Crossroads of the Silk Road · 2,750+ years
Samarkand
A city where tilework rivals the sky and every street tells a story. Monuments, districts, culture and travel — all in one place.
About Samarkand
Born on the hills of Afrasiyab, the city saw Alexander the Great, the caravans of the Silk Road and the empire of Amir Temur. Today it is a living museum on the UNESCO list — a city of scholars, craftsmen and famously hospitable people.
2750+
years of history
2001
UNESCO heritage
61
places & monuments
16
cities & districts
Must see
The jewels of Samarkand
What to see?
A path for every passion
History
Twenty-seven centuries — one city
−750
Antiquity
mil. avv. VIII asr – 712
Antiquity
Maracanda, born on the Afrasiyab plateau, was the chief city of Sogdiana: the age of the Achaemenids and Alexander, of nomad empires, and of the Sogdian merchants who ran the trade of the Silk Road.
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712–1220
Early Islamic era
From the Arab conquest to Genghis Khan: Samarkand as capital of the Samanids and Karakhanids, a centre of paper-making and learning, and the largest, richest city of Transoxiana.
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1220–1370
Mongol era
From the devastation of 1220 to the rise of Timur: Afrasiyab was abandoned, the city shifted south, recovered slowly within the Chagatai realm and, with the Sarbadar revolt, reached the threshold of a new age.
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1370–1501
Timurid era
Timur's capital and Ulugh Beg's seat of learning: the golden age when Samarkand became the grandest city of Central and Western Asia and Bibi-Khanym, Gur-e-Amir and the Registan were built.
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1501–1868
Age of the khanates
The Shaybanids, Ashtarkhanids and Manghits: Samarkand became the second city of the Bukharan state, the Registan took its three-madrasa form, and after the deep decline of the 18th century the city slowly revived.
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1868–1917
Russian Empire
From the conquest of 1868 to 1917: Samarkand became a provincial capital of Russian Turkestan, a European town grew up beside the old city, the railway arrived and the Jadid reformers launched their movement for modern education.
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1917–1991
Soviet period
First capital of Soviet Uzbekistan, a wartime refuge and a city of sweeping restorations: Samarkand grew into an industrial and scientific centre and celebrated its 2,500th anniversary in 1970.
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1991 – bugun
Independence era
In independent Uzbekistan, Samarkand joined UNESCO's World Heritage List, celebrated its 2,750th anniversary and became a city of major international gatherings, from the SCO summit to the UNESCO General Conference.
Read moreSamarkand Region
16 districts — 16 worlds
Stay & eat
Where to stay, what to eat
Culture
Bread, silk and song
Ready-made itineraries
A trip that fits your time
1day
Samarkand in a day
Only one day? See Gur-e-Amir, the Registan, Bibi-Khanym, the Siab Bazaar, Shah-i-Zinda and the Ulugh Beg Observatory, then end with the Registan's evening light show.
Gur-e-AmirRegistanIslam Karimov Street (formerly Tashkent Street)Bibi-Khanym MosqueSiyob Bazaar
2days
Two days in Samarkand
Day one covers the Registan, Bibi-Khanym, the Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda; day two takes in Gur-e-Amir, the 'new town', Afrasiyab, the Tomb of Daniel, the Ulugh Beg Observatory and the Eternal City.
RegistanIslam Karimov Street (formerly Tashkent Street)Bibi-Khanym MosqueBibi-Khanym MausoleumSiyob Bazaar
3days
Three days: city and mountains
Two days for Samarkand's great monuments, and a third for the countryside: Urgut's bazaar, the Chor-Chinor garden, the Amankutan gorge and the Takhtakaracha Pass.
RegistanIslam Karimov Street (formerly Tashkent Street)Bibi-Khanym MosqueSiyob BazaarHazrat Khizr Mosque
1day
The pilgrim's path
From the Imam al-Bukhari complex and the Makhdumi Azam shrine to Shah-i-Zinda, the Tomb of Daniel and Khoja Ahrar — the most revered shrines in and around Samarkand in a single day.
Imam al-Bukhari Memorial ComplexMakhdumi Azam ComplexKhoja Doniyor (Tomb of Daniel)Hazrat Khizr MosqueShah-i-Zinda
Events
What’s on in Samarkand
1August
Samarkand Plov International Gastronomic Festival
A plov festival first held in 2025: more than 200 cooks, guests from over a dozen countries and 7 tonnes of plov from a single cauldron at the Eternal City.
1–3 August 2025 (first edition); no further edition officially announced yetOctober
Samarkand City Day
18 October, the day Samarkand received the Order of Amir Temur — a city festival of concerts, feasts, fairs and street celebrations.
Every year on 18 October; the programme is announced annually7November
Samarkand Marathon
An international charity race starting by the Registan every autumn: marathon, half marathon, 10K and 5K, plus inclusive and children’s runs.
Every year in early November; in 2026 — 7–8 November21March
Navruz
21 March, the spring equinox: sumalak feasts, concerts and folk games in Samarkand’s neighbourhoods and parks.
Every year on 21 March (public holiday)April
International Embroidery Festival
A celebration of embroidery in Samarkand’s historic centre: suzani exhibitions, masterclasses, a souvenir fair and folk performances.
In spring, in April (17–19 April in 2026); next edition’s dates not yet announcedTravel essentials
Before you go
Getting to Samarkand
The high-speed Afrosiyob train runs from Tashkent in roughly 2 hours 10 minutes, and the international airport is just 6 km from the centre. Plus intercity buses, shared taxis and the border crossing to Tajikistan.
Getting around the city
The historic centre is compact enough to walk between the main sights. For longer hops there are ride-hailing apps, buses and a tram; since April 2025 paying by card is cheaper than cash.
Visas and registration
Citizens of many countries can enter Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days, and most others can apply for an e-visa. Hotels register you automatically; if you stay in a private home, you must register within three days.
Money, cards and tipping
The currency is the Uzbek som. Visa and Mastercard work in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, but bazaars, teahouses and street taxis run on cash. ATMs are plentiful in the centre.
Phones, internet and Wi-Fi
A local SIM card takes a few minutes to set up with your passport and is by far the cheapest way to stay online. 4G is solid in town but fades in the mountains. Staying longer than 30 days means registering your phone's IMEI.
Climate and when to go
Samarkand sits around 700 metres above sea level, with hot, dry summers and cool, relatively wet winters. The best months to visit are April–May and September–October.
Safety and emergency numbers
Samarkand is considered a safe city for visitors, though pickpockets work the crowded spots. The single emergency number is 112, and a dedicated Safe Tourism call centre answers on 1173.
Etiquette and local customs
Samarkand's people are warm and welcoming, but shrines come with their own rules on dress, photography and greetings. A few simple habits will make your visit all the more rewarding.
+10°
Clear sky
Wed23°8°
Thu26°12°
Fri27°13°
Sat28°14°
Sun29°14°
Mon23°14°
Tue21°12°
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