Khiva is one of Uzbekistan’s lesser visited UNESCO heritage sites after Samarkand and Bukhara.
Home to over 50 mausoleums, mosques, minarets, madrasas, palaces and more, the Itchan Kala is a maze of fantastic constructions taking you through centuries of Islamic and Zoroastrian history in this crossroads of cultures.
The city can be visited without a guide but for a visit with more meaning, consider a guided tour of Khiva with an expert local guide who can explain the background behind the monuments.
Best Khiva Tours
Here’s our hand picked selection of the highest rated tours of Khiva based on reviews from other travelers.
Khiva Day Tours
A visit to Khiva isn’t complete without exploring the city’s main attraction and world UNESCO heritage site Itchan Kala. An ancient fortress bursting with medieval architecture spanning centuries, it’s a labyrinth of mausoleums, palaces, mosques and more.
With a knowledgeable tour guide you’ll make sure you don’t miss out on any of this ancient city’s hidden gems.
One Day Tour
This top-rated tour of Khiva shows you around all of the sights of the city including the Kalta Minor, the Kunya Ark, Juma Mosque, Tosh Hovli Palace, Islam Khoja Minaret and much more.
Includes expert local guide and pick up from train station or airport.
“Khiva was really fantastic and the guide was excellent! It was great to be able to see all of the history and get some context!” – Read more reviews…
Walking Tour
Explore the landmarks and backstreets of Khiva’s Itchan Kala whilst learning about its grand history from an expert guide who speaks German, Russian, English and French.
Customize your trip by choosing which monuments you wish to visit before enjoying local cuisine and stunning aerial views of the city.
“Great guide. Spoke wonderful English. Saw every major site in Khiva. The guide was local so it was interesting seeing the vibrant community.” – Read more reviews…
Bread Making Masterclass
Traditional Uzbek bread goes by the name of non and is a vital addition to any Uzbek table.
In this 45 minute class, you’ll have fun whilst learning the secrets to baking Uzbek bread in an oven known as a tandir, taught by a local family.
“This short and sweet class was a great way to do something hands-on. I learned all about making bread and got to stamp some of my own.” Read more reviews…
Best Day Trips from Khiva
As well as being home to the Itchan Kala, Khiva is also popular for its proximity to ancient ruins just a couple of hours’ drive from the city.
The most famous of these is the Ayaz Kala, a collection of three fortresses thought to have been built as early as the 4th century BC as protection by locals from nomadic raids. They were abandoned for 1,300 years before being explored by archaeologists in the 1940s.
They are completely open to visitors who can freely explore the area. As the sites are unprotected, it’s advisable to exercise caution and common sense when visiting in order to protect them from damage.
Khiva Day Trip to Ayaz Kala and Other Fortresses
This day trip includes visits to the ancient settlements of Kyzyl Qala (red fortress), Toprak Qala (sand fortress), and the most popular Ayaz Qala fortress.
Visit the archeological sites of ancient fortresses thought to be over 2,000 years old.
Includes air conditioned vehicle with driver and pickup from hotel.
More Tours
Uzbekistan’s tourism industry is growing at a fast pace and new tours and activities are constantly appearing. For an up-to-date list of all of Khiva’s best tours click below.
Related Tours
Our Full List of Tours of Uzbekistan