16 EPIC Things to Do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2024 Guide)
From exploring imposing Soviet Architecture to marvelling at gorgeous mosques and museums, here’s our list of the best things to do in Tashkent.
The biggest city in Central Asia has never received much love from the travelling community.
Articles on Uzbekistan tend to focus on the countries’ big hitters and more well-known destinations like Samarkand , Bukhara or the fabled Aral Sea.
Even when compared to other Central Asia cities, Tashkent is usually trailing behind the regions big hitters; Ashgabat and Astana.
Most travellers blast through on their way in or out of Uzbekistan and this really is a crying shame.
However, as tourism to the region increases, this is slowly starting to change. Tashkent is starting to show itself as a fascinating destination in its own right.
Tourism is really starting to take off in the Uzbek capital and travellers are starting to take advantage of Tashkent’s awesome tourist spots.
It is a city brimming with culture, architecture, history and good food.
Whilst having all of the Uzbek and Central Asian staples, if you need a break from plov, manti and shashlik then this is the place!
READ MORE: Check out our epic Uzbekistan travel guide to make the most of your trip here!
Table of Contents
Tashkent Travel Guide
Now that you know what to do in Tashkent, here’s my mini travel guide to the city to help you plan the rest of your trip.
Transport in Tashkent
Getting to Tashkent and around the city has never been easier. Here’s my guide to help you plan your next trip.
Most people enter Tashkent at the city’s international airport. In the past there were strict limits on how much cash you could bring into the country.
However the restrictions have been lifted somewhat, but you need to declare if you are bringing in between $2000 and $5000.
Anything over $5000 requires the completion of another form at the airport.
The most convenient way of getting to and from the airport is by taxi. When you exit the airport you will be harassed by taxi drivers charging extortionate prices.
Ignore them and keep walking. The further away you get from the entrance the cheaper the prices will get.
We stayed around Kosmonavtlar subway station and paid $2 (16,000 som) from the airport.
Alternatively you may arrive in Tashkent by train. Again, taxi’s are the best way to get to and from the station. From the station to Kosmonavtlar it cost us $2 (16,000 som).
Tashkent is serviced by two train stations handling both high speed and slow trains travelling from all over Uzbekistan.
Tickets can be purchased online in advance or from ticket offices in the city centre.
However the chances of encountering an English speaker at these ticket offices is slim.
If you come across the border from Kazakhstan you will need to get a taxi into Tashkent itself which should cost around $5.
However do be warned that this border with Kazakhstan is extremely chaotic and as a result it can take a few hours to get through.
Tashkent’s metro is famous for its extravagant designs, although not quite at the level of Moscow or St Petersburg there is some fantastic artwork on display. Aside from that, it’s taxis or marshrutka.
In Uzbekistan, every car is a potential taxi. Stand on the side of the street and try and flag one down and you will probably get a regular car before you get a taxi.
When we hopped into regular cars we never felt unsafe or ill at ease. However if this isn’t for then just get a regular taxi.
Expect journeys within the city centre to be between $1-2 (8000-16000 som).
Generally the months to avoid are June, July and August when Tashkent and Uzbekistan swelter under the desert heat.
Spring and Autumn are excellent times to visit.
In the past the only way to get local currency was through the bank or black market. Uzbek som was traded for dollars by any international visitor, due to the lack of ATM’s.
However the bank rate was much worse than the black market rate. This is because the bank rates were fixed by the government and the black market rates reflected the actual value of the som against the dollar.
Banks set $1 at being worth 4210 som, on the black market it was worth around 8,000 som.
You were better off changing money with some shady looking characters round the back of the Chorsu bazaar than going into a bank.
However in 2017 this all changed. The government abandoned the fixed rates and the black market and bank rates were the same.
In addition the government introduced 10,000 and 50,000 som bills, although the 50,000 som bills are not that common yet.
Prior to this the only notes available were 1000 som.
This gave Uzbeks the reputation of being the worlds fastest money counters, certainly something we are no position to disagree with after seeing them in action.
Nowadays you don’t need to bring all of you money in with you, but ATMs are not widespread, may not work and there can be issues with them accepting foreign cards.
Therefore it’s still probably a good idea to bring most of your cash with you. In Tashkent you shouldn’t have too many issues finding an ATM, but elsewhere is much trickier.
Another piece of good news is that a number of major currencies are now accepted by all Uzbek banks: US Dollars, Euros, Pound Sterling, Japanese Yen and increasing the Chinese Renminbi.
When changing money you will need to bring you passport and you money needs to be crisp and clean. They will not accept ripped or old notes.
You can change som back, usually into dollars as that’s the currency most banks hold.
However do this in Uzbekistan as it’s a nightmare to do it outside of the country.
Accommodation – Where to Stay in Tashkent
Being the largest city in Central Asia, there are certainly plenty of accommodation options in Tashkent ranging to cheap and cheerful dorms to luxury suites.
The nearer you are to a subway station the easier life will be. We stayed a two different places during our time in Tashkent – Anvar’s Guests and Top Chan.
We felt Topchan was too far away from everything for us. Anvars on the other hand was just a 15 minute walk to Kosmonavtlar station.
This is probably the most popular hostel in Tashkent. With wifi and free breakfast as well as a variety of private and shared rooms this could suit couples and solo travellers.
However bathrooms are shared so it may not be for everyone. It even has a pool, perfect for escaping the Uzbek summer. Additionally staff are friendly and can offer plenty of helpful advice where necessary.
This excellent guesthouse is something of a stalwart on the Tashkent travel scene.
Offering decent rooms and free breakfast it’s also close to the subway as well as numerous restaurants and shops.
There’s also an excellent cafe just opposite serving great coffee and cakes. The rooms do need a little bit of TLC in places and the bathrooms are a bit on the small side.
However for price and private bathrooms this is an excellent option.
Anvar himself is full of helpful advice and information and speaks flawless English alongside Uzbek and Russian. He was able to recommend taxi drivers, restaurants and the best place to pick up a cheap sim card.
Located near the Minor Mosque this hotel has large rooms and free breakfast.
The wifi connection is quick and reliable and being located up here means that it’s in one of the more secluded accommodation options in Tashkent.
Luxury hotels in Central Asia usually run into the issue of not being up to international standards.
There are a number of luxury options in Tashkent however this issue is a consistent area of complaint.
However Sharq hotel seems to be one of the few that has overcome this. It has everything you would expect form a luxury hotel; large rooms, great food and a pool. This really is a superb luxury option in Tashkent.
For great Uzbek food, you can’t go wrong with checking out some of the stands at the Chorsu bazaar. The plov and shashlik are both excellent.
Do check the price before ordering as you may end up with a bigger bill than you anticipated.
Most small hole in the wall restaurants offer good cheap eats, so if you’re watching the pennies these are excellent options.
You won’t find too many of these in the city centre, however.
One thing that sets Tashkent apart from other cities and towns in Central Asia is the variety of cuisine.
As good as plov, manti, lagman and shashlik are, you will at some point crave something different.
Tashkent can provide this in oodles, but it is more expensive than local cuisine.
The excellently named Jumanji has a huge menu offering local, European and Asian cuisine. Functioning as both a bar and restaurant it usually has live music as well.
However our favourite non-Uzbek eatery was an excellent Korean restaurant located on the corner of Vosit Vokhidov Street and Shota Rustaveli Street, just east of the Mir Hotel.
The dishes are certainly not cheap, but taste wise it is exactly what you would get if you walked into a restaurant in Seoul.
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About the Author - Richard Barnes
Richard Barnes is our resident China, New Zealand and Central Asia expert, having spent more time than just about anyone backpacking and travelling around there. He is also one of half of the British-Chinese couple that make up abearandapig.com , a blog focusing on travel, life as a local and an expat in the middle kingdom and Chinese social media.
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1 thought on “16 EPIC Things to Do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan (2024 Guide)”
You don’t say exactly where are the mosaics nor posted any pictures. I walked that road you mentioned and could not see anything to be honest…
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The 19 best clubs and nightclubs in Tashkent
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- besttraveltipstricks.com — ✓ Uzbekistan Nightlife: Explore The 10 Most Vibrant And Exciting Nightlife Spots In 2022
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1 Uzbekistan Hotel
2 Tashkent City Park
3 Amir Temur Square
4 Hyatt Regency Tashkent
5 city palace hotel.
7 The Irish Pub & Restaurant
8 sette bar, 10 peggy's bar, 11 steam bar, 12 navruz hotel tashkent, 13 the bar speak easy, 14 onemore wonder bar, 15 le grand plaza hotel.
16 7 Fridays
17 the time bar, 18 grand capital hotel, 19 minor hotel, top searches in tashkent, popular road trips from tashkent, what's the weather like in tashkent .
It depends on when you visit! We've compiled data from NASA on what the weather is like in Tashkent for each month of the year: see the links below for more information.
- Weather in Tashkent in January
- Weather in Tashkent in February
- Weather in Tashkent in March
- Weather in Tashkent in April
- Weather in Tashkent in May
- Weather in Tashkent in June
- Weather in Tashkent in July
- Weather in Tashkent in August
- Weather in Tashkent in September
- Weather in Tashkent in October
- Weather in Tashkent in November
- Weather in Tashkent in December
All road trips from Tashkent
- Tashkent to Samarkand drive
- Tashkent to Almaty drive
- Tashkent to Kazan drive
- Tashkent to Leh drive
- Tashkent to Bukhara drive
- Tashkent to Tehran drive
- Tashkent to Srinagar drive
- Tashkent to Manali Tehsil drive
- Tashkent to Yekaterinburg drive
- Tashkent to Shimla drive
- Tashkent to Nizhny Novgorod drive
- Tashkent to Bishkek drive
- Tashkent to Isfahan drive
- Tashkent to Dharamsala drive
- Tashkent to Dushanbe drive
- Tashkent to Chandigarh drive
- Tashkent to Shiraz drive
- Tashkent to Novosibirsk drive
- Tashkent to Nainital drive
- Tashkent to Volgograd drive
- Tashkent to Astana drive
- Tashkent to Samara drive
- Tashkent to Mount Abu drive
- Tashkent to Islamabad drive
- Tashkent to Khiva drive
- Tashkent to Indore drive
- Tashkent to Lahore drive
- Tashkent to Manali drive
- Tashkent to Karachi drive
- Tashkent to Kashgar drive
All related maps of Tashkent
- Map of Tashkent
- Map of Samarkand
- Map of Almaty
- Map of Kazan
- Map of Bukhara
- Map of Tehran
- Map of Srinagar
- Map of Manali Tehsil
- Map of Yekaterinburg
- Map of Shimla
- Map of Nizhny Novgorod
- Map of Bishkek
- Map of Isfahan
- Map of Dharamsala
- Map of Dushanbe
- Map of Chandigarh
- Map of Shiraz
- Map of Novosibirsk
- Map of Nainital
- Map of Volgograd
- Map of Astana
- Map of Samara
- Map of Mount Abu
- Map of Islamabad
- Map of Khiva
- Map of Indore
- Map of Lahore
- Map of Manali
- Map of Karachi
- Map of Kashgar
Tashkent throughout the year
- Tashkent in January
- Tashkent in February
- Tashkent in March
- Tashkent in April
- Tashkent in May
- Tashkent in June
- Tashkent in July
- Tashkent in August
- Tashkent in September
- Tashkent in October
- Tashkent in November
- Tashkent in December
Looking for day-by-day itineraries in Tashkent ?
Get inspired for your trip to Tashkent with our curated itineraries that are jam-packed with popular attractions everyday! Check them out here:
- 1-Day Tashkent Itinerary
- 2-Day Tashkent Itinerary
- 3-Day Tashkent Itinerary
- 4-Day Tashkent Itinerary
- 5-Day Tashkent Itinerary
Best nightclubs in nearby cities
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Almaty
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Srinagar
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Manali Tehsil
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Shimla
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Indore
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Samarkand
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Mount Abu
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Nainital
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Tehran
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Isfahan
- The best clubs and nightclubs in Shiraz
Best attractions in nearby cities
- Top things to do and attractions in Srinagar
- Top things to do and attractions in Leh
- Top things to do and attractions in Chandigarh
- Top things to do and attractions in Shimla
- Top things to do and attractions in Samarkand
- Top things to do and attractions in Mount Abu
- Top things to do and attractions in Nainital
- Top things to do and attractions in Yekaterinburg
- Top things to do and attractions in Kazan
- Top things to do and attractions in Nizhny Novgorod
- Top things to do and attractions in Tehran
- Top things to do and attractions in Shiraz
- Top things to do and attractions in Manali
Best restaurants in nearby cities
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Srinagar
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Leh
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Chandigarh
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Dharamsala
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Shimla
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Islamabad
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Samarkand
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Mount Abu
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Nainital
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Yekaterinburg
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Kazan
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Nizhny Novgorod
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Samara
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Tehran
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Shiraz
- Where to eat: the best restaurants in Manali
- Itinerary + map in one view
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The 15 Best Things to do in Tashkent Uzbekistan – Tashkent City Guide
Tashkent will be very likely the first city you’ll arrive in when you travel to Uzbekistan. What are the best places to see in Tashkent Uzbekistan? Read this travel guide to have a wonderful stay in Tashkent city!
Uzbekistan’s modern capital Tashkent lives a bit in the shadows of the more attractive-looking Silk Road cities Samarkand , Bukhara and Khiva .
It’s a shame because Tashkent is a really nice destination to visit and spend some time if you know where to go.
Tashkent city can be seen as an introduction to the stunning Islamic architecture – probably the reason why you’re going to travel to Uzbekistan – as it has some beautiful historical sites. It’s also a very modern city with many parks and fountains, beautiful statues, nice cafes, and great restaurants.
Tashkent city is a fantastic base from which to explore the rest of Uzbekistan. It’s very easy to take buses or trains from Tashkent to all the other interesting destinations around the country.
You’ll very likely begin and end your trip to Uzbekistan here as it’s home to the country’s international airport. If you prefer to travel overland, it’s also very straightforward to travel from Almaty (Kazakhstan), Bishkek (Kyrgyzstan) or Osh (Kyrgyzstan) to Tashkent by bus or train.
It’ll also be a nice place to hang out at the end of your travels in Uzbekistan because trust me, after spending days and/or weeks of staring intensely at radiant colors and interlaced patterns of architectural masterpieces, you’ll be feeling a little “ tiled-out” !
Tip: See my Uzbekistan Travel Page for a complete overview of all my travel guides and blog posts about Uzbekistan!
The 26 most beautiful and best places to visit in Uzbekistan
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Plan your trip to Uzbekistan
- 18 important things to prepare your trip to Uzbekistan
- 26 beautiful places to visit in Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan Itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan
- How to travel aroun d Uzbekistan by train
- What to pack for Uzbekistan
- Uzbekistan Safety Guide
- Uzbekistan Money Guide
- Tours & Experiences: Guided City Tours in Uzbekistan, Adventure Tours in Uzbekistan
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Tashkent City – Things you need to know before you go
Tashkent is the economic and cultural center of Uzbekistan and one of the wealthiest cities in Central Asia. It used to be the most populated city of ex-Soviet Central Asia and the 4th largest city of the Soviet Union.
It’s very easy and cheap to get around Tashkent by metro. It only costs $0.15, there are metro stations near all the must-see places to visit in Tashkent and one of the top things to do in Tashkent is riding its metro as the city has some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world!
Another way to get around Tashkent is by taxi. Install the Yandex Taxi app on your phone to easily order a taxi and see the rate in advance. This saves you the hustle of bargaining or the risk of paying triple the standard rate.
Tashkent is also a very clean and green city filled with Soviet, Islamic and modern-day architecture. It’s really not as conservative as you might think and I was even surprised to see young women walking around in cute little dresses.
This doesn’t mean you can start wearing tank tops and shorts that barely cover your bum but you also don’t need to cover yourself completely.
Tashkent has many banks where you exchange your money for Uzbekistani Som (UZS). There are also ATMs in the city where you can withdraw Uzbekistani Soms or US Dollars.
The best time to visit Tashkent (and Uzbekistan) is during spring (April – May) and fall (October – November). The weather during those seasons is very pleasant and the temperatures are usually around 20°C (68°F).
Summers in Tashkent (July-August) are dry and hot with average temperatures of 35°C (95°F). Once the sun has set though, it’s nice to walk around the parks and boulevards as this is the time when the city and its inhabitants come to life.
Winter in Tashkent can also be a nice time if you want to see the city covered in snow. The average temperature during the winter is usually around 5°C (41°F).
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Discover the mystical Silk Road cities and travel along the ancient caravan trails in the mountains and desert of Uzbekistan during the 14-day H i g h l i g h t s o f Uzbekistan Adventure Tour !
Is Tashkent safe for tourists?
The capital of Uzbekistan is very safe for travelers and it has even become safer now that the government introduced a ‘tourist police’. You’ll find their boots in every tourist destination in Uzbekistan.
So in case you’d ever feel uncomfortable or in danger – which I highly doubt – just go to one of those touristic police stands and they will help you.
When I traveled for the first time to Tashkent in 2017, I was a bit worried about my safety.
I was a woman traveling alone, I didn’t know many people who had been there before, and the country was a bit of a mystery to me.
Whether you’re a solo traveler or not, you shouldn’t worry too much about your safety in Uzbekistan and in Tashkent.
The Uzbeks are very friendly and have no bad intentions whatsoever. If they see you’re lost or you’re in need of help, they’ll kindly approach you and offer you their help.
When I traveled for the second time to Tashkent with my friend, we had a bit of an awkward situation in the metro.
A group of young guys surrounded us and our first instinct was to walk away as we thought they might want to rob us. But they were students and just wanted to have a chat so they could practice their English with us!
There might be cases of petty crime such as pickpockets, especially in crowded places and in the bazaars of Tashkent, but they don’t happen often. Just always keep your valuables in a safe place, no matter where you are in the world.
Is Uzbekistan safe? 1 4 useful safety tips
What I recommend to avoid being pickpocketed is to always keep your wallet in your front pocket or carry a money belt . Another great option is to travel with a slash-resistant and lockable anti-theft bag .
I would also recommend getting good travel insurance that covers theft .
The 3 most budget-friendly travel insurance companies compared!
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15 places to visit and top things to do in Tashkent in one day
While Tashkent is a nice place to relax and do some sightseeing for a couple of days, you might not have much time on your trip around the country.
That’s why I made a 1-day itinerary for Tashkent so that even if you only have one day to spare in Uzbekistan’s capital city, you won’t miss out on the highlights and main tourist attractions in Tashkent. I would also recommend going on a guided city tour in Tashkent as you’ll learn so much more about the history and importance of Uzbekistan’s capital.
If you follow the map below, you’ll have an enjoyable time and you’ll also find out what Tashkent is famous for!
Tashkent Tourist Places – Map
I marked the places and attractions on the map below. You can open this map on your phone and also quickly find your way to and from the nearest metro stations.
1. See the world’s oldest Koran at the Hazrat Imam Complex
The Hazrat Imam Complex , also known as the Hast-Imam Ensemble or Khast Imam, is the religious heart of Tashkent. It’s the perfect place to start your Tashkent sightseeing trip.
While you walk around the complex, you’ll see some beautiful architectural monuments, such as the Barak Khan Madrasah, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi.
They are a nice introduction to the impressive Islamic architecture that you’ll find in other Uzbek cities like Bukhara . You can freely enter the courtyard of the Barak Khan Madrasah.
Barak Khan Madrasah
Hazrat Imam is also home to the Muyi Mubarak Library, a library with oriental manuscripts and the Uthman Koran, which is claimed to be the world’s oldest Koran. The entrance fee to visit this library is 30,000 UZS (around €3/ US$3).
How to get to Hazrat Imam Complex
Get out at the Gafur Gulom Metro Station . Follow Abdulla Qodiriy Street to the left and turn into Qorasaroy Street (see map).
The Hazrat Imam Complex is a 10-minute walk from the metro station and on your way there, you’ll get a glimpse of the old town of Tashkent.
2. Shop at Chorsu Bazaar
The Chorsu Bazaar is Uzbekistan’s largest market where locals can buy anything from raw food products, fresh fruits and veggies, honey and spices to clothing, jewelry, beauty products and more. You can find everything here!
The central part of the bazaar is covered by an impressive blue dome but you’ll also find many outdoor food, textile and household stalls in the surrounding streets and alleys. It seems like this market just goes on forever!
Even if you don’t want to buy anything, the Chorsu Bazaar is an ideal place to do some people-watching and observe the cultural blend Tashkent is famous for.
How to get to Chorsu Bazaar
The moment you walk out of Chorsu metro station , you’ll be in the midst of bread and cheap Chinese products stalls. You’ll also quickly see the blue dome.
If you’re coming from the Hazrat Imam Complex, walk back to Abdulla Qodiriy Street and go right at the intersection. Follow the road towards Zakaynar Street (see Tashkent Tourist Places map above).
It’s about 15 minutes walking from Hazrat Imam to the Chorsu Bazaar.
3. Visit the Kukeldash Madrasah and the Dzuma Mosque
The Kukeldash Madrasah is the largest madrasah and one of the most famous historical places in Tashkent.
While Kukeldash is not as impressive as the three madrasahs surrounding Registan Square in Samarkand , the building still is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture and worth a quick visit.
Kukeldash was originally an educational institution (madrasah means ‘school’ or ‘college’ for Islamic education) but over the centuries the building has been used as a caravanserai for merchants, a fortress of the Kokand rulers and even as a place of execution.
The Madrasah survived several earthquakes and has repeatedly been repaired and restored. Today Kukeldash functions again as a spiritual institution.
You can enter the courtyard of the madrasah where you’ll find a small wood carving workshop. The entrance fee to the courtyard is 10000 UZS .
The Dzuma Mosque is right next to the Kukeldash Madrasah and worth a quick stop to admire the architecture.
How to get to Kukeldash Madrasah and Dzuma Mosque
Kukeldash Madrasah and Dzuma Mosque are right outside the Chorsu Bazaar and the Chorsu Metro . Just walk between the outdoor stalls in the direction of Beruniy Street (see the Tashkent Tourist Places Map above).
4. Admire the Minor Mosque
Minor Mosque is a striking new mosque in Tashkent. It was built in 2014 on the banks of the Ankhor Canal.
Locals call it the “Snow Mosque” because it’s completely made of white marble. It’s particularly beautiful when the sun rays hit its walls, making the mosque sparkle and shine.
How to get to Minor Mosque
Take the metro (at Chorsu metro station if you’re following this itinerary) and get out at Bodomzor Station . Walk along Amir Temur Avenue until you reach the intersection with Kichik Halqa Ring Road.
Turn right and keep walking along Little Ring Road until you reach Minor Mosque. It’s about 15 minutes walking from Bodomzor metro station.
Top Things to do in Samarkand – Samarkand City Guide
5. Climb the Tashkent TV Tower
The Tashkent Tower is at its 375 meters, the 11th tallest tower in the world. You can take the elevator to the 6th floor and enjoy the panoramic views over the city from the observation deck.
There’s also a restaurant on the 7th floor where you can have a beer and/or enjoy a meal at a reasonable price.
The entrance fee to go to the observation deck is 40,000 UZS . You’ll also need your passport to go up the tower. The Tashkent Tower is open daily from 10 am until 8 pm.
It could be a nice spot to return in the evening and see how the sun sets over the city’s skyline.
How to get to Tashkent TV Tower
Get out at Bodomzor Station and walk along Amir Timur Avenue in the direction of “Tashkent Land”. The Tashkent TV Tower is a 5-minute walk from the metro station.
6. Visit the Memorial to the Victims of Repression and the surrounding park
I really enjoyed spending some time near the Memorial to the Victims of Repression and the park surrounding it.
The memorial itself is a large gazebo-shaped structure with a blue dome.
The museum of the Victims of Political Repression is also a beautiful building but the story behind it is a bit sad.
The museum is dedicated to the people who fought for the independence of Uzbekistan during the Soviet Union time and who were killed by the government. Inside you can find photographs, documents and personal belongings of those killed.
If this sounds a bit too heavy, just stroll around the complex and enjoy the peace and quiet of the park near the river bank.
