Tashkent is the capital and largest city of Uzbekistan, a green, modern Central Asian metropolis with a medieval Old City, Soviet-era monuments, a space-themed metro and some of the best plov in the world. It is the usual arrival point for the Silk Road cities of Samarkand, Bukhara and Khiva.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Suzani embroidery
Hand-embroidered silk-on-cotton wall hangings and bedcovers; machine-made copies are common, so look at the back of the stitching
Price: 150,000-3,000,000 UZS (about $12.50-250)
Where: Barak Khan Madrasa craft shops, Chorsu Bazaar souvenir hall
Rishtan-style ceramics
Hand-painted blue and green plates and bowls from the Fergana Valley tradition
Price: 60,000-600,000 UZS (about $5-50)
Where: Barak Khan Madrasa craft shops, Chorsu Bazaar
Silk ikat (abr)
Bright hand-dyed silk fabric woven into scarves and bolts of cloth
Price: 100,000-800,000 UZS (about $8-67)
Where: Chorsu Bazaar and craft shops
Doppi (embroidered skull cap)
Traditional black and white embroidered cap worn across Uzbekistan
Price: 30,000-120,000 UZS (about $2.50-10)
Where: Chorsu Bazaar, Khast Imam Square
Dried fruit, nuts and spices
Apricots, raisins, walnuts, pistachios, halva and spice mixes sold by weight
Price: 20,000-150,000 UZS per kilo (about $1.70-12.50)
Where: Chorsu Bazaar, Alay Bazaar
Carved wooden Quran stand (rehal) and chess sets
Hand-carved wooden items and chess sets sold in the craft halls
Price: 80,000-500,000 UZS (about $7-42)
Where: Chorsu Bazaar, Barak Khan Madrasa shops
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Chorsu Bazaar
The domed central bazaar and surrounding stalls for food and gifts; handicrafts and souvenirs are sold in a dedicated building. Bargain politely and compare stalls.
Where: Old City
Hours: Daily from about 05:00-08:00 to 18:00-21:00 depending on the stall
Alay (Oloy) Bazaar
Large local market with fresh produce and food stalls, easier to move around than Chorsu.
Where: Yunusobod District
Hours: Daily, early morning to late afternoon
Mirobod Bazaar
Neighbourhood bazaar near the centre, calmer than Chorsu.
Where: Mirobod District
Hours: Daily, morning to late afternoon
Barak Khan Madrasa craft shops
Craft shops in the former student cells of the madrasa, where artisans sell ceramics, textiles and carvings.
Where: Khast Imam Square, Old City
Hours: Daily, roughly 09:00-18:00
Broadway (Sayilgoh Street)
Pedestrian street with portrait artists and souvenir stalls near Amir Timur Square.
Where: City centre
Hours: Open daily; stalls and cafes busiest afternoon to late evening
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Old City (Chorsu and Khast Imam)
Bazaar food, spices, textiles and handicrafts
Amir Temur Avenue and Broadway
Art and souvenirs near the centre
Mall belt (Samarqand Darvoza, Next, Tashkent City, Mega Planet)
International brands and food courts
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Samarqand Darvoza Mall
Large mall with international brands and a food court, a short taxi ride from the Old City.
Hours: Daily 08:00-01:00
Mega Planet
One of the city's first modern malls, with clothing stores, a food court and entertainment, in the northern part of the city.
Hours: Daily 08:00-23:00
Next Mall
Central shopping centre on Bobur Street with fashion shops and a food court.
Hours: Daily 10:00-22:00
Tashkent City Mall
Mall in the Tashkent City complex beside the City Park and the Hilton, a natural stop after an evening walk.
Hours: Daily; confirm hours on Yandex Maps
Compass Mall
Big suburban mall on the southern ring road; far from the centre, so only worth it for shopping.
Hours: Daily 08:00-01:00
Gastronomik Street
Short pedestrian street with cafes and shops in the centre.
Hours: Open daily; shops from mid-morning
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is normal at Chorsu and Alay bazaars but not in malls, restaurants or fixed-price shops.
Start at about 60-70 percent of the first price and stay good-humoured; walk away politely if the price does not move.
Look at several stalls before buying handicrafts; quality and prices vary widely.
Carry small so'm notes; many bazaar stalls do not take cards.
Ask for a receipt or tag for high-value textiles and ceramics if you plan to export them.
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Export of antiques older than 50 years and some carpets requires a permit and receipt from the seller or a museum; keep receipts for large textile or carpet purchases. Check the current rules on the Uzbek customs site before flying out.