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Samarkand: The three madrasahs of Registan
Photo: Bobyrr · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Destination template · 12 days

Samarkand & Bukhara in 12 days

5 sightseeing days in Samarkand, a dedicated relocation day, then 6 days in Bukhara. Includes Orthodox Cathedral of St. Alexei of Moscow and Magok-i-Attari Mosque, with guide-listed dining suggestions.

Adapted from community travel guides · Researched Sources & notes

The stops are drawn from the guides below; daily order, times and durations are our suggested adaptation. Available map pins are approximate, not provider-verified; missing coordinates remain unset. Prices are left unknown; check tickets, opening hours and transport before booking.

Route data adapted from Wikivoyage contributors, with our own selection and suggested timing; shared under CC BY-SA 4.0. Source pages link to contributor histories. This is an editorial multi-day schedule; the source community has not rated this itinerary.

  • Stay in Samarkand for the first 5 sightseeing days; move to Bukhara on day 6, then stay for 6 sightseeing days. Book accommodation in both bases rather than returning each night.
  • The 219 km figure is approximate straight-line separation, not transit distance. The relocation day reserves room for travel and check-in without promising a direct service or a same-day connection. Verify the journey before booking this two-base plan.
  • City visits and restaurants are adapted from the linked retained community-guide material, not newly verified opening hours, live menus or first-hand visits. Suggested times are editable planning blocks. Check closures, reservations, accessibility and dietary needs.
  • Cover photo shows the first city. Original source and photo credits remain attached. Adapted community route selections retain CC BY-SA 4.0 attribution; source research dates remain in the individual stop and dining notes.
4 local dining picks added to this itineraryDining sources

These picks have positive travel-guide coverage or a named professional recommendation; they are not live customer ratings. Suggested times are not reservations. Confirm service days, dietary needs and prices. Other days remain open for your own food discoveries.

  • Day 1 · Joni Osh — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 2 · Cafe Magistr — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 3 · Historic — Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Wikivoyage contributors ↗
  • Day 7 · Chayxana Xo’ja Nasriddin — Uzbek cuisine. Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026; Uzbek cooking. Award checked 2026-10-30. Tripadvisor ↗

Sources checked 2026-10-30. Community-guide dining data is adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; source pages link to contributor histories.

Samarkand & Bukhara itinerary: 12 days at a glance

Review the original daily plan before editing below. Times and durations are suggested planning blocks; dining stops are not reservations. Your personal edits appear in the editor and downloads.

Day 1: Samarkand: Orthodox Cathedral of St. Alexei of Moscow & Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God

  • · Orthodox Cathedral of St. Alexei of Moscow · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God · 30 min
  • · Armenian Church of the Holy Mother of God · 90 min
  • · Dinner: Joni Osh (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 2: Samarkand: Registan & Gur-e-Emir Mausoleum

  • · Registan · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Gur-e-Emir Mausoleum · 30 min
  • · Gur-e-Emir Mausoleum · 75 min
  • · Dinner: Cafe Magistr (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 3: Samarkand: Ulughbek's Observatory & Galaasiya Mosque

  • · Ulughbek's Observatory · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Galaasiya Mosque · 30 min
  • · Galaasiya Mosque · 90 min
  • · Dinner: Historic (Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties) · 75 min

Day 4: Samarkand: Imami A'zam Grand Mosque & Sayyid Ibrahim Shrine and Imamzadeh Shia Mosque

  • · Imami A'zam Grand Mosque · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Sayyid Ibrahim Shrine and Imamzadeh Shia Mosque · 30 min
  • · Sayyid Ibrahim Shrine and Imamzadeh Shia Mosque · 90 min

Day 5: Samarkand: Khoja Is'haqi Vali Mosque & Tomb of Prophet Daniel

  • · Khoja Is'haqi Vali Mosque · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Tomb of Prophet Daniel · 30 min
  • · Tomb of Prophet Daniel · 75 min

Day 6: Samarkand → Bukhara: travel and check-in

  • · Relocate: Samarkand → Bukhara · 600 min

Day 7: Bukhara: Magok-i-Attari Mosque & Synagogue

  • · Magok-i-Attari Mosque · 90 min
  • · Transfer to Synagogue · 30 min
  • · Synagogue · 90 min
  • · Dinner: Chayxana Xo’ja Nasriddin (Uzbek cuisine) · 75 min

Day 8: Bukhara: Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum & Ismail Samani Mausoleum

