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Tashkent
The Old City
The Old City is Tashkent's historic core, a maze of mahalla neighborhoods with low courtyard houses, narrow lanes, and small neighborhood mosques. It stands in sharp contrast to the wide Soviet-era boulevards nearby, and it holds the Hazrati Imam complex and Chorsu Bazaar within easy walking distance.
Expect quiet residential streets and locals going about daily life rather than staged sights. Comfortable shoes and a willingness to wander pay off more here than following a fixed route.
The capital that never hurriesTashkent is often the city travelers rush through, but it deserves far more than a quick stop. Uzbekistan’s modern capital is a fascinating mix of Soviet-era avenues, grand architecture, a metro where stations feel like underground palaces, and an old town where traditional life still unfolds at a slower rhythm. Beyond its history, Tashkent has a creative, contemporary side: beautifully designed boutiques, independent cafés, craft studios, concept stores, and hidden local spots scattered throughout the city. Give Tashkent two days before heading to the Silk Road cities, and you may find that the capital is one of the most surprising parts of the journey.
Good to know
Arrange your city ride
Yandex Go operates in Uzbekistan and shows a fare and estimated journey time before you request a ride. Check the pickup pin, destination and available payment method in the app. At the airport or station, follow the designated pickup instructions. If arranging a ride directly, agree the fare and destination before setting off rather than relying on a printed fare estimate.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
See & explore
The Old City
The Old City is Tashkent's historic core, a maze of mahalla neighborhoods with low courtyard houses, narrow lanes, and small neighborhood mosques. It stands in sharp contrast to the wide Soviet-era boulevards nearby, and it holds the Hazrati Imam complex and Chorsu Bazaar within easy walking distance.
Expect quiet residential streets and locals going about daily life rather than staged sights. Comfortable shoes and a willingness to wander pay off more here than following a fixed route.
Address
Mustaqillik Avenue area, Tashkent
Getting there
Buses 43, 109, 111 to the Khazrati Imam Mosque stop; bus 42 to the Kalkauz Canal stop; taxis via Yandex Taxi, Maxim, and local services My Taxi and Perekrestok
Afsona serves classic Uzbek cooking — plov, shashlik, manti, and soups — from a full-service dining room set up for group meals and family gatherings. The menu covers familiar staples rather than straying into fusion territory.
At $$-$$$ it sits above a canteen but below Tashkent's top-tier venues, and the kitchen runs straight through the day from 11:00 to 23:00 with no midday closure. Expect table service and a printed menu covering Uzbek classics.
Use the guide’s map links as starting points and confirm the actual entrance with your venue. In 2GIS, download the city database before going offline; some navigation features still need an internet connection. Keep your hotel address and a few useful landmarks saved separately. A map listing is not confirmation that a venue is open or that an entrance is accessible.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
A working religious precinct, not the same visit as the new museum.
Khast Imam is a living religious precinct: mosques, madrasas and open courtyards give this part of old Tashkent its rhythm. Come to look at the relationship between monumental entrances and the quieter spaces around them, while allowing worshippers priority.
Do not confuse the precinct with the neighbouring Islamic Civilization Center. The Center now identifies the Uthman Qur’an as part of its collection; older directions to a Qur’an display here are no longer a reliable plan. Combine the two as distinct visits and book the Center separately.
Allow around
45 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
Zarkaynar Street, 107, Tashkent
Admission
Access to worship areas depends on local rules and prayer times. The Islamic Civilization Center has separate ticketing.
Getting there
Buses 43, 109, 111 to the Khazrati Imam Mosque stop
Read the source · Researched 2026-09-19 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Plan a practical mix of payments
Check the current exchange rate and fees with the bank or exchange counter you use. Carry some Uzbek sum for purchases where your card is not accepted, and confirm the payment method before ordering or setting off. Keep a second way to pay and avoid depending on a single ATM or card. Count change and check the quoted currency carefully.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Eat & drink
Central Asian Plov Centre
This is a plov centre — a specialist hall built around Uzbekistan's national rice-and-meat dish rather than a general menu. The kitchen is halal and keeps to straightforward, no-frills Central Asian cooking.
At $ it's the most affordable entry in this list, priced for a working lunch rather than a splurge. Doors are listed as open daily from 09:00 to 23:00, but that closing time doesn't guarantee plov is still available late.
