What to do and see in Samarkand, Samarqand Province: The Best City Tours

December 14, 2021 Carley Gatson

Samarkand (Uzbek Latin: Samarqand; Uzbek Cyrillic and Tajik: Самарқанд; Persian: سمرقند‎; Russian: Самарканд; Greek: Σαμαρκάνδη), alternatively Samarqand, is a city in modern-day Uzbekistan and is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. There is evidence of human activity in the area of the city from the late Paleolithic era, though there is no direct evidence of when exactly Samarkand was founded; some theories propose that it was founded between the 8th and 7th centuries BC. Prospering from its location on the Silk Road between China and the Mediterranean, at times Samarkand was one of the greatest cities of Central Asia.
Restaurants in Samarkand

1. The Golden City of Samarkand Walking Audio Tour by VoiceMap

Shah-i-Zinda Street, Shоhi Zindа ko'chasi, Samarqand, Uzbekistan VoiceMap Samarkand
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

As the author of an award-winning book about Central Asia, let me take you on a voyage of discovery, exploring Samarkand’s rich heritage and unearthing the stories of the people and places of this fascinating land. Starting at the dazzling majolica and terracotta tile-covered 9th Century Shah-I-Zinda, the "Tomb of the Living King," our route proceeds to modern-day Samarkand's major market, the vibrant Siab Bazaar. We'll visit the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, learning about local folklore, history and present-day politics en route to the turquoise domes and tapering minarets of the Registan, the Holy Grail of most visitors to Uzbekistan. This tour also allows for more exploratory detours and the possibility of stops at popular local chaikhanas (tea houses). The tour is ready whenever you are and the audio plays automatically at exactly the right time and place using your smartphone's GPS and the VoiceMap mobile app, which also works offline.

Inclusions: Lifetime access to The Golden City of Samarkand tour, VoiceMap Application, Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata

Exclusions: Smartphone, Transportation, Food/Drink, Tickets or entrance fees to any museums or other attractions en route

2. Samarkand One Day Tour - Departure From Tashkent

Go To Uzbekistan
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

Excellent opportunity for travelers to explore Samarkand. If you are currently in Tashkent and you don't have enough time to explore Samarkand. This one day tour helps you to explore the world's cultural and historical heritage and gives you the best travel experience. Depart from your hotel in Tashkent and catch a high-speed train to Samarkand. In the company of your guide and driver, set out to see the city. Visit Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square, Bibi Khanum Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and Ulugbek Observatory. At the end of the day, return to Tashkent on the train.

Inclusions: Lunch at local restaurant, Entrance Tickets , All transportation

Exclusions: Travel Insurance , Personal Expenses

Reviewed By MonicaO904

I’ve tried several times to write this review, but due to some glitches didn’t save so I hope this one gets through. I had a guide and a driver, 2 very nice young men, sorry names are always a problem for me. Their English was very good but were keen to learn more. Very knowledgeable, and @ the Museum we had a museum guide joining us as well. Tashkent is still not as crowded as the European countries, quite green as well. I also enjoyed very much being a 2 way conversation, I was born and raised in a Communist country, so we compared the political and economical aspects and they don’t deny their country’s past with good & bad of course. Loved Tashkent, even tourism is still quite a new thing. I had a bad experience getting in Tashkent, having arrived like 2:30 am at the hotel and they didn’t not have a room for me. I was directed to another hotel that was more like a hostel and I was very cold and didn’t sleep for more than 24 hrs. Going on a full day tour didn’t seem like a great idea, but the arrangements were made. These young men really made my day. They took me to my new hotel at 5 pm and made sure that all is ok this time. Can’t thank them enough. ????

3. 8 Days Uzbekistan Tour - 4 Gems Of Uzbekistan

Minzifa Travel
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5.0 based on 7 reviews

4 Gems Of Uzbekistan (8 Days Uzbekistan Tour) covers the four must-visit cities of Uzbekistan. The tour begins in Tashkent - the biggest city of Central Asia and the modern capital of Uzbekistan. To its visitors and guests, Tashkent offers a unique mixture of the up-to-date infrastructure and city architecture with prominent historical and archaeological monuments. Next destination is Khiva - the ancient capital of Kharezm emirate and an important World Heritage site. A walking tour will reveal the mysteries of this legendary town leaving the unforgettable impressions. The tour will then move forward to Bukhara - "the Pearl of the East'?. Most of the tourists and visitors note this noble and fabulous city as the most impressive and inspiring one.

Inclusions: Breakfast in hotels, Accommodation throughout the tour, English speaking guide - tour leader from Minzifa Travel, Entrance tickets to the museums, mausoleums and other sights, Air-ticket Tashkent-Urgench, Visa support for Uzbekistan, Welcome and farewell dinner at restaurant in Tashkent.