How to get to the Memorial to the Victims of Repression
The museum and Memorial to the Victims of Repression are across the Tashkent TV Tower. You have to cross Amir Timur Avenue to reach it.
7. Have lunch at Besh Qalan, the Central Asian Plov Center
Plov is the most famous Central Asian dish. This traditional Uzbek dish consists of rice fried with raisins, carrots, and spices with meat on top of it. It’s usually cooked in lamb fat and served with pieces of lamb meat.
You can find this dish anywhere in Uzbekistan and Central Asia but Besh Qozon claims to have the best Plov of the whole region.
What is really cool about this Plov Center is that you can see how the plov is made in huge pots that can serve hundreds of people!
Eating plov at the Central Asian Plov Center is an activity you can’t skip while in Tashkent!
For about 25000 UZS ($2.50) you get a big bowl of plov, freshly baked bread, pickled veggies, and lemon tea. Keep in mind that the Plov center closes at 2 pm .
How to get to the Central Asian Plov Center
The Central Asian Plov Center is located across the Memorial to the Victims of Repression and next to the Tashkent TV Tower. The nearest metro station is Bodomzor .
8. Ride the metro
Another top thing to do in Tashkent is to ride its metro. It’s the perfect activity to do in the early afternoon during the summer when it’s scorching hot outside as the metro has air conditioning.
Tashkent has some of the most beautiful metro stations in the world! Visiting Tashkent’s subway was one of the most memorable highlights of my time in the city!
Almost every metro station in Tashkent is fascinating. They all have their own unique architectural features and artistic elements.
The 1 3 m o s t b e a u t i f u l m e t r o s t a t i o n s i n T a s h k e n t
9. Leaf through some books at the Book Bazaar
If you love books and old magazines, you might enjoy this small Book Bazaar.
We stayed in an Airbnb next to the park where this bazaar is located so we stumbled upon it by chance.
The Book Bazaar has little bookstalls lined up along a pedestrian street in a nice green park.
Most books are only in Russian but it’s quite fun to leaf through the books and find some old-school English books as well.
At one side of the bookstalls, you’ll also find some souvenir stalls and people selling antique items.
On the other side of the book bazaar, you’ll pass some ice-cream shops and little dining places selling Uzbek and western food.
How to get to the Book Bazaar
Get out at the Kosmonavtlar metro station . This is a metro station you really can’t miss when visiting Tashkent!
Cross the intersection of Afrosiyob and Mirabad Street and walk towards the park. That’s where you’ll find the book bazaar.
10. Learn about Uzbekistan’s history in the State Museum of History
If you want to learn a bit more about Uzbekistan’s history, then the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan is the place to be.
This museum has 2 floors with a range of exhibits showing the history of Uzbekistan over the past 2500 years.
The entrance fee is 10000 UZS, 25000 UZS if you want to take photos (not really worth it in my opinion) and you can get an English-speaking guide for 8000 UZS (this is worth it if you want to learn more).
The museum is open daily, except on Mondays, from 10 am until 6 pm.
If you’re not really into musea, it’s worth passing there anyways as the architecture of the museum is quite interesting to see.
It’s built in the form of a cube, blending a Soviet approach with oriental decorative patterns. This Soviet-Modernism architecture can also be found back in other places in Central Asia.
How to get to the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
The nearest metro station is Mustakilik Maydoni , one of the most beautiful metro stations in Tashkent!
If you’re following this itinerary, it’s a 7-minute walk from the Book Bazaar to the museum. You’ll pass the beautiful Alisher Navoi Opera on the way.
If you want to see a performance in the opera building, you can check the program at the small ticket office outside the building. I didn’t go inside the opera building but I’ve heard it’s quite grandiose.
Top Things to do in Bukhara – Bukhara City Guide
11. Watch the stunning fountains and monuments at Independence Square
Independence Square , also known as Memorial Square, is a popular gathering place for the residents of Tashkent. It’s located right in the center of Tashkent.
This square used to be known as Lenin Square during the Soviet Union but upon declaration of independence in 1991, it was re-named Mustakillik Maydoni, which translates to Independence Square in English.
It’s used for large gatherings and performances on festive days, like Uzbekistan Independence Day (1st of September) and New Year (1st of January).
Independence Square has some of the most beautiful fountains of the city and a number of significant monuments.
Among them, 16 marble columns joined by a bridge and sculptures of storks on top of it that symbolize peace, the Independence Monument itself and a statue of a woman holding a baby, the symbol of Motherland.
How to get to Independence Square:
Mustakilik Maydoni metro station is right at Independence Square. It’s a stunning metro you definitely have to see!
If you’re coming from the State Museum of History of Uzbekistan, just keep walking down the road. Independence Square is just a 5-minute walk from the museum.
12. Go for a stroll around Amir Timur Square
Amir Temur, also known as Tamerlane, is Uzbekistan’s national hero and the most famous Central Asian conqueror.
You’ll hear his name very often in Uzbekistan, especially in Samarkand as this city was the center of his Temurid Empire.
The Amir Temur Square is a little park and ideal for an afternoon stroll or to take a break from all your sightseeing in Tashkent.
The highlight of the square is the 7-meters high statue of Amir Temur on his horse, which is a popular spot for the locals to take photos and selfies.
How to get to Amir Timur Square:
Get out at Amir Temur metro station.
If you’re following this itinerary, you can make the pleasant 7-minute walk from Independence Square to Amir Temur square along Sailkogh Street (see #15 below).
Travel Guide to Sharisabz and 6 more great day trips from Samarkand
13. Have a beer at Hotel Uzbekistan
Hotel Uzbekistan is one of the most iconic sights of Tashkent. It’s a must-see place in Tashkent if you like Soviet architecture.
The inside of the hotel isn’t really spectacular but you can walk in and go to the bar on the 17th floor for a beer and a good view of the city. Tip: Go there for sunset!
How to get to Hotel Uzbekistan
Hotel Uzbekistan is behind the Amir Timur statue so get out at Amir Temur metro station. The hotel is so massive that you can’t miss it.
14. Visit Amir Temur Museum
As I’ve mentioned already above, Amir Temur is the national hero of Uzbekistan and this museum is dedicated to him.
The architecture of the building is quite photogenic. The inside of the museum is also very beautiful with its golden-domed ceiling.
The entrance fee to visit the Amir Temur Museum is 16000 UZS ( 30000 UZS if you want to take photos). You’ll find some paintings and belongings of Amir Temur, as well as a copy of the Qoran and small-scale models of the most important mosques of Uzbekistan.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am until 5 pm. It’s closed on Mondays.
How to get to Amir Timur Museum
The Amir Timur Museum is located next to Amir Timur Square. Get out at Amir Temur metro station.
15. Enjoy the evening on Broadway Boulevard (Sailkogh Street)
Sailkogh Street is a pedestrian street that unites the two most important squares of Tashkent: Amir Temur Square and Independence Square.
The street is known as Broadway Boulevard is a very popular place for the locals to enjoy time with their friends and families.
You can find all kinds of food, souvenir, and art stalls on this boulevard, along with street artists and carnival games for kids.
It’s particularly nice to walk there during the early evening when Broadway Boulevard is illuminated by all kinds of lights.
How to get to Broadway Boulevard
You can get out at Amir Temur metro station and walk from Amir Temur Square or the museum to the boulevard.
You can also get out at Mustakillik Maydoni metro station and walk along Broadway Boulevard after you’ve visited Independence Square.
Tashkent City Tours and Experiences
There are several guided city (walking) tours you can do in Tashkent. I often like taking a guided tour around a city as it allows me to learn more about the local culture and the history of a destination.
Tashkent is also on the itinerary of my Uzbekistan Adventure Tours .
Here are a couple of city tours in Tashkent I recommend:
Uzbekistan itineraries: 1 to 4 weeks in Uzbekistan
Where to eat in Tashkent – Tashkent Restaurants
Tashkent is a big city so the restaurant options are practically endless. There’s a wide selection of restaurants that can satisfy travelers with different budgets.
Whether you want a traditional restaurant where you can try some Uzbek Plov or you’re craving some western food, you’ll find plenty of savory options in Tashkent.
Here are the restaurants I suggest:
1.Besh Qozon
This is the place you don’t want to miss in the capital of Uzbekistan. Eating at Besh Qozon is one of the top things to do while in Tashkent (see above).
This restaurant is a bit outside of the city center but believe me, eating there is absolutely worth it! If you arrive there a bit before noon, you’ll witness hundreds of kilograms of rice being cooked right in front of you.
The ambiance of this place is fantastic. When you’ll walk in, you’ll see men stirring the rice in a giant pot. It’s mainly locals who eat there. This is great because the best way to capture the spirit of Tashkent is to eat where the locals do.
The plov served here is delicious and it only costs 25000 UZS (around $2.50) for a big bowl of plov. You’ll find the Central Asian Plov Center in Tashkent near the metro station of Bodomzor .
2. National Food
National Food is one of Tashkent’s best restaurants. You’ll get a wonderful culinary experience of Uzbekistan’s cuisine and the restaurant is set in a traditional Uzbekistan decor that offers a warm and welcoming ambiance. National Food is located at walking distance from Gafur Gulom Metro Station .
Caravan is another great budget-friendly Tashkent restaurant that offers delicious traditional food, rustic decor, and live music. It’s located in a small suburb, about 30 minutes walking from Tashkent Metro (best would be to take a taxi to get there). They have great manti (Central Asian dumplings ), salads, and Uzbek wine. Caravan has both vegetarian and non-vegetarian options.
Afsona is a modern Uzbek restaurant with a terrace, located near Ming O’rik metro station . The budget-friendly menu offers traditional Uzbek dishes such as plov, somosa, manty and dolma, as well as vegetarian options. There’s often some live music so it’s a nice place to relax after a day of sightseeing.
Uzbekistan Budget Guide: How much does it cost to travel in Uzbekistan?
Where to stay in Tashkent?
Tashkent offers a wide choice of hostels for budget travelers to top-end hotels for those who enjoy that extra bit of luxury. I also stayed a couple of times at an Airbnb in Tashkent.
1. Budget Hostels (less than $20 per person)
- Topchan Hostel
Topchan hostel’s location is ideal if you’re traveling by yourself and visiting Tashkent for the day. It’s at a 30-minutes walking distance from the railway station to start (or finish) your travels in Uzbekistan. See the rates and availability for “Topchan Hostel”
- Light Hostel
This is another hostel conveniently located in Tashkent. It’s about 40-minutes walking from the train station and a 20-minute walk from Oybek metro station, from where you can easily travel to Tashkent’s city center. See the rates and availability for “Light Hostel”
- Jules Verne Hostel
Jules Verne is a lovely hostel located near the Minor Mosque in Tashkent. You don’t have to go far to get to a metro station or walk to the city center of Tashkent. Click to check out rates and availability for “Jules Verne Hostel”
2. Mid-range (between $20 and $50 per night)
- Leader Hotel
I stayed at the Leader hotel while hiking in Uzbekistan and it was my base across the trip. It has beautiful rooms (one of mine had a *chandelier*), hot showers, great food, and excellent service. The rooms average around $50 per night. Check out rates and availability for “Leader Hotel”
- Great Trip Mini-Hotel
Great Trip Mini-Hotel offers comfortable rooms with a shared lounge, free private parking and a garden. It’s located in a quiet residential area close to the Tashkent TV-Tower and Japanse Garden and other places of interest in Tashkent. See rates and availability for “Great Trip Mini-Hotel”
- Hotel Suzuk-Ota
Hotel Suzuk-Ota is a highly-rated hotel in the center of Tashkent. It offers clean and nice rooms, a shared lounge and a garden and is located in a park next to the Suzuk Ota Mosque, at walking distance from a mall and many restaurants. The closest metro stations are Chorsu and Bunyodkor. Click to check out rates and availability for “Hotel Suzuk-Ota”
3. High-end (+ $50 per night)
- Hyatt Regency Hotel
If you like to splurge a bit, you can stay at the Hyatt Regency Hotel with its stunning rooms, indoor swimming pool and a restaurant on the 7th floor. Check out rates and availability for “Hyatt Regency Hotel”
- Ichan Qal’a Hotel
Another stunning luxurious hotel we’d recommend is the Ichan Qal’a Hotel. This hotel doesn’t only offer beautifully decorated rooms but also an indoor fitness center and swimming pool. See rates and availability for “Ichan Qal’a Hotel”
6 Best Places to visit in the Fergana Valley – The Complete Travel Guide
My Tashkent photography gear
This is the gear I used to capture Tashkent. You can also see my article on photography essentials and cameras for travel photographers for more information.
- Camera: Panasonic LUMIX DC-90
- Main lens: Panasonic Lumix G Vario 14-140mm f/3.5-5.6
- Wide-angle lens : Leica DG Vario-ELMARIT 8-18mm f/2.8-4.0
- Prime lens: Leica DG Summilux 15mm f/1.7
- Tripod: Manfrotto Compact Action Tripod (Hybrid Head)
How to get to Tashkent?
Tashkent is very well connected by train with other Uzbek cities such as Bukhara , Khiva or Samarkand .
It’s a city that is also very easy to reach from Almaty in Kazakhstan or from Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan .
1. How to get from Tashkent airport to the city center
It’s a 30-minute drive to get from the airport to the city center of Tashkent by taxi.
As soon as you exit the airport, you’ll be greeted by eager taxi drivers who are happy to bring you to the city center of Tashkent for 50.000 UZS.
This is the same rate as the “official” taxi office in the airport, which doesn’t make sense as the standard price for a taxi from the airport to the city center of Tashkent is between 20.000 and 25.000 UZS (around US$2 – US$3).
This means you’ll have to negotiate the price with the driver and you might not feel like playing the bargaining game after a long flight. So here’s a good tip.
When you exit the airport, ignore the taxi drivers who are standing at the gate. Walk to the left towards the parking lot across ‘Departures’. There you’ll find taxi drivers who just drove travelers from the city center to the airport.
They’ll be happy to quickly return to the city center and therefore are a lot easier to negotiate with. Offer the driver 20.000 UZS, max 25.000 UZS.
Show him the money and tell him to take it or leave it. He’ll probably try to ask for more but as soon as you start walking towards another taxi, he’ll very likely take it…
Another way is to install the Yandex Taxi app on your phone. You can easily order a taxi through the app and it shows you how much you have to pay upfront.
2. How to get to Tashkent from Almaty by public transport
It’s possible to travel from Almaty to Tashkent by bus and by train. Although the bus and train rides can take a long time (13 and 16 hours respectively), it’s a very relaxing journey.
It’s definitely a good option to travel this way if you’re on a budget and/or if you have plenty of time to spare.
How to get from Almaty to Tashkent by bus or by train.
3. How to get to Tashkent from Bishkek by public transport?
There is now a bus line connecting Bishkek in Kyrgyzstan with Tashkent in Uzbekistan.
Traveling between the two cities by bus takes about 8 to 13 hours depending on how long it takes to cross the borders and this bus runs at night.
How to get from Bishke k to Tashkent by bus.
4. How to get to Tashkent from Bukhara by public transport?
Getting from Bukhara to the Uzbek capital is very easy. There is a high-speed train that connects the two cities as well as a standard train. It’s also possible to take a night train towards Tashkent. It leaves Bukhara at 10:30 PM and arrives in Tashkent around 6:30 AM.
Traveling between the two cities by bus is also super convenient.
Getting from Bukhara to Tashkent by train
Bukhara’s train station is about twenty minutes by taxi from the old town. It’s located in the newer part of Bukhara called Kogon.
You can reach it from the old city center by taxi for 20000 som. Taxi drivers tend to overcharge tourists but you shouldn’t pay more than this.
You’ll need your passport to buy a train ticket. The train station is usually very crowded with people so it’s preferable to arrive there early in the day.
You can book your tickets online on the official Uzbek Railways website . It also shows you the train schedules. Read my Uzbekistan Railways Guide with all the information on how to take trains in Uzbekistan and how to order tickets online.
In Tashkent, you will arrive at the Northern train station. It’s right next to a metro station so it’s easy to reach the city center from the station. You can also reach the city center of Tashkent from the station for 16000 som.
It’s possible to take a bus from Bukhara to Tashkent from the northern bus station on Gijduvon street, north of town.
How to get from Bukhara to Tashkent by bus?
Reaching Tashkent from Bukhara by bus takes around 8 hours and costs around 60000 som. You can buy your ticket directly at the bus station or through the official website where you can also check the bus schedules.
5. How to get to Tashkent from Khiva by public transport?
How to get from khiva to tashkent by train.
It’s possible to take trains from Khiva to Tashkent. There are currently 2 trains a day connecting Tashkent and Khiva and the journey takes around 16 hours.
I hope this guide was useful and that you’ll have a great time in Tashkent.
If you have any questions or updates about Tashkent, let me and other readers know in the comments below!
Related posts
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- Samarkand City Guide
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- Bukhara City Guide
- Khiva City Guide
- Fergana Valley Guide
- Karakalpakstan Guide
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12 thoughts on “the 15 best things to do in tashkent uzbekistan – tashkent city guide”.
hello Cynthia, what an incredible journey you’re sharing with us! Your adventures in Uzbekistan are truly captivating. I’ve been planning my own trip there next month, and your vlogs have only heightened my excitement and really a great help for me. Your insights into the culture, the food, and the breathtaking landscapes are invaluable for someone like me who’s about to embark on a similar adventure. Thank you for taking us along with you on this unforgettable expedition!”
Hello Eloisa, thank you so much for your kind words, it means a lot!! Wishing you a fantastic time in Uzbekistan!
Enjoyed reading your page and learning about you, Cynthia. We are planning a 5-day trip to Tashkent and Samarkand in November. Will let you know abour our experiences there.
Have a great time Suresh and always happy to hear more about your experiences!
Is the Central Asian Plov Center will be opened during Ramadan? I will be visiting Uzbekistan next month, and my visit to Tashkent still falls during Ramadan.
The Plov Center should be open as Ramadan isn’t as strictly followed in Uzbekistan as in other countries. Have a great trip!
Very help full information, currently planning a backpacking budget tour to Kazahstan & Usbekistan. Your detail information will definitely help me a lot, thanks.
Hi Jayshree, I’m very happy to hear that my travel guides are helping you! When are you planning to travel to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan?
Dag Cynthia Vermits jij in België woont veronderstel ik dat je Nederlands spreekt…indien niet dan zal ik de mail opnieuw sturen maar dan in ‘t Engels. Ik ga op m’n eentje van 9-26 oktober naar Uzbekistan. De route ligt vast. Maar ik zou je advies knn gebruiken ivm kiezen tussen een dag meer in Tashkent (1 dag of 2 dagen) ipv Khiva (2 ipv 3 dagen) . Het verschil is een ochtendvlucht in Tashkent (7.25u dus vroeg uit de veren) of een avondvlucht om 19.00u. Super dankje voor je advies en de prachtige foto’s !!. Fijne, zonnige groetjes uit Boechout. Peggy.
Nu begrijp ik wat je in je mailtje bedoelde 😀 Ik had je reactie hier nog niet gezien! Je hebt vermeld dat je intussen al je beslissing hebt gemaakt. Eigenlijk kan je alles in Khiva in 2 dagen bezichtigen, tenzij je nog een daguitstap vanuit Khiva naar de woestijn wil maken.
Groetjes! Cynthia
It is nice journey to know about Uzbekistan
I’m happy you enjoyed the post!
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- 14 October 2023
Best Things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan – 24-hour Travel Guide
A 24-hour travel guide: the best things to do in tashkent, uzbekistan.
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan. Even though many flights arrive in Tashkent, many tourists decide to skip the capital in their Uzbekistan itinerary . Nevertheless, I would recommend spending at least 1 night and therewith 24 hours in Tashkent. In my opinion, the capital city always tells something about the city. Thereby, Tashkent is a good starter to the beauty that awaits you in the rest of Uzbekistan. In this 24-hour travel guide, I’ll show you the best things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Of course, the guide will also include the best bars and restaurants in Tashkent.
During our time in Tashkent, we stayed in Sapiens Hotel, a great hotel with a lovely rooftop. Click here for more information / to book . At the end of this article, you’ll find a full overview of the best places to stay in Tashkent.
|| Chorsu Bazaar
After your breakfast, take a taxi to the Chorsu Bazaar, located in the old town. Firstly, we visited the outside area of the market, where you can find a wide variety of items. Furthermore, the bazaar is famous for its blue dome. The inner part of the bazaar focuses on fruit, meat, fish and other food. In my opinion, the Chorsu Bazaar is one of the best things to do in Tashkent, as it gives you insights into the daily life of the locals. Next to that, it offers amazing photo locations.
|| Hoja Ahror Valiy Mosque & Kukeldash Madrasah
Next to the Chorsu Bazaar, you can find the Hoja Ahror Valiy Mosque & Kukeldash Madrasah. Since they are located that close to the bazaar, definitely pay them a short visit. However, this is just a first sneak peek of all the lovely mosques and madrasahs you will run into when exploring the main sights in Uzbekistan.
|| Explore tashkent metro stations
One of the main highlights of Tashkent is its metro stations. First of all, the fact that there is a reliable metro network already surprised me. Before jumping on the metro, we researched the stations that were supposed to be the most beautiful and crafted a route of metro stations to visit on our way to the next sight.
We started our tour at the Chorsu Metro station. Here we bought a metro ticket and jumped on the blue line towards Gafur Gulum where we got off. Luckily, a metro departs every 5 minutes, which leaves you the perfect amount of time to shoot some pictures. Afterwards, we hopped on for one more stop to get off at Pakhtakor , where we admired the station and changed to the red line . Thereafter, we got off at Mustakillik Maydoni to admire the beautiful chandeliers. Lastly, we changed to the green line at the next station to get off in Bodomzor. Personally, this was the perfect number of Tashkent metro stations for us to visit, while also using it as a means of transport.
Below, you can find a map of the Tashkent Metro Stations.
|| Museum of Victims of Political Repression
After we arrived at Bodomzur metro station, we walked for 15 minutes towards the Museum of Victims of Political Repression. The place is a memorial complex dedicated to the people who thought for the independence of Uzbekistan.
Also, near the museum, you can find the Tashkent TV-tower, which you can access for views over Tashkent.
|| BeshQozon Pilaf Center
By now, it is time for lunch. As time in the capital might be limited, lunch can best be combined with another experience in Tashkent. One of the best things to do in Tashkent is to pay a visit to Beshqozon where you can taste the best Plov of Tashkent / Uzbekistan and enjoy the process of making the dish in bulk.
|| Uzbekistan Hotel
After lunch, we headed to the inner city, where you can find the famous Uzbekistan Hotel. This hotel is almost a landmark in itself and can be found next to the Amir Timur square.
|| Sailgokh Street
The final sight on this best things to see in Tashkent list for your 24-hour stay is Sailgokh Street. Firstly, this street is supposed to be great in the evening. Nevertheless, a visit did fit better in our day in the afternoon, so we decided to go ahead and pay a visit to Sailgokh Street around 4 pm. In this street, you can find plenty of different kinds of entertainment. Kids can drive a small car, you can rent strollers, you can do karaoke in a small booth or play ping-pong. We needed to wake up a bit after the full day and jetlag, so a game of ping-pong was the perfect way.
|| Socials Cafe
If you fancy something else for lunch than the famous Plov or are spending longer in Tashkent, Socials is a great option. Their food offering is pretty western, which we decided to go for as we had plenty of local food ahead of us.
|| Roni Pizza Napoletana
For dinner, we headed to Roni Pizza Napoletana, very close to Socials Cafe. What I never expected was that those pizzas where some of the best ones I had in a long time. Especially the pear and gorgonzola pizza was to die for!
|| More Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Tashkent
Of course, the before-mentioned places for lunch and dinner aren’t the only restaurants, cafes and bars worth a visit. Based on prior research and my visit, these places are also worth a visit. Firstly, visit Breadly , a lovely bakery, where you can find a Western lunch. If you are seeking a more local dinner/twist, then Afsona might be the location for you. Furthermore, we enjoyed juice from the JuiceBar , which is located on the same street as Afsona, RONI and Socials. Moreover, in case you are craving a glass of wine, Silk96 Wine & Lounge or WineTime are good options. Lastly, if you are looking for a nice rooftop, Sette Bar is your best option.
