Best Time to Visit Uzbekistan, Month by Month

When to go to Uzbekistan: spring and autumn for the Silk Road cities, winter for skiing near Tashkent, and what each month brings in weather, crowds and festivals.

Uzbekistan has a dry continental climate: hot summers, cold winters and two long, beautiful seasons in between. The best time to visit depends on what you want to do — walking around the Silk Road cities, hiking in the mountains or skiing near Tashkent.

Short answer: the best months for a classic trip to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva are April, May, September and October.

Spring (March–May)

Spring is the most popular season. Days are warm (around 20–28 °C in April and May), the orchards are in blossom and the desert is briefly green.

March is still cool and changeable, but the country celebrates Navruz, the Persian New Year, on 21 March with music, festive food such as sumalak, and events in every city.
April and May are ideal for sightseeing: comfortable temperatures, long days and green parks. This is also high season, so book hotels and trains early.
In late May or early June Bukhara usually hosts the Silk and Spices Festival with crafts, music and food in the old town.

Summer (June–August)

Summer is hot and dry. In the desert cities — Bukhara, Khiva, Nukus and Termez — temperatures often rise above 40 °C in July and August.

Plan sightseeing for the early morning and the evening, and rest in the afternoon.
Hotels are cheaper and the monuments are quieter outside the main European holiday weeks.
Summer is the best time for the mountains: the Chimgan and Charvak area near Tashkent and the Zaamin national park are 10–15 °C cooler than the plains.
It is also the season of melons, apricots and grapes in the bazaars.

Autumn (September–October)

Autumn is the second high season and many travellers' favourite. The heat fades, the light is soft and the bazaars are full of the harvest.

September is still warm (around 25–30 °C) and dry. 1 September is Independence Day.
October brings cool mornings and pleasant days, perfect for walking. In the desert nights get cold.
Samarkand's Sharq Taronalari music festival is held at the Registan in late summer in some years; check the dates if you want to see it.

Winter (November–February)

Winter is low season. It can be cold (around 0 to 10 °C by day, below zero at night), with occasional snow, especially in the north and in the mountains.

Monuments are almost empty and hotel prices drop — good for photographers and travellers on a budget.
Some guesthouses and yurt camps close for the season, and days are short.
From December to March you can ski at Amirsoy, Beldersay and Chimgan, about two hours from Tashkent.
Bring warm clothes: many old buildings and small cafés are not well heated.

Month by month at a glance

January–February: cold, quiet, ski season in the mountains.
March: cool, Navruz on 21 March.
April–May: warm, blossoming, best for sightseeing — busy.
June: getting hot; good for the mountains.
July–August: very hot in the desert, cooler in the mountains.
September–October: warm and golden, harvest time — busy.
November: cool and quiet, still good for city trips.
December: cold, short days, start of the ski season.

Ramadan and public holidays

During Ramadan most restaurants, sights and transport work as usual, but some cafés in traditional neighbourhoods close during the day. The end of Ramadan and Kurban Hayit (Eid al-Adha) are public holidays when trains and domestic flights fill up — book ahead.

Plan your trip

Once you have chosen your dates, see our Uzbekistan itinerary for routes of 7 to 14 days, check the visa rules, and look at the upcoming events for concerts and festivals during your stay.