Whether you’re exploring the vibrant bazaars or browsing modern boutiques, you’ll find a wide array of unique and beautiful items to take home. Enjoy your shopping adventure in this historic city!
In Samarkand, Navoi, Tashkent, Bukhara, and any city in Uzbekistan, bargaining is not only common but expected. Those who don’t bargain may appear strange and suspicious to local vendors. So, participate in this Eastern tradition without hesitation; after all, you’ll be saving your own money, not the Uzbek vendor’s. Bargain in souvenir shops, workshops, taxis, and when renting accommodation.
Cotton shirts, horsemeat sausage, leather bags, ceramic trays, medicinal balms, green teas, carpets with national patterns—read on to find out how much these items cost and where to buy them.
Let’s start with traditional Uzbek clothing. A wide selection of ethnic attire can be found in Samarkand’s local markets and souvenir shops. What do the locals wear? The most popular item is the Duppi skullcap. Men also wear traditional shirts like Kujlak, Yahtak, and Guppicha, pants called Ishton, a warm embroidered coat known as Chapan, and the outfit is completed with a Hilya robe, a kamzol, a belt, a waist scarf called Kijikcha, and leather boots. Women’s traditional attire consists of a robe, dress, trousers, a headscarf called Peshona Rumol, or a Paranja—a robe with long false sleeves and a face-covering hair net called Chachvan. The main footwear for women is backless shoes, and the main headgear is a bright, festive skullcap. Jewelry made of gold or silver is an essential accessory for Uzbek women of all ages.
Also, consider items created by Uzbek designers and artisans. Such clothing often features national patterns and characteristic elements made from silk or cotton. You might like the modern clothing brand Fratelli Casa, founded by brothers Sherzod and Shokhrukh in 2006. The brand produces items with ikat, suzani, and adras patterns.
Uzbekistan is one of the world’s top cotton producers, ranking sixth globally. During the Soviet era, the figures were even higher. The production of various cotton products is a significant economic sector in the country. The markets offer a vast selection of high-quality men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing.
Uzbekistan traditionally processes karakul, karakulcha, and other types of sheep fur, as well as wild animal fur, quite well. How about a fur hat or a fur vest? Or are you more interested in fur coats? For such purchases, head to Bukhara or Khiva—two main centers for fur processing in Uzbekistan.
Delight your loved one with a new bag. It can be textile or leather, but definitely Uzbek and handmade. The leather is of excellent quality, and the textile options are made from high-quality natural fabrics. There are models to suit every taste and budget.
Jewelry making in Uzbekistan dates back to the 12th century and is still passed down from generation to generation. You can buy exquisite gold and silver jewelry with precious or semi-precious stones. These can include earrings, bracelets, rings, brooches, cufflinks, chains, pendants, diadems, chokers, and other jewelry. You’ll notice that the jewelry is often quite heavy and adorned with carvings and oriental patterns. The craftsmanship can be admired under a magnifying glass. Commonly used stones include rubies, pearls, turquoise, carnelian, coral, and garnet.
The most valuable jewelry comes from Bukhara, mainly made of gold, as Bukhara has long been known as the jewelry capital of Asia. The city is located in the valley of the gold-bearing Zarafshan River, where this precious metal has been mined since ancient times.
Today, textiles, especially those made using the Suzani technique, are among the most popular items brought from Uzbekistan. These are silk fabrics embroidered by hand with gold threads. The patterns, colors, and techniques vary by region. These can include pillowcases, bedspreads, chair covers, and tablecloths. You can buy Suzani fabric by the yard and have something custom-made. Suzani can be found almost everywhere, but the largest selection is at the Urgut Market in the city of Urgut on Navoi Shoh Street, 2, and at the art center in Samarkand on Tashkent Street, 43.
