Registan Square at night, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Samarkand

At the height of its prosperity, the evocative and infamous city of Samarkand was one of the most fabled cities on the Silk Road.

Samarkand has managed to fire the imagination of travellers over the centuries, it has the mythical resonance of Atlantis, fixed in the Western popular imagination by poets and playwrights of bygone eras, few of whom saw the city in the flesh.

Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Why visit Samarkand?

From the air, the city is an array of colours and patterns created from the many domes and minarets. When exploring the city itself travellers will find the magnificent tomb of Tamerlane, the observatory of Uleg Bek, one of the world’s first astronomers, and Shah-I-Zinda, the street of tombs. Along with the traditional central Asian delight of technicolour bazaars, which are able to work magic on those who wish to delve deeper. At its centre, Registan Square, flanked by three huge buildings of great dimensions, is the greatest architectural ensemble in Central Asia which today is the unlikely and yet perfect setting for theatre and shows.

Experiences

What do you really love doing? We’ll tailor your itinerary to suit you.

Fergana Valley Pass, Uzbekistan

Fergana Valley

Visit the fertile silk producing region of the Fergana Valley.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Chor Minor, Bukhara, Uzbekistan

Discover Bukhara

Stroll through the atmospheric streets of Bukhara, home to bazaars, minarets and madrasas.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Ata Darvoza, Itchan Kala, Khiva, Uzbekistan

UNESCO Khiva

Explore the UNESCO city of Khiva, possibly the best preserved of all the Silk Road cities.

Suggested Holiday Idea

Person Hiking through the Chimgan Mountain landscape in Uzbekistan

Hike in the Chimgan Mountains

Embark on a day trek or a more challenging multi day hike in the Chimgan Mountains.

Registan Square, Samarkand, Uzbekistan

Registan Square

Wander around Samarkand exploring the restored madrasas flanking the edges of Registan Square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the countries most iconic images.

Suggested Holiday Idea

The edge of Aydarkul Lake fringed by beautiful red foliage

Kyzylkum Desert

Visit Aydarkul Lake in the Kyzylkum Desert – camp out in yurts and ride a camel.

Meet our experts

A passion for travel runs right through every one of our experts - meaning they're always ready with first-hand insight about their specialist countries.

Paul Craven

Paul is the Conde Nast Traveller chosen Specialist for Central Asia and the Silk Route.

Being from a family with Army connections I can from an early age remember travelling. From camping in Europe and then later being sent to boarding school when we lived in Germany at the age of eight, complete with shorts, long socks, a cap and my suitcase. In appearance not too dissimilar to the children evacuated to the countryside during the blitz.

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