Holiday in Chiwa
City in Usbekistan — tips, highlights & best time to visit
Country
Usbekistan
Type
City
Best time to travel
April to June and September to October (pleasant temperatures)
Budget/day
60-100€: Boutique hotel in madrasa, restaurants, guide
Getting there from Germany
Flight to Tashkent (about 7h with a layover), domestic flight to Urgench (2h), then 30 min taxi.
Deals for Chiwa:
What makes Chiwa special as a destination?
Chiwa (Khiva) is a perfectly preserved museum city on the ancient Silk Road — the entire old town Itchan Kala is a UNESCO World Heritage site and feels like a journey back to medieval Central Asia. Behind the massive adobe walls rise turquoise minarets, madrasas, and palaces that shine in the desert sun. As the smallest of the three major Silk Road cities in Uzbekistan, Chiwa offers the most intimate and best-preserved old town.
What are the top highlights in Chiwa?
The top highlights in Chiwa include Itchan Kala, Islam-Hodja Minaret, Kalta Minor Minaret, Tosh-Hovli Palace.
The places you absolutely must not miss.
Itchan Kala
The completely walled old town with over 50 historical monuments is a walkable open-air museum of the Silk Road.
Islam-Hodja Minaret
The tallest minaret in Chiwa (57m) offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the old town and the desert.
Kalta Minor Minaret
The unfinished turquoise minaret is Chiwa's iconic landmark — construction was halted in 1852 after the Khan's death.
Tosh-Hovli Palace
The harem palace with ornate majolica tiles and carved wooden columns showcases the luxury of the Khans.
Hotels in Chiwa
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Reise-SIM für Chiwa
Günstig surfen im Urlaub mit travSIM
Pauschalreisen & Rundreisen
Berge & Meer – 170 Tage Cookie
When is the best time to visit Chiwa?
The best time to visit Chiwa is April to June and September to October (pleasant temperatures). Extremely hot, 38-45°C, desert climate barely bearable In winter: Cold, -5 to 5°C, few tourists, but atmospheric
Recommended travel time
April to June and September to October (pleasant temperatures)
Summer
Extremely hot, 38-45°C, desert climate barely bearable
Winter
Cold, -5 to 5°C, few tourists, but atmospheric
How much does a holiday in Chiwa cost?
Budget travellers: 25-40€: Guesthouse in the old town, Plov restaurants, shared taxi/day, mid-range: 60-100€: Boutique hotel in madrasa, restaurants, guide/day, luxury: 150€+: Heritage hotel, private tours, desert camp/day.
Average costs per person per day
Budget
25-40€: Guesthouse in the old town, Plov restaurants, shared taxi
Hostel, Street food, Public transport
Mid-range
60-100€: Boutique hotel in madrasa, restaurants, guide
Hotel, Restaurant, Excursions
Luxury
150€+: Heritage hotel, private tours, desert camp
Boutique hotel, Fine dining
How do I get from Germany to Chiwa?
Flight to Tashkent (about 7h with a layover), domestic flight to Urgench (2h), then 30 min taxi.
Book a package holiday to Chiwa
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Compare package holidays nowWhat travel tips are there for Chiwa?
Insider knowledge that makes your holiday better.
In the evenings, when the day tourists are gone, you have the old town almost to yourself — magical!
Entry to Itchan Kala costs about 15€ and includes all museums and monuments.
Uzbekistan is extremely safe and hospitable — even for solo travelers.
You can take the desert night train from Chiwa to Bukhara — an adventure in itself.
What should you eat in Chiwa?
Typical specialities in Chiwa: Plov — The Uzbek national dish: rice with lamb, carrots, chickpeas, and spices., Shivit Oshi — Chiwa's specialty: green dill noodles with meat sauce, available only here., Samsa — Filled puff pastry from the tandoor oven, savory with lamb or pumpkin., Green tea — Served ceremonially in chaikhanas (tea houses), the social center..
These specialties you must try!
