper Mill and Green City Shahrisabz (Day Trip)

Enjoy a slow morning at the Konigil (Meros) Paper Mill, watching mulberry paper made by water power. Then, if you’re up for a scenic drive through the mountains, take a private excursion to Shahrisabz, Timur’s birthplace, to see the colossal Aqsaray Palace ruins and Kok‑Gumbaz Mosque.

Shahrisabz Private Excursion From Samarkand (comfortable pacing and expert commentary).

Return to Samarkand for dinner—book a table on a terrace near the old town for grilled trout, fresh salads, and calm evening air.

Day 8: Crafts, Carpets, Coffee, and a Photo‑Perfect Sunset

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Café Magistr or a cozy spot near Registan, then browse the Samarkand‑Bukhara Silk Carpet Factory to see natural dyes and hand‑knotting in action (excellent for quality souvenirs).

Afternoon: Keep it easy: spa or hammam time at your hotel, a leisurely lunch, and a second pass through Siyob for nuts, saffron, and candied pumpkin. If you love photography, consider a guided shoot timed to golden hour.

Evening: Sunset at the Registan from a nearby rooftop café; dinner at Platan or a courtyard spot with live folk music.

Optional experience for creatives: Samarkand City Tour with a Professional Photographer—learn angles and stories while you shoot.

Day 9: Slow Morning and Departure

Morning: Final stroll for last‑minute suzani and ceramics. Coffee and a slice of honey cake before checkout.

Afternoon: Depart from Samarkand (SKD) or return to Tashkent by Afrosiyob if your flight leaves from TAS. Compare flights on Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights, and trains on Trip.com Trains.

Dining and Coffee Shortlist (Save for Later)

• Tashkent: Afsona (modern Uzbek), Caravan (classic Uzbek/Central Asian), Central Asian Plov Center (the plov experience), Sette (Italian rooftop), Breadly Cafe & Bakery (breakfast/coffee), Coffee & Milk (local roaster chain), Steam Bar (cocktails), Harat’s Irish Pub (casual pints).
• Samarkand: Platan (garden dining), Samarkand Restaurant (grand hall, live music), Old City Restaurant (cozy Uzbek staples), Bibikhanum Teahouse (near the mosque), Café Magistr (coffee, desserts), Khovrenko Winery & Museum (tastings).

Getting Between Cities: Quick Facts

• Afrosiyob (Tashkent ⇄ Samarkand): ~2h, ~$15–35; Business Class adds legroom and a meal. Check on Trip.com Trains or book via Viator Guaranteed Pass.
• Private car: 4–5h via A373; from ~$90–150 per vehicle depending on comfort class.
• Flights: Limited direct options; trains are usually faster point‑to‑point.

With time built in to linger over coffee, browse bazaars, and watch the light change on glazed tiles, this itinerary brings Uzbekistan’s best to a relaxed pace. From Tashkent’s modern energy to Samarkand’s timeless mosaics, you’ll eat well, rest well, and depart with memory cards—and suitcases—full.