Tashkent – quick travel guide

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Main capital and boring “big city” of Uzbekistan. Usually a stopping point for the more touristy cities like Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva.

Despite it being a big city, Tashkent is still quite cheap by western standards. Go here to rest or if you need big city comforts. It’s not packed with all the touristy things and culture like the other Silk Road cities (Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva) but it’s the best one if you had to live or stay longer in Uzbekistan.

2 days is probably too long and should be spent elsewhere as much as you can. That’s what most people would say. Because there’s very little tourist-wise in Tashkent.

Where to stay:

  • Mustakillik maydoni – if you want to stay around the most central place with many things and people walking around. I’d say it’s here (and stretching towards to around Amir Temur Square). But really, you could stay anywhere and just get a cheap Yandex taxi.

Hostels:

  • Safarov’s Family Hostel – widely regarded as the #1 backpacker hostel. Nice and friendly staff with great English. Located far from city center, though. But also too…it seems Tashkent is a big town where you’ll need to use transportation anyway. As it seems, many people here are foreigners who own a business in Tashkent. And co-living here to meet people. Everybody hangs out here like a big friendly family. It’s a mid-size hostel but feels nice and friendly, and still cozy despite its size.
  • Telman – other well-rated hostel. Also has private hotel rooms as well. I didn’t stay here so I wouldn’t know.

Neighborhoods & Walking areas:

  • Only real walking areas for me was around the Amir Temur Square (more so Kashgar Park).
  • The other walk-around and see people type of place is probably Magic City.

Activities to do:

  • Metro stations – Tashkent is known for having absolutely beautiful metro stations. Tour through the 3 subway lines, and get off at the ones that look interesting. Or find a recommended list online. Cost
  • Parks, gardens, green spaces
    • Amir Temur Park/Square – historically important square with the statue of Uzbekistan’s hero. Nice to relax or walk around here, close to many restaurants and things.
  • Arts & museums –
    • State Museum – nice to see, conveniently located by Amir Temur square. Beautiful building architecture inside, artwork, and historic items. Only costs $2 and takes about 45 minutes.
    • Museum of Applied Arts – super beautiful artwork and their history. Also only $2 and takes 45 minutes.
  • Magic City Park – it’s like a Disneyland of Tashkent, but free to enter and has rides and stores and shops, restaurants, etc. Some people love it and say it’s beautiful and fun for kids and adults, a must-see in Tashkent. Others say it’s a cheap, bad copy of Disneyland, too commercial, soulless westernization (lacking authentic local culture), boring, and ugly.
  • Buildings & architecture –
    • Check out mosques
      • Hazrati Imam Mosque comes to mind.
    • The state museum – easy place to see within 45 mins. Then you can go across the street and look at the Amir Temur statue in the park.
    • Palace of International Forums
  • Sunset views –
  • TripAdvisor list & WanderingWheatleys

Basically…the most important things are to see the pretty metro stations, visit the state museum, the Amir Temur statue in the park, and perhaps a mosque. The most unique one? Probably the metro stations. If you only got time for one thing, I’d do that. If you have more time, then you can see more museums and things.

Restaurants & Cafes:

Bars & Clubs:

  • Steam Bar – nice chill bar restaurant. Nice for drinks, food, music, friends and family. Good trendy spot with both foreigners and locals coming together. Outside seating area is more chill and talking. Inside area is more like a bar with a dance floor. The vibe is relaxed but it’s a nice place and prices are definitely above average.
  • Bla Bla Bar – posh upscale bar/club vibe. Overpriced and seems to be racist towards Indians. You can decide if this is for you or not. But largely considered one of the best clubs since most things close early.
  • One More – heard this was a fun bar/club from a hostel guy, but online reviews say be careful of rude bouncers and getting charged extra money. Seems sketchy for both foreigners AND locals.
  • Maqom Bar – fancy upscale bar with live music?
  • ChillOut – jazz bar?

Miscellaneous tips:

  • General travel tips for Uzbekistan.
  • Tap water – here is not drinkable.
  • Metro – price is incredibly cheap. About $0.12 for each trip (including unlimited transfers) until you pass through a station exit. Also a recommended tourist activity since it has such beautiful metro stations.
  • Taxi – super cheap. About $1 takes you anywhere you want to go. I got from airport to my place for $2 via Yandex.
  • Rideshare – Yandex (Russian) and MyTaxi (Uzbek) are the main apps here.
  • Traffic – lots of street traffic and road rage. Keep this in mind when you need to be somewhere on time, like the train or bus station.
  • Tashkent meaning – it means “stone city”. Tosh meaning stone, kent meaning city.

Nearby towns:

  • Samarkand** (2hr train, 4hr bus) – yes, go here! It’s the main tourist destination in Uzbekistan. If you didn’t buy the train tickets ahead of time (like 1 month ahead), then you can just book last minute bus ticket. Can by online for guaranteed times, or go to the station and get whatever’s available. There are many buses going same day, like every 30min.

Unfiltered notes:

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