Best of Samarkand: City Tour – Inside Visits Included
Description
Discover the timeless beauty of Samarkand, the jewel of the Silk Road, on this guided tour. With a knowledgeable local guide, and a customizable itinerary, this tour offers an unforgettable experience of Samarkand’s top sights in just one day. Day 1. Amir Timur stature, Gur emir mausoleum, Registan square, Sherdor madrassa, Ulugbek madrassa, Tillya kori madrassa, Islam Karimov stature, Bibikhanum mosque, Siyab Bazaar, Khazrati khizir mosque, Islam Karimov mausoleum, Shakhi Zinda necropolis. •Exclusive Samarkand tour led by a professional guide •Comprehensive tour of the city •Explore the local streets on a guided tour of the city •Customize the itinerary according to your schedule
Tour Options
Itinerary
The Statue of Amir Timur in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, is a grand monument dedicated to Amir Timur (Tamerlane), the 14th-century conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire. The statue stands as a symbol of Uzbekistan’s national pride, strength, and historical legacy.
The Gur Emir is a prime example of Timurid architecture, named after its founder Timur (Tamerlane). It features a distinctive cylindrical dome covered in azure tiles, typical of the region's architectural style. The exterior is adorned with intricate geometric patterns and inscriptions in Arabic script, showcasing the craftsmanship of the era.
The Bibi-Khanym Mosque, also known as Bibi-Khanum Mosque or Bibi-Khanym Mosque, is a historic mosque located in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It is renowned for its grandeur and architectural significance, reflecting the cultural and artistic achievements of the Timurid Empire during the 15th century.
Siyob Bazaar is a famous market in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It's known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse array of goods, including fresh produce, spices, traditional crafts, and souvenirs. The bazaar has a long history dating back centuries and is a cultural hub where locals and tourists alike can experience the bustling trade and rich heritage of the region.
Shakhi Zinda is a testament to the artistic achievements and religious devotion of the Islamic civilizations of Central Asia, blending history, architecture, and spirituality into a singularly captivating experience for visitors.
Registan Square is the most famous historical and architectural landmark in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It was the center of public life during the Timurid era and remains a symbol of the city's rich cultural heritage. The name "Registan" means "Sandy Place" in Persian, referring to its past as a central gathering and trading spot.
The Tilla-Kori Madrassa is one of the three magnificent madrassas in Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It was built in the 17th century and is known for its lavish gold decoration, which gives it the name "Tilla-Kori" (meaning "Gold-Covered" in Persian).
The Sher-Dor Madrassa is one of the three iconic madrassas in Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Built in the 17th century, it is famous for its unique tiger mosaics, which are unusual in Islamic architecture.
The Hazrat Khizr Mosque is one of the most ancient and spiritual landmarks in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. It is located on a hill near the Siyob Bazaar, offering stunning panoramic views of the city.
The Islam Karimov Mausoleum is the burial site of Islam Karimov (1938–2016), the first President of independent Uzbekistan. It is located next to the Hazrat Khizr Mosque in Samarkand, one of the city’s most sacred places.
The Ulugbek Madrassa is a historical Islamic school built by Ulugh Beg, the Timurid ruler, scholar, and astronomer, in the 15th century. It is one of the most famous architectural landmarks in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, located in Registan Square.
The Islam Karimov Memorial Statue is a monument dedicated to Islam Karimov (1938–2016), the first President of independent Uzbekistan. The statue symbolizes his role in shaping modern Uzbekistan and stands as a place of remembrance.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
We offer pick-up from all hotels in the city center, as well as from the airport or train station, ensuring a smooth and convenient start to your experience.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Specialized infant seats are available
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Reviews(13)
The tour was cancelled by the operator so late we were already at the meet up spot. Dreadful service, wont use Viator again. Now I am having to wait for my refund. Looks like it will take a while.
We booked the private tour with inside visits. My mother has accessibility issues, she can't do too much walking and has trouble with stairs. Our guide was very helpful about this, trying to find wheelchairs or ramps whenever possible. She had to skip the mausoleum visit due to the number of stairs, but the other two of us visited while she waited safely in the car.
