Samarkand UNESCO Highlights City Tour with Transport

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  Statue of Amir Temur

  The Statue of Amir Temur is one of the most iconic landmarks in Samarkand and an important symbol of Uzbekistan’s history and national pride. Located in the city center, the monument honors Amir Temur (Tamerlane), the great 14th-century conqueror and founder of the Timurid Empire, whose reign turned Samarkand into one of the world’s leading centers of science, culture, and architecture. The bronze equestrian statue depicts Amir Temur as a powerful and wise leader, symbolizing strength, justice, and statehood. The surrounding square is a popular meeting point and offers beautiful views of nearby historical buildings, making it a great stop for photos and cultural insight. During your visit, your guide will share fascinating stories about Amir Temur’s life, his military campaigns, and his lasting influence on Central Asia, as well as explain the symbolism of the monument.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Gur Emir Mausoleum

  The Gur-e Amir Mausoleum is one of the most important historical monuments in Samarkand and the final resting place of the great conqueror Amir Temur (Tamerlane). Built in the early 15th century, this magnificent complex also contains the tombs of Amir Temur’s sons and grandsons, including the famous astronomer Ulugh Beg. The mausoleum is renowned for its striking turquoise dome, elegant proportions, and richly decorated interior. Inside, visitors can admire intricate gold leaf ornamentation, delicate blue tilework, and beautifully carved marble and onyx gravestones, reflecting the high level of craftsmanship of the Timurid era.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 3
  Registan

  Registan Square is the heart of ancient Samarkand and one of the most spectacular architectural ensembles in Central Asia. For centuries, it served as the city’s main public square, hosting royal ceremonies, markets, and important social events along the Silk Road.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  Ulugbek Madrasah

  Ulugh Beg Madrasah is one of the oldest and most significant educational institutions in Central Asia, built in the early 15th century by Ulugh Beg, the Timurid ruler, astronomer, and scientist. Located on Registan Square, the madrasah played a crucial role as a center of learning during Samarkand’s golden age. The building is admired for its harmonious proportions, elegant facade, and refined geometric tilework. Unlike later madrasahs, its decoration is more restrained, reflecting Ulugh Beg’s devotion to science and knowledge rather than grandeur alone. The Arabic inscriptions emphasize the importance of education and wisdom in Islam.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 5

  Sher-Dor Madrasah is one of the most striking monuments on Registan Square and a masterpiece of 17th-century Islamic architecture. Built during the reign of Yalangtush Bahadur, the madrasah stands directly opposite Ulugh Beg Madrasah, creating a powerful architectural harmony across the square. The madrasah is famous for its unique facade featuring images of roaring tigers (often interpreted as lions) chasing deer, with a rising sun behind them. This rare use of figurative imagery in Islamic architecture makes Sher-Dor Madrasah especially distinctive and symbolic, representing power, courage, and authority.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 6
  Tillya Kori Madrasah

  Tilla-Kari Madrasah is the most richly decorated building of Registan Square and a masterpiece of 17th-century Timurid-era architecture. Built under the rule of Yalangtush Bahadur, the madrasah served both as an educational institution and as the main congregational mosque of the square. The name Tilla-Kari means “gilded,” referring to the breathtaking interior of the mosque, which is adorned with lavish gold leaf decoration, deep blue tiles, and intricate floral and geometric patterns. The richly ornamented dome and prayer hall create an atmosphere of grandeur and spiritual harmony, leaving a lasting impression on visitors.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 7

  This village offers a unique opportunity to discover the ancient art of handmade paper production, a tradition that has been preserved in Samarkand for over a thousand years. Located near the banks of the Siyob River, this workshop revives the Silk Road–era techniques that once made Samarkand paper famous throughout the Islamic world and beyond. Moreover, amazing natural area full of flowers and greenary view with water flow. Visitors can observe the traditional process of making paper from mulberry tree bark, using water-powered wooden hammers and natural materials. Skilled craftsmen demonstrate each stage of production, from preparing the fibers to drying and polishing the finished sheets, offering a fascinating glimpse into a craft passed down through generations. Also, process of making ceramic objects and you can participate master class at the same complex. Moreover, visitors can see process of making traditional way of making sesame oil production.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included
• 8
  Bibi Khanym Mosque

  Bibi-Khanym Mosque is one of the grandest architectural monuments of Samarkand and a powerful symbol of the ambition and might of Amir Temur’s empire. Built in the early 15th century after Temur’s campaign in India, the mosque was intended to be the largest and most magnificent mosque in the Islamic world of its time. The complex impresses visitors with its massive scale, monumental entrance portal, towering minarets, and vast courtyard. Despite suffering damage over the centuries, the remaining structures still convey the original grandeur of the mosque. Intricate marble carvings, blue tilework, and monumental calligraphy highlight the artistic achievements of the Timurid era.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 9
  Siyob Bozor

  Siab Bazaar is the largest and most vibrant traditional market in Samarkand, offering visitors an authentic glimpse into everyday local life. Located near the historic Bibi-Khanym Mosque, the bazaar has been a center of trade for centuries and continues the rich market traditions of the Silk Road. Walking through the bazaar, visitors can explore colorful stalls filled with fresh fruits, spices, nuts, dried fruits, bread, sweets, and local delicacies. The famous Samarkand non (traditional bread) is a highlight here, along with seasonal produce and aromatic spices that reflect the region’s culinary heritage.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 10
  Shah-i-Zinda

  Shah-i-Zinda is one of the most sacred and visually stunning historical complexes in Samarkand. This unique necropolis consists of a narrow avenue lined with beautifully decorated mausoleums dating from the 11th to 15th centuries, showcasing the finest examples of Islamic architecture in Central Asia. The name Shah-i-Zinda means “The Living King” and is associated with the legend of Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, whose mausoleum is the most important pilgrimage site within the complex. Over centuries, members of the Timurid dynasty, nobles, and religious figures were buried here.

  1 hour • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

• Wheelchair accessible
• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
• Specialized infant seats are available
• Transportation options are wheelchair accessible

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