Why Samarkand Should be your Next Trip?

The historic and vibrant city of Samarkand in Uzbekistan is a must visit. Whether you are a vacation traveler looking for ‘that’ Instagram photo or one ready to immerse yourself in the local culture, Samarkand is for you. From its rich history to the striking architecture, a visit to Samarkand will leave you culturally enriched. Mixed reviews kept my expectations low as I decided to embark on this little adventure- but boy was I in for a (pleasant) surprise.

Registan Square - Samarkand’s biggest attraction.

Getting there:

Plane: While Samarkand has its own International Airport, only a handful of international airlines have direct flights from Europe. The other options are a direct flight to Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, followed by a one-hour flight into Samarkand or taking the train (more details below).

I flew from London to Samarkand, via Istanbul, on Turkish Airlines. Apart from the jaw dropping food prices (expensive!) at Istanbul Airport, it was a smooth experience.

Train: Uzbekistan has a great railway network and if you plan to arrive from other main cities, like Bukhara or Tashkent, you can easily find a train to get into Samarkand. Uzbekistan Railways https://railway.uz/en/ is your best stop for all details and ticket inquiries. You can either take the high-speed train called Afrosiyob or the slower train, Sharq.

I took the Sharq train out of Samarkand to Tashkent, which cost 77,500 Som, around £5.50. The train took approximately 4 hours. The bullet train takes half that time, but tickets were sold out.

Best time to visit:

April or September.

I travelled at the end of April / early May and the weather was warm but bearable, 29-30° C, during the day, and 18-20° C in the evenings. It gets progressively hotter during peak summer and gradually cools down after that. I gathered from the locals that winters can get very cold and dry so that may not be the best time to visit.

Things to do:

Samarkand is full of Mosques and Mausoleums each with its unique architecture and story. From the iconic Registan Square to the Shah-i- Zinda or sampling authentic local Plov, to sipping perfectly brewed tea at a Chaykhana (tea house), Samarkand will leave your heart, mind, and belly wanting more.

Amongst all the historical sites, be sure to check out the bustling Siyob Bazaar, the local farmers market (and more!) of Samarkand.

The main attractions are near each other and can easily be covered by foot (more details in the suggested itinerary below).

Where to stay:

I would recommend staying near Registan Square, as it is very central, close to all other main sites, with heaps of shops and restaurants around It should be relatively easy to find something in your budget- whatever that may be.

Compared to Europe, accommodation is cheaper, even at the higher end of the budget.

For an authentic Uzbek experience, stay at a guesthouse, these usually come with a private room and shared bathrooms and cost around £10-15/night.

If you’re like me and prefer hotels there are several options:

Hotel Jahongir (Budget friendly - c.£30 per night)
Hotel City (Budget friendly - c.£30 per night)
Hotel Grand Samarkand (Mid-range c.£45 per night)
Hotel Asia (Mid-range c. £55 per night)
ShohJahon Palace (Higher end c.£85 per night) - this is where I stayed.
Movenpick Samarkand (Luxury c.£150 per night)

(Disclaimer: This is not sponsored, nor did I stay at any of the other places. The shortlist and related prices are based on reviews I came across at the time of booking.)

Review of ShohJahon Palace:

My choice of lodging, the ShohJahon Palace, is a four-star hotel, and a 7 minute walk from the square. The location was ideal and the staff were incredibly helpful. I arrived at a ridiculous time (5 am), thanks to flight timings and they accommodated me immediately.

Additionally, they were friendly, eager to offer advice and gave great recommendations for restaurants and cafes (Chaykhanas) to visit.

Breakfast was included and was your standard, eggs, bread, cereals, pastries, fruits and vegetables along with coffee and juices. Nothing to write home about, but not bad either.

The room was comfortable, with decent storage space, complimentary tea, coffee and water and of course, air-conditioned.

Other amenities included a pool and sauna for guests that needed to be pre-booked for a certain time in order to be used.

