UZ
Samarkand
Timur’s capital, with the Registan, blue-tiled tombs and a busy bazaar
Timur’s capital, with the Registan, blue-tiled tombs and a busy bazaar
Three tiled madrasahs face one square: Ulugh Beg (1417–1420), Sher-Dor and Tilya-Kori, both from the 17th century. Tilya-Kori has a gilded mosque inside.
Come back after dark, when the square is lit.
Photo: Aleksandr Zykov, CC BY-SA 2.0
Timur’s mausoleum has a fluted blue dome and a gold-decorated interior. Timur and his grandson Ulugh Beg are buried here.
Photo: Adam Harangozó, CC BY-SA 4.0
A lane of mausoleums climbs a hillside, most from the 14th and 15th centuries, with some of the finest tilework in the Islamic world. It is also a place of pilgrimage.
Dress modestly; it is a holy site.
Photo: Bgag, CC0
Built for Timur from 1399, this was one of the largest mosques of its time. Much was rebuilt in the Soviet era. The Siab Bazaar next door sells bread, dried fruit and nuts.
Photo: Bgag, CC0
In the 1420s the ruler and astronomer Ulugh Beg built a giant sextant here. Part of its curved track survives underground, with a small museum.
Photo: Bgag, CC0
Try plov (rice with meat and carrots), Samarkand non (round bread), shashlik and somsa.
Plov is traditionally a lunch dish; popular plov centres often sell out by early afternoon.
Afrosiyob high-speed trains run from Tashkent in about 2–2.5 hours, and on to Bukhara in under 2 hours. Samarkand also has an international airport.
Many nationalities can visit Uzbekistan visa-free; check the current rules for your passport.
Uzbekistan uses the som (UZS). Cards work in many hotels, but carry cash for markets and small sites.
Fees at the last check; they change often.
The main monuments are close together.
See the Registan in the morning, Gur-e-Amir after lunch and the Registan lit up at night.
Walk Shah-i-Zinda early, then visit Bibi-Khanym, the Siab Bazaar and the observatory.
Each monument has its own ticket; fees rose in 2025.
Buy train tickets early on the official railway site or app; fast trains sell out in spring and autumn.
July and August are very hot; sightsee early.
Cover shoulders and knees at holy sites.
Quick answers for planning time in Samarkand.
About UZS 100,000 for foreigners at the last check (2025).
By Afrosiyob high-speed train in about 2–2.5 hours.
Two days covers the main sights.
Timur and members of his family, including Ulugh Beg.
April to May and September to October.
Guesthouses, guides and drivers take bookings by message; Telegram is also widely used.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Uzbekistan travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.