Things to Do in Tashkent in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Tashkent
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect spring weather for walking the old city - mornings start cool at 10°C (50°F) then warm to comfortable 22°C (72°F) by afternoon, ideal for exploring Chorsu Bazaar and the Registan complex without the summer heat that hits 40°C (104°F) by June
- Navruz celebrations spill into early April - while the main festival is March 21st, the festive atmosphere, special plov dishes, and street performances continue through the first week of April, giving you a chance to experience Uzbekistan's biggest cultural celebration without the March 21st crowds
- Hotel prices drop 30-40% compared to peak season (September-October) - you'll find excellent deals on guesthouses in the old city for 200,000-350,000 UZS per night versus 400,000+ UZS in autumn, and international hotels cut rates significantly as business travel slows
- Fruit trees bloom across the city creating spectacular photo opportunities - apricot, cherry, and almond blossoms peak in early-to-mid April in parks like Alisher Navoi National Park, and the contrast against the turquoise domes of the mosques is genuinely stunning
Considerations
- Weather shifts dramatically between morning and afternoon - that 12°C (22°F) temperature swing means you'll be peeling off layers by noon then scrambling to put them back on after sunset, making packing more complicated than summer visits
- Rain comes unexpectedly about 10 days of the month - those afternoon showers typically last 30-45 minutes but can turn the unpaved areas around minor monuments muddy, and indoor attractions like the Applied Arts Museum get noticeably more crowded when rain hits
- Some mountain day trips remain inaccessible - the Chimgan ski resort area transitions between seasons with unpredictable conditions, and higher elevation hiking trails above 2,000 m (6,562 ft) can still have snow patches making them unsuitable for casual visitors
Best Activities in April
Old City Walking Tours Through Tashkent's Islamic Architecture Quarter
April mornings between 9-11am offer perfect conditions for exploring the maze of streets around Khast Imam Complex - temperatures hover around 15°C (59°F), the light is excellent for photographing the turquoise tilework, and you'll avoid the brutal midday sun that makes summer walking tours genuinely uncomfortable. The Kukeldash Madrasah, Chorsu Bazaar area, and the narrow streets connecting them are at their most photogenic when spring flowers bloom against the ancient mud-brick walls. Crowds are minimal compared to autumn peak season.
Tashkent Metro Art Tour Across Soviet-Era Stations
Perfect rainy-day activity for those 10 wet days in April - the metro stations are underground palaces that stay consistently cool and dry. Stations like Kosmonavtlar, Alisher Navoi, and Mustakillik Maydoni feature chandeliers, marble columns, and Soviet mosaics worth spending hours photographing. April's lower tourist numbers mean you can actually take photos without crowds blocking your shots - note that photography rules have relaxed significantly as of 2025, though you still need to be respectful during rush hours around 8-9am and 6-7pm.
Chimgan Mountains Day Trips for Spring Hiking
By late April, the lower elevation trails around Chimgan (about 80 km or 50 miles from Tashkent) become accessible as snow melts, revealing wildflower meadows and rushing streams. Elevations between 1,200-1,800 m (3,937-5,906 ft) are ideal - high enough for dramatic views but low enough to avoid remaining snow patches. The air is crisp, visibility is excellent before summer haze sets in, and you'll encounter mostly local families on weekend picnics rather than tour groups. That said, check conditions before booking as early April can still be too snowy.
Chorsu Bazaar Food Experiences and Cooking Classes
April brings spring vegetables and the last of the winter dried fruits to Chorsu Bazaar, creating ideal conditions for food-focused experiences. The covered sections stay comfortable even during those midday temperature peaks, and spring produce like fresh herbs, early strawberries, and green almonds appear that you won't find other times of year. Cooking classes typically start with a morning bazaar tour around 9am when vendors are most energetic, then move to a home kitchen to prepare plov, manti, and seasonal salads. The lower tourist numbers mean more authentic interactions with vendors.
Samarkand Day Trips via High-Speed Train
April weather makes the 2-hour Afrosiyob train journey to Samarkand particularly appealing - you'll see the desert landscape turning briefly green from spring rains, and Samarkand itself sits at perfect temperatures for exploring the Registan, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque without summer's oppressive heat. The high-speed train runs multiple times daily, and April's lower demand means you can often book seats just 2-3 days ahead rather than the week-plus needed in autumn. Day trips work well, though overnight stays let you see the monuments at sunset.
Evening Cultural Performances at Navoi Opera Theatre
April's performance season continues strong before the summer break, with ballet, opera, and traditional Uzbek musical performances running most evenings. The 1947 Soviet-era theatre building itself is worth seeing, and tickets cost a fraction of what you'd pay for equivalent performances in Europe - 50,000-200,000 UZS depending on seating. The cool April evenings make the walk to and from the theatre pleasant, and nearby Amir Timur Square is beautifully lit after dark. Performances typically start at 7pm.
April Events & Festivals
Extended Navruz Celebrations
While Navruz itself falls on March 21st, the festive atmosphere extends into the first week of April with continued special food offerings at restaurants, traditional music performances in parks, and families gathering for picnics featuring sumalak (a sweet paste made from wheat sprouts that takes 24 hours to prepare). You'll find the best post-Navruz atmosphere at Alisher Navoi National Park and around the Chorsu Bazaar area where vendors still sell traditional celebration foods.