Tashkent Weather in May

May weather

May is warm and springlike, with afternoons reaching 28°C and evenings cooling to around 15°C. Rain can interrupt a few days, but showers don't usually rule out a visit. You'll have long daylight for wandering Amir Timur Square, exploring the tiled Kukeldash Madrasa, or sitting outside over lunch.

The afternoons can feel hot in the sun, so save indoor sights or a long pause for the warmest part of the day. It's also a good month for the Tashkent Metro's ornate stations, where you can cool off between neighbourhoods. June is much hotter, so May is easier for sightseeing.

Holidays and crowds

May 9 is Day of Remembrance and Honor, a public holiday in Uzbekistan. Tashkent holds memorial events, and people visit sites such as Victory Park to pay their respects. Expect some areas and public transport to feel busier around ceremonies.

If you hate crowds, visit Chorsu Bazaar on an ordinary weekday rather than around the holiday. Spring is one of Tashkent's most popular periods, so hotel prices can be higher than in quieter winter months. May is still a better bet than the harsher heat of summer, and it's usually less demanding than peak holiday dates.

Make the most of May

For a classic local meal, head to the Central Asian Plov Center near the TV Tower. Plov is rice cooked with meat and vegetables, and the centre gets busy around lunchtime. Go earlier if you'd rather eat without joining a long queue.

Travelling with kids? Take a break in the shade at Navoi Park between visits to nearby sights. May's comfortable weather makes a park stop pleasant, but a sudden shower can send you indoors; keep the nearby metro in mind for getting back across town.