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- Kalta Minor Minaret — The impossibly squat, turquoise-tiled minaret that never got finished; it’s the visual logo of Khiva and a must-see for its tilework, the lively square around its base, and excellent photo angles at golden hour.
- Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasa — The tallest landmark inside Itchan Kala with a handsome madrasa beside it; the complex showcases late-19th/early-20th-century Khivan architecture and offers one of the best places to read the city’s skyline and decorative tile styles up close.
- Kunya Ark (Fortress of the Khans) — The old khan’s citadel with reception halls, receptions rooms, former harem and a small museum — wandering its courtyards and rooms really gives you a feel for how power and everyday life were staged in Khiva.
- Juma (Friday) Mosque — Famous for its
- Kalta Minor Minaret — The impossibly squat, turquoise-tiled minaret that never got finished; it’s the visual logo of Khiva and a must-see for its tilework, the lively square around its base, and excellent photo angles at golden hour.
- Islam Khodja Minaret and Madrasa — The tallest landmark inside Itchan Kala with a handsome madrasa beside it; the complex showcases late-19th/early-20th-century Khivan architecture and offers one of the best places to read the city’s skyline and decorative tile styles up close.
- Kunya Ark (Fortress of the Khans) — The old khan’s citadel with reception halls, receptions rooms, former harem and a small museum — wandering its courtyards and rooms really gives you a feel for how power and everyday life were staged in Khiva.
- Juma (Friday) Mosque — Famous for its atmospheric hypostyle hall supported by hundreds of carved wooden pillars (many centuries old); it’s quiet, authentic, and unlike the tiled facades, this interior woodwork is what stays with people.
- Tosh-Hovli (Tash Hauli) Palace — A late-19th-century palace full of jewel-like tilework, painted ceilings, mirror rooms and intimate courtyards; the harem quarters and rooftop viewpoints make it one of the most atmospheric stops.
- Pahlavon Mahmud Mausoleum — The shrine of Khiva’s patron saint and wrestler-poet, with beautiful mosaic work and a calm courtyard; it’s still a living cultural site and an important place for locals, not just a museum piece.
- Alla-Kuli Khan Madrasah — One of the city’s fine madrasahs (Islamic schools) with an impressive facade and inner courtyard; even if classrooms aren’t in session, the carved wood and tile patterns and occasional small exhibits make it worth a look.
- Ota Darvaza Gate and the City Walls — The main southern gate (and the other arched gates) are great for wandering, dipping into narrow lanes, and getting different perspectives of Itchan Kala; parts of the ramparts and gate towers give small, elevated views of the inner town.
- Caravanserais, Bazaars and Market Lanes — The old trading arcades and revived caravanserais inside the walls are where you’ll see daily life: spice stalls, tea rooms, small craft sellers and the tiny workshops that still make carved wood, suzani and ceramics.
- Small House-Museums and Artisan Workshops — Scattered through Itchan Kala are converted merchant houses and tiny museums (and working woodcarvers, hat-makers and potters) that reveal everyday domestic life and living crafts — more intimate and less crowded than the big monuments.
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.