They offered a free shuttle to drop you off at the airport or train station.

The only issue I faced was that there was no easy way to contact the hotel before traveling, as I had to sort logistics around my check in timings.

Overall, I would highly recommend ShohJahon Palace given its balance of location, comfort, pleasant staff, and reasonable price.

Samarkand Suggested Itinerary:

(Disclaimer: this is a very compact itinerary and could be done over two days if you have time and want a more relaxed experience. Also, you can do this quicker if you have a car / taxi.)

9:00am: Start at Gur i Amir, The tomb of Uzbekistan’s most historical figure, Amir Temur.

10:00am: Registan Square. A 15min walk from Gur i Amir is Samarkand’s main attraction. Depending on your obsession with photography, you could take any time-thing from 30mins - 2 hours here. ItsIt’s very easy to get lost in its grandeur! Make sure to check out the souvenir shops inside. (Note: there is an entry fee of 50,000 som / £3.50; an additional 30,000 if you bring a professional camera for photography - you can film on phone without the additional charge)

12:00 noon: The Islom Karimov Statue is a short 5min walk away.

12:30pm: Make your way to the Bibi Khanym Mosque, an impressive sight, with its massive entrance and beautiful, blue-tiled domes.

1:00pm: Enjoy a local lunch around the Mosque area, which has several restaurants offering local food. I had the local Plov at the Sayqali restaurant.

2:00pm: Another 15min walk to Shah-i-Zinda. Keep your camera ready, with its grand mausoleums and glorious tombs, it is a sight to behold.

3:00pm: Make your way back west and enjoy the real flavor of local Samarkand at Siyob Bazaar.

4:00pm: After the chaos of the Bazaar you’ll need a breather at a local ‘Chaykhana’ (tea house). I enjoyed tea and baklava at Bibi Khanym Chaykhana.

5:00pm: Afrosiyob Museum, an ancient settlement site is a 15-minute walk from Siyob Bazaar. It closes at 6pm, and unless you’re a history buff, 30 minutes are more than enough.

6:00pm: The Islam Karimov Mausoleum has a noteworthy view of the city, head over to the garden next to it and stick around till sunset!

Sunset views from the Islom Karimov Mausaluem.

8:00pm: Back full circle and head to Registan Square, at night. Make sure to stay for the light show. It’s an unforgettable experience.

9:00pm: Local dinner at a restaurant across Registan and an ice cream to finish off!

**If you have time to spare try to visit the Observatory of Ulugbek, its a bit further out but worth a visit.

Tips and what you should know:

Currency: The local currency is Uzbek Som, currently 1 GBP is around 14,400 Som. The US Dollar is the easiest currency to get exchanged in Samarkand, however you still need to go to the bank for it. However, outside office hours and on weekends, there are some local shops that can offer to exchange your cash (I used one next to the Gur i Amir).

Cost: Compared to most of Europe and North America, Samarkand is much cheaper. A decent meal at an average restaurant can cost you around 30-40,000 som (under £3.00!).
Entry tickets: Most sights have an entry ticket ranging from 30,000 - 50,000 som, some also charge an additional amount if you have plan to use professional filming or photography gear. Phone cameras are not charged extra.
Language: While Uzbek and Russian are the most widely spoken languages, the locals are very keen to interact and try to speak in whatever little English they know. In most restaurants and cafes there are people that speak English so you can easily get by.
Transport: If you visit for a short period and only do the main sites, they can easily be covered on foot. There are buses that run but with little knowledge of the schedule and the language barrier, best to avoid. Taxis are an option and are still pretty cost effective.

Final Verdict on Samarkand:

It is for you if you’re looking to take a city break, willing go out, explore, mingle with locals and immerse yourself in the rich architectural heritage and culture.

It’s not for you if you’re seeking a more relaxed, laid-back, chilled vibe … go to a beach resort instead (more on that next time!).