Hotels in Samarkand

Samarkand: Crossroads of the Ancient Silk Road

Samarkand, founded over 2,750 years ago, stands as one of Central Asia's oldest continuously inhabited cities. The Registan — three 15th-century madrasas framing a single square — anchors the city's UNESCO-listed core and draws travelers from across the world. Built under Timur (Tamerlane) in the 1370s and expanded by his successors, this monumental ensemble of tiled domes and minarets defines the Afrosiab district and the wider city's skyline. The Gur-e-Amir mausoleum, Timur's own tomb completed in 1404, sits 700 metres southwest of the Registan.

Where to Stay in Samarkand

Hotels cluster in two zones: the historic centre around Registan Square for walkable access to monuments, and the Tashkent Street corridor for modern mid-range and business properties. Boutique guesthouses in renovated merchant houses occupy the lanes near Bibi-Khanym Mosque, a structure begun in 1399 that measured 167 metres long at completion. The Siab Bazaar, operating daily beside Bibi-Khanym, sells spices, dried fruits, and non bread baked in clay tandoors — a useful orientation point for any neighbourhood.

Practical Tips

• Getting there: Samarkand International Airport (SKD) receives direct flights from Moscow, Istanbul, and Dubai; the high-speed Afrosiyob train links Samarkand to Tashkent in 2 hours 10 minutes.
• Currency: Uzbekistani som (UZS); ATMs are available on Registan Street and near the bazaar.
• Climate: Summers exceed 38 °C; spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer the most comfortable sightseeing temperatures.
• Visa: Most nationalities enter Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days as of 2023.