15 Top Places to Visit in Samarkand

Samarkand, the famous Silk Road city, is Uzbekistan's oldest and largest city and offers the essence of history, architecture, and bazaars everywhere. There are plenty of places to visit in Samarkand that you should explore in this city. It also has vibrant landscapes, bustling bazaars, and grandeur architecture. Walking in Samarkand is like stepping into the world of historic grandeur through its Silk Road spirit, incredible mausoleum, turquoise dome, and lively markets.

The past is etched into every ancient site of Samarkand, where history is painted with vivid colors. All of it can be experienced through a fulfilling excursion to this Silk Road city in Uzbekistan- Samarkand. If you plan to visit Samarkand and need clarification about the places you should check, we are here to help. We have curated a list of places to see in Samarkand. You must only go through this listicle once and pick out the most-visited places.

1. Registan

Registan is one of the most magnificent sites in Central Asia. Registan used to be a setting for important events and announcements. It is filled with towering madrassas adorned with turquoise hues, mosaics, majolica, and shimmering turrets. Registan is home to the world’s oldest madrassas. There are three main buildings of Registan, including the Tilla-Kari Madrassa, the Sher Dor Madrassa, and the Ulugbek Madrassa. Among these, the Ulugbek Madrassa is one of the oldest. It was designed by Ulugbek, who was the greatest astronomer. Registan is the main highlight of Samarkand. It is one of the must-visit places to visit in Samarkand.

2. Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum

Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum, the historic palace, is the top thing to see in Samarkand. It was constructed to tribute Uzbekistan’s king, Timur. Built-in the 14th century, this mausoleum is the most significant attraction in Samarkand. The Persian architecture of this landmark is otherworldly that you have never seen before. It is also believed to be the resting place of King Amir Timur. This magnificent mausoleum is simply gorgeous. If you visit this beautiful attraction in Samarkand, you won’t stop looking at its architecture & wall carvings and photographing in front of it. It falls on the list of Samarkand’s top tourist attractions.

3. Shah-i-Zinda

Shah-i-Zinda is another out-of-the-world attraction in Samarkand. This blue-hued sacred necropolis is one of the most beautiful places to see in Samarkand. The dazzling and intricate work on the wall is the richest tilework in the Muslim world, which dates back to the 14th century. One of the best things you can do here is walk on the lanes of Shahi-Zinda. Every corner of this place is a work of art. The vibrant blue tilework is what every photographer dreams of capturing. The unparalleled carvings are what intrigue the heart of a photographer. The Shah-i-Zinda means Tomb of the Living King, the sacred shrine where Qusam ibn-Abbas’s grave is located.

4. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Bibi-Khanym Mosque is built for King Timur’s wife- Bibi-Khanym. Built-in 1399, Bibi-Khanym Mosque is one of the most beautiful mosques to explore in Samarkand. It is one of the top places to see in Samarkand. Bibi-Khanym Mosque is a symbol of love that is a testament to Timur’s love for his wife. The mosque’s grandeur left a mark of elegance in everyone’s heart who visits this majestic place. Each minaret and ravishing architecture of Bibi-Khanym Mosques tells the splendor of a bygone era. Today, thousands of tourists visit this attraction every year.

5. Siab Bazaar

Siab Bazaar is the perfect place to visit in Samarkand to experience local life and shop for unique souvenirs. It is a local market that sells everything from groceries to souvenirs. It is a vast marketplace for retail therapy, which always remains busy. For locals as well as tourists, it is one of the bustling places in the city. If you like to wander around the markets, Siab Bazaar should be a must-visit place in Samarkand on your list. You can buy things to take home for your family & friends.

6. Platan Restaurant

Platan Restaurant is one of the excellent places to visit in Samarkand. Platan is the best place to head if you love delicious food. It is the most recommended place for fine dining in Samarkand. The interior of this restaurant is also a thing to see lit wood and stone building is what adds charm to this place. It is indeed a pretty spot to enjoy a mouthwatering meal. If you are holidaying with your friends or family, Platan is a fantastic place to visit. You can try every kind of dish here at affordable prices.

7. Meris Paper Mill

Meris Paper Mill is a historic paper mill in the city that exhibits the significance of papermaking in Uzbekistan. It is one of the best places to visit in Samarkand for a history explorer. Papermaking has a profound history in Samarkand. Samarkand’s paper is of the finest quality, made from mulberry trees. These papers are one of the world’s best-quality papers. At Meris Paper Mill, you can see through the fascinating history of Samarkand’s most significant products. Visitors can see how the workers at the mill are creating beautiful sheets of paper from mulberry bark.

