By rail
Khiva, long-distance trains from Tashkent
East Asia · Uzbekistan
Khiva, Uzbekistan
A walled desert city of minarets and tiled towers
Getting there
By air
Urgench International Airport (UGC), ~35 km by road
Best time to visit
April to May or September to October — warm days and cool nights
Don't miss
Itchan Kala
Kalta Minor
Islam Khoja Minaret
Juma Mosque
Things to do
Walking the walls
Climbing minarets
Visiting madrasas
Sunset over the old city
Where to eat
Sources: Photo: Fulvio Spada · CC BY-SA 2.0
What to pack
Sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes
A quieter corner
The ruined desert fortresses of Ayaz Kala, a day trip to the north
Questions travellers ask
When is the best time to visit Khiva?
April to May or September to October — warm days and cool nights. What to pack: Sun hat, sunscreen, comfortable shoes.
How do I get to Khiva?
Fly into Urgench International Airport (UGC), ~35 km by road.
What is there to do in Khiva?
Walking the walls, climbing minarets, visiting madrasas, sunset over the old city. A quieter find: The ruined desert fortresses of Ayaz Kala, a day trip to the north.
What should I eat in Khiva?
Shivit oshi green dill noodles, tukhum barak dumplings, plov.
About Khiva
- Desert
Where it is
Khiva lies in the Khorezm region of western Uzbekistan, near the Amu Darya river and between the Karakum and Kyzylkum deserts.
History
Khiva was an oasis town on the caravan routes and became the capital of the Khanate of Khiva from the 16th century. In the 19th century it became a Russian protectorate. Its inner walled city, Itchan Kala, was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1990.
People
Uzbek is spoken in Khiva, and the Khorezm region has its own dialect, dances and dishes, with many families running small workshops and guesthouses inside the old city.
Known for
- The walled inner city of Itchan Kala
- The unfinished Kalta Minor minaret
- Carved wooden columns
- Desert sunsets
Did you know?
The Juma Mosque in Khiva has a roof held up by more than 200 carved wooden columns.
We haven't written a guide for this place yet — you can still plan a trip here.