Tashkent City Guide

Local dishes like Plov and Samsa are popular. There's a good range of international food. Vegetarian and vegan options are growing. Some places stay open late, and street food is available in the evenings.

Nightlife is growing with bars, pubs, and clubs mainly in the city center. Options range from cocktail lounges to dance clubs.

Coffee shops are growing with specialty options and good espresso drinks. Coffee is popular socially but less so than tea.

Tipping is not required but appreciated, especially in tourist areas. Usually 5-10% or rounding up is enough.

Buy SIMs at the airport or operator stores (Ucell, Beeline, Mobiuz). ID needed for activation. eSIMs are slowly becoming available.

Tashkent is generally clean, especially central areas. Recycling is limited but developing.

Some pharmacies and minimarts operate 24/7. Few clinics offer late services. Food delivery runs into late hours.

Supermarkets like Korzinka.uz, Makro, and Carrefour sell local and some international goods. Fresh bazaars like Chorsu offer produce and spices. Bazaars close earlier on Sundays; supermarkets stay open till 10-11 PM.

Card payments work well in big supermarkets, cafes, and hotels but cash is needed for small shops, markets, taxis, and street vendors.

ATMs are common near banks, malls, and city centers. Use Kapitalbank, Ipak Yuli Bank, or NBU ATMs for better fees and reliability. Expect some foreign and local ATM fees around 1-2%.

International schools like Tashkent International School and British School offer English instruction. Admissions can be competitive, so plan ahead.

The community is small but growing. Nomad meetups are rare and best found via online groups. Co-living is limited.

Parks like Central Park and the Japanese Garden are plentiful, shaded, and good for running or walking.

Good running spots in Central Park, Eco Park, and canals. Running is safe in daylight; groups meet via social media.

Many modern gyms offer equipment, classes, and personal training.

Tennis courts available at sports clubs and hotels; padel courts are rare but emerging.

Padel is less common but starting to appear in some sports centers.

Several studios offer classes in styles like Hatha and Vinyasa with English-speaking instructors.

Dojo options include Taekwondo, Karate, Judo, and Boxing. BJJ and Muay Thai are rarer. Competitions happen locally.

Ski resorts near Tashkent include Amirsoy, Chimgan, and Beldersay. Season runs December to March with rentals available.

Limited water sports on reservoirs like Charvak Lake, about 2 hours away. Activities like jet-skiing are seasonal.

No surfing due to landlocked location.

No diving options due to being inland.

Private clinics like TIMC and Akfa Medline have English-speaking staff and good equipment. Pharmacies are common and well-stocked.

Locals drink tap water, but visitors should stick to bottled water to avoid stomach issues. Bottled water is cheap and easy to find.

Parks with playgrounds like Central Park and Magic City are kid-friendly. Attractions include the zoo and amusement park. Baby supplies are easy to find.

Society is conservative with legal risks for LGBTQ+ people. No safe spaces or events exist.

Some places allow pets, vets are available, but pet parks are few. Import rules are strict.