8. Ulugh Beg Observatory

Ulugh Beg Observatory was founded in 1420. It is one of the top observatories in the Islamic world. Today, it is among the best places to visit in Samarkand for travelers. It was a science hub under the rule of the Timurid Empire. Now, it is a science center where tourists and locals can learn about the history of top astronomers and other advanced astronomical studies. One of the must-see things in this observatory is the star catalog, with more than 1000 stars and their locations in the sky. This observatory is not just about exploring the astronomical world but also admiring the infrastructure of this place.

9. President’s Tomb

President’s Tomb is a must-visit place in Samarkand. It is the resting place of Uzbekistan’s first president, Islam Karimov. After his demise, a beautiful mausoleum was built over his grave, with an unparalleled architectural blend of modern and medieval techniques. The walls of this tomb are adorned with gold leaf and beautiful carvings of quotes by Islam Karimov himself written in English, Arabic, and Uzbek. It is a very calm and peaceful place to visit when you are on a tour of Samarkand.

10. Afrasiab Museum

Afrasiab Museum is an ancient place that should be on your list of places to visit in Samarkand. It is home to various remains of a lost civilization, such as ceramics, tools, coins, etc. It is the largest archeological place on earth. Tourists can also find the remnants of Sogdian culture as they ruled Afrasiab from 500 BC to 1220 AD. They were master of the Silk Road trade and came from different backgrounds like entertainers, artisans, and merchants. You must walk through the whole museum to know more about this site. If you love exploring museums, the Afrasiab Museum is a must-visit place for you.

11. Hazrat-Khizr Mosque

Hazrat-khizr Mosque is one of the medieval marvels of Samarkand. Hazrat-khizr is among the best Samarkand tourist places that captivate the attention of so many travelers. It is a well-preserved mosque adorned with vibrant blue tiles and a dome. It is a haven of serenity, which offers the stunning landscapes of the city. The Hazrat-khizr mosque is a blend of old and modern architecture where history is etched in its walls, and calmness envelops the mosque. If you like a peaceful stroll in the city with an air of history touching your heart, it is the best place to head.
 
12. Khovrenko Winery

Besides exploring the unique sites in Samarkand, one of the unusual places in Uzbekistan is Khovrenko Winery. It is a famous winery in Uzbekistan where you can taste exquisite wine. Uzbekistan is the major wine producer in Central Asia, so it's best to try a glass of wine in Samarkand. To taste the local wine, you can take a Samarkand wine-tasting tour. This tour takes place at the Samarkand Museum of winemaking.

13. Tilla-Kari Madrassa

Tilla-Kari Madrassa is an iconic architectural masterpiece that was built in the mid-17th century. It is one of the madrassas in the Registan Square complex. The mosque is intricately adorned with bright blue and gold colors, which symbolize the wealth of Samarkand. For tourists, it is one of the stunning Samarkand tourist attractions. It is a unique madrassa from most of the other Central Asian madrassas. The walls of the madrassa are decorated with intricate wall carvings.

14. Samarkand Bukhara Silk Carpets Factory

Samarkand Bukhara Silk Carpets Factory is the highlight of the Uzbekistan tour. Silk Carpet has a long history in Central Asia. You will find locals in Central Asia producing and selling silk carpets. Samarkand is one of them. Situated in the heart of the Great Silk Road, Samarkand Bukhara Silk Carpets Factory is one of the most popular places to visit in Samarkand. As you step inside this factory, you will immerse yourself in the rich heritage of raw materials, natural dyes, and colorful threads, which are meticulously weaved together to create beautiful carpets. In this factory, you can watch the process of making a silk carpet and learn about the history of carpets.

15. Bibikhanum Hotel

Bibikhanum Hotel is a new addition to the hospitality industry in Samarkand. It is one of the best places to stay in Samarkand. It is among the top Samarkand tourist attractions. Nestled next to the walls of the Bibikhanum mosque, this hotel offers vibrant blue domes of the mosque from its balconies. There are plenty of prominent attractions near this hotel that tourists can easily access. Besides, the interior and exterior of Bibikhanum Hotel is one of the things to explore. The rooms of this hotel are adorned with wood carving, traditional crafts of Uzbekistan, ganch decoration, and other hand-made details. If you are traveling to Samarkand, don’t forget to stay in this gorgeous hotel.

Tour Exquisite Places in Samarkand with Dook!

Dook International offers various tour packages relating to Samarkand. All these travel packages bring up the unseen and undiscovered side of Samarkand to its travelers. As all the above places offer the best of Samarkand, Dook includes all of them in its Samarkand tour packages. Tons of tourists visit Samarkand every year to explore the unexplored landscapes of this city. And every time, they find something unique and otherworldly to experience.

If you want to go to Samarkand on your next holiday, then check out Dook’s pocket-friendly holiday packages. We have chunks of Samarkand travel packages that are available at discounts. You can even personalize your travel experience by customizing your tour package. So, what are you waiting for? Go pick the best Samarkand holiday package on Dook’s website.

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