Samarkand: 4 places worth seeing and ticket prices

Samarkand doesn't top tourist rankings. But in the 15th century it was the capital of the Timurid Empire, and monuments from that era still stand in the city center. We've put together four places that give you a full picture of the city, and checked tickets, opening hours, and the route for each.

Registan, Gur-e-Amir, Bibi-Khanym, and Shah-i-Zinda are all close together, within walking distance of each other. You'll need one packed day to see them, and ticket costs will stay low.

The short answer: entry to all sites is paid, an adult ticket costs from 75,000 to 100,000 soum (as of 09/2026, tour operator Silk Road Tour). Go in the morning, and you'll see Registan without the bus tour groups.

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What to see in Samarkand: our picks

💡 In short:

• See Registan and Gur-e-Amir in the morning, leave Bibi-Khanym and Shah-i-Zinda for the second half of the day.
• You buy an entry ticket at each site, there's no combined ticket in Samarkand.
• Tickets and opening hours: 09/2026, according to the tour operator.

All prices and opening hours for 09/2026 were checked against the tour operator's summary.

1. Registan

In the East, any city square is called a registan, but Samarkand's Registan has become a household name. Three madrasahs, Ulugh Beg, Sher-Dor, and Tilya-Kori, were built between the 15th and 17th centuries and form a single ensemble. Inside, small mosques, craft shops, and bazaars are open, so you'll stay longer than you planned.

In the evening, architectural lighting comes on, and the square starts playing with bright colors set to music. It's the best time for photos, but also the most crowded. Come at opening time if you want to catch the madrasahs without people.

• How to get there: city center, a 10-15 minute walk from most central hotels.
• Tickets and opening hours: 100,000 soum for adults and 50,000 for children under 18; daily from 7:00 to 24:00 (as of 09/2026, tour operator Silk Road Tour).
• The catch: entry is paid for everyone, and the square is most crowded during the evening illumination.
• Who it's for: first-time visitors to Samarkand who want to see the city's main ensemble.

2. Mausoleum of the Timurids (Gur-e-Amir)

© Arina Pan · CC BY-SAPhoto: Arina Pan, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Tamerlane is known far beyond Uzbekistan. The Timurid Empire covered all of Central Asia from Turkey to India. Timur was born in what is now Uzbekistan, in the city of Shakhrisabz, and his family's mausoleum stands in Samarkand.

The mausoleum was begun after the death of Muhammad Sultan, Timur's grandson and heir to the empire. A year later, Timur himself died, and he was buried in the still-unfinished complex in the early 15th century. This is where the architectural idea for the Taj Mahal in India originated.

Under the dome of Gur-e-Amir, you'll see rich ornamentation and Timur's jade tombstone. It's an active burial site, so silence is maintained inside and guests are asked not to make noise.

• How to get there: about 600 meters from Registan, an 8-10 minute walk on the map.
• Tickets and opening hours: 75,000 soum for adults, 35,000 for children; daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (as of 09/2026, tour operator Silk Road Tour).
• Who it's for: anyone interested in Timurid history who wants to see the mausoleum's golden interior.

3. Bibi-Khanym Mosque

© BeshevI · CC BY-SAPhoto: BeshevI, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0), Wikimedia Commons

Bibi-Khanym was the name given to Timur's beloved wife, and the name itself means "senior wife." The complex was built in 1399-1404, after Timur's victorious campaign in India. A huge Quran once stood in the center of the courtyard, and locals believed that if a woman couldn't conceive for a long time, she should come here to pray.

You'll be struck by the size of the entrance portal: it's taller than a ten-story building and nearly fifty meters wide. In 1897, the building partially collapsed and was later restored. Step aside onto the bridge, from there you get the best view of the whole complex.

The best shots come in the morning, while the sun lights the tiles from the east side. Bring water, there's almost no shade on the large grounds.

• How to get there: 1.3 km from Registan, about 15 minutes on foot on the map, next to Siab Bazaar.
• Tickets and opening hours: 75,000 soum for adults, 35,000 for children; daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (as of 09/2026, tour operator Silk Road Tour).
• Who it's for: anyone who wants to see how grand the buildings of the 15th century were.

4. Shah-i-Zinda Mausoleum Ensemble

© Vaurien · CC BY-SAPhoto: Vaurien, CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en), Wikimedia Commons

Shah-i-Zinda draws everyone looking for rich blue tones in their photos. The complex consists of mosques, madrasahs, and mausoleums, and it began taking shape back in the 11th century. Today there are eleven mausoleums, and no new ones have been built since the last century.

You'll see tombstones of Timur's wives and relatives, emirs, and religious figures. From the outside, it's hard to guess what an oriental fairy tale awaits inside, so make sure to go in: the glow of the ornaments will amaze you.

For Muslims, this is also a place of pilgrimage. It's an important site for believers, and it's treated with care.

• How to get there: 1 km from Bibi-Khanym, a 12-15 minute walk on the map.
• Tickets and opening hours: 80,000 soum for adults and 40,000 for children; daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (as of 09/2026, tour operator Silk Road Tour).
• The catch: it's an active pilgrimage site, modest clothing is required, and women will need to cover their heads (according to the tour operator, 09/2026).
• Who it's for: anyone who appreciates oriental ceramics and wants to see the city's most ornate mausoleums.

⁉️🤔 Frequently asked questions

How much time do you need for the four main sights of Samarkand?

A relaxed visit takes a full day. Registan and Gur-e-Amir together take two to three hours, Bibi-Khanym about an hour, Shah-i-Zinda another hour and a half. Add travel and lunch, and the day will be completely full.

How much do tickets cost in Samarkand in 2026?

An adult ticket costs from 75,000 to 100,000 soum (as of 09/2026, tour operator Silk Road Tour). Registan is more expensive than the others, while Gur-e-Amir and Bibi-Khanym are the same price. Children under 18 pay less, and Siab Bazaar is free.

When should you arrive to avoid queues?

Come at opening time: Registan opens at 7:00, the other sites at 9:00. By midday, bus tour groups fill Registan, and by evening everyone gathers for the illumination. A Tuesday or Wednesday morning is noticeably calmer than weekends.

Can you walk to all four places?

Yes, the sites are in the center and connected by short streets. In total, you'll walk about four kilometers on the map. Buses and taxis run between them, but on foot you'll see more markets and old neighborhoods.

What is Shah-i-Zinda for Muslims?

It's one of the main pilgrimage sites in Central Asia. According to legend, Qusam ibn Abbas, a cousin of the Prophet Muhammad, is buried here. That's why believers consider a visit here close in significance to Mecca, and entry requires modest clothing.

In short: what to book

Samarkand's main sights are close together, and tickets remain cheap by European standards. If you have one day, do Registan and Gur-e-Amir in the morning, and leave Bibi-Khanym and Shah-i-Zinda for the second half.

• If you have half a day: Registan plus Gur-e-Amir.
• If you're taking photos: Shah-i-Zinda in the second half of the day.
• If you're traveling with kids: Registan in the evening, for the illumination.
• If you want history: Gur-e-Amir and Bibi-Khanym.

For ready-made guided tours of Samarkand, look on Tiqets.