If you’re planning a trip to Uzbekistan, there’s a good chance Tashkent will be your first stop. While many travellers head straight to the country’s famous Silk Road cities, Uzbekistan’s capital is worth spending a day or two exploring before continuing your journey.
From one of the world’s most beautiful metro systems to bustling bazaars, Soviet architecture and fantastic food, here’s my guide to the best things to do in Tashkent.
Still deciding whether to visit? Read my guide on Is Tashkent Worth Visiting? where I share my honest thoughts after spending more than a week in the city.
Quick Answer: Best Things to Do in Tashkent
If you’re short on time, these are the attractions I wouldn’t miss.
| Attraction | Time Needed | My Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Ride the Tashkent Metro | 1–2 hours | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Visit Hazrati Imam Complex | 1 hour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Explore Chorsu Bazaar | 1–2 hours | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Museum of Applied Arts | 1 hour | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Wander Shayhantaur Memorial Complex | 30–60 mins | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Eat at FoodMall Tashkent | 1–2 hours | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Visit Hotel Uzbekistan | 30 mins | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Wander Around Mustaqillik (Independence) Square | 30 mins | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Admire Tashkent’s Soviet architecture | Flexible | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Relax at a local café | Flexible | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
Recommended time in Tashkent: 1–2 days
Looking for somewhere to stay? Browse the latest hotels in Tashkent on Booking.com
1. Ride the Tashkent Metro
If you only do one thing in Tashkent, make it this.
The Tashkent Metro is unlike any other I’ve travelled on. Built during the Soviet era, many of the stations feature marble walls, chandeliers and intricate decorative details, making them feel more like museums than train stations.
Having visited Moscow, the metro immediately reminded me of being there. While not quite as grand, it has the same feeling of travelling through beautiful underground palaces rather than simply catching a train.
Even if you don’t need the metro to get around, it’s worth hopping on and visiting a few different stations just to admire the architecture.
2. Visit Hazrati Imam Complex
One of Tashkent’s most important religious landmarks, Hazrati Imam Complex offers a fascinating glimpse into Uzbekistan’s Islamic history.
The peaceful complex is home to beautiful mosques, madrasas and libraries, making it a lovely place to slow down and admire the architecture before continuing your day.
Allow around an hour to explore.
3. Explore Chorsu Bazaar
If you enjoy experiencing local life, Chorsu Bazaar is a must.
Beneath its distinctive blue dome, you’ll find fresh fruit, fragrant spices, traditional breads, dried fruits, nuts and local produce alongside clothing and household goods.
It’s busy, colourful and one of the best places to experience everyday life in Tashkent.
4. Visit the Museum of Applied Arts
This was one of my favourite museums in Tashkent.
Housed inside a beautifully decorated former residence, the museum showcases traditional Uzbek craftsmanship, including ceramics, embroidery, wood carving and textiles.
Even if you don’t normally visit museums, the building itself is worth seeing.
5. Wander Through Shayhantaur Memorial Complex
Less visited than Hazrati Imam, the Shayhantaur Memorial Complex offers another fascinating insight into Tashkent’s history.
The peaceful grounds make for a nice break from the busier parts of the city and are well worth adding to your walking route.
6. Have Dinner at FoodMall Tashkent
If I could recommend one place to eat in Tashkent, it would be FoodMall.
I ended up coming back multiple times during my stay because it was such an easy option. Whether you’re travelling solo or with friends, there’s an enormous range of cuisines to choose from, making it perfect if everyone feels like something different.
It also has a fun, lively atmosphere and quickly became one of my favourite places to spend an evening.
7. Visit the Iconic Hotel Uzbekistan
One of the city’s most recognisable Soviet-era landmarks, Hotel Uzbekistan has become something of an icon.
Even if you’re not staying there, it’s worth stopping by to admire the unique architecture and head upstairs for views across the surrounding city.
8. Wander Around Mustaqillik (Independence) Square
Mustaqillik Square is one of Tashkent’s most significant public spaces and a great place to get a feel for the city’s scale. Once known as Lenin Square during the Soviet era, it’s now a symbol of Uzbekistan’s independence and is surrounded by government buildings, fountains and landscaped gardens.
Even if you only spend 20–30 minutes here, it’s worth including on your walking route between some of Tashkent’s other attractions.
9. Admire the Soviet Architecture
One of the things that surprised me most about Tashkent was just how strongly its Soviet history is reflected throughout the city.
Wide boulevards, monumental government buildings, impressive metro stations and distinctive architecture give Tashkent a completely different feel from Uzbekistan’s ancient Silk Road cities.
Simply wandering the streets and taking it all in is one of the best ways to appreciate this side of the capital.
10. Spend an Afternoon at a Local Café
One of my favourite things about Tashkent wasn’t a tourist attraction at all.
After weeks of travelling through Uzbekistan, I loved slowing down, walking to cafés, enjoying a good coffee and settling into the rhythm of everyday life.
Tashkent has a growing café culture, making it a great place to relax between sightseeing or catch up on a bit of travel planning before continuing your journey.
Suggested One-Day Tashkent Itinerary
If you’re only in Tashkent for one day, this is the route I’d recommend:
Morning
- Ride the Tashkent Metro
- Visit Hazrati Imam Complex
Lunch
- Explore Chorsu Bazaar
Afternoon
- Museum of Applied Arts
- Walk through Shayhantaur Memorial Complex
Evening
- Dinner at FoodMall Tashkent
How Many Days Do You Need in Tashkent?
I recommend spending 1–2 days in Tashkent.
One day is enough to see the city’s major attractions, while two days allows you to slow down, enjoy the cafes and restaurants, and experience a more relaxed side of Uzbekistan’s capital.
If you only have a few days in Uzbekistan, I’d prioritise Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva. But if your itinerary allows, Tashkent offers a refreshing contrast to the country’s famous Silk Road cities.
Final Thoughts
Tashkent may not have the instantly recognisable landmarks of Samarkand or Bukhara, but that’s not what makes it special.
Between its beautiful metro, fascinating blend of Soviet and Islamic history, welcoming atmosphere and fantastic food scene, it’s a city that’s well worth slowing down to enjoy.
Whether you’re spending a single day before catching the train south or using it as a base for a longer stay like I did, Tashkent offers a side of Uzbekistan that many travellers are pleasantly surprised by.
Alexx
Planning Your Trip to Tashkent?
- 🛏️ Where to Stay in Tashkent: Best Areas & Hotels for Every Budget
- 🚆 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.
Alex's Adventures 