Samarkand Trip Planner: Your Ultimate 2025 Guide to Uzbekistan’s Ancient Gem

📍 Where is Samarkand?

Samarkand is located in southeastern Uzbekistan, about 300 km from Tashkent. It’s easily accessible by high-speed train, car, or domestic flight, and it’s a central part of any Silk Road itinerary.

Coordinates: 39.6270° N, 66.9749° E
Region: Samarqand viloyati

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🚆 How to Get to Samarkand

✈️ By Air

• Samarkand International Airport (SKD) now serves international and domestic flights.
• Direct flights from Tashkent, Moscow, Istanbul, Dubai, and Almaty.

🚄 By Train

• Afrosiyob High-Speed Train: Tashkent → Samarkand (~2 hours)
• Sharq Train: Budget option (~3.5–4 hours)

Book trains early during peak seasons (spring/autumn) via uzrailway.uz

🚖 By Car or Taxi

• A private car or shared taxi from Tashkent takes around 4–5 hours.
• Kalishtrip.uz offers door-to-door transfers with local guides.

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🕓 Best Time to Visit Samarkand

The best seasons are:

• Spring (April–May): Flowers in bloom, warm days, cool nights
• Autumn (September–October): Golden light, harvest festivals, fewer crowds

Avoid the hot summer months (July–August) unless you love dry heat and quiet streets.

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🕌 Top 10 Things to Do in Samarkand

1. Registan Square

• The heart of ancient Samarkand.
• Three madrasahs: Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori.
• Visit in daylight and at night when it’s beautifully lit.

2. Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum

• Final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane).
• Glowing blue dome, intricate interiors.

3. Shah-i-Zinda

• A necropolis with some of Central Asia’s most stunning tilework.
• Known as the “Street of the Dead”.

4. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

• Once one of the largest mosques in the Islamic world.
• Symbol of Samarkand’s Timurid power.

5. Siab Bazaar

• Authentic local market with fruits, nuts, bread (non), sweets, and souvenirs.

6. Ulugh Beg Observatory

• Learn about medieval astronomy.
• Home to a giant sextant built in the 15th century.

7. Afrosiab Museum

• Dedicated to pre-Islamic Samarkand (ancient Afrasiab).
• Home to the famous Sogdian murals.

8. Hazrat Khizr Mosque

• Rebuilt on one of the city’s oldest religious sites.
• Great city views.

9. Meros Paper Mill (Konigil)

• Learn how Samarkand’s ancient paper was made from mulberry bark.

10. Samarkand Wine Factory

• Wine tasting experience with local Uzbek grape varieties.

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🍽️ Where to Eat in Samarkand

Restaurant	Cuisine	Highlight Dish
Platan	Uzbek & European	Samarkand plov
Bibikhanum Teahouse	Traditional	Shurpa, manti
Old City Restaurant	Fine Uzbek dining	Tandir lamb
Kyzyl Chaixona	Local teahouse	Green tea & kurut

Ask Kalishtrip.uz to book a home-cooked meal experience with a local family!

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🏨 Where to Stay in Samarkand

🏛️ Boutique Hotels

• L’Argamak Hotel – Near Registan, classic decor
• Antica B&B – Cozy rooms and garden breakfast
• Hotel Bibikhanum – Views of the mosque

💎 Luxury

• Silk Road by Minyoun – 5-star, rooftop views
• DiliMah Premium Hotel – Indoor pool, elegant rooms

💰 Budget

• Samarkand Travel Inn – Friendly staff, good location
• Tilya Kori Hostel – Best for backpackers

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🧭 Samarkand Day Trip Ideas

• Shahrisabz (2 hrs): Timur’s hometown with UNESCO-listed ruins
• Urgut Bazaar (45 mins): Popular Sunday market for handicrafts
• Konigil Village (30 mins): Paper-making, watermills, crafts

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📋 Travel Tips for Samarkand

• 💬 Language: Uzbek, Russian; basic English at tourist spots
• 💵 Currency: Uzbekistani Som (UZS); bring cash for bazaars
• 🚖 Transport: Yandex Go for taxis; city buses and marshrutkas available
• 📶 SIM cards: Buy Ucell or Beeline at Tashkent airport
• 🙏 Dress modestly: Especially for mosque visits

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📲 Apps & Tools to Use

• Google Translate – Great for menus
• Maps.me – Offline maps with walking routes
• Yandex Go – Taxi booking
• Kalishtrip.uz – Tours, guides, and local bookings