Old City

Samarkand


This charming place in the Russian part of town is recommended for its interesting dishes, such as basturma cold smoked beef, lavash (flat bread) with feta-like brinza cheese, and over 40 salads, including a delicious beetroot and walnut option. Service is friendly and assured, the classy interior has a cosy fireplace, and while it caters largely to tourists, standards are high.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Samarkand attractions

1. Statue of Amir Timur

0.4 MILES

This glowering statue of Timur seated on his throne marks the boundary between the old Uzbek town and the Russian-designed new town. It's a major landmark…

2. Regional Studies Museum

0.4 MILES

The Regional Studies Museum occupies an old Jewish merchant’s house, and has a lavish wing devoted to Jewish history, with old photos of Samarkand’s once…

3. Hovrenko Wine Factory

0.54 MILES

Those with adventurous taste buds can sign up for a tasting of eight wines, balzams and cognacs from the Hovrenko Wine Factory, which has been producing…

4. Rukhobod Mausoleum

0.56 MILES

This brick mausoleum, dated 1380 and possibly the city’s oldest surviving monument, was renovated in 2015 and now serves as a souvenir and craft shop. The…

5. Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum

0.63 MILES

The beautiful portal and trademark fluted azure dome of the Gur-e-Amir Mausoleum marks the final resting place of Timur (Tamerlane), along with two sons…

6. Ak Saray Mausoleum

0.65 MILES

Behind the ugly wall surrounding Gur-e-Amir is this unexpected 15th-century mausoleum, with some stunningly restored blue and gold decoration under the…

7. Hoja-Nisbatdor Mosque

0.98 MILES

The lovely Hoja-Nisbatdor Mosque, a 15 minutes' walk south of the Registan, has a large aivan embraced by walls inlaid with beautifully restored ghanch …

8. Ulugbek Medressa

1.02 MILES

The Ulugbek Medressa, on the western side of the Registan, is the square's original medressa, finished in 1420 under Ulugbek who is said to have taught…