Tashkent Travel Guide: Things to Do & Best Time to Visit

Top things to do in Tashkent

Tashkent mixes Silk Road heritage with grand Soviet and modern architecture, and its sights are spread across a large, green city.

• Khast Imam complex — The city's religious heart, with mosques and madrasas and a library that holds one of the world's oldest surviving Qurans.
• Chorsu Bazaar — A vast market under a great green dome, piled with spices, dried fruit, bread, nuts and local produce.
• Tashkent Metro — Many stations are decorated with marble, chandeliers, mosaics and themed artwork, making a ride a sightseeing trip in itself.
• Amir Timur Square and Museum — A central square with an equestrian statue of the 14th-century ruler, next to a blue-domed museum dedicated to his era.
• Kukeldash Madrasa — A large 16th-century Islamic school near Chorsu, with a grand portal and courtyard.
• Museum of Applied Arts — Housed in an ornately decorated mansion, it displays embroidery, ceramics, carvings and traditional crafts.
• Independence Square — A vast ceremonial space with fountains, monuments and gardens, pleasant for an evening stroll.

Best time to visit Tashkent

The best times to visit Tashkent are spring, from April to May, and autumn, from September to October. Days are warm and sunny without the extreme heat of summer, parks are green or golden, and conditions are ideal for combining the capital with trips to Samarkand, Bukhara and the mountains.

Summer, from June to August, is very hot and dry, with temperatures often climbing well above 35°C, so sightseeing is best done early or late in the day. Winter, from December to February, is cold, with frosty nights and occasional snow, but it is a quiet time with fewer visitors; nearby mountain areas offer winter sports.

Navruz, the spring new year festival around 21 March, is the biggest celebration of the year, with music, festive food such as sumalak and gatherings in parks across the city. Autumn is harvest season, when markets overflow with melons, grapes, pomegranates and other fruit.

Getting from the airport

Tashkent International Airport is located on the southern side of the city, only around 6 km from the centre, which makes it one of the more conveniently placed capital airports in the region.

• Taxis — Official taxis are available outside the arrivals hall; the drive to central hotels usually takes around 15 to 30 minutes depending on traffic. Agree the fare beforehand or use an official taxi service.
• App-based rides — Ride-hailing apps are widely used in Tashkent and offer a simple, pre-agreed fare, which many visitors find easier than negotiating.
• City buses — Several city bus routes stop near the airport and connect with central districts and metro stations, an economical option for light travellers.

Many hotels can also arrange airport transfers on request, which is useful for late-night arrivals, as many international flights land in the early hours.

Where to stay

Tashkent is spread out, so staying near a metro station makes getting around much easier.

• City centre around Amir Timur Square — Close to major hotels, museums, parks and metro lines, ideal for first-time and business visitors.
• Mirabad and Yakkasaray — Central, leafy districts with restaurants, cafés and smaller hotels, good for travellers who like a calmer base.
• Old City near Chorsu — Traditional neighbourhoods by the bazaar and Khast Imam, suiting travellers interested in culture and local life.
• Yunusabad — A modern northern district with wide streets, shopping centres and good metro links, suiting longer stays and families.
• Tashkent City area — A modern development of parks and high-rise buildings in the centre, convenient for business travellers.

Travel tips

• Getting around — The metro is fast, clean and inexpensive, and app-based taxis are widely available; distances between sights can be long, so avoid trying to walk everywhere.
• Money — Cards are increasingly accepted in hotels and larger restaurants, but cash in som is still essential for bazaars and small shops; exchange money only at banks or official exchange points.
• Dress and etiquette — Uzbekistan is a mostly Muslim country with relaxed customs, but dress modestly at mosques and madrasas, with women covering their hair where asked.
• Hospitality — Bread is treated with great respect; never place it upside down or throw it away in front of hosts, and accept tea when it is offered.
• Onward travel — High-speed trains link Tashkent with Samarkand in around two hours, and continue to Bukhara; book ahead in busy seasons.
• Entry requirements — Rules vary by nationality, and visitors may need to register their stay, usually handled by hotels; check official sources before you travel.