Where to begin with Samarkand? The former capital of the expansive Timurid Empire is among the world’s most underrated travel destinations, especially when it comes to historical significance and cultural richness. Samarkand’s beauty is timeless. To call its architecture breathtaking would be doing it an injustice.

As one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in human history, visiting Samarkand is like being transported back into a different era. Its dusty desert streets have been graced by legendary figures from Genghis Khan to Tamerlane. The likes of Marco Polo and Ibn Battuta have set foot in its majesty and reveled in its magnificence. Samarkand is a city so desired that it has changed hands over and over again as countless empires have battled over control of the city. From the Seljuks to the Mongols, the Persians to the Soviets, many civilizations have left their imprint on this city, making it a cultural melting pot unlike any other. Its history is chronicled in every tile of each madrasah, and every brick in each minaret.

Samarkand is full of surprises and it belongs on any traveler’s bucket list. Here is everything to know before traveling to Samarkand.

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Table of Contents

• Things To Know Before Going to Samarkand
• How To Get to Samarkand
• Where To Stay in Samarkand
• Getting Around Samarkand
• How Many Days To Spend in Samarkand
• The Best Things To Do in Samarkand
• Day Trips from Samarkand
• Closing Thoughts on Samarkand

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What To Know Before Going to Samarkand

Uzbekistan, although it may seem like a distant, far-off foreign land, turned out to be one of the easier countries I have backpacked through. Logistics were easy to figure out, and for anything that wasn’t, the incredibly friendly locals were there to fill the gap. I don’t think Uzbekistan is a difficult destination to travel to at all. Regardless, it’s good to be prepared so that your visit to Uzbekistan is smooth and hassle-free. Here are a few things to know before setting off for Samarkand.

The local currency is the Uzbek Som, although U.S. dollars are widely-accepted by tour agencies and hotels. Cash is still king in Uzbekistan, so be prepared to pay for everything with those colorful Som bills. There are plenty of ATMs in Samarkand, although many did not accept Mastercard. Hotels and nicer hostels will accept card, but for local guesthouse and home-stays, prepare to pay with cash. The same goes for restaurants.

While Uzbek and Russian are the main spoken languages, it isn’t hard to get by with English in Samarkand. As Uzbekistan’s top tourist destination, most hotels and hostels will have English-speaking staff, and restaurants and bars will have English menus. If someone doesn’t speak English, odds are that they will have a small child that they can summon out of nowhere whenever needed. This small child will have learned English exclusively through YouTube videos, but speaks it fluently and is somehow always available should a translator be needed.

Uzbekistan overall is fairly relaxed when it comes to any cultural and religious norms. Although Uzbekistan is a majority Islamic country, it is one of the least conservative ones that I’ve visited. You won’t be expected to cover up outside of mosques and religious sites. Beer and liquor are served at many restaurants in Samarkand, and there are plenty of liquor shops within the city as well. Avoid public drinking and intoxication, but overall, being in Samarkand is as chill as can be. Just don’t be an a**hat and you will happily be welcomed by the locals.

Staying connected in Uzbekistan is easy and cheap. I got a Beeline SIM card for about $4 at Tashkent’s airport that came pre-loaded with 25 gigabytes of data. If a SIM card isn’t an option, there are plenty of eSIMs available for Uzbekistan. I use Saily eSIM to keep me online during my travels, ensuring that I have internet from the moment I land to the moment I leave. Saily’s Uzbekistan eSIMs start at just $4, and you can use my code “eli5” for an additional 5% off of your first Saily eSIM.

How To Get to Samarkand

With Samarkand being the country’s top travel destination, there won’t be any issues making your way to Samarkand. Train travel in Uzbekistan is affordable and convenient. Trains to Samarkand from Tashkent and Bukhara are frequent, with around a dozen departures a day. From Khiva, Termez, or elsewhere, you might want to book a few days in advance as the sleeper trains only have a couple of departures per day. You can book your train tickets at the railway stations, although booking them online worked fine and was more convenient than dragging myself to the train station.

Upon arriving to Samarkand’s train station, take public transportation or order a taxi to the historic center. It’s about a 20-minute drive from the railway station to Registan Square. The taxi mob will be the first to greet you to Samarkand, hellbent on souring your first impressions of the city. They will charge an exorbitant amount, often starting at laughable prices like 300,000 som. It is best to order a ride on the Yandex Go app for fair prices. Try not to pay more than 30,000 som if you do end up getting a taxi.

