Tashkent: what to see in 1–2 days
Tashkent: old town, museums and metro
Spend the morning among mosques and market stalls, ride a metro lined with mosaics and reach the capital’s modern squares by evening. Architecture, street life and the pace of the city change noticeably from one neighbourhood to the next.
For a first visit, choose a guided Tashkent city tour. If you already know the main sights, make time for a museum, a cooking class or a day in the mountains.
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Tashkent at a glance
The capital is a convenient starting point for a trip through Uzbekistan. Its main sights lie in different districts, so combine walking with metro rides and short drives.
Keep your arrival evening free: a walk and dinner make a relaxed start to the trip.
Where is Tashkent?
Uzbekistan’s north-eastern capital
Tashkent lies near the Kazakhstan border and the foothills of the Western Tian Shan. From the capital, continue your journey to Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
How long to stay
Allow one full day for the main city route and a second for museums and modern Tashkent. Add a separate day for Charvak or a mountain walk, returning to Tashkent in the evening.
Arriving at Tashkent Airport
Tashkent International Airport uses the code TAS. Reach your hotel by taxi, a hotel car or a pre-booked transfer; journey time depends on the address and traffic.
Meeting your driver
Provide your flight number, date, terminal, number of guests, luggage details and hotel address. Save the agreed meeting point and the driver’s number before flying.
A city visit during a layover
A city visit can work during a long connection if you are eligible to enter Uzbekistan. First allow time for border formalities on both journeys, luggage and the drive, then choose the length of your tour.
Four sides of Tashkent
Life in the mahalla
Look for carved gates, small bakeries and teahouses in the old town’s lanes. A walk with a local guide is a good way to get to know its residential neighbourhoods.
Breakfast by the bazaar
Start with freshly baked samsa and tea. At Chorsu’s bread stalls, you may see round loaves being lifted from the tandoor.
20th-century architecture
Mosaics, patterned concrete screens and distinctive public buildings reveal another side of Tashkent. This walk particularly suits anyone interested in photography and modernist architecture.
The city after sunset
Pedestrian streets and parks grow lively in the evening. In warm weather, finish the day with an outdoor meal or a walk beside the Anhor Canal.
What to see in Tashkent
Choose a few historic sights, a museum and a walk through the centre. Our suggested itinerary puts the stops in order for one or two days.
Old town and city centre
Centre of Islamic Civilization
This museum complex explores science, manuscripts and the region’s history. Its Quran Hall displays a manuscript traditionally associated with Caliph Uthman. Allow time for the exhibitions as well as a walk through the surrounding neighbourhoods.
Hazrati Imam complex
Mosques, madrasas and the Kaffal Shashi Mausoleum form this religious ensemble in the old town. Take a closer look at the portals, courtyards and carved wooden details of the iwans.
Chorsu, Kukeldash and Gulbazar
Market stalls and old-town streets surround Chorsu’s blue dome. Nearby Kukeldash Madrasa and pedestrian Gulbazar Street fit naturally into the same walk.
Squares and Sayilgoh
Independence Square, Amir Temur Square and pedestrian Sayilgoh Street introduce the capital’s central districts. Buildings from different periods and places to pause line the way.
Museums and modern Tashkent
Applied arts and the Navoi Theatre
Visit the Museum of Applied Arts for ceramics, embroidery, jewellery and richly decorated interiors. See the Alisher Navoi Theatre from outside or buy a separate ticket for an evening performance.
State Museum of the Temurids
The collection focuses on Amir Temur and his dynasty. A visit provides useful background before exploring the monuments of Samarkand and Shakhrisabz.
Tashkent Metro
Kosmonavtlar, Alisher Navoi and Pakhtakor stations stand out for their platforms and ceilings. Choose a few along your route and check interchanges on the Tashkent Metro map.
TV tower, Minor and Tashkent City
Visit the TV tower for city views, the white Minor Mosque for a walk by the Anhor, and Tashkent City for an evening out. Travel between them by car or taxi and check observation-deck access before setting off.
Contemporary art: CCA Tashkent
HIKMAH runs at CCA Tashkent from 6 September 2026 to 31 January 2027. Admission is free; advance registration is required.
Tashkent in one or two days
Day one: old town and centre
- Centre of Islamic Civilization — enter at your booked time.
- Hazrati Imam.
- Chorsu → Kukeldash → Gulbazar.
- Lunch along the route.
- A ride through several metro stations.
- Independence Square → Amir Temur Square → Sayilgoh.
Arrange the morning around your timed museum ticket. If no suitable slot is available, start at Hazrati Imam and visit the museum another day.
