Best things to do in Samarkand, Uzbekistan

All of the best things to do in Samarkand, one of the Silk Road’s most charming cities!

Samarkand’s history spans over two and a half millennia, making it one of the oldest inhabited cities in Central Asia. It flourished as a key stop along the ancient Silk Road, facilitating trade and cultural exchange between East and West.

Throughout its history, Samarkand has been shaped by the conquests of Alexander the Great, Genghis Khan, and Amir Timur.

For visitors today, there is no shortage of things to do in Samarkand! Its Silk Road history has created a fascinating blend of cultures, architecture, bustling bazaars and UNESCO World Heritage sites will keep you busy for at least a few days. Stay around a little longer and you will experience the warmth of the locals, the unique and delicious Uzbek cuisine and the picturesque landscapes just outside of the city.

Samarkand is an unforgettable travel experience. We were lucky enough to spend 10 days in Samarkand while waiting for a Tajik visa. You certainly don’t need this long, but I’m grateful that we had the time to get to know the city so well. Here is a list of the best things to do in Samarkand to make the most of your time!

The best things to do in Samarkand

One of my favourite things to do when arriving in a new city or destination is to take a free walking tour. Walking tours can give a good overview of the city and help to plan the rest of your visit. It’s always great to learn a bit about the history and what makes the area unique. It’s also nice to just have a local that you can ask any questions you might need answered!

Check free walking tours here.

Marvel at Registan Square

Registan is Samarkand’s major drawcard. Standing in Registan Square surrounded on three sides by grand and ornately tiled madrasahs has to be the best thing to do in Samarkand.

Registan Square is UNESCO listed and deservcs a few hours of your time to do well.

Built in the 15th and 17th centuries, it was once a centre for learning for students from all over the Timurid Empire. None of the madrasahs operate as schools today, instead contain souvenir shops and museums.

Tickets to enter Registan cost 65,000 Som which gives you entry to all 3 madrasahs. If you leave, you need to buy a new ticket to return.

There are toilets inside behind the Ulegbeg madrasah.

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Ulugh Beg Madrasah

To your left as you walk in is Ulugh-beg Madrasah.

Ulugh-beg was a 15th Century ruler and astronomer. He is known as one of the great scholars of the Islamic world. His astronomical tables were among the most advanced of his time and catalogued over 1000 stars in 48 different constellations. The facade of Ulugh-beg madrasah is adorned with star shapes in the tilework to honour this legacy.

Spend some time walking around inside, exploring the shops and hidden corners. If you walk in through the courtyard to the far left corner you can go upstairs to second level. The stairs are located just inside the shop on the corner. You can get great photos from upstairs. There is even a tiny cafe up there.

Tilla-Kori Madrasah

Tilla-kori madrasa is located to the back as you walk in.

It has the big blue dome and is super gold and beautiful inside. There is a small museum inside showing lots of photos from the 1930s of buildings around the city in disrepair. Many of the buildings have been restored now so it is interesting to see how they looked one hundred years ago.

Sherdor Madrasah

Sherdor Madrasah was my favourite to explore at Registan. The tilework is different to the other madrasahs featuring two large tigers on the facade and more green and other colours.
There is another small museum with photos from the 19th century in the corner which is really interesting.

There is currently a silk carpet exhibit on the outside in a beautiful golden room.

Visit Amir Timur Mausoleum, Gur-e-Amir

The Amir Timur Mausoleum is the final resting place of Tamerlane, the 14th-century conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire.

The mausoleum was originally built for his beloved grandson Mohammed Sultan who was meant to be his heir but tragically died before him. Two of Amir Timur’s sons and Ulugh-beg are also buried here making it an incredibly significant site for the Timurid Empire and earning it UNESCO status.

Entry costs 40,000 Som. You can pay with cash or card.

If you’re interested in the fascinating history of Amir Timur, be sure to visit Shahrisabz on a day trip from Samarkand.

Admire Rukhobod Mausoleum

This 14th-century gem is one of the city’s oldest historic sites. It is the resting place of the important Islamic scholar, Sheikh Burhan al-Din Sagarji.

Its simple design and fascinating history makes it a nice break from some of the grander sites around Samarkand. The Rukhobod Mausoleum is a short walk from Registan and the Gur-i-Amir complex making it easy to include on a day out in the area.

Explore the magical Shah-i-Zinda complex

Wander through the necropolis of Shah-i-Zinda, a street lined with mausoleums with vibrant tilework, that house the remains of royalty and nobility.

Visiting Shah-i-Zinda was my favourite thing to do in Samarkand. Although Samarkand is filled with architecture that will take your breath away, there is something about Shah-i-Zinda that sets it apart from the rest.

The tilework is stunning. Parts of the complex are original and some are only semi-restored which makes it feel really authentic and ancient.

Tickets are 40,ooo Som. You can pay cash or with card.

Shah-i-Zinda complex is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Samarkand

Mausoleum of Shodi Mulk Oko

One of the highlights of the Shah-i-Zinda complex is the mauseoleum of Shodi Mulk Oko. It was built in the 14th century to honour of Amir Timur’s sister Turkon Oko. Many of the other mausoleums have ornately tiled exteriors but are very simple and plain on the inside. The mausoleum of Shodi Mulk Oko however is just as colourful inside and out.

