From the wind-sanded minarets of Khiva to the cotton fields and mulberry groves of the Ferghana Valley, Uzbekistan smells of warm spices, boiling tea, and sun-baked clay.

Walk through Tashkent’s Chorsu Bazaar and you’ll feel the sun on hand-woven ikat shawls and hear the clack of ceramic wheels in a Rishtan workshop, textures and sounds that map the country’s five centuries of caravan trade and craftsmanship.

The phrase “Uzbek souvenirs” flits from stall to stall: silk, ceramics, metalwork and dried fruits all speak of place.

Stone-blue tile mosaics glint in Samarkand’s Registan; in Bukhara the soft nap of a suzani catches the light like a painted rug.

Margilan’s silk workshops hum with looms that have turned raw cocoon to shimmering atlas for generations, and in Chust a blade is filed and inlaid while the seller explains the pattern’s meaning. Here’s what to buy in Uzbekistan to bring a piece of its spirit back home.

1. Margilan Atlas (Ikat) Silk Scarf or Fabric

Why pick this up:
Margilan in the Ferghana Valley is Uzbekistan’s silk heart; ikat (atlas) dyeing yields those blurred, luminous patterns unique to Central Asia. A scarf or meter of fabric is both wearable art and a compact way to bring home a traditional craft.

What to look for:
Choose pieces from the Yodgorlik workshop or small family dyers where the warp-and-weft resist-dyeing is visible in the pattern edges. Look for tight weaving and deep colors — cheaper imitations use printed patterns rather than true ikat.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 300,000–1,800,000

Where to find it:
Margilan factories (Yodgorlik), Ferghana Valley markets, Tashkent’s Chorsu Bazaar, museum craft shops.

2. Bukhara Suzani Embroidery

Why pick this up:
Suzani are large embroidered panels originally made for wedding trousseaus in Bukhara and Samarkand, famed for bold floral motifs and silk threads on cotton ground. They make striking wall hangings, cushion covers, or table throws that carry family histories in every stitch.

What to look for:
Hand-embroidered pieces with uneven stitch lengths and natural-dye tones indicate authenticity; machine-made copies have perfect, repetitive stitching. Sizes range from small panels to floor-covering suzanis — pick by intended use.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 350,000–4,500,000

Where to find it:
Bukhara artisan quarters, Lyab-i-Hauz area, Samarkand bazaars, weekend craft bazaars.

3. Rishtan Blue-Glazed Ceramics

Why pick this up:
Rishtan pottery is instantly recognizable for its cobalt-blue glazes and intricate arabesques; the clay and glazing techniques are local to the Rishtan village near Fergana. Plates, teapots, and bowls bring Samarkand’s tile palette to your table.

What to look for:
Pick items with a deep, glassy blue and hand-painted motifs; minor glaze pooling and brushstroke variance are signs of authenticity. Avoid perfectly uniform mass-produced pieces.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 80,000–600,000

Where to find it:
Rishtan workshops and the Rishtan cooperative, Samarkand’s Siab Bazaar, Tashkent craft shops.

4. Handmade Bukharan Rugs and Kilims

Why pick this up:
Bukhara carpets carry tribal patterns and rich wool dyed with regional plants; their compact weaves and geometric medallions are central Asian classics. Even small prayer rugs or runner kilims make dramatic keepsakes.

What to look for:
Seek natural wool, hand-knotted pile, and visible knot irregularities; legitimate sellers can show the back of the rug and discuss knot count. Beware flat, synthetic “machine-made” labels.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 700,000–12,000,000

Where to find it:
Bukhara bazaars, specialist carpet dealers in Samarkand and Tashkent, museum shops.

5. Embroidered Doppa (Skullcap)

Why pick this up:
The doppa — a square, richly embroidered skullcap — is a wearable token of Uzbek identity, with regional designs from Khorezm to Fergana reflecting local motifs. It’s lightweight, beautifully stitched, and easy to pack.

What to look for:
Hand-stitched geometric or floral motifs in silk thread; region-specific patterns (Khorezm’s dense stars, Fergana’s floral ikat echoes) indicate origin. Machine-sewn tourist doppa will have perfect, repetitive stitching.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 30,000–250,000

Where to find it:
Siab Bazaar (Samarkand), Chorsu Bazaar (Tashkent), bazaars in Khiva and Bukhara.

6. Hand-Hammered Copperware and Engraved Trays

Why pick this up:
Copperworking is a living craft in Uzbek cities; trays, teapots, and serving bowls are often engraved with floral or geometric designs that echo madrasa tiles. They make dramatic centerpieces for tea service.

What to look for:
Solid copper with visible hammer marks and hand-etched patterns is authentic; watch for heavy plating or lightweight alloys that tarnish oddly. Sellers in bazaars often polish on the spot.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 180,000–2,200,000

Where to find it:
Bukhara and Samarkand metalworking stalls, Chorsu Bazaar (Tashkent), artisan alleys near major monuments.

7. Dried Fruits, Nuts and Jams (Samarkand Apricots, Raisins)

Why pick this up:
Uzbekistan’s sun-dried apricots, plump raisins and candied fruits are a delicious, compact reminder of the Silk Road’s produce culture. They travel well and capture the concentrated sweetness of local orchards.

What to look for:
Buy from hygienic stalls with airtight packaging and ask about origin (Samarkand apricots are prized). For longer storage, choose vacuum-sealed or jarred preserves.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 60,000–350,000 per kilo / jar

Where to find it:
Siab Bazaar (Samarkand), Chorsu Bazaar (Tashkent), regional fruit markets.

