Location: Samarkand
Top Things to do in Samarkand
What to do and see in Samarkand, Samarqand Province: The Best Points of Interest & Landmarks
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. Registan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,737 reviews
The centerpiece of the city is one of the most important monuments of Islamic arts.
Reviewed By kterziyski - Plovdiv, Bulgaria
The most well-known sightseeing spot of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and Central Asia...at least! Also a UNESCO world heritage site. You will definitely want to visit it several times. Marvel the intricate details, enter the shops and interact freely with the merchants. Chances are, you may be actively invited to. You will not be pressed to buy anything, but I bet you will. As a nice souvenir, try to find a 200 som bill (not easy, I got one as a change in a metro station in Tashkent) and keep it! Return when the sun has set for a different view of the square...If you are lucky as we were, you may witness a nice light show!
2. Madrasa Ulugh Beg, Madrasa Tilla Kari, Madrasa Sher Dor
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 103 reviews
Reviewed By Lance_Kerwin - Tromso, Norway
Madrassah Tilla- Kari was erected 10 years later than Sher-Dor. In the middle of the 17th century, Friday mosque Bibi Khanum Morsque in ruins and Tilla-Kari performed simultaneously two functions. Friday mosque and maddrasah. Tilla-Kari was concieved as the last, largest and most embellished structure of the famed Registan Square. Its name means gold-covered", refferring to the lavish gilt decoration of its mosque's dome chamber.
3. Mosque Koraboy Oksokol
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By andrewmU2655XD
The Qoraboy Oqsoqol Mosque is a short walk into the Jewish quarter on Khudzhumskaya Street. It was probably the most authentic mosque which we had seen in Samarkand. Most ancient structures in Samarkand have been restored with glossy finishes, but this mosque had an aged appearance and showed evidence of regular use. There are directional signs to the mosque on Tashkent Road, and it is a short 50 meter walk. On approaching, the first thing that you will notice are the four (4) wooden columns at the front. The column to the right is smooth and seems to have been recently replaced, while the others are sculpted. The open "summer" mosque section was to the left. There were six sculpted columns of varying age, and mats on the floor. The ceiling in this section was aged, but this added to the charm of the mosque. Unfortunately the winter mosque section was closed when we visited, and we were unable to view the interior. We had heard that the mihrab was beautiful, and the chandelier and internal decorations exquisite. To the right of the building was a single slim guldasta, which we though was a unique design. The galdusta was made from brick, and had lantern designs in tin near to the top. It's cap was a brick dome, and a star and crescent moon symbol was on top. Also of interest, was the tapchan furniture at the mosque entrance. The guidebook didn't have a date for the construction of this mosque, but we estimated it to be at least 100 years old. After visiting this site, you can head east through the Jewish quarter to the synagogue and bath house, which are a 5 minute walk. After visiting the bath house, If you turn southward to Bukhara Street, the Maturidi mausoleum can be viewed.
4. University Boulevard
5. Ruhabad Mosque
6. Gumbaz Synagogue
7. Bibi-Khanym Mausoleum
8. President's Tomb
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 3 reviews
Reviewed By yns_10 - Sydney, Australia
The country's first president was from Samarkand and his will stipulated that he be buried in the Hazrate Khizr complex. Constructing his mausoleum also enabled restoration work to be done on the complex.
9. Rudaki Statue
10. Islam Karimov Memorial Statue
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 5 reviews
