Things to Do in Tashkent in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Tashkent
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect spring weather with warm afternoons around 28°C (82°F) and cool evenings dropping to 14°C (57°F) - you get the full temperature range that makes outdoor exploration comfortable from sunrise to sunset without extreme heat
- Fruit season peaks in May with local markets overflowing with cherries, strawberries, and early apricots at rock-bottom prices (typically 5,000-8,000 som per kg). The Chorsu Bazaar becomes a sensory overload in the best possible way
- Navruz spring energy lingers through early May with parks and gardens at their absolute peak bloom - the Japanese Garden and Alisher Navoi Park are genuinely stunning, not just Instagram-worthy but actually worth spending hours in
- Low tourist season means you'll have major sites like the Hazrati Imam Complex practically to yourself, and hotel prices run 30-40% below summer rates. Locals are more relaxed and willing to chat since they're not dealing with summer tour group fatigue
Considerations
- Those 10 rainy days typically hit as sudden afternoon thunderstorms between 3-6pm that can dump heavy rain for 30-45 minutes, turning streets into temporary rivers. The drainage system in Old City neighborhoods hasn't caught up with recent development, so factor in indoor backup plans
- Temperature swings from 14°C (57°F) at dawn to 28°C (82°F) by 2pm mean you're constantly layering and unlayering. That 14-degree difference is more annoying than it sounds when you're trying to pack light
- Dust storms can roll in from the Kyzylkum Desert, particularly in late May, creating hazy conditions that affect visibility and make outdoor activities less pleasant. Locals call it 'Afghan wind' and it's the kind of thing that makes you want to stay indoors with tea
Best Activities in May
Tashkent Old City Walking Tours
May weather is genuinely ideal for exploring the maze of mahallas in the Old City - start at 9am when it's still cool around 18°C (64°F) and finish by 1pm before afternoon heat peaks. The combination of blooming mulberry trees, manageable crowds, and comfortable temperatures makes this the best month for wandering Eski Shahar on foot. You'll cover roughly 5-6 km (3-3.7 miles) through neighborhoods that tour buses can't access.
Chimgan Mountains Day Trips
Late May hits the sweet spot when mountain wildflowers are blooming at 1,500-2,000 m (4,920-6,560 ft) elevation but snow has cleared from hiking trails. It's about 80 km (50 miles) northeast of the city, and temperatures up there run 8-10°C (14-18°F) cooler than Tashkent, making it perfect escape from the increasingly warm afternoons. The Charvak Reservoir is filling with snowmelt, creating that brilliant turquoise color that photographs incredibly well.
Uzbek Cooking Classes
May brings spring vegetables and herbs that transform traditional dishes - sorrel for green plov, fresh dill and cilantro everywhere, and the first young garlic. Indoor cooking classes provide perfect backup plans for those rainy afternoons, and you're learning techniques using ingredients at their seasonal peak. Most classes run 3-4 hours and you'll actually eat what you make, which matters when you're dealing with 70% humidity that kills your appetite for heavy restaurant meals.
Amir Timur Museum and Metro Art Tours
When those afternoon thunderstorms roll in or dust storms reduce visibility, Tashkent's museums and ornate metro stations become your best friends. The metro system is genuinely spectacular - each station designed as an individual artwork - and it's 10-15°C (18-27°F) cooler underground. May crowds are light enough that you can actually photograph the stations without tourists in every frame. The State Museum of History and Amir Timur Museum run excellent English-language tours that last 90-120 minutes.
Samarkand Day Trips via High-Speed Train
The Afrosiyob high-speed train makes Samarkand a comfortable day trip, and May weather there mirrors Tashkent - warm but not scorching. The 344 km (214 mile) journey takes just 2 hours, and you'll avoid the summer heat that makes Registan Square exploration genuinely unpleasant. Book the 8am departure, explore until 4pm, and catch the 5pm return. The train is air-conditioned and reliable, which matters when you're dealing with variable May weather.
Evening Plov Centers and Food Markets
May evenings cool to perfect outdoor dining temperature around 18-20°C (64-68°F) by 7pm, making this ideal for experiencing Tashkent's plov centers when they're most atmospheric. The Central Asian Center for Plov serves until 10pm, and watching the massive kazan pots in action is worth the trip alone. Combine with late afternoon market visits when vendors are most willing to let you taste things - the Chorsu Bazaar stays lively until 8pm in May.
May Events & Festivals
Victory Day Celebrations
May 9th marks Victory Day with significant ceremonies at the Memorial to Courage earthquake monument and military parades in Independence Square. It's a genuinely important holiday here with a different tone than Western commemorations - expect to see three generations of families, veterans in full uniform, and impressive floral displays. The evening concert in Broadway Street runs until 11pm with traditional and contemporary music.
Day of Remembrance and Honor
May 9th also commemorates Uzbek soldiers and civilians lost in WWII. Museums offer free entry, and the State Museum of History runs special exhibitions. It's worth experiencing to understand how deeply the war still resonates here - roughly one in four Uzbeks who served never returned. Observance is solemn and respectful, not festive.