Tashkent: Must See Attractions
Minor Mosque
Minor Mosque is one of the newer mosques in Tashkent, having opened in 2014. It definitely stood out to us among all the mosques we visited in Uzbekistan. There was nothing as bright and white as this one. I’m especially drawn to the white tiling with the blue and green accents. Inside, it’s a smaller mosque, for sure. There are a few vendors selling items, but aside from that, there isn’t much else to see. The interior rooms of the mosque aren’t really designed for visitors, but more for practicing Muslims, which is perfectly fine.
The main reason we visited Minor Mosque is due to its proximity to the other attractions, like Tashkent TV Tower and a great somsa place nearby. It is easily accessible from the subway, so even though this isn’t a massive attraction it is still worth putting on the list.
Amir Timur Square
Amir Timur Square is one of the main square of Tashkent. It features a massive statue of Amir Timur, a military leader and ruler of the Timurid Empire. The square is surrounded by significant political, historical, and cultural buildings. It doesn’t take long to walk around, so if you have the time, it’s worth visiting. If not, you’re not missing much.
Hazrati Imam Ensemble
Hazrati Imam Ensemble is a massive complex with structures dating back to the 16th century. There are many madrasas and mausoleums in the area. Since we visited during the off-season, it wasn’t as lively as it could have been, but we did have most of the plaza to ourselves. The plaza is quite large, with plenty of space, sights, and shops to explore. There are several madrasas and mosques, with the oldest dating to the 16th century. This is the most outstanding architecture in Tashkent, although what we saw in Samarkand and Bukhara was even better.
We’re usually not the souvenir-buying type, but Uzbekistan is unlike anywhere we’ve been before. We stopped by one of the small shops in the corner that was open. The lady was super kind, talkative, and her English was very good. She let us try everything we wanted, take pictures, and even negotiate the prices. We walked out with beautiful Uzbek blazers, sweaters, and scarves. Near the ensemble, a huge new Islamic center is being built. It will be stunning once completed; even though it’s still under construction, you can already see the intricate details that have been worked on.
The Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral
Our local friend recommended that we visit the Sacred Heart of Jesus Cathedral, also known as the Polish Church. Construction of the church began in 1912, but during the Soviet era, it was repurposed for various uses, including a hostel and a warehouse. In 1981, the building was declared a historical and architectural monument of Uzbekistan. It was restored in 2000 and currently holds masses in English, Russian, Polish, and Korean. The cathedral’s Gothic architecture really stands out in Tashkent, as there are very few buildings in that style.
Inside, the church is both simple and beautiful, with nothing more than your typical pews and stained glass. There’s not much to explore, but it’s a peaceful place to reflect and enjoy the quiet, especially since there aren’t many people around outside of mass services—at least, not when we visited.
Eco Park
Eco Park is a recreational area dedicated after Zahiriddin Muhammad Bobur, an Uzbek poet, philosopher, statesman, and more. This park is a great place to hang out with friends and family, offering everything from playgrounds to food trucks and sports fields. During the summer, they host music events and movie screenings, making it an even more lively spot.
I can imagine it’s a fantastic place during the warmer seasons. There’s also a cafe on the premises, perfect for a break. We visited in the winter, so much of the park was under renovation or being planted. I’d highly recommend avoiding a winter visit unless you’re just looking for a peaceful place to take a stroll. That said, the park still offers a pleasant experience, and I’m sure it’s a different vibe when everything is in full swing.
Tashkent City Mall
Tashkent City Mall is a modern shopping center with a variety of shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment options. It offers a great mix of high-end and affordable stores. The mall is large, clean, and conveniently located in the heart of the city. We initially just wanted to take a quick walk through, but we were really surprised by how modern Tashkent is, especially since we didn’t know much about the city before arriving. There’s something for everyone here, whether you’re looking to shop, grab a bite to eat, or relax. You could easily spend an hour or more exploring the mall, and it’s a great place to experience the vibrant, contemporary side of Tashkent.
Tashkent Television Tower
The Tashkent Television Tower, completed in 1984, is the twelfth largest tower in the world, standing at 1,230 feet tall. It’s the second tallest structure in Central Asia and is still primarily used for satellite TV, radio broadcasting, and cellular communication. This wasn’t originally on our list, but a local recommended we visit, and we’re glad we did. To enter the tower, there’s a small fee of 40,000 Uzbek Somme (around 4 USD).
It’s open daily except Sundays, from 10 AM to 8 PM. Inside the tower, you’ll find an observation deck, a revolving restaurant, and corridors featuring models of famous towers from around the world. It was fun for us to see these, especially since we’ve visited some of them ourselves.