The Tashkent Metro is Central Asia's oldest underground system, and several stations were built like small palaces, with marble columns, chandeliers, and themed mosaics instead of plain platforms. Riding a few stops end to end is a cheap way to see Soviet-era design without booking a tour.
Trains run frequently, and the network is easy to navigate once you match station names to the letter-M signs above ground. Photography inside stations, once restricted, is now permitted, so a phone camera is enough.
Hours
Daily from 05:00 (Yunusabad line from 06:00) until 00:00; after 00:00 stations operate exit-only
Getting there
Metro stations are marked with the letter M on city streets
Good to know
Get connected for your route
Compare current SIM, eSIM and roaming options for the length of your stay. Check your phone’s compatibility and the operator’s identification and activation instructions. Ucell provides a self-registration process for foreign visitors; operator requirements and packages can change. Test mobile data and important messages before leaving the service point, and save essential addresses offline.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Photograph pending
See & explore
CCA Tashkent — a power station becomes a cultural meeting place
The city’s newest art institution inside a century-old industrial building.
Tashkent’s newest art address starts with an older building. Opened on 6 September 2026, the Centre for Contemporary Arts brings exhibitions, performance, film and other creative disciplines into a reworked 1912 building.
Its inaugural exhibition, Hikmah, offers a reason to meet the city in the present tense, not only through its monuments. Leave time to look at the building as well as the programme: the change from industrial infrastructure to a public cultural space is part of the visit.
Allow around
90 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
Building B, 6 Amir Temur Street, Tashkent
Hours
Tue–Thu and Sun 10:00–20:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–22:00; Monday closed (checked 19 September 2026).
Admission
Free admission; advance registration required via the official visitor page.
Read the source · Researched 2026-09-19 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Photo: David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
See & explore
State Museum of History of Uzbekistan
A newly reopened starting point for reading Uzbekistan through its objects.
Start with the objects, then take the stories outside. The State Museum of History of Uzbekistan connects archaeological finds, Silk Road exchange and the modern country in one visit near Independence Square.
The Tourism Committee confirmed its reopening after renovation in July 2026. The renewed displays combine historical collections with multimedia interpretation. This is a useful first stop before travelling to Samarkand or Bukhara: choose one period that interests you and follow its traces through the rest of your journey.
Allow around
90 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
Sharaf Rashidov Street, 3, Tashkent
Admission
Reopened after renovation in July 2026. Current admission prices have not been verified; check with the museum.
Getting there
Metro to Mustaqillik Maydoni or Kosmonavtlar stations; buses 1, 13, 19, 22, 30, 37, 71, 85, 97 or minibuses 62, 71, 136 to the 6-Roddom or Aybek stops
The State Museum of Applied Arts fills a restored merchant's mansion. Its own ceilings and wall panels — carved ganch, painted wood, mosaic tile — are as much the exhibit as the embroidery, ceramics, and metalwork inside. It's a solid primer on regional craft traditions before shopping for them elsewhere.
Rooms are organized by craft rather than chronology, so you move from suzani textiles to woodwork to jewelry at your own pace. If a CNC workshop is part of your trip, seeing these techniques first makes the hands-on session easier to follow.
Tashkent’s metro is both transport and a chance to see distinctive station architecture. Use the current network map to plan transfers and check the fare, payment options and operating hours at the station. Leave enough time to walk between a station and your destination. Follow staff instructions and keep entrances and platforms clear when stopping to look or take photographs.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Photograph pending
Eat & drink
Chilla Coffee — coffee beside the potter’s studio
A coffee stop that puts a working pottery studio next door.
Make this the pause between looking at craft and making something yourself. Chilla sits inside Navruz Ethnographic Park, beside Otabek’s pottery studio. Coffee, ceramics and a walk through the park make an easy combination for a slower Tashkent afternoon.
Ask about visiting the neighbouring studio before planning a workshop around it; a café visit does not include a pottery session. The menu includes coffee and cookies, with Uzbek ingredients appearing in options such as halva and qurut.
Allow around
45 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
Navruz Ethnographic Park, Labzak Street 12A/1, Tashkent
Hours
Daily 10:00–22:00 (owner-confirmed September 2026; check before visiting)
Cuisine
Coffee, tea and cookies
Getting there
Use the Chilla Coffee business pin inside Navruz Park. The postal address pin points elsewhere in the park.
