A first weekend in Tashkent: markets, mosques and the metro

Day one: Chorsu and the old city

Begin at Chorsu Bazaar. Step into the domed food hall, then explore the surrounding bread and produce rows. Ask before photographing people, agree quantities and prices before buying, and keep your bag close in the busy passages.

We recommend freshly baked non or samsa from the bazaar’s food area for a simple meal stop. Choose a busy counter where you can see food being prepared, ask about fillings and leave room for a seated break. Kukeldash Madrasa is another nearby architectural stop if you want a little more before moving on.

Mobile data for your trip. Check what your current plan includes for roaming. If you need another option for maps, messages and booking details, compare NXTL eSIM coverage and rates. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked, and check coverage for every stop. Download important maps and confirmations for offline use too.

Day one afternoon: Hazrati Imam, with a choice

Make a separate walk or short transfer to Hazrati Imam. Look across the square towards the mosque and Barak-Khan Madrasa; take time over the patterned portals rather than trying to enter every building. Dress for a working religious area and follow local access instructions.

If manuscripts are a priority, give the [Islamic Civilization Center](https://iccu.uz/en) its own visit and admission. It opened in March 2026 and displays the Uthman Quran. Older descriptions place the original in the neighbouring library museum, so do not buy an old-complex visit expecting the same display. Choose the courtyards alone if you are tired.

Day two: Amir Temur Square and the Timurids Museum

Start at Amir Temur Square. Compare the equestrian monument with the patterned facade of Hotel Uzbekistan from public space, then visit the separately ticketed Timurids Museum for its models, painted historical scenes and decorated central hall.

Use the metro for the next move, paying for the ride before entering. Alisher Navoi and Kosmonavtlar offer very different station decoration; choose a route in your planner rather than riding at random. Stay clear of the platform edge and passenger flow, and follow staff instructions about photography.

Day two lunch and a shorter afternoon

For a plov-focused lunch, make a deliberate transfer to Besh Qozon by the TV Tower. We recommend it for seeing plov prepared in large cauldrons as well as eating it. Check the menu, ask about meat and optional toppings, and leave space for a substantial rice dish.

Minor Mosque is an optional second stop in this northern part of the city, reached with a separate transfer rather than an assumed short stroll from the restaurant. If rain or heat makes that unappealing, choose the Museum of Applied Arts instead and look for textiles and ceramics. You do not need both to finish the weekend.

Choose an independent or guided first day

The two-day plan works with a combination of walking, metro journeys and separate transfers. A guided introduction is useful if you would prefer help with the bazaar and the city’s different historical layers; it replaces part of the plan rather than fitting on top of it.

Carry drinking water, comfortable shoes and mosque-appropriate coverage. In winter add a warm coat; in summer shorten the open-square stops and move longer walks to the cooler part of the day.

For a guided alternative, Compare the Tashkent walking and food tour options. Choose the classic walking route for sightseeing or the metro, tastings and bread-making option for food; the classic walk does not include a meal. The listing is in English and has a separate private-car option. Check the selected option’s meeting point, age and mobility restrictions, dietary arrangements, transport and admissions. Its old Quran-museum wording needs clarification with the provider: do not assume the new Islamic Civilization Center is included. Check your actual date and language before booking.