Home › When to Visit › May
Uzbekistan - Things to Do in Uzbekistan in May

Things to Do in Uzbekistan in May

May weather, activities, events & insider tips

May Weather in Uzbekistan

32°C (89°F) High Temp
20°C (68°F) Low Temp
51 mm (2.0 inches) Rainfall
70% Humidity

Is May Right for You?

Advantages

  • Perfect desert heat without the brutal summer extremes - daytime temperatures around 28-32°C (82-89°F) mean you can actually explore Samarkand's Registan and Bukhara's old city without melting. Early mornings are particularly lovely, around 15-18°C (59-64°F), ideal for photography when the light hits those blue domes.
  • Peak wildflower season in the mountains - if you're heading to the Nuratau or Chimgan ranges, May is when the hills explode with poppies and tulips. The higher elevations around Charvak Lake stay cooler, typically 18-22°C (64-72°F), making it perfect hiking weather when the desert cities get too warm.
  • Produce markets are incredible right now - cherries, apricots, strawberries, and early melons flood the bazaars. Prices drop significantly compared to winter months, and you'll see locals stocking up for preserving season. The Chorsu Bazaar in Tashkent and Siyob Bazaar in Samarkand are at their most vibrant.
  • Shoulder season pricing with decent availability - you're after the Navruz rush in March but before the summer tourist peak in June-July. Hotels in Samarkand and Bukhara typically run 20-30% cheaper than high season, and you can often book guesthouses just a week or two out without everything being full.

Considerations

  • Afternoon dust storms can disrupt plans - May is when the desert winds really pick up, especially in Karakalpakstan and around Khiva. You might lose 2-3 hours of outdoor time when visibility drops and sand gets everywhere. Locals tend to retreat indoors between 2-5pm on particularly windy days.
  • Inconsistent rain means you need backup plans - those 10 rainy days are unpredictable. You might get a week of perfect weather then three days of intermittent showers. The rain itself isn't usually heavy or long-lasting, but it can turn dusty streets into muddy messes, particularly in older neighborhoods without proper drainage.
  • Some mountain passes might still be sketchy - if you're planning to cross into the Fergana Valley via mountain routes or head to remote areas like Sarmyshsay, late-season snow and mudslides can occasionally close roads. The main highways are fine, but secondary routes need checking closer to your travel dates.

Investigate Other Months

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
View Year-Round Climate Guide →

Best Activities in May

Silk Road Monument Exploration in Samarkand

May offers that sweet spot for exploring Registan Square, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque before the summer heat makes standing on reflective tile plazas genuinely uncomfortable. Morning temperatures around 18-22°C (64-72°F) mean you can spend 3-4 hours wandering without overheating. The light at sunrise, around 5:30am in May, creates incredible photography conditions with fewer tourists. Afternoons can hit 30°C (86°F), but the humidity is still manageable compared to June-August. The spring air also means less dust obscuring those famous blue domes.

Booking Tip: Most monument complexes sell tickets on-site, typically 40,000-60,000 som per site. Consider hiring local guides at the entrance for 150,000-200,000 som for 2-3 hours - they provide context that plaques simply don't. Book accommodation in Samarkand at least 2 weeks ahead in May as the city fills up with tour groups. See current guided tour options in the booking section below for organized experiences that bundle multiple sites.

Bukhara Old City Walking Tours

The maze of covered bazaars and historic madrasahs in Bukhara's UNESCO core is actually more pleasant in May than the peak summer months. The covered trading domes stay relatively cool even when outside temperatures reach 28-30°C (82-86°F). May is ideal for spending entire days wandering between Lyabi-Hauz pond, the Ark fortress, and the Kalyan minaret without the 40°C (104°F) heat that arrives by July. The evening passeggiata around Lyabi-Hauz, when locals come out after 7pm, is particularly atmospheric with comfortable 20-22°C (68-72°F) temperatures.

Booking Tip: Budget 200,000-300,000 som per day for entrance fees to major sites. Many guesthouses in the old city offer walking tour arrangements for 250,000-350,000 som for half-day experiences. Book guesthouses 10-14 days ahead - the atmospheric courtyard hotels fill quickly. For structured experiences with historical context, check current tour options in the booking section below.