Chilla is owned by CraftNCulture’s founder. We include it openly as part of our local craft community.
Read the source · Researched 2026-09-18 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Confirm your stay is registered
Ask your hotel or host to confirm your accommodation registration and keep the records for your trip. Private accommodation and camping may require different arrangements. Check the current official guidance before arrival and after changing accommodation; do not assume that a booking confirmation is a registration record.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
See & explore
Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus
The Cathedral of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus is a neo-Gothic red-brick church with twin spires, an unusual silhouette in a city otherwise shaped by Islamic and Soviet architecture. It serves Tashkent's Catholic community and is one of only a handful of Catholic churches in the country, known locally as the Polish church for its historic Polish congregation.
The interior is calm and comparatively plain next to the ornate mosques nearby, with stained glass and vaulted ceilings doing most of the visual work. It's closed on Mondays, so check the day before planning a route around it.
Address
Makhtumkuli Street, 80/1, Tashkent
Hours
Open Tuesday-Sunday, 10:30-17:00
Admission
Free entry
Getting there
Buses 1, 14, 16, 18, 21, 28, 44, 80 to the TashMI Clinic stop; metro to Amir Temur or Mashinasozlar stations (closer)
An ancient earthen city survives behind the modern streets.
Tashkent’s broad avenues can make its ancient past difficult to picture. Ming Urik gives that past a physical shape: an archaeological mound and the remains of an early fortified settlement, preserved inside the modern city.
The name is usually translated as “a thousand apricots.” Come for the contrast between the fragile earthen walls and the city outside, then use the museum’s interpretation to imagine rooms, thresholds and daily life where the ruins now stand.
Allow around
45 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
31 Moshtabib Street, Tashkent
Getting there
Search for Ming Urik Museum on Moshtabib Street; the map point is the archaeological site, not Ming Urik metro station.
Islamic Civilization Center — manuscripts, science and a new museum
A new museum that changes how to plan a visit to old Tashkent.
This new museum near Hazrati Imam connects the region’s history with science, learning and material culture. Its galleries mix objects with digital interpretation; the Center identifies the Uthman Qur’an among its collection.
Treat this as its own museum visit, not an extra room inside the old religious precinct. Select a ticket format that matches how you like to explore, and leave time to study an object beyond its headline story.
Allow around
120 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
Karasaray Street, near Hazrati Imam, Tashkent; follow the venue map pin
Hours
Timed admission: consult the official booking calendar.
Admission
Foreign adult standard + audio guide: 425,000 UZS; individual visit: 660,000 UZS (checked 19 September 2026). Other categories available.
Independence Square (Mustaqillik Maydoni) is Tashkent's largest public plaza, built around fountains, formal gardens, and the Monument of Independence and Humanism. It hosts national holiday events and works as a straightforward starting point for a day of walking central Tashkent.
The square is at its best in early evening, when the heat breaks and the fountains draw families out for a stroll. The open pavement offers little shade at midday, so plan around that if you're visiting in summer.
Address
Mustaqillik Square, Tashkent
Getting there
Metro to Mustaqillik station; buses 37, 57, 97, 140, 144 to the Mustaqillik Square stop
Check the entrance guidance, dress modestly and ask where visitors may go. An active mosque may restrict visits during worship. Follow instructions about shoes and head coverings, and ask before photographing people or religious activity. Do not assume clothing is available to borrow at the entrance.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Buy thoughtfully at the bazaar
Bazaars are places to talk as well as shop. Ask about materials, how a piece was made and its care before discussing the price. Bargaining may be part of a sale; keep the conversation friendly and respect a seller’s decision. Compare the item itself, not only the price, and agree the total and payment method before buying.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Alisher Navoi National Park is one of central Tashkent's main green spaces, named for the 15th-century poet whose statue anchors the grounds. Paths wind past a lake where paddleboats are for hire, making it an easy break from a day of sightseeing on foot.
Expect families, joggers, and snack vendors rather than curated attractions. Weekday mornings are noticeably quieter than weekend afternoons, when the paths and lakeside fill up fast.
