How To Spend 2 Days In Tashkent
Updated: Sep 16
Tashkent, the capital city of Uzbekistan, is a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet contemporary lifestyles. With a population of approximately 2.3 million people, it is the most populous city in Central Asia.
Tashkent boasts a rich history dating back thousands of years, with influences from various civilizations including Persian, Mogul, and Soviet. Though the city used to be an important hub on the historical Silk Road, stretching across Asia from China to the Mediterranean, now there are just a few ancient buildings left, due to the devastating earthquake of 1966.
Taskent is often neglected by tourists, who in most cases consider it as just a transit point before going to Bukhara or Samarkand. However, in my opinion, it's not fair: Tashkent is worth spending at least a couple of days, and I hope this post, where I'm sharing my recent experience from travelling to Uzbekistan, will persuade you of this.
So, how do you spend 2 days in Tashkent? What are the best things to do in this city?
Day 1:
Day 2:
Day 1:
You have just arrived in Tashkent and wondering how to spend the first day in the Uzbek capital. Here it is, your plan for the first day in Tashkent.
Visit Hast-Imom Square
Start your journey in Tashkent by exploring its historic heart - the ancient Hast-Imom Square. This square is home to several significant landmarks, including the Barak-Khan Madrasah, the Tillya Sheikh Mosque, and the Muyi Muborak Library, which houses the world's oldest Quran.
Barak-Khan Madrasah is a centuries-old Islamic school known for its stunning architecture, that was built in the 16th century, by Barak-Khan, the eldest son of the famous Uzbek ruler Ulugh Beg.
Adjacent to the Barak-Khan Madrasah is the Tillya Sheikh Mosque, a revered place of worship and pilgrimage for Muslims. The mosque also houses the Muyi Muborak Library, which contains one of the world's oldest Qurans, dating back to the 7th century.
Explore Chorsu Bazar
Another prominent spot to visit in Tashkent, which is relatively near Hast-Imom Square, is Chorsu Bazaar. "Chorsu" is a word from the Persian language, meaning "crossroads" or "four streams". The Bazaar is one of Central Asia's oldest and largest markets that served as a vital trading post along the ancient Silk Road, facilitating the exchange of goods and ideas between East and West for centuries.
You can find almost everything here: the market offers an extensive variety of products, including spices, meats, textiles, handicrafts, and souvenirs. One of the highlights of Chorsu Bazaar is its vibrant food section, where vendors sell an assortment of Uzbek delicacies and street food, fresh fruits, vegetables and traditional plates with oriental designs.
Try Traditional Uzbek Dish at the Central Asian Centre of Plov
The Plov Center in Tashkent, also called Besh Qozon, is the iconic place for those who would like to try plov - a traditional Uzbek dish - and learn, how it's made.
Generally, the standard ingredients for plov are rice, carrots and meat, then, everything is cooked together in huge pots - kazans. Look at the photos - the process is so impressive! Once you get your table and make your order, the waiter will bring you a generous portion of fresh plov directly from one of these kazans!
One little advice - try to come early, around 12, as the place gets super crowded during lunchtime. The quality of the plov is good, the portions are generous, and the bill is very modest: expect to pay around 30-40K Som (less than 3 Euro) for a portion of delicious plov.
Explore Magic City & Alisher Navoi Park
Magic City Park is the largest amusement park in Central Asia. The most remarkable landmark of the park is its fairytale castle (there is no historical significance, it's a Disnayland-style park and all the constructions there are modern), which has multiple shops and cafes. You can also find there the first laser cinema in Uzbekistan, bowling and gaming arcades, an amphitheatre for live shows, and an aquarium.
The streets of the park mimic the architectural styles of different European cities like Paris, Barcelona, London, and Berlin. The park comes alive with light and water fountain shows where music, jets of fountains, and laser animation are used to create magical evenings.
One of the least obvious attractions of this park is the toilet: I have never visited a public toilet like this!
While visiting the Magic City Park, do not miss a chance to explore also the nearby Alisher Navoi Park, which was named after the famous Persian-language poet Alisher Navoi. The park is one of the oldest and largest parks in Tashkent. It's a beautiful green oasis in the middle of the city, perfect for relaxation and leisure activities.
Day 2:
If you are lucky enough to spend another day in Tashkent, check out the list of additional places to visit in this beautiful city.
Visit Tashkent TV Tower
The Tashkent TV Tower is the key element of the communication infrastructure in Uzbekistan. Rising over 375 meters above the city, it offers visitors panoramic views of Tashkent from its observation deck.
Constructed in 1985, the Tashkent TV Tower has a rich history intertwined with Uzbekistan's journey towards independence and modernization. Originally built during the Soviet era, it has since become a symbol of national pride and technological advancement.
Explore the Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts in Tashkent is a fascinating place filled with incredible artworks that offer a glimpse into Uzbekistan's rich cultural history and its connections to global art movements. Situated in the heart of the city, this museum boasts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles, and artefacts spanning centuries of artistic expression.
The collection features works by renowned Uzbek artists like Ural Tansykbaev, Aybek Khalilov, and Abdulla Narzullaev, showcasing a variety of styles and themes that reflect the country's unique blend of Eastern and Western influences.
Relax in the Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden in Tashkent is an amazing green space inspired by traditional Japanese landscaping principles. Located within the city, it offers a peaceful retreat for those seeking relaxation and natural beauty.
The garden's design emphasizes simplicity, balance, and natural beauty, providing a serene escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Whether you're seeking a peaceful place to unwind, meditate, or simply enjoy the outdoors, the Japanese Garden offers a tranquil oasis in the heart of Tashkent.
I hope you found this post useful and that it has inspired you to visit Taskent: the Uzbek capital, which is often ignored by tourists. Tashkent, a city of contrasts, where ancient traditions meet contemporary lifestyles, is worth spending at least a couple of days here, as there are plenty of interesting things to do.
If you want to stay informed about my upcoming adventures, you can subscribe to my email list (use the button on the page) and follow me on Instagram.
Comments