Samarkand's main market beside the Bibi-Khanym Mosque, famous for round Samarkand bread and dried fruit.
Siab Bazaar is the main market of Samarkand, Uzbekistan, stretching along the road beside the Bibi-Khanym Mosque. It is the best place in the city to see everyday life: women in bright atlas-silk dresses selling dried apricots, raisins, walnuts, almonds, halva, nabat (crystallised sugar), honey and spices; rows of round, patterned Samarkand non (bread) stacked high; and stalls of fresh produce, dairy and meat. The bread is a regional speciality, thick, dense and stamped with a pattern, and stays fresh for days. Visitors usually start at the bread sellers by the entrance, then walk the dried-fruit aisles where samples are offered freely, and finish at the tea stalls or small eateries. Prices at fruit stalls are usually fixed per kilo and weighing is done in front of the buyer; the souvenir and clothing sections allow bargaining. The bazaar is busiest in the morning and closes by late afternoon. Allow about an hour. Keep valuables in a front bag, carry small notes in som, and ask before taking photographs of sellers.
| Admission | Free entry |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily, about 07:00-18:00 |
| Typical visit | 45-60 minutes |
| Best time | Weekday mornings before 11:00 |
| Getting there | Taxi about 8,000-12,000 UZS (~$0.65-1) from the Registan; 15-minute walk |
| Address | Siab Bazaar, Tashkent Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan |
Location
Siab Bazaar, Tashkent Street, Samarkand, Uzbekistan
39.6628, 66.9805 View on map
Highlights
- Round, patterned Samarkand non bread stacked at the entrance
- Dried apricots, raisins, walnuts and halva stalls with free samples
- Colourful atlas-silk dresses on the sellers
- Across the road from Bibi-Khanym Mosque
Tips for visiting
- Go in the morning (before about 11:00) for freshest produce and bread.
- Carry small notes in som; many stalls do not take cards.
- Taste before buying dried fruit; prices are per kilo and the scale is read in front of you.
- Ask before photographing sellers.
- Keep bags zipped in the crowded aisles.
When to visit
Weekday mornings before 11:00; weekends are busiest.
Accessibility
Main walkways are level but crowded, with uneven ground in places. Wheelchair use is possible in the main aisles but difficult at peak hours.
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Frequently asked questions
What should visitors buy at Siab Bazaar?
Samarkand non bread, dried apricots, raisins, walnuts, halva, nabat sugar, spices and honey.
Is entry free?
Yes; visitors pay only for what they buy.
How long does a visit take?
About 45 to 60 minutes.
Is bargaining expected?
For food prices are mostly fixed; bargaining is acceptable for souvenirs and clothing.