- The best places to stay in Tashkent -
Sapiens hotel.
During our visit to Tashkent, we stayed at Sapiens Hotel. In total, we stayed here on the first and final day of our trip. The hotel is basic, with a main building (including an elevator) and a sub-building (without an elevator), and small but clean rooms. However, their breakfast was the best we had in Uzbekistan and in the evening their rooftop transforms into a bar. Plenty of reasons to book your stay here for €75 a night.
Ichan Qal'a Premium Class Hotel
Slightly outside the main town, you can find the Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel. Unsurprisingly, this is a well-known luxury hotel including both an outdoor and indoor pool. Furthermore, the interior of the rooms focuses on an eastern look. In summary, this is the perfect hotel if you are seeking some luxury.
City Centre Hotel
Is location the most important hotel feature for you? In that case, the City Centre Hotel might be your favourite pick. Even though the rooms are simple, the location and cleanliness make it a gem.
More about Uzbekistan
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Top 10 things to do in Uzbekistan – The best experiences
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- 19 November 2023
10 day Uzbekistan Itinerary – Your perfect round trip
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan: The Top 13 Things to Do in the City
Tashkent is the capital of Uzbekistan and where you’ll likely begin and end your trip. It’s home to the country’s international airport so most people fly into Tashkent and spend less than 24 hours in the city before heading west to Samarkand . But Tashkent has its own charm and it’s worth spending a few days here to experience what life is like outside of the touristy towns.
Instead of just passing through, we’d recommend spending at least a few days in Tashkent as it actually has a lot to offer! There are loads of delicious restaurants, the historical sites are beautiful, and the people are so friendly. So if you’re wondering what to do in Tashkent, read on to discover our favorite sights in Uzbekistan’s capital city!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase or booking through one of our links we may earn a small commission (don’t worry, it’s at no extra cost to you).
Tashkent Travel Basics
Know before you go.
- The currency of Uzbekistan is the Uzbekistani Soʻm (UZS). At the time of writing, the conversion was 8,450 UZS to $1 USD. In this post, we’ll be referring to prices in Uzbekistan currency.
- Bring some cash with you to exchange at the airport. There are only three ATMs at the airport in Tashkent and they are often out of order. You can exchange money at the small window right outside of immigration at a decent exchange rate.
- It’s not nearly as conservative as you might think. You’d probably feel a bit out of place in daisy dukes and a tube top, but pretty much anything else goes. Just cover yourself when you visit any religious sites.
- Tipping is not common, in fact, most taxi drivers actually round down. So if your ride should cost 8,300 UZS and you give them 10,000, you’ll likely get 2,000 back.
Getting to Tashkent
Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport is located in Tashkent and you’ll likely need to fly into and out of it. There aren’t many airline options to get into and out of the country other than Uzbekistan Airways.
Check Flight Prices on Skyscanner
Getting Around Tashkent
Taxis are incredibly cheap in Tashkent. You should only pay 1,000 UZS per kilometer so most trips will be less than a dollar. The only difficulty is that many taxi drivers don’t speak any English so getting them to understand where you need to go can be a challenge. Download the Yandex.Taxi app ( iPhone | Android ) so you can easily input your destination.
The metro will also get you where you need to go for next to nothing (1,000 UZS per trip) but be aware that none of the signs are in English. And none of the announcements are in English either. So unless you’ve really researched your stops, you’ll have a challenging time figuring out where you need to go.
Getting Around Uzbekistan
Trains in Uzbekistan are fast, convenient, and comfortable. The train from Tashkent to Samarkand takes less than three hours and the most you will pay is 105,000 UZS for the fast train. The slower train, which takes closer to three hours, will save you about 35,00 UZS.
You can book your train tickets online although the train station names are in the Uzbek language which can be confusing. Plus, they’ll add a processing fee to the price of your ticket. You can also buy directly at the train station if you want to avoid the additional cost.
Where to Stay in Tashkent
Hyatt Regency Tashkent
Finding a hotel in Tashkent can be difficult as most of them are old and dated. By far the nicest accommodation around is the Hyatt Regency Tashkent . Offering gorgeous rooms, an indoor swimming pool, and a revolving restaurant, you’ll never want to leave your hotel!
Check Prices on Booking.com
Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel
The impeccably decorated rooms at the Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel are fit for a king! Plus, they are super spacious and comfortable. You’ll love the well-equipped fitness center and the refreshing pool. It’s certainly one of the nicest hotels in the city! The location is just outside of the center but it shouldn’t matter since taxis are so cheap!
Navruz Hotel
If you are looking for something more mid-range, then Navruz Hotel is a great choice! It’s close to the Tashkent Tower and Minor Mosque, as well as a metro stop to get you anywhere you need to go in the city. Rooms are spacious, clean, and comfortable with updated, modern decor.
Where to Eat in Tashkent
Kafe-Restoran Ogni Tashkenta is a darling little restaurant with delicious salads, yummy desserts, and the most delicious mulled red wine. The service here is stellar, you’ll think you’re dining at a super fancy restaurant but prices are actually quite reasonable.
Our favorite restaurant in the city is Socials Cafe , a spacious coffee shop located in downtown Tashkent. They have delicious food, huge portions, and great coffee. Everyone there is super friendly and it’s quite affordable, especially the “Working Lunch Special” which is a salad, a sandwich or pasta, and coffee all for only 55,000 UZS (~$6.50). Plus the Wi-Fi is some of the best we encountered in the entire country of Uzbekistan.
Qorasaroy is a very local restaurant serving traditional Uzbek food just a block north of the Hazrati Imam Complex. Their signature dish, “lag’mon” is one you must try during your trip to Uzbekistan. It is made of noodles, veggies, meat, and a sauce that tastes eerily similar to pizza. Beware that the menu is written in Uzbek so just order the lag’mon, bread, and lemon tea. Your bill will be less than 50,000 UZS for two people.
Where to Drink in Tashkent
Silk96 WineLounge is a chic bar with a large imported wine list. If you have a hankering for a good bottle of wine, this is the place to go. But because it’s all imported, it’s also pretty pricey. If you’re trying to stick to a budget, opt for the mulled wine instead. They also have reasonably priced (and delicious) food and cocktails.
Caravan is a restaurant and bar that serves Georgian food and often has nightly live music. Beer and wine are reasonably priced and it has a nice, local vibe. The food is good but if you’re short on time, we’d recommend just enjoying a few drinks here while listening to live music and enjoying dinner at one of the spots we recommend above.
The 13 Best Things to do in Tashkent
1. people watch at the chorsu bazaar.
The Chorsu Bazaar is a great place to experience the local flavor of Tashkent! The covered area of the bazaar, under the massive blue dome, is full of vendors selling various raw food products. Behind the central dome, you’ll find a huge tented market full of fresh fruit, veggies, honey, and spices. Continue on toward Ko’kaldosh Madrasasi and you’ll pass little stalls selling clothing, fresh bread, jewelry, beauty products, and more.
This isn’t a tourist market, it’s mostly locals here. There are a few shops that have souvenir-type products, but you’re better off saving your treasure shopping for Bukhara or Samarkand. This is just a great place to do some people-watching in Tashkent.
2. Stop at the Kukeldash Madrasah and the Dzhuma Mosque
The Kukeldash Madrasah ( Ko’Kaldosh Madrasasi ) and the Dzhuma Mosque are right outside of the Chorsu Bazaar. Both are beautiful examples of Islamic architecture and are certainly worth a stop when you’re in the area.
You’ll have to pay a small fee to enter the courtyard of the madrasah, 10,000 UZS per person. Inside is a small shop with intricate wood carvings and if you’re lucky, you can see several wood carvers hard at work.
3. Check out the View from the Tashkent Tower
The Tashkent Tower is the 11th tallest tower in the world. The building has an interesting shape, almost like a spacecraft that is getting ready to launch. The entire structure stands 1,230 feet high and the observation deck is 328 feet above the ground. You’ll get off the elevator on the 6th floor for the observation deck, or you can continue to the 7th floor to have a beer in the revolving restaurant. The decor is really funky and the food and drinks are surprisingly reasonably priced.
If you’re in the area, head back to the Tashkent Tower after dark. It comes alive with blinking white lights after the sun goes down. It’s a must-see during your trip to Tashkent!
Entrance Fees: 40,000 UZS per person. You’ll need your passport to enter the tower, don’t forget!
Hours: Open daily from 10 am until 8 pm
4. Try Plov
Plov is the traditional cuisine of Uzbekistan and a must-try during your visit! This dish is comprised of rice, onion, carrots, and meat (usually lamb or beef), cooked in a large cast-iron pan. It’s a bit like fried rice but without the egg. Plov is a heavy dish so plan to take it easy after eating a massive bowl of this yummy dish.
You can find restaurants serving plov all over Tashkent but the most popular one is Central Asian Plov Center . Here you can get freshly baked bread with dip, pickled veggies, lemon tea, and two big bowls of plov, all for under $5 USD. But keep in mind that it’s more of a lunch spot and they close at 6 pm. You’ve got to try it at least once during your trip to Uzbekistan!
5. See the Memorial to the Victims of Repression
The memorial to the Victims of Repression is a large gazebo-shaped structure topped with a bright blue dome. It’s easy to see from the Tashkent Tower observation deck. The park surrounding it is gorgeous and is quite popular for wedding photos.
The Museum of Victims of Repressions is right next door and is worth wandering around to see the intricately carved wooden details. There is also a nice view of the Tashkent Tower all lit up at night from the park.
6. Admire the Minor Mosque
The Minor Mosque is the most spectacular mosque in the city of Tashkent. It is stark white with a large blue dome and intricately carved wooden doors. The gardens in the front are perfectly manicured, as are the trees in the inner courtyard. Women can enter the mosque if their shoulders, knees, and head are covered and men have a separate entrance on the right side of the courtyard.
You’ll be in awe of how incredibly beautiful this mosque is, inside and out. It’s arguably the most popular attraction in Tashkent and you’ve got to see it in person!
7. Wander Around the Hazrat Imam Complex
The library of oriental manuscripts is a small area where several mosques and madrasas are in close proximity. Plus, there is a huge mosque currently being built right next door. It’s awesome to stroll around this complex, admiring the architecture of these beautiful structures.
Make sure to visit the library of oriental manuscripts (Entrance Fee: 15,000 UZS) where you find a treasure trove of ancient Qurans and other books. The highlight is the Quran of Caliph Uthman-Ottoman (also known as the Samarkand Kufic Quran ) which was written over 1,200 years ago.
The Barakhan Madrasah is the most impressive building in the complex. Anyone can enter the inner courtyard (no head covering required) and the classrooms have been transformed into small shops selling traditional Uzbekistan souvenirs. Don’t miss it during your stay in Tashkent!
8. Visit the Amir Temur Monument and Square
Amir Temur (sometimes spelled “Timur”) has been officially recognized as Uzbekistan’s national hero due to his conquering of Western, South, and Central Asia during the 14th century. You’ll see his name all over Tashkent, including the Amir Temur Monument and Square.
Temur is a controversial figure as he sacked and destroyed many cities during his reign. But for Uzbekistan, he is a unifying figure of strength and courage. In fact, his name and image have replaced the previous landmarks bearing the names of Marx and Lenin.
The Amir Temur Square is a nice place for an afternoon stroll. It’s peaceful and beautiful and really popular with Uzbekistan families. The large monument of him on a horse is at the center of the park.
9. Get a History Lesson at the Amir Temur Museum
As mentioned above, Amir Temur is a hero in Uzbekistan and you’ll see his name everywhere. The Amir Temur Museum houses a few depictions of his likeness as well as some of his belongings. The most impressive area of the museum is the central rotunda. A copy of the Quran sits in the center with a vibrantly colored mural behind it. The domed ceiling is painted gold with a fantastic chandelier hanging from the center.
The rest of the museum houses small-scale models of the most important mosques around Uzbekistan, as well as copies of important cultural artifacts. You won’t need more than 30 minutes here to see all of the highlights.
Entrance Fees: 16,000 UZS per person. 30,000 UZS to shoot photos and 40,000 UZS for video.
Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 9 am until 5 pm. Closed Mondays.
10. Snap a Photo of the Uzbekistan Hotel
Tashkent is full of post-Soviet era architectural remnants and the Hotel Uzbekistan is one of the best examples. It’s a large, cream-colored concrete building with patterned slabs over the windows. It’s impossible to miss while you’re wandering around Amir Temur Square as it towers over the eastern edge.
Don’t bother going inside the hotel, the interior isn’t nearly as interesting as the exterior.
Be on the lookout for other post-Soviet architecture during your stay in Tashkent. You’ll find similar buildings all over the city.
11. Shop for Antiques on Sailgokh Street
Sailgokh Street lines the park just to the west of the Amir Temur Monument and is quite a popular spot in the early evenings. Vendors selling antiques and unique paintings line the pedestrian street as do artists vying to sketch your portrait. Local entrepreneurs have games for kids (and adults!) to enjoy and motorized cars are available to rent for small children.
It’s the perfect place to find unique Uzbekistan treasures or just enjoy watching the locals enjoy time with their families. Don’t be surprised if you get approached by young people who want to practice speaking English or take a selfie.
12. Ride the Metro
Taxis are so cheap and easy in Tashkent that we would recommend using them as your primary means of transportation. However, it’s worth taking the Tashkent metro to see the impressive and unique stations. Every one of them is different.
When you enter the metro station, you’ll need to buy a small plastic token from the window, it’s 1,000 UZS per person. Then you’ll have your bag inspected and head down the steps to the trains.
The Tashkent metro stations have different features – some have gorgeous light fixtures, others have ceramic artwork on the walls, and still, others have impressive archways. They are old and you’ll feel like you’re in a museum or a ballroom, somewhere much fancier than a metro station.
Keep in mind that the metro is difficult to use as none of the signs are in English. Check the Uzbek names of the stations that you need to get off at and don’t be nervous about asking someone, most people will be happy to help you get where you need to go!
13. Visit the State Museum of Arts
The State Museum of Arts is a well-organized museum with a wonderful collection of Uzbekistan artifacts. The second floor is the highlight of the museum, with intricate wood carvings and beautiful handwoven tapestries. It’s definitely worth a stop while you’re in Tashkent, even if it’s a short visit, as the entrance fee is only about $1 USD.
We found it to be the most interesting of the museums that we visited in Tashkent and would recommend checking it out!
Entrance Fees: 10,000 UZS per person to enter, 50,000 UZS if you want to take photos inside
Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday from 10 am until 5 pm
Enjoy your time in Tashkent!
Want more info to help you plan your trip to Uzbekistan? Check out our favorite travel guides!
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About the Author:
Val grew up in Portland, Oregon but moved to Oahu on a whim back in 2013. She sold her house and all of her belongings and bought a one-way ticket. Since then she’s taken two around-the-world trips and has visited 60-ish countries while living out of a duffel bag. Val started documenting the Wandering Wheatleys travels back in 2013 as a way to update friends and family about her whereabouts and to relay humorous daily interactions. The only readers were her mom and her mother-in-law but that didn’t stop her! These days you’ll find Val dreaming up future trips, creating new travel content, managing a team of amazing travel enthusiasts, and chasing around her two adorable but naughty kids.
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7 thoughts on “tashkent, uzbekistan: the top 13 things to do in the city”.
Is there people can speak Russian language ?
Yeah, it seems Uzbek and Russian are used interchangeably around Uzbekistan. And most people here can speak Russian.
If you are short on time in Tashkent, take the red city tour bus from the front of the Hotel Uzbekistan.
The correct word for describing people and things is Uzbek. Uzbekistani and Uzbeki are not.
Well then it’s a good thing we don’t call them that! We refer to the currency as the “Uzbekistani Soʻm” as that is the information we found on several financial websites and Wikipedia if that’s what you’re referencing. Thanks for keeping an eye out – the more eyes catching any errors on our posts, the better!
Thank you very much from Dhaka-Bangladesh for your nice guide lines and beautiful pictures. I like to visit Tashkent very soon.
Thank you for reading! Tashkent is amazing!
Preparing the travel for the great Uzbek, got one question, we should pay to shoot with camera, phone as well?
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10 Top places to visit in Tashkent – A complete guide
By Joan Torres 9 Comments Last updated on December 19, 2023
Overlooked by most travelers in favor of the stunning Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, is a city filled with Islamic and Soviet architecture, home to more than 4 million people, making it the largest city in Central Asia.
With extremely wide avenues and plenty of modern restaurants and posh buildings, the surprisingly clean and fancy Tashkent is, definitely, quite different from the idea you have of a Central Asian city.
Tashkent is the cultural and economic center of Uzbekistan and one of the wealthiest cities in Central Asia.
For some reason, many people believe that Tashkent is a pretty new city but, in fact, its history dates back to the 4th century B.C., as suggested by the evidence found at the ruins of Kanka , an archaeological site located 80km from Tashkent.
Furthermore, Tashkent has been an important place in the region for millennia, benefiting from its highly strategic location, on the way to Bukhara, Samarkand, and China.
For this reason, over the years, the capital of Uzbekistan has been targeted, sacked and invaded by many groups and civilizations, including the Russian Tsars and, of course, the Soviet Union.
Spare a couple of days to pay Tashkent the visit it deserves and I am pretty sure that it won’t disappoint you. Here’s a list of the top places to visit in Tashkent plus a couple of accommodation suggestions and transportation tips.
Remember that, for practical information for traveling to Uzbekistan, including visas, transportation, etc, you should read: 75 Useful tips for traveling to Uzbekistan
In this Tashkent travel guide you will find:
Table of Contents
- Things to do in Tashkent
Where to stay in Tashkent
- Transportation – How to move around Tashkent
- More Information
Travel insurance for Uzbekistan I recommend IATI Insurance : COVID-19 coverage + 5% discount Get your discount when buying through this link
Things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent tourist places – map.
Chorsu Bazar
If you have just arrived in Central Asia for the first time, you should go straight to Chorsu Bazar, one of the most important markets in Central Asia and a fascinating place to get a vague feeling of what the ancient Silk Road trade used to be.
The market has been going for centuries, but it was the Soviets who constructed and covered it with the blue-domed building. All the locals come to the bazaar, which means that this is also a great place to observe the ethnic and cultural blend Tashkent is famous for.
From all kinds of fruit and meat to underwear and handicrafts, here you can find absolutely anything you want. I strongly recommend you buy kurut, a Central Asian snack which consists of dried cheese balls.
They are eaten all across the region but, here, you will find one hundred types of kurut , filled with all kinds of herbs and other ingredients. Chorsu Bazar is one of the best things to do in Tashkent.
Read: Backpacking in Uzbekistan: 1 to 3-week itinerary
Hotel Uzbekistan
One of the things I love the most about traveling to ex-Soviet countries is visiting Soviet buildings. They are massive, old-fashioned and made of concrete.
In Tashkent, my favorite Soviet building would be, definitely, Hotel Uzbekistan, whose size won’t leave you indifferent. I believe that each window must be a room.
Can you get an idea of its dimensions?
Tashkent Metro
In 1966, a 7.5 Richter-scale earthquake destroyed a significant part of Tashkent, especially the old part of the city.
The capital had to be completely restored and, as a consequence, architects and planners from all over the Soviet Union came to Tashkent with the sole objective of building a new city which, not surprisingly, followed the classic Soviet city model, consisting of wide roads, concrete buildings and plenty of parks.
Among all the projects, the metro was, perhaps, one of the most ambitious as, following the already constructed metro of Moscow and Saint Petersburg, they wanted the Tashkent metro to also be an artistic masterpiece.
Built extremely deep in the ground, almost every station of the Tashkent Metro is absolutely gorgeous, all very different from each other.
From beautiful mosaics to massive, goldish-candelabras, we spent many hours just going up and down on the metro, while stopping at its many gorgeous stations.
Definitely, one of the top places to visit in Tashkent.
Weird statues
Some places in Tashkent are filled with very strange things that seem like a joke. From statues of animals that look like they were stoned to creepy characters and the weird couple from below, I seriously wonder if they are aimed at unhappy kids or the artist was just completely high.
One interesting place to see these things is the park next to Gafur Gulom station.
Central Asian Plov Center
Plov is, perhaps, the most famous dish in Central Asia. Consisting of rice fried in lamb fat, with raisins, carrots and different kinds of meat, Uzbekistan is the country where it is eaten most often.
The locals consider it a real delicacy and, actually, they eat it practically every day.
The Central Asian Plov Center in Tashkent is believed to serve the best plov in the region.
They cook it in massive pans ( kozon ), which can feed hundreds of people. After 5 months of traveling through Central Asia , I came to the conclusion that I seriously hate plov, but many travelers love it and you want to come here for the experience, not for the food.
A plov meal costs from 10,000UZS to 15,000UZS (1.20USD to 1.80USD). If you want to see the chefs in action, try to go there before 12pm.
Tashkent TV tower
Five minutes walking from the Plov Center, you find a 375-meter TV tower, the highest building in Central Asia.
You can actually visit it, but the observation deck is at only 96 meters, even though you get a pretty good panoramic view of Tashkent’s skyline.
Price for foreigners is 15USD but I heard from a traveler who managed to pay the local price, which is 36,000UZS (4.30USD).
However, bear in mind that you are not allowed to take any photos and, actually, they force you to leave your phone downstairs.
It’s not really one of the top things to see in Tashkent but, if you can afford it, it’s a nice way to pass 2 hours.
Read: A guide for traveling to Tajikistan
Hazrat Imam Complex
This is the official religious center in the city and, of course, one of the top Tashkent tourist attractions.
Composed of mosques with turquoise domes, not very different from the ones in Samarkand, Hazrat Imam Complex is the main reason to visit Tashkent and the place where you will understand why this Central Asian metropolis had been such an important place.
Among all the buildings, Muyi Mubarak Library is the most important, as it contains the world’s oldest Quran and a relic which is nothing less than a hair from Prophet Muhammad, or at least that’s what they claim.
Kulkedash Madrassa
From being an old Islamic school in the 16th century to a caravanserai two hundred years later, a fortress and a place where public executions were held, Kulkedash madrassa is one of the most historic buildings in town.
Earthquakes damaged it very badly but it was beautifully reconstructed in the middle of the 20th century.
Inside the madrassa you will find a colorful courtyard.
Entrance fee: 5,000UZS (60¢). Another of the top tourist places in Tashkent.
The food scene
After my long journey through Kyrgyzstan , traveling the Pamir Highway , trekking the Fann Mountains and a short visit to the Fergana Valley , when we arrived in Tashkent and saw the large list of restaurants, offering all kinds of food, our lives suddenly changed for the better.
From pretty good Italian restaurants to pubs serving international food and good seafood restaurants, we really appreciated having a break from lagman , manty , and shashlik .
Timur and Independence Squares
Containing the most important monuments and political and cultural buildings, Timur and Independence Squares are some of the most important landmarks in town. Strolling these two squares is pretty pleasant, as they are filled with greenery and fountains.
The top highlights would be the Uzbekistan Independence monument and a 7-meter bronze statue of Amir Timur.
Backpacker hostel – Top Chan Hostel – This is the hostel that can arrange the Letter of Invitation needed to get your visa for Uzbekistan . We only stayed here for one night because it then was fully booked. It has several dorms and rooms and the only bad thing I would say is that the common area consists of only a large table, without many places to sit. Breakfast is included and, for what a dorm costs, it’s actually fair.
Budget Hotel – Star Hotel – We stayed here for the rest of the time and it was great. For just 2 extra USD, we had a super clean 3-bedroom and the best shower facilities we had in months. The location is great, on a street which has all kind of bars and restaurants where young local people hang out. I would definitely come back here if I ever return to Tashkent.
Mid-range hotel – Hotel Uzbekistan – For a real Soviet Union experience, staying here must be pretty cool. Not much has changed since it was this Soviet building was inaugurated and guests absolutely love the old-fashioned style it has. However, the internet is very slow apparently and people complain that some of the furniture and facilities urge to be renewed.
Top-end – Ichan Qal’a Hotel – One of the top-rated hotels in Tashkent, people love this place because of its beautiful oriental design, pretty old-fashion but with so much taste at the same time. It may be slightly far away from the main monuments, but they within a very short taxi ride.
