Samarkand is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia, and its Timurid monuments — the Registan, the Gur-i Amir Mausoleum, the Bibi-Khanym Mosque and the Shah-i-Zinda Necropolis — are what draw most travellers. The city sits in southeastern Uzbekistan and has long been a crossroads on the Silk Road between China, Persia and Europe.
For a visitor, the useful split is between the old city, where the monuments, shops and old private houses are concentrated, and the new city, developed during the Russian Empire and Soviet periods, which holds administrative buildings, cultural centres and educational institutions. The historic core clusters around the Registan, and most of the accommodation described below is positioned in relation to it. This guide covers which areas to base yourself in, not which property to book.
Best areas to stay in Samarkand
1. Around the Registan
This is the historic heart of the old city, with the monuments, shops and old private houses on your doorstep. It suits first-time visitors above all, since you can walk to the central sights rather than arrange transport for each one.
Accommodation here ranges from hostels and backpacker places around courtyards to small B&Bs, and several sit within a few hundred metres of the square. Expect central convenience rather than quiet: this is the busiest part of the old city.
2. South of the Registan
A short walk south of the square, this area holds comfortable modern rooms near the historic centre while sitting slightly away from the immediate bustle. It suits travellers who want to be within walking distance of the monuments but prefer a calmer base.
You will find small modern hotels and B&Bs here, generally within a few hundred metres to a kilometre of the Registan. It connects easily to the sights on foot.
3. By the railway station
The station area is practical rather than scenic, with small modern hotels and chain properties within about a hundred metres of the station itself. It suits travellers arriving or departing by train, or those treating Samarkand as a stop on a longer rail itinerary.
From here you will need transport to reach the historic core, so treat it as a base for convenience rather than for sightseeing on foot.
4. Around the airport
A small cluster of accommodation sits within a couple of hundred metres of the terminal. This suits very late arrivals, very early departures, or anyone breaking a journey by air.
It is the least central option for the monuments, so it makes sense only if your schedule is built around your flight.
5. Northwest of the Registan
About a kilometre northwest of the square, you find small B&Bs in a quiet neighbourhood. This suits travellers who want a residential setting within reasonable reach of the old city.
The trade-off is distance: you will walk or take transport to the main sights rather than step out onto them.
6. Southeast, by the park
Roughly a kilometre and a half southeast of the Registan, this area has modern hotels beside the park. It suits travellers who prefer newer, larger properties and do not mind being outside the historic core.
You will rely on transport to reach the monuments, but the setting is greener and less congested.
7. West of the Registan
About a kilometre and a half west of the square, this area offers basic but clean hostel accommodation. It suits budget travellers who are comfortable with a longer walk or a short ride to the sights.
It is a straightforward base if price matters more to you than proximity.
8. Southwest of the Registan
Around three kilometres southwest, you find clean, quiet hotels ranged around peaceful courtyards. This suits travellers who value calm and space and are happy to travel into the centre.
Distances here are the greatest of the areas listed, so plan on using transport for sightseeing.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: dorm beds in hostels, some with courtyard settings and private rooms as well as dorms; inexpensive central hostels, some with no breakfast included; basic but clean private rooms. Several options sit right by the railway station or within a few hundred metres of the Registan.
- Mid-range: small modern hotels and B&Bs, including quiet courtyard properties and comfortable rooms near the historic centre; also larger modern hotels in the central area and by the park.
- Splurge: large modern hotels in the central area, including a big glass-fronted property, with the widest range of facilities. Expect the highest rates of the options described here.
Best area for a first visit
Stay around the Registan. It puts the monuments, shops and old private houses of the historic core within walking distance, which is what most first-time visitors come for. If you want the same access with slightly less bustle, the area just south of the Registan is the natural alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Which area is best if I am arriving by train?
The railway station area has small modern hotels and chain properties within about a hundred metres of the station, which is the most convenient choice for a rail arrival or departure.
Where should I stay if I want to walk to the main monuments?
Base yourself around the Registan or just south of it. Both put the historic core within walking distance, and several places sit within a few hundred metres of the square.
Are there quiet areas to stay in Samarkand?
Yes. Small B&Bs about a kilometre northwest of the Registan sit in a quiet neighbourhood, and hotels around peaceful courtyards about three kilometres southwest offer a calmer setting at the cost of a longer trip to the sights.
Where can I stay close to the airport?
There is accommodation within a couple of hundred metres of the terminal, which suits late arrivals and early departures.
Compare live prices for the areas that suit your trip using the booking tools on this page.