Tashkent

Tashkent (in Uzbek Toshkent, "City of Stone") is with 2.9 million inhabitants the largest city in Central Asia — and the most underrated. Most travelers rush through on their way to Samarkand. A mistake. Tashkent deserves at least 2 days.

The city was 80% destroyed by a devastating earthquake in 1966 and rebuilt in Soviet style. The result is a city with hardly any historic old town, but with wide boulevards, monumental buildings, huge squares, and a metro that looks like an underground palace. Between the Soviet blocks hide oriental bazaars, ancient mosques, and mahallas (traditional residential quarters).

Tashkent is also the most modern city in Uzbekistan: here you will find the best restaurants, trendy cafés, craft beer bars, and a nightlife that Samarkand or Bukhara do not have. The city is changing rapidly — new venues and boutique hotels open every year.

Tashkent Metro — Underground Palaces

The Tashkent Metro (opened in 1977) is one of the most beautiful subways in the world — and until 2018, photography was strictly forbidden (security concerns from Soviet times). Today it is one of Uzbekistan's most photographed attractions. Each station has an individual theme: Cosmos (Kosmonavtlar Station), Cotton (Pakhtakor Station), Uzbek literature (Alisher Navoi Station). Particularly impressive: Alisher Navoi (blue tiles in Timurid style) and Kosmonavtlar (space theme with cosmic mosaics). A ride costs only 0.10€.

Chorsu Bazaar

The Chorsu Bazaar (also Eski Juva Bozor) is Tashkent's largest and oldest market — and a sensory firework. Under a massive green-blue dome and in the surrounding halls are piled: mountains of spices (cumin, saffron, dried dill), dried fruits and nuts, fresh flatbread in dozens of variations, meat, cheese, honey, and the most beautiful fruit pyramids you've ever seen. In the back area: shashlik stands, plov cauldrons, and samsa ovens. Plan at least 2 hours — and come hungry.

Khast-Imam Complex

The religious center of Tashkent: an ensemble of mosques, madrasas, and mausoleums around a well-kept square in the old town. The centerpiece is the library with the Quran of Caliph Uthman (7th century) — one of the oldest Quran copies in the world. The newly built Khast-Imam Mosque (Minor Mosque, 2014) impresses with white marble and delicate carvings. Entrance: 2€.

Amir Timur Square & Surroundings

The central square of Tashkent with the equestrian statue of Timur (Tamerlane) in the center. Surrounded by magnificent buildings: the Hotel Uzbekistan (pure Soviet brutalism), the Timur Museum, and the Legal Congress Palace. Beautifully illuminated at dusk.

Tashkent TV Tower & Japanese Garden

The Tashkent TV Tower (375 m) is the tallest structure in Central Asia. The observation deck offers a 360° view over the city to the Chimgan Mountains. Right next to it: the Japanese Garden, a surprisingly peaceful oasis with ponds, bridges, and cherry blossoms in spring. Tower entrance: 3€.

Tashkent is the culinary capital of Uzbekistan — here you will find the best restaurants, the most authentic bazaar kitchens, and a growing international food scene.

Where to eat?

• Chorsu Bazaar: Plov in the morning (the cauldrons are ready from 7 AM), shashlik and samsa at noon, fresh fruits and nuts in the afternoon. The cheapest and most authentic option.
• Central Asian Plov Center (Osh Markazi): The most famous plov restaurant in Uzbekistan. Huge kazan cauldrons where hundreds of kilograms of plov are prepared daily. Open only until noon (they close when the plov is gone). Portion: 1–2€. An absolute must.
• Besh Qozon: Five large cauldrons cooking five different plov variations simultaneously. Also legendary and more touristy than Osh Markazi.
• Afsona Restaurant: Upscale Uzbek cuisine in a beautiful setting. Good value for money, main course 5–10€.
• Café Scene: Tashkent has a burgeoning café culture: Bon!, Brew Bar, and Möbius serve excellent coffee and Western-style breakfast.

Street Food Must-Haves

• Samsa — Puff pastry pockets with lamb or potato from the tandoor. Hot, greasy, fantastic. 0.30–0.50€.
• Non — Fresh flatbread from the tandoor. Each region has its own variant. In Tashkent: round, sprinkled with onion seeds.
• Manti — Steamed dumplings (like large tortelloni) with lamb filling, served with sour cream.
• Shashlik (Shashlik) — Grilled meat skewers (lamb, beef, chicken). Best at the smoke grills next to the Chorsu Bazaar.

Arrival & Airport

The Islam Karimov International Airport (TAS) is only 12 km south of the center. Transfer: Yandex Go or MyTaxi via app (3–5€, 20–30 min). There is also an airport express bus (line 77, 0.15€). At night: Taxi only.

Transport in the City

• Metro: 3 lines, 29 stations, single ride 0.10€. Clean, punctual, and worth seeing. Ticket at the counter or with the UzCard.
• Yandex Go / MyTaxi: The standard taxi apps. Each ride in the city 1–3€. Never take a taxi without an app — otherwise, the price will be negotiated.
• Buses & Tram: Available, but confusing for tourists. Metro + taxi are sufficient.

Accommodation

• Budget: Art Hostel Tashkent, Topchan Hostel — clean, sociable, 8–12€/night.
• Mid-range: Hotel Navruz, Grand Mir Hotel — comfortable, central, 30–50€/double room.
• High-end: Hyatt Regency Tashkent, Hilton Tashkent City — international standard, 80–150€/double room.

Day Trips from Tashkent

• Chimgan Mountains: 80 km northeast. Hiking in summer, skiing in winter. Charvak Reservoir for swimming (Jun–Sep). By taxi or organized tour (15–25€).
• Beldersay: Cable car into the mountains with fantastic views. Ideal in autumn.