Top 10 Best Things to Do in Samarkand

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Top 10 Best Things to Do in Samarkand

Popular Night Attractions in Samarkand

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Popular Night Attractions in Samarkand

Top 10 Best Things to Do near Samarkand

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Top 10 Best Things to Do near Samarkand

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Surrounding area map of Samarkand

Attraction Types

Historical attractions

Cultural institutions

Nature and wildlife

Sightseeing tours

Exhibitions & events

Attraction rating

4.5+

4.0+

Attraction availability

Free entry

Number of reviews

10+

Popular Attractions in Samarkand (2025)

Only view Samarkand

Free entry

Recommended

Traveller rating



Popularity

Most booked

Nearest first

Recommended

Traveller rating



Popularity

Most booked

Nearest first

Closes at 20:00

1. Registan Square

󰺂6.0

4.8/5

36 reviews

based on 2,006 reviews

No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Samarkand

󱔒Night view

长脸张少侠Samarkand [Registan Square] Registan Square was the center of Samarkand, the capital of the Timurid Empire. "Registan" means "sandy place" or "desert" in Persian. The Registan Square was a city square where the people of the capital would gather to hear imperial proclamations and even witness the public executions of criminals. Over the centuries, the buildings on the Registan Square suffered significant damage, but were restored to their original state through restoration and reconstruction during the Soviet era. Registan Square and three madrasahs. From left to right: Ulugh Beg Madrasah, Tira-Ghori Madrasah, and Shur-Dol Madrasah. Ticket: 65,000 som (39 yuan) Time: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Samarkand

2.4km from downtown

2. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Samarkand

󱔒Historic buildings

长脸张少侠Bibi-Khanym Mosque in Samarkand After the Indian campaign in 1399, Timur decided to build a massive mosque in his new capital, Samarkand. When Timur returned from his military campaign in 1404, the mosque was nearly complete. However, he was dissatisfied with the progress and immediately ordered various alterations, particularly to the main dome. In the 15th century, it was one of the largest and most magnificent mosques in the Islamic world. It is considered a masterpiece of the Timurid Renaissance. By the mid-20th century, only the magnificent ruins remained, but much of the mosque was restored during the Soviet era. Address: MX6J+72W, Bibikhonim Str., Samarqand, Samarqand viloyati Hours: 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM Admission: 50,000 som (30 RMB), 50,750 by credit card

Samarkand

2.7km from downtown

3. Shah-i-Zinda necropolis

󰺂5.0

4.5/5

7 reviews

based on 1,018 reviews

󱔒Historic buildings

Night view

长脸张少侠Samarkand [Shah-i-Zinda Tombs] The Shah-i-Zinda complex includes mausoleums and other ceremonial buildings dating from the 11th to 15th centuries and the 19th century. The name Shah-i-Zinda (meaning "Immortal King") derives from the legend that Kusam ibn Abbas, Muhammad's cousin, was buried there. He arrived in Samarkand with the Arab invasion in the 7th century and spread Islam. The Shah-i-Zinda complex was built over eight centuries (from the 11th to the 19th century) and currently comprises over twenty buildings. More than two dozen mausoleums, each decorated with exquisite tiles, are located along a roughly 500-meter-long avenue. They are centered around the 7th-century mausoleum of Kusam ibn Abbas, Muhammad's cousin known as Shah-i-Zinda, the "Immortal King." Address: MX6Q+X5J, M-37, Samarkand Hours: 7:00 AM - 10:00 PM Admission: 50,000 Som (30 RMB)

Samarkand

3.5km from downtown

Closes at 19:00

4. Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex

󰺂4.9

4.3/5

3 reviews

No. 3 of Best Things to Do in Samarqand

󱔒Historic buildings

长脸张少侠Samarkand [Gur-i Amir Mausoleum] Gur-i Amir Maqbarasi Gur-i Amir, begun in 1403, is commonly known as the final resting place of Timur, but was originally built by Timur for his beloved grandson, Muhammad Sultan. Sultan died at the age of 27, his sudden death leaving Timur without a chosen successor. Timur died of pneumonia in 1405, while the mausoleum was still unfinished. He was buried at Gur-i Amir, which later became the Timurid royal mausoleum. It later became the burial place for many members of Timur's family. Address: Oqsaroy 1, Bustonsaroy St 1/4, Universitetskiy Boulevard, Samarkand, Samarqand Region, Uzbekistan Hours: 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Admission: 50,000 som (30 RMB)

Samarkand

2.1km from downtown

Closes at 19:00

5. Observatory of Ulugbek

No. 4 of Best Things to Do in Samarkand

󱔒Historic buildings

Planetariums

NcholckThe Ulegh Beg Observatory visit was one of my most anticipated planned visits on my trip and it did not dissapoint. Beutiful tranquil place with nice little museam and park benches around it to sit and reflect on how much the mans early discoveries has meant to mankind.

Samarkand

5.3km from downtown

6. Afrasiyab Museum

󰺂4.4

5.0/5

5 reviews

No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Samarkand

󱔒Historic buildings

Museums

天然卷不是天然呆Although the exhibits are not as rich as those in domestic museums, some of them are very cute. The most important thing is the four-sided murals from the seventh century in the central exhibition hall. There is a small room next door that breaks down the various parts of the murals for explanation, which is a great way to display. What's even better is that you can go in and stroll around the ancient ruins area at the back, and locals also date, run, picnic and herd sheep there🐑. The scenery is very good, and it feels like life is a wilderness!

Samarkand

4.1km from downtown

7. Ulugh Beg Madrasa

hazzeapiAn incredible experience, a must-visit.

Samarkand

2.4km from downtown

Closes at 19:00

8. Siyob Bozori

9. Hazrat Khizr Mosque

󰺂3.2

5.0/5

1 review

Invisible WindHazrat Khizr Mosque is the best place to take photos of Bibi Khanym Mosque from a distance. It is the southernmost part of the ancient city of Afrasiab. The mosque, which was originally built in the 8th century, was razed to the ground by Genghis Khan and was not rebuilt until 1854. The ceiling of the sunk panel on the side porch of the mosque is decorated with bright and colorful murals. From this exquisite side porch, you can see Bibi Khanym Mosque and Bibi Khanym Mausoleum from a distance. From the hill where Hazrat Khizr Mosque is located, you can also overlook the scenery of the surrounding old city of Samarkand, but only a few scattered high-rise buildings can be seen.

Samarkand

3.1km from downtown

Closes at 20:00

10. Afrasiyab Settlement Site

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More recommendations

Popular Types of Attractions in Samarkand

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Samarkand

Popular Night Attractions in Samarkand

Top 10 Best Things to Do near Samarkand

Surrounding area map of Samarkand

Popular Attractions in Samarkand (2025)

1. Registan Square

2. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

3. Shah-i-Zinda necropolis

4. Amir Temur Mausoleum Gur-i Amir Сomplex

5. Observatory of Ulugbek

6. Afrasiyab Museum

7. Ulugh Beg Madrasa

8. Siyob Bozori

9. Hazrat Khizr Mosque

10. Afrasiyab Settlement Site

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