Ultimate 2 Days in Tashkent Itinerary
Planning to spend 2 days in Tashkent? Uzbekistan’s capital may not get the same attention as Samarkand or Bukhara, but spend a couple of days here, and you’ll discover a completely different side of Uzbekistan.
The capital is very different from Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities. It’s an interesting mix of Soviet-era boulevards, green parks, busy bazaars, and the most stunning metro stations in Central Asia. It’s a city where ancient madrasas sit alongside modern shopping malls, and where daily life is far more visible and authentic than the Silk Road.
So whether you’re starting your trip here, finishing it before flying out, or stopping between cities, it’s worth spending at least two days in Tashkent to soak in its character. You can follow this exact Tashkent itinerary so you know what to do, where to go, and more!
Tashkent Itinerary in Short
- Day 1: Old Tashkent
- Khast Imam Complex
- Chorsu Bazaar
- Kukeldash Madrasa
- Tashkent Metro
- Tashkent City Park
- Day 2: Soviet & Modern Tashkent
- Amir Timur Square + Hotel Uzbekistan
- Independence Park
- Museum of Applied Arts
- Minor Mosque
- Tashkent TV Tower
- Besh Qozon Plov Centre
How to use this Tashkent itinerary: This itinerary covers almost all of the best things to do in Tashkent for first-timers. Activities are grouped together to minimise travelling, but feel free to swap around days and activities to suit your individual needs.
Tashkent Itinerary Map
Is Tashkent worth visiting?
Before visiting Uzbekistan, I wasn’t sure how much time Tashkent deserved (if any). Many travellers use the capital purely as a convenient entry point before heading straight to Samarkand, Bukhara or Khiva.
But after spending time here, I honestly think skipping Tashkent would be a massive mistake.
The city reveals a different side of Uzbekistan. Instead of ancient madrasas and historic trading centres, there are Soviet boulevards, beautiful metro stations, leafy parks, and buzzing markets
I can’t say that Tashkent has the same fairytale atmosphere of Samarkand or Khiva, but that’s part of what makes it interesting. It feels more real. It’s lived-in, less polished and more connected to modern Uzbekistan, which opens your eyes into everyday Uzbek life.
So, if you’re travelling Uzbekistan, I highly recommend visiting Tashkent. It’s a solid place to recover after a long journey, get your bearings and experience a side of Uzbekistan that many visitors miss.
How long to spend in Tashkent
In my opinion, two days in Tashkent is the sweet spot.
With one day here, you can hit the historic highlights and wander through the markets. But with two, you get time for museums, gardens, and a slower exploration of the city’s unique mix of old and new.
Even if you’re quickly passing through Tashkent, even a half-day is worth it to see Chorsu Bazaar and its stunning metro stations.
When to visit Tashkent
Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) are the best times to visit Tashkent, with pleasant weather for walking around.
Summer can be blazing hot (up to 40°C), while winters are chilly but often clear and manageable. If you’re traveling through Uzbekistan anyway, try to align Tashkent with a comfortable season since you’ll be walking and using public transport a lot.
Day 1: Discover Old Tashkent
Your first day is all about seeing Tashkent’s oldest elements. You’ll visit centuries-old Islamic landmarks, dive into the city’s biggest bazaar and finish the day exploring one of the world’s most beautiful metro systems before seeing the modern skyline come alive after dark.
Whether you’re arriving at the International Airport in Tashkent or crossing the border from Kazakhstan or Tajikistan, your first steps in Tashkent will be checking into your accommodation.
I arrived by train from Kazakhstan, meaning it was a short Yandex to my accommodation, followed by the search for an Uzbek SIM card. I got a SIM from Ucell, which are scattered around the city.
Morning: Khast Imam Complex (Hazrati Imam)
I think Khast Imam Complex is the perfect place to start exploring Tashkent with its collection of mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums.
It gives you a first glimpse of the Uzbekistan that most people imagine, with its blue domes, intricate tile-work and peaceful courtyards.
The highlight is the Muyi Mubarak Library, which houses the world’s oldest Quran.
How long to spend: Give yourself around 1.5-2 hours for Khast Imam Complex. The main buildings are close together, but it is worth taking your time to admire the architecture and details.
Afternoon: Chorsu Bazaar
Next, head to Chorsu Bazaar. It’s only a 15-minute walk from Khast Imam, making it an easy next stop.
This domed market sells everything from spices and nuts to clothes and kitchenware. It’s also the perfect place to grab a cheap local lunch – try fresh samsa or plov.
How long to spend: Give yourself at least one hour at Chorsu Bazaar. It’s tempting to rush through, but the fun comes from wandering between the different sections, watching local shoppers and sampling some of the food stalls. Plus the more you explore, the more you realise it’s actually much larger than you expect.
Whilst you’re in the area, take a look at Ko’kaldosh Mardrasasi and Joja Ahror Valiy Mosque, which are both a short walk away. This shouldn’t take more than 30 minutes.
