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Hazrat Khizr Mosque, Samarkand

Hazrat Khizr Mosque in Samarkand on its hill above the park, with a carved wooden iwan, a ribbed dome and a slender minaret
Photo: Arina Pan, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

The essentials in 10 seconds

Entry
Free, donations welcome; one guide mentions a small photo fee
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Opening hours
Daily ≈ 8:00–18:00, other sources 7:00–19:00
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Time on site
A typical visit without queueing. In high season add 15–30 minutes.
30 min
With kids
Fine with kids
Closed
No weekly closing day; closed to visitors during prayers
verifyingFrom reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go.
Dress code
Shoulders and knees covered; women cover their hair
Time needed
30–45 minutes with the terrace and the mausoleum
From the Registan
≈ 1.1 km as the crow flies: about 20 min on foot or 5 min by taxi
Next door
Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda, 5 minutes’ walk each
Coordinates
39.66345, 66.98326YesGo MapGoogleApple

Key facts

1854the present building went up on old foundations; the mihrab inscription says 1855
3 sourcesEnglish WikipediaRussian WikipediaTurkestan Travel
Karimov’s tombUzbekistan’s first president was buried here in September 2016; his mausoleum opened in 2018
2 sourcesEnglish and Russian WikipediaSilk Road Tourism
Afrasiab hillthe mosque sits on the southern edge of the mound of ancient Samarkand
2 sourcesRussian WikipediaAdvantour
8th centuryby tradition, Arab conquerors built the first mosque here over a Sogdian fire temple
2 sourcesEnglish WikipediaOrexca
1220the old mosque was destroyed by the Mongols; only the foundations survived
SourceEnglish and Russian Wikipedia
1919master builder Abdukadyr Bakiev finished the entrance portal and the eastern minaret
2 sourcesEnglish and Russian WikipediaTurkestan Travel
30 × 16 mthe footprint of the building, an asymmetrical rectangle
2 sourcesRussian WikipediaAdvantour
Khizrthe Islamic saint of travellers and keeper of the “water of life”, after whom the mosque is named
2 sourcesRussian WikipediaOrexca
Ribbed domeover the entrance hall, raised on a many-sided drum
2 sourcesRussian WikipediaTurkestan Travel
1899the iwan was rebuilt and the gatehouse (darvazakhana) added
SourceEnglish and Russian Wikipedia

Is Hazrat Khizr Mosque free to enter?

Unofficially, yes. There is no ticket office like those at Shah-i-Zinda or the Registan, and we found no official price list. Most sources describe entry to the mosque and grounds as free; a donation box stands by the door.

One Japanese guidebook lists a small entry charge plus separate fees for photos and video, which other sources don’t mention. Carry a few small som notes just in case — if a caretaker asks for a camera fee, you won’t be paying it by card.

Money in Samarkand: ticket offices at the big sights often take Visa and Mastercard, but terminals fail, and small places run on cash. City ATMs usually accept foreign cards, though not every machine does; locals pay with Uzbek Uzcard and Humo cards.

Hazrat Khizr Mosque opening hours

The mosque opens every day with no weekly closure. There is no official timetable online and sources disagree: 8:00–18:00 is the most common, with 7:00–19:00 and 8:00–17:00 also listed. Plan on daylight hours and don’t turn up right at closing time.

During prayers visitors are kept out, most noticeably around midday on Fridays. If you arrive during a prayer, wait on the terrace — the view is the best part anyway — and the doors reopen once it ends.

Late afternoon is the best time. Low sun lights up the domes of Bibi-Khanym across the road, and the painted iwan ceiling glows in the shade.

What is Hazrat Khizr Mosque?

The site is one of the oldest places of worship in Samarkand. Tradition says Arab conquerors built the city’s first mosque here in the early 8th century, over a Sogdian fire temple by the southern gate of Afrasiab. The Mongols destroyed it in 1220. Today’s building dates from 1854, on the old foundations, with additions until 1919.

It is named after Khizr (Khidr), the Islamic saint of travellers who is said to know the source of the water of life. A local legend tells of a white bird that broke the dam Arab troops built to flood the citadel.

Architecturally it is a modest neighbourhood mosque rather than a grand Timurid monument. What makes it special is the woodwork and paint: five carved columns on the iwan, a painted ceiling with carved plaster, a 19th-century carved door, a ribbed dome over the entrance and a free-standing minaret.

