Things to Do in Tashkent in February
February weather, activities, events & insider tips
February Weather in Tashkent
Is February Right for You?
Advantages
- Crisp winter air makes walking tours through Chorsu Bazaar and the old city genuinely pleasant - you can spend 3-4 hours exploring without overheating, which is impossible during summer's 40°C (104°F) heat. The 10°C (49°F) highs are ideal for photographing the turquoise tiles of Registan-style architecture without heat haze.
- February sits squarely in low season, meaning accommodation costs drop 30-40% compared to spring and autumn peaks. You'll find four-star hotels in Tashkent city center for 250,000-350,000 UZS (roughly $20-28 USD) per night, and major sites like Khast Imam Complex are blissfully uncrowded - expect 70% fewer tourists than April.
- This is peak season for Uzbek winter foods that disappear once temperatures rise. Every chaikhana serves dimlama (slow-cooked meat and vegetable stew) and mastava (rice soup with lamb), while street vendors sell hot samsa straight from tandoor ovens. The cold weather makes these heavy dishes actually appealing rather than overwhelming.
- Clear winter skies mean the Tian Shan mountains visible from Tashkent's eastern edges are stunningly crisp most mornings - visibility can reach 50-60 km (31-37 miles) before afternoon haze sets in around 2-3pm. February also has surprisingly high UV (index of 8), so you get that bright Central Asian light without the punishing summer sun.
Considerations
- The 0°C (32°F) overnight lows mean mornings start genuinely cold, and most buildings have inconsistent heating - budget hotels especially can be chilly until 10am. You'll want layers you can peel off as temperatures climb 10 degrees by midday, which makes packing more complicated than summer's straightforward light clothing.
- February sits in that awkward shoulder between winter snow activities and spring bloom season. The mountains around Chimgan (90 km/56 miles away) might have patchy snow that's not quite skiable, while Tashkent's famous parks are bare branches - you miss both the January snow charm and March's apricot blossoms. It's functionally a 'between seasons' month.
- Those 10 rainy days translate to frequent drizzle and occasional sleet, and Tashkent's Soviet-era sidewalks turn into puddle obstacle courses. The 70% humidity makes the cold feel damper and more penetrating than the temperature suggests - it's that bone-chilling Central Asian winter dampness rather than dry cold. Indoor museum days become necessary, not optional.
Best Activities in February
Tashkent Metro Architecture Tours
February's cold makes Tashkent's underground metro stations particularly appealing - they're heated, gorgeously decorated with Soviet-era mosaics and chandeliers, and function as both transport and art galleries. The Kosmonavtlar, Alisher Navoi, and Pakhtakor stations are essentially underground palaces. With low tourist numbers, you can photograph without crowds (though officially photography requires permission - enforcement varies). The metro costs just 1,400 UZS (about $0.11 USD) per ride regardless of distance, making this the city's best value cultural experience. Best visited 10am-3pm when locals are at work and lighting is consistent.
Chimgan Mountain Day Trips
The Chimgan resort area sits 90 km (56 miles) northeast in the Tian Shan foothills, and February weather is genuinely unpredictable - you might find skiable snow, icy trails, or bare slopes depending on that year's snowfall. That said, the drive itself is spectacular with snow-capped peaks, and the mountain air is crisp and clear. Even without skiing, the area offers winter hiking, cable car rides to 2,200m (7,218 ft) elevation, and mountain chaikanas serving hot shorpa soup. The altitude means temperatures run 5-7°C (9-13°F) colder than Tashkent city, so expect near-freezing conditions. This works best as a scenic day trip rather than a dedicated ski destination - treat any snow as a bonus.
Chorsu Bazaar and Old City Walking Routes
February's 10°C (49°F) afternoons are perfect for exploring Tashkent's sprawling Chorsu Bazaar without the summer heat exhaustion. The massive blue-domed market is Central Asia's trading heart - you'll find everything from dried fruits and spices to housewares and textiles. The surrounding Eski Shahar (old city) neighborhood has narrow lanes, traditional mahallas, and the Khast Imam Complex with its ancient Quran manuscript. The cold weather means fewer flies around meat and produce sections, and vendors are more willing to chat when business is slower. Plan 3-4 hours minimum. The bazaar is liveliest 9am-2pm, then winds down by 5pm as temperatures drop. The area is walkable from Chorsu metro station.
Uzbek Cooking Classes
February's cold weather makes indoor cooking experiences particularly appealing, and this is peak season for winter dishes like plov (pilaf), dimlama, and various dumpling styles. Several cooking schools and private homes offer 3-4 hour classes where you'll make 2-3 dishes from scratch, learning techniques like hand-pulling noodles and properly layering plov. You'll eat what you cook, often with the host family, which provides genuine cultural interaction beyond typical tourist experiences. Classes typically run 10am-2pm or 4pm-8pm to align with traditional meal times. This is especially valuable in February when outdoor activities get interrupted by weather - you'll have a warm, engaging backup plan.
Amir Timur Museum and Modern Tashkent Museums
February's rainy days (expect 10 throughout the month) make museum-hopping a practical choice, and Tashkent has several worth dedicating time to. The Amir Timur Museum covers Timurid history with impressive artifacts, while the State Museum of Applied Arts showcases traditional crafts in a beautiful 1930s building with carved wooden ceilings. The Museum of Victims of Repression offers sobering Soviet history. Most museums have minimal crowds in February and English signage has improved significantly. Plan 1.5-2 hours per museum. They're heated (unlike some hotels), making them genuinely comfortable refuges when it's 2°C (36°F) and drizzling outside.
Samarkand Day Trips via High-Speed Train
The Afrosiyob high-speed train covers the 344 km (214 miles) to Samarkand in just over 2 hours, making day trips feasible even in February's shorter daylight (sunrise around 7:30am, sunset around 6pm). Samarkand's Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque are even more photogenic under February's clear skies and low-angle winter sun. The cold actually helps - you can spend hours exploring outdoor sites without overheating, and the turquoise tilework pops against occasional snow dustings on surrounding mountains. Samarkand runs about 2-3°C (4-5°F) colder than Tashkent. This is Uzbekistan's most spectacular site, and February's low tourist numbers mean you'll have spaces nearly to yourself.
February Events & Festivals
Navruz Preparation Markets
While Navruz (Persian New Year) falls in late March, late February sees preparation markets pop up around Chorsu Bazaar and other neighborhoods. Vendors sell special items for the celebration - sprouted wheat dishes called sumalak, traditional sweets, and new clothing. It's not a formal event, but you'll notice the energy shift as families start shopping and preparing. This offers a preview of Central Asia's biggest cultural celebration without the March 21st crowds. Worth experiencing if you're visiting late February specifically.