Thank you for your feedback. I’m glad the guide could assist and make the tour comfortable for your mother, and that the others were able to enjoy the visits. I appreciate your kind words. 🙏🙏🙏
We were looking for not just a common guided tour as most of websites offer ..but we wanted to FEEL the vibe of past ... so we found mr amin ..he has made our tour memorable ... he is not only an expert but very friendly and accomodated all our wants .. he is a perfect person to be while in samarkand ..ir may be history culture or other he covers everything .. We feel oblidged to him to be our guide turned to friend at the end of our time and we will cherish this time, no wonder we may plan .. another time with him .. I wish all the best of luck to him ...
Thank you so much for your kind words! It truly means a lot 🙏 I’m really glad you felt the spirit of Samarkand and enjoyed the experience. It was a pleasure meeting you—hope to see you again someday! 😊
Lazees is a highly experienced guide in Central Asia and is fluent in English. He was very knowledgeable and accommodating. He showed us around more sights than those in the itinerary. He explained the history, the designs, the architecture and the inscriptions, taking time at each place and not rushing us. Also he took us to an amazing restaurant with vegetarian options. Overall, I'd highly recommend booking with them.
Thank you very much for your kind and thoughtful review! I’m really happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and the extra places we visited. It was a pleasure sharing the history, architecture, and stories with you, and I’m glad you liked the restaurant as well.
Amin is a great host and has lots of information and knowledge about each site. He is also very funny and entertaining.
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really happy to hear you enjoyed the tour. It was a pleasure showing you around, and I’m glad you liked the stories and the fun along the way. Hope to see you again!
Excellent tour of the city with very knowledgeable guide. Learned a lot about the history of Uzbekistan and Samarkand and visited some incredible places.
Thank you so much for your kind review! I’m delighted to hear that you enjoyed exploring Samarkand and learning more about the rich history of Uzbekistan. It was a pleasure guiding you through the city’s most incredible sites, and I’m truly grateful for your feedback.
We had a wonderful and educational tour of Old Samarkand, beginning at the Amir Timur statue, continuing through the magnificent Registan Square, and finishing at the beautiful Shakh Zinda necropolis. Our guide, Amin, was a natural storyteller with a great sense of humor—engaging, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about sharing his city’s history. He wove together fascinating tales about Amir Timur and his wives, the evolution of Uzbekistan as a nation, and the stories behind the Bibikhanum Mosque and other landmarks. It seemed as though everyone in Samarkand knew him from the friendly greetings along the way! We also loved sampling dried fruits and other local treats at the lively Siyab Bazaar. The walking tour was well-paced and full of memorable moments. Highly recommended!
Thank you so much for your generous words. That means a lot to me 🙏 🙏 🙏
Good tour if you’re looking for a brief history of the top places in Samarkand. Would recommend you ask a lot of questions.
Thank you so much for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the tour and the highlights of Samarkand’s top historical sites. We always encourage our guests to ask questions—it’s the best way to dive deeper into the city’s fascinating history.
Beautiful walking tour of Samarkand. Amin was a fantastic guide! Young, friendly, and very knowledgeable. Always patient, he leaves plenty of time to admire the monuments and take photographs. His English is excellent and easy to understand. I highly recommend him! Thanks, Amin!
Thank you so much for your kind words! I’m really happy to hear you enjoyed the walking tour of Samarkand. It was a pleasure showing you around our beautiful city and sharing its history with you. I truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again one day for more discoveries in Uzbekistan! Best wishes, Amin
Amin was an amazing tour guide. I learned so much from him on my tour! He went above and beyond expectations. I can’t wait for my next trip to Samarkand.
Thank you so much for your kind words and for taking the time to leave us a 5-star review! We're thrilled to hear that you enjoyed your tour of Samarkand — it's truly a city full of history, beauty, and unforgettable experiences. It was our pleasure to guide you through its wonders and share its rich cultural heritage. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we hope to welcome you back again someday for more adventures in Uzbekistan. Safe travels and best wishes! Regards Amin
