Weekend in Tashkent

Huge covered market with spices, dried fruit, bread, and crafts. Worth a wander even if you don't buy anything.

Tip: Go early morning (8-9am) to see the bread coming fresh from the tandyr ovens. Free to walk around but carry small sums for a cup of tea or a samsa.

Leafy park surrounding the Stalin-era opera house. Benches, fountains, and shade – good for a rest between sights.

Tip: Sit on a bench near the fountain side around 5pm when locals gather. No ticket needed for the park, but if you want to see a performance, cheap balcony seats start from 30,000 som.

Religious complex with the blue-tiled Barak Khan Madrasa, the missing mihrab display, and the Hazrati Imam mosque. The square itself is open air and free.

Tip: The small library next to the mosque (entrance around 5,000 som) contains the 7th-century Othman Quran – worth the modest fee if you're interested. Best visited at sunset for golden light on the tiles.

Museum dedicated to the Timurid dynasty, with detailed dioramas, manuscripts, and artefacts. Entry is cheap (approx 20,000 som).

Tip: The circular panoramic painting inside gives a good overview of Timur's conquests. Avoid weekends when school groups arrive.

Small museum in a former merchant's house showcasing Uzbek ceramics, embroidery, woodcarving, and suzani. Entry is around 20,000 som – very affordable.

Tip: The building itself is more interesting than many exhibits: carved wooden ceilings and painted walls. Go on a weekday afternoon to have the place almost to yourself. There's a small cafe in the courtyard.