Tashkent: Metro Stations, Mosques & Modern Uzbekistan
- May 19
- 4 min read
We began our Uzbekistan journey in Tashkent — a vibrant, modern capital that couldn’t have felt more different from the wild mountains of Kyrgyzstan we’d just left behind.
After a long overnight bus from Bishkek, we arrived in Tashkent tired, dusty, and with absolutely no accommodation booked. In true Central Asia style, we decided to just figure it out when we arrived — something that is surprisingly easy to do in this part of the world.
Our taxi driver dropped us in an area filled with hotels, and we looked around until we found the right room at the right price. It didn't take long, and we settled into the Moon Hotel in the Yakkasaray district, which turned out to be a great little base for exploring the city over the next couple of days.
We love travelling without booking everything in advance — it gives us the freedom to be spontaneous and stay somewhere longer if we fall in love with it. But if you are short on time or just prefer to organise accommodation ahead of time, you can browse hotels in the Yakkasaray area here.
First Impressions of Tashkent
Coming straight from Kyrgyzstan, our first impression of Tashkent was simple: wow, this city is modern.
Wide boulevards, shiny new buildings, immaculate parks, and enormous Soviet-style architecture gave the city a completely different feel from the rugged landscapes and smaller towns we’d become used to. Parts of Tashkent almost felt European, while others still carried that unmistakable Soviet character.
It’s a city of contrasts — modern glass buildings standing beside old mosques, traditional markets beside sleek shopping centres, and tree-lined streets somehow making the huge capital feel calm and spacious.
For us, Tashkent felt easy. Easy to navigate, easy to find great restaurants, and easy to enjoy with kids.
Exploring Tashkent by Metro
One of our highlights in Tashkent was the metro system.
Not only is it incredibly cheap — around 20 cents a ride — but each station feels like its own underground art gallery. The girls loved hopping on and off trains just to see the next station.
Some are grand and chandelier-filled, others covered in mosaics, marble, or futuristic designs. Every stop feels completely unique.
It quickly became our favourite way to explore the city. Even if you only spend a day in Tashkent, riding the metro is something you absolutely shouldn’t miss.
We of course didn't see them all but these are some of the most beautiful stations to look out for:
Kosmonavtlar Metro Station — famous for its space-themed blue interiors
Alisher Navoiy Metro Station — elegant arches and intricate detailing
Mustaqillik Maydoni Metro Station — bright, grand, and beautifully designed
What to See in Tashkent
Although we only had two nights in the city, we managed to fit in a little sightseeing between long lunches, metro rides, and wandering the streets.
Hazrati Imam Complex
One of the most beautiful places we visited in Tashkent. The complex is peaceful, spacious, and home to stunning mosques, courtyards, and Islamic architecture. It’s also where one of the world’s oldest Qurans is kept.
The contrast between the ancient buildings and the modern city skyline nearby perfectly sums up Tashkent itself.
Tashkent City Park
This modern development completely surprised us. Huge skyscrapers, fountains, walking paths, and modern restaurants gave the area a completely different feel from the historic parts of the city.
If you want to photograph Tashkent’s modern side, this is definitely the place.
Eating in Tashkent
One thing we quickly learned in Uzbekistan: the food is delicious and extremely affordable.
We love Turkish food and we absolutely loved dining at a Restaurant called Taksim.
Tashkent also has a surprisingly modern café culture, with stylish coffee shops and restaurants tucked between traditional eateries. There are loads of restaurants throughout the city and near parklands.
A couple of dishes worth trying while you’re there:
Plov — Uzbekistan’s famous rice dish
Samsa — flaky pastry filled with meat or vegetables
Is Tashkent Worth Visiting?
Definitely! Even if you only have a night or two, Tashkent is well worth adding to your Uzbekistan itinerary.
While many travellers rush through Tashkent on their way to cities like Samarkand or Bukhara, we actually really enjoyed our time here.
It’s clean, safe, affordable, and incredibly easy to travel around — especially as a family. The metro alone makes the city worth visiting, and the mix of Soviet history, Islamic architecture, and modern development gives Tashkent a personality that surprised us in the best possible way. The Yandex taxis are also incredibly cheap. It's worth downloading the Yandex App.
After the mountains of Kyrgyzstan, Tashkent felt like stepping into the future!
If you’re planning the same route, I’ve shared exactly how we booked our overnight bus from Bishkek to Tashkent.
Continue Exploring Uzbekistan
Hopefully these posts help inspire your own adventures through Central Asia — or simply give you a little glimpse into this beautiful part of the world.
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