Location: Samarkand
Top Things to do in Samarkand
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What to do and see in Samarkand, Samarqand Province: The Best Things to do
Samarkand (Uzbek Latin: Samarqand; Uzbek Cyrillic and Tajik: Самарқанд; Persian: سمرقند; Russian: Самарканд; Greek: Σαμαρκάνδη), alternatively Samarqand, is a city in modern-day Uzbekistan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. There is evidence of human activity in the area of the city from the late Paleolithic era, though there is no direct evidence of when exactly Samarkand was founded; some theories propose that it was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean, at times Samarkand was one of the greatest cities of Central Asia.
Restaurants in Samarkand
1. Registan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,737 reviews
The centerpiece of the city is one of the most important monuments of Islamic arts.
Reviewed By kterziyski - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The most well-known sightseeing spot of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Central Asia...at least! Also a UNESCO world heritage site. You will definitely want to visit it several times. Marvel the intricate details, enter the shops and interact freely with the merchants. Chances are, you may be actively invited to. You will not be pressed to buy anything, but I bet you will. As a nice souvenir, try to find a 200 som bill (not easy, I got one as a change in a metro station in Tashkent) and keep it! Return when the sun has set for a different view of the square...If you are lucky as we were, you may witness a nice light show!
2. Shah-i-Zinda
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 881 reviews
This street has tombs belonging to Timur and his family and favorites that are decorated with the city's finest majolica tilework.
Reviewed By noviliasjafrib
Shah i Zinda, comes from Persian which means "The Living King". Consists of several buildings in the form of mausoleums and other buildings including the mosque. Built from the 9th to the 14th centuries. The name Shah-i-Zinda is connected to Kusam Ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad who was buried here, who came to Samarkand along with the Arab invasion in the 7th century.
3. Art Gallery Happy Bird
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 73 reviews
Reviewed By _J2280MA
recommeded for those who like antique, vintage and customized things - clothes, headwear, accessories, decorations and homewear, jewellry
4. Bibi Khanym Mosque
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 601 reviews
Built between 1399 and 1404, this was one of the Islamic world's biggest mosques which crumbled for centuries before collapsing in an 1897 earthquake.
Reviewed By davidhZ7783PK
Breath taking. Recognize that, like all the other historic buildings in Samarkand, the mosque has been rebuilt from near-rubble, with little of the original structure remaining. However, I my opinion, it’s a lot better this way.
5. Gur Emir Mausoleum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 769 reviews
The grave of Timur, built in 1404.
Reviewed By Moonamuslim
An impressive building in terms of architecture and artistic design - from the outside, but even more from the inside. Decorated and restored with great dedication down to the smallest detail. In good condition. The building includes the typical Uzbek turquoise / blue dome. The interior is wonderfully decorated. The walls are provided with hexagonal onyx tiles and is lavishly painted, the dominant colors are blue and gold. It looks amazingly great and makes a real oriental feeling, when you like architecture. The Gur Emir Mausoleum in Samarqand is the burial place of Timur Lenk and some family members, including Ulug Beg. It was built in the early 15th century and is considered as an outstanding example among the Timurids architecture. The mausoleum was commissioned during Timur's reign and was originally intended for his favorite grandson. The main entrance to the mausoleum complex is formed by a large arch 12 m high. The interior of the mausoleum has a square floor plan, which is enlarged by four niches, creating a cruciform space. Incredible for this time, when it was built. Looks also great in the evening with all the lights. Below the main room there is a crypt with a flat brick vault, in which the actual gravestones are located. The crypt is accessible, but you have to take the entrance, which is outside the mausoleum. Blessing, curse - superstition? A nice anecdote and certain facts, in any case. Timur (Tamleran) - the conqueror, the one that created terror for the Ottoman Empire and folk hero of Uzbekistan - was excavated by the Soviets in 1941. According to legend, the evil spirit of the warrior was kept in the crypt. It is said that Timur's tomb was inscribed with the words, "When I rise from the dead, the world shall tremble". Two or three days after Timur's exhumation, the German army invaded the Soviet Union in 1941. And the turn of the war in Stalingrad took place shortly after Timur was buried again according to Muslim religious customs and rites, in 1942. Timur founded the Timurid Empire in Central Asia and becoming the first ruler of the Timurid dynasty. He is regarded and revered as a folk hero in Uzbekistan, since it is independent. A visit to the mausoleum has to be part of a trip to Uzbekistan.
6. Sher Dor Madrasah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 193 reviews
One of the 3 Muslim clergy academies surrounding the Registan.
Reviewed By SQYKS
This Madrasah with the tigers depicted on the front is an rare mix of Zoroastrianism and Islam in this part of the world.
7. Tillya Kori Madrasah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
One of the 3 Moslem clergy academies that surround Registan square.
Reviewed By F8714PN_Alex_W - Singapore, Singapore
The exterior was a symphony of architecture. Beautifully balanced, intricately decorated. But when I walked into the domed area and looked up, it took my breath away. The gilt interior, the combinations and permutations of design elements... amazing. Out of this world! Even away from the dome, gold trimming is used liberally in its joyously floral patterns. Tilya Kori is the middle building in the Registan ensemble. It is also the newest -- though "new" is entirely relative, having been built in the 1600s, representing one last artistic burst before the long decline of Samarkand. Entry is with the same ticket to the entire Registan ensemble: 40,000 som.
8. Ulugbek Madrasah
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 210 reviews
In the present Registan square in the XV century on the behest of Mirzo Ulugbek bin Shahrukh there were built several buildings: khamam, mosques, caravanserai, khanaka and majestic and incomparable building of Palace of Sciences - madrasah. Unlike his famous grandfather - "the ruler of the seven constellations of Tamerlane Shahrukh", Mirzo Ulugbek did not seek to build the highest building...
Reviewed By moviegeekjn - Phoenix, United States
The entire Registan Square complex is THE highlight of the Silk Road, and this madrasah was my personal favorite of the three. It has a wonderful art gallery inside along with a number of shops that offer local crafts.
9. Central Bazaar
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 320 reviews
Reviewed By Lance_Kerwin - Tromso, Norway
While in Samarkand, you might as well add this on your list. It is the largest market in Samarkand. Right beside the Bibi Khanym Mosque. Definitely a place worth to see.
10. Ulugh Beg Observatory
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 642 reviews
A small museum of astronomy stands on the remains of the observatory of Ulugh-Beg, Timurid ruler and astronomer.
Reviewed By R_TheReader - Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
There are actually two attractions in this place. The main part of the site is dedicated to pay homage to Timur's grandson, Ulugh Beg - whose fame it's not because he was a ruler, but because he was an accomplished astronomer. The huge statue at the entrance and the museum tell a lot about this key historical figure - including his recognition in Europe at the time. The other part is the observatory itself. Most of the original building does not exist anymore but the most important element of the observatory is still there: the lower portion of the meridian arc. It is amazing to see at which lengths Ulugh Beg went to make sure he got precise observations. If you do not understand the basics of astronomy, the museum does a good job at explaining, but a knowledgeable guide will probably be helpful. The observatory is not close to the main attractions of Samarkand, but do not skip it. Of course it is also the highest point in town so it comes with a view.
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