The old circus is also within walking distance. Despite looking very run-down, I was surprised to find out they still run shows regularly! Some of it is impressive, but I don’t agree with the way they use animals, so I recommend you avoid it and observe from the outside.
Evening: Tashkent Metro + Tashkent City Park
Spend some time riding the Tashkent Metro, famous for its beautifully designed Soviet-era stations. Each one has its own theme, with chandeliers, mosaics, and marble columns.
How long to spend: You could spend an entire afternoon trying to visit every station, but for this itinerary, 45 minutes to 1 hour is enough to see some of the most impressive stops. The best part is that exploring the metro fits naturally into your journey around the city.
In the evening, I highly recommend visiting Tashkent City Park. This place comes alive at night, and feels completely surreal with quirky sculptures and dramatic light shows. This modern park feels worlds apart from the more-traditional Old Tashkent from earlier in the day!
There are a few food stalls around, so you can easily pick up dinner here.
How long to spend: Plan around 30-60 minutes here. It’s less about ticking off sights and more about enjoying the atmosphere, grabbing some food and seeing how locals spend their evenings.
If you have more time in the evening, it’s worth seeing if there are any tickets for ballet or opera at the Alisher Navoi Theatre.
Day 2: Soviet Tashkent & Modern Uzbekistan
Your second day in Tashkent explores the city that emerged after the 1966 earthquake. Wide boulevards, museums, parks and Soviet architecture dominate this side of the capital, offering a completely different perspective to yesterday.
Morning: Amir Timur Square + Qashgar Park
Start your day at the iconic Amir Timur Square, and see the equestrian statue of Timur set against the backdrop of modern Tashkent.
It’s located right beside the Hotel Uzbekistan – one of Tashkent’s most famous landmarks.
How long to spend: Exploring this area on foot, shouldn’t take you more than an hour. The square and hotel is quick to see, but the nearby parks, monuments and architecture make it worth slowing down.
From here, wander through Kashgar Park in the direction of Independence Square (Mustakillik Square).
You’ll wander down Broadway Street (Sailgokh Street), which is Tashkent’s major pedestrian avenue, full of art, cafés, and street vendors. It’s very easy to get sidetracked here!
Around Independence Square, there’s plenty more to see, including Mustakillik fountain, the Monument of Independence, and Ankhor Park, which is home to the Ilhaq Eternal Flame and Memorial Square.
How long to spend: Give yourself another hour to see this area, although it’s a nice place to relax if you want a break from sightseeing.
Afternoon: Museums + Minor Mosque
Once you’re done in this area, I recommend visiting a museum to avoid the afternoon heat.
Since the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan is currently closed, which usually provides helpful background ahead of any journeys to Samarkand or Bukhara.
I recommend a visit to the Museum of Applied Arts instead.
This museum is one of Tashkent’s hidden gems. Housed in a former diplomat’s mansion, it’s filled with intricate Uzbek embroidery, ceramics, and woodwork – a great introduction to traditional crafts.
How long to spend: Allow around 1-1.5 hours at the museum. It’s not massive, but the traditional Uzbek crafts and beautiful building make it one of the most worthwhile cultural stops in Tashkent.
The museum is a short walk from Kosmonavtlar Station, one of Tashkent’s most famous underground stations because its space-themed architecture.
From here, you can make your way over towards Minor Mosque – a striking modern mosque built in white marble.
How long to spend: You only need around 20-30 minutes at the mosque (if that). It’s more of a short stop to admire the architecture and peaceful surroundings rather before moving on to Tashkent TV Tower.
Evening: Tashkent TV Tower + Besh Qozon
End your visit with a trip up the Tashkent TV Tower, the tallest structure in Central Asia. From the observation deck, you’ll get sweeping views of the city and beyond. I recommend going just before sunset so you can see the city as day turns into night. You can buy tickets on arrival.
How long to spend: Allow around one hour for the TV Tower experience, including time to take photos, enjoy the views and wait for the sunset. I spent closer to two hours waiting for sunset.
After dark, you can visit to the Plov Centre (Besh Qozon) for dinner, which is conveniently located around the corner!
Here you’ll find massive bowls of plov and witness how it’s made! It’s one of the best and most interesting places to have Uzbekistan’s national dish.
How long to spend: Service is generally very quick (even with such vast numbers of people). 30-45 minutes is usually enough to enjoy a meal here. You can extend this if you want to see the huge pots of plov being prepared.
How to get around Tashkent
Despite being the capital of Uzbekistan, I was very surprised by the sheer size of Tashkent.
The city is spread out, so you probably won’t be walking everywhere, but between the metro and Yandex Go, getting around is both cheap and straightforward.
Metro (best option)
The Tashkent Metro is easily my favourite way to travel around the city. Not only is it fast and incredibly cheap, but many of the stations are attractions in their own right, with chandeliers, marble columns and elaborate Soviet-era designs.
Most of the major sights on this itinerary are either on the metro network or just a short walk from a station, making it the easiest way to explore.
