Khiva

A Step Back in Time

Khiva stands as one of Central Asia’s oldest cities, located in modern-day Uzbekistan. Its history stretches back centuries along ancient trade routes where merchants once carried goods between East and West. The city center features a large square surrounded by mud-brick walls and towering minarets that have survived wars and time. Caravanserais, mosques and madrasas line narrow streets lined with shops selling handmade crafts. Visitors experience centuries-old architecture alongside daily life in a living museum where traditions remain part of everyday routines.

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Town in Uzbekistan

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 5.6

General Safety:	6
Health & medical:	5
Accessibility:	4
Tap water:	6

Read details

2/5

English is not widely spoken in Khiva, though some hotel staff and tour guides may know basic English. It’s recommended to have a phrasebook or use translation apps to communicate more effectively.

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Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Khiva Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
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Outstanding for historic Silk Road architecture. Wander intact walled streets, visit mosques and madrasas, climb watchtowers for views and explore traditional markets.

Place score

6.9

Best at:

Historic sites

Walkable

Guided tours

Local cuisine

Street food

Personal score

Suited for

👶 6

Families

🧓 5

Seniors

🛡️ 7

Travel Beginners

❤️ 7

Couples

Uzbekistan – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	220 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type F Type C: Type F: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Uzbekistani Sum (UZS) £1 ≈ UZS 15,915.08
Cashless info:	Rating 3/5 Cashless payments are becoming more common in Uzbekistan, especially in major cities. However, cash remains the preferred method of payment in rural areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated in Uzbekistan, though it is not mandatory. A 10% tip is common in restaurants, and small tips are appreciated for hotel staff and taxi drivers.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is generally allowed in Uzbekistan, but alcohol consumption may be restricted in some public areas.
Public smoking:	Smoking is prohibited in most indoor public spaces in Uzbekistan, but designated smoking areas are available in some places.

Independence Day (1 September)	Celebrates Uzbekistan’s independence from the Soviet Union
Navruz (21 March)	Traditional spring festival celebrated with feasts and cultural events

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 102 (Police), 103 (Ambulance), 101 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Yandex.Taxi
Other:	Uzbekistan is known for its rich history, ancient cities like Samarkand, and architectural wonders like the Registan. It offers a unique cultural experience.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Khiva, Uzbekistan

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌤️

Mar

☀️

Apr

🔥

May

🔥

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

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Dec

High season:	April - May, Sep. - Oct.
Shoulder season:	March, June, Nov.
Crowdedness:	6 (Many tourists)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Summer temperatures often exceed 40°C: visit the old town early morning or after sunset

Some hotels and restaurants in the walled old town close or run reduced hours from November to March

Don't miss

🏰 Explore Itchan Kala, ancient walled city and UNESCO site
🗼 Climb Islam Khodja Minaret for breathtaking city views
🪵 Admire the intricate wooden pillars of Juma Mosque
🕌 Visit the stunning Pahlavan Mahmud Mausoleum adorned with tiles
🏯 Discover the historic Kuhna Ark fortress and watchtower

You've been here?

Why travel to Khiva?

Khiva is a hidden gem for history lovers and photographers. The ancient city, part of the UNESCO World Heritage List, showcases some of the best-preserved Islamic architecture in Central Asia. The walled city of Itchan Kala feels like a living museum, where every street corner tells a story of the Silk Road. While it’s a beautiful destination, the city can be quite hot in summer, so visiting in spring or autumn is more comfortable. Do keep in mind that Khiva is small and although it’s a peaceful place to explore, the number of tourist facilities can be limited compared to larger cities.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Ak Mosque
2 Islam-Khoja minaret
3 Itchan Kala
4 Friday Mosque (Juma Mosque)
5 Kalta Minor Minaret
6 Muhammad Aminkhan Madrasah
7 Tash Khauli Palace

🛍️Shopping

1 Khiva Bazaar

🎈Events

Khiva International Music Festival
Navruz (Persian New Year)
Khiva Traditional Craft Festival
Silk and Spices Festival
Uzbekistan National Day Celebrations

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Buy Itchan Kala ticket for access to museums and minarets inside walls.
Explore ancient Silk Road architecture on foot through narrow, mud-brick streets of the old town.
Climb Islam Khoja Minaret for panoramic views; it's the tallest structure in Khiva.
Visit at sunset from Kuhna Ark watchtower to see the walled city glow in golden light.

How to travel to Khiva

Khiva is accessible via flights to Urgench Airport (UGC), which is about 30 minutes away by taxi. The city is also reachable by train or bus from major cities like Bukhara and Samarkand, although these may take several hours.

Access summary

From Urgench Airport (UGC): Taxi or train, roughly 35–60 minutes.
From Tashkent: Overnight trains about 13–14.5 hours to Khiva.
From Bukhara: Direct trains typically 5.5–7 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Khiva

Khiva has a range of accommodations, including small guesthouses, mid-range hotels and a few higher-end options. There aren’t many large-scale resorts, but the hospitality in the guesthouses is often fantastic and offers an authentic experience.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Feruzkhan Hotel - Madrassah Mohammed Rakhim Khan

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How to get around Khiva

The best way to explore Khiva is on foot, as the city is small and most major attractions are within walking distance. Taxis and horse-drawn carts are available for short trips. Public transport is limited, so a private tour is ideal.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+4 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 4% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-8 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to UZS) is 8% better than in recent years. That means travelling now is cheaper compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Dasoguz, Turkmenistan - 58 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£48	£116	£325
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£11	£30	£75
🍝 Food per day	£36	£84	£237
🚕 Transportation per day	£1	£2	£13

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£32
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£18
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£12.50
☕ Cappuccino	£5.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5.50

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.10
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£8.50
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.32

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£10.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£24
🤧 Cold medication	£3.70
💇 Basic haircut	£4.80

Safety information overview

General safety

Khiva is considered very safe for tourists, with low crime rates. However, as in any tourist destination, always keep an eye on your belongings, especially in crowded areas like markets.

Health & Medical

Khiva has basic medical facilities, but for more serious health concerns, it’s better to travel to larger cities like Urgench or Tashkent. Make sure to have travel insurance that covers health emergencies.

Accessibility

Khiva’s ancient structures may present challenges for those with mobility issues. The city’s narrow, cobblestone streets can be difficult for wheelchairs, but most tourist spots are accessible with some assistance.

Tap water

The tap water in Khiva is not potable. It’s advisable to drink bottled water, which is readily available throughout the city.