Tashkent with kids

Uzbekistan is a very child-friendly country. Families are large, children are welcomed in restaurants and on public transport, and strangers will smile at and talk to your children. Tashkent has wide pavements, many parks with playgrounds and fountains, and plenty of attractions aimed at local families, especially busy on weekends and holidays. The main challenges are the summer heat and the size of the city, so plan for short distances, shade and rest.

• Magic City: a large themed park in the centre, styled as a fairy-tale town, with shops, cafés, attractions and fountain shows in the evening. Entry to the park area is free; attractions are paid.
• Tashkentland: an amusement park with rides for different ages, roller coasters, a Ferris wheel and water attractions in summer, in a park near the centre.
• The park of Tashkent City: modern landscaped gardens with fountains, playgrounds and evening light and music shows.
• Water parks: open in summer and very popular on hot days.
• Local parks: many neighbourhood parks have playgrounds, small rides and cafés.

• Tashkent Zoo: a large zoo near the Botanical garden in the north of the city, with animals from Central Asia and around the world, including big cats, bears and birds.
• The Botanical garden: spacious paths, ponds and shade; good for running around.
• The Japanese garden: koi carp in the pond and little bridges to cross.

• The metro: an adventure in itself. Children love the long escalators and the decorated stations, especially Kosmonavtlar with its space theme and cosmonaut portraits.
• The TV tower: a fast lift to the observation deck for views over the whole city. Remember passports for every member of the family.
• Ferris wheels in the amusement parks.

• The puppet theatre: performances of fairy tales, in Uzbek or Russian, but easy for children to follow visually.
• The circus: the State Circus in a large round building stages acrobats, clowns and animal acts.
• The Navoi Theatre: ballets such as The Nutcracker around New Year are good introductions for older children.
• Museums: the State Museum of History has Stone Age tools and armour; the Amir Timur Museum has a dazzling interior.
• Chorsu bazaar: tasting dried fruit and sweets and watching bread being made is fun for all ages.

For a break from the city, drive about 1.5 hours to the Chimgan mountains and the Charvak reservoir. Children enjoy the chairlifts and gondolas at Chimgan and Amirsoy, horse rides, picnics by mountain streams and swimming at Charvak in summer. In winter there is sledging and skiing for beginners. See day trips from Tashkent.

Day 1: a metro ride to Kosmonavtlar and Amir Timur Square, lunch, an afternoon at the zoo and the Botanical garden, then the TV tower at sunset. Day 2: Chorsu bazaar in the morning, lunch, a rest during the heat, and an evening at Magic City or Tashkentland with the fountain shows. Add a third day in the mountains if you can, where children can ride the chairlifts and play by the streams.

• Heat: in summer, plan outdoor activities for mornings and evenings; use the afternoons for museums, malls or rest. Bring hats, sunscreen and water.
• Food: Uzbek food is mild and usually popular with children: bread, plov, samsa, shashlik, noodles and fruit. International restaurants and fast food are easy to find in the centre. See our Tashkent food guide.
• Getting around: ride-hailing taxis are cheap; child seats are not always available, so bring your own or ask your tour operator. The metro has many stairs; a light pushchair or baby carrier is easier.
• Supplies: supermarkets and pharmacies sell nappies, baby food and medicines.
• Accommodation: many hotels have family rooms and can add extra beds. See where to stay in Tashkent.
• Documents: carry passports for all family members, needed at hotels, the TV tower and occasional checks.