Exclusions: Extra days accommodation in Tashkent (for those who arrives earlier or leaves later), Charges in the hotels for additional services, Consular fees for Uzbekistan tourist visa, Personal insurance, Camera fees, charged separately by museums, International Air tickets, Personal beverages, Full board, Any excess baggage charge, Tips for guides and driver.

Reviewed By vitruvian2012

Where do I even begin!? I contacted Minzifa Travel to arrange a last minute trip to Uzbekistan...and by last minute, I mean 10 days before our arrival in the country. They were responsive and exceeded our expectations at every juncture. They put together a comprehensive itinerary, helped us get an urgent visa, and were flexible both before and during our trip. Not only did they put together a great itinerary, but the guides and drivers that they utilized were outstanding! I am sure I will omit some, but Dilya, Rihanna, Mustafo, Inessa, and Azam all provided outstanding tours with clear English and substantial knowledge on a variety of subjects. In addition, Nadir and Yousef were delightful and safe drivers. Most notably, Lolita did a phenomenal job planning every detail of our trip and helping us make changes and adjustments where they were needed. I highly recommend using Minzifa Travel to arrange your journey in Uzbekistan and Central Asia. Timur and his team will take great care of you and ensure you have a memorable experience.

4. Magic Land Tour to Uzbekistan

Tashkent International Airport, Tashkent, Uzbekistan Global Connect
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5.0 based on 5 reviews

Magic Land Tour to Uzbekistan. Discover amazing places, local traditions and culture of Uzbek people.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Lunch, Lunch, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Uzbekistan Visa Support (LOI);, Accommodation based on double/twin shared room with breakfast;, All Airport/Train station pick up/drop off services;, All transportation services during the tour according to the itinerary;, Local tour guide services in Tashkent, Bukhara, Samarkand, Shakhrisabz;, Entrance tickets to all monuments and museums according to the itinerary;, Dinner at Nodir Devonbegi Madrasah Restaurant and Traditional dance show;, Samarkand-Tashkent high-speed train "Afrosiyob" ticket (economy class);, Local prepaid SIM card with internet access (5 GB internet package);, 24 hour customer service.

Exclusions: Lunches and dinners (to be paid directly by tourists at the places).

Reviewed By rungpatchn

I used Global Connect’s service to get my invitation letter and TELEX for the visa. Very responsive and professional service. The staff takes his work seriously and goes beyond his way to ensure I, as a customer, is satisfied with the service and get all I need to obtain the visa. I would highly recommend!

5. Colourful Uzbekistan

Madaminjon Egamov
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During this tour, you will visit the most important places and ancient cities of Uzbekistan and feel the unforgettable atmosphere of the rich culture and history of the country. The oriental Samarkand, the "noble" city of Bukhara, the fairy-tale city of Khiva and the hospitable Tashkent - these wonderful pearls of Uzbekistan tell you their secrets not only about the history and culture of the country but also about the old customs and traditions as well as about hospitality of Uzbek cuisine! The advantage of this small-group tour is that it always offers free time. Let yourself be inspired by the lively bazaars of Uzbekistan, where traces of the rulers from glorious times along the Silk Road still can be found today.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Dinner, Dinner, Breakfast, Breakfast, Dinner, Air-conditioned vehicle, Round trip/excursions and transfers in air-conditioned modern vehicles, Train Journeys Shakhrisabz- Samarkand with the fast train in the economy class, 8 x Hotel in middle class in a double room, Domestic flight from Tashkent – Khiva in an economy class , Sightseeing program including entrance fees according to the itinerary, Visit the paper factory - in a family business in Samarkand, Cooking together with the Uzbek national dish - Plov with a local family in Uzbekistan, Wine tasting in the “Khovrenko” winery in Samarkand, Farewell dinner on the last day in Samarkand, English-speaking tour guide from/to Tashkent Airport

Exclusions: Folklore show in the Summer Palace in Khiva: 20 USD per person, Theatrical performance in the Theater «El Merosi in Samarkand: 30 USD per person

6. Tashkent-Samarkand-Bukhara tour-3nights/4 days

Uzbekistan Hotel, 45 Mirzamakhmud Musakhanov Street, Тошкент, Uzbekistan Silk Road Travellers
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

We would like to invite you to Uzbekistan Cultural and Historical Travel along ancient and jewels of Central Asia: Samarkand- The key trading centres along the ancient Silk Route over centries, Islamic world’s most magnificent masterpiece of architectures with blue tiled, Bukhara- the ancient desert oasis city which has been inhabited for over 2500 years, was home to several generations of great Islamic scholars, an importand city in the transfer of knowledge between the Far East and Europe during IX-XII centuries , Tashkent and natural wonders of Uzbekistan.