Address
Bobur Street, 174, Tashkent
Getting there
Buses 13, 84, 100, 111, 132 to the National Park stop; metro to National Park or Druzhba Narodov stations
A few words make a useful beginning: salom means hello and rahmat means thank you. Keep addresses written down and use a translation app when a conversation needs more detail. Confirm dates, prices and meeting points clearly rather than relying on a friendly nod. The language available at a particular venue can vary, so ask in advance if you need an English-speaking host or guide.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
The Tashkent TV Tower rises over the city as one of the tallest freestanding structures in the region. Its observation deck gives a 360-degree view over the city grid toward the mountains on a clear day. It's the single best vantage point for understanding how Tashkent is laid out.
Admission requires photo ID, so bring a passport along with the entry fee. Visibility depends heavily on weather and haze, so a clear morning or early evening slot gives better odds of a good view.
Address
Amir Temur Avenue, 109, Tashkent
Hours
Daily 10:00-22:00
Admission
Uzbekistan residents: adults 100,000 soum, children 7-16 40,000 soum, under 7 free; passport required
Getting there
Metro to Badamzar or Shahriston station; buses 24, 50, 51, 63, 67, 91, 93, 95, 140 or minibus 61m to the Tennis Club stop
Pie Republic is a café with an international menu; the name points to baked pies as part of the draw, alongside a broader café-style food list. The setting suits casual, all-day visits rather than a formal dinner.
At $$-$$$ it's mid-range for Tashkent, open from 08:00 most days but starting later, at 10:00, on Sundays — a two-hour shift worth checking before a weekend visit.
Charvak Reservoir is a large mountain lake northeast of Tashkent, backed by the Chatkal range, and it's the city's default summer escape for swimming, boating, and lakeside picnics. On a clear day the water turns a deep turquoise against the surrounding peaks.
It's a half-day trip at minimum once travel time is factored in, so plan for it rather than squeezing it between other sights. A direct taxi is simpler than the bus-to-Khodjikent-then-taxi combination, though the mixed route costs less.
Address
Charvak Reservoir, Bostanliq District, Tashkent Region
Getting there
Taxi is most convenient (200,000-250,000 soum one way); or bus from Kuyluk Bazaar to Khodjikent (10,000 soum one way), then taxi to the reservoir
Chorsu Bazaar is Tashkent's oldest and largest market, gathered under a vast blue-domed pavilion visible from across the old city. Produce, spices, dried fruit, and bread fill the main hall, while surrounding lanes sell textiles, ceramics, and other craft goods worth a look even if a CNC workshop is also on your plan.
Go early, while stalls are fully stocked and the aisles aren't yet packed. Bargaining is normal for non-food items, and vendors expect a bit of back-and-forth on price.
Human House is a small shop in the Mirobod area, open daily for browsing rather than built around one big attraction. It suits visitors already in the neighborhood more than a special trip across town.
No admission fee applies, and there's no metro or bus route listed for it, so a taxi or rideshare app is the easiest way in. Confirm current opening times locally, since small shops can shift their hours without notice.
Gravity is a bar with a European food menu, structured entirely around evening and night hours rather than daytime dining. The format points to a drinks-led venue where food plays a supporting role.
At $$-$$$ it's mid-range, and it doesn't open until 20:00, running through to 02:00 — a schedule that rules it out for lunch or an early dinner.
Central Ecopark, named for the 16th-century ruler and writer Babur, is a riverside green space threading along a canal in the city center. Long hours from early morning to late evening make it an easy stop whether the plan is a morning jog or an after-dinner walk.
Paths are shaded and mostly flat, popular with families and cyclists rather than tour groups. It works well paired with a walk through nearby streets rather than as a stand-alone destination.
The Alisher Navoi Grand Theatre is Uzbekistan's national opera and ballet house, built in the mid-20th century with a grand columned facade facing a small park. Each interior foyer is decorated in the architectural style of a different Uzbek region, from Khiva to Fergana, making the lobbies worth seeing even without a ticket.
Catching an actual opera or ballet is the best way to see the auditorium itself, and tickets are inexpensive by international standards. Check the schedule ahead, since performances aren't nightly and the program changes through the season.
An optional family evening, clearly separated from the craft trail.
Magic City is an optional family detour for themed streets, attractions and an evening change of pace. It is an entertainment stop rather than a craft or heritage destination.