In 2016 Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s first president, was buried in the grounds, and in 2018 his white-marble mausoleum with tiled decoration opened. On public holidays the site fills with Uzbek visitors paying their respects.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you are already walking between the Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda — it costs nothing, takes half an hour and gives you the best free viewpoint over Bibi-Khanym. The painted iwan is one of the prettiest bits of 19th-century woodwork in town.

It is not worth a special trip. If you have only a few hours in Samarkand, put the Registan, Gur-e-Amir and Shah-i-Zinda first, and climb up here only if the stairs suit you.

What to see

  • The iwan — a summer gallery on carved wooden columns painted orange, turquoise and green.
  • The iwan ceiling — paintings and carved plaster; stand by the far column for the full effect.
  • The carved door from the 19th century: the relief is shallow, so the shadows draw the pattern.
  • The entrance portal with its small corner towers (guldasta) and the hall under the ribbed dome.
  • The minaret of 1919, standing apart from the building on the east side.
  • The terrace, looking over Bibi-Khanym, the Siab Bazaar and the domes of the old town.
  • The Islam Karimov mausoleum — white marble outside, tiles and gilded painting inside.
  • Across the road, the domes of Shah-i-Zinda: from the hill you can see the start of the lane of tombs.

How to get to Hazrat Khizr Mosque

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on footdestinationStreet view

Where are you starting from?

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On foot

  • Siab Bazaar is about 7 min away on foot.
  • Shah-i-Zinda is about 9 min away on foot.
  • Bibi-Khanym Mosque is about 8 min away on foot.

More tips

  1. Start at the Registan — the mosque is about 1.1 km away as the crow flies, roughly a 20-minute walk.
  2. Walk north-east along pedestrian Tashkent Street to Bibi-Khanym Mosque — about 10 minutes.
  3. Walk along the Siab Bazaar to the junction of Shohizinda Street and Islam Karimov Street — another 5–7 minutes.
  4. The mosque stands on the hill above the junction; a steep staircase leads up to the entrance and terrace.
  5. Rather ride? Order a car in the Yandex Go app — about 5 minutes from the Registan, 15–20 minutes from the railway station or the airport. City buses stop by the Siab Bazaar; Moovit is the easiest way to pick a route number.
  6. Afterwards, cross the road to Shah-i-Zinda, five minutes on foot.

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Hazrat Khizr vs Bibi-Khanym vs Shah-i-Zinda

Hazrat Khizryou are hereSmall 19th-c. mosquePainted iwan and the viewFree30–45 minModest, headscarf for women
Bibi-KhanymTimur’s great mosqueScale of the portal and domesPaid≈ 40 minModest
Shah-i-ZindaLane of 11th–19th c. tombsTilework up closePaid1–1.5 hStrictly modest — shrine

Entry details are unofficial. Hazrat Khizr won’t replace Bibi-Khanym or Shah-i-Zinda, but it sits right between them, costs nothing and has the best view of both. Drop in on the way rather than making a separate trip.

Mosques and shrines of Samarkand compared

Samarkand’s mosques, mausoleums and shrines rated by YesGo. Tap a column header to sort.

Gur-e-Amir5945 min≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial36 min walk
Registan571 h 30 min100,000 UZS for foreign visitors20 min walk
Bibi-Khanym Mosque4940 min≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial8 min walk
Shah-i-Zinda461 h 15 min≈ 50,000 som for foreigners7 min walk
Tomb of Saint Daniel4140 min≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial25 min walk
Hazrat Khizr Mosqueyou are here3830 minFree—

Registan to Shah-i-Zinda in half a day

The square, the great mosque, the bazaar, the hilltop mosque and the necropolis — all on foot in one line. YesGo sets the times and walks between them.

  1. Registan1 h 30 min · 100,000 UZS for foreign visitors
  2. 13 min walk from the previous stopBibi-Khanym Mosque40 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial
  3. 3 min walk from the previous stopSiab Bazaar1 h · Free entry
  4. 6 min walk from the previous stopHazrat Khizr Mosqueyou are here30 min · Free, donations welcome
  5. 7 min walk from the previous stopShah-i-Zinda1 h 15 min · ≈ 50,000 som for foreigners

