Month by month
| Month | Average | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| January | about 1 °C | cold, snow possible; empty sights, low prices |
| February | about 4 °C | quiet; good for museums |
| March | about 10 °C | changeable; Navruz on 21 March |
| April | about 18 °C | very good: green, mild, the season starts |
| May | about 24 °C | very good; hot by the end of the month |
| June | about 30 °C | hot; sightsee early and late |
| July | about 34 °C | hottest; 40 °C+ in Bukhara and Khiva |
| August | about 33 °C | very hot; mountains are the escape |
| September | about 25 °C | good, especially the second half; harvest and melons |
| October | about 17 °C | often the best month overall |
| November | about 9 °C | cool, few crowds |
| December | about 3 °C | cold, quiet streets |
These are national averages. Bukhara and Khiva are in the desert: hotter in summer, colder at night in winter. Tashkent is a little milder.
By city
- Samarkand, Bukhara, Khiva: April to early June and mid-September to late October.
- Tashkent: fine almost all year; in July and August plan indoor time in the afternoon.
- Mountains (Chimgan, Nuratau): late April to June and September to October.
- Desert and the Aral Sea: April or October.
Summer and winter
In July and August start at 7:00, rest from about 12:00 to 16:00 and go out again for the evening. Carry water and a hat, and dress for the heat without forgetting the dress code in mosques.
In winter, from December to February, the sights are almost empty and hotels are cheaper, but some outdoor cafés close and Khiva can be freezing at night. Take a warm coat.
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Ask UzGidAIFestivals
- Navruz, 21 March: the spring new year, with sumalak, music and festivals across the country. Book hotels early.
- Silk and Spices festival in Bukhara, usually in late May.
- Independence Day, 1 September, mainly in Tashkent.
- Sharq Taronalari music festival on the Registan in Samarkand, held in late August every two years.
- Ramadan moves every year; restaurants stay open, but be considerate during the day.
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