I never tried taking the tram, but there is a stop just outside of the railway station and one of the routes passes by the Siyob Bazaar. From there, it’s easy to walk to your accommodation if you are staying close to the historic center.

Samarkand also has an airport, and if you want to skip over Tashkent, it could be a good idea to fly into Samarkand instead of Tashkent. Direct flights to Samarkand tend to be more expensive, so if you have time and flexibility, it’s worth flying into Tashkent and spending a day or two there before hopping on a train to Samarkand.

Where To Stay in Samarkand

Samarkand has an overwhelming amount of places to stay. Although I use Hostelworld religiously, most hostels in Samarkand don’t show up there yet. You’re better off checking on other booking sites for a more complete list of Samarkand accommodation.

The most popular hostel in town is the Registan Hotel, located right next to Registan Square. Another good option is the Old Radio Hostel, with an excellent central location along Samarkand’s walking street that connects its top attractions. I also stayed at Azaliya Hostel, an excellent value at just $6 a night. It was a bit further away from Registan Square, but close to other attractions like the Bibi Khanim Mausoleum and the Shah-i-Zinda complex. Overall, I didn’t find location to play too much of a part when choosing accommodation in Samarkand. The whole city is very walkable and nothing feels too far away.

Private rooms are also affordable in Samarkand. I spent a few days at Munis Guesthouse to get guaranteed air-conditioning and loved it. It was cozy, came with a great breakfast, and was close to the city center. The host and her family were also lovely humans. You couldn’t ask for much more at about $25 USD a night.

I didn’t find booking accommodation in advance to be necessary, although I’d imagine during the high season this might be more of an issue. If you want to guarantee a bed at one of the more popular hostels like Old Radio or Registan Hostel, try to book a week or two in advance.

How To Get Around Samarkand

One of my favorite things about Samarkand was how pedestrian-friendly it is. I loved walking in Samarkand because the whole city feels like a garden. Most walking paths are lined with flowers and greenery. Dodging traffic and crazy drivers is a distant thought. Strolling along its walking streets made every walk feel manageable, regardless of the distance. Aside from taxi rides to and from the train station and The Eternal City, I only needed my own two feet to take me across Samarkand’s many sites, both new and old.

For everything else, Yandex Go can fill the gaps. There are buses in Samarkand, but for a short visit, I didn’t feel the need to figure out the system and the routes. Walking could take you to 95% of Samarkand’s top attractions and taxis on Yandex are very affordable.

How Many Days To Spend in Samarkand?

In total, I spent eight days in Samarkand, although only about half of those were actually used for sightseeing. I loved the vibe of Samarkand and its slow pace of life. It was the perfect place to soak in the atmosphere and enjoy a more relaxed, and less ambitious pace of sightseeing. For travelers with limited time to explore Uzbekistan, 3 or 4 days in Samarkand should suffice. It will be enough time to see the main attractions within Samarkand itself, especially if you visit outside of the unforgiving summer months. My days were basically cut in half because the heat was too punishing to be wandering around between noon and dusk.

There are also a few day trips from Samarkand that can fill up an extra day or two, such as an escape into Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains or a deeper dive into the region’s history with a detour to Shahrisabz. There is plenty to do in Samarkand should you choose to stay longer, and its laid-back atmosphere can be great for slow travelers and digital nomads opting for a more relaxed pace of travel.

The Best Things To Do in Samarkand

Samarkand is definitely a city for history-lovers. The majority of things to do in Samarkand revolve around its many architectural marvels, historical sites, and cultural heritage. One could spend the entire day just admiring the intricate roofs and exquisite tile-work of Samarkand’s historic monuments.

Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis

Of the many historical marvels to visit in Samarkand, Shah-i-Zinda might be my favorite, trumping even Registan Square and Tamerlane’s Mausoleum. Shah-i-Zinda, meaning “The Living King” is a large necropolis consisting of many gorgeous mausoleums. This sprawling, ancient cemetery has no shortage of colorful domed structures housing intricately-tiled interiors. The mausoleums line a narrow alleyway, a stark contrast to the wide, open spaces of Registan Square. It is a surreal experience, especially if you manage to go early and beat the crowds.

