Tashkent Weather in January

January: cold, grey days

January in Tashkent feels properly wintry. Days reach about 5°C, nights can dip below freezing, and rain falls on around 10 days. With plenty of cloud and only a little daily sunshine, you may spend more time indoors than you'd like. December is a little milder, while February is wetter.

The cold doesn't stop you seeing the city. Tashkent's metro stations make a useful warm pause between sights, and the State Museum of History works well on a grey afternoon. Save long walks through Amir Timur Square or the paths around Chorsu Bazaar for a dry spell. Wet pavements and chilly evenings make outdoor plans less appealing.

Holidays and a quieter city

New Year's Day is a public holiday, and Orthodox Christmas is observed on January 7. You may find holiday decorations and family celebrations, but January isn't known for a major citywide festival. Some businesses may close around holidays, so check locally if you have a particular stop in mind.

If you hate crowds, January is a good time to see Tashkent at a calmer pace. It's low season compared with the popular spring and autumn months, so hotels and flights can often cost less. The trade-off is the weather: this is a poor month for comfort, not a bargain with sunny days guaranteed.

Make the most of the cold

Travelling with kids? Keep a warm indoor stop in your day, such as the Railway Museum near Tashkent North station. For a local meal, head to Chorsu Bazaar for plov, a rice dish cooked with meat and vegetables; the market is especially welcome when the weather turns damp.

At Chorsu, use the blue-domed market hall as your landmark. You can explore its food stalls without spending the whole day outside, then take the metro when the cold sets in.