Getting to Samarkand
The high-speed Afrosiyob train runs from Tashkent in roughly 2 hours 10 minutes, and the international airport is just 6 km from the centre. Plus intercity buses, shared taxis and the border crossing to Tajikistan.
Practical information
Food: what and where to eat
Samarkand plov, the city's famous tandoor-baked bread, samsa and shashlik — the local food is a reason to visit in itself. Here's what to know about teahouses, bazaars and restaurants.
What to try
Plov is the undisputed king of the Uzbek table, and in 2016 the culture surrounding it was inscribed on UNESCO's list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In Samarkand it is usually served in layers rather than stirred together, with the meat laid on top of the rice. Plov is traditionally a lunchtime dish, and the cauldrons at plov centres are often scraped clean by early afternoon, so aim to arrive around noon.
Samarkand bread is dense and glossy and keeps for days. Legend has it that an emir of Bukhara carried off Samarkand's bakers to make the same loaves at his court, only to find they could not do it without Samarkand's air and water. Don't miss tandoor-baked samsa, shashlik, lagman noodles, manti dumplings, shurpa soup and slow-braised dimlama. For something sweet, look for navvot crystal sugar, parvarda and halva, and in autumn the grapes, melons and pomegranates.
Where to eat
The choyxona, or teahouse, is where locals gather over plov, shashlik and green tea for hours of conversation. At the Siab Bazaar you can taste and buy bread, dried fruit, nuts and sweets. Tashkent Street and the Registan area are lined with visitor-friendly cafés; University Boulevard has modern restaurants and coffee shops; and the Eternal City has national-cuisine restaurants and teahouses of its own.
Menus are usually in Uzbek and Russian, and often English where tourists gather. Many restaurants serve alcohol, though some don't at all. Pork is rarely seen and most food is halal.
Food safety and vegetarian options
Choose busy places where food is cooked fresh and served hot. Wash or peel fruit and drink bottled water. In the summer heat, be wary of mayonnaise salads that have been sitting out. Plov is rich, so wash it down with green tea and go easy for the first few days.
Vegetarians will find it harder but not impossible: vegetable salads, bread, yoghurt (qatiq) and strained suzma, egg dishes and, in autumn, pumpkin samsa. Say clearly 'goʻshtsiz' — without meat — when ordering, as shurpa and dimlama usually contain meat too.
Sources (5)
Details may change — please check before you visit.
Practical information
Before you go
Getting around the city
The historic centre is compact enough to walk between the main sights. For longer hops there are ride-hailing apps, buses and a tram; since April 2025 paying by card is cheaper than cash.
Visas and registration
Citizens of many countries can enter Uzbekistan visa-free for up to 30 days, and most others can apply for an e-visa. Hotels register you automatically; if you stay in a private home, you must register within three days.
Money, cards and tipping
The currency is the Uzbek som. Visa and Mastercard work in hotels, restaurants and supermarkets, but bazaars, teahouses and street taxis run on cash. ATMs are plentiful in the centre.
Phones, internet and Wi-Fi
A local SIM card takes a few minutes to set up with your passport and is by far the cheapest way to stay online. 4G is solid in town but fades in the mountains. Staying longer than 30 days means registering your phone's IMEI.
Climate and when to go
Samarkand sits around 700 metres above sea level, with hot, dry summers and cool, relatively wet winters. The best months to visit are April–May and September–October.
Safety and emergency numbers
Samarkand is considered a safe city for visitors, though pickpockets work the crowded spots. The single emergency number is 112, and a dedicated Safe Tourism call centre answers on 1173.
Etiquette and local customs
Samarkand's people are warm and welcoming, but shrines come with their own rules on dress, photography and greetings. A few simple habits will make your visit all the more rewarding.
Where to stay
Family guesthouses in the historic centre, larger hotels in the leafy 'new town' or the Silk Road Samarkand resort on the city's edge — the right choice depends on your trip and your budget.
Health, pharmacies and drinking water
No vaccinations are required to enter Uzbekistan, and there is no malaria. The main concerns are drinking water, food hygiene and the summer heat. Sort out travel insurance before you go.
Accessible travel
Samarkand is slowly becoming easier to get around: the Registan has ramps and the newer districts are flat. But the historic monuments are full of steps, uneven paths and thresholds, so plan ahead.