How to move around Tashkent
Metro – Depending on where you go, the metro is a fast way to travel around town. Nevertheless, bear in mind that distances in Tashkent are huge and there might be several kilometers between stations. That’s why, depending on where you plan to go, it might be better to take a cab.
Taxi – In Tashkent, everybody is a taxi driver. Local people just stand on the road, as if they were hitchhiking and someone random always stops, as most taxi drivers are private cars without a license. I moved around Tashkent quite a lot, as I had to collect a few visas and do some personal staff, so I moved quite everywhere around the city and all trips costs me between 5,000 and 12,000UZS (60¢ – 1.40USD).
Marshrutka – They run regularly to everywhere in the city but, seriously, unless you really know where you are going, given the low price of a taxi ride or a metro ticket, I would not take a marshrutka because you will be wasting your time.
More information for visiting Tashkent
📢 In my Travel Resources Page you can find the list of all the sites and services I use to book hotels, tours, travel insurance and more.
All guides and articles for traveling in Uzbekistan destination
- Travel Guide to Fergana Valley
- Travel Guide to Moynaq
- Travel Guide to Uzbekistan
- Tajikistan-Uzbekistan border crossing
- Uzbekistan Itinerary
Check more city guides
- Tunis Travel Guide
- Asmara Travel Guide
- Travel Guide to Riyadh
- Muscat Travel Guide
- Travel Guide to Dubai
- Beirut Travel Guide
- Erbil Travel Guide
- Tehran Travel Guide
- Travel Guide to Astana
- Baku Travel Guide
- Tbilisi Travel Guide
- Travel Guide to Minsk
- Kiev Travel Guide
- Travel Guide to Nouakchott
- A City Guide to Mosul
An excellent article – thank you! We’re currently in Shymkent and are heading to Tashkent on Monday – will basically just follow your recommendations Have really enjoyed your other posts on Uzbekistan as well!
Cheers! Enjoy Uzbekistan 🙂 !
Currently staying in the Hotel Uzbekistan. This note is right about the HORRIBLE wi-fi! (hint – it is marginally better in the lobby, which has a different password, available at the desk.) Also no work table in the room – since I need to do some typing, I had to remove the TV from its small table and use that. But the bed is comfortabale, the water hot when required, the breakfast generous and varied. Not many places to eat visible from the hotel, and the coffee shopt is pretty limited. A good bet is a building behind the huge white marble block building across thes street from the hotel (built as an amazingy fancy speaking hall for the late president) – on the other side is a set of univeristy buildings, and one building has several restaurants and cafes. Search for the Book Cafe – which is itself quite nice, though probably not for a real meal – and just walk door to door to find something (incuding around the corner to the right of the Book Cafe).
Thanks for thr update! And yes, I remember about Book café. I went there to work for a few hours during my visit
Work while on a visit or Tourist visa is that acceptable because I did like to do same when I visit and least make some money spent back.
Hello Dear, Thank you for comprehensive information, it helped me a lot in my tour to Tashkent. Brova
Is really useful information , helped me a lot
Thanks publisher
Really useful information. I have recently been in Tashkent and want to mention one interesting place that I have discover, the local brands shop – Teplo Store (located near Oybek Metro, Nukus 31/2)
Very nice shop full of all the designers from Uzbekistan from clothes, scarfs, accessories to ceramics, home textile and etc. Staff is really nice and welcoming, recommend everyone to attend!
Their instagram and Facebook page: teplostore_2022
Thanks for the Reco!
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16 Things To Do In Tashkent + Tashkent Travel Guide
Updated March 2024 , 15 Things To Do In Tashkent + Tashkent Travel Guide was originally written in January 2020
Tashkent gets skipped over by many visitors to Uzbekistan for its more glamourous Silk Road cities of Samarkand , Bukhara , and Khiva , but Tashkent actually has quite a bit to offer. If you’re flying into the country, you’ll likely arrive in Tashkent, so why not allow for a couple of days to explore the Uzbek capital?
In this Tashkent travel guide, you’ll find everything to plan your Tashkent visit from the best things to do in Tashkent, where to stay, Tashkent’s best restaurants , day trips, and more. For more ideas to help you plan the perfect trip to Uzbekistan, I recommend purchasing a copy of the Bradt Uzbekistan guidebook.
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The Best Time To Visit Tashkent
Start planning here: The Uzbekistan Travel Guide
How Long To Visit Tashkent?
How long you choose to visit Tashkent, of course, will greatly depend on your interests. I’d say for most travelers two days is probably enough time to hit the highlights in Tashkent, though on my most recent visit to Tashkent in 2019 I had three days there and could have easily spent double that.
With that said I wanted to visit and photograph every Tashkent metro station (there’s 29) and see a number of sites (many were revisits), so much more than 2-3 days I think would be overkill for most travelers on limited time in Uzbekistan.
Like much the rest of Uzbekistan, it’s boiling hot in the summer and can be quite chilly in winters. The best months to visit Tashkent with the most comfortable weather are April, May, September, and October. Unfortunately, those months are the most popular for this reason so prices are a bit higher and good-priced and quality accommodations can book up fast.
Shoulder months such as March and November can be good months to opt for to get fewer crowds and a bit more of a bargain, though plan to bundle up, especially in the evenings.
Need help planning you itinerary? Check out my two week Uzbekistan itinerary
Things To Do In Tashkent
Take A Ride On The Tashkent Metro
Tashkent Metro is among the most beautiful and ornately designed metro systems in the world. Starting in 2018 the Tashkent Metro was declassified as a military installation so photography is finally allowed in the Tashkent underground. So not only is the Tashkent Metro a cheap and fast way to zip between the sites on this list, but it’s also a sight to behold all itself (and thus making it pretty much my favorite things to do in Tashkent!).
Cost: 1,400 UZS per ride
The Tashkent Metro In Photos & Travel Guide
Mustaqillik Maydoni (Independence Square)
The square is a great place to plop down for a rest between sites in Tashkent and a great place to meet friendly locals. Situated around the square are the Senate Building, Romanov Palace, Crying Mother Monument, and the 1966 Earthquake Memorial.
Metro stop: Mustaqillik Maydoni
Besh Qozon (formerly the Central Asian Plov Center)
Head over at about lunchtime to see the Plov Center in action, in the covered outdoor area, watch cooks fry up plov in front of a line of hungry onlookers armed with bowls from home and even trash bags to carry off plov to-go in.
Home to the world’s largest qazan, the metal pan plov is fried up in. Once your done drooling over plov being cooked up in front of you, head over to the dining hall where you can put in an order and enjoy a bowl of plov.
Metro stop: Bodomzor or Shahriston
Tashkent? A foodie destination? Yes! Check out my Best Restaurants in Tashkent Guide
Hotel Uzbekistan
The massive Hotel Uzbekistan is a Soviet fixture, looming over Amir Timur Square. Even if you’re not staying in the communist-era monstrosity, head in and have a drink at the Bar Vienna downstairs or grab dinner at the upstairs restaurant.
Metro stop: Amir Timur Hiyobuni or Yunus Rajabiy
Khast Imam Complex, Abu Bakr Kaffal Shoshi Mausoleum, & Barak Khan Madrasa
Among my favorite things to do in Tashkent is visit the Khast Imom Complex, the official religious center of Tashkent that is comprised of the Hazrati Imom Mosque, Moyie Mubarek Library Museum, and the sprawling Khast Imom Square. Try to visit early to avoid the massive tour bus groups.
On the same grounds, you’ll also find the Abu Bakr Kaffal Shoshi Mausoleum dedicated to the Shaybanid era poet and scholar, and the souvenir-shop filled Barak Khan Madrasa. The Moyie Mubarek Library Museum houses (allegedly) the world’s oldest Uthman Quran, which dates back to the 7th century.
Metro stop: Gafur Gulom
Want to see more grand Silk Road architecture? Check out the Samarkand Travel Guide
Chorsu Bazaar
The frenetic and bustling core of Chorsu Bazaar is covered by a Soviet-era blue dome, but the bazaar sprawls out from underneath it and feels almost like a city of its own. If you’re on the hunt for literally anything, this is the place you’ll likely find it.
Metro stop: Chorsu
International Islamic University & Sheik Khantaur Complex
The Islamic University has an impressive facade that faces out toward Abdullah Qodiri Street, with three 15th century mausoleums to Yunus Khan, Tole Bi, and Sheikh Hovendi Takhur.
Metro stop: Alisher Navoi or Pakhtakor
Minor Mosque
Minor Mosque is a new addition to Tashkent, built in 2016, but the large mosque complex is quite unique being decorated in blinding white marble.
Metro stop: Bodomzor or Minor
Have more time in Uzbekistan? Why not check out the Uzbek Fergana Valley ?
Tashkent Tower
This monstrosity is the tallest structure in all of Central Asia at 395 meters. The TV tower itself, in my opinion, isn’t really worth the 120,000 UZS admission fee to go up in, but you can easily admire it from a distance. The Tashkent Tower is located very close to the Central Asian Plov Center.
Metro stop: Bodomzor or Shahriston
Oloy Bazaar
Oloy Bazaar is a bit pricier, but far more chill than Chorsu Bazaar. The bazaar has a modern look to it, but it’s argued whether the bazaar originated in the 12th century or the 17th century.
If you wanna grab a bite to eat while shopping at Oloy Bazaar, I recommend heading toward the back and grabbing a plate of lagman at Injis Restaurant (it’s probably the best lagman I’ve had in Tashkent, and I do love my lagman, so you should trust me). Injis Restaurant is unfortunately gone.
Metro stop: Abdulla Qodiri
Kulkadesh Madrasa & Joma Mosque
Kulkadesh Madrasa and Joma Mosque sit side by side atop a hill overlooking Chorsu Bazaar. Entrance to Kulkadesh Madrasa is 10,000 UZS.
Navoi Theatre
Most evenings the theatre puts on a show, which can be a great way to spend one of your evenings in the city. Tickets typically fall in the 10,000-100,000 UZS price range depending on the seat but make sure to get there early to wander the halls and foyers to appreciate the architecture.
Metro stop: Mustaqillik Maydoni or Kosmonavtlar
Plan a perfect two week Uzbekistan & Tajikistan itinerary
Cathedral of Assumption
The gold-domed Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin is a Russian Orthodox cathedral originally built in 1871. On the opposite corner of Nukus and Avliyuta Ko’chasi you’ll find the Mirobad Bazaar. The neighborhood off of Nukus and Oybek Ko’chasi still has some good Soviet apartment blocks that still have Soviet-style mosaics on display (many of the old apartment blocks are being updated and mosaics disappearing).
Metro top: Tashkent or Oybek
Amir Timur Maydoni (Amir Timur Square)
Amir Timur Maydoni feels like the center of Tashkent with the streets of the city spiderwebbing out from it. You’ll find the Amir Timur Statue at the center of the square, but also around it, you’ll find the Amir Timur Museum, the Dom Forum, the House of Photography, and Hotel Uzbekistan.
Metro stop: Amir Timur Hiyobuni or Yunus Rajabiy
Tashkent Museums
State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
Even if you’re not a history buff, the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan is definitely worth a stop for anyone looking to learn a little about the history of Uzbekistan from the days of Turkestan to present day. Admission is 10,000 UZS, cameras are an additional 25,000 UZS.
Metro stop: Mustaqillik Maydoni
Art Gallery of Uzbekistan
The Art Gallery of Uzbekistan houses a combination of the rotating international exhibits and permanent exhibits displaying Uzbek contemporary artists’ works.
Amir Timur Museum
The Amir Timur Museum houses displays that explain the history of the Timirid Empire. The museum opened in 1996, the year the late president Islom Karimov declared ” the year of Amir Timur”. Admission is 15,000 UZS, and an additional 30,000 to take photos.
Metro stop: Amir Timur Hiyabuni or Yunus Rajabiy
Railway Museum
The Railway Museum displays a collection of Soviet locomotives that were in use from the 1930s-1950s. Admission is 25,000 UZS.
Metro stop: Toshkent
State Fine Arts Museum
The State Fine Arts Museum of Uzbekistan houses artwork that spans over 1,500 years of history. The highlight (at least I think) is the Uzbek Applied Arts section which showcases carvings and suzanis (an embroidered tapestry). Admission is 10,000 UZS, and cameras are an additional 50,000 UZS.
Metro stop: Oybek or Ming Orik
Museum of Applied Arts
The Museum of Applied Arts is housed within the former home of Russian diplomat Alexander Polovtsev, who collected Uzbek handicrafts inside his mansion decorated in grand Uzbek style. It’s quite colorful and a great introduction to Uzbek decorative styles and architecture. Admission is 21,000 UZS for admission + camera.
Metro stop: Kosmonavtlar
Check out the Bukhara Travel Guide & Khiva Travel Guide to plan further travels
Museum of the Victims of Political Repression
Located just across Amir Timur Ko’chasi from the Central Asian Plov Center and the Tashkent Tower, the Museum of the Victims of Political Repression pays tribute to those repressed and killed by the government as well as the history of the country when Uzbekistan was under control of the Soviet Union
Newly built, Magic City is akin to an Uzbek Disneyland with a princess castle, replicas of several famous monuments around the world, and even a replica of the Registan and Samarkand. I wouldn’t necessarily go out of my way to visit (we happened to be passing by in the evening and wandered in), but if you are traveling Uzbekistan with kids, this will likely keep them occupied for a bit.
Entry to Magic City is free and they even have weekly firework displays. There are heaps of restaurants and shops to wander through here as well including several foreign chains.
Metro stop: Xalqlar Dostigli or Milliy Bog
How To Travel To Tashkent
By Flight: Tashkent is easily reached by air with Uzbekistan Airways, Aeroflot, Ural Airlines, Air Manas, Air Astana, Turkish Airlines, and several more airlines offering services to the city. Uzbekistan Airways, of course, offers the most routes including several throughout Central Asia, Europe, East Asia, the Middle East, and even a new direct flight to New York City.
By Shared Taxi: Tashkent is easily reached by shared taxi and marshrutka from just about any city or town in Uzbekistan. International connections include Shymkent, Kazakhstan; Osh, Kyrgyzstan; and Khujand, Tajikistan, but do expect to have to change to a different vehicle on the other side of the border.
By Train: Major cities in Uzbekistan such as Samarkand, Bukhara, Urgench, Termez, Nukus, and more are all connected by rail as well as international destinations in Kazakhstan, Russia. You can book tickets within Uzbekistan here , but do note that many have difficulty booking online with the Uzbek Railways site (I gave up when I was there in October and just took a shared taxi). You’ll typically want to book at least a couple of days in advance, so if the site isn’t working for you ask a local (many times your guesthouse can lend a hand) to book a ticket for you and pay them in cash.
Where To Stay In Tashkent
Topchan Hostel | Booking.com |
Art Eco Hotel | Booking.com | Hotels.com |
Ichan Qala Hotel | Booking.com | Hotels.com |
Best Restaurants In Tashkent
Another of my favorite things to do in Tashkent is to gorge out on great food. Here are a few of my recs for best Uzbek, general Central Asian, and international fare. For more info, you can also check out my Best Restaurants in Tashkent Guide .
Uzbek Cuisine
Central asian plov center.
Heralding itself for frying up the best plov in Central Asia (debatable, but also I’m not a plov fanatic), the Central Asian Plov Center is still a must-see if not just for viewing the giant qazans full of plov in the entrance. A bowl of plov, salad, a slice of qazi (house sausage), and a glass of compote (juice) will cost you about 32,000 UZS. The plov isn’t half bad either.
Note that the Central Asian Plov Center has changed its name to Bosh Qazan.
Afsona is a popular restaurant, so I’d recommend making a reservation in advance if traveling in the peak seasons. Afsona cooks up delicious modern and contemporary twists on classic Uzbek and Central Asian favorites (think Central Asian dishes with flavor). A plate of lagman, salad, pumpkin samsa, and chai set me back 80,000 UZS.
Navat is a Central Asia chain that has sprung up in other major cities such as Almaty and Bishkek. Navat offers modern twists on many traditional Central Asian dishes. You can expect to pay about 100,000 UZS for a meal, appetizers, and drink.
International Cuisine
Gruzinski Dvorik
Gruzinski Dvorik offers up delicious Georgian dishes for those looking for a break from Central Asian food that has been on the road in the region for a good while, but do note the prices are fairly expensive for Uzbekistan (but still worth it to me). The fried Sulguni, Badrijani Nigvzit (eggplant rolls stuffed with garlic, pomegranate, and walnut), and khinkali are great items on the menu. Don’t forget to pair dinner with Georgian wine.
This scattering of dishes with a glass of wine will cost you about 170,000 UZS.
Metro stop: Oybek or Ming Orik
Forn Lebnen
Forn Lebnen opened up in 2020 and serves up Lebanese as well as other dishes from the greater Middle East. The food, as well as the staff, is excellent.
This is a good option for vegetarians, but prices are a bit expensive for the region. Expect to pay around 100,000 UZS for a spread of mezze-type dishes.
Afghan Pudding
Most people seem to call in orders and pick up, but Afghan Pudding does give the option of dining in. If you’re looking for bulani, Qabuli palau, kebab, doogh or other delicious Afghan dishes this is a good place to head. Expect a dish and drink to set you back about 30,000 UZS.
Metro stop: Minor
Tacos Mexican Cuisine
I stumbled across this little gem as we were walking back to the guesthouse we were staying in on my latest trip in the fall of 2021. Outside the front door was a little sign that just said “tacos”. Needless to say, my interest was piqued and I was hungry anyway so we went on in.
The menu is relatively small, but the tacos are pretty excellent, considering that I hadn’t found any Mexican restaurants in Uzbekistan at all over the years.
Metro stop: Kosmonavatlar
B&B Coffeehouse
On Shota Rustaveli Ko’chasi this western-style coffee shop offers up decent coffee and snacks. Definitely try the french toast. A coffee and snack or pastry will cost around 35,000 UZS.
Blackbear Kofi
Blackbear Kofi is a local chain, one of which is located right on Shota Rustaveli Ko’chasi (just a couple minutes walk from the Rooms Stay Boutique Hotel that I like to stay in) offers up good espresso and coffee as well as pastries. A flat white and a samsa set me back 25,000 UZS.
French Boulangerie & Patisserie
A bit out of the way from most sites, but just outside Novza Metro Station, the French Boulangerie & Patisserie is a great place for breakfast, coffee, and treats. The chicken croissants are my favorite thing to grab here.
Metro stop: Novza
Ovqat Bozori at Chorsu Bazaar
Outside the colorful blue domes of the Chorsu Bazaar, you’ll find an alley lined with men and women in stalls draped with a strip of the famous Uzbek ikat fabric selling cheap Central Asian dishes such as plov, shashlik, naryn/beshbarmek, and more.
Master Food
Master Food offers up cheap fast food, think hamburgers, döner kabab, lavash, etc. This place is packed with locals in the evenings and is located right next to the roundabout on Shota Rustaveli Ko’chasi, out front of the Grand Mir Hotel.
National Food
National Food is located next to the old circus on Sabzar Ko’chasi and dishes up several Uzbek and Central Asian staples, such as plov, naryn, dimlama, and more.
Tashkent Tours
There are a handful of tours on offer around Tashkent including this full day walking tour of the city , and this night tour of Tashkent . Shop all the tours on offer in Tashkent as well as the rest of Uzbekistan here on Viator.
Things To Do Outside Tashkent: Tashkent Day Trips
At only 45 km from Tashkent, the Solar Furnace that sits on a hill above the town of Parkent makes for a perfect day trip from the city. The Solar Furnace’s staff will give tours of the fascinating facilities for 100,000 UZS on weekdays during normal business hours (though it is best to call in advance to arrange it).
The solar furnace uses thousands of mirrors to reflect light in order to achieve temperatures of over 3,000ºC to create energy, melt metals and elements, and more. Read up more about the Solar Furnace .
The easiest way to visit is to order a Yandex Taxi from Tashkent to the Solar Furnace and back (it’s still quite cheap, especially if you have a few of you going). However, it is possible to get to Parkent from Tashkent by marshrutka and then hire a taxi in Parkent to take you the remaining 7 km and up the hill to the Solar Furnace.
Plan your visit to the fascinating Solar Furnace
Ugam Chatkal National Park
Ugam Chatkal National Park is located in the Chimgan Mountains, a portion of the Western Tien Shan that Uzbekistan shares with Kyrgyzstan . The national park is only about an hour’s drive from Tashkent. This is the best place to head if you’re in Tashkent and want to get out into nature, whether it be a day trip to the mountains or a multi-day trek.
Not to worry if you don’t want to figure out the logistics of visiting on your own, you can book this day trip to Chimgan , or this 3 day trekking tour .
Chimgan, as well as nearby Beldersay, are great places to head if you’re visiting in the winter and want to get in some skiing.
Wanna get off the beaten path in your Uzbekistan travels? Check out the Karakalpakstan Travel Guide
Have Any Questions About This Tashkent Travel Guide Or About Any Of The Things To Do In Tashkent Mentioned?
Ask your Tashkent travel questions in the comments section below.
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Solo Female Travel In Uzbekistan
Visiting the Solar Furnace in Parkent, Uzbekistan
Exploring the Frontier Town of Termez, Uzbekistan
Travel Karakalpakstan: The Stan Within A Stan
Visiting the Aral Sea Disaster, Uzbekistan
A Simple Guide To Central Asia Visas
30 Best Things To Do In Uzbekistan
7 Tips For Solo Female Travel In Central Asia
Khiva Travel Guide + 13 Things To Do In Khiva
Uzbek Fergana Valley Travel Guide
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Uzbekistan Travel Guide
Two Week Uzbekistan Itinerary
Two Week Tajikistan & Uzbekistan Itinerary
Crossing The Uzbekistan-Afghanistan Border At Hairatan
Uzbek Food: 33 Must-Try Dishes in Uzbekistan
Bukhara Travel Guide + 19 Things To Do
Samarkand Travel Guide: The Best Things To Do In Samarkand
A Beginner’s Guide To Central Asia Travel: Discover The Silk Road
Tashkent Travel Guide + 16 Things To Do In Tashkent
The Best Restaurants In Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Panjakent-Samarkand Border Crossing Between Tajikistan & Uzbekistan
Tashkent Metro In Photos & Guide
Shahrisabz Travel Guide + Best Things to do
2 thoughts on “tashkent travel guide + 16 things to do in tashkent”.
I’m pretty sure Afghan pudding is closed, I just went to the maps.me location but there was only a closed restaurant :/ 09/06/2023
Good to know, thanks for the update! Sad to hear it’s shut
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The Best Places to Visit in Tashkent: a travel guide
This post is about the best places to visit in Tashkent. Tashkent might be the capital of Uzbekistan , but it receives little attention from tourists. It’s a city that travelers come through or where they start their journey, but often spend as little time as possible. They rather skip all the places to visit in Tashkent for the Silk Road attractions in Khiva , Bukhara and Samarkand .
Are people right in doing so? Maybe. Tashkent is for sure no silk road city, despite its age. Modernization projects are changing Tashkent rapidly, for better and for worse. There is not much of the scenic neighbourhoods of old Tashkent left. And yet, I loved Tashkent.
Despite stories that there is nothing to see in Tashkent I wanted to give it a chance and I am glad I did. I was not only in Uzbekistan to see history, but also to get a sense of modern Uzbek culture. Tashkent was a great place to do so and there are in fact lots of interesting places to visit in Tashkent that makes the city a great start of any Uzbekistan itinerary .
Why visit Tashkent?
With almost two million people, Tashkent is the biggest city in central Asia. However, for its growing size, Tashkent remains a very pleasant and green city. Even though Almaty in Kazakhstan is still my favourite in this region, Tashkent is a close second.
Tashkent might lack the impressive Islamic architecture you see elsewhere in Uzbekistan , but there are many great places to visit in Tashkent. The colourful bazaars, the pleasant parks, the interesting museums, the great restaurants and the Soviet era architecture.
Although Uzbekistan has done much to erase their communist past, it still feels like a Soviet city in many places. This is not a surprise. When an earthquake destroyed Tashkent in 1966 the Soviets had a blast rebuilding the city. The result are some of the finest examples of brutalist architecture.