Another hallmark of Uzbekistan is wool carpets. Did you know that Uzbekistan is an ancient center of carpet weaving? The best wedding gift for Uzbeks is a carpet, considered a talisman against misfortune. These carpets retain heat well, are highly resistant to dirt, and are very beautiful and elegant. Major carpet workshops operate in Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva. For example, Samarkand carpets predominantly feature red, black, and blue colors, Khiva carpets are known for their plant patterns, and Bukhara carpets are mostly multicolored, made from cotton, a mix of cotton and silk, or pure silk. For carpet shopping in Bukhara, visit the Tim Abdulla-hana trading dome. Or visit the Hudzhum carpet factory in Samarkand on Hudzhum Street, 12. You’ll not only see an endless assortment of rugs but also be fascinated by the unique process of hand-making carpets using ancient techniques. If you’re planning to buy silk carpets, head to the Bukhara Samarkand Silk Carpets factory at Samarkandi Street, 12a in Samarkand.
It’s a must to bring back a large plate for pilaf from Uzbekistan. And don’t forget to grab bowls, saucers, cups, jugs, vases, trays, fruit bowls, mugs, and other ceramic tableware with national patterns and glazed finishes. The prices are very low, almost unbelievably so.
Pay attention to the spices. Uzbek markets sell fragrant herb blends for pilaf and meat. Cumin, turmeric, zira, paprika, pepper, coriander, barberry, onion, dill, basil, parsley, cilantro, basil, garlic, cinnamon, mint. Don’t hesitate to ask vendors about the spices and which dishes they are best suited for, as it’s easy to get confused and buy unnecessary items. Remember, spices stimulate appetite, and herbs help with digestion.
A great gift for men is Bukhara knives, sabers, swords, and handmade daggers. The painted handles with engravings and steel blades are charming in their beauty and elegance. The item should have a hallmark, and you should receive a special certificate upon purchase. This will indicate that the knife is not a fake and is considered a souvenir.
For homemakers, bring an Uzbek knife with a wide blade and raised tip—Pchak. It’s handy in the kitchen and is used in preparing lagman, pilaf, shurpa, and samsa.
Uzbekistan is also famous for its wood carving and painting art. Just look at the carved boxes with scenes from oriental tales, magical birds, or intricate flowers. The decorations often use wood from plane trees, walnuts, and elms. Chests, chess sets, musical instruments, cradles, decorative panels, vases, plates, cradles Beshik, boxes, backgammon, national tables Hantahta, screens, Quran stands Lauh—a wooden purchase can delight anyone, be it a child, an adult, a man, a woman, a relative, or a friend. Wooden souvenirs are sold in workshops, bazaars, and branded shops.
In Samarkand, the central and tourist (and one of the oldest, dating back to the Middle Ages) artery is Islam Karimov Street, formerly known as Tashkent Street until 2017. The street stretches for three kilometers. It starts from Registan Square, passes through the Afrosiab settlement, and ends at the Samarkand ring road, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, and the central market. Here you’ll find cafes, banks, artisan workshops, and souvenir shops. The street is home to Islam Karimov Square, Islam Karimov Museum, Sherdor Madrasah, Islam Karimov Monument, Sheibanid Mausoleum, Mahsumbobo Mausoleum, Hazrat-Khizr Mosque, a pedestrian bridge over Shahi-Zinda Street, the Great Silk Road Caravans Monument, Tillya-Kari Square, the Samarkand History Museum, and the Chorsu trading dome. Most of the street is pedestrian-only.
Siab Market, like Chorsu, remains relevant over time. The bazaar is located at 8 Bibikhonum Street, at the intersection of Tashkent and Shahi-Zinda Streets. Near the southern and main entrance of the bazaar are the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the eponymous mausoleum. Covered pavilions provide a comfortable shopping experience in any weather.
Here you can find everything! The stalls are overflowing with goods. Believe it? But more items are handmade and natural treasures of Uzbekistan. Vegetables and fruits, lamb, goat, horse meat, groceries, spices and herbs, dried fruits and nuts, sweets and pastries, jams and honey.
You won’t leave empty-handed. You’ll also have the chance to see the process of creating national gifts: copper, carving, forging, and engraving.
Stroll through Shahi-Zinda
Explore Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Discover Registan Square grandeur
Shop at Siab Bazaar
Taste local traditional bread