Samarkand weather by month

Samarkand lies at about 700 metres above sea level in the Zarafshan valley, with mountains to the south and east. This altitude makes it slightly cooler than Bukhara and Khiva in summer, and the nearby mountains bring more rain and occasional snow in winter. The air is dry for most of the year, so heat feels less oppressive than the numbers suggest, and nights cool down quickly.

The table gives approximate long-term averages. Individual years vary, and heatwaves or cold spells can push temperatures well beyond these figures.

Spring is one of the two best seasons. March is changeable, with rain and cool days but also the celebrations of Navruz, the Persian New Year, on 21 March, when cities fill with music, food stalls and families in festive dress. By April the gardens and fields are green, fruit trees blossom and days are comfortably warm. May is warm to hot, perfect for long days of sightseeing, and roses bloom in courtyards. Pack layers: mornings and evenings can be cool, and a light rain jacket is useful in March and April.

Summer is hot and almost completely dry. Afternoon temperatures in July often reach 35 °C or more, but the dry air and cool nights make it manageable if you plan well. Start sightseeing early, rest in the hottest hours from about noon to four, and go out again in the late afternoon and evening, when the monuments glow and the city comes alive. Summer is the season of apricots, peaches, melons and grapes. Bring a hat, sunscreen, light long clothing that also covers shoulders and knees for religious sites, and carry water.

Autumn is the other ideal season. September is warm and golden, with markets overflowing with melons, grapes and pomegranates; October brings mild days and crisp nights, perfect for walking. It is also the busiest season for tourism, so book trains and hotels early. November is cooler and quieter, with the first frosts at night and a chance of rain, but often with clear, sunny days and beautiful low light on the tiles.

Winter is the low season. Days are short and cold, nights below freezing, and snow falls a few times each winter. When it does, the domes of the Registan and Gur-Emir under snow are a rare and spectacular sight. Monuments stay open, with shorter hours, and there are few tourists, so you often have the sites almost to yourself. Hotels may offer lower rates. Bring a warm coat, hat and gloves; some older buildings are not heated inside.

• For comfortable sightseeing: mid-April to May and mid-September to October.
• For fewer crowds: March, November and winter, if you do not mind cold.
• For festivals: Navruz in March; the Sharq Taronalari music festival, held in some years at the Registan in late summer.
• For fruit and markets: late June to September.

Whatever the season, the light is at its best early in the morning and in the hour before sunset. For the rest of the country see the best time to visit Uzbekistan.

In June the sun rises before five in the morning and sets after eight in the evening, giving long days for sightseeing; in December it is light only from about half past seven to five. Photographers will find the softest light on the Registan in spring and autumn, when the sun is lower and the air clearer. Dust can haze the sky on hot summer afternoons, while winter often brings very clear, blue days after rain or snow.