  • · Chashma-Ayub Mausoleum · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Ismail Samani Mausoleum · 30 min
  • · Ismail Samani Mausoleum · 75 min

Day 9: Bukhara: Chor Minor & Khanaka of Faizabad

  • · Chor Minor · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Khanaka of Faizabad · 30 min
  • · Khanaka of Faizabad · 75 min

Day 10: Bukhara: Ark Citadel & Bolo Hauz Mosque

  • · Ark Citadel · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Bolo Hauz Mosque · 30 min
  • · Bolo Hauz Mosque · 90 min

Day 11: Bukhara: Qosh Madrassah & Baland Mosque

  • · Qosh Madrassah · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Baland Mosque · 30 min
  • · Baland Mosque · 90 min

Day 12: Bukhara: Fayzulla Xoʻjayev House & Namozgoh Mosque

  • · Fayzulla Xoʻjayev House · 75 min
  • · Transfer to Namozgoh Mosque · 30 min
  • · Namozgoh Mosque · 90 min

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Day 1
  • 09:3090m
    Babur Mirza Street, 1

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Samarkand

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.5 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Mahmud Qashghari Street, 70

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Lochin Ko'chasi 3A

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Opens 11:00; closes when they run out of Plov, usually before 14:00. Recheck with the restaurant. About 4.8 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5392338; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 2
  • 09:3075m
    Samarkand

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Samarkand

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.87 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Universitetskiy Boulevard, off Bustonsaroy

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    30/45 Buston Saroy

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Mon-Sat 08:00-23:00, Sun 12:00-23:00. Recheck with the restaurant. About 0.8 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5392338; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 3
  • 09:3075m
    Tashkent Road

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Samarkand

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.52 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Samarkand

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Suzangaron

    Restaurant meal; ask about house specialties. Community guide highlights this restaurant’s food or dining experience positively. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Guide-listed service: Daily 08:00-22:00. Recheck with the restaurant. About 2.9 km straight-line from the preceding stop; allow transit or taxi time as needed, not a measured walking route. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Dining source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings. Wikivoyage revision 5392338; selection and timing adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 4
  • 09:3090m
    Samarkand

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Samarkand

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (2.56 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Durdona Street, 1

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 5
  • 09:3090m
    Samarkand

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Samarkand

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.58 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Termez Rd

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Samarkand (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 6
  • 08:00600m
    Samarkand → Bukhara

    Dedicated relocation day from Samarkand to Bukhara; no transport is booked. The city centres are approximately 219 km apart in a straight line, not a measured road or rail route. Choose and book a suitable flight, train, bus or ferry; confirm operating days, total door-to-door time, luggage rules and arrival before making reservations. This full-day block is reserved time, not a timetable. Move the following day if your journey needs longer.

Day 7
  • 09:3090m
    Mehtar Ambar 55

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bukhara

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.21 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Sarrafon

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 18:0075m
    Dining
    Eshoni Pir 57, Bukhara

    Uzbek cuisine. Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2026; Uzbek cooking. Award checked 2026-10-30. Suggested dining time, not a booking. Confirm service days, availability, dietary needs and current menu prices before travelling. Service hours need confirmation. Route distance is unknown; check travel time and the entrance. Map pin unavailable; use the address to locate the restaurant. Dining source: Tripadvisor, https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g303936-d24043518-Reviews-Chayxana_Xo_ja_Nasriddin-Bukhara_Bukhara_Province.html (checked 2026-10-30). Guide recommendations are not live customer star ratings.

Day 8
  • 09:3075m
    Bukhara

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bukhara

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.18 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Samonids Recreation Park

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 9
  • 09:3075m
    Mehtar Ambar 90

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bukhara

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (1.05 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0075m
    Bukhara

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 10
  • 09:3075m
    Registan

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bukhara

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.28 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Bukhara

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 11
  • 09:3075m
    Mirdustim

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bukhara

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.37 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Bukhara

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Day 12
  • 09:3075m
    Tukai Alley 70

    Use this as a flexible sightseeing stop; check current visitor access before setting dates. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

  • 12:0030m
    Bukhara

    Estimated transfer allowance between visits (0.79 km straight-line distance, not road distance). Check walking, transit, ferry or taxi options before travelling; allow a meal break before the 15:00 visit.

  • 15:0090m
    Bukhara

    Check visitor access and worship times; follow site-specific dress and photography rules. Approximate map pin; confirm the entrance. Source: Wikivoyage contributors, https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Bukhara (CC BY-SA 4.0). Selection and timing adapted; route data shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.

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