Tashkent Travel Guide: 16 Top Things to Do (December 2025 Update)
Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s vibrant capital, blends Soviet-era grandeur, Silk Road heritage, and modern energy. Often overlooked for Samarkand or Bukhara, it offers ornate metro stations, bustling bazaars, and diverse cuisine. With four metro lines and growing tourism, 2–3 days here provide a perfect introduction.
Current highlights (no major closures except some museums under renovation):
Practical Info
- Best time — April–May or September–October for mild weather; summers hot, winters chilly but fewer crowds.
- Getting around — Use the stunning metro (fare ~1,700–3,000 UZS/ride via card; cashless preferred). Yandex Go taxis are cheap and reliable.
- Stay connected — Grab a local SIM or eSIM on arrival.
Top Things to Do in Tashkent
Ride the Tashkent Metro
One of the world’s most beautiful systems, with themed stations featuring chandeliers, mosaics, and marble. Photography allowed—don’t miss Kosmonavtlar (space theme), Alisher Navoi, or Mustaqillik Maydoni.
Khast Imam Complex
Tashkent’s spiritual heart: Hazrati Imam Mosque, Barak Khan Madrasa, and Muyi Mubarak Library (home to the famous 7th-century Uthman Quran). Early mornings avoid crowds.
Chorsu Bazaar
Iconic blue-domed market buzzing with spices, fruits, breads, and crafts. Grab street food like samsa or shashlik.
Besh Qozon (Plov Center)
Watch massive kazans cook Uzbekistan’s national dish—plov. Huge portions; arrive lunchtime for the spectacle.
Amir Timur Square
Central hub with Timur’s statue, Hotel Uzbekistan (Soviet icon), and surrounding gardens/museums.
Other highlights: Minor Mosque (white marble beauty), Tashkent Tower views, Oloy Bazaar, Navoi Theatre, Magic City Park (modern fun zone), and museums (check openings—some renovating).
Where to Eat
Tashkent’s scene explodes with options:
- Uzbek classics → Besh Qozon for plov; Afsona or Navat for modern twists.
- International → Forn Lebnen (Lebanese), Gruzinski Dvorik (Georgian), City Grill (steaks).
- Coffee → Blackbear Kofi or B&B Coffeehouse.
Day Trips
- Chimgan Mountains — Skiing/hiking in Ugam-Chatkal National Park.
- Parkent Solar Furnace — Unique Soviet-era tech wonder.
Tashkent surprises with depth—efficient, friendly, and delicious. Perfect Silk Road starter!