Yandex Go
For places that aren’t on the metro, I highly recommend downloading Yandex Go before arriving.
It’s essentially Central Asia’s version of Uber, with reliable prices and no need to negotiate with drivers. I used it multiple times throughout my stay, including journeys to and from the train station, and never had any issues.
Most journeys around the city cost just a few pounds. And it’s even cheaper when you can split costs!
Walking
I’ve grouped many of the attractions in this Tashkent itinerary together, so that once you arrive in an area, it’s easy to explore on foot.
For example, Khast Imam, Chorsu Bazaar and several historic buildings can comfortably be visited within the same walk. Likewise, Amir Timur Square, Independence Square and several parks all connect nicely together.
This will help you maximise your time and minimise your spending!
Where to stay in Tashkent
Tashkent has accommodation to suit every budget, from modern hostels to luxury international hotels.
If you’re only spending a couple of days in the city, I’d recommend staying somewhere close to a metro station. It makes getting around much quicker and saves relying on taxis.
Here are my top recommendations:
- Topchan Hostel: One of the best-known backpacker hostels in Tashkent, with spacious dorms, a social atmosphere and helpful staff. It’s a great place to meet other travellers and can also help organise onward transport around Uzbekistan.
- ART ECO Hotel: The rooms are modern and comfortable, breakfast is great, and the location made it easy to reach both the metro and the city centre.
- Hyatt Regency Tashkent: If you’re looking to treat yourself, the Hyatt Regency is one of the city’s best luxury hotels. Expect spacious rooms, excellent restaurants, a spa, and one of the best locations in central Tashkent.
I stayed in Safarov’s Family Hostel (which has now sadly closed down).
Tashkent Travel Tips
- SIM Cards: There are a few providers in Uzbekistan (Ucell, Beeline, Uztelecom), most will have good coverage across the capital. Ucell and Beeline are the two most popular.
- Currency: Uzbekistan uses the Uzbek som (UZS). Card is accepted occasionally, but it’s much better to carry cash especially for smaller restaurants and markets.
- Language: Uzbek and Russian are the main languages. English is less common outside tourist areas.
What to eat in Tashkent
One of the best parts about visiting Tashkent is experiencing Uzbekistan’s food culture. The capital is a great place to try traditional dishes from across the country, whether you’re eating at a local restaurant, wandering through Chorsu Bazaar or joining the crowds at the famous Plov Centre.
If you’re not sure what to eat during your 2 days in Tashkent, here are a few things you simply can’t miss:
- Plov: The dish Uzbekistan is famous for. It’s made with rice, carrots, onions and meat, traditionally cooked slowly in a huge kazan (large cooking pot).
- Samsa: A popular Uzbek flakey pastry filled with meat, onions and spices, then baked in a traditional clay oven. You’ll find them everywhere in Tashkent and they’re super cheap!
- Lagman: A hearty noodle dish influenced by Central Asia’s Uyghur communities. It usually comes with hand-pulled noodles, meat, vegetables and a flavourful broth. I’ve seen both dry and wet versions.
- Non: The traditional round bread you’ll see everywhere across the country. Each region has its own style, but Tashkent’s version is particularly popular.
- Shashlik: Uzbekistan’s take on grilled skewers, usually made with lamb, beef or chicken cooked over charcoal. Potentially my favourite of all Uzbekistan’s food!
FAQs
Is 2 days in Tashkent enough?
Whilst, I think 2 days in Tashkent is a great amount of time to explore, there are still a few things you might miss.
Check out my full list of things to do in Tashkent here.
You could potentially squeeze a couple more activities into the two days in this Tashkent itinerary, but it might feel rushed.
- Tashkent Botanical Garden and the Museum of Victims of Political Repression are both near the TV Tower.
- Tashkentland and the Japanese Garden are also between Minor Mosque and Tashkent TV Tower.
Only have 1 day in Tashkent?
If you only have 1 day in Tashkent, here’s a short 1 day itinerary for you:
- Morning: Khast Imam + Chorsu Bazaar
- Afternoon: Metro tour + Amir Timur Square + Independence Square
- Evening: Tashkent TV Tower + Besh Qozon
Where to go after Tashkent
Tashkent is the perfect introduction to Central Asia, but in my opinion, the best is still to come.
The capital is very well connected (especially by high-speed rail), so you’ve got several options:
- Samarkand: This is the most popular option for those travelling through Uzbekistan. Just 2 hours on the Afrosiyob high-speed train.
- Bukhara: 4 hours by train, or overnight if you prefer.
- Ferghana Valley: Located east of Tashkent, this less-visited part of Uzbekistan is known for crafts and silk production.
- Kazakhstan: Tashkent is close to the border – Shymkent is just 2–3 hours away, where you can use as a base to visit Turkestan.
- Tajikistan: Hop across the border to Panjakent to explore the Fann Mountains, or head straight for the Pamir Highway for a rugged adventure!
Before you go
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