If you’re planning a trip to Uzbekistan, there’s a good chance you’re wondering whether Tashkent deserves a spot on your itinerary. While the ancient Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva steal most of the attention, Uzbekistan’s capital is often overlooked as little more than a transport hub.
After travelling through Uzbekistan on a group tour, I returned to Tashkent and spent more than a week there. What I expected to be a convenient place to catch a flight ended up becoming somewhere I genuinely enjoyed living for a while.
So, is Tashkent worth visiting? Here’s my honest take.
Quick Answer: Is Tashkent Worth Visiting?
Yes – if you have a week or more in Uzbekistan.
Tashkent isn’t the reason most people travel to Uzbekistan, and if you only have five days, I’d recommend prioritising the country’s incredible ancient cities instead. But if your itinerary allows for it, I think spending one or two days in Tashkent adds a completely different perspective to your trip.
Rather than grand Islamic architecture around every corner, you’ll find a modern, leafy capital with impressive Soviet architecture, one of the most beautiful metro systems I’ve ever used, welcoming locals and a fantastic food scene. After weeks of sightseeing, I loved slowing down here and simply enjoying everyday life.
Looking for ideas once you’ve decided to visit? Check out my guide to the best things to do in Tashkent.
| Tashkent at a Glance | |
|---|---|
| Worth visiting? | ✅ Yes, especially if you have 7+ days in Uzbekistan |
| Recommended stay | 1–2 days |
| Best for | Food lovers, city breaks, metro enthusiasts, solo travellers, anyone wanting a slower pace |
| Skip if… | You only have 4–5 days and want to focus purely on the Silk Road cities |
| My rating | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (A city I enjoyed far more than I expected) |
Why Tashkent Surprised Me
I’ll be honest – I didn’t really know what to expect before arriving in Tashkent.
Like many travellers, when I thought of Uzbekistan, I imagined turquoise domes, centuries-old madrasas and bustling Silk Road trading cities. Instead, I found a capital that felt surprisingly modern, incredibly clean and much greener than I’d imagined.
The city still carries a strong Soviet influence, from its broad boulevards and monumental buildings to its impressive metro stations, but it also feels youthful and lived-in. Riding the Tashkent Metro immediately reminded me of being in Moscow. While it’s on a smaller scale, many of the stations are beautifully decorated with chandeliers, marble and intricate designs, making the metro feel like an attraction in its own right rather than just a way to get around. Rather than feeling like a destination built around tourists, Tashkent feels like a city where people genuinely live their everyday lives.
Tashkent Isn’t the Highlight of Uzbekistan – And That’s Okay
This is probably my biggest takeaway.
If someone only had five days in Uzbekistan, I’d honestly tell them to head straight to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. Those cities are unforgettable and are, without question, the country’s biggest drawcards.
But that’s also exactly why I appreciated Tashkent.
After weeks of moving between historic cities, constantly sightseeing and ticking landmarks off my list, Tashkent gave me permission to slow down.
Instead of rushing between monuments, my days became much simpler. I’d walk to cafes, head to the gym, ride the metro across the city, meet friends for dinner and spend far too many evenings at FoodMall Tashkent trying different cuisines.
It felt less like I was sightseeing and more like I was simply enjoying being there.
Sometimes that’s exactly what you need in the middle (or at the end) of a longer trip.
The People Were One of My Favourite Parts
While the attractions were impressive, it’s actually the people I remember most.
The locals I met were incredibly kind and welcoming, and they’re a big part of why I look back on my time in Tashkent so fondly. For me, destinations are often shaped just as much by the people as the places themselves, and Tashkent is a perfect example of that.
There’s Still Plenty to See
Although I wouldn’t visit Tashkent purely for its attractions, there are still plenty of worthwhile sights to fill a day or two.
Some of my favourites included:
- Riding the stunning Tashkent Metro
- Exploring the Hazrati Imam Complex
- Visiting the Museum of Applied Arts
- Wandering through Chorsu Bazaar
- Exploring the Shayhantaur Memorial Complex
- Watching traditional silk carpets being made
- Visiting the iconic Hotel Uzbekistan
- Eating my way through FoodMall Tashkent
If you’re planning to spend a day or two in the city, I’ve put together a complete guide to the 10 Best Things to Do in Tashkent!
Who Should Visit Tashkent?
I think Tashkent is well worth visiting if you:
- Have at least a week in Uzbekistan
- Enjoy slower travel, spending time in cafes and restaurants
- Like experiencing cities beyond their tourist attractions
- Want to ride one of the world’s most beautiful metro systems
- Appreciate Soviet architecture and urban history
- Prefer balancing busy sightseeing with slower travel days
Who Could Skip It?
If your trip is short, this is where I’d make the trade-off.
With only four or five days in Uzbekistan, I’d skip Tashkent and spend that extra time exploring Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva instead. Those cities offer the iconic Silk Road architecture and history that make Uzbekistan such a special destination.
Tashkent is worth visiting – but I don’t think it’s worth sacrificing time in the ancient cities to do it.
Where I Stayed
After travelling through Uzbekistan, I returned to Tashkent and based myself at Hotel Manor, which I absolutely loved for a longer stay.
The surrounding neighbourhood felt comfortable and residential, making it easy to settle into a routine. There was quite a bit of construction happening on the street during my visit, but from everything I’ve seen since, the area appears to have developed even further.
If you’re planning to spend more than a night or two in the city, I’d happily stay there again.
(I’ll share more accommodation recommendations in my dedicated Where to Stay in Tashkent guide.)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need in Tashkent?
I recommend spending 1–2 days in Tashkent. That’s enough time to explore the city’s main attractions, ride the metro, visit Chorsu Bazaar and enjoy the local food scene without taking too much time away from Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva.
Is Tashkent walkable?
Parts of Tashkent are walkable, but the city is quite spread out. I found the metro to be the easiest and most enjoyable way to get around, and it’s worth riding even if you don’t need to – it really is an attraction in itself.
Is Tashkent safe for solo female travellers?
I felt very safe during my time in Tashkent as a solo female traveller. The city was clean, easy to navigate using the metro and I found the locals to be incredibly kind and welcoming. As with any major city, it’s still important to stay aware of your surroundings and take normal travel precautions.
What is Tashkent best known for?
Tashkent is best known as Uzbekistan’s modern capital, famous for its beautiful Soviet-era metro stations, broad tree-lined streets, vibrant bazaars, Islamic landmarks and its role as the country’s main transport hub.
Final Thoughts: Is Tashkent Worth Visiting?
Yes – but perhaps not for the reason you expect.
The ancient cities are why you travel to Uzbekistan. Tashkent is where you experience another side of the country.
It’s modern without feeling generic, green without feeling sprawling, and busy without ever feeling overwhelming. I loved wandering to cafes, catching the metro across the city, discovering new restaurants and settling into a routine after weeks of sightseeing.
Would I tell everyone to spend half their Uzbekistan itinerary here? Definitely not.
But if you have the time, I think one or two days in Tashkent adds balance to your trip and offers a glimpse into everyday life in modern Uzbekistan.
For me, that slower pace ended up being exactly what I didn’t realise I was looking for.
Alexx
Planning Your Trip to Tashkent?
- 🌆 10 Best Things to Do in Tashkent: A First-Timer’s Guide
- 🛏️ Find accommodation on Booking.com
- 🚆 Book your Uzbekistan train tickets
- 🚶 Browse Tashkent tours and day trips
- 🚕 Book an airport transfer
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend tours, hotels and services that I’ve personally used or genuinely believe will add value to your trip.
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