Must-see shopping in Uzbekistan

  • Khiva Silk Carpet Workshop

    Khiva

    Carpet makers hand-weave high-quality silk rugs here, not in traditional carpet patterns but in unique designs inspired by Khivan tilework, carved doors…

  • Abulkasim Medressa

    Tashkent

    Close to the Oliy Majlis in Navoi Park, this medressa has been turned into an artisans’ school and workshop where local wood carvers, lacquerware makers,…

  • Happy Bird Handicrafts Centre

    Samarkand

    A dozen craft shops cluster around this single courtyard, making it a great place to shop for quality souvenirs, from ceramics and jewellery to wood…

  • Siob Bazaar

    Samarkand

    Around and behind Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Samarkand's frenetic, colourful main market is a great place for both vegetarians and photographers (vegetarian…

  • Dil-Suzani Boutique

    Samarkand

    If you are interested in buying suzani (embroidery), owner Dilshod in the Tilla-Kari Medressa is very knowledgeable and gives an excellent free…

  • Tezykovka Bazaar

    Tashkent

    The vast local flea market of Tezykovka Bazaar is also known as Yangiobod Market. This sombre sea of junk – ‘everything from hedgehogs to car parts’ as…

  • Tim Abdulla Khan

    Bukhara

    For carpets, you couldn’t ask for a better shopping atmosphere than at the silk-weaving centre in this cavernous late-16th-century building, located near…

  • Samarkand-Bukhara Silk Carpets Showroom

    Samarkand

    Samarkand-Bukhara Silk Carpets has a Registan-based showroom with its trademark high-quality woven silk tapestries and suzani carpets on display. If you…

  • Feruza's Ikat Store

    Bukhara

    If your itinerary isn't taking you to the Fergana Valley, check out Feruza's stall for a great collection of stylish, family-made ikat silks from Margilon…

  • Human House

    Tashkent

    This shop not only has carpets, skullcaps, suzani and textiles from various Uzbek provinces, but it also doubles as one of Tashkent’s most fashionable…

  • Chorsu Antiques

    Tashkent

    There are several antique and musical instrument shops nestled here amid a row of hardware and baby cradle shops behind Chorsu Bazaar. Interesting finds…

  • Toshkent Univermagi

    Tashkent

    It may not have the atmosphere of the bazaars, but for the best prices and a surprisingly good selection of silk scarves (US$7) and silk by the metre, try…

  • Mirobod Bazaar

    Tashkent

    A fiesta of fruit bathing in the teal-green glow of its giant, octagonal flying saucer of a roof.

  • Oloy Bazaar

    Tashkent

    Lacks the character of Chorsu, but locals say it has the best, if priciest, produce.

  • Shahriston Market

    Bukhara

    The virtually tourist-free Shahriston Market is in a large courtyard, where locals trade blingy jewellery and house-sized carpets among themselves and…

  • Bukhara Artisan Development Centre

    Bukhara

    Here you can watch artisans at work on a variety of handicrafts including suzani, miniature paintings, jewellery boxes and chess sets. Bring your own…

  • Unesco Carpet Weaving Shop

    Bukhara

    This no longer has anything to do with Unesco (which helped them launch in 2001), but you can still observe weavers here hand-making pricey silk carpets…

  • Sharq Ziyokori

    Tashkent

    Has simple maps of Tashkent, Uzbekistan and most provincial centres, plus better 1:450,000 maps of most provinces published by Ozbekiston Viloyatlari.

  • Rakhimov Ceramics Studio

    Tashkent

    An impressive ceramics workshop that also functions as a museum and shop. You'll need to get someone to ring to arrange a visit.