Tashkent in 2–3 Days: The City, Bazaars and a Trip to the Mountains
An extended plan for the capital with one day in Chimgan or at Charvak. How to divide the old town, museums, the modern centre and a mountain excursion.
Two or three days in Tashkent let you see the city unhurriedly and get out into nature. The capital of Uzbekistan holds old mahallas, bazaars, museums, modern quarters and nearby mountains. Here is a plan you can adjust to your interests.
How to divide the days
| Day | Focus |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | The old town: Khast-Imam, Chorsu, Kukeldash |
| Day 2 | The centre, museums, modern Tashkent and nightlife |
| Day 3 | A mountain excursion: Charvak, Chimgan or Parkent |
If you only have two days, merge days 2 and 3: the morning in the city, the afternoon in the mountains.
Day 1: the old town
Morning: Khast-Imam and Kukeldash
Start with the historic centre. The Khast-Imam complex includes a mosque, the Barak-Khan Madrasa and a library of ancient manuscripts. Nearby is the Kukeldash Madrasa, one of the largest monuments of the old town. Allow about three hours for both.
Midday: Chorsu Bazaar
Walk through the capital's main bazaar. There are rows of spices, dried fruit, meat, bread and dairy. Try flatbread and sweets, and buy dried fruit for the road. Read more about navigating the market in our article on Chorsu.
Afternoon
After lunch stroll through the mahallas of the old town: narrow lanes, courtyards, workshops. It is the best chance to feel everyday life.
Evening
Dinner at a teahouse: plov, lagman, samsa. Try Tashkent plov, which is cooked a little differently from other cities.
Day 2: the centre and modern Tashkent
Morning: squares and museums
Walk through Amir Timur Square and Independence Square. Look into one of the museums: the Museum of Applied Arts, the Museum of the History of the Timurids or the State Museum of the History of Uzbekistan. They show the country's rich past. Check opening hours in advance.
The metro
The Tashkent metro is famed for the decoration of its stations. Ride a few stops to see the decor. It is inexpensive and convenient.
Evening: Tashkent City and pedestrian streets
Stroll through the modern Tashkent City district with its park and fountains. The centre also has a pedestrian street with cafes and souvenir shops where locals walk. It suits dinner and an evening stroll.
Day 3: a mountain excursion
A trip to the mountains is a great contrast to a city day. The mountains of the Western Tian Shan are not far from Tashkent, and you can get there in 1.5 to 3 hours.
Option 1: Charvak
The Charvak Reservoir is a popular leisure spot with turquoise water, mountain slopes and coolness. People come to relax, walk, take boat rides and eat shashlik by the water. The way from Tashkent runs through Chirchik and Gazalkent, and on the Tashkent — Chirchik page you can find trips to the first point. After that it is convenient to arrange the continuation of the trip with the driver.
Option 2: Chimgan
Chimgan is a mountain resort with a cable car, walking trails and views of the peaks. In summer it means coolness and greenery; in winter it is ski season. Chimgan is about 80 to 90 kilometres from Tashkent, and the drive takes about two hours, or more in traffic.
Option 3: Parkent
Parkent is a small town at the foot of the mountains with a market and crafts. It suits you if you want a calm trip without much mountain exertion. On the Tashkent — Parkent page drivers post trips. On the way you can stop at a teahouse.
Practical tips
- Clothing. It is cooler in the mountains than in the city, so bring a jacket even in summer. Comfortable shoes.
- Water and food. Bring water. In the mountains food prices may be higher.
- Timing. Leave early, before traffic and heat.
- Safety. Do not go into the water at the reservoir unnecessarily, and follow the rules on mountain trails.
- Weather. In winter and spring there can be snow and landslides in the mountains. Check the forecast before leaving.
Where to stay
In Tashkent it is best to choose lodging near the metro. Then it is easier to reach the sights. For mountain trips it is convenient to leave in the morning and come back by evening, so staying overnight in the mountains is not necessary.
What to eat
- Plov: at lunchtime.
- Lagman, manti, samsa: at teahouses.
- Shashlik: by the water and in the mountains.
- Fruit and dried fruit: at the bazaars.
Roughly, dinner at an average cafe is moderately priced, while tourist areas cost more.
How to organise the trips
For trips out of the city, shared rides are convenient: drivers post departure time and price, you book a seat in the Yo'ldosh app, drivers are verified, and the price is usually lower than a taxi. See all directions on the all routes page.
The takeaway
Two or three days in Tashkent let you see both the city and nature. The old centre shows history, the modern quarters show dynamism, and the mountains return you to quiet. Spread the load, leave early and keep time for tea and unhurried conversation.
Cover photo: Jamshid Nurkulov, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons.
