Everything you need to know to make the most of the jewel of the Silk Road — what to see, when to go and where to pause.
Few cities carry a name as evocative as Samarkand. For over two millennia it has drawn traders, conquerors and dreamers. Here is how to experience it today.
The must-sees
Begin at the Registan, continue to the royal tombs of Gur-e-Amir and the dazzling Shah-i-Zinda avenue of mausoleums, then climb to the Ulugh Beg Observatory for a glimpse of medieval astronomy.
Beyond the monuments
Spend a morning at Siab Bazaar, watch paper being made by hand in Konigil village, and seek out a rooftop at golden hour. Samarkand rewards travellers who slow down.
