Old Tashkent rewards exploring on foot, with time to notice the details of its streets.
On a broad square, Tashkent can feel monumental; on a nearby lane, it feels like home. Voices drift from behind a gate, a bicycle rests against a wall, and someone heads out to shop. To get a sense of this city, it helps to look beyond its major landmarks.
A mahalla is more than an old quarter or a particular style of housing. In Uzbekistan, the word describes a local community in which neighbourly ties, mutual help and shared activities matter. The country’s official tourism portal presents the mahalla above all as a living tradition of community life.
Walking through a mahalla is therefore different from visiting a museum. Everyday life continues here, and a visitor’s curiosity does not give permission to enter any courtyard or photograph people without asking.
Look at the transition from a main road to a small lane: the noise changes, as do the spaces between houses and the amount of greenery. Notice gates, carved elements, brickwork and canopies. Think about how the street is sheltered from the sun and how the entrance to a home is arranged.
Specific questions make a walk more rewarding. Why is a courtyard hidden behind a wall? How do old and new gates differ? Where do neighbours meet? At the same time, do not treat every façade as an ancient monument. The Old City changes, and buildings are repaired and rebuilt. The age and history of an individual house need to be checked.
A walk through old streets can be planned alongside Hazrati Imam and the Chorsu area. Zarkaynar Street can form part of that conversation about the city, as monumental architecture gives way to more intimate spaces. The exact route depends on current access and the interests of the guests.
Do not try to cover as many lanes as possible. A short stretch with pauses and context can reveal more than a long walk without understanding what you see. A map helps with directions, but it does not replace awareness of the boundaries of private property.
Choose comfortable shoes and bring water as appropriate for the weather. If you also plan to visit religious sites, think about suitable clothing beforehand. Travellers with limited mobility or a pushchair should discuss the route separately rather than assume all old streets are equally accessible.
I personally lead private tours of Tashkent. The five-hour programme can give more attention to the Old City; we agree the specific stops and pace before meeting. Tell me what interests you: architecture, history or everyday life in a mahalla.
Based on the Russian article researched on 25 October 2026. Check access and visiting arrangements before your trip.