Samarkand
City in Uzbekistan
Samarkand is located in Uzbekistan, 268 km from the capital, Tashkent. With a population of about 546,000, the city draws visitors to its historic architecture and sites including the Registan and the Gur-e-Amir.
What to see
The city features several notable architectural sites. The Registan, Gur-e-Amir, and Bibi-Khanym Mosque represent the core of the city's built heritage. Visitors also explore the Shah-i-Zinda complex, the Ulugh Beg Observatory, and the archaeological site of Afrasiyab. Additional sites include the Hazrat Khizr Mosque, the Khoja Doniyor Mausoleum, and the Memorial Complex of Imam al-Bukhari.
When to go
The warmest months are June through August, with daily highs ranging from 30 °C to 32 °C and almost no rainfall. Spring, particularly April and May, offers milder temperatures between 19 °C and 24 °C, though rain is more frequent. Autumn is also mild, with September temperatures around 27 °C and October around 20 °C. Winters are cold, with January and February seeing highs of 6 °C to 8 °C and lows below freezing.
Getting there
Samarkand International Airport is located 5 km from the city center, providing direct access to the region. Travelers can also reach the city from Tashkent, which is 268 km away.
Top sights in Samarkand
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 32 °C. The wettest is March, with about 70 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 6 | 8 | 13 | 19 | 25 | 30 | 32 | 31 | 27 | 20 | 14 | 8 |
| Average low, °C | -5 | -3 | 1 | 7 | 11 | 16 | 19 | 17 | 13 | 7 | 2 | -3 |
| Rainfall, mm | 43 | 50 | 70 | 60 | 35 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 16 | 35 | 49 |
| Rainy days | 9 | 8 | 11 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 6 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Samarkand (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
Also worth a look
- Hazrat Khizr Mosque
- Khoja Doniyor Mausoleum
- Memorial Complex of Imam al-Bukhari