Things to Do in Tashkent in May
May weather, activities, events & insider tips
May Weather in Tashkent
Is May Right for You?
Advantages
- Perfect walking weather - daily highs of 28°C (82°F) make exploring the Old City comfortable before noon, and evenings cool down to ideal 20°C (68°F) for bazaar visits
- Peak season for Uzbek melons and early summer fruits - May markets overflow with legendary Bukhara melons, fresh apricots, and mulberries that locals wait all year for
- Extended daylight hours with 14+ hours of sun - sunrise at 5:30am, sunset after 7:30pm gives you maximum sightseeing time without oppressive summer heat
- Shoulder season pricing on accommodations - hotels drop rates 20-30% from peak April prices while maintaining full services and amenities before summer closures
Considerations
- Unpredictable afternoon thunderstorms - 41mm (1.6 inches) of rain falls across 10 days, often as sudden 30-45 minute downpours that flood streets temporarily
- High UV exposure with minimal cloud cover - UV index of 8 means sunburn in just 15 minutes, especially problematic when exploring exposed monuments like Registan
- Peak wedding season creates weekend crowds - Uzbek wedding parties book major venues and parks on Saturdays, making some attractions extremely busy 2-6pm
Best Activities in May
Samarkand Architectural Complex Tours
May offers the perfect balance for exploring Samarkand's monuments - morning temperatures around 22°C (72°F) provide comfortable walking conditions for the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) of walking required. The strong May sunlight illuminates the blue tilework spectacularly for photography, while spring air clarity provides crisp views. Avoid the 40°C+ (104°F+) summer heat that makes midday monument visits unbearable.
Chimgan Mountains Hiking Tours
May is the single best month for Chimgan adventures - snow has melted from lower trails but hasn't yet given way to summer's intense heat. Day temperatures reach pleasant 24°C (75°F) at 1,500m (4,921 ft) elevation, perfect for moderate hikes. Wildflowers bloom across alpine meadows, and the Charvak Reservoir reflects crystal blue. Summer brings temperatures exceeding 35°C (95°F) even at altitude.
Bukhara Old City Walking Experiences
May evenings transform Bukhara's ancient streets - temperatures drop to comfortable 18-20°C (64-68°F) after 6pm, perfect for exploring the labyrinthine covered bazaars and madrasas without crowd pressure. The spring air carries scents of blooming courtyards, and carpet workshops stay open later. Summer heat makes afternoon exploration miserable, while winter closes many artisan shops early.
Traditional Craft Workshop Experiences
May brings renewed energy to Uzbekistan's artisan communities as tourist season begins but hasn't peaked. Ceramic workshops in Rishtan, silk paper making in Samarkand, and carpet weaving demonstrations across the country operate at full capacity with spring enthusiasm. Comfortable indoor temperatures mean longer workshop sessions, and artisans have time for detailed explanations before summer's intense rush.
Fergana Valley Agricultural Tours
May showcases Fergana Valley at peak beauty - silk cocoon harvest begins, fruit trees bloom across terraced hillsides, and traditional farming communities welcome visitors before summer's intense agricultural work begins. Temperatures remain comfortable for walking through mulberry groves and visiting silk production facilities. The legendary Margilan silk factories operate full production schedules.
Tashkent Soviet Architecture Photography Tours
May's extended daylight and clear spring air create optimal conditions for photographing Tashkent's unique Soviet-era monuments and metro stations. Golden hour light lasts longer, and the 14+ hour days provide multiple lighting opportunities. Temperatures stay comfortable for walking between locations across the city's 15 km (9.3 miles) of major architectural sites. Many buildings have spring cleaning completed, appearing at their best.
May Events & Festivals
Victory Day Celebrations
May 9th brings massive celebrations across Uzbekistan with military parades, folk performances, and family gatherings in parks. Tashkent's Amir Timur Square hosts the main ceremony with traditional music and dance performances throughout the day.
Spring Navruz Extensions
While main Navruz occurs in March, many communities celebrate extended spring festivals through May with neighborhood gatherings, traditional games like kurash wrestling, and seasonal food festivals featuring fresh spring produce.