Holiday in Tashkent

What makes Tashkent special as a destination?

Tashkent is the largest city in Central Asia and the gateway to the Silk Road — a 2-million metropolis that was almost completely rebuilt after the devastating earthquake of 1966, offering a unique blend of Soviet monumental architecture, Islamic tradition, and modern beginnings. The historic Old City in the Chorsu district preserves what the earthquake spared: the 16th-century Kukeldash Medressa, the Kaffal-Shashi mausoleums, and the Chorsu Bazaar — a huge domed market where spices, bread, dried fruits, and silk fabrics have been traded for centuries. The bazaar is the most authentic experience of Tashkent: mountains of yellow saffron, pyramids of nuts, freshly baked Obi-Non (round bread), and bargaining in Uzbek. The Soviet side is reflected in the Tashkent Metro — an underground system whose stations are considered "underground palaces": marble columns, mosaics, chandeliers, and thematic artworks make each station a museum. Amir Timur Square in the center, with the equestrian statue of Timur Leng, marks the transition: Soviet grandeur alongside the modern Tashkent City complex with skyscrapers. Uzbekistan has dramatically opened up for tourism since 2017: visa-free entry for Germans, renewed infrastructure, and hospitality that is among the warmest in Asia. Tashkent is the ideal starting point for the legendary Silk Road route through Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.