Amir Temur Mausoleum (Gur-e-Amir)

The Amir Temur Mausoleum, also known as Gur-e-Amir (“Tomb of the King”), is one of the most important historical monuments in Samarkand — and in all of Central Asia. It’s the final resting place of Amir Temur (Tamerlane), the legendary 14th-century conqueror who founded the Timurid Empire and turned Samarkand into a cultural and political powerhouse.

Of the many extravagant tombs in Uzbekistan, Tamerlane’s might be the most impressive. It is a worthy memorial to one of Central Asia’s most legendary figures.

Explore the Bustling Siyob Bazaar

Siyob Bazaar (also spelled “Siab”) is the largest and oldest market in Samarkand. It’s located right next to the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, making it a super convenient stop during sightseeing. Unlike some heavily tourist-oriented bazaars, Siyob is still primarily used by locals — which gives it a more authentic, bustling atmosphere.

The Siyob Bazaar is vibrant, colorful, and chaotic. While some sections definitely cater primarily towards tourists, other parts are still as local as it gets, and serves as a great way to see daily Uzbek life up close. Having the Bibi-Khanym Mosque serving as its backdrop adds another level of amazing to this bazaar. The bazaar is open daily but I’d say it is best to go in the mornings when it is most lively. Wandering through the Siyob Bazaar in the late afternoon heat, it was much sleepier, and everyone seemed ready to go home.

Wander Through the Bibi Khanim Mausoleum

My first introduction to the architectural marvels of Samarkand was the Bibi Khanim Mosque and Mausoleum, completed in the year 1404, and at the time, one of the largest and most impressive mosques in the world. Bibi Khanym’s true identity is fairly cryptic, but she was said to be Tamerlane’s favorite wife, likely a Mongol or Chinese princess. This grandiose building was a symbol of Tamerlane’s imperial ambitions and religious devotion, meant to rival the great mosques of Mecca and Baghdad. Like much of historic Samarkand, it fell into ruin over the centuries, but underwent a major restoration during the Soviet era. As you can see, it has been largely restored to its former magnificence.

Experience The Light Show at Registan Square

Registan Square is perhaps the crown jewel of the Silk Road. You will undoubtedly pass it several times during your stay in Samarkand. To enter, it costs 100,000 Som, or about $8 USD. Registan Square consists of three structures, the Ulugh Bek, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori Madrasahs. The Ulugh Bek Madrasah dates back the 1417, while the other two were built in the 1600s. This is the undisputed masterpiece of Samarkand, and no visit to Uzbekistan is complete without wandering through the Registan’s mosques and madrasahs.

In the evenings, after the sun sets, Registan lights up and has a short light show that is worth checking out. This area becomes very lively in the evenings, with locals and tourists alike flocking to the nearby park to soak in the atmosphere.

Have a Meal (and Party) at Samarkand Restaurant

Samarkand Restaurant is one of the wackiest places that I’ve been. I went in fairly blind at the recommendation of a friend, who told me that it’s a great place to party with the locals. However, I went in the mid-afternoon, thinking I would just pop in for a nice lunch. Nope! I was seated in the large banquet hall, sharing it with 3 or 4 big groups all celebrating something, including a first birthday party. They really seek any excuse to go hard out here. The restaurant is gorgeous and everything looks super luxurious. I was half-expecting it to be a tourist trap, but it truly was a great local experience. The prices were not too bad and it certainly was the most memorable meal that I had in Uzbekistan.

Wander Through The Eternal City

Finally, at the recommendation of my guesthouse host, I capped off my trip to Samarkand with a visit to the Eternal City, a funny little place just outside of the city that pretty much rebuilt historic Samarkand into a amusement park, just 5 miles away from the actual real life Samarkand. I won’t pretend to understand it, but regardless, it was a gorgeous place to roam around and take in the lively late afternoon atmosphere.

Visit the Meros Paper Factory in Konigil Village

Samarkand has a long-standing tradition of paper-making that can still be witnessed today at the Meros Paper Mill. Located a short drive from Samarkand’s historic city center is the village of Konigil. For something a little different from the rest of Samarkand’s top historical attractions, a visit to the Meros Paper Factory can be an insightful and entertaining activity.