Shah-i-Zinda mausoleum complex in Samarkand

Mausoleum of Kusam-ibn-Abbas

Kusam-ibn-Abbas was one of the first preachers of Islam in Central Asia and a cousin of the Prophet Mohammed. He died in Samarkand and his mausoleum the most important and best preserved at the Shah-i-Zinda complex.

The doors of the Kusam-ibn-Abbas mausoleum are ancient and ornately carved. The entrance door even contains original ivory.

To visit the grave of Kusam-ibn-Abbas is a pilgrimage for many Muslims and there is a real sense of reverence. In the prayer room you can witness the singing of Quranic verses and group prayer offering real insight into the significance of this holy site.

Visit the Bibi-Khanym mosque

Admire the grandeur of Bibi-Khanym Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world. It was built by Timur in honor of his wife and features stunning blue domes and intricate mosaics.

Visiting Bibi-Khanym mosque is one of the best things to do in Samarkand. What I found really interesting about this mosque compared to other sites in Samarkand is that it is only about 80% restored.

Some of the historical sites in Uzbekistan have been restored to a point that they sometimes feel a bit overly-polished, or not as old as they truly are. Bibi-Khanym mosque felt like it held on to its authenticity a bit more than other places have.

Tickets are 40,000 Som. You can hire a guide at the entry. A 20 minute tour should cost 80,000 Som.

Explore Siab Bazaar

Immersing yourself in the vibrant atmosphere of Siab Bazaar is one of the best local experiences in Samarkand.

Bazaars in Uzbekistan are bustling places where you can sample local delicacies, shop for souvenirs, and experience the energy of daily life. The selection of dried fruits and nuts available in Uzbekistan is astounding. I think I ate my body weight in pistachios multiple times over.

Visit Ulugh-Beg Observatory

Located just outside of the city are the remnants of the Ulugh Beg Observatory where the renowned astronomer Ulugh Beg made groundbreaking discoveries in the 15th century.

Built in the 1420s, not much of the original structure remains today. There is a small museum which contains Ulugh Beg’s star charts and some astronomical instruments.

The best things to do in Samarkand at night

Watch the light show at Registan Square

If you’ve visited Registan in the afternoon, stick around for the evening light show. You don’t need to buy another ticket to enter Registan as you can watch the show from the viewing platform for free. Watching the light show at Registan is one of the best things to do in Samarkand at night.

The show starts at 9pm in summer, but the exact start time can vary. When we went the show began at 9:15pm, but it was definitely worth the wait!

Visiting the Registan complex for the nightly light show is one of the best things to do in Samarkand

Visit the Silk Road City tourist complex

I’ll preface this with saying this probably isn’t for everyone. It is very touristy and feels a little staged compared to other more authentic historical sites. I wouldn’t recommend it for international tourists if you only have a few days in Samarkand. If you are spending a little more time in the area, I think it is worth checking out.

The Silk Road City tourist complex is a collection of hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions located about 20 minutes drive from downtown Samarkand. While it feels touristy, most of the people there are local tourists or from nearby countries. There are lots of families out enjoying their evenings, walking along the water front or catching the small boats that do laps around the 2km long rowing channel.

We had a lovely dinner at one of the restaurants, caught a boat around filled with local families and then watched a really impressive light and fountain show before heading home. It is a nice way to spend an evening in Samarkand.

Shopping at Silk Road City, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

The best cultural things to do in Samarkand

Take an Uzbek cooking class

Taking a cooking class is a great way to get a better understanding of the local Uzbek food culture. Whether you’re interested in cooking or not, taking a class with a local person about something important to them is a great way to dive a little deeper. My partner would order take-away every day of his life if he could, but has tagged along to and enjoyed cooking classes all over the world because of the intimate social and cultural experience they offer.

Attend a traditional music and dance show

There is a traditional music and dance show at Sherdor Madrasah during peak tourist months. There aren’t exact dates but generally from April to June, and then from August to October. We visited in July and were told it hadn’t been on for a few weeks because it was too hot.

We were recommended to attend a traditional show at El Merosi cafe on Mustaqillik Street at 6pm. This isn’t on every night so make sure you drop in to confirm.

Taste local Uzbek wines

You might be surprised to learn that Uzbekistan produces wine. I certainly was! But it turns out they actually make some really great local wine which you can try at many restaurants in Samarkand.

A good introduction to Uzbek wine is taking a wine tasting tour at Khovrenko winery. You can sample local wines and cognacs and learn about what makes Uzbek wine unique. The tour also includes return transfers to and from your hotel so is the perfect activity for a lazy afternoon.

The best places to stay in Samarkand

Samarkand has a good range of accommodation options to suit every style and budget. Here are some of the best options.

Budget – Sitora Star Samarkand is where we stayed for our 10 days in Samarkand. I can’t say enough good things about this place. It is centrally-located a few minutes walk from the Amir Timur Mausoleum, has a kitchen you can use and the owner is one of the nicest people I’ve ever met. It is everything you could want or need from budget accommodation.

Mid-Range – Darvozai Samarkand Boutique Hotel is in a great location, has super friendly staff and rooms that are decorated with local Uzbek suzani silks.

High-end – For something a little more luxurious, check out Silk Road Empire Hotel. Spacious rooms, an exceptional breakfast and super hospitable staff are just some of the reasons this hotel has a near perfect review score. It also has nice little features like free bike rental that set it apart from the rest.