Tashkent is a city where the ancient meets the modern. You can wander through the narrow streets of the Old Town, admire 1980s modernist architecture, explore art spaces, and try a samosa near the Minor Mosque. Here’s a guide to the most atmospheric places in the capital for those who want to experience the real Tashkent.
House-Museum of Ural Tansykbaev
The home where one of Uzbekistan’s most famous painters lived and created his works. The artist’s studio, interiors, and garden have been preserved — a space that still breathes the spirit of the 1970s and true creativity.
Art Gallery of Uzbekistan
The country’s main art gallery combines classical and contemporary art. Exhibitions, lectures, and artist talks take place here — the perfect spot to see what’s shaping Tashkent’s cultural scene.
Xamar Gallery
A gallery of traditional decorative and applied arts and crafts. Ceramics, miniatures, wood carvings, textiles, and clay lamps — all handmade by local artisans with deep love for tradition.
Zhemchug House
A residential building from the late 1980s and a symbol of Tashkent modernism. Concrete galleries, carved balconies, cats, and graffiti create a special city atmosphere where architecture becomes art.
Yangiabad Bazaar
An authentic Tashkent flea market where you can find antiques, books, vinyl records, and rare items. The morning bustle, bargaining, smell of tea, and dust — all part of old Tashkent’s charm.
CCA Tashkent — Center for Contemporary Art
A modern art space located in a former Electric Museum building. Exhibitions, performances, and art residencies make it a hub of new ideas and contemporary voices in Tashkent.
Ugolok Café
A cozy, truly Tashkent-style café. No flashy signs or trendy décor — just the aroma of grilled meat, fresh bread, and lively conversations at nearby tables.
House of Photography
One of the city’s most interesting cultural venues for visual art lovers. Hosts exhibitions of documentary and fine art photography, local artist showcases, lectures, and creative meetups.
Navruz Park
A vast green area with national-style architecture, craft workshops, and miniature villages representing Uzbekistan’s diverse regions.
Minor Somsa
A spot known to almost every Tashkent local — a tiny eatery near the Minor Mosque serving the best somsa in the city. The tandoor oven fires up early, filling the air with the scent of crispy pastry and juicy filling.
Besh Qozon
One of the city’s favorite places for authentic plov. Huge cauldrons, the aroma of cumin and carrots, tender meat, and chefs cooking right before your eyes — this is plov the way it’s meant to be.
State Academic Bolshoi Theatre named after Alisher Navoi
Uzbekistan’s main theater and one of Tashkent’s most beautiful landmarks. Built in the mid-20th century by architect Alexey Shchusev, the same architect who designed Lenin’s Mausoleum in Moscow.
Eski Shahar — Old City of Tashkent
The heart of old Tashkent, where time seems to slow down. Narrow streets, clay houses, carved wooden doors, and the aroma of fresh flatbread from a tandoor — this is where the city’s history begins.
Regeneration Art Space
A contemporary art space where young artists and bold ideas meet. It hosts exhibitions, installations, and performances exploring themes of identity, memory, and urban life.
Hazrati Imam Mosque
A religious and cultural center located in Tashkent’s historic district. The complex includes several architectural monuments, with a particularly notable library housing ancient manuscripts.