DESTINATION GUIDE

Samarkand

Turquoise domes, tiled courtyards and the great squares of the Timurid age.

Turquoise tiled dome in Samarkand

Why go.

Samarkand was a crossroads of the Silk Road and the capital of Amir Timur. Its monuments hold some of the finest tilework in the Islamic world, and the historic centre is easy to explore on foot.

Don’t miss.

  1. Registan

    Three madrasahs face one square, each covered in mosaic and glazed tiles. Come back at dusk, when the light softens.

  2. Shah-i-Zinda

    A narrow avenue of mausoleums climbing a hillside, with some of the most detailed blue tilework in the city.

  3. Gur-e-Amir

    The ribbed dome of Amir Timur’s mausoleum, gilded and hushed inside.

  4. Siyob Bazaar

    The city’s main market beside the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, for bread, dried fruit and spices.

A narrow lane of tiled walls leading to a blue dome in Samarkand

When to go

Spring (April to May) and autumn (September to October) are the most comfortable months for walking. Summers are very hot, especially in Bukhara, and winters are cold but quiet.

Getting there

High-speed trains from Tashkent take about two hours. Samarkand also has its own international airport.

Trips that visit this city.

The Uzbekistan week
  • Tashkent, Samarkand, Bukhara
  • 7 days, 6 nights
  • Private trip

The Uzbekistan week

Tashkent, Samarkand & Bukhara. The big sights, with space for the small moments.