In December 2025, Condé Nast Traveller named Tashkent one of its Best Places to Go in Asia in 2026, placing Uzbekistan’s capital alongside some of the world’s most established global destinations.
If you were wondering whether Tashkent is worth visiting in 2026, this recognition points to several clear reasons to visit Tashkent as the city attracts growing international attention.
The editors highlighted Tashkent’s emerging contemporary arts scene, new cultural institutions and growing confidence as a cultural destination.
In this article, we share the main reasons to visit Tashkent in 2026, from its architecture and food scene to its role as the gateway to Uzbekistan’s Silk Road cities.
Places to Visit in Tashkent
Tashkent offers a clear sense of transition, where religious landmarks, Soviet-era buildings and newer developments exist side by side.
Relics of the city’s recent past can still be seen in residential areas with Soviet murals, while modern landmarks such as the Minor Mosque reflect its present, and new shopping centres and high-rise developments point to the direction the city is heading.
These different layers also inform many of the things to do in Tashkent in 2026, whether that’s exploring historic areas or spending time in the city’s newer districts.
Traditional and Religious Landmarks
Much of Tashkent’s truly ancient architecture was lost through centuries of upheaval and, most notably, the devastating 1966 earthquake.
What remains, however, is a strong collection of impressive religious and traditional structures that continue to shape the city’s identity.
Chorsu Bazaar, with its vast turquoise-domed trading hall, is still a daily hub of local life. Nearby, the Hazrati Imam Complex offers a quieter, more reflective experience, home to historic mosques, libraries and important Islamic manuscripts.
The historic Kukeldash Madrasa, standing on the edge of the old city, is one of the clearest reminders of Tashkent’s role as a centre of learning along the Silk Road.
Soviet Architecture and Urban Identity
Alongside these older sites, Tashkent is defined by the scale and ambition of its Soviet-era rebuilding. Wide boulevards, monumental civic buildings and bold modernist design give the city a very different feel from many other Asian capitals.
The Tashkent Metro is often the standout, with stations decorated in marble, mosaics and chandeliers, each reflecting a different artistic theme.
Above ground, the Tashkent TV Tower dominates the skyline, while the iconic Hotel Uzbekistan, facing Amir Timur Square, remains one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
Gateway to Uzbekistan’s Silk Road Cities
Tashkent is the natural entry point to Uzbekistan. Home to the country’s largest international airport, it handled 9,964,602 passengers in 2025, underlining its role as both the political centre of Uzbekistan and the main business hub of Central Asia.
From here, travellers can easily reach the great Silk Road cities by train. The rail system is affordable, efficient and comfortable, linking Tashkent with Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
Lesser-visited destinations are also within reach, including Shakhrisabz, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the birthplace of Amir Timur, as well as the Aral Sea with its ship graveyard, the Fergana Valley, and Termez with its ancient Buddhist archaeological sites.
Tashkent’s International Food Scene
Food is one of the main reasons many visitors end up staying longer than planned. Traditional Uzbek cuisine is rich, filling and designed to be shared.
Plov — rice cooked with meat, carrots and spices — is central to daily life, and at the open-kitchen restaurant Besh Qozon, visitors can watch huge cauldrons being prepared throughout the day.
Other staples include hand-pulled noodle dishes like lagman, steamed dumplings known as manty, flaky somsa pastries baked in clay ovens, warming soups such as shurpa and grilled shashlik, all served with fresh flatbread and green tea.
What often surprises first-time visitors is the range of international cuisine on offer. Tashkent has a varied and increasingly sophisticated dining scene, with Korean, Italian, Georgian, Japanese, Russian and many other cuisines widely available across the city.
Accommodation for All Types of Traveller
Tashkent offers accommodation for almost every travel style and budget. At the luxury end are internationally recognised five-star hotels such as the InterContinental and the Hilton.
Travellers looking for something smaller and more characterful will find a growing number of stylish boutique options, including Oscar Boutique Hotel, Mirzo Boutique Hotel and Sapiens Hotel.
Budget travellers are also well catered for, with hostels, guesthouses and family-run homestays spread across the city.
Cultural, Music and Sporting Events
Traditional Festivals and Seasonal Celebrations
In spring, the city comes alive for Navruz, the Persian New Year. Communities cook sumalak, a sweet wheat pudding prepared slowly in giant cauldrons, while parks fill with music, dance and public celebrations.
The festival marks the end of winter and is accompanied by a city-wide sense of renewal, with homes and streets cleaned in preparation.
In winter, parks and squares are decorated with festive lights and large Christmas trees in the build-up to New Year, one of the biggest celebrations in Uzbekistan.
International Events and Global Culture
Tashkent’s international profile is also growing. Global performers have begun including the city on their tours, with recent appearances by Jennifer Lopez and Till Lindemann of Rammstein.
The annual open-air Jazz Festival draws large crowds to Forums Palace each spring, while the Tashkent International Marathon continues to expand, attracting runners from across the region and beyond.
With Uzbekistan qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup for the first time, the city is expected to take on an especially lively atmosphere, with matches shown across public spaces including on giant screens behind the National Library.
If you’re planning a visit, choosing the right area and hotel can make a big difference — our guide to where to stay in Tashkent breaks down the best options for different types of traveller.