5 places · about 5 h 24 min with walks · 29 min on foot in total

Go · my route

Nearby and on your route

Siab Bazaar

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

1 h · Free entry · 6 min walk

Shah-i-Zinda

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

1 h 15 min · ≈ 50,000 som for foreigners · 7 min walk

Bibi-Khanym Mosque

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

40 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial · 8 min walk

Afrasiab Museum

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

1 h 15 min · ≈ UZS 40,000–80,000 (unofficial) · 19 min walk

How to do it right

  • Slot it in between the Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda — the detour takes half an hour and the terrace view repays it.
  • Keep a scarf and a light cover-up in your bag all day: you will need them here, at Shah-i-Zinda and at Gur-e-Amir.
  • Avoid Friday around midday: it is the main prayer of the week and visitors won’t be let in.
  • The staircase is steep: take it slowly, and in summer bring water and a hat.
  • Heading to the Ulugh Beg Observatory? The mosque is on the way, along the same road north-east.

Questions

Is Hazrat Khizr Mosque free?

Unofficially, yes — there is no ticket office and donations are optional. One guidebook mentions a small photo and video fee, so carry a few som notes.

What are the Hazrat Khizr Mosque opening hours?

Daily; 8:00–18:00 is the most common listing, other sources say 7:00–19:00. Visitors are kept out during prayers. We found no official timetable.

Who is buried at Hazrat Khizr Mosque?

Islam Karimov, Uzbekistan’s first president. He was buried here in September 2016 and his mausoleum opened in 2018; it is open to visitors.

Is Hazrat Khizr Mosque worth visiting?

Yes, as a stop between the Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda: it is free, quick and has the best view of Bibi-Khanym. It isn’t worth a separate trip.

How do I get to Hazrat Khizr Mosque from the Registan?

Walk about 20 minutes north-east along Tashkent Street past Bibi-Khanym and the Siab Bazaar, then up a steep staircase. A Yandex Go taxi takes about 5 minutes.

How old is Hazrat Khizr Mosque?

The present building dates from 1854, finished by 1919. By tradition a mosque stood here from the 8th century until the Mongols destroyed it in 1220.

Who was Khizr?

An Islamic saint, the patron of travellers and keeper of the water of life. The mosque is named after him.

What should I wear to Hazrat Khizr Mosque?

Cover shoulders and knees; women should cover their hair. Shoes come off in the prayer hall. Shorts and vest tops are out of place.

How long do you need at Hazrat Khizr Mosque?

30–45 minutes for the iwan, the terrace and Karimov’s mausoleum. Pair it with the Siab Bazaar and Shah-i-Zinda, five minutes away each.

Have you been? Was it worth your time?

1 — no, 5 — absolutely

Your vote counts towards the YesGo score.

Sources and fact-check

  • English and Russian Wikipedia: “Hazrat Khizr Mosque”; Wikidata Q4292369
  • Orexca: “Hazrat-Khizr Mosque” — history, decoration, view
  • Advantour: “Hazrat Hyzr Mosque” — dimensions, layout, minaret
  • Turkestan Travel: “Hazrat Khizr Mosque” — rebuilding dates, architecture
  • Sputnik8: “Hazrat Khizr Mosque” — entry, hours, visiting rules
  • Silk Road Tourism (CAREC programme): “Hazrat Hizr Mosque” — Karimov mausoleum
  • Government portal of Uzbekistan — opening of the Islam Karimov memorial complex
YesGo editorial team · facts checked 30.10.2026 ·
How we checkedWe found no official page with prices or hours for the mosque. Entry: Sputnik8, Aviasales and Silk Road Tourism call it free, while the Japanese guide 4travel lists a small charge and a camera fee; we show free, marked as checking, and warn about the fee. Hours differ (8:00–18:00, 7:00–19:00, 8:00–17:00); we show the most common and the next one. Building date: 1854 in Wikipedia and Turkestan Travel, 1855 on the mihrab inscription; we show both. Other facts are checked against at least two sources. The distance from the Registan is calculated from Wikidata coordinates; walking time is an estimate (route ≈ 1.3 × straight line at 4.5 km/h).

Top YesGo picks: Samarkand

Gur-e-Amir

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

45 min · ≈ UZS 75,000, unofficial

Registan

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

1 h 30 min · 100,000 UZS for foreign visitors

Amir Timur Monument

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

15 min · Free

Tomb of Saint Daniel

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

40 min · ≈ UZS 30,000–40,000, unofficial

Ulugh Beg Observatory

Samarkand, Uzbekistan

45 min · UZS 40,000–75,000 (unofficial)

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