What I liked most is that Tashkent’s Soviet heritage is pretty unique and almost always has it’s own Uzbek twist to it. Tashkents metro being a great example where the beautiful stations are decorated with Uzbek symbols.
What I also loved about Tashkent was the food. Whether you want traditional Uzbek cuisine or something else. Tashkent has the best restaurants in the region with a wide range of international kitchens available. That alone made me happy to stay here for almost a week exploring the best places to visit in Tashkent.
The best places to visit in Tashkent
Tashkent metro.
One of my favourite places to visit in Tashkent were the Tashkent metro stations . Like many Soviet metro systems they have some of the most unique and ornate stations in the world.
For years it was forbidden to take pictures, but the new president realized the esthethical value of Tashkents historical metro stations. The Guardian was one of the first to show its beauty to the world and you can now happily snap away.
Hotel Uzbekistan
Hotel Uzbekistan is a typical Soviet hotel. During the Soviet Union every big city had a state run hotel. Examples are the Hotel Kazakhstan in Almaty , the Cosmos hotel in Chisinau and the hotel Moldova in Iasi .
The architecture of these communist era hotels is impressive, but they are huge and often have a hard time finding enough clients these days. Hotel Uzbekistan has changed rather succesfully into one of the best up market hotels in Tashkent.
Insider tip : From the top floor you have a beautiful view over Amir Timur square.
Nearest metro station : Amir Timur Xiyoboni (red Chilonzor line)
Amir Timur square
Tashkents central square is one of the main places to visit in Tashkent. It was built in 1870 to become Tashkent’s central park.
Now the main monument in the park is Amir Timur on his horse, but several men have stood here before him. First it was Lenin, then Stalin, and finally Karl Marx untill Uzbekistan’s independence when Timur was reinstalled as hero of the past.
Most of the buildings you see have historical importance such as the Hotel Uzbekistan, The Law university, the Forum’s palace, the clock towers and the Amir Timur museum.
The large white International Congress hall is a recent addition from 2009 when the municipality also decided to remove the century old chinor trees. The result is a barren park. The men that used to play chess under the shadows of the trees have now moved elsewhere.
Romanov palace
In Tashkent you will find a rather modest and small palace of the Romanovs. It belonged to the first cousin of Tsar Nikolai the second, who after a scandalous affair with a prominent American lady was deported to Tashkent to mine gem stones.
Nearest metro station : Mustaqilik Maydoni (red Chilonzor line)
Independence square
In Soviet times this square surrounded by important government buildings used to be called Lenin square and was the place for celebrations of important days like Labour day and Victory day. It is still used for this purpose, but has now become a symbol for Uzbekistan’s independence.
Lenin was removed and in its place is the independence monument . A globe with the current borders of Uzbekistan. The fountains and buildings were renovated. At the right bottom of Independence square you can still find the memorial area with the crying mother monument to remember the 400,000 Uzbek soldiers that died in the second World war.
State history museum
The State History museum is a great example of a Soviet building with an Uzbek influence. The latticework around the building made use of Pandzharas. The decorative pandzharas are traditionally used in Uzbekistan as a facade to provide shade. The architecture alone makes it worth a visit.
The museum already opened its doors in 1876 as the National Museum of Turkestan. In Soviet times it became the Lenin museum. Now the exhibitions focus on the history of Uzbekistan from ancient times to president Karimov’s time.
I am normally not that much into museums, but because it was raining that day I decided to have a look. I must say that for central Asia it is a pretty good museum showing the long and complex history of the country. For sure it gives more context and background information on the things you will see in Khiva, Bukhara and Samarkand.
Alisher navoi opera & ballet theatre
For a night out in Tashkent you can head to the Alisher Navoi Opera & Ballet Theatre . Worth a visit for its high quality and value for money performances and its architecture.
Khast Imom complex
The Khast Imom complex is one of the best places to visit in Tashkent for Islamic architecture. It has been the religious center for Tashkent for centuries after the first imam of Tashkent was buried here.
Unfortunately, most of what you see today in the large empty square is the result of a modernization project in 2007. The Hazrat Imam mosque and the Muyi Mubarak library were constructed at that time. The library has a collection of ancient Qurans and claims to have the oldest Quran in the world.
For some of the older buildings you can visit the Tellya Sheikh mosque and the 16th century Barak Khan madrassah that is now full with souvenir shops. North of the madrasssah is the mausoleum of Abu Bakr Mohammed Kaffal Shashi , a scholar and poet from the tenth century. Legend goes that women who are unable to conceive should smear the dust of the tomb on their face for a succesful pregnancy.
Nearest metro station : Gafur Gulom (blue Ozbekiston line). As the Khast Imam complex is still rather far from the metro, it is better to take a taxi.
Tashkent Circus
The Tashkent circus is another great example of Soviet architecture and almost looks like a stranded blue UFO, much like the circus in Almaty and Chisinau . The Tashkent circus is still very popular and tickets often sell out.
Nearest metro station : Gafur Gulom (blue Ozbekiston line).
Chorsu bazaar
Chorsu bazaar is the commercial heart of Tashkent and the giant domed structure is a mayhem of merchants selling spices, meat, vegetables, dairy and other stuff. The beautiful oriental style dome was built after the earthquake in 1966, but there has been a market at this spot since at least the Mongol invasion.
Chorsu translates as four waters that was a symbol for the place where four neighbourhoods came together to trade. The four neighbourhoods were like four independent cities with the bazaar in the middle. The market now extends well beyond the dome with different sections all well worth exploring.
For foodies this is a heavenly place with lots of things to try. Bakeries sell fresh non bread straight out of the oven, barbecues have sizzling shaslycks on offer and in the dairy section you can buy different types of dried cheese and yoghurt ( kurut ). As souvenir you can bring back home plenty of spices or dried fruits and nuts .
Uzbek cuisine has its own specialities, but is also influenced by its neighbours and ethnic minorities. At Chorsu bazaar look out for the Uzbek Koreans that sell pickled vegetable salads . A visit to the meat section makes you understand why coronary heart disease is a major killer in Uzbekistan. The sheeps fat is a priced commodity and you have shops selling nothing but pure animal fat. Of course there is horse meat available as well.
Nearest metro station : Chorsu (blue Ozbekiston line).
Kukeldash Madrassah
The Kukeldash Madrassah was built in the 16th century. An earthquake in 1868 damaged the building and it was reconstructed into a caravanserai. During the Soviet times it became a museum of atheism and folk music untill Uzbekistan became independent and the building was used once again for its original purpose.
The Navoi Park is Tashkent’s largest park. There is lots of greenery, flowers and canals with a small lake as the cherry on top. It was founded by the Komsomol in 1932, but now has a new monument to Islamic poet Alisher Navoi in the centre. From there you can see the impressive dome of the Oliy Majilis or the parliament of Uzbekistan.
Nearest metro station : Miliy Bog (red chilonzor line).
Istiklol Palace
From the Navoi Park it is a pleasant walk to the Istiklol Palace. This is probably one of the best places in Tashkent for Soviet architecture and the brutalist design is impressive. The concrete facade was apparently supposed to represent the ancient desert fortresses in Khorezm , but I couldn’t see the similarities.
The palace of friendship of the peoples was the main concert and event venue for the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic. Now it is called the Istiklol Arts palace and still hosts cultural events and conferences. It overlooks a large public square with flowers.
Nearest metro station : Bunyodkor (red chilonzor line).
Museum of Applied Arts
Tashkent has some of the best museums in central Asia and the Museum of applied arts is another small gem with a nice collection of traditional Uzbek art. From ceramics, to jewellery and traditional clothes.
Nearest metro station : Kosmonavtlar (blue Ozbekiston line).
State Fine Arts museum
The State fine arts museum was another museum in Tashkent that I really enjoyed. In four floors you get to see the history of art in Uzbekistan starting from the 7th century onwards. There is also a collection of Russian art that belonged to the Romanov prince that was deported to Tashkent after an affair.
Insider tip: Because there is also a section with applied arts it is better to visit the state fine arts museum rather than the museum of applied arts.
Nearest metro station : Oybek (blue Ozbekiston line).
Russian orthodox church
Although many Russian people have left Uzbekistan after independence there is still a large Russian minority in Tashkent. The bright blue Holy Assumption Cathedral is the biggest Russian orthodox church in Tashkent and the religious centre for Uzbek Russians.
Nearest metro station : Toshkent (blue Ozbekiston line).
The Tashkent tv tower is the tallest in Central asia and an icon of the city. There are restaurants and an observation deck from where you have a beautiful view over the city. It is relatively nearby the Plov centre so it makes a great combination.
Nearest metro station : Shahriston (green Yunubod line).
The Best Places to visit near Tashkent
There are not a lot of day trips from Tashkent. Personally, I feel there are enough places to visit in Tashkent to occupy you for a couple of days. If you really want to escape the city your options are the beautiful Chimgan mountains in the Ugam Chatkal National Park.
Uzbekistan is not really known for its natural beauty. The neighbouring countries Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan are much better at that. Except for a small mountainous part north of Tashkent.
Only 2 hours away you will find Tashkent’s favourite weekend get away. A ski resort in winter and a way to escape the heat in summer. More about the practicalities of visiting this part of Uzbekistan is in my post on the Chimgan mountains and Charvak lake .
The Beldersoy Soviet era chair lift is especially fun in winter when it is a ski resort. In summer, the views are still nice, but there is not much going on. Personally I was a bit hesitant with the ski lift as it didn’t look very safe and with my fear of heights I decided not to go.
Chimgan is the main town in the Uzbek part of the Ugam Chatkal National Park. Again, most of the activities are in the winter sports season from November till March. Outside of that, you can still go horse riding or quad biking and enjoy Chimgan’s scenic location.
Charvak Lake
Charvak lake was definetly the highlight of my day to the Ugam Chatkal National Park. Honestly, Beldersoy and Chimgan town were a bit of a disappointment and I wasn’t sure this area was worth the effort, especially considering the fact I was going to see more than enough mountains in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan. That was untill I saw the bright blue Charvak Lake.
This artificial lake was created during the Soviet Union to provide cheap energy to Tashkent. Not everybody was happy with the new Charvak Hydro power station. Archeologists quickly researched and photographed a number of ancient petroglyphs that are now under water.
Insider tip : On your way from Charvak lake to Tashkent are several nice restaurants. We had a late lunch at 555 restaurant, that was absolutely delicious.
Tashkent Travel Tips
The best places to eat in tashkent, national food.
Without doubt this is the best place to visit in Tashkent for cheap Uzbek food. It’s not your most cozy restaurant. Furthermore its chaotic and always busy, but so much worth the effort. The most difficult part is choosing what to eat. The menu is extensive and there is lots of stuff going on.
Outside women are stirring in huge kazans with haleem, a mixture of wheat, lentils and meat. Men are pouring water into shurpa clay pots with delicious lamb and vegetable stews. Inside there is a large table where ariound 20 women are preparing Naryn, a cold noodle salad with horse meat. The bakery works on full speed, handing out fresh breads from the oven by the dozen.
This restaurant goes far beyond the standard plov and it is an excellent place to try something else. The dolma and the Naryn I took were absolutely delicious. It shows that Uzbek cuisine is so much more than just plov and shaslyck.
Read more about this restaurant in my post on National Food in Tashkent .
Plov centre
Like National food, the Plov centre is low on decor, but high on local culture. It serves just one dish, plov. Uzbek’s most famous foood is popular all over central asia. The basic recipy is pretty simple with rice, carrots and meat cooked in sheeps fat. However, there are several varieties on this standard recipy.
The Plov centre has about 10 huge kazans with different types of plov. Most of them will be sold out by noon. When I arrived for lunch at 1 PM there were just three types left.
I was already one month in central Asia and felt I had enough plov, but I must say that they do a pretty good job and I did enjoy my plov here. This is not the overcooked mush you get in a lot of roadside restaurants. The meat was tender, the rice still had a bite and the nuts and barberries added a unique flavour.
Testo is the best place in Tashkent for all kinds of dumplings. From the central Asian manti’s to Russian pelmeni’s, Georgian khinkali and Italian Ravioli. They also serve good breakfasts and soups for lunch.
Meryam dessert house
The best place to visit in Tashkent for cake and pastries is the Meryam dessert house and cofee shop. They alse serve nice breakfasts and are a good place for lunch as well.
Best places to stay in Tashkent
Art hostel : Art Hostel is a good hostel in a nice neighbourhood of Tashkent. They have a good breakfast buffet and a swimming pool for those hot summer days. The staff is very helpful in giving tips and advice.
When to visit Tashkent
Winters are cold and cloudy, while summers get unbearingly hot in the city. The best time to visit is either spring or autumn.
Spring runs from March till June and starts with Nauruz. A huge festival celebrating the end of winter with several activities in the capital around the 21st of March. It’s a wonderful time in Tashkent when the trees bloom and temperatures are pleasant.
Autumn has even better weather with clear blue skies. This is when the trees turn red and gold. It is also harvest season and Chorsu bazaar will be full with melons, apricots and plums.
How to travel to Tashkent
By plane : Tashkent has an international Airport. Aeroflot, Turkish Airlines and Air baltic have relatively cheap flights to Tashkent, but in general Tashkent is not the cheapest city to fly into the region. It is sometimes cheaper to fly into Almaty in Kazakhstan if you have the time to take the night train to Shymkent and Tashkent.
By train : Tashkent is connected by train to Almaty and Shymkent in Kazakhstan and even all the way to Moscow. There is a twice weekly overnight fast train between Almaty and Tashkent (24 hours) and some slower trains that take longer (28 hours). The journey to Moscow takes 66 hours.
Within Uzbekistan there are daily fast trains to Samarkand and Bukhara. Overnight trains run several times a week to Urgench and Nukus .
Read more about how to travel by train in Uzbekistan in my post about trains in Uzbekistan .
By bus : I travelled to Tashkent by Kaznetwork bus from Shymkent in Kazakhstan. There are daily buses between Shymkent and Tashkent and the journey takes 5 hours. The border is easy nowadays without too much hassle.
Sustainable travel in Tashkent
Tashkent sees more tourists every year. While Tourism is a welcome source of income it can also have negative consequences. Traveling sustainably in Tashkent, involves conscious choices that minimize your environmental impact and support the local community.
Support the local community: You can support the community by purchasing goods and services from local vendors, artisans, and restaurants. It is better to try Uzbek cuisine that uses local ingredients rather than imported foreign foods.
Stay in small scale sustainable hotels : It is also better to stay in locally-owned guesthouses or homestays to support the local economy directly. These accommodations often have a more positive impact on the environment compared to large hotels. Where possible, I can recommend staying in a homestay for an authentic cultural experience. You might want to bring a small book with pictures of your family to break the ice.
You can also try to look for guesthouses or homestays that prioritizes sustainable practices. That said, environmental awareness is still low. It’s up to you to use water sparsely, turn off lights, air conditioning, and heating when leaving your accommodation.
Use public transport : Tashkent has a well-developed public transportation system with shared taxis and marshrutkas. Opt for public transport, whenever possible, instead of private cars to reduce carbon emissions.
Avoid plastics : To avoid single-use plastics, invest in reusable items. For example, you can bring your own water bottle with a filter that you can refill at your accomodation. At last, use biodegradable and eco-friendly personal care products to minimize pollution of water sources.
Respect the culture : Uzbekistan is an Islamic country that is just opening up to tourism. Therefore, learn about the local customs and traditions beforehand and be mindful of your behavior.
People will appreciate it, if you dress modestly, especially at religious sites. Learning a few basic phrases in Uzbek or Russian, can go a long way in building meaningful connections and to learn more about the local culture. Not everybody is happy to have their picture taken. When in doubt, ask permission.
Disclaimer : This Tashkent travel guide with the best places to visit in Tashkent Uzbekistan contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!
5 thoughts on “The Best Places to Visit in Tashkent: a travel guide”
I’ve been following your posts on Uzbekistan and they have definitely made me add this amazing country to our must visit list.
Uzbekistan’s nature is amazing. My husband and I have been planning to visit this summer but went to other destinations instead. Hopefully we’ll get to visit next year and I know whose guide I will be referring to 🙂 great post, Ellis!
Zaamin mountains are beautiful. Why didn’t you mentioned them too?
I haven’t heard of the Zaamin mountains before. I looked it up and it looks beautiful. I will definetly try to go there on my next visit to Tashkent
very perfect article thanks a lot
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15 Amazing Things to Do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2023
Things to do in Tashkent – Quick Look Best Tashkent Tours 1. Tashkent City Tour 2. Tashkent Walking Tour 3. Day Trip to Bukhara 4. Day Trip to Samarkand 5. 3-Day Private Uzbekistan Tour Tashkent Accommodation 1. Topchan Hostel 2. Hotel Uzbekistan 3. Ichan Premium Hotel
Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and is the largest city in the country. With so many incredible things to do in Tashkent, this city is fast becoming a tourist attraction and is a must-visit if you are travelling through Central Asia.
I’ve travelled to Tashkent on numerous occasions and love exploring this laid-back city with a Soviet air and distinctly Central Asian feel. From museums charting the rise and fall of the Timurid Empire to parks, churches and mosques, there are plenty of great places to visit in Tashkent.
Tashkent is known to be one of the main cultural and economic centres within Central Asia, and so is a great destination to visit. In this article, we will go through everything you need to know about this city including the most popular Tashkent attractions and the authentic dishes you need to try.
Boring stuff: I have visited each of the places I recommend and give you my honest opinion, warts and all. All photos are my own unless otherwise stated and may not be reproduced without permission. Affiliate links may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Table of Contents
15 Best Things to Do in Tashkent Uzbekistan
Below you’ll find a diverse list of Tashkent things to do from exploring bustling bazaars to interesting museums, the city’s incredible architecture and a lot more. This Tashkent travel guide will help if you’re a first-time visitor looking for things to do in the city.
1. Take a Tashkent City Tour
One of the best things to do in Tashkent for first-time visitors is to take a city tour . This full-day (6-7 hours) tour takes in the major places to see in Tashkent including Amir Temur Square, Independence Square, the Minor Mosque and Chorsu Bazaar.
You’ll travel between the Tashkent famous places in a modern, air-conditioned vehicle and get to eat an authentic Uzbekistan lunch. Entrance to all the museums, including the Amir Timur Museum, Hazrat Imam Complex, and Uzbekistan state museum. Click here to book .
2. Take in the Smells and Sights at Chorsu Bazaar
One of the first things I do when in Central Asia is head to the local Bazaar. The buzzing Chorsu Bazaar is one of the most popular places to visit in Tashkent and is one of the most important markets in Asia. It has been around for centuries and is a reminder of the ancient Silk Road.
Today you can find an array of items at Chorsu Bazaar including fruit, meat, clothes and crafts. If you are looking for an authentic travel experience, then this is one of the top things to do in Tashkent. Visit Chorsu Bazaar on a guided tour of the city. Click here to find out more .
Address: 57 Tafakkur ko’chasi, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Chorsu Opening Hours: 5am to 9pm Monday to Sunday
3. Ride on the Tashkent Metro
Aside from being the best way to get around, the Tashkent metro is also worth seeing for its beautiful architecture . It was designed to be an artistic masterpiece and it doesn’t disappoint. When travelling, look out for beautiful mosaics, murals and candelabras.
The design of the metro was based on those in Moscow and Saint Petersburg. It was the seventh metro system to be built in the USSR and was opened in 1977. No Tashkent sightseeing trip is complete without a ride on the metro.
It’s also one of the deepest in the world as the Soviets loved to bury their subways deep underground. I’ve visited some incredible metro stations in my time, including Moscow, Pyongyang and Almaty, and Tashkent is definitely one of the most impressive.
Tickets cost around 1,400 Som ($0.15) for any journey across the city, making it one of the cheapest ways to get around.
4. Visit the Hazrat Imam Complex
The Hazrat Imam Complex is one of the top Tashkent tourist attractions and is known as the official religious centre of the city. This part of Tashkent is known for its beautiful Islamic architecture and is not to be missed.
The complex is home to some incredible monuments including the Mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi, the Tila Sheikh Mosque and Barak Khan Madrasa.
You can also find the Muyi Mubarak Library here which is home to oriental manuscripts and the world’s oldest Koran. See the incredible Hazrat Imam Complex on a guided tour of Tashkent. Click here to book .
Address: Karasaray Street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Gafur Gulom Opening Hours: 9am to 9pm Monday to Sunday
5. See Independence Square (Mustakillik Maydoni)
During the era of the Soviet Union, this square was used for celebrations of labour day and Victory day and was named Lenin Square. After Uzbekistan gained its independence in 1991, the square was renamed Mustakillik Maydoni (which translates to Independence Square in English).
Today the square is used to celebrate Independence Day and New Year among other festivities and is a popular spot among locals and one of the major things to see in Tashkent for tourists.
The square is surrounded by important government buildings including the cabinet office and the senate and has some pretty impressive monuments. However, the most beautiful part of the square has to be the fountains and the Independent monument itself.
This full-day guided tour of Taskent includes a visit to Independence Square among other top Tashkent places to visit. Click here for more info .
Address: Independence Square, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Mustakillik Maydoni Opening Hours: 24/7
6. Climb the Tashkent Tower for Incredible Views
The TV Tower in Tashkent is actually the 11th tallest tower in the world at an impressive height of 375m and one of the top things to do in Tashkent for visitors.
If you are feeling adventurous and aren’t afraid of heights (I am), then you can take the elevator up to the 6th floor and marvel at the views of the city from the observation deck.
There is also a restaurant located on the 7th floor if you are looking for a tasty meal and a beer. The TV Tower is one of the best places to visit in Tashkent as it gives your panoramic views and is a great spot to take photographs of the city.
Address: Amir Temur ASve, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Shahriston Opening Hours: 9:30am to 6pm Monday to Saturday Ticket Price: 40,000 Som ($3.50)
7. See Hotel Uzbekistan
The Hotel Uzbekistan is a huge soviet hotel that is located in the centre of Tashkent. The architecture is typical of other communist-era hotels and is one of the top places to see in Tashkent. The hotel is made up of 17 floors and has over 250 rooms.
The hotel accepted its first guests in 1974 and has been a popular choice ever since and a symbol of the city. You can book a stay at the hotel, but even if you are not a guest, you can still pop in and have a look around (I went there to change USD to Som).
If you head up to the top floor, you can even get an amazing view over Amir Temur Square. Rooms are surprisingly cheap with singles from around $50 and doubles from $65. Click here to book your room .
Address: 45 Mirzamakhmud Musakhanov Street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Amir Temur Hiyoboni Opening Hours: 24/7 Book a room: Hotel Uzbekistan
8. Visit the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan
The State History Museum is one of the best museums in Tashkent for its incredible collection of exhibits dating back to antiquity. It opened in 1876, and the exhibitions focus on Uzbekistan’s rich history dating from 2,500 years all the way up to President Karimov’s time.
The museum is open daily, and if you want to make the most out of this experience then it’s best to hire an English guide (which costs less than one dollar). It is one of the oldest museums in Central Asia and has over 250,000 listed exhibits.
Some of the most unique exhibits in this museum include a stone sculpture of two snakes from the 2nd millennium BC, the decor of the Bukhara governor’s palace and fragments of a 7th-8th century mural painting.
However, one of the most impressive is probably the remains of a primitive man from Sel-Ungur cave that dates back to 1.5 million years BC. For history lovers like myself, the State Museum is one of the top Tashkent tourist places.
Address: 3 Buyuk Turon Street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Mustakillik Maydoni Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm Tuesday to Sunday Ticket Price: 10,000 Som ($1) single entry. 25,000 Som ($2.50) camera pass.
9. Amir Temur Square (One of theTop Places to Visit in Tashkent)
Amir Temur Square is one of the most popular Tashkent tourist attractions, and so is a must for any itinerary. Built in 1870, this square has seen various monuments including statues of Lenin, Stalin and Karl Marx.
Today, the monument that stands here is Amir Timur on his horse. Amir Timur is the national hero of Uzbekistan and the most famous Central Asian conqueror. This monument has stood proud since it was built after Uzbekistan’s independence and is a popular spot for both locals and tourists.
Aside from the monument, Amir Temur Square is a great place to take a walk and unwind. Some of the other popular spots located here include the Amir Timur Museum (one of the top museums in Tashkent), Hotel Uzbekistan and the Clock Towers.