8. Papier-Mâché Lacquer Boxes and Miniature Paintings

Why pick this up:
Small lacquered boxes painted with miniature scenes — sometimes drawing on Timurid palaces or folk tales — are a portable craft rooted in Central Asian manuscript and icon painting. They’re perfect for jewelry or keepsakes.

What to look for:
Fine brushwork, layered lacquer and scenes with traditional motifs indicate hand-painted quality; avoid flat, printed surfaces. Check for smooth lacquer finish and signed pieces from known ateliers.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 80,000–450,000

Where to find it:
Bukhara and Khiva artisan stalls, museum boutique stores, handicraft fairs.

9. Traditional Musical Instruments (Doira, Dutar)

Why pick this up:
A hand-sized doira (frame drum) or a two-stringed dutar brings the sounds of Uzbek maqam home and makes a memorable decor piece. Instruments are crafted by local luthiers who tune and finish them by hand.

What to look for:
Check for tight skin on doiras and resonance on dutars; ask a shopkeeper or luthier to demonstrate. Smaller, travel-sized instruments are easier to carry.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 250,000–2,500,000

Where to find it:
Craft quarters in Bukhara, music shops in Tashkent, artisan markets.

10. Silver Filigree and Traditional Jewelry

Why pick this up:
Uzbek jewelers combine Persian, Turkic and Central Asian motifs in filigree earrings, pendants, and bracelets — often set with local stones. Jewelry pieces are wearable reminders of the region’s layered aesthetic.

What to look for:
Look for hallmarks, hand-soldered filigree work and natural stones; test clasps and ask about silver purity. Avoid overly shiny, light-weight pieces that feel hollow.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 350,000–5,000,000

Where to find it:
Jewelry sections in Chorsu and Siab bazaars, Bukhara workshops, museum shops.

11. Chust Knives and Damascus Steel Blades

Why pick this up:
The Chust region (Namangan) is famous for its hand-forged knives — functional pieces with ornately carved handles and laminated or etched steel. They’re both tools and objets d’art that reflect regional blacksmithing traditions.

What to look for:
Authentic Chust knives have stamped maker marks, solid handles (bone or horn), and visible patterning in the steel. Check local export rules and ensure blades are properly packed for travel.

Price bracket (2025):
UZS 150,000–900,000

Where to find it:
Chust markets, Namangan bazaars, specialist stalls in Tashkent and regional craft fairs.

Tip: Haggling is part of bazaar etiquette — start about 25–40% below the asking price, stay friendly, and you’ll often end up with a better story and a fairer price 🙂

Local Shopping Culture & Traditions

Shopping in Uzbekistan is a sensory negotiation: sellers expect conversation, tea, and a bit of bargaining, especially in open-air bazaars like Tashkent’s Chorsu, Samarkand’s Siab, and Bukhara’s ancient market lanes.

Many crafts are tied to family or village workshops,  Margilan for silk, Rishtan for pottery, Chust for blades and artisans often demonstrate their processes in small courtyards or cooperative shops.

Weekend markets and holiday bazaars (before Navruz, for example) swell with seasonal goods, while museum shops near Registan or the Ark sell curated, authenticated pieces. Bargaining is customary on craft stalls but less so in official museum boutiques and fixed-price workshops.

How to Spot Genuine Local Souvenirs

Look for evidence of handwork: uneven stitching in suzanis, visible brush strokes on Rishtan pottery, hammer marks on copper trays, and irregular ikat blurs in genuine atlas.

Ask about materials – Margilan silk, Rishtan clay, or natural dyes  and request to see a maker’s mark or a short demo when possible. For food souvenirs, choose vacuum-sealed packaging or jars from reputable stalls and check production dates; avoid loose-packed items that don’t list origin or handling.

Be wary of overly shiny, uniform items labeled “traditional”  mass-produced knockoffs often lack the telltale imperfections of handcrafted goods. When in doubt, buy from recognized cooperatives, museum boutiques, or workshops where you can meet the artisan.

Where to Shop in Uzbekistan

• Chorsu Bazaar, Tashkent — the capital’s bustling central market.
• Siab (Siyob) Bazaar, Samarkand — near the Registan and the best for dried fruits and local snacks.
• Bukhara historic market lanes and Lyab-i-Hauz area — suzani, carpets, and copperware.
• Rishtan and Margilan villages in the Fergana Valley — pottery and atlas workshops.
• Khiva’s artisan quarters around the Ichan Kala — lacquer boxes and small crafts.
• Museum shops at Registan, the Ark, and the State Museum of Applied Art.
• Regional weekend maker markets and airport gift shops for last-minute purchases.

FAQs

Q: Are souvenirs in Uzbekistan expensive?
A: Prices vary widely: small textiles, doppa and dried fruits are very affordable, while hand-knotted carpets, large suzanis and fine jewelry can be costly; bargaining is common in bazaars.

Q: Is bargaining common in Uzbekistan?
A: Yes — in open bazaars and small stalls expect to haggle; start lower and keep exchanges friendly. Fixed-price museum shops and brand boutiques are not negotiable.

Q: How do I know if food items will pass customs?
A: Choose vacuum-sealed, stamped packages and check your destination’s import rules before flying; fresh produce and unsealed meats/dairy are typically restricted.

Explore Uzbekistan’s markets and workshops to discover authentic hands-on crafts and flavors — Uzbek souvenirs make every return trip a little richer.

Let me know in the comments if you have any other top ‘what to buy’ ideas!

About the Author

Colin is the founder of SouvenirsIdeas.com and a passionate traveller with a soft spot for ceramics, markets, and food tours. He writes practical, first-hand guides to help you bring home souvenirs that actually mean something — not just more clutter!