All of the best places to visit in Tashkent in a handy 3 day itinerary!
Uzbekistan is emerging as one of the most popular destinations in Central Asia. Its capital, Tashkent, is a vibrant city and likely to be where most tourists fly in and out of when visiting Uzbekistan.
Tashkent is also seeing a rise in international conferences being held in the region. When we were in Tashkent we met a few foreigners who were in Tashkent for a short time for business.
Whether you’ve come for work and have a few days to spare, or you are on a longer trip through Uzbekistan and wondering if spending a few days in Tashkent is worthwhile, this 3 day Tashkent itinerary is for you! Read on for all the best places to visit in Tashkent during your stay.
How many days should you spend in Tashkent?
Tashkent is an interesting city, but if you are visiting other cities in Uzbekistan it is unlikely to be your favourite. That being said, I had a great time in Tashkent and even returned there at the end of my time in Central Asia because I enjoyed it so much.
In terms of how many days in Tashkent, there is definitely enough to do in Tashkent to keep you busy for 2 full days. I think 3 days in Tashkent is the perfect amount of time because you will get to do a lot of the highlights of Tashkent as well as have time for a day trip outside of the city. This 3 day Tashkent itinerary will give you the best of both worlds.
Best places to visit in Tashkent: Day one
Visit the bustling Chorsu Bazaar
Chorsu Bazaar is the perfect introduction to Uzbekistan and one of the best places to visit in Tashkent. Characterised by its stunning blue dome, the market is one of the oldest and largest in Uzbekistan.
You can find everything here. The stalls surrounding the dome are filled with clothes, spices and traditional handicrafts. Come here when you realise all the clothes you packed are too hot to wear in Uzbekistan summer! You can buy light-weight cotton clothing at super low prices.
Inside the dome is the fresh food section. Walking through the butcher area with full horse carcusses and various animal organs on display can be rather confronting. If you make your way upstairs there is an enormous array of nuts and dried fruits for sale. The vendors will likely let you try the different varieties if you buy something at the end. The pistachios were amazing and so cheap!
Don’t miss the bakery section held in a huge shed to the side. Here you get a real glimpse into Uzbek culture and daily life, with their traditional non bread being central.
Explore Khast-Imam Square
From Chorsu Bazaar you can walk to Khast-Imam Square. This historic and religious center is home to several significant Islamic monuments and is one of the best places to visit in Tashkent.
Visit Hazrat Imam mosque and marvel at the intricately tiled minarets. Men and women need to dress modestly to enter. You cannot visit the mosque during prayer times but the security guard will alert you to this. If you arrive during prayer time, explore other parts of the square and return later.
Next, go to the Muyi Mubarak Library to see one of the oldest Qurans in the world. The Uthman Quran is believed to have been brought to Samarkand by Tamerlane. It was then taken by the Russians and eventually returned to Tashkent by Lenin.
Entry to see the Uthman Quran is 50,ooo som for foreigners which you can pay with cash or card. The museum contains lots of other old Qurans and is interesting to wander around for a bit. It is also air-conditioned!
Lunch time
For a local food experience, go to lunch at Qorasaroy Lagman down the road from the Khast-Imam Square. Lagman is a dish of fresh pulled noodles, meat and vegetables popular in Central Asian and Uyghur cuisines.
We stumbled across this restaurant and it ended up being the best lagman we had in Uzbekistan. It has a very local feel with only a few tourists around. It is definitely worth a visit when in Tashkent.
Visit Museum of Applied Arts
In the afternoon, head to the Museum of Applied Arts to learn about Uzbek artistry through the ages. The museum has displays of fine silks, traditional wood carvings and jewellery.
The Museum of Applied Arts is one of the most interesting places to visit in Tashkent because it offers an insight into Uzbekistan’s rich cultural heritage.
The museum itself is housed in a stunning historic building featuring intricate decorative details. There is an beautifully ornate courtyard with an ancient oak tree providing shade for the nearby cafe.
Enjoy a traditional Uzbek dinner
In the evening head out for a traditional Uzbek dinner. We enjoyed visiting Caravan restaurant. The food was great and there was a nice atmosphere with some local musicians performing.
If you’re interested in Uzbek food, read my guide for all the foods you have to try while in Uzbekistan.
Best places to visit in Tashkent: Day two
Visit the Hotel Uzbekistan
The Hotel Uzbekistan is one of the most iconic places to visit in Tashkent. This grand hotel overlooks Amir Timur Square and its Soviet-era architectute makes it hard to miss.
Opened in 1974, it has hosted numerous dignitaries and international guests and was considered a prestigious hotel in its time.
The hotel today is pretty dated, a far cry from its former glory. We decided to stay a night at Hotel Uzbekistan for the experience of it and were actually pleasantly surprised.
While in a lot of ways it felt like stepping back in time, Hotel Uzbekistan also had some really handy modern conveniences such as a SIM card shop on site. Super friendly staff, comfortable rooms and a perfect location teamed with the novelty of staying in such an iconic landmark made our stay more than worthwhile!
There is a bar inside on the 17th floor that is open to the public if you just one to pop in for a peek!
