Registan, the great mosque, the bazaar, the necropolis and Amir Temur's tomb, then the observatory and the drive to al-Bukhari's memorial.
2 days, 12 stopsBalanced paceApr to May, Sep to OctApproved by TravPa Editors, Nov 7, 2026
Trip at a glance
Add your first day to see each day's date, weather, sunset and closing days.
Day 1: Registan, Bibi-Khanym and Shah-i-Zinda
The three madrasahs of Registan, Amir Temur's mosque, a bazaar lunch, the pilgrim necropolis and his tomb, then dinner.
1
9:00 AMRegistanGo early to see all three madrasahs with fewer people; Sherdor's portal shows a predator hunting a gazelle.About 1 hour 30 min here
UZS[fee]
Walk about 10 min
2
10:45 AMBibi-Khanym MosqueWalk the vast courtyard of Amir Temur's cathedral mosque, built 1399 to 1404. Cover shoulders and knees.About 1 hour 15 min here
UZS[fee]
Walk about 5 min
3
12:00 PMSiab BazaarLunch at the old bazaar: buy a round of Samarkand bread and a slab of halva, and taste the fruit and nuts.About 1 hour 15 min here
Pay as you go
Walk about 15 min
4
1:30 PMOptionalAfrasiab Settlement and MuseumWalk the ruins of ancient Samarkand, which date back to the 8th century BC. Skip it for a slower afternoon.About 1 hour 30 min here
UZS[fee]
Walk about 12 min
5
3:15 PMShah-i-ZindaAllow about 60 min to climb between 11 blue and turquoise tiled mausoleums, a pilgrimage site; dress modestly.About 1 hour 15 min here
UZS[fee]
Taxi about 10 min
6
4:45 PMGur-Emir MausoleumSee Amir Timur's tomb under the large tiled dome, with the graves of his mentor and family members.About 1 hour 30 min here
UZS[fee]
Taxi about 25 min
7
6:45 PMEternal CityDinner in the themed old-town park: restaurants, tea houses and craft streets, about 8 km east of the old center.
Pay as you go
Before you go
Take the morning trainA daily 8:00 AM train from Tashkent reaches Samarkand about 10:25 AM on the Uzbekistan Railways timetable. Book ahead.
Register with your hotelHotels normally register foreign guests with the authorities. Keep the registration slip for when you leave.
Cover up at shrinesCover shoulders, back and legs at mosques and shrines such as Bibi-Khanym, Shah-i-Zinda and Gur-Emir.
Plan around the heatSummer is long, dry and hot, from about 35 to 45 C. Visit the open-air sights early and rest at midday.
Eat Samarkand pilafSamarkand pilaf is cooked without stirring, so each diner picks the amount of carrot and meat.
Where to stay for this plan
Stay within walking distance of Registan and Bibi-Khanym, where most of the old sights and the bazaar cluster.
Map and live prices from Stay22 and its booking partners. TravPa earns a commission if you book; your price stays the same.
Plan last checked Nov 7, 2026. Check individual fee sources before you go. TravPa earns a commission when you book through a partner; your price stays the same.