Charvak Lake and Chimgan Mountain Day Trips

About 80 km (50 miles) northeast of Tashkent, the Chimgan area offers genuine relief from desert heat. May temperatures here run 15-20°C (59-68°F), perfect for hiking the lower trails before summer crowds arrive. The Charvak Reservoir is still too cold for swimming - around 15-17°C (59-63°F) - but the scenery is spectacular with snow still visible on higher peaks and wildflowers covering the foothills. This is genuinely the best month for moderate hiking before July heat or September rains.

Booking Tip: Day trips from Tashkent typically cost 400,000-600,000 som including transport and guide, or rent a car for around 300,000-400,000 som per day and drive yourself. The road is well-maintained. Book mountain guesthouses 2-3 weeks ahead if staying overnight - there are only a handful of decent options. Check the booking section below for current organized day trip options from Tashkent.

Fergana Valley Pottery and Silk Workshops

May is mulberry season in the Fergana Valley, which means the silk production cycle is in full swing. Visiting workshops in Margilan and Rishtan gives you a chance to see actual silk processing and ceramic firing, not just tourist demonstrations. The valley stays slightly cooler than the main desert cities, around 25-28°C (77-82°F), making it comfortable for workshop visits that can last 2-3 hours. The produce markets in Fergana city are also outstanding right now with cherries and apricots at peak season.

Booking Tip: Workshop visits typically cost 100,000-200,000 som per person for 2-3 hour experiences including demonstrations and tea. Many workshops welcome walk-ins, but calling ahead ensures someone English-speaking is available. Transport from Tashkent to Fergana Valley runs 150,000-200,000 som by shared taxi or around 400,000 som for private car. For organized experiences, see current craft tour options in the booking section below.

Khiva Old Town Evening Photography

Khiva's Itchan Kala walled city is compact enough to cover in a day, but May evenings offer magical light for photography. The dust in the air from afternoon winds creates spectacular golden hour conditions around 7-8pm when temperatures drop to comfortable 20-22°C (68-72°F). The combination of spring air clarity and lower tourist numbers compared to September-October means you can actually capture the minarets and madrasahs without crowds. Worth noting that Khiva gets quite hot by midday in May, so plan indoor museum visits for 12-4pm.

Booking Tip: The Itchan Kala complex ticket costs around 100,000 som for full access. Stay inside the old town walls if possible - guesthouses run 300,000-500,000 som per night and book up quickly, so reserve 2-3 weeks ahead. For guided experiences that include photography tips and historical context, check current tour options in the booking section below.

Tashkent Soviet Architecture and Metro Tours

When desert cities get too warm in the afternoons, Tashkent's metro system offers a genuinely fascinating escape. The stations are palatial Soviet-era monuments with chandeliers, mosaics, and marble - and they're air-conditioned. May is ideal for combining outdoor exploration of the Chorsu Bazaar and Hazrati Imam complex in the morning when it's 20-25°C (68-77°F), then retreating underground for metro station photography during the hot afternoon hours. The city's parks, particularly the Japanese Garden and Alisher Navoi Park, are also at peak greenery right now.

Booking Tip: Metro rides cost just 1,400 som per trip. Photography in stations technically requires a permit, though enforcement is inconsistent - having a local guide helps navigate this. Walking tours of Soviet architecture typically run 200,000-300,000 som for 3-4 hours. Book hotels in Tashkent early if arriving for the May 9th Victory Day celebrations, as the city fills up. See the booking section below for current city tour options.

May Events & Festivals

May 9

Victory Day (May 9th)

This is a major public holiday across Uzbekistan commemorating WWII victory. Expect parades in Tashkent, particularly around Amir Timur Square and Independence Square, with military displays and veterans' gatherings. Parks fill with families having picnics, and there's a genuine festive atmosphere. Banks and government offices close, but restaurants and tourist sites generally remain open. Hotels in Tashkent book solid for this weekend, so plan accordingly.

