Samarkand is the perfect city for a pleasant walking tour. You can walk here for several days or even an entire vacation, but if you only have 1 day, it’s worth focusing on the iconic landmarks. Our adventure starts at the monument to Tamerlane – the great warrior, conqueror, and founder of the Timurid Empire.
The historical quarters of Samarkand begin from the Amir Timur monument. The monument itself is grandiose, depicting the commander seated on a throne, seemingly overseeing the prosperity of his capital, just as he did centuries ago. The monument conveniently serves as the starting point of the route, as the University Boulevard and charming urban locations are nearby.
Within walking distance from the Tamerlane monument is his mausoleum, Gur-Emir. The legendary Gur-Emir is the resting place of Tamerlane and his descendants, making it a top attraction for all tourists in Samarkand. The beautiful mausoleum with mosaic, colored tiles, and Arabic carving on the walls adheres to Islamic restrictions on depicting humans and animals, hence featuring calligraphy and botanical ornaments in all its artwork.
In Tamerlane’s mausoleum, you can learn about the history of his dynasty. From an aesthetic perspective, this place is captivating – with its enormous azure dome, golden inscriptions, and patterns, and a majestic entrance portal. Built in the Middle Ages, Gur-Emir’s mausoleum is still surrounded by legends. If desired, you can hire a guide to uncover all the secrets of this ancient monument.
A stroll in Amir Timur Park is possible – by the way, there are plenty of cafes, shops, and hotels nearby. Stay here, and you’ll live in the heart of ancient Samarkand. Within walking distance is Registan Street, which will lead you to the most famous architectural ensemble of the country and the city – Registan Square.
Registan Square is the tourist postcard of Uzbekistan. Its complex includes three beautiful madrasas, medieval educational institutions. These buildings on Registan Square date back to the 15th–17th centuries, and along with other monuments of ancient Samarkand, they are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The panorama is incredibly unique: three beautiful buildings face each other, and to examine their finest details, you won’t have enough of a whole day. A good idea is to arrange a guided walk. The guide will explain the meanings of the patterns on the azure tiles, how medieval students studied, and the achievements of Arab science in the Middle Ages.
Registan is an incredibly beautiful and picturesque place that transports you to the era of caravans of the Great Silk Road. Experienced travelers recommend coming here early in the morning before the crowds of tourists arrive and definitely returning to Registan at dusk. In the mysterious evening lighting, ancient Samarkand resembles an illustration from an Eastern fairy tale. Tip: if you want to buy souvenirs, check out the stalls near the madrasa.
From Registan, head to Islam Karimov Pedestrian Street, where there are many cafes, souvenir shops, and pleasant green areas for relaxation. From here, you can stroll through the old quarters frozen in time – life here goes on as it did 100 or 200 years ago. Don’t be surprised if someone invites you for tea; feel free to accept the invitation and enjoy jam. Here, among the historical quarters, is the Bibi-Khanum Mosque. Huge, medieval, and very beautiful – the entrance portal alone, called the Milky Way, is worth seeing. Entrance to the mosque is subject to a fee, but tourists say that the money for the entrance ticket is well spent.
If you don’t have much free time, after visiting Registan, head to Siab Bazaar. The Siab Bazaar in Samarkand is the generous Eastern market that all tourists dream of. Here, you can buy everything your heart desires. For convenient navigation, the products are divided into pavilions and rows.
The sellers are friendly, happy to treat you, and pose for colorful photos. Buy souvenirs, spices, sweets, and fruits at Siab Bazaar. The prices and quality are excellent. From the market, take a short walk to the Hazrat-Khyzr Mosque, which is located on a hill opposite Siab Bazaar.
Here, the mausoleum of Islam Karimov, the first president of Uzbekistan, is also located, along with an observation platform offering a beautiful view of the Old City. This mosque is not as ancient as others in Samarkand; it was built in the 19th century. It stands out both in architectural style and ornate decoration. Entrance to the mosque is free, and it is a functioning mosque. Note that a strict dress code must be observed to visit the shrine.
After a short walk along Shahi Zinda Street, we will reach a unique memorial complex. This ensemble consists of mausoleums and tombs, where representatives of the nobility, rulers, and holy preachers are buried. The entire Shahi Zinda complex is designed in a unified style: square structures, beautiful entrance portals, domed roofs, with shades of blue prevailing in the tile ornamentation. The external and internal decoration of the mausoleums is simply magnificent!
If you are tired and overwhelmed with impressions, you can conclude our walk at the Shahi Zinda memorial complex. But to truly relax, as well as to replenish your strength, and savor the local atmosphere, you can visit the Plov Center.
Samarqand Osh Markazi is a pilaf center where huge cauldrons of pilaf are prepared from the early morning. Come no later than noon if you want to be sure to get a serving. By the way, people come here not only for lunch but also for the atmosphere – to see the giant cauldrons of pilaf, watch the masters at work, and perhaps learn a couple of secrets of cooking this delicious dish.