Samarkand
Uzbekistan
- Safety rating
- 8.2/10
- Best time to visit
- Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer ideal sightseeing weather and golden light on the tilework.
- Population
- 0.6M
Overview
Samarkand is the jewel of the Silk Road, home to the breathtaking Registan ensemble of turquoise-tiled madrasas. A crossroads of cultures for over two millennia, its monumental Timurid architecture is among the most spectacular on earth.
Top attractions
Marvel at the Registan, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Gur-e-Amir mausoleum.
Getting around
The main sites are clustered and partly walkable, with cheap taxis and Yandex Go linking them. A day is enough for the core monuments.