visit Samarkand: Best things to do
Visit Samarkand, a historic city along the Silk Road, renowned for its stunning architectural masterpieces like Registan Square and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque.
With a rich tapestry of cultures and a history dating back over 2,500 years, it offers a captivating glimpse into Central Asia’s past.
This stunning UNESCO World Heritage sight is truly something out of this world and an absolute highlight on any Uzbekistan itinerary.
Samarkand is the most famous city in Uzbekistan, so it can feel a bit busier than Khiva and Bukhara. While the main sights like Registan Square are easy to explore on foot, some attractions are more spread out.
You’ll likely need a taxi to visit places like the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis or the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum.
Table of contents
Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum
The Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum is the final resting place of Tamerlane (Amir Timur), the legendary conqueror.
Its stunning blue dome and intricate tilework give you a taste of the amazing architecture you’ll see all over Samarkand. As we walked inside, the detailed decorations and the history packed into this sacred spot blown us away.
🕘 Opening Hours:
📅 Daily: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
(opening hours might change depending on the season)
🎟️Admission: 50.000 SOM (approx. $3.80 / €3.50)
It’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon
Registan Square
If you visit Samarkand you can’t miss its most iconic landmark. As soon as you reach it you can admire its grandiosity from the outside. This historic square, with its three grand madrasas: Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kor. Was once the heart of the city and still stands as one of the most breathtaking public spaces in the world.
A visit to Registan is an essential experience for anyone exploring Samarkand.
🕘 Opening Hours:
📅 Daily: 08:00 AM – 7:00 PM (April – October)
09:00 AM – 5:00 PM (November – March)
🎟️Admission: 60.000 SOM (approx. $4.60 / €4.30)
Check our Ultimate 10 Days Uzbekistan Itinerary
Bibi-Khanym Mosque
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque is one of the most impressive architectural wonders of the Timurid Empire.
Once one of the biggest mosques in the world, its massive entrance and huge dome still stand out today. Even though it’s aged, you can still see the amazing tilework and details that show how grand it once was. Built by Tamerlane in the 14th century, it’s named after his wife, Bibi-Khanym.
🕘 Opening Hours:
📅 Daily: 9:00 AM – 22:00 PM
(opening hours might change depending on the season)
🎟️Admission: 40.000 SOM (approx. $3.10 / €2.80)
Hazrat Khizr Mosque
Perched on a hill overlooking Samarkand, Hazrat Khizr Mosque is one of the city’s oldest religious sites, built in the 8th century. Known for its red domes and panoramic views of Registan Square and Shahi Zinda, the mosque offers a quieter, more intimate experience than the larger monuments. Destroyed by Genghis Khan and rebuilt in the 19th century, it also holds a cemetery with seven levels of graves. Hazrat Khizr, the patron of travelers, is said to bring happiness, health, and wealth to those who meet him.
🕘 Opening Hours:
📅 Daily: 8:00 AM – 18:00 PM
(opening hours might change depending on the season)
🎟️Admission: Free
Sha-i-Zinda
This is our favourite site in Samarkand!
Home to a series of stunning mausoleums and tombs, it is known for its vibrant blue tiles and intricate architecture, it’s often referred to as the “Street of the Dead”. The complex is believed to house the tomb of Qusam ibn-Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad.
If you visit Samarkand it’s definitely a place you can’t miss
It’s best to visit early in the morning or at sunset.
🕘 Opening Hours:
📅 Daily: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM (April – October)
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (November -March)
🎟️Admission: 50.000 SOM (approx. $3.8 / €3.50)
How to get to Samarkand
Train to Samarkand
The high-speed train is the best choice, offering a quick and comfortable ride.
From Tashkent it will take about 2.5 – 3 hours
From Bukhara it will take about 2 hours
Please check the official website for the most accurate information.
Book your train ticket well in advance, as they disappear quickly.
From the train station to the city center it will take arround 15 by taxi.
Fly to Samarkand
Samarkand has an international airport, but flights are limited to a few major cities like Istanbul, Moscow, and St. Petersburg.
You can also fly from Tashkent to Samarkand, but the high-speed train, which takes just 2 hours, is usually a faster and more convenient option.
Taxi in samarkand
Getting around Samarkand by taxi is easy and affordable, but most drivers don’t use meters, so you’ll need to agree on a price beforehand, rember that you’ll need to negotiate it.
You can hail a taxi on the street or use apps like Yandex Go for a smoother experience.
If you are unable to download it one your phone you can use the website version that serves the same.You need to register which works only with a local mobile sim card and number.
Check how to get a cheap E-sim before your travel to Uzbekistan.
The app used by locals is called TaxiOK
and it works better than Yandex Go, with slightly cheaper fares.
You’ll need to scroll down a bit on your phone to find it.
The only downside is that it’s downloaded in Cyrillic, but you just need to change the language before using it.
We used this app to get around Samarkand.