Day two: museums and city views
Morning: Museum of Applied Arts → exterior of the Navoi Theatre → State Museum of the Temurids. Choose one or two museums to suit your interests.
Afternoon: TV tower if open to visitors → Minor Mosque → an evening walk in Tashkent City. You will need a car or taxi between stops.
With only half a day, focus on either the old town or the centre. Plan trips outside Tashkent after the main city sights.
Map and getting around
Walking routes
Explore Chorsu and its neighbouring streets on foot. Set aside another walk for the central squares and Sayilgoh, choosing your route around available pedestrian crossings.
Travelling between districts
Save your stops on a map in advance. The metro avoids rush-hour traffic; a car is useful for the TV tower and more distant addresses. Keep your hotel’s full address as well as its name.
Before visiting museums and mosques
Weather and walking times
Spring and autumn suit longer walks. In summer, visit open squares in the morning or evening and use the hottest hours for a museum and lunch break.
Museum entry tickets
Entry to the Centre of Islamic Civilization is timed and restricted to visitors aged 6 and over. Arrive 15–20 minutes early: admission closes 30 minutes after your slot begins. Re-entry is not allowed; read the ticket conditions before purchasing.
Clothing and photography
Cover shoulders and knees in mosques and respect prayer times. Ask before photographing people and follow museum rules on flash photography.
Payments and connectivity
Carry some cash in Uzbek sums for the bazaar and small purchases. Save maps, your hotel address and contacts for offline use; check whether a small café or shop accepts cards before ordering.
Tour prices
Prices in US dollars, checked on 12 September 2026. City tours, cooking classes and countryside trips include different services.
Daytime city tour — per group
$135–259 for a group of 1–7 guests; $150 total for two. Includes a guide, transport, the main admission tickets and lunch as listed in the itinerary.
Evening tour — per person
$89 for one guest; $49 per person for two; $39 per person for 3–6 guests. Around 2.5 hours, with a guide and transport.
Uzbek cooking class
$30 per person for plov, lagman, dimlama or moshkichiri; $35 for kazan kebab. The meal you prepare is included; transfers cost extra.
Amirsoy and Charvak — per group
$80–252 for a group of 1–7 guests; $100 total for two. Includes a car and a cable-car ticket when the lift is operating. Meals and lakeside activities cost extra.
Find programmes and booking in the tours section. Ask for the Islamic Civilization Center visit and its ticket to be included in your booking. Confirm the final price and guide language before payment.
Where to stay in Tashkent
Amir Temur Square and Oybek
Convenient areas for a first visit, with metro stations, restaurants and central walking streets nearby. Check the distance from your chosen hotel to the station you need.
Pakhtakor, Alisher Navoi and Tashkent City
Good bases for business trips and evening walks. If quiet matters, ask where your room faces in relation to roads and event venues.
Chorsu and the old town
Guesthouses and small hotels near the old town suit early bazaar visits. You will usually need transport to reach the modern districts.
Near the airport or station
Staying near your departure point can help with an early flight or train. Check the exact terminal or station on your ticket before booking accommodation.
What to eat in Tashkent
Tashkent plov
Try Tashkent plov at lunchtime: specialist plov restaurants may sell out before evening. For a large party, reserve a table and portions in advance.
Samsa and non bread
Samsa comes with meat, pumpkin and other fillings. Fresh non bread is best still warm, served with soup or tea.
Lagman, manty and shashlik
Noodle soup, steamed dumplings and grilled meat make a hearty dinner. If you have dietary restrictions, ask about the broth, cooking fat and sauces as well.
Dried fruit, nuts and seasonal produce
In summer and autumn, try local melons, grapes and other seasonal fruit. Buy small portions to sample several varieties.
City transport and trains
Metro and taxis
The metro is useful between the old town and the centre. Give taxis the full destination address; for a car hired by the day, agree the duration and stops in advance.
Continuing through Uzbekistan
Check the station name on your ticket: Tashkent has more than one. Our guide to trains in Uzbekistan helps with planning. Organised options include a day trip to Samarkand, Samarkand with an overnight stay, two days in Bukhara and two days in the Fergana Valley.
Hyundai Rotem trains have served the Tashkent–Khiva route since 5 May 2026. Check the date, station and seat availability when booking; use the departure time printed on your ticket.
Transfers to the border
Tashkent to Kazakhstan
For travel towards Shymkent, compare the Zangiota / Kaplanbek and Yallama / B. Konysbayeva crossings. Use Gisht-Kuprik / Zhibek Zholy only after confirming that it is operating, as reconstruction dates may change. See the Uzbekistan–Kazakhstan border crossings.
Tashkent to Khujand
The usual route to Khujand is via Oybek / Fotekhobod. Before departure, confirm entry and return documents, your pick-up and the meeting on the other side. Crossing queues can affect the total journey time.
