Khiva

Khiva is famous for Itchan Kala, its perfectly preserved walled inner city — the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Uzbekistan. It is known for the turquoise Kalta Minor minaret, the tall Islam Khoja minaret, the Kunya Ark fortress and the wooden-columned Juma Mosque, all within mud-brick city walls.

Itchan Kala is the walled inner town of Khiva, an intact open-air museum of madrasahs, minarets, mosques and palaces enclosed by 10-metre mud-brick walls. Compact enough to explore on foot, it feels like stepping straight into the Silk Road.

One full day and an overnight are enough to see the main sights inside Itchan Kala, but staying a night lets you enjoy the walled city at sunset and early morning, when the day-trip crowds are gone and it is at its most magical.

Yes. Khiva is the most complete walled city on the Silk Road and feels like an open-air museum you can wander freely. Although it is the most remote of Uzbekistan's main cities, travellers consistently rate the journey worthwhile.

Walk the walls of Itchan Kala, see the turquoise Kalta Minor minaret, climb the Islam Khoja minaret for views, explore the Kunya Ark fortress, visit the wooden-columned Juma Mosque and tour the Tash Hauli Palace.

Khiva is reached via the nearby city of Urgench, which has an airport with flights from Tashkent (about 1.5 hours) and is a 30-minute drive away. Many travellers also arrive by a 6–7 hour private road transfer from Bukhara across the Kyzylkum Desert. We arrange flights, trains and transfers.

Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are the most comfortable seasons. Khiva has a desert climate, so summer days are hot — but with early starts and long daylight the walled city is unforgettable, especially at sunrise and sunset, and it pairs well with the cooler Amirsoy and Chimgan mountains. Winter is quiet and atmospheric.

Khiva is about 440 km from Bukhara, a 6–7 hour private road transfer across the Kyzylkum Desert. The desert crossing is a memorable part of the Silk Road experience, and we arrange comfortable vehicles with stops.

Khiva is very safe for tourists. The walled old city is small, calm and easy to navigate on foot, and locals are welcoming. Standard travel precautions are all that is needed.

Citizens of more than 90 countries — including the EU, UK, GCC states, Russia and CIS members — enter visa-free for 7 to 60 days. Others can apply for an e-Visa online in 2–3 working days. Dunya Travel can confirm the rule for your passport and issue invitation letters when needed.