Pass The Passport

Places / Asia / Uzbekistan

Tashkent

Not been yet

At a glance

Country
Uzbekistan
Region
Tashkent
Population
3 million
Best time to go
April to May, September to October
Main airport
Tashkent International (TAS)
Coordinates
41.30°N, 69.24°E

Visited Still to go Click a pin or country to read more. Zoom with + and −, a double-click or a pinch.

Overview

Central Asia's biggest city was largely rebuilt after an earthquake in 1966, so it's a place of broad boulevards, Soviet monuments, parks and fountains rather than ancient monuments.

Look closer and there is plenty to enjoy: an old quarter around a centuries-old mosque complex, one of the most beautiful metro systems in the world and a vast bazaar. It's also the natural starting point for the Silk Road cities, a fast train ride away.

Things to see

  • Khast Imam Complex
    Photo: Ymblanter, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Khast Imam Complex

    Madrasas and mosques around a peaceful square, with a library holding one of the oldest surviving Qurans.

  • Chorsu Bazaar
    Photo: Theklan, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Chorsu Bazaar

    A huge green-domed market where you can buy spices, dried fruit, bread and freshly made noodles.

  • Tashkent Metro
    Photo: Sunrise08_181, PDM-owner

    Tashkent Metro

    Every station is different, with chandeliers, mosaics and marble halls themed around cosmonauts, poets and cotton.

  • Museum of Applied Arts
    Photo: Ehedaya at English Wikipedia, Public domain

    Museum of Applied Arts

    A merchant's house of carved wood and painted ceilings, filled with suzani embroidery and ceramics.

  • Amir Timur Square
    Photo: Doris Ingeborg Lohse, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Amir Timur Square

    The leafy heart of the modern city, with an equestrian statue of the conqueror and a domed museum nearby.

Things to do

  • Eat plov
    Photo: Jost Wagner, CC BY-SA 1.0

    Eat plov

    Uzbekistan's rice and lamb dish is cooked in giant cauldrons at lunchtime at the Central Asian Plov Centre.

  • Ride the metro
    Photo: Adam Harangozó, CC BY-SA 4.0

    Ride the metro

    Use a single ticket to hop between the most ornate stations, such as Kosmonavtlar and Alisher Navoi.

  • Take the Afrosiyob train
    Photo: Koshekans, CC BY 4.0

    Take the Afrosiyob train

    The high-speed train reaches Samarkand in a little over two hours, an easy start to a Silk Road route.

    Find tours
  • Day trip to the Chimgan mountains
    Photo: Jabez at English Wikipedia, Public domain

    Day trip to the Chimgan mountains

    The foothills of the western Tian Shan, under two hours away, are good for hiking and cooler air in summer.

Where to stay

  • City centre

    Around Amir Timur Square, with international hotels, restaurants and metro links.

    Hotels in City centre

  • Mirabad

    Leafy and central, with smaller hotels near the main railway station.

    Hotels in Mirabad

  • Old Town

    Near Chorsu and Khast Imam, for atmosphere and markets, though with fewer hotels.

    Hotels in Old Town

Getting around

The metro is cheap, safe and easy to use, and taxis booked through apps like Yandex Go are good value. The city is spread out, so walking between sights takes time.

The airport is close to the centre, around 20 minutes by taxi. Trains from Samarkand and Bukhara arrive at Tashkent's main railway station.

When to go

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are warm and pleasant. Summers are very hot and dry, and winters can be cold and grey. Navruz in late March brings spring festivities and special dishes.

Plan your trip to Tashkent

Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.

More city guides for Uzbekistan

Back to Uzbekistan