Souvenirs from Tashkent
Shopping at Chorsu
Spices, dried fruit and nuts make useful gifts. Compare weight, quality and price, and ask for sealed packaging for the journey.
Workshops and shops
Choose ceramics, suzani embroidery, textiles and woodcarving by their materials and how they are made. Before buying a fragile item, check whether it will fit in your hand luggage.
Before buying antiques, check the export rules for souvenirs and cultural objects and any documents required.
Day trips from Tashkent
Charvak and Amirsoy
Allow a full day by car for reservoir views and a cable-car ride. The Amirsoy and Charvak tour introduces the mountains without a long hike. Swimming and boating depend on the season and the recreation area you choose.
Chimgan and Ugam-Chatkal Park
Set aside a separate day for mountain trails. Choose a route’s length and difficulty with a guide and check access beforehand. The national park and Chatkal Nature Reserve have different visiting rules; read about Uzbekistan’s natural parks and reserves.
Parkent’s Big Solar Furnace
Visit for the mirror installations and the story of solar energy research. Allow half a day by car, or a full day with extra stops. This is a working research facility, so arrange your visit and access in advance.
Zangiata complex
The mausoleums of Zangiata and Ambar Bibi offer an introduction to the Tashkent oasis’s pilgrimage sites. Usually allow half a day including transport, taking prayer times and the complex’s visiting rules into account.
Tashkent tours and activities
Choose how to spend your free time: exploring the capital, seeing it after dark, cooking local food or heading into nature.
Full-day city tour
A good choice for a first visit or a private party wanting an organised route across the capital’s different districts.
An evening with a guide
Fits after a day of business meetings or into a free evening. The route combines short stops with scenic drives through the city.
Cook an Uzbek dish
Prepare your chosen dish with a cook, then enjoy the result. Tell us which dish interests you and any dietary requirements when booking.
A day in the mountains
A change of scene after exploring the capital. The programme combines mountain views with time by the reservoir.
Traveller reviews
Our guests’ experiences
Travellers describe their guides, transport and trip arrangements. Their reviews can help you decide whether our approach suits you.
A tailored itinerary
If you have only a few hours, love modernist architecture or prefer a slower pace, send us your dates and interests. We will choose stops that fit your time.
Travel with CAJ.UZ
A tour operator in Tashkent
Central Asia Journeys has operated since 1996. Licence T-0292-14 and registration certificate No. 000346-07 are published on the company page.
From arrival to departure
We help coordinate your city day, train travel, countryside trips and hotel. Once services are agreed, you receive your itinerary and travel contacts. Read our booking conditions and cancellation policy in advance.
Explore more of Uzbekistan
An eight-day group journey
Visit Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva on published departure dates. Suitable for travellers who would like to join a group.
Five days in a small group
Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara in less than a week. Check the programme’s calendar for a suitable departure.
An eight-day private journey
Four historic cities with organised sightseeing and transport. Travel with your own party on agreed dates.
Nine days including Shakhrisabz
A longer journey through Khiva, Bukhara, Shakhrisabz and Samarkand, for travellers with time to add another historic city.
Tashkent travel questions
What can I do in Tashkent on a rainy day?
Visit the Museum of Applied Arts, the State Museum of the Temurids or several metro stations. Check museum entry and ticket availability for your visit date.
Can I take a suitcase into a museum?
Large-luggage storage rules vary by museum. It is easier to leave your suitcase at the hotel and carry a small day bag.
Where can I leave luggage before check-in?
Ask your hotel whether it can store your bags until the room is ready. If you need the room earlier, arrange early check-in separately.
Do I need a separate metro tour?
A brief metro visit can be part of a city route. To study the architecture across several lines, set aside a separate part of the day.
Can I combine a theatre visit with an evening tour?
Choose your performance and check its finishing time first. Then agree a tour start that leaves enough time to travel between the two.
Is the walk suitable for a pushchair?
It depends on the stops. Steps, underpasses and uneven surfaces need advance planning; tell us your child’s age and pushchair size when booking.
What should I visit if I am interested in the history of science?
Combine the Centre of Islamic Civilization with a separate trip to the Big Solar Furnace. They are in different locations and need different amounts of visiting time.
Can I book a car without a guide?
Yes. Request transport separately and list your stops. Guiding and admission tickets are included only if specifically booked.
Can the order of visits change?
Yes, where timed tickets and the programme’s duration allow. Tell us your essential stops before the tour is confirmed.
How can I continue towards the Aral Sea?
After the main cities, add Nukus and the Aral Sea region. Allow extra days for travel and excursions into the surrounding landscapes.
