Top 5 Places To Visit In Samarkand, Uzbekistan
| History Of Samarkand | One of the oldest city of Central Asia, dating back to 2500 years, is a hub for numerous UNESCO approved sites. |
| Currency | SUM (UZS) |
| Climate | Continental (Hot In Summer & Cold In Winter) |
| International Airport | Samarkand International Airport |
Located in Uzbekistan, Samarkand is one of the oldest cities in the world, dating back to 2500 years ago. Samarkand is considered the jewel of the Silk Road, combining its rich culture, deep history, and iconic monuments. The city once connected Eastern countries to the West for trading.
Samarkand is home to several monuments, such as beautiful mosques, ancient Madrasahs, huge Museums, ancient libraries, mausoleums, and many tourist attraction points that make it one of the most visited places in Uzbekistan. Head further to explore more about Samarkand tourist places.
Best Time To Visit Samarkand
Samarkand is located in the southeastern part of Uzbekistan in Central Asia. It is surrounded by mountains and rivers, making it a geographically beautiful place; hence, the place experiences a continental climate.
Summers in Samarkand are often hot, and winters are often cold, so Springs and Autumn are the best times to Visit Samarkand. Individuals planning a tour for a few weeks should visit Samarkand from April to June or September to November.
Top Places To Visit In Samarkand
Here are the top 6 tourist places in Samarkand
1. The Mausoleum Of Imam Al Bukhari
The Mausoleum Of Imam Al Bukhari is one of the most popular Samarkand Attractions point, which is believed to be the final resting place of Imam Al Bukhari and is considered a great religious spot. It’s beautiful architecture, and marble add charm to the place. This place is also recognized as a place of preservation of a rare manuscript of the Quran.
Visitors can explore mosques that can carry 1500 persons at a time, tour the library, and visit Kiswah. Moreover, several other precious monuments could be visited here. Imam Al Bukhari’s hadith’ Sahih Al Bukhari’ is considered one of the world’s oldest and most authentic Islamic texts, attracting the Islam community worldwide.
2. Registan Square
Registan Square used to be the administrative center during the kingdom of Amir Timur, which is a testament to the spiritual culture and history of Samarkand. This sacred mosque is famous as a beautiful monument and an educational hub. Moreover, this place is recognized by UNESCO and is included in the World Heritage Site.
Situated in Samarkand, Registan Square is one of the top-rated places in Uzbekistan which has a rich historical significance and is surrounded by multiple tourist attractions. It is one of the must-visit destinations in Samarkand, where individuals can explore stunning architecture and enjoy its breathtaking scenery and pleasant atmosphere.
3. Ulugbek Madrasah
Ulugbek Madrasah is one of the oldest places elaborating the history of Uzbekistan. The madrasa was built during the 15th century and is identified as one of the oldest educational centers and architecture in Samarkand. This place shares a mention of history and academic culture and is also one of the best places to visit Samarkand with family, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Visitors can explore the area’s huge madrasa, beautiful domes, and many historical monuments. Individuals can walk into the study halls; full of historic atmosphere and witness the restoration of the place. The preserved marble and many magnificent monuments offer a panoramic view, adding to the photography opportunity in Samarkand Tourism.
4. Shahi Zinda Memorial Complex
Shahi Zinda Memorial Complex is included in the world’s rarest architectural monuments and historical sites, a perfect example of ancient history and intricate carving. This place is famous for decorations on mausoleum, adorned with beautiful tiles, marble, and sandstone. This monument dates back to the era of Amir Timur.
Visitors can explore the beautiful mausoleums and discover the unique testimonies of age-old craftsmanship while analyzing the characteristics of Tumurid architecture. Apart from these, the Kusam Ibm Abbas mausoleum is this site’s next highlight. This place is one of the best places in Samarkand for educational visits approved under UNESCO World Heritage.
5. Afrasiyab Settlement Site
One of the most famous archaeological sites of Central Asia and Uzbekistan, Afrasiyab shares artifacts of ancient history that date back to around the 8th century BCE. This place showcases unique marbles & ganch carving. Moreover, several ancient buildings, such as mosques, baths, museums, etc., add charm to the site.
Visitors can view the ancient coins, pots, tools & weapons in the museum and the collection of years-old paintings of kings and queens. Along with these, there are several other things to experience here, like exploring the ancient state, the intricate carvings on the walls, exploring the archeology ideas, and getting a brief of the life evolution.
Must-Try Dishes in Samarkand!
Samarkand is not only a place to visit but also a central place for food lovers where various food are available. The restaurants here excel in preparing international cuisine such as Chinese, European, Japanese, etc. Apart from these, you can also enjoy local food here.
Visitors can try a diverse range of local food in the restaurants, which includes the pride of Uzbek cuisine, plov, manti, Lagman, Shulah, Boyjon, Noni Toki, and shashlik. These foods are traditional dishes of Uzbekistan that also justify the great taste of the locals.
Must-Have Souvenirs to Shop from Samarkand?
In Samarkand, visitors can roam around, eat and shop for several unique items such as souvenirs, traditional goods, etc. The city offers authentic souvenirs that include items from local tradition and perfectly justify conventional craftsmanship and handicrafts.
Visitors can purchase their favorite items from some of the top-rated marketplaces of Samarkand, which include Sian Bazaar, Kokand Bazaar & Registan Square. All the popular and unique items are available, such as Kokand, Ceremics items, silk textiles, Jewelry, etc.
Travel Options To Reach Samarkand
So, apart from Tashkent, Samarkand is a major attraction point where individuals can plan their trip solo or arrange a family tour. If you are one of those who are planning to go to Samarkand from India, in that case, you have air travel options available, the most ideal choice.
Individuals need to book a Delhi to Samarkand flight from the airport. The Delhi to Samarkand flight charges is around USD 355 or INR 30,000 and the Delhi to Samarkand flight duration is around two hours. Individuals can also arrange return tickets simultaneously and easily board the Samarkand to Delhi flight.