Address: 4 Amir Temur Avenue, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Amir Temur Hiyoboni Opening Hours: 24/7 Ticket Price: Free
10. Visit the Amur Timur Museum
The Amur Timur Museum is one of my favourite Tashkent tourist attractions and one of the best museums in Tashkent. Inside you’ll find a selection of displays charting the Timurid Empire that lasted from 1370 to 1405.
Amur Timur, or Tamerlane as he is known in the west (Timur the lame due to an arrow injury), was a Turkik-Mongol warlord that oversaw an empire stretching across Central Asia and including what is now Uzbekistan, Iran, Iraq and Afghanistan. Click here to book a tour of the museum .
Address: 1 Amir Temur Avenue, Tashkent 100000, Uzbekistan. Click here for directions . Nearest Metro: Amir Temur Hiyoboni Opening Hours: 10am to 6pm Tuesday to Sunday Ticket Price: 8,000 Som ($0.70) Website: temurid.uz
11. Broadway Boulevard
A trip to Tashkent isn’t complete without an evening stroll along Sailkough Street. Also known as Broadway Boulevard, this street connects the two main squares in the city; Independence Square and Amir Timur Square.
During the evening, Broadway Boulevard is lit up with beautiful lights and is filled with food stalls, art stalls and street artists. It is also popular with families as there are plenty of carnival games located down this street for children.
Places to Visit Near Tashkent
There are lots of popular day trips you can take from Tashkent. Here are the places you need to visit:
12. Charvak Lake
Charvak Lake is located in the Northern area of the Tashkent region and offers beautiful views. It is an artificial lake that was made during the Soviet Union to provide cheap energy to the city of Tashkent. The construction of the dam started in 1964 and was completed in 1970.
Aside from the surrounding snow-capped mountains, lush greenery and the beautiful blue waters, there is something even more special about this place. When the reservoir was filled, about 150 archaeological sites ended up being submerged underwater.
There are no direct public transport options to Charvak lake from Tashkent, however, there are a few options. You can either get a public bus part of the way and then get a taxi, or you can book a day trip from the city centre. However, the easiest way would be to hire a car.
13. Samarkand
Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in Central Asia and was founded in the 7th century BC. The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has jaw-dropping architecture that will leave you amazed.
Samarkhand was invaded by Alexander the Great and then destroyed by Genghis Khan, which meant the city was in need of a serious rebuild. Amir Timur took on the task and made it the capital city of the Timurid Empire in the 1370s. The stunning architecture that you will see all across Samrkhad is from this time period, so make sure you bring your camera.
When it comes to travelling to Samarkand, the most popular options are train and bus. The train journey from Tashkent is a lot quicker, taking around 3 hours whilst the bus takes about 6 hours.
See my full guide to Samarkand for more information.
14. Bukhara
Silk Road Bukhara is the 5th largest city in Uzbekistan and is located along the ancient Silk Road. The city has around 140 architectural monuments, so there is plenty of history to explore.
The most popular places to visit in Bukhara include the Chor Minor, the Ark of Bukhara and Bolo Hauz Mosque. However, aside from visiting the architectural masterpieces, there are also plenty of opportunities to shop, as there are lots of bazaars located within the city.
When travelling from Tashkent to Bukhara, there are a couple of choices. The most popular option is the train which takes about 6 hours, although a hire car would probably be more convenient.
If you’re looking for accommodation, check out this useful guide on where to stay in Bukhara .
This excellent six-hour guided tour of Bukhara’s top attractions is the perfect way to see the city if time is tight.
15. Khujand
The city of Khujand dates back around 2,500 years to the Persian Empire. It is situated on the Syr Darya River and is actually located in Tajikistan. Khujand is located close to the borders of Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan and was once a major city along the famous Silk Road.
Khujand is the largest city in Tajikistan and so has plenty to offer. The most popular places to visit include the Panchshanbe bazaar, the Citadel and the Sheikh Muslihiddin Mausoleum. You can also take a cable car over the Syr Darya River if you are feeling adventurous.
The most direct way to get to Khujand from Tashkent is by bus, and the journey takes about 5 and a half hours. However, if you choose to hire a car instead of taking public transport you will cut your journey in half. The one thing to be mindful of with this day trip is that there will be an immigration point and border control, as you are travelling to another country.
Getting to Tashkent
Tashkent International airport is located about 10km outside the city centre. There are plenty of direct flights from various countries making the city easily accessible.
If you are travelling into Uzbekistan from neighbouring countries, then there are a couple of journeys you can do. You can travel by rail into the city of Tashkent from various cities in Russia, the city of Kharkov in Ukraine and Almaty in Kazakhstan. If you don’t mind changeovers and multiple visa’s you can also arrive from China.
More info: Almaty to Tashkent Train
Getting Around Tashkent
There are plenty of different ways to get around Tashkent. The most popular and easiest way is the metro which runs between 5 am and midnight. Waiting times in the metro are pretty short, and the system is easy to use. It is very well signposted and security is tight so police will check any belongings.
Getting a taxi is another popular way to get around, but it can be quite complicated. There are two types of taxi in Tashkent – licensed taxis and ‘independent’ taxis. Independent taxis are quite flexible with fares, and are just random cars with a little taxi sign on the roof. Licensed taxis are a lot more expensive, so make sure a price is negotiated beforehand.
Food in Tashkent
There are lots of different authentic food dishes for you to try in Tashkent. Here are a couple of the most popular ones!
Plov – Plov is Uzbekistan’s national dish, and is a must-try during your visit. The dish consists of rice, meat, onions and carrots boiled within a light broth. There are so many different variations of this dish, and you’ll often find it served with eggs, sausages and many other foods.
Lagman – Lagman is a dish that consists of noodles with meat and veg, and there are different ways it can be served. It is either served as a soup or light broth, or it is fried in a sticky sauce.
Shashlik – Shasklik kebabs are often found on street markets and roadsides throughout the country. They are cubes of meat that are placed onto skewers, alongside peppers, onions and tomatoes. They are usually grilled over coal or wood and make a great snack.
One of the best places to sample local cuisine is the Central Asian Plov Center. Click here for directions .
Tashkent Weather
The climate in Tashkent varies throughout the seasons. Summer is known for being hot, arid and very clear. Winters are known to be very cold, with plenty of snow.
The warmest month to visit Tashkent is in July when temperatures can reach up to around 36°C. The coldest month is January with an average low temperature of around -2°C. Tashkent’s summer season lasts between May to September, and the cold season lasts between November to March.
Best Time to Visit Tashkent
The best time to visit Tashkent is between the months of May to June, as the weather is starting to turn but isn’t too uncomfortable.
The summer months are also a popular time to visit as Tashkent receives around 10 hours of sunshine a day. However, the heat can become pretty unbearable if you are exploring the city all day, which is why many people choose to visit in the spring.
Is Tashkent Safe to Visit?
Although Tashkent isn’t at the top of many bucket lists, it is a relatively safe city to visit for tourists. Violent crime is known to be incredibly rare in this city. However, petty crime like pickpocketing is still common in touristy areas. It is also a good idea to be careful where you choose to exchange your money. Only change money at banks to avoid scams.
As with the police in some former Soviet countries, they can be corrupt so best to try and avoid any contact with them unless absolutely necessary. Tashkent has a reputation for police trying to scam tourists, however, it is not as bad as in the past. I’ve visited Tashkent on multiple occasions and never had any problems.
The most likely problem you will encounter is being ripped off by a taxi driver!
Accommodation in Tashkent
There are plenty of different accommodation options in Tashkent. Here are some great options for each budget:
Budget: Topchan Hostel
I’ve stayed at Topchan on every visit to Tashkent and have found it an excellent place, especially for backpackers. The location isn’t perfect as it’s a little way out from the centre, but it’s walkable from the station.
On my last visit, I hired a 50cc scooter from the hostel which made getting around much easier. Click here to book on Hostelworld .
Mid-range: Hotel Uzbekistan
Tashkent is famous for the Hotel Uzbekistan which is located close to Amir Temur Square and makes an excellent option. Rooms are excellent value with singles starting from just $50. Click here to check prices .
Luxury:: Ichan Qal’a Premium Class Hotel
Things to Do Tashkent FAQs
Tashkent is definitely worth visiting for its excellent museums about the Silk Road, the beautiful Hazrat Imam complex and its excellent nightlife. It also makes a great base for exploring nearby places such as Samarkand and Bukhara.
Tashkent is famous as the seat of the Timurid Empire and its interesting array of architecture charting the city’s past from a stop on the ancient Silk Road to its time as part of the Soviet Union.
I often spend around three days in Tashkent when visiting and find this is enough to see the main sites and enjoy the nightlife. You can also make the city your base and explore other parts of Uzbekistan.
Tashkent has an excellent nightlife and some of the best bars and clubs in Central Asia. Whether you’re a lover of craft beer, gourmet food, or dancing ’til dawn, you’ll be sure to find plenty of things to do in Tashkent at night.
Now you know what to do in Tashkent, the charming capital of Uzbekistan. If you are a fan of architecture, tasty dishes and culture, then this city should be on your bucket list.
There are so many incredible places to visit in Tashkent including the History Museum, Chorsu Bazaar and Navoi Park. If you are looking for a destination that is off the beaten path and often overlooked by other tourists then this is your place.
You might like my other guides about cities in Central Asia:
About the author: Steve Rohan is a writer from Essex, England. He has traveled to over 60 countries, lived in Armenia, China and Hong Kong, and is now living the digital nomad life on the road.
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One thought on “ 15 Amazing Things to Do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan in 2023 ”
Really interesting and helpful article! I’d love to visit Tashkent, it’s been on my bucket list for years!
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11 Best Things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Central Asia
- Last Updated 2 May 2023
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Tashkent, Uzbekistan . It’s not a city that’s front and centre on every travellers wish-list, but it’s a fascinating place with a lot to uncover. And with travel there getting easier all the time, as the country rapidly opens up to tourists, there’s never been a better time to visit. Following my recent trip, I’ve rounded up some of the best things to do in Tashkent to help get your planning started!
A fascinating mish-mash of brutalist Soviet buildings, neatly restored Islamic sites, and classical Russian architecture, Tashkent is like no other city I’ve visited. The centre is incredibly green, full of leafy squares and pretty parks, and every street seems to be lined with trees. Neat, clean, and well-laid-out, at first glimpse it feels as if Tashkent is lacking in personality. But delve a little deeper and you’ll uncover all sorts of hidden gems and interesting quirks. There are pockets of colour, amazing crafts, and dazzling architecture in unexpected places (wait till you see the metro!). This is my mini Tashkent travel guide, covering everything you need to see and do while you’re visiting.
Skip Ahead:
Good to Know – Background to Tashkent Top Things to do in Tashkent Where to Stay Best Restaurants in Tashkent How to Get to Tashkent
My trip to Uzbekistan was supported by Air Astana. There are also some affiliate links in this post. But, as always, all words and opinions are my own!
RELATED POST: Uzbekistan Travel Guide
A Bit of Background Before You Go
Tashkent Uzbekistan can trace its history back 2200 years, to the 2nd century BC, but it looks surprisingly modern! The centre is like a lesson in sensible city planning: wide, well-laid-out roads, modern buildings, and a lot of parks. It’s also one of the greenest cities I’ve ever explored. The reason for all this modernity? Tashkent is prone to earthquakes, and in 1966 there was a pretty huge one. It destroyed around 75% of the city, so the majority of Tashkent was rebuilt by the Soviet Union in the late sixties and seventies.
That means a lot less Islamic monuments then you’ll see in other cultures, and a lot of Soviet architecture. There are some really amazing buildings to discover – and even if architecture isn’t really your thing, it’s hard not to be impressed by some of the more imposing buildings! If you want to delve into Tashkent’s history and culture more, you’ll have to go beyond the surface of the city. Thankfully, there are plenty of hidden details to uncover – some of which are included in the below list of things to do in Tashkent. Keep reading to find out the best things to do in the city…
RELATED POST: Travelling Uzbekistan, A Glimpse of Central Asia
11 Things to do in Tashkent
Tour the Metro Stations
One of my favourite things to do in Tashkent was also one of the most simple; ride the metro! Tashkent’s metro was built in the seventies, and an array of Uzbekistan’s leading architects were invited to design the different stations. Each station is an original work of art, designed to reflect its name. So Kosmonavtlar, the “Cosmonaut Station” is a futuristic, bright blue design, with portraits of famous cosmonauts lining the walls, for example. Of the stations I saw, I thought Mustakillik, Alisher Navoi, and Kosmonavtlar were the most impressive.
Info: It costs 1200 soum (roughly £0.10) to ride the metro anywhere. You buy your ticket at the cashier desk (cash only) and they’ll give you a circular plastic token. You pop this in the barrier to open it, and that’s that. If you want to get good photos of the stations, I suggest going mid-morning on a weekday. Rush hours and weekends might be a little busy! If you’re really serious about getting a great shot, you should also take a tripod. The stations are dimly lit so a slow shutter speed is handy – plus you can get that great blurred motion effect as a train arrives.
Khast-Imam Complex
The Khast-Imam Complex is a historic square in the old part of Tashkent, and it’s the religious heart of the city. Although the site dates from the 16th century, it was largely rebuilt in 2007. So today it’s a surprisingly clean and modern space, and not as spiritual-feeling as other Islamic sites.
Fronting the square is the Hazrat Imam Mosque, which is flanked on either side by towering, 50m-high minarets. There are several other important mosques, madrasahs (schools) and mausoleums dotted around the square and the neighbouring park. But the most significant thing to see here is inside the Teleshayakh Mosque, where the world’s oldest koran is displayed. It’s a massive book dating from the 7th century. You’re not allowed to take photos of it, though!
FYI – the square is also called Hazret Iman, Hast Imam, and a bunch of other variations, just to confuse things!
Museum of Applied Arts
Museums are not usually my favourite places, as I prefer a more hands-on insight into local culture . But I’m including the Musuem of Applied Arts on this list of the best things to do in Tashkent, because it’s genuinely really interesting. It’s housed inside a grand mansion, which was once the home of wealthy Russian diplomat and businessman Alexander Polovtsev, who lived in Tashkent before the 1917 Revolution.
Today, it’s a museum dedicated to Uzbekistan’s iconic art and craft styles. Painting, weaving, ceramics, wood-carving, and traditional instruments are all represented. What I loved in particular about the museum was the colour – it’s a real pocket of the most colourful aspects of Uzbek culture. The central room is covered in ceramic tiles, both inside and out, and is a gorgeous example of traditional Uzbek design. It’s worth visiting the museum for this alone!
Plov Centre
For a true taste of traditional, everyday life in Tashkent head to the Plov Centre . Plov is Uzbekistan’s national dish; rice with meat, fruit, onions, and carrots. At the Plov Centre you can see chefs preparing plov in huge, steaming cauldrons – called kazans . Inside, you can also order a plateful. Don’t miss the chance to experience plov like a local!
Chorsu Bazaar
A market is always a great place to explore a city’s traditions and culture, and Chorsu Bazaar is definitely no exception! This enormous, traditional bazaar in the centre of the old town is housed inside a turquoise domed building, and it’s where you’ll find pretty much all the local produce you could possibly want.
Saffron, spices, vegetables, bread (oh, that delicious Tashkent bread), pomegranates, juicy Uzbek apples, whole sheep hanging by the ankles… you can buy just about anything at Chorsu Bazaar. Uzbekistan is known for it’s dried fruit, so be sure to try some – you’ll find this section on the upper level of the central dome. Most vendors will let you try a piece for free, without any pressure to buy, so you can wander around tasting samples from every stall! If you have a sweet tooth, pick up some nougat or halva while you’re there, too!
One of the most popular things to do in Tashkent is to visit the TV Tower. At 375m, it’s the tallest structure in the city – and the 11th tallest tower in the world! You can visit the observation deck on the 6th floor for great views of the city. On the 7th floor there’s a revolving restaurant with a pretty distinctive decor – although I’ve read mixed things about the food. But if you want a view of the city and have time to spare, a visit to the observation deck at least is definitely worth it!
Info: the TV Tower is open from 9am to 6pm and costs 40,000 soum (roughly (£3.60).
Visit Hotel Uzbekistan
A classic example of 1970’s Soviet Architecture, the imposing Hotel Uzbekistan towers over the city centre. Anyone who watched the BBC’s Race Across the World this year will probably recognise the monstrous structure.
The brilliantly descriptive name of the architectural style is Brutalist , and the Hotel Uzbekistan certainly looks brutal, looming above Amir Timur Square. In its heyday, this was the place to stay in Tashkent. But today the hotel’s glamour has faded, leaving behind a fascinating relic. A cool place to stay, or just to pop by for a photo of the impressive facade.
Explore Tashkent Old Town
A small part of the original Tashkent, from before the earthquake which shaped the city we see today, still stands. Close to the Khast-Imam Complex, you’ll find a warren-like maze of cobbled streets and traditional houses. These are one-storey buildings built with clay walls, and painted in an array of pretty pastel colours. In Uzbekistan, it was traditional to build houses with no windows at the front of the property, so the street-facing walls look oddly plain. Instead, the doors are often intricately carved wood, or painted in bright colours, to draw the eye. It’s a brilliant area for photography, or for catching a glimpse of traditional everyday life in Tashkent.
Visit the Artisans at Abulkasym Madrassah
The Abulkasym Islamic school , close to Friendship Square, is now an amazing creative space. The rooms surrounding its central courtyard have been given over as studios and workshops for local artisans. You can watch wood carvers, painters, and ceramic makers at work, browse their wares, or make a few purchases. Be warned – there are some really amazing talents here, so temptation is rife!
Earthquake Monument
I’ve mentioned the earthquake a few times, because it really did have a huge effect on what Tashkent is like today. Pay your respects at the Monument of Courage earthquake memorial, which also happens to be a great example of Soviet sculpture.
It depicts the earthquake itself: a huge crack in the floor running from a clock frozen at the time that the disaster started. A statue of a man and woman shielding their child from the quake towers over the square . But more interesting is the sculpted frieze running around the square behind the statue. This shows all the nationalities – from various parts of the Soviet Union – who helped rebuild Tashkent, each represented in their country’s traditional dress. It’s a super nationalist monument that smacks of soviet pride, but it’s still very interesting, and a must for anyone interested in Tashkent’s history.
Tashkent Nightlife on Broadway Street
After dark, head to Sailgokh Street for some charming Tashkent nightlife. Every night, Tashkent’s centre is illuminated with colourful light installations. And Sailgokh Street – aka Broadway Street – is lined with funfair-style games and street performers.
You might catch some local kids having a dance battle, or a local artist selling their work. Rent a bike for an hour, or settle down with some street food to watch the world go by. It’s one of the best things to do in Tashkent at night, and if nothing else it’s perfect for a spot of people watching.
Where to Stay in Tahskent Uzbekistan
I stayed at the LOTTE City Hotel Tashkent Palace and would happily recommend it. The hotel is in a historic building, one which survived the earthquake and has been designated part of the city’s cultural heritage. It’s a really grand building in an amazing location, right in the city centre. Service was amazing, the food was great, and my room was super comfortable (if a teeny bit on the old-fashioned side).
If you’re looking for more mid-range accommodation, renting an apartment often works out more a budget-friendly option. Take a look on AirBnb for some options (you’ll get £25 off your first booking when you click on my referral link). Alternatively, there are plenty of guest houses and standard hotels to choose from. Sunrise Caravan Boutique Guest House comes highly recommended and looks lovely!
For backpackers, there are plenty of hostels in Tashkent to choose from. I like the look of Topchan Hostel and Art Hostel, both of which come really highly recommended on Hostelworld.
Best Restaurants in Tashkent
If you want to learn more about WHAT to eat in Uzbekistan, check out my bumper guide to the 16 Uzbek dishes you must try ! But for WHERE to eat in Tashkent, here are some of my favourite restaurants…
One of the best restaurants in Tashkent, certainly my favourite, is Caravan. It’s a really cosy, traditional restaurant with an amazing menu. The decor is fab – and a lot of the pieces are actually for sale, so if you spot something you love you can take it home! But the food is what makes this place amazing.
You can try all the traditional Uzbek dishes here, such as manti (steamed dumplings), guzlama (bread stuffed with cheese, lamb, and spinach), and lentil soup. Don’t miss the restaurant’s signature dish, Lavash Caravan . It’s a soft flatbread stuffed with cheese and tomato and grilled – so good!
If you want a super traditional meal in Tashkent, head to one of the small local restaurants surrounding Chorsu Bazaar. I ate at Especialidad Pinchos – plastic furniture under a tarpaulin shade, kebabs being grilled over an open flame behind us, the smoke and smells wafting over our table. Good, affordable food in a prime people-watching location. And the bread comes fresh from the market so it’s absolutely amazing! What more could you want?
Sato is another of the best restaurants in Tashkent. It’s owned by the same people who run Caravan, so it’s another cosy restaurant with amazing decor. Again, you can try lots of traditional food here, like plov or somsa (small, meat-filled pastries similar to a Cornish pasty!).
For a more contemporary Tashkent restaurant, head to Vinaryba . It’s a huge restaurant space that doubles up as a deli and wine shop, so your table will probably be surrounded by impressive racks of wine and spirits. The decor is really funky, with big street art murals in the entrance and a very cool axe-handle loo door! Food at Vinaryba was really good, especially the salads. Go for the local fish – especially if you want a break from all the meat and bread you’ll be eating around Tashkent.
Another more contemporary restaurant in Tashkent is SalSal; a grand setting with fresh, light decor. It’s traditional Uzbek cuisine again, but with a bit of a twist. And the salads here were amazing! Be sure to try the samsas here, they were probably the best I tasted!
How to Get to Tashkent
Air Astana fly to direct Tashkent from Astana in Kazakhstan – their main hub. The flight takes two hours. Fly direct to Astana with Air Astana (6 hours 25 minutes), stay for around two hours, then hop a connecting flight to Tashkent. Couldn’t be simpler!
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6 thoughts on “11 Best Things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan”
wow! I found it hard to even imagine rain in Uzbekistan when I was there! The food looks bloody awesome btw!
The food WAS bloody awesome!! I’m working on a food guide post – excited to publish that one!
Hi Emily, Great post about Uzbekistan! What to say about food now? Food for thought? How delicious it looks, OMG. I would definitely visit for an experience myself. Thanks.
Thanks so much Lydia! The food was amazing. I’ve touched on it a bit in my Uzbekistan guide post here: https://www.emilyluxton.co.uk/central-asia/uzbekistan-travel-guide/
I’m planning a food guide which I’ll publish soon, too. So then you’ll know exactly what you have to eat :)
We are off to Uzbekistan next week and you have made me enthusiastic about Tashkent which previously I was only viewing as a gateway to the rest of the country. Thanks for all the really helpful tips. I will definitely read the rest of your blog as well now. Best wishes Jane
Thanks so much for commenting Jane! I’m so excited for you – I loved Uzbekistan. Hope you have a fabulous trip. Where else are you heading?
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- Uzbekistan Nightlife: Explore The 10 Most Vibrant And Exciting Nightlife Spots In 2024
A central Asian nation, Uzbekistan is situated between the two rivers named the Sry Darya and the Amu Darya. Uzbekistan boasts of splendid architecture, applied arts, newfound nightlife, warm hospitality, delicious pilaf, and naturally grown fruits and vegetables. Uzbekistan nightlife has thrived in recent years with the modern development of plenty of iconic bars and swanky clubs. Explore the city of Tashkent, Samarkand, and Bukhara in Uzbekistan for amazing venues, cuisines, music, and great ambiance. The places like pubs, cafes, bars, restaurants, and discos are beaming with tourists as well as locals.
10 Electrifying Uzbekistan Nightlife Spots
Before heading out to a pub or club in Uzbekistan, keep in mind a few Uzbekistan nightlife tips such as call up the bar and make reservations beforehand, there are many clubs which have a certain dress code – which are important to follow, don’t drink and drive, and last but not the least it is suggested not to accept any drinks from strangers as they might be spiked:
1. Pasha Bar And Restaurant – Elegant and Posh
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The Grand Mir Hotel in Tashkent has a renowned bar and restaurant known as Pasha, it is a great place to unwind and de-stress yourself. The place is famous for great food and drinks. You can groove on the dance numbers and enjoy the evening.
