UZ
Khiva
A walled desert town of minarets, palaces and carved wooden columns
A walled desert town of minarets, palaces and carved wooden columns
Walk the walls and lanes of the inner town. The Islam Khoja Minaret, finished in 1910, is the tallest in Khiva, and you can climb it for an extra fee.
Climb the walls or a minaret at sunset.
Photo: Hylgeriak, CC BY-SA 3.0
This short, wide, blue-tiled minaret was meant to be much taller, but work stopped in the 1850s. It is about 29m high.
Photo: Bgag, CC0
A forest of 218 carved wooden columns holds up the roof of this mosque. A few of the columns are said to be about a thousand years old.
Photo: Adam Harangozó, CC BY-SA 4.0
The khans’ old fortress has a throne room, a mint and a mosque. Its watchtower is a popular sunset viewpoint.
The watchtower may need a separate ticket.
Photo: Gregor Rom, CC BY-SA 4.0
Try shivit oshi (green dill noodles), tukhum barak (egg dumplings) and plov.
Restaurants inside Itchan Kala have rooftop terraces; prices are higher than outside the walls.
Fly to Urgench, about 30–40 minutes away by taxi. Trains run from Tashkent, Samarkand and Bukhara; some go directly to Khiva station and others stop at Urgench.
A shared taxi or train from Bukhara crosses the desert in about 6–8 hours.
Uzbekistan uses the som (UZS). Cards work in many hotels, but carry cash for markets and small sites.
Check current ticket prices.
Old town and desert fortresses.
Explore the inner town, the Juma Mosque and Kuhna Ark, then watch sunset from the walls.
Take a day trip to the ancient desert fortresses of Khorezm (Elliq Qala).
The main ticket is usually valid for two days; some towers cost extra.
Walk early or late to avoid tour groups and heat.
Buy train tickets early on the official railway site or app; fast trains sell out in spring and autumn.
Bring sun protection; it gets very hot.
Quick answers for planning time in Khiva.
Around UZS 200,000–250,000 at recent checks, with extras for some towers.
Fly to Urgench or take a train from Tashkent, Samarkand or Bukhara.
One to two days.
Yes, Itchan Kala since 1990.
April to May and September to October.
Guesthouses, guides and drivers take bookings by message; Telegram is also widely used.
Free
Planning a wider trip? Our Uzbekistan travel guide covers getting there, costs, when to go and more.