Month guide · Samarkand · Uzbekistan
Samarkand in December
What December is really like in Samarkand: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Victoria, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 8°C (46°F), lows of -1°C (30°F), about 9 rainy days and roughly 9.4 hours of daylight. Cold, short days and few tourists; bring a warm coat, as some older buildings are poorly heated.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 8°C (46°F) / -1°C (30°F)
- Rainy days
- About 9
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Lowest
Weather in December
December is the 11th-warmest month in Samarkand: days average 8°C (46°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about -1°C (30°F). Rain falls on roughly 9 of its 31 days. Compared with November (14°C (57°F)), December is cooler; by January highs drop to around 6°C (43°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 07:46
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 17:09
- Daylight
- About 9.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold, frosty and quiet, with occasional snow on the domes and the lowest prices of the year.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 1 for crowds (the peak is September at 5) and 1 for hotel prices (highest in September). That makes December one of the better-value months to book.
Events in December
- New Year — city decorations and celebrations (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Registan and Old Town
Tashkent Street
This pedestrianised street runs from the Registan to Bibi-Khanym and the Siab Bazaar, lined with souvenir shops selling suzani embroidery, ceramics, ikat silk and carpets.
- Time needed
- 30–60 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- After dark
Historic site · Chupan-Ata hill
Ulugh Beg Observatory
It is about 4 km north-east of the Registan; pair it with the Afrasiyab Museum and the Tomb of Daniel on the same taxi loop.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Afrasiyab
Mausoleum of Daniel (Khoja Doniyor)
On the slope above the Siab stream, a long, low mausoleum with five domes holds an 18-metre sarcophagus said to contain relics of the prophet Daniel, venerated by Muslims, Christians and Jews.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
Religious site · Siab Bazaar and Bibi-Khanym
Hazrat Khizr Mosque
Climb up in the late afternoon for the best light over Bibi-Khanym's domes.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Architecture
- Photo spot
What to pack
For highs near 8°C, lows near -1°C and 9 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Samarkand?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–May and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Samarkand in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Samarkand?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold, short days and few tourists; bring a warm coat, as some older buildings are poorly heated.
+How warm is Samarkand in December?
Average highs are around 8°C (46°F) and lows around -1°C (30°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Samarkand in December?
Expect rain on about 9 days of the month.