Shop at Siab Bazaar

Samarkand is well known as a cultural crossroads along the Silk Road and a main trading hub. With the rise and fall of various rulers over the centuries, the merchant economy has adapted but always survived. And, over the years, the cultures of new empires and Silk Road travellers brought a wide variety of influences to traditional Uzbek handicraft production methods, as well as the local cuisine. The best way to experience this firsthand is by shopping at the local bazaars and interacting with the merchants.

The Siab Bazaar filled with excitement and colour and is the largest in Samarkand. It's located just a few minutes' walk from the Bibi-Khanim Mosque. After walking through the three-arch entryway, you'll see numerous trading rows all covered by tents. Vendors here sell all kinds of spices, fresh breads, produce, meats and traditional treats. Don’t forget to ask for samples - the Uzbek people are known for their kind-heartedness and will insist on a taste test!

Also sold in the Siab Bazaar are many types of local handicrafts. Often these merchants’ families have been making specific types of goods for centuries and have become masters of the trade. The social aspect that is natural to life at the bazaar will not only lend a glimpse to the life of a local but is also a good opportunity to have a chat with some of the vendors.