Hike the Old Afrasiab Site, Visit the Afrasiab Museum, and Bukhara Jewish Cemetery

The Afrasiab site is an archaeological zone in modern-day Samarkand that covers a large area north of the historical center. Here, one will find the remains of the original city of Samarkand, known prior to the Mongol invasion as Afrasiab, and dating back over 2,500 years. Admittedly, it isn’t the most visually impressive of Samarkand’s attractions. Regardless, it is one of the most important archaeological sites in Central Asia, serving as a window into pre-Islamic Sogdian civilization, the early Silk Road, and the city’s history long before the Timurid Empire.

Ulugh Beg Observatory and Museum

Built by the 15th-century astronomer-king Ulugh Beg, the brilliant grandson of Tamerlane, this observatory was one of the OG scientific centers ever. At the time, it was one of the most advanced astronomical observatories in the world, predating similar observatories in Europe by nearly 200 years. Ulugh Beg was one of the most remarkable scientific minds of the medieval Islamic world. As a ruler, he is remembered not for his conquests, but for his profound contributions to astronomy, education, and science. Alas, his ambitions for science rather than ruling his empire led to his downfall, as he was usurped and assassinated by his own son.

The Best Day Trips from Samarkand

While Samarkand has more than enough to keep you busy for a few days, many travelers opt for a day trip or two to spice up their Silk Road itinerary. Samarkand has several options for day trips, from diving deeper into the region’s history to escapes into natural wonders.

The Fann Mountains of Tajikistan

From Samarkand, the stunning seven lakes of Tajikistan’s Fann Mountains are a short day trip away. This excursion is a must for nature-lovers seeking rugged, untouched mountain landscapes contrasting with tranquil turquoise waters. For travelers who don’t have time to fully experience Tajikistan, this day trip can be a worthy sneak peek at the stunning natural beauty of Uzbekistan’s more mountainous neighbor.

Urgut Bazaar

The town of Urgut is not on many travelers’ radars, but for an authentic and vibrant getaway from Samarkand, it is an excellent option. Urgut’s bazaar is its top attraction, featuring traditional crafts in a much more immersive setting than other bazaars that can feel staged for tourists. On top of that, Urgut has stunning mountain landscapes that make for a wonderful setting. It’s best to visit Urgut on a Sunday when the bazaar is at its busiest and most vibrant.

Shahrisabz

While Tamerlane is buried in Samarkand, he was actually also born just a couple of hours away from his final resting place. The town of Shahrisabz is largely overshadowed by Samarkand, but for travelers seeking a true hidden gem, then a day trip to Shahrisabz is one to consider. The town is still filled with Timurid monuments, tranquil gardens, and seething with historical significance. The main highlight is the Ak-Saray Palace, dating back to 1380. While only a tiny fraction of it stands today, it was once the grandest in Central Asia.

While much of Samarkand has been renovated and restored, bringing to mind the “Ship of Theseus” argument, Shahrisabz’s monuments have experienced a fraction of Samarkand’s revitalization efforts. While undeniably paling in comparison to Samarkand’s magnificence, Shahrisabz offers a more authentic experience that certain travelers might favor.

Closing Thoughts on Samarkand

The magnificence of Samarkand has to be experienced to be believed. I’ll never forget my first morning walking up to Registan Square and soaking in every second. It was surreal finding myself in the shadows of ancient empires, walking in the footsteps of conquerors and explorers. Samarkand is a city that was once a capital of the Islamic world, and a hub for kings, scholars, astronomers, poets, merchants, and all manner of men and women. The streets of Samarkand and its mighty monuments carry deep cultural and historical weight.

Samarkand is one of those rare destinations that lives up to, and often exceeds, its own legend. It stands not only at the crossroads of East and West but of past and present itself.

Buy Me A Beer!

If this post helped you out, show some love and support for the blog and help keep my adventures going by buying me a beer! My adventures are entirely self-funded, so any show of support is greatly appreciated, and allows me to keep writing helpful travel guides and creating travel content to help you all travel the world on a budget.

More on Central Asia

• The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Tashkent
• The Backpacker’s Travel Guide to Bukhara
• Three Epic Days on Horseback to Song Kul Lake, Kyrgyzstan