Must Read: E-Visa To Uzbekistan Will Soon Be Valid For 51 Countries Including India!
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2. Opera Nightclub – Flavoursome Delicacies Served
Opera Nightclub is located on the Rashidov Street of Tashkent. It is one of the best disco clubs in Tashkent. As the sun goes down the crowd throngs in the club. The food served in the bar is a mix of Asian and European cuisines. The place is crammed with tourists and locals, visit the club and enjoy the best nightlife in Uzbekistan.
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3. Patrick’s Pub – Oldest Pub
Head out to Patrick’s Pub which is the oldest pub in Tashkent. The pub has soft lights, modest yet elegant wooden furniture, and charming decor. The pub offers a great range of delectable food items that complement the beverages. Tap your feet on the energetic numbers played in the pub and spend the late night chilling with your friends.
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4. Dudek Brewery Bar – Fresh Beer
Dudek Brewery Bar gets its name from the founder of the bar – Miroslav Dudek, who committed his life to the brewery. The forte of this bar is that it serves only traditional Czech cuisine and freshly brewed beer. The place is thronged by people from different parts of the country. The ambiance is lively offering vintage and refreshing drinks along with mouth-watering local delicacies. Spend a relaxing evening accompanied by great music.
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5. York Pub – Professional Dance Performers
York Pub’s name is included in the list of best Uzbekistan Nightclubs. The pub hosts a live dance show performed by the professional dancers. Relax on the high-raised chairs and sip your favorite drink with delectable platters of non-veg food. The colorful and shining paintings on the walls of the pub are a delight to the eyes.
Suggested Read: Here’s Why The Cleanest Village In Asia, Mawlynnong Deserves More Tourists
6. TIBONE-Steak Pub – The Perfect Host
The place offers both serene secluded place and also a place crammed with the crowd, depending on your preference you can choose any of the options. The pub is known to host the perfect late night parties with amazing steaks which are absolutely juicy and tender. It is also a great place for those who enjoy hookah smoking.
Suggested Read: 36 Best Places To Visit In Southeast Asia
7. CMI Afterparty Bar – 50 Different Varieties Of Cocktails
Awaken your taste buds with an enticing range of drinks in CMI Afterparty Bar. Amazing DJ’s at the bar playing rock music along with the popular dance numbers, keeping the spirits high. The bar is extremely popular for its vast menu consisting of 50 different varieties of cocktails.
Suggested Read: 3 Places To Visit Near Asian Civilisations Museum That Are Perfect For The Explorers!
8. Irish Pub – Screening of Football Matches
Spend a wonderful time watching live international football matches screening at the pub while sipping a drink. The pub has a huge collection of imported and local wines and beers, people usually come here to drink and chill-out with their companions. Relish the local delicacies served along with the soft melodies played in the background.
Suggested Read: 23 Romantic Budget Honeymoon Destinations In Asia For Every Budget
9. Ye Olde Chelsea Arms – British Style Pub
Get in the grooving mood and spend an exciting night-out at Ye Olde Chelsea Arms. Enjoy a perfect evening in the pub with lavish interiors, local and branded beverages, and delectable snacks. This British style pub has a charming ambiance and is an ideal place to taste a variety of succulent food.
10. Peggy’s Bar – Enjoy Mexican Delicacies
This bar is considered to be heaven for people who are passionate about music and also for party goers. It is the most high-spirited place where you can enjoy great music, lip-smacking food, and bar selections. Awaken your taste buds with the finest Mexican delicacies served at the bar.
Further Read: 10 Cheapest Cities In Asia For The Shoestring Budget Travelers
Witness the Uzbekistan nightlife by exploring the elegant bars, swanky clubs, and fine restaurants. Relish on the local cuisine and visit the place to unwind yourself. So, go ahead and book your holiday to Uzbekistan with TravelTriangle.
Disclaimer: TravelTriangle claims no credit for images featured on our blog site unless otherwise noted. All visual content is copyrighted to its respectful owners. We try to link back to original sources whenever possible. If you own the rights to any of the images, and do not wish them to appear on TravelTriangle, please contact us and they will be promptly removed. We believe in providing proper attribution to the original author, artist or photographer.
Please Note: Any information published by TravelTriangle in any form of content is not intended to be a substitute for any kind of medical advice, and one must not take any action before consulting a professional medical expert of their own choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Uzbekistan Nightlife
When is the best time to visit Uzbekistan?
April to May and September to November is the best time of the year to visit Uzbekistan and enjoy its amazing views and pleasant climate.
What is there to do in Uzbekistan?
Fun things to do in Uzbekistan for a memorable vacation are: 1. Check Out Mosques And Madrasas at Registan 2. Shop For Handicrafts in Tashkent 3. Try some pilau at Plov Center 4. Visit Bukhara City 5. Seek blessings at Juma Mosque
Are drinks in Uzbekistan allowed?
Though Uzbekistan is a conservative country, drinking is allowed and in many households is a part of their daily life.
Which is the best area to stay in Uzbekistan to enjoy nightlife?
Tashkent is one of the most lively cities of Uzbekistan where you can find the best bars, night clubs and a number of cool and happening places to enjoy the nightlife.
Is Uzbekistan safe at night?
Uzbekistan is extremely safe for tourists and you can feel completely safe walking down the street all alone even late at night.
Are drinks expensive in Uzbekistan?
Drinks in Uzbekistan is quite inexpensive and you can get a bottle of beer for as cheap as INR 40 and a bottle of red wine for INR 472.
Are there casinos in Uzbekistan?
Casinos are not a very popular culture in Uzbekistan but you can find a few hotels such as Karavan Hotel that have an in-house casino.
Where can I enjoy live music in Uzbekistan?
Taksim Music & Bar and Barxan are the two popular places in Uzbekistan where you can enjoy live music.
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Tashkent Attractions | 10 Amazing Places to visit in Tashkent
Last Updated on December 25, 2023 by admin
Wondering if it is worth spending a few days in Tashkent before exploring other Silk Route cities of Uzbekistan? I say it is and this guide will help to plan to visit all the Tashkent attractions. Read this blog to know about all the places to visit in Tashkent and things to do in Tashkent.
The capital of Uzbekistan, Tashkent is probably the first city to start a tour in Uzbekistan after arriving on an international flight. While most people use Tashkent as a transit point to get to other cities like Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva , the capital needs much more attention as it is the melting pot where ancient history meets modern vibrancy.
Tashkent has been an important city historically due to its presence on the Silk Road. And currently, it functions as a cultural and economic hub in Central Asia.
Tashkent is a mix of urban and traditional landscapes, with these best destinations that include the bustling bazaars, historical monuments as well as the vibrant and modern architecture scattered across the city. It is also a very modern city with many parks and fountains, beautiful statues, cafes, restaurants and great nightlife in Tashkent.
Its robust metro system which is efficient, convenient and extremely affordable which also makes for an offbeat tourist destination.
Table of Contents
PRACTICAL TIPS ABOUT PLACES TO VISIT IN TASHKENT
Arriving in tashkent.
Islam Karimov Tashkent International Airport is located in Tashkent city and most visitors are likely to fly here from other countries. Uzbekistan Airways is probably the flight you will fly.
By Shared Taxis
Tashkent can be reached by train and taxi from neighbouring countries such as Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. Marshrutka or marshrutnoe taksi or routed taxicab, are shared taxis that connect Shymkent in Kazakhstan, Osh in Kyrgyzstan and Khujand in Tajikistan to Tashkent. These shared taxis drop visitors at border where after passport verification, they change into another taxi of the destination country.
Uzbekistan is well connected by train network across the country. There are trains that run from major cities within Uzbekistan such as Samarkand, Bukhara and Urgench. There is a train that connects Kazakhstan to Tashkent as well.
Best time to visit Tashkent
The best time to visit Tashkent is during fall months September- October or spring months April-May. Summer months (June to August) are extremely hot and uncomfortable. Walking around the historical sights becomes actually difficult and uncomfortable. And I am saying this even though I live in an Indian city that experiences 40 degrees summer for 3 months straight. The roads look deserted and everything kind of shuts down between 1-4pm.
Winter (December to February) months are extremely cold with chilly winds and it may snow.
How to get around in Tashkent | Tashkent Metro
Tashkent Metro is a convenient and affordable way to get around the city. One way ticket costs 1400 UZS ($0.15). The metro network is spread across the city and one can easily navigate it if you have the map handy. The instructions are spoken in Uzbek, however it is easy to understand the next stop.
How to get around Tashkent in Yandex (taxi)
Taxis are incredibly cheap in Tashkent. While one can hail a cab but making the driver understand your destination could be a challenge. App based taxi called Yandex is the best rescue for this. On an average, a taxi ride would cost 25000 – 30000 UZS ($2 – 2.4) anywhere to get to Tashkent tourist attractions. The cars are clean with boot (in case you have luggage) and the drivers are very polite.
This is also the best way to get from Tashkent airport to the city centre as the local taxis will charge 2-3 times the money than Yandex. In case you have less luggage, best is to use the Yandex app rather than requesting your hotel for pick-up.
Tip: Download the Yandex Go app and complete the registration and phone verification in your home country in case you are relying on wi-fi.
Where to stay in Tashkent
Tashkent offers a wide choice of hostels for budget travellers to top-end hotels for those who want to indulge in luxury. There are also homestays and airbnb in Tashkent.
Hostels in Tashkent
I heard about this hostel from a lot of backpackers and they had great reviews about it. So I decided to stay here and it lived up to its promise. Tucked in a small alley in a residential area, it is a peaceful place. Metro station is 500 metres aways and there are a couple of banks and convenience stores near the hostel so it’s easy to get around. The hostel is clean and cosy.
They serve breakfast with a good variety of vegetarian options. Only disappointment was that they didn’t accept card payments. Cash is acceptable in SOM or USD.
Other options for Tashkent Hostels are
Mid-Range Hotel
Michelin Hotel
Located close to Art Hostel, I promised myself to stay here the next time. This 3-star hotel features a fitness centre, a restaurant and a bar. The premises also has an ATM. The accommodation features a concierge service, luggage storage space and currency exchange for guests.
Other options of Mid-range hotels in Tashkent are
Hotel Uzbekistan
One of the most luxurious properties in Tashkent, the hotel is a landmark in itself. Located at the posh Amir Temur square, the property has a pool, spa and indoor game options. There are 2 restaurants that cook up quite a storm with lip-smackingly delicious Uzbek and global cuisine.
Other options of Luxurious hotels in Tashkent are
TASHKENT ATTRACTIONS
As international flights can be taxing on the body, I feel it is best to relax in Tashkent for a day or even two and get oriented towards the Uzbek culture, the breads and blue tiled architecture. Sightseeing in Tashkent can be quite rewarding as the city is full of gems catering to all kinds of travellers.
While the places to visit in Tashkent mentioned in this blog need 2 days, the highlights can be completed in one day.
Hazrat Imam Complex
Situated in the heart of Tashkent, the Hazrat Imam Complex, also known as the Hast-Imam Ensemble or Khast Imam, is a great introduction to Uzbek heritage and architecture.
The complex is home to many beautiful architectural monuments, such as the Barak Khan Madrasah, the Tilla Sheikh Mosque and the mausoleum of Saint Abu Bakr Kaffal Shashi.
Each Madrasah has blue tiles arches at the entrance that opens into a square full of souvenir shops. While you may be tempted to buy the souvenirs here, being your first stop, I will suggest you to hold on.
The highlight of the Hazrat Imam Complex is the Muyi Muborak Library, which houses a library with oriental manuscripts and the Uthman Koran, which is claimed to be the world’s oldest Koran. The Hazrat Imam Complex is very peaceful throughout the day which makes it one of the best Tashkent attractions for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers.
Hazrat Imam Complex Timings: 9 am until 9 pm
Hazrat Imam Complex entrance fee: While the entrance to the complex is free, tourists have to pay 30,000 UZS (US$3) for entry to the library.
Amir Timur Square
One of the most popular places to visit in Tashkent amongst the tourists and locals, Amir Timur Square offers many things to do in Tashkent.
The square is actually a park that has a statue of Amir Timur on horseback. Timur or Tamerlane was a Turco-Mongol conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire in and around modern-day Afghanistan, Iran, and Central Asia, becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. He is Uzbekistan’s hero and there are a lot of places dedicated to him and his family around the entire country.
The square is surrounded by hotels, cafes, government buildings and monuments. The square especially comes alive with fountains in the gardens and people coming here for a walk and indulging in local increams.
The best part is that there is an underground Tashkent Metro which takes you directly to the square! Get out of Amir Temur metro station and walk to Amir Timur Square.
Amir Timur Museum
Right across the Amir Timur Square is the Amir Timur Museum. Since I was walking aimlessly, I did not notice that there was a museum here but I got attracted to the beautiful exterior.
I went in and was pleasantly surprised with the grandeur of the golden-domed ceiling. The museum has paintings and belongings of Amir Temur, a copy of the Quran and small-scale models of the important mosques around Uzbekistan.
Amir Timur Museum Timings: Tuesday to Sunday from 9 am until 5 pm. Closed on Mondays.
Amir Timur entrance fee: 20000 UZS ($2). Another 10000 UZS if you want to take photos.
Chorsu Bazaar
Local’s favourite Bazaar is now one of the major Tashkent attractions for its beautiful circular blue dome and buying local products. The bazaar is an indoor shopping mall with two storeys.
The outside of the dome sells fresh fruits, vegetables, ceramics and clothes. The ground floor stores majorly sells raw meat, cheeses and spices. While the first floor store sells dried fruits of all kinds!
Around Chorsu Bazaar are many streets and alleys selling jewellery, clothes, breads and souvenirs which ultimately leads to the main dome. The bazaar starts from the Chorsu Metro station up until the actual Chorsu Bazaar dome.
Chorsu Bazaar is one of the most affordable places in the entire country to buy souvenirs such as ceramics, painting, scarfs, stoles, jewellery, refrigerator magnets etc.
Kukeldash Madrasah & Dzuma Mosque
Kukeldash Madrasah and Dzuma Mosque are right outside the Chorsu Bazaar and the Chorsu Metro. Just walk between the outdoor stalls in the direction of Beruniy Street and you will see the largest madrasah and one of the most famous historical places in Tashkent.
Kukeldash is a beautiful example of Islamic architecture and worth a visit during Tashkent Sightseeing.
Like all madrasahs in Uzbekistan, Kukeldash was a school imparting Islamic education but over a period of time, got converted to caravanserai for merchants, later a fortress of the Kokand rulers and even as a place of execution.
The most interesting thing about Kukeldash Madrasah is that it has survived several earthquakes and has repeatedly been repaired and restored.
The Dzuma Mosque is right next to the Kukeldash Madrasah and worth a quick stop to admire the architecture.
Kukeldash Madrasah Timings: 8 am until 6 pm
Hazrat Imam Complex entrance fee: Tourists are allowed to enter the courtyard of the madrasah with a small entrance fee of 10000 UZS ($0.82).
Minor Mosque
The newest mosque in Tashkent is a strikingly beautiful monument. Built in 2014 on the banks of the Ankhor Canal, it is also known as Snow Mosque as it is made of white marble.
Kukeldash Madrasah Timings: Always Open
Kukeldash Madrasah entrance fee: Free
Tashkent TV Tower
One of the most popular Tashkent attractions is the TV tower. At a height of 375 metres, Tashkent Tower is the 11th tallest tower in the world. It can be seen from most tall buildings around the city.
There is a garden around the tower and visitors are allowed to go till the 6th floor which is the observation deck of the tower to enjoy the panoramic views of Tashkent city. There is also a restaurant on the 7th floor where visitors can have a meal overlooking the city views.
Tashkent TV Tower Timings: Monday to Sunday from 10 am until 8 pm.
Tashkent TV Tower entrance fee: 40000 UZS ($3.25)
Note: Visitors wanting to go to the observation deck need to show their passport.
Tashkent Metro Stations
One of the best Tashkent attractions as well as one of offbeat things to do in Tashkent is the hop-on and hop-off at Metro stations. Almost every station has its own unique architectural features and artistic elements.
Some stations look like ballrooms with huge chandeliers hanging from the ceiling while others look like heritage sites.
There are 50 stations across 4 different lines. I took the Blue line and explored the following stations in an hour.
– Kosmonavtlar
– Uzbekistan
– Pakhtakor
– Gofur Gulom
– Tinchlik
I bought a ticket for 1400 UZS ($0.15) that is valid for one hour. I hopped on and off at each station to photograph it and got on the next upcoming train. I was in absolute awe of the beautiful stations and how nicely it was maintained.
Broadway Street
Broadway Street is a pedestrian street that unites the two most important squares of Tashkent: Amir Temur Square and Independence Square.
Originally known as Sailkogh street, the Broadway Boulevard is a very popular place for the locals as well as tourists to enjoy an evening walk or enjoy a cup of coffee.
The street also has many vendors selling street food, souvenirs, and art stalls.
State Museum of History
The State Museum of History of Uzbekistan gives a broad idea about Uzbekistan’s history. This museum has 2 floors with a range of exhibits showing the history of Uzbekistan spanning 2 millenia.
It’s built in the form of a cube,a modern take on blending a Soviet approach with oriental decorative patterns.
State Museum of History timing : The museum is open daily, except on Mondays, from 10 am until 6 pm.
State Museum of History Entrance fee: The entrance fee is 10000 UZS ($0.81) and another 15000 UZS ($1.2) for photography.
Lal Bahadur Shastri Monument
Being an Indian citizen, I had to visit and pay my respects to the former Prime Minister of India who died in Tashkent in 1966. A small statue, dedicated to him has been erected in central part of Tashkent.
The Government has named a road in his memory.
TASHKENT CITY TOURS | TASHKENT WALKING TOURS
There are several guided walking tours in Tashkent. There are several combinations to choose different routes and places that cover most of Tashkent attractions. The tours generally last for 2.5 – 3 hours and are conducted by an English speaking guide. Charges are $35 for a group of 3 people and $45 for 4-6 people.
I did not go on a walking tour and explored all the places by myself.
WHERE TO EAT IN TASHKENT | TASHKENT RESTAURANTS
Tashkent being the modern capital of Uzbekistan and a very important city in Central Asia, there are endless food options. From Uzbek cuisine to Korean, Mediterranean to Indian, Continental to Mexican there are options for everything.
Uzbek cuisine as well as the restaurants serving food in Tashkent are meat heavy. If you are a vegetarian or vegan like me and wondering if there is vegetarian food in Uzbekistan , then read on!
I used an app called Happy Cow which helped me find a vegetarian or vegan restaurant in the area with directions, menu and phone numbers. It was a huge relief and I relied on that app heavily here.
Here are some of the restaurants I tried while in Tashkent.
Navaat Art Restaurant
Navat was the first vegetarian option that popped up. It had great reviews and a diverse menu which is why I tried the food here.
Navat offers a modern and vegetarian twist to many traditional Uzbek dishes. There are soups, salads, pizza and great options for a drink. It also has an outdoor bar and open club area which plays funky music at night.
Address: 9 Matbuotchilar Street, Tashkent 100012
Instagram: Navvat Art Restaurant
Caravan is another vegetarian restaurant in Tashkent that offers delicious traditional food, rustic decor, and live music. They have great manti (Central Asian dumplings ), salads, and Uzbek wine.
Address: 22 Abdulla Kahhar Street, Tashkent
Eco cafe Tashkent
Suggested by the hostel where I was staying, I ordered food through Yandex Food App and got it delivered within 30 minutes. They have great vegan and vegetarian bowl options that are wholesome and healthy.
Address:Olmachi 37, Тashkent
Instagram: Eco Cafe
If you are looking for an upscale dining space then head over to Cafe 1991. The cafe offers Uzbek and Lebanese cuisine and has top notch dining reviews. From the ambience, service, and quality of food and beverages everything is amazing. It even features a separate vegetarian menu where the majority of the dishes are also vegan.
The best part is most staff can speak English so you discuss your food preferences and allergies with them.
The cafe is open till 1 am in case you want to dine in till late.
Address: 7 Mustaqillik shoh ko’chasi, Тashkent
Instagram: Cafe 1991
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT UZBEKISTAN
Is tashkent worth visiting.
Yes! While Tashkent is only used as a transit to visit other heritage cities in Uzbekistan, there are many Tashkent attractions such as historical monuments, incredible architecture, gardens and delicious food. The accommodation, local travel and food is extremely affordable.
With a daily average travel budget of around $30-75 per day, travellers can enjoy all that the country has to offer without breaking their savings.
Is travel to Tashkent safe?
Yes! Tashkent is considered a safe destination for tourists. Incidents of violence against tourists are rare. There are police in every tourist site and a helpline number specially for tourists which makes it very reassuring. I met many solo women travellers throughout my journey and everyone said they felt safe at all times.
I took a late night cab once or twice and did not ever feel unsafe.
I also found women taxi drivers in Tashkent making me feel absolutely safe.
How many days to spend in Tashkent?
While there are many things to do in Tashkent and places to visit in Tashkent, the city deserves atleast a 2 days’ visit.
Do you need a guide in Tashkent?
There are guided walking tours in Tashkent that one may register to and join. There are English and Russian speaking guides available for singular monuments too around the ticketing area.
Do you need Registration slips from hotels and hostels?
I read about this before going that there are random checks at immigration for registration slips. The registration slip is basically a paper given by the hostel/hotel claiming that you stayed with them. It has your name, date of stay and passport number.
I diligently collected it from all my accommodations but I was not asked to produce it at the immigration.
SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR VISITING TASHKENT ATTRACTIONS
- Carry your own refillable water bottle. Avoid purchasing PET water bottles unless absolutely necessary.
- Do not trash the heritage site with wrappers and uneaten food. Use designated areas and right-colored bins for disposing of waste.
- Be mindful of all the signs and follow them respectfully especially in mosques and mausoleums.
- Respect the ancient structures of mosques and other structures by not sitting on them.
- Respect the places which prohibit photography.
- Do not write on the pillars and walls of archeological sites and monuments.
I hope this guide on Tashkent attractions helps you plan a trip to this beautiful and underrated city in Uzbekistan. Do you have more questions? Write to me in the comment below and I will reply.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. It means it adds no extra cost to you if you book through the link but I get a referral bonus which helps me earn a little to keep this website up and running.
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Ketki Gadre
Ketki is an environmental consultant and a sustainable travel blogger, who loves nature, wildlife and heritage. She enjoys bringing places to life through her informative blogs to inspire readers to travel sustainably and become responsible travellers.
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Best Things to Do and Top Sights in Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, often finds itself overshadowed by the allure of more renowned destinations like Bukhara, Samarkand, and Khiva.
However, although frequently dismissed as a mere transit point, Tashkent quietly boasts its own distinctive charms that merit exploration. It is a city that beautifully blends history, culture, and modernity — from its historic monuments and bustling markets to contemporary attractions and a burgeoning nightlife.
Here’s a guide to help you make the most of your visit to Tashkent.
Table of Contents
Overview of Tashkent
Tashkent, has a storied history dating back over two millennia. It has been a crucial center along the Silk Road, witnessing the influence of various cultures, including Persian, Turkic, and Islamic civilizations. The city has experienced periods of conquest by Alexander the Great, the Mongols, and Tamerlane, contributing to its diverse cultural heritage.
In the 20th century, Tashkent became the capital of the Uzbek Soviet Socialist Republic and later, in 1991, the independent Republic of Uzbekistan.
Situated in the eastern part of the country, Tashkent is located on the northern edge of the fertile Fergana Valley. The city lies along the Chirchik River and is surrounded by the Tian Shan mountain range to the south. Tashkent’s geographic position has historically made it a significant trade and cultural hub.
As of the last available data in 2022, Tashkent is one of the most populous cities in Central Asia, with an estimated population of over 2.5 million residents. The city’s population is diverse, reflecting Uzbekistan’s multicultural identity, and includes Uzbeks, Tajiks, Karakalpaks, Russians, and other ethnic groups.
Uzbek is the official language of Tashkent and Uzbekistan as a whole. Russian is also widely spoken, especially in urban areas and among older generations. English is gaining popularity, particularly in the tourism and business sectors.
