Day TourSamarkand

Samarkand in a Day

This one-day walking route takes you through the historic heart of Samarkand — the former capital of Amir Timur's empire and one of Central Asia's great centers of architecture. You'll visit the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, Registan Square with its three madrasas, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis, and the Hazrat Khizr Mosque, along with a stop at the lively Siyob Bazaar. The route is designed so every stop connects on foot, with no transport needed. A guide accompanies the group all day, sharing the history behind each site.

Highlights

Every site within easy walking distance
Guide with you for the entire day
Visit to the working Siyob Bazaar
Hilltop viewpoint at Hazrat Khizr Mosque overlooking the old city
Entrance tickets to all paid sites already included

Day-by-day itinerary

The route begins at the Gur-Emir Mausoleum, the resting place of Amir Timur and his descendants, known for its turquoise dome and gilded interior. Next is Registan Square, the city's central architectural ensemble — three madrasas (Ulugbek, Sherdor, and Tillya-Kori) covered in intricate majolica mosaics. The Bibi-Khanym Mosque impresses with its scale — a 38-meter portal built on Amir Timur's orders after his 1399 campaign in India. Nearby is Siyob Bazaar, one of Samarkand's oldest markets, where you can try local fruit, nuts, and dried fruit, or pick up souvenirs. After lunch, the Hazrat Khizr Mosque sits on a hilltop, offering a panoramic view of the old city and the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The route ends at the Shah-i-Zinda necropolis — an "avenue of mausoleums" with striking blue tilework, one of Samarkand's most revered and photogenic sites.