Koinort Restaurant
Located on the 8th floor of the Tashkent Television Tower, Koinort is a revolving restaurant with large windows, beautiful chandeliers, and simple yet elegant decor. The menu offers a mix of local Uzbek dishes and Western food. We ordered chopped lamb, chicken Alfredo, and an ice cream sundae. The food was good, and the prices were surprisingly reasonable for a place with such a great view. Reservations are not required, but on busy days we recommend messaging them ahead of time here.
Observation Deck
The highlight of the tower is the observation deck, which offers a 360-degree view from 318 feet above the ground. The view can vary depending on the day—when we visited, it was hazy, making it hard to see clearly from some sides of the tower. However, if you’re already there, it’s worth checking out. Personally, I think the view is better from the revolving restaurant, but it’s still a great experience to visit the deck. Due to it’s prominence and amazing view, this is definitely one of the must see attractions in Tashkent.
Plov Center (Besh Qozon)
If you’re looking to try some of the tastiest plov Uzbekistan has to offer, head straight to Plov Center. Plov, the national dish of Uzbekistan, typically consists of long-grain rice, yellow carrots, meat (beef, lamb, or horse), and vegetable oil. While the exact ingredients can vary depending on the region, the base is always the same. At Plov Center, you can watch the plov being prepared in massive cauldrons (kazans) as you walk through the huge kitchen. You’ll also see fresh, hot bread coming out of the oven. I highly recommend taking a stroll through the kitchen to watch the preparation process—it’s fascinating!
The center features a two-story dining hall that can seat hundreds of people, along with an outdoor seating area. It’s a popular spot, so it can get crowded, especially during peak hours. To avoid the rush, try to arrive before noon for a more relaxed experience. We visited just before 12, and the place wasn’t busy at all. The staff is friendly, speaks English, and is happy to help you navigate the menu.
We ordered two plovs, a tomato salad, and hot lemon black tea. The bread, fresh from the oven, was especially delicious. Overall, this was our favorite meal in Uzbekistan and is a must-try on your itinerary. Plov Center truly delivers an authentic taste of the country’s culinary tradition.
Minor Somsa
Somsa is a popular snack in Uzbekistan, known for its flaky puff pastry filled with meat (lamb, chicken, or beef) and vegetables. Minor Somsa has several locations, and we visited the one near the Minor Mosque. Although we had just eaten plov and were still quite full, we couldn’t resist trying two to get a taste. The stand offers both indoor and outdoor seating. You order at the window, and you can choose to enjoy your somsa there or take it to go. When we received ours, it was incredibly fresh. We took a bite right away, but be careful—it’s very hot! Take a small bite to let the steam escape before diving in. Once it cooled down, it was perfect. The flaky, soft pastry paired with the slight grease of the minced beef made for a delicious combination. Somsa is quite filling, so I can’t imagine eating more than two in one sitting. It’s definitely a satisfying snack that’s perfect for a quick bite.
Coffee Nation
During our travels, we always seek out specialty coffee, but in Uzbekistan, tea holds a much stronger presence in the culture. However, we did manage to find one of the few specialty coffee shops in Tashkent—Coffee Nation. The interior of Coffee Nation stood out to me. The modern design, featuring interesting art pieces on the walls, along with strategic lighting and carefully chosen paint colors, creates a well-balanced and thoughtfully designed space. Everything complements each other perfectly, giving it a harmonious, curated feel.
They offer a wide selection of desserts and also roast and sell their own beans. Michael stuck to his usual pour-over, which met expectations, while I tried a matcha tonic. I’ve been on a matcha kick this year, trying it in different forms, and this was my first time having a matcha tonic. It had a bit of a sour kick to it, almost like lime, but maybe that’s just my taste. Either way, I really enjoyed it.
Cafe Dosan
After some research, we decided to check out Cafe Dosan, a Korean cafe in Tashkent, which I found intriguing. The menu is available in Korean, English, and Uzbek, making it accessible to a wide range of customers. The interior had a very Korean vibe, with white walls, simple furniture, and an open, spacious layout. While I wouldn’t necessarily classify it as a specialty coffee shop, they do offer filter coffee. However, availability seems to depend on the day and who’s working.
Michael ordered a hot latte and was pleased with the beans, which he considered to be of specialty quality. However, he was really hoping for a pour-over. I opted for an Earl Grey milk tea, and I couldn’t help but notice how much I love the milk in Uzbekistan. It’s creamier compared to what I’ve had in Korea, which was a nice surprise. We also tried an ice cream croffle—basically a croissant made in a waffle maker, topped with chocolate syrup and cinnamon. It was delicious! Overall, Cafe Dosan is a great spot, perfect for meeting friends, working, or studying.
Final Thoughts
We were initially skeptical of Tashkent. However, as we explored more and more, we realized how unique and incredible this city truly is. Although it’s far out of the way of the usual travelers plans, we think a visit to Tashkent is in order for anyone who loves unique cities with beautiful architecture and great food. We hope this article helped you find the must see attractions in Tashkent, happy traveling!
Check out our Travel Diary