Islam , predominantly Sunni, is the predominant religion in Tashkent and Uzbekistan. The city is home to numerous mosques and religious sites, contributing to its rich Islamic heritage.
Best Time to Visit Tashkent
The best time to visit Tashkent is during the spring ( April to June ) and autumn ( September to October ) months when the weather is mild and comfortable, with minimal rainfall.
During these periods, temperatures are generally pleasant, ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), making it ideal for exploring the city’s historical sites, markets, and outdoor attractions.
Spring brings blooming flowers and green landscapes, while autumn offers clear skies and a respite from the summer heat.
I visited for two days in late October and the weather was sunny for the most part, but gloomy and rainy on my second morning there. Temperature-wise, I was comfortable walking around in my sweater and jeans, but I brought along a jacket in case in got chilly after the sun set.
You may also consider planning your visit during events like Navruz (Uzbek New Year) in March for a cultural celebration.
How to Go to Tashkent
Tashkent International Airport (TAS) is the largest airport in Uzbekistan, located about 12 km from the city center. Major international airlines operate flights to Tashkent, connecting it to cities in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Getting from Tashkent Airport to the City
From the airport, taking a taxi is the fastest and most convenient way to get to the city center. The fare should be around 25,000 som (approximately USD 2). Upon exiting the airport, unofficial taxi drivers will approach you. Walk past them towards the authorized taxi stand about 50 meters away.
However, do note that the airport official taxis cost significantly higher — potentially three to four times the amount you would find through ride-hailing applications.
There are also buses that run from 6 am till midnight. You can use the app 2GIS to see which bus(es) to take to get to your destination. Next, just hop on, and the bus conductor will come around to collect the fare from you.
Buses are another option to reach Tashkent from other cities in Uzbekistan and surrounding countries. When traveling by bus between countries, be aware of the border crossing procedures and ensure that you have the necessary visas and documentation.
However, even if you have everything ready, keep in mind that the entire process at the immigration can be lengthy. It is not uncommon to have to wait for a few hours for your bus to get through the border crossing.
You can also reach Tashkent from various other cities in Uzbekistan like Bukhara and Samarkand, or Almaty in Kazakhstan, on the high-speed or normal trains. Uzbek trains are clean, comfortable, and remarkably efficient.
Tickets can be purchased online through their official website or third-party apps:
How to Get Around in Tashkent
Getting around in Tashkent is a breeze. The Tashkent Metro is an efficient and affordable way to travel. It is very well-connected, and the most interesting part is that every station has its own unique interior design. Buses and trolleybuses cover various routes, providing an economical means of transportation.
Since Google Maps does not work very well in Central Asia, you can download another app called 2GIS that will not only help you navigate the city on foot, but also give you accurate information on public transportation.
On top of that, taxis and rideshare services like Yandex are readily available. With taxis, you will need to negotiate prices before starting your journey, whereas the rideshare services will state the exact amount you need to pay before the journey starts.
Things to Do in Tashkent
1. shop at chorsu bazaar.
A visit to the huge Chorsu Bazaar is a sensory journey through a kaleidoscope of fresh meats, spices, clothes, handicrafts, jewelry, beauty products, and many more.
Stalls brim with the bounty of the region, from the iconic Uzbek bread (non) to meticulously arranged piles of dried fruits and nuts.
Some of my favorite things in Chorsu Bazaar are the food court where you get to enjoy an authentic Uzbek meal, the dried fruit and nut section where you get to sample the goods on sale, and the bread section where you can observe the whole baking process and even try your hand at it too.
I think it’s pretty obvious now that food plays a major part in my travels!
The Chorsu Metro Station is right in the midst of the bazaar.
2. See the World's Oldest Koran
This sacred site, located on the fringes of the old city, houses an ensemble of architectural marvels and revered religious structures. At its heart lies the Barak-Khan Madrasah , home to an ancient Quran believed to have belonged to the third Caliph, Uthman Ibn Affan — the world’s oldest Quran to date.
Other important structures within the complex are the Tillya-Sheikh Mosque, adorned with intricate tilework, and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum, honoring one of Tashkent’s venerated figures.
The Hazrati Imam Complex is about 15 minutes’ walk from Chorsu Bazaar.
3. Pay Tribute at Amir Timur Square
Amir Timur, commonly known as Tamerlane, was a 14th-century Central Asian conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire, which encompassed much of present-day Uzbekistan and surrounding regions.
He is revered in Uzbekistan as a national hero and is credited with expanding the empire, promoting arts and culture, and leaving a lasting legacy of architectural marvels and cultural achievements.
Today, the expansive Amir Timur Square in the city center serves as a tribute to his enduring legacy.
At the center of the square stands a majestic equestrian statue of Amir Timur, surrounded by meticulously landscaped gardens, fountains, and ornate monuments, each symbolizing different aspects of Uzbekistan’s heritage.
The square is not only a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike but also a hub of cultural activity, hosting festivals, concerts, and public events throughout the year.
4. Visit Kukeldash Madrasah and Dzuma Mosque
Dating back to the 16th century, the Kukeldash Madrasah reflects the grandeur and sophistication of the Timurid era. While the madrasah no longer functions as a traditional Islamic school, it still occasionally hosts cultural and educational events, exhibitions, and performances that showcase the country’s arts and traditions.
Adjacent to the madrasah lies the Dzuma Mosque, a historic place of worship that has witnessed centuries of prayer and contemplation.
5. Discover Uzbekistan History at the State Museum
Housed within a grand architectural complex, the Uzbek State Museum of History features artifacts, manuscripts, and archaeological treasures that chronicle the nation’s millennia-old history. From the ancient civilizations of the Silk Road to the Timurid Empire’s grandeur, each exhibit offers insight into Uzbekistan’s cultural evolution and contributions to world history.
Highlights include intricately crafted pottery, exquisite textiles, and priceless artifacts from archaeological sites across the region.
6. Explore the Metro Stations
Beyond its practical function, the Tashkent metro is a living museum. Each station is a masterpiece of Soviet-era design, adorned with intricate mosaics, elegant chandeliers, and grand marble columns that reflect the city’s rich history and artistic heritage. From the ornate motifs of Alisher Navoiy to the celestial themes of Kosmonavtlar, every station tells a unique story, capturing the spirit of Uzbekistan’s past and present.
Get your metro ticket at the counter or simply use your credit / debit card at the gate, and visit as many stations as you have time for.
8. Watch Sunset at Hotel Uzbekistan
Perched majestically in the heart of the city, this historic hotel is another spot that offers panoramic views of the sprawling urban landscape. It is best visited when the sun is dipping below the horizon, painting the sky in a kaleidoscope of vibrant hues.
From the comfort of its elegantly appointed rooms or the bar on the top floor (that is free to enter), guests are treated to a spectacle of natural beauty that unfolds against the backdrop of the iconic landmarks of Tashkent.
9. Browse at the Book Bazaar
The Tashkent book bazaar is a narrow strip of stalls along a tree-lined pedestrian path near the city center. While the selection of literature might be limited, especially for non-Russian speakers, the charming shops are still worth a leisurely browse during your stroll.
At one end, visitors can find several respectable souvenir stalls, while scattered throughout are vendors selling old medals, coins, and other collectibles displayed on blankets.
10. Admire Art at the Art Gallery of Uzbekistan
From classical masterpieces to contemporary works, the Art Gallery of Uzbekistan showcases a stunning array of paintings, sculptures, textiles, and decorative arts that span centuries of creativity and innovation.
Each exhibit offers a glimpse into Uzbekistan’s artistic traditions, reflecting influences from Silk Road civilizations to modern-day expressions.
11. Independence Square
The Independence Square in Tashkent is a sprawling urban oasis that serves as a tribute to the country’s independence and resilience. At its center stands the Monument of Independence and Humanism, a soaring architectural masterpiece embellished with symbolic motifs and inscriptions that commemorate Uzbekistan’s path to sovereignty.
Surrounding the monument are walking paths, ponds, and flowerbeds, inviting visitors to stroll or have a picnic amidst the serene surroundings.
12. Stroll Along Broadway Boulevard
The Broadway Boulevard is a lively promenade lined with an eclectic array of shops, cafes, and entertainment venues that cater to locals and tourists alike.
Visitors can indulge in a leisurely stroll, soaking in the lively atmosphere and admiring the diverse architecture that dots the boulevard. In the evenings, the street comes alive with the sounds of live music, street performers, and bustling cafes.
13. Get Inspired at Tashkent House of Photography
The House of Photography in Tashkent showcases a diverse collection of photographic works that captures the essence of Uzbekistan’s landscapes, people, and traditions.
Visitors can immerse themselves in the power of imagery as each exhibit provides a unique perspective into the country’s cultural heritage through the artistic vision of local and international photographers.
14. Sample Traditional Uzbek Cuisine
Begin your gastronomic adventure by savoring the quintessential Uzbek dish, plov (also known as osh), where the fragrant rice blends harmoniously with the succulent lamb and aromatic spices. Another staple in Uzbek meals is non, a traditional bread characterized by its round shape, soft, fluffy interior, and a golden crust often carved with intricate patterns. Also, don’t miss out on local sweets like halva and sherbet.
While good restaurants are scattered throughout the city, you can find pretty much everything at the Chorsu Bazaar — a culinary haven offering an array of street food delights, from samsa (savory pastries) to manti (meat dumplings) and shashlik (grilled kebabs).
15. Bring Out Your Inner Child at Tashkentland
A visit to Tashkent Land theme park promises an exhilarating escape into a world of fun and excitement for families and thrill seekers of all ages. Located adjacent to the Tashkent TV Tower, this sprawling amusement park offers a myriad of thrilling rides and entertainment options, from adrenaline-pumping roller coasters to whimsical carousels.
Operating exclusively during the warmer months, “Tashkent Land” Park typically commences its season from late March and continues until approximately the end of October.
How Long to Stay in Tashkent
Is 1 day enough for tashkent.
I stayed in Tashkent for 2 days and 1 night — a trip that had to be shortened from its original plan due to some transportation issues.
Nonetheless, even with the limited amount of time, and the leisurely pace at which I explored, I still managed to see some of Tashkent’s top sights, including Chorsu Bazaar, Amir Timur Square, Hazrati Imam Complex, Uzbekistan Hotel, and Tashkent City Park.
Had I moved a little faster (and woken up earlier), I would have been able to visit the Minor Mosque, Dzuma Mosque, Kukeldash Madrasah, Tashkent TV Tower, and maybe squeeze in a museum or two.
One day would allow you to see major highlights like the mosques, bazaar, and TV Tower, depending on your pace and preferences. A longer stay would let you slow down a little to explore the local cuisine, visit museums, and hang out at the square or the park.
Is Tashkent Safe for Tourists?
Tashkent, and Uzbekistan in general, is considered a safe destination for tourists. The city maintains a low crime rate, and instances of violent crime are rare.
As a a solo female traveler, I felt quite safe in Uzbekistan, even when I walked alone on the streets, took public transports and overnight trains, and stayed in hostels. I didn’t even experience minor annoyances that are common in some other countries like staring or over-persistent sellers.
However, as with any travel destination, it is advisable for tourists to exercise common safety precautions, such as safeguarding belongings, being vigilant in crowded areas, and using reliable transportation options.
Uzbek people are known for their hospitality and friendliness, contributing to the overall positive and secure atmosphere for tourists.
Where to Stay in Tashkent
I stayed with a Couchsurfing host for my entire stay in Tashkent, but here are three top-rated accommodation options to suit different budgets:
Topchan, Tashkent – Located in the Mirabad district of Tashkent, 3 km from the airport, 2 km from the Central Station, and 800 m from Furkat Recreation Park, Topchan offers dormitory rooms with a desk, seating area, wardrobe, and private lockers. There is also free WiFi, a communal kitchen and lounge, and daily activities. From USD 6 for a Single Bed in Dormitory Room, inclusive of breakfast.
Corner Hotel Tashkent – The hotel provides air-conditioned rooms with a desk, kettle, minibar, safety deposit box, flat-screen TV and private bathroom. There’s an ATM on-site. From USD 70 for a Standard Twin Room, with free one-way airport transfer.
Hyatt Regency Tashkent – This luxury hotel in the heart of Tashkent features restaurants, an indoor swimming pool, spa, fitness center, and luxurious guest rooms. The metro station is a 12-minute walk away. From USD 260 for a Twin Room.
Final Thoughts
Is tashkent worth visiting.
After Bishkek, which I found a little underwhelming to be honest, I wasn’t expecting much of Tashkent. After all, it’s just another capital city, not one of those historic old towns that I would have preferred.
However, I did find myself having a good time, especially at Chorsu Bazaar and the Hazrati Imam Complex. The Amir Timur Square and Tashkent City Park were also cool places to chill out at, giving me a short break after a long day of exploring.
Although it is often overshadowed by more renowned Uzbek cities, I feel like Tashkent gave me a more genuine glimpse into the daily rhythms of the country in a less touristy setting, making my experience feel more authentic and enriching.
Have you been to Tashkent before? What was your experience like? Share in the comment section below.
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- Places To Visit In Tashkent
Places to Visit in Tashkent
Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, is a city steeped in history and rich cultural heritage. This captivating destination boasts a blend of modern architecture and ancient sites, such as the Hast-Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar. Enjoy Tashkent's lively atmosphere, bustling markets, and diverse culinary scene while discovering its fascinating past.
Things To See & Do
Assumption cathedral, tashkent's russian orthodox gem.
Suggested Time
Moyie Mubarek Library Museum
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- Basilic Restaurant
Mediterranean Delights
Assorti restaurant & sushi bar, relish a fusion of flavours.
- The Host Indian Restaurant
Taste Authentic Indian Flavours
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- What To Expect : Expect pleasant weather, lively atmosphere in spring. Autumn is marked by mild temperatures and comfortable climate
- Things You'll Love : Perfect for sightseeing, attending cultural events, and exploring outdoor attractions, trying local cuisines and seeing autumn foliage
FESTIVALS AND EVENTS
Chimgan Extreme February
Navruz Festival March
Boysun Bahori April
Silk and Spice Festival May
Beer Festival June
Chimgan’s Echo Festival June
Sharq Tarolanari August
Handicrafter Festival September
Independence Day September
Uzbek Flag Day November
Constitution Day December
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Best places to visit in tashkent.
Tashkent, the dynamic capital of Uzbekistan, is an alluring blend of ancient history and modernity, offering visitors a rich cultural experience. Here are some of the places that you can visit in Tashkent:
Best Places to Visit with Family
Admire the stunning architecture of the Assumption Cathedral, a beautiful Russian Orthodox church that stands as a symbol of Tashkent's diverse history.
Explore the fascinating Moyie Mubarek Library Museum, home to an impressive collection of ancient manuscripts, including the world's oldest Quran.
Pay your respects at the Monument of Courage, a memorial dedicated to the resilience of Tashkent's people during the devastating 1966 earthquake.
Discover the historic Kukeldash Madrasah, an ancient Islamic school that offers a glimpse into the city's rich past.
Visit the striking Barakhan Madrasah, a beautifully preserved 16th-century educational institution featuring intricate carvings and tilework.
Best Places to Visit with Friends
Marvel at the architectural splendour of the Hazrati Imam Complex, a religious and cultural centre that houses several significant Islamic buildings.
Experience the bustling atmosphere of Mustaqillik Maydoni, Tashkent's main square and a hub for celebrations and events.
Stroll around the picturesque Amir Temur Square, a lush park that honors the legendary Central Asian conqueror, Amir Temur.
Enjoy an unforgettable performance at the Alisher Navoiy Theatre, an exquisite venue showcasing Uzbekistan's rich artistic heritage.
Admire the exquisite design of the Minor Mosque, a modern Islamic architectural gem nestled on the banks of the Ankhor River.
Best Time to Visit Tashkent
The best time to visit Tashkent is during the spring and fall months when the weather is pleasant, and the city's attractions are less crowded.
Good Places to Visit at Night in Tashkent
For a memorable night out in Tashkent, catch a performance at the Alisher Navoiy Theatre or stroll around the illuminated Amir Temur Square and Mustaqillik Maydoni.
Here are a few restaurants in Tashkent that you can visit:
- Assorti Restaurant & Sushi Bar
Places to Visit Tashkent in 1 Day
If you only have one day in Tashkent, start by exploring the historic Kukeldash Madrasah and Barakhan Madrasah, followed by a visit to the Assumption Cathedral, and conclude your day with a leisurely walk around Amir Temur Square.
Places to Visit Tashkent in 2 Days
In addition to the above attractions, include a visit to the Moyie Mubarek Library Museum and the Hazrati Imam Complex on your second day to delve deeper into Tashkent's cultural treasures.
Places to Visit Tashkent in 3 Days
For a three-day trip, add the Monument of Courage, Alisher Navoiy Theatre, and the picturesque Minor Mosque to your itinerary, ensuring a comprehensive experience of Tashkent's diverse attractions.
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions about Tashkent
What are the activities you can explore during the peak season and moderate season in tashkent.
In the peak season months March, April, May and June you will experience expect pleasant weather, lively atmosphere in spring. Autumn is marked by mild temperatures and comfortable climate wherein around moderate season i.e. July, August, September, October and November you will enjoy warm months, pleasant climate, rainy spells. Whatever that suits your calendar, Tashkent awaits you for a good time.
What is the best time to visit Tashkent?
Ideally the best time to visit any place is considered when the weather conditions are delightful. For Tashkent, you can choose to go in March, April, May and June which is the peak season and July, August, September, October and November which is the moderate season. Both will serve you well to unwind from your tedious routine.
What are some of the most famous restaurants and eateries to explore in Tashkent?
If you are a foodie, Tashkent is the right place for you. Tashkent has many famous restaurants and eateries for you to explore, some of which are Basilic Restaurant, Assorti Restaurant & Sushi Bar and The Host Indian Restaurant.
Destinations Near Tashkent
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Table of Contents. Our List of the Best Things to Do in Tashkent. Visit Khast Imam. Wander Around the Chorsu Bazaar. Marvel at the Soviet Mosaics. Kolkouz Canal. Check Out the Minor Mosque. Hang Out in the Amir Timur Square. Catch a Show at the Navoi Theatre.
Barvixa Club. Bars & Clubs • Dance Clubs & Discos. 5. Мята Lounge Novza. Bars & Clubs • Karaoke Bars. 6. Tango-Magia Dance Studio. Dance Clubs & Discos. 7.
1 list. Hotel. The Le Grande Plaza Hotel offers guests a variety of amenities, including an outdoor pool and gym, as well as a sauna. The hotel is located in the heart of Tashkent, and provides rooms with a variety of amenities, including free Wi-Fi and private bathrooms with slippers and free toiletries.
Location: 30 Taras Shevchenko Street, Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 4. Dudek Brewery Bar. Dudek Brewery Bar is one of the best bars in Uzbekistan for nightlife. This bar's claim to fame is the fact that it serves nothing but authentic Czech cuisine and beer that has been made on the premises. Dudek Brewery Bar.
The Complete Tashkent City Guide with the best things to do in Tashkent and the most interesting places to visit in Tashkent, Uzbekistan's capital city. ... It's also possible to take a night train towards Tashkent. It leaves Bukhara at 10:30 PM and arrives in Tashkent around 6:30 AM.
Nevertheless, I would recommend spending at least 1 night and therewith 24 hours in Tashkent. In my opinion, the capital city always tells something about the city. Thereby, Tashkent is a good starter to the beauty that awaits you in the rest of Uzbekistan. In this 24-hour travel guide, I'll show you the best things to do in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Don't miss it during your stay in Tashkent! 8. Visit the Amir Temur Monument and Square. Amir Temur (sometimes spelled "Timur") has been officially recognized as Uzbekistan's national hero due to his conquering of Western, South, and Central Asia during the 14th century.
Strolling these two squares is pretty pleasant, as they are filled with greenery and fountains. The top highlights would be the Uzbekistan Independence monument and a 7-meter bronze statue of Amir Timur. Timur Square - Tashkent Uzbekistan points of interest.
Discover the best nightlife in Tashkent including Cafe Dudek, Tapas Bar, and Brauhaus. Discover the best nightlife in Tashkent including Cafe Dudek, Tapas Bar, and Brauhaus. Search. My trips. Saves; ... The sunny outdoor terrace here is a great place to kick back over a house-brewed Czech-style pilsner or unfiltered wheat beer (the tmavi lejak ...
See the Minor Mosque. Ok, there are far more impressive mosques to be seen in Uzbekistan and this one is quite new in comparison but the stark white and its beautiful location next to a river make it a nice thing to do in Tashkent if you have time or are staying at the nearby Jules Verne Hostel. A wander along the river is also a nice break to ...
16 Things To Do In Tashkent + Tashkent Travel Guide. Updated September 2023, 15 Things To Do In Tashkent + Tashkent Travel Guide was originally written in January 2020 Tashkent gets skipped over by many visitors to Uzbekistan for its more glamourous Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, but Tashkent actually has quite a bit to offer.If you're flying into the country, you'll ...
At Tashkent Islamic University, see the shrines. 9. Visit Druzhba Narodov Square. 10. Navoi Park is a great place to unwind. Where to Stay in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. 1. Overall Best Hotel in Tashkent - Hyatt Regency Tashkent. 2.
Barvixa Club. Bars & Clubs • Dance Clubs & Discos. 5. Мята Lounge Novza. Bars & Clubs • Karaoke Bars. 6. Tango-Magia Dance Studio. Dance Clubs & Discos. 7.
The Khast Imom complex is one of the best places to visit in Tashkent for Islamic architecture. It has been the religious center for Tashkent for centuries after the first imam of Tashkent was buried here. Unfortunately, most of what you see today in the large empty square is the result of a modernization project in 2007.
1. Topchan Hostel. 2. Hotel Uzbekistan. 3. Ichan Premium Hotel. Tashkent is the capital city of Uzbekistan and is the largest city in the country. With so many incredible things to do in Tashkent, this city is fast becoming a tourist attraction and is a must-visit if you are travelling through Central Asia.
One of the most popular things to do in Tashkent is to visit the TV Tower. At 375m, it's the tallest structure in the city - and the 11th tallest tower in the world! ... Every night, Tashkent's centre is illuminated with colourful light installations. And Sailgokh Street - aka Broadway Street - is lined with funfair-style games and ...
Opera Nightclub is located on the Rashidov Street of Tashkent. It is one of the best disco clubs in Tashkent. As the sun goes down the crowd throngs in the club. The food served in the bar is a mix of Asian and European cuisines. The place is crammed with tourists and locals, visit the club and enjoy the best nightlife in Uzbekistan.
per adult (price varies by group size) Magic Land Tour to Uzbekistan. 13. Rail Tours. from. $1,189. per adult (price varies by group size) 1-Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent. 11.
Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today. Duration 3 hours. Check availability to see starting times. Live tour guide. Russian, English, Uzbek, Turkish, French. Pickup included. Please wait in the hotel lobby 10 minutes before your scheduled pickup time. Small group. Limited to 6 participants.
While the places to visit in Tashkent mentioned in this blog need 2 days, the highlights can be completed in one day. Hazrat Imam Complex Situated in the heart of Tashkent, the Hazrat Imam Complex, also known as the Hast-Imam Ensemble or Khast Imam, is a great introduction to Uzbek heritage and architecture.
per adult (price varies by group size) Magic Land Tour to Uzbekistan. 13. Rail Tours. from. ₹99,034. per adult (price varies by group size) 1-Day Tour of Samarkand from Tashkent. 11.
Visiting Tashkent in late October. The best time to visit Tashkent is during the spring (April to June) and autumn (September to October) months when the weather is mild and comfortable, with minimal rainfall.During these periods, temperatures are generally pleasant, ranging from 15 to 25 degrees Celsius (59 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit), making it ideal for exploring the city's historical sites ...
Places to Visit in Tashkent. Tashkent, the vibrant capital of Uzbekistan, is a city steeped in history and rich cultural heritage. This captivating destination boasts a blend of modern architecture and ancient sites, such as the Hast-Imam Complex and Chorsu Bazaar. ... For a memorable night out in Tashkent, catch a performance at the Alisher ...