Choose the attractions you actually want to use before paying. The operator advertises several experiences, and individual activities may have their own tickets or conditions. Do not budget from the old guide's approximate all-in entry prices; those figures have been withdrawn because they could not be verified.
Allow around
60 minutes · our planning estimate
Address
Bobur Street, 174
Admission
Current attraction prices and entry conditions are not verified. Consult the operator before visiting.
Read the source · Researched 2026-09-19 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Photo: Ilhomovna03 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
See & explore
Tashkent City Mall
Tashkent City Mall is a large modern shopping center within the Tashkent City development, with international and local retail, a food court, and air conditioning that's welcome in summer. It's a practical stop for errands or a break from the heat rather than a cultural sight.
Weekend hours run later than weekdays, closing at midnight instead of 23:00, which suits an evening visit after dinner elsewhere. It sits close enough to Tashkent City Park to combine both in one trip.
Check entry rules for your passport, travel purpose and length of stay before booking. Visa-free periods and passport-validity requirements vary; do not assume one rule covers every traveler. If you need an electronic visa, use the official e-visa.gov.uz portal. Ask your accommodation to confirm how your stay will be registered, and retain the registration records. For private stays or camping, check the registration procedure before arrival.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Currency & Money
The local currency is the Uzbek sum (UZS). Check the rate offered by your bank or exchange counter on the day, including any fees; a printed conversion quickly becomes outdated. Before setting out, check whether your accommodation and planned stops accept your card. Keep a practical reserve of local cash and a second way to pay. Confirm prices and the currency being quoted before agreeing to a purchase.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Getting Around
Use Uzbekistan Railways’ official ticket service at eticket.railway.uz to check routes, departure stations, journey times and available seats for your actual dates. Allow time for station transfers and boarding, and match passenger details to your travel document. Save tickets and your accommodation address before going offline. For a city taxi, check the pickup pin and quoted fare before confirming the journey. Transport schedules and fares belong in your final travel checks, not a fixed printed price list.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Communication
Compare a local SIM, eSIM and your home provider’s roaming terms before choosing. Check handset compatibility, identification requirements, package validity and the current price with the operator. Ucell offers a self-registration process for foreign visitors; follow its current instructions rather than relying on an old package price. Save accommodation addresses, tickets and a map for offline use, and test that essential messages can reach you before leaving the airport or service office.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Weather & When to Go
Uzbekistan has a continental climate with substantial seasonal and day-to-night temperature differences. Plan for the places and elevations on your route, then check the forecast close to departure. For hot days, leave room for shade, water and a slower middle of the day. For winter or mountain visits, check road and weather conditions before setting out. A city forecast is not a mountain forecast; pack layers when your itinerary crosses different regions.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Health & Safety
Read your own government’s current Uzbekistan travel advice and discuss your route and health needs with a qualified travel-health professional before departure. Check medication import rules, vaccination advice and insurance that covers your planned activities and medical evacuation. Save your insurer’s assistance contact offline. Heat, altitude and air quality can affect a trip differently by season and region; adjust plans to your needs. This guide does not assess individual medical needs or guarantee that a destination or clinic is safe.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Cultural Notes
Treat an active place of worship as a place of worship first. Check the entrance instructions, dress modestly, and ask where visitors may walk or take photographs. Ask permission before photographing people or their work, and respect a refusal. Opening arrangements may differ around religious holidays or services. A greeting and a little patience go a long way: salom means hello and rahmat means thank you.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Good to know
Shopping & Crafts
Ask who made a piece, which materials were used and how to care for it. Keep the receipt and obtain clear documentation for valuable purchases. Do not assume every craft or antique can leave the country freely: cultural-property export rules depend on the item, and some objects cannot be exported. Check the official customs guidance before buying an older or culturally significant piece, and allow time for any required permission. A seller’s assurance does not replace the official rules.
Read the source · Researched 2026-11-01 Confirm opening times and prices before travelling.
Make room for the people behind the places
Build a whole journey around Uzbekistan’s living traditions. Explore our Signature Tours, see what’s included, then ask us about dates and the right pace for you.
Tashkent · Samarkand · Bukhara
Crafted in Uzbekistan: A 7-Day Journey Into Living Traditions of the Silk Road
