Three monumental madrasas from the 15th-17th centuries around a vast paved square, the defining sight of Samarkand and a UNESCO World Heritage monument.
Registan Square is the monumental heart of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, and the image most travellers associate with the Silk Road. Three facing madrasas frame a broad paved plaza: the Ulugh Beg Madrasa (1417-1420) on the west, the Sher-Dor Madrasa (1619-1636) on the east with its tiger-and-sun mosaics, and the Tilya-Kori Madrasa (1646-1660) on the north, whose interior dome is covered in gold leaf. The ensemble was once the city's central market and ceremonial square, and the name comes from the Persian word for sandy place. Inside the courtyards the former student cells now house craft shops selling ceramics, suzani embroidery, paper and carpets, and the Tilya-Kori prayer hall holds a small museum of the Registan's restoration. Visitors buy a ticket at the counters on the approach from Registan Street, walk the plaza, then enter each madrasa in turn; a full visit takes 1.5 to 2 hours. Mornings and the hour before closing give the softest light and the fewest tour groups, and an evening light projection is sometimes shown on the facades, with timings that change by season. The site is part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing Samarkand - Crossroad of Cultures. Dress is relaxed but covered shoulders are appreciated inside Tilya-Kori, which is a former mosque.
| Admission | About 65,000-100,000 UZS (~$5.40-8.30) for foreign visitors |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, about 08:00-19:00 (later in summer); evening illumination varies |
| Typical visit | 1.5-2 hours |
| Best time | Opening time or the last hour before closing |
| Getting there | Taxi (Yandex Go) from the Afrosiyob train station about 15,000-25,000 UZS (~$1.25-2); or walk 15 minutes along Registan Street from Bibi-Khanym |
| Address | Registan Square, Registon Street, Samarkand 140100, Uzbekistan |
Location
Registan Square, Registon Street, Samarkand 140100, Uzbekistan
39.6548, 66.9758 View on map
Highlights
- Three facing madrasas from the 15th to 17th centuries
- Tiger-and-sun mosaics on the Sher-Dor portal
- Gold-leaf interior dome of Tilya-Kori
- Part of the UNESCO site Samarkand - Crossroad of Cultures
Tips for visiting
- Arrive at opening (about 08:00) or in the last hour before closing for softer light and fewer groups.
- Buy tickets at the counters on the approach from Registan Street; each visit takes 1.5-2 hours.
- Keep the ticket or its QR code in case an evening re-entry or light show is offered.
- Cover shoulders and knees inside Tilya-Kori, a former mosque.
- Haggle politely in the craft shops inside the courtyards; ask for the final price before agreeing.
- Check the evening light-show schedule at the ticket counter, as it varies by season.
When to visit
Opening time on a weekday, or the last hour before closing; spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) avoid the summer heat.
Accessibility
The plaza and boulevard approach are flat and paved, so wheelchair access to the open square is straightforward. Some courtyard rooms have steps and thresholds, and uneven historic paving limits access to the interiors.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is a ticket to Registan Square?
Foreign visitors typically pay about 65,000-100,000 UZS (~$5.40-8.30); the price is set at the counter and changes from time to time.
How long does Registan take?
Allow 1.5 to 2 hours for the plaza and all three madrasas.
Is the Registan worth visiting at night?
Yes, the facades are lit after dark and a light projection is sometimes held; ask at the ticket counter for the current schedule.
Can visitors climb the minarets?
Climbing is not part of the official visit; offers made by individuals at the site are informal and may be unsafe.