Mid to Late May

Cherry Harvest Festivals

Various regions, particularly around Samarkand and the Fergana Valley, hold informal harvest celebrations when cherries ripen in mid-to-late May. These aren't organized tourist events but rather local gatherings in orchards with music, food, and plenty of fresh fruit. Ask your guesthouse host about nearby celebrations - they're usually happy to bring guests along. It's a genuine glimpse into rural Uzbek life that you won't find in guidebooks.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Lightweight long pants and long-sleeve shirts in breathable cotton or linen - you'll need arms and legs covered for mosque visits anyway, and loose cotton actually keeps you cooler than shorts in 30°C (86°F) heat with 70% humidity. Avoid polyester, which becomes unbearable.
Wide-brimmed hat and high-quality sunglasses - UV index of 8 means you'll burn quickly, and the desert sun reflects intensely off those blue-tiled monuments. A hat also helps during dust storms.
Lightweight scarf or shawl - essential for women visiting mosques and madrasahs, but also useful for everyone during dusty afternoons. Can double as sun protection or a light layer for air-conditioned spaces.
Comfortable closed-toe walking shoes with good grip - you'll be walking 8-12 km (5-7.5 miles) daily on uneven cobblestones and slippery marble mosque floors. Sandals are fine for evenings but not for all-day monument exploration.
Small backpack with water bottle holder - staying hydrated is critical, and you'll want hands free for photography. Carry at least 2 liters (68 oz) of water during full-day sightseeing.
SPF 50+ sunscreen and lip balm with SPF - reapply every 2 hours. The combination of altitude in some areas and desert sun means you'll burn faster than expected. Bring enough from home as quality sunscreen is expensive in Uzbekistan.
Light rain jacket or packable umbrella - those 10 rainy days are unpredictable, and afternoon showers can last 30-45 minutes. The jacket also works as a windbreaker during dust storms.
Electrical adapter for Type C and Type F outlets - Uzbekistan uses 220V European-style plugs. Most hotels have adapters, but bring your own to be safe.
Basic first-aid kit including anti-diarrheal medication and rehydration salts - the combination of heat, different food, and sometimes questionable water means stomach issues are common. Pharmacies exist but may not have familiar brands.
Small bills in local currency - many smaller vendors, taxi drivers, and market stalls can't break large notes. Having 10,000 and 20,000 som notes makes transactions much smoother.

Insider Knowledge

The afternoon siesta is real - between 2pm and 5pm, many smaller shops and restaurants close when temperatures peak and dust storms are most likely. Locals use this time for tea and rest. Plan your day accordingly: early morning for outdoor sightseeing, midday for museums or lunch, siesta break, then evening exploration when things cool down and reopen.
Shared taxis are the secret to affordable intercity travel - while tourists often book private cars for 800,000-1,200,000 som, shared taxis between major cities cost just 150,000-250,000 som per seat. They leave when full, usually every 30-60 minutes from designated taxi stands. Ask your guesthouse to call ahead and reserve a seat, or show up early morning when departures are most frequent.
May is when locals start making kompot and preserves - if you're invited to someone's home or staying in a guesthouse, you'll likely be offered homemade fruit kompot, a lightly sweetened fruit drink served cold. This is also when families buy fruit in bulk for preserving, so bazaar prices drop significantly. Buy fresh apricots and cherries by the kilogram for incredibly cheap snacking.
The som to dollar rate fluctuates, and official exchange rates differ from street rates - as of 2026, you'll get better rates at official exchange booths than banks, but always count your money carefully. ATMs exist in major cities but can be unreliable. Bring US dollars in crisp, unmarked bills printed after 2013, as older or damaged bills are often rejected.

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating distances between cities - Uzbekistan is larger than most visitors expect. Samarkand to Bukhara is 280 km (174 miles) and takes 4-5 hours by car, not the 2 hours some tourists assume. Khiva is genuinely remote, 450 km (280 miles) from Bukhara across desert. Budget realistic travel time or consider domestic flights between Tashkent and Urgench for Khiva access.
Not carrying enough cash - while Tashkent has ATMs and some hotels take cards, most of Uzbekistan runs on cash. Smaller cities like Khiva have limited ATM access, and cards are rarely accepted outside major hotels. Carry enough som for 2-3 days of expenses, especially when traveling to secondary cities.
Skipping travel insurance that covers medical evacuation - Uzbekistan's medical facilities are basic outside Tashkent, and if you have a serious issue in Bukhara or Khiva, you might need evacuation to Tashkent or even out of the country. May heat can cause dehydration and heat exhaustion, so having proper coverage matters more than you'd think.

Explore Activities in Uzbekistan

Continue Planning Your Trip

April

Travel guide for April

June

Travel guide for June

Climate Guide

Weather and seasonal patterns for Uzbekistan

Plan Your Perfect Trip

Get insider tips and travel guides delivered to your inbox

We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe anytime.