Inclusions: Breakfast, Breakfast, Breakfast, Acc. on Twin basis in hotels Breakfast InTashkent, Samarkand,Bukhara, All trips & transfers in comfortable car as per the itinerary, Tashkent-Bukhara, Bukhara-Samarkand, Samarkand-Tashkent “Afrb" high speed train economy tickets, All fees to monuments as per the itinerary, All Taxes

Exclusions: Lunches and Dinners , Tips , Personal Expenses, International Air tickets, Late Check out and early check in, Charges in hotels for additional services, Photography and video making fees at the sites;

Reviewed By Subsea2012

Recently visited Uzbekistan on a Solo photographic tour. The local guide Mr.Fayzullo was very very helpful into the entire trip right from the Welcome Smile at the airport to the departing hug. He has a keen knowledge and understanding of not just the Uzbek Silk-route History but also the other part of Silk route. He made sure to answer all my queries whenever needed. Spent almost 2 weeks and came back home with lots of memories and (3kg) of extra body weight after relishing some of the greatest meat dishes.

7. Samarkand City Tour

Go To Uzbekistan

Great opportunity for travelers to explore Samarkand. This one day tour helps you to explore the world's cultural and historical heritage and gives you the best travel experience.

Inclusions: Lunch, Air-conditioned vehicle, Entrance fees for all sightseeing places

Exclusions: Travel Insurance , Other personal expenses

Reviewed By cjubb39

Made a last minute booking (during low season) and was promptly set up with an itinerary, including transfer to/from my accommodations in Tashkent as well as train tickets to/from Samarkand. I was initially hesitant about doing a guided tour as opposed to exploring on my own but I'm glad I did! Muftana provided so much information about the history of Uzbekistan and the sights we were seeing. I wouldn't have been able to know any of that if I toured by myself. We also stopped for a delicious lunch of samsas!

8. Samarkand 1 Day Trip

Tashkent Walking Tour

Enjoy 1 Day Samarkand Tour with a professional guide. You will have an efficient day full of adventure, information of history and cultural exploration.

Inclusions: Air-conditioned vehicle

Exclusions: All Fees and Taxes

Reviewed By K3629AYaziza

Very good tour where you have a chance to see the multiple places within 2 hours. Well designed route.

9. MAGNIFICENT UZBEKISTAN 6d5n

Tashkent, Uzbekistan Discover Uzbekistan

Trip Type: Small and Big Group The minimum is usually no less than 4, and the maximum is no more than 60 but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details.

Inclusions: 3*/4*Hotel accommodation in double/ twin room sharing;, All transfers and full transportation services in an air-conditioned vehicles;, Bullet train econom class tickets (Tas-Sam, Sam-Buk and Buk-Tas, English(another languages upon guest request)-speaking guide;, Entrance fees to sights, museums, mausoleums;, 0.5mL mineral water and sweet fresh fruit per day/person;

Exclusions: International air fare to/from, Meals (Half Board + 50$ p.p. and Full Board +100$ p.p.), Tips for local staff;, Any services not included in the above itinerary;

10. Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan (13d12n)

Tashkent, Uzbekistan Discover Central Asia

Trip Type: Small and Big Group Group trips average __ travellers per departure, depending on the adventure. The minimum is usually no less than 4, and the maximum is no more than 50 but some can be smaller or bigger, depending on the trip. Check individual trips for details. Central Asia Three stans - stretches from the Caspian Sea in the west to China in the east and from Afghanistan in the south to Russia in the north. It is also colloquially referred to as "the -stans" as the countries generally considered to be within the region all have names ending with the Persian suffix "-stan", meaning "land of". Central Asia has historically been closely tied to its nomadic peoples and the Silk Road. It has acted as a crossroads for the movement of people, goods, and ideas between Europe, Western Asia, South Asia, and East Asia. The Silk Road connected Muslim lands with the people of Europe, India, and China. 

Inclusions: 3*/4*Hotel accommodation in double/ twin room sharing;, All transfers and full transportation services in an air-conditioned vehicles;, Bullet train - economy class tickets, English(upon guest request another languages)-speaking guide;, Entrance fees to sights, museums, mausoleums;, 0.5mL mineral water and sweet fresh fruit per day/person;, Breakfasts at hotel

Exclusions: International and Domestic air fare to/from, Meals (Half Board + 100$ p.p. and Full Board with folk show +200$ p.p.), Any services not included in the above itinerary

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