Visit the State Museum of the Temurids and Amir Timur Park
An interesting museum in a beautifully designed building, the State Museum of the Temurids tells the history of Uzbekistan during the reign of the Timurid dynasty.
Amir Timur or Tamerlane as he is more commonly known worldwide is revered as a hero in Uzbekistan. Although not a world class museum, The State Museum of the Temurids is an interesting place to visit in Tashkent to get a better understanding of one of the world’s greatest conquerers.
The museum is located in Amir Timur Square which is also home to the statue of Tamerlane. The park itself is green and lush making it a great place to wander around for a while before heading off for lunch.
Have lunch at the Plov Centre
Central Asian Pilaf Centre. The Plov Centre. Besh Qozon. A place of many names and one of the most important places to visit in Tashkent for anyone curious about the Uzbek local food culture.
Plov is a quintessential Uzbek dish made primarily of rice, meat, carrots, onions and a blend of spices. It is considered the national dish and holds significant cultural importance as its often served at weddings and other celebrations.
At the Plov Centre you can watch plov get made in huge cast iron kazans and cooked over a wood fire. You eat in a giant food hall decorated with Uzbek silks and tapestries. It’s a must do experience in Tashkent.
The Plov Centre is located a short walk from Shahriston metro station.
Tashkent TV tower
After lunch, head to the Tashkent TV tower viewing deck. This is the best place to visit in Tashkent to get a view of the entire city. The tower is 375 meters high is one of the tallest structures in Central Asia.
The tower’s unique design is one of the iconic views of Tashkent. There is also a revolving restaurant inside the tower, however it has mixed reviews. We opted to visit the Plov Centre nearby for lunch instead.
Tickets to access the observation deck are 50,000 som which you can pay cash or card. The TV tower observation deck is closed from 1-2pm for a lunch break.
Explore the Tashkent metro system
Tashkent metro system is a sight to behold. It truly is one of the most beautiful and artistically designed subway systems in the world. Each station has its own unique design reflecting themes of significance to Uzbek history and culture.
You will probably use the metro a little on the first day of this 3 days in Tashkent itinerary. An activity perfect for a hot day is to choose a metro line and hop on and hop off, checking out each station along the way.
The Tashkent metro is an easy and affordable way to navigate the city. Tickets cost 2,000 som per ride.
If you want to know more, read my guide to Tashkent Metro: The World’s Most Beautiful Metro System.
Spend the evening at the Night Lights Walking District
On summer evenings the streets of Tashkent come alive. The best place to visit in Tashkent after dark is the Night Lights Walking District on Sailgokh Street.
There is a great social vibe with families and groups of friends all out enjoying the reprieve from the day’s heat. There is every recreation activity you can think of; table tennis, jumping castles, fair games, archery, massage chairs and more.
It does feel a little like a carnival. It’s not something I would typically recommend to do as a tourist, but the sheer amount of local people out and enjoying themselves makes this feel worthwhile. It felt like an honest glimpse into the lives of the people of Tashkent.
Best places to visit in Tashkent: Day three
On day 3, visit one of the surrounding areas of Tashkent on a day trip. Here are some great day trip options.
Take a day trip to Samarkand
If you are only in Uzbekistan for a few days, take this opportunity to take a day trip to Samarkand. A beautifully preserved Silk Road city, Samarkand is a must-see when in Uzbekistan.
To visit Samarkand independently, take the Afrosiyob fast train from Tashkent train station. It takes just over 2 hours to arrive in Samarkand. You can check times and availability here.
When booking, be sure to select a bullet train. The regular train can take up to 5 hours for this journey.
Alternatively, you can take an organised day tour to Samarkand. Most tours will also take advantage of the high speed rail connection between Tashkent and Samarkand to maximise your time. With a tour you will have a local lunch provided, door to door transfers, entry to all of the major sites and an English speaking guide.
Check out this Tashkent to Samarkand day trip on Viator.
Take a day trip to Chimgan Mountains
Taking a day trip to the Chimgan Mountains is perfect for a hot day. Chimgan is a popular ski resort in winter but during the warmer months the snow gives way to some pretty epic mountain scenery.
If you are visiting Tashkent in summer, escaping the blistering heat with a day in the mountains might be just what you need.
Check out this Chimgan Mountains day trip here.
Where to stay in Tashkent
Budget – Our first time in Tashkent we stayed at Humo Family Home. It was spotlessly clean and located walking distance to a major shopping centre. The owner lives next door and is super friendly and helpful (and speaks perfect English).
Mid-range – The Hotel Uzbekistan is grand and imposing. If you’ve done any research on visiting Uzbekistan, you are sure to have come across pictures of this Uzbek icon. We decided to stay there for a few nights to check it out. While it certainly isn’t what it used to be, I do think it is worth staying there if you are interested in Soviet-era history. It could do with a bit of an update, but I think it was more than made up for by the touches of old-world charm like the grand piano serenade at breakfast.
High-end – The Mirzo Boutique Hotel is located a short walk from Chorsu Bazaar in a building reminiscent of an Uzbek palace. The perfect location and impeccable reviews, if this is in your budget it is the perfect place to stay in Tashkent.
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