The 9 Best Walking Tours in Samarkand

1.Historical Monuments Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 446 reviews · 5 hours · from $20Our pick

Walk through Samarkand with an English-speaking guide such as Gulsanam, Sarvinoz, or Shahrizoda. Visit Gur-e-Amir, Registan Square, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyob Bazaar, and Shah-i-Zinda in five hours. Expect a substantial amount of walking, clear historical storytelling, photo help, and extra entry fees of about $25.50.

“me and my other 2 friends had a really great time today with Charos. Because of no other people other than us she text me beforehand and try to accommodate with our time since we just landed in Tashkent and reach Samarkand quite late. She explained all the history and culture very well. It was worth the money considering all the knowledge we get during this session. Charos also patiently repeat the part that we loss since Samarkand is the heart of Central Asia and have a lot of history. We were tired but so happy. Thank you!”

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2.Samarkand One Day Tour: one day walking & group tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 87 reviews · 6 hours · from $25

Walk Samarkand from Gur Emir to Shah-i-Zinda with a guide and a group capped at 10 people. You’ll see Registan, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Siyab Bazaar, and Hazrat Khizr Mosque. Guides such as Elior, Abdulla, and Adam are praised for clear history and friendly help. Entrance fees and lunch are extra, and the tour may finish sooner than six hours.

“I had a wonderful morning with my guide, Elyor. Elyor made the tour an unforgettable experience. He is knowledgeable, patient and generous and I would highly recommend his services.”

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3.Historical Monuments Group Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 29 reviews · from $12Best value

Explore Samarkand’s major monuments in about four hours with an English-speaking guide and transport between sites. Visit Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. Guides named Zarshed and Zarnigor have earned praise for clear storytelling, personal help, and photo-taking.

“We had a wonderful tour taking in all the major sites in this beautiful city. All were well worth seeing - it was an amazing experience. Our guide Zarnigor was lovely; so knowledgeable and engaging. Would highly recommend this tour.”

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4.Samarkand Historical City Highlights Guided Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 22 reviews · from $24

Spend about four hours walking through Samarkand with a professional guide, often led by Charos, whose English and knowledge of Uzbek history have earned strong praise. Visit Gur-i Amir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Siab Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr Mosque, and Shah-i-Zinda. Bring water, prepare for more than 10,000 steps, and budget separately for entrance tickets.

“Ou guide Charos was well prepared and seemed to know a lot about not only Samarcand also about Uzbek history, highly recommended.”

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5.Sunset walking tour of Samarkand

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 16 reviews · 1 day · from $60

Walk from Gur-i Amir to Ulugbek Observatory with guide Sunnat or another English-speaking local guide. You’ll visit Registan, Bibi-Khanym Mosque, Shah-i-Zinda, and key Timurid monuments, often after the daytime crowds have gone. The tour lasts about five hours, costs $60 per person, and does not include transport or meals.

“Sunnat’s knowledge and enthusiasm. He was a brilliant guide and great fun to spend time with. We learned so much from him.”

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6.Samarkand Walking Tour History Culture and Hidden Gems

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $28

Spend 4.5 hours walking through Samarkand with a local guide such as Sevinch or Xumora. See Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym, Siyob Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr, and Shah-i-Zinda. Expect legends, local snacks, photo help, and a small group of no more than seven. Monument entry, food, and transport cost extra.

“It was great journey in Samarkand. My guide was really intelligent and good person as well. I can recommend her”

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7.Samarkand Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 8 reviews · from $60

Spend 6 to 8 hours exploring Samarkand with a private guide in English, Spanish, Russian, German, French, or Italian. The route links Gur Emir, Registan, Bibi Khanym Mosque, Siab Bazaar, Hazrat Khizr Mosque, and Shah-i-Zinda. Guides such as Ruxshona, Farzin, Islom, and Amin have helped visitors add food and shopping stops to the day.

“Tour operator didn’t show up…so a one star is unnecessarily generous. We tried to call and number was no longer valid. Horrible way to spend my one day in Samarkand. On a good note, I appreciate the customer service from Viator who answered my call with a human and began the process of severing their connection with Viator and refunding my money.”

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8.Walking Tour around Old City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews · 3.5 hours · from $26

Join Faridun for a small-group, 3.5-hour walk through Samarkand’s historic core. You’ll see Amir Temur’s statue, Gur-e-Amir, Registan, Bibi-Khanum, Hazrat Khizr Mosque, and Shah-i-Zinda, with stories of rulers, astronomers, saints, and local traditions. English and Russian tours are available.

“Faridun was an amazing guide! He knew so much about history and told us about it in an exceptionally fascinating way. We could not recommend it enough!”

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9.Photo Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 4 reviews · 2 hours · from $63

Join Azim Khayrullaev for a two-hour, small-group photo walk through Samarkand. Using your own smartphone, you will frame Registan, study Bibi-Khanym’s tiles, photograph daily life at Siyob Bazaar, and explore Shah-i-Zinda and Hazrat Khizr. Expect practical camera tips, local stories, hidden viewpoints, and a stamp-collecting Treasure Passport.

“I had such a wonderful experience with this tour guide. He was incredibly knowledgeable and spoke fluent English, which made everything easy and enjoyable. You can tell he genuinely loves sharing the history and culture of Uzbekistan. He was also so thoughtful throughout the tour — always offering to take photos and even suggesting the best angles and poses. I came home with some of my favorite travel pictures thanks to him! Most of all, his kindness and hospitality really stood out. He truly represents the warm and welcoming spirit of the Uzbek people. I highly recommend him to anyone visiting — you’ll be in great hands!”

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