If you have to assign a colour to Uzbekistan, it would have to be blue. There’s blue everywhere: in the tiles that adorn its madrasahs, mosques and mausoleums, in the intricate geometric patterns that inhabit the walls of its homes, restaurants, parks, train stations and public buildings, and in the sky above where it’s just blue, blue, blue. Blue everywhere. It is a reminder of where Uzbekistan is in the world: in Middle Earth, where civilization began, where East meets West, where empires collide and die. There’s one place here that is as mythical as El Derodo, Xanadu and Neverland: Samarkand. It is an ancient place that has had many names. It has witnessed many wars, and given birth to many of the world’s greatest wonders, among them Ulugh Bek’s great observatory and his star catalogue. Samarkand was the nexus through which all the tributaries of the ancient Silk Road converged. Alexander the Great and Genghis Khan marched their glorious armies here on their way to conquer the world. Millions have died in its fertile valley, their souls now haunting its low mountain ridges, its orchards and vineyards, under the harsh desert light. It has existed since the dawn of civilization, and it continues to thrive, still a calm oasis in a region where war is always just a border away.

This magnificent structure was built between 1417 and 1421 by the then-Timurid governor of Samarkand, Ulugh Beg, Timur Lenk's grandson and prominent astronomer. Some of the most outstanding scholars of their time, both religious and secular, learned in this arhitectural gem. Just beeing here and seeing this was a blessing!

A great find if you bring time. The meals are made fresh to order, so can take up to an hour. There are lots of Uzbek dishes on the menu and local beer on tap. They would do well to add some local wines to the menu, as most were from Europe and South America. Good wines but not what you travel to Samarkand to drink. The service is very on top of things but not overbearing. Overall a great dining experience.

This restaurant has a surprisingly good variety of vegetarian options, which is a big plus. Prices are very reasonable, especially considering the location. My husband initially ordered the fried chicken, which unfortunately was not crunchy at all—actually quite soggy. Thankfully, the staff were understanding and allowed him to switch to shashlik, which turned out to be very good. We also enjoyed a lot medovnik. One thing to note: the service is quite slow, so it’s not the best choice if you’re in a hurry. Otherwise, a solid spot with good food and fair prices.

Zargaron in Samarkand boasts stunning views of Bibi Khanum Mosque, creating a memorable dining experience. The ambiance is delightful, complemented by tasty food, including excellent vegetarian options like eggplant cheese rolls and vegetable pasta. Ayron is a refreshing choice. While prices are slightly high, the overall experience justifies the cost. A great spot for a special meal with a view.

Food was customized vegetarian for us. Finally vegetarian food at a local restaurant. We visited at 1230 in the afternoon, I believe this cafe is very busy after that. Good service , but even the best needs support during peak hours( reason for low Google ratings) No complaints from us.

My friends and I traveled to Samarkand. We came here for dinner in this restaurant because of the great view from the rooftop. It’s amazing. The food is good with a great atmosphere. The combination of tasty food, stunning views, and the vibrant ambiance made our dining experience truly memorable. Aziz, our server, provided excellent service—he was attentive, friendly, and made us feel very welcome. Highly recommend this place!！

The Amir Temur Mausoleum (Gur-e-Amir) is a must-visit site in Samarkand. The architecture is impressive, with its turquoise dome and beautiful tilework that showcase the craftsmanship of the Timurid era. Inside, the mausoleum has a calm and respectful atmosphere, giving visitors a sense of history and the importance of Amir Temur’s legacy. The site is well-preserved, easy to reach, and an essential stop for understanding the cultural and historical heritage of Uzbekistan. Truly recommended for anyone visiting Samarkand.

Amir statue is situated on the square , it is grand . Mostly we see Amir Taimurs Staue or pictures on horseback , in this statue he is sitting on his throne.. very well made . It is illuminated at night , you cannot miss this , it is located in the heart of Samarkand city , on the boundary of old ( Russian time) city and modern post independence city 😊

The Rukhabad Mausoleum is located a short distance from the Guri Amir mausoleum of the Turkic conqueror Timur (also known as Tamerlane) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan The mausoleum was built by Amir Timur in 1380, over the grave of Sheikh Burhaneddin Sagaradzhi, an Islamic figure who was highly venerated during the time of Timur. The mausoleum is very well-maintained and contains the tombs of Sheikh Burhaneddin Sagaradzhi and many other figures. There is no admission cost, and there are a few merchants in the complex in addition to a tourist office. There’s also a mosque nearby where worshippers are able to pray. Definitely worth a visit if you’re in the city.

Beastly beautiful? At the beginning of the 17th century, Yalangtush Bahadur, the governor of Bukhara, had the chanaka (hostel for pilgrims) at the Registan demolished to build a second madrasa. The Sher Dor Madrasa, which was built between 1619 and 1636, was a mirror image of the Ulugh Beg Madrasa opposite, according to the "kosh principle". The name of the Koranic school is derived from the two lions (which in my opinion look much more like a tiger) that decorate the enormous pishtaq. The Sher Dor Madrasa is also lavishly decorated, especially with patterns and (Koranic) texts.

