Samarkand Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Samarkand tours and things to do in the jewel of the Silk Road: stand before the majestic tiled madrasas of the Registan, wander the vast Bibi-Khanym Mosque, walk the blue-domed avenue of the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, visit Tamerlane’s Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, and browse the bustling Siyob bazaar. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Samarkand by interest
Whatever brings you to Samarkand — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Samarkand
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
The Registan
Tiled madrasas.
Shah-i-Zinda
Blue necropolis.
Gur-e-Amir
Tamerlane’s tomb.
Bibi-Khanym
Great mosque.
Silk Road
Ancient crossroads.
Siyob Bazaar
Lively market.
Ulugh Beg
Observatory.
Tilework
Minarets & domes.
City awayThe Registan
Tiled madrasas.
City awayShah-i-Zinda
Blue necropolis.
City awayBibi-Khanym
Great mosque.
City awaySiyob Bazaar
Lively market.
20 min awayUlugh Beg
Observatory.
Day trip awaySeven Lakes
Mountain lakes.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Samarkand visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Mild and blooming — the ideal time to visit.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Very hot and dry; sightsee early or late.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm days and the harvest — a superb time.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Cold and quiet, with fewer crowds.
For photography
Spring and autumn for the softest light.
Best overall
April to June and September to October.
One day
The Registan, mosques and Shah-i-Zinda.
Two days
Add the bazaar and Ulugh Beg Observatory.
Three days
Add a day trip to the lakes or villages.
For monuments
The Registan and mausoleums.
For history
The Silk Road and Ulugh Beg sites.
For culture
The bazaar and local food.
On foot
The main monuments are within walking distance.
Tours & transfers
Tours cover the sites and day trips.
By train
Fast trains link Samarkand, Bukhara and Tashkent.
By taxi
Taxis are cheap for hopping between sites.
Where to stay
Stay near the Registan in the old town.
Uzbek som
Uzbekistan uses the som; carry some cash.
The Registan
Visit early or at sunset for the best light.
Shah-i-Zinda
Go early to enjoy the tilework in quiet.
Mausoleums
A guide brings the history to life.
Try plov
Sample Samarkand’s famous rice dish.
Dress modestly
Cover up at mosques and holy sites.
Sun protection
Summers are hot — bring a hat and water.
City tours
Guided tours fill up — book ahead.
Silk Road tours
History tours fill up — reserve early.
Day trips
Lake day trips fill up — book ahead.
Food tours
Small food tours fill up — reserve early.
Guesthouses
The best old-town stays book out — reserve early.
Spring & autumn
These are busiest — book well ahead.
City tour
Around €25–60 for a Samarkand city tour.
Silk Road tour
About €60–100 for a history-focused tour.
Monument tour
Roughly €25–70 for a monuments tour.
Food tour
Around €25–50 for a bazaar and food tour.
Day trip
About €62–120 for a lakes or village day trip.
How to save
Join group tours to save over private ones.
Samarkand through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Monuments.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Quieter sites.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Hot.
- Best for
- Harvest.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Superb.
- Best for
- Few crowds.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold.