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Samarkand

Tourist Attractions in Samarkand

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Samarkand. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

10 Attractions
★4.6 Average rating
4 Categories

About Samarkand

Samarkand is a city where the Silk Road’s echoes linger in turquoise domes, sunbaked mosques, and grand tiled courtyards. The Registan Square is the iconic heart, a dramatic stage of Timurid architecture where three madrasas rise in a blaze of blue and gold. Beyond lie the luminous Beyi-Hahan and Gur-e-Amir tombs, the venerable Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and the marble splendor of Bibi-Khanym Mosque. Museums like Afrosiab and the ancient city ruins reveal centuries of greatness, while bustling bazaars offer saffron, saffron-scented spices, and textiles. A city of contrasts, Samarkand blends timeless grandeur with modern life, inviting travelers to wander, taste, and dream of empires.

Top-10 Tourist Attractions in Samarkand

Registan Square — Historic site, rated 4.8/5 1
Historic site Historical LandmarkMonumentHistorical Place

Registan Square

4.8 ★★★★★ 15,695 reviews

Registan Square is the beating heart of Samarkand, a vast historic public space framed by three monumental madrasas that define Central Asian grandeur. Ulugh Beg Madrasa, the center of the trio, showcases refined geometric tiling; Sher-Dor Madrasa on the right dazzles with tiger-faced mosaics; and Tilya-Kori Madrasa with a gleaming, gold-tiled facade completes the ensemble. Visitors wander under monumental arcades, browse their bustling courtyards, and soak in centuries of scholarly life, caravanserai bustle, and grand ceremonies. Expect blue domes, intricate tilework, and atmospheric evening light that makes this UNESCO-listed heritage site unforgettable.

140101, Samarkand, Samarqand Region, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Tuesday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Wednesday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Thursday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Friday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Saturday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
  • Sunday8:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Good for kids
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Shah-i-Zinda necropolis — Historic site, rated 4.8/5 2
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Shah-i-Zinda necropolis

4.8 ★★★★★ 5,210 reviews

Shah-i-Zinda is a radiant necropolis cluster in Samarkand, a sacred, centuries‑old complex of mausoleums linked by vaulted passageways and stair-stepped courtyards. This hillside street of turquoise domes and gilded tilework showcases some of Central Asia’s finest ceramic craftsmanship, spanning from the 9th to the 14th centuries. Visitors wander through intimate chapels, marvel at mosaic inscriptions and jade-green and cobalt-blue mosaics, and feel the hushed, reverent atmosphere of a living pilgrimage site. It’s a poetic glimpse into Timurid artistry and Central Asia’s enduring spiritual heritage.

Shohi Zinda ko'chasi, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
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Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex — Historic site, rated 4.7/5 3
Historic site Historical Place

Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex

4.7 ★★★★★ 5,598 reviews

The Gur-i Amir Complex in Samarkand houses the grand tomb of Timur (Tamerlane) and is the centerpiece of one of Central Asia’s most influential early Islamic cultures. This monumental mausoleum, set within a cour d’honneur of grand iwans and shimmering turquoise domes, showcases Timurid architecture at its most expressive—carved marble, glazed tilework, and inlaid inscriptions that recount Timur’s legitimacy. Visitors can wander the peaceful courtyards, study the intricate details of the tomb canopy, and imagine a 14th‑ and 15th‑century court that shaped Samarkand’s golden age.

Oqsaroy 1, Бўстонсарой кўчаси 1/4, Universitetskiy Boulevard, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Siyob Bozori — Market, rated 4.5/5 4
Market Farmers Market

Siyob Bozori

4.5 ★★★★★ 3,997 reviews

Siyob Bozori, Samarkand’s legendary market near the Registan, is a sensory gateway to Uzbek life. Here vendors overflow with sacks of spices, dried fruits, fresh herbs, nuts, and the day’s catch, alongside gleaming fruit stalls and steaming samsa, plov, and lagman on open grills. Woven textiles, ceramics, and traditional suzani embroidery tempt shoppers as locals haggle with good humor. Visit at dawn for the brightest colors and freshest fare, then wander aisles packed with chatter, sun-warmed bread, and fragrant tea—an immersive, mouthwatering snapshot of Central Asian daily life.

MX6H+RW9, Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM Closed now
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday7:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Bibi-Khanym Mosque — Religious site, rated 4.6/5 5
Religious site MosquePlace Of WorshipAssociation Or Organization

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,682 reviews

Bibi-Khanym Mosque is a monumental 14th-century complex in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, built by Timur and dedicated to his wife, Princess Bibi-Khanym. Once among the world’s largest mosques, its vast brick arches, colossal roofline and blue-tiled facades showcased Timurid ambition. Today restoration reveals glimpses of its former splendor amid impressive ruins just off the ancient Silk Road. Visitors can wander the ceremonial courtyard, study intricate tilework, and imagine caravans arriving under towering brick minarets. It’s a startling prelude to the Registan and a powerful reminder of Samarkand’s golden era.

MX6H+5PX, Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
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Observatory of Ulugbek — Historic site, rated 4.3/5 6
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Observatory of Ulugbek

4.3 ★★★★★ 3,940 reviews

The Ulugh Beg Observatory in Samarkand is a 15th-century astronomical complex built by Ulugh Beg, a Timurid ruler and renowned scholar. Once home to a colossal sextant and precision instruments used to chart hundreds of stars in the Zij-i-Sultani, it stood at the forefront of medieval astronomy. Today visitors explore the ruins and reconstructed devices, aided by informative displays that bring its scientific heyday to life. Expect panoramic views over the ancient city, a tangible link to Timurid learning, and a quiet, contemplative space rich in history and curiosity.

M2F4+W7C, Toshkent yo'li, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Tuesday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Wednesday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Thursday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Friday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Saturday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
  • Sunday8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
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Ulugh Beg Madrasa — Historic site, rated 4.8/5 7
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

Ulugh Beg Madrasa

4.8 ★★★★★ 695 reviews

Ulugh Beg Madrasa is a 15th-century Islamic school that anchors Samarkand’s famed Registan complex, built by the famed Timurid scholar prince Ulugh Beg. Travelers glimpse a rara avis of Timurid brickwork and turquoise-blue tile mosaics, with a grand central courtyard framed by two soaring iwans and delicate decorative patterns. Inside, expect a sense of centuries of learning and trade, with centuries of use as a madrasa and a key stop for travelers. The building’s restored facades and atmospheric stone-paved spaces make it a photographer’s delight and a deep dive into Central Asian heritage.

Ulug'bek madrasasi, Registon ko'chasi, 140101, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
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Amir Temur Monument, rated 4.7/5 8
Tourist attraction

Amir Temur Monument

4.7 ★★★★★ 500 reviews

The Amir Temur Monument in Samarkand is a grand bronze statue commemorating the 14th‑century conqueror Timur (Tamerlane) and his enduring legacy in Central Asia. Erected in a prominent central plaza, it anchors the city’s heritage belt near historic quince of Registan and moderne boulevards, offering striking sunset and dawn photo opportunities. Visitors can expect a ceremonial, symbolic centerpiece of Uzbek national pride, with nearby fountains, well-kept promenades, and pit stops for cafes. It’s a strong starting point for exploring Samarkand’s Timurid era and its monumental architecture.

Amir Temur Haykali, Universitet xiyoboni, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: Open 24 hours Open now
  • MondayOpen 24 hours
  • TuesdayOpen 24 hours
  • WednesdayOpen 24 hours
  • ThursdayOpen 24 hours
  • FridayOpen 24 hours
  • SaturdayOpen 24 hours
  • SundayOpen 24 hours
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The Eternal City — Historic site, rated 4.5/5 9
Historic site Historical LandmarkHistorical Place

The Eternal City

4.5 ★★★★★ 579 reviews

The Eternal City is a sprawling archaeological monument in Samarkand that preserves the grandeur of a once-thriving medieval capital. Wander among sunlit plazas, restored mosques, and intricate tilework that echo the visionary Timurid artisans who shaped Central Asia’s skyline. The site blends grand gateways, buried courtyards, and panoramic viewpoints, offering both tangible history and atmospheric storytelling. Visitors can expect thoughtful interpretive signs, guided walks, and a sense of stepping back to a cosmopolitan crossroads where scholars, traders, and artists once converged. An unforgettable lens on Samarkand’s enduring legacy.

M336+H96 гребной канал, 140100, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: 10:00 AM – 11:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Tuesday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Wednesday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Thursday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Friday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Saturday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
  • Sunday10:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Good for kids
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Afrasiyab Museum — Museum, rated 4/5 10
Museum

Afrasiyab Museum

4 ★★★★★ 864 reviews

Perched in Samarkand’s ancient heart, the Afrasiyab Museum preserves the ruins and artifacts of the pre-Timurids Afrasiyab settlement, once rival city to Samarkand. The modern museum extends across an excavated site beneath glass and staggered galleries, with vivid wall paintings, ceramic friezes, bronze vessels, and a reconstructed city wall. Visitors stroll through excavations, view meticulously labeled finds from the 7th to 11th centuries, and gain insights into Silk Road life, daily routines, and trades. Expect quiet, informative displays, multilingual signage, and a window onto a thousand-year-old Uzbek heritage.

MX9V+P89, Toshkent yo'li, Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati, Uzbekistan
Opening hours · Today: Closed Closed now
  • Monday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • SundayClosed
Good for kids
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