UzGidAITravel guides

What to wear in Uzbekistan and in mosques (2026)

There is no strict dress code on the street, but mosques and mausoleums ask for covered arms and legs. A light scarf or shawl solves most situations.

Updated 17 October 2026 · 3 min read

On the street

Tourists in Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara wear shorts and T-shirts without trouble. About 80% of the population is Muslim, so modest clothes are still the respectful default, especially away from the main sights.

In mosques and mausoleums

Usually fineBring
MenT-shirt; shorts to about the kneelong trousers for stricter sites
Womenlight top; loose trousers, long skirt or maxi dressa scarf or shawl to cover shoulders and hair
  • Signs at many sites ask both men and women to cover arms and legs, and women to cover their hair.
  • Covering is mainly expected inside prayer areas or when staff ask. Many sites lend headscarves or robes at the entrance, but peak season can run out, so carry your own.
  • In active mosques remove your shoes where there is a shoe area and ask before photographing people at prayer.

Have a question this guide does not answer?

Ask UzGidAI, the AI guide to Uzbekistan, in your language. Free, no sign-up.

Ask UzGidAI

What to pack by season

  • Spring and autumn (March–June, September–October): light linen trousers, shirts, a light jacket for cool evenings and rain.
  • Summer: very hot, especially in Bukhara and Khiva. Wear light cotton or linen, not clingy synthetics; bring a hat and water.
  • Winter: a coat, jumpers and sturdy shoes; Tashkent gets snow.

Comfortable walking shoes matter more than any dress rule: sightseeing means a lot of walking. See also Bukhara in one day.

Questions and answers

Can women show their hair in Uzbekistan?

Yes, in most places. A head covering is mainly expected inside prayer areas or when staff ask; many sites lend scarves, but carry your own.

Are shorts allowed in Uzbekistan?

On the street yes. For mosques and mausoleums wear shorts that reach about the knee, or carry long trousers.

What should I pack for Uzbekistan?

Light linen or cotton, a scarf or shawl, comfortable walking shoes, and a hat in summer; add a warm coat in winter.

Sources: thewanderingquinn.com

More guides

Samarkand in one dayA one-day walking route through Samarkand: Shah-i-Zinda, Bibi-Khanym, Siyob Bazaar, Gur-e-Amir and Registan,…Tashkent–Samarkand by trainHow to get from Tashkent to Samarkand and Bukhara by train in 2026: Afrosiyob, Sharq and Nasaf compared,…Money in UzbekistanWhat travellers need to know about money in Uzbekistan in 2026: the som, where Visa and Mastercard work,…Bukhara in one dayA one-day walking route through Bukhara's old town: Samanid Mausoleum, the Ark, Poi Kalon and the Kalyan…Uzbek phrases for travellersUseful Uzbek phrases for tourists with simple pronunciation: greetings, taxi, bazaar bargaining, restaurants…Tashkent in one dayA one-day route through Tashkent: Chorsu Bazaar, Kukeldash Madrasah, Hazrati Imam, the new Islamic…Khiva in one dayHow to see Khiva in one day: Itchan Kala tickets in 2026, a walking route past Kalta Minor, Tash-Khauli and…Tashkent metro guideHow to ride the Tashkent metro in 2026: new fares from 1 October, how to pay with a bank card or QR ticket,…SIM card and internetHow to get mobile internet in Uzbekistan in 2026: local SIM vs eSIM, Ucell, Beeline, Mobiuz and Uztelecom,…Yandex Go in UzbekistanHow to use Yandex Go taxis in Uzbekistan in 2026: set it up before landing, pay with cash or a card, typical…Visa and registrationWho needs a visa for Uzbekistan in 2026, how long you can stay visa-free, how the e-visa works and how hotel…Shahrisabz day tripHow to get from Samarkand to Shahrisabz, what to see (Ak-Saray, Dorut Tilovat, Kok Gumbaz), entrance fees and…Food and pricesThe dishes to try in Uzbekistan, typical 2026 prices for plov, samsa, lagman and shashlik, tipping, and…