Such a fascinating and amazing place in Samarkand Uzbekistan. This madrasah or school located in a large complex of Registan Square. Tilya-Kori Madrasah is the newest madrasah of the other three, but still more than 300 years old. Looks nice and preserved, the mozaic looks amazing with the color and gorgeous pattern. This historical building is one of my favorite site around Samarkand Uzbekistan. Worth to visit anyways…

Great food and very good service. The staff here is very friendly and helpful. We came here on a hot July day in 2025 and was immediately taken in by the cool and calm atmosphere. The food was delicious. We tried the baked eggplant which was very different and unique. The Green salad was very delicious and sumptuous. You can always tell how good a restaurant is by using it's bathroom and this did not disappoint.

So good I went back twice and in one day I might add. Great fresh food well cooked. Mix of locals and tourists. Decent prices. Great people. I would have gone back again but three times in a day might have been pushing it. I had lamb chops and the potato’s and some salads and other lamb products Fantastic

Absolutely the most amazing place in Samarkand! The original well preserved tiling here is exceptional, as many of the buildings have minimal restoration. The restored work is also jaw dropping for its unique geometry and colors, and seeing where the restoration began in relation to preserved original facades offers a truly unique architectural and historical experience you seldom find. It strikes a perfect balance between preservation and restoration, to my mind.

The mosque is built on a hill, making it a great viewpoint to see the city. From here, you also get a fantastic view of Bibi-Khanym Mosque. The mosque itself features stunning architecture. Entry is free, and it’s located along the pedestrian walkway, making it easy to walk from Registan Square to Hazrat Khizr Mosque while enjoying the beautiful cityscape.

In the northeast of the city center of Samarkand stands what remains of one of the most beautiful and largest mosques in the Islamic world: the Bibi Khanym Mosque. On May 11, 1399, the foundation stone was laid, and in five years a mosque was built that was indeed unparalleled in the world. During those five years, Timur was mainly on the warpath and his wife Saray Mulk Khanym (a.k.a. Bibi Khanym) oversaw the progress of the works. Timur Lenk had his architects and craftsmen explore and stretch the boundaries of what was then architecturally possible, which did not benefit the structural stability of the mosque. On his return to Samarkand in 1404, Timur, dissatisfied with certain details and the pace of construction, immediately had things changed, especially the 41-meter-high dome. As a result, the first bricks began to fall from this dome after just a few years. In the almost two centuries that followed the death of Timur Lenk, the mosque was renovated and reinforced several times until Abdullah Khan II stopped work on the mosque at the end of the 16th century. This was the beginning of a long period of decay, weathering and plundering. Fortunately, the Soviets began extensive and long-term restorations in 1974, so that visitors can now enjoy this monumental building again. After passing the 35-meter-high pishtaq of the entrance, you enter the courtyard (64x76m), which used to be completely paved with marble. The two smaller domes on the sides tower proudly above the galleries and form the prelude to the main building with an equally enormous pishtaq and the hidden behind it, a 41 meter high turquoise dome. Although the Bibi Khanym mosque is actually a restored ruin, this is a "ruin" that still impresses and overwhelms. Don't miss it!

One of my favourite places in the city. No tourist trap price scams like the other sights. The hustle of markets with bargaining for the best prices. Definitely buy some tasty nuts, spices for at home and fruits here! Had better shaslik but it wasn't bad either.

We tried going on a Sunday as we only had one day there, and they were open! Great history with lots of recovered pottery on both floors with an amazing mosaic in an exhibition near the front entrance.

Afrasiyab Settlement Site, definitely worth a visit. Not so much because of what there is to see nowadays, but because of the history and the importance the site once had, with many artifacts founded in this area. Nowadays left is the nice view over the city. Acces to the site is behind the museum. Walkable from the city center, at only a fifty minutes walk.

Damn I burned lots of cash in buying tickets in Samarkand. For small places the tickets should be cheaper. For tourist, ticket prices are 4 times higher. 75000 som per person for observatory & museum. Anyway it was a good visit. Good to know about the history of a Muslim astronomer Mirza Ulugbek, acknowledged worldwide later in 15th, 16th & 18th century by various western institutions. Mirza also had a madrassa (college) which is the building on the left in Registan sqaure. Mirza Ulug bag documented approx 1900 stars using his observatory. A great achievement in his era.

everything was good, small menu with the same prices as everywhere else near by. Atmosphere is nice since we get to be outside and look at crowds. vegetarian options available.

Very good prices and decent variety, especially for vegetarians — while the vegetarian options are mostly small salads, there’s definitely more choice here compared to other places. They serve bread and tea at the beginning, which costs 3000 soms each. The half portion of plov is generous and more than enough for one person. Overall, great value for money. Highly recommended!