Khiva Old Town: Guided Walking Tour with Local Stories

Summary

Walk Khiva’s ancient streets with a local guide & discover hidden corners

You’ll wander Khiva’s UNESCO-listed old town with a local guide who brings its stories to life. Touch centuries-old columns at Djuma mosque, watch bread baking in clay ovens if luck strikes, climb towers for sweeping views, and soak up daily life unfolding around you. It’s more than sightseeing — it gets under your skin.

What’s the experience like?

I stepped through the Ata Darvaza gate and it felt like I’d wandered into someone else’s memory. Our guide, Dilshod, waved us over — he had this easy way of making you feel like you belonged there, even if your Uzbek was nonexistent (mine definitely is). The air was dry but not harsh, and right away I caught the smell of baking bread drifting from somewhere behind the walls. We started our walking tour of Khiva’s old town, and honestly, I didn’t expect to be so drawn in by the little things — the way sunlight hit those turquoise tiles on Kalta Minor minaret, or how every alley seemed to echo with footsteps from centuries ago.

We ducked into Muhammad Aminkhan medrese first — it’s huge inside, cool stone underfoot, and Dilshod pointed out carvings that looked almost too delicate for their age. He told us stories about khans and poets as we wandered past Kunya Ark’s coin yard (I tried to imagine what it sounded like when coins were actually struck there). At Djuma mosque, I ran my hand along one of the carved wooden columns — 120 of them in all — each one different. There was this faint scent of wood polish and dust; it made me think about how many people must have leaned against those same pillars.

We kept moving at an easy pace — no rush. At Tosh Hovli Palace, the tilework was so intricate I nearly missed Dilshod’s joke about palace intrigue (he grinned when I finally caught up). Sometimes we’d pass a group of kids darting between doorways or an old man selling dried apricots from a faded cloth. The day trip through Khiva from the main gate really does feel like living inside a storybook — but with real people laughing around you. Oh, and we got lucky: saw women slapping dough onto the sides of a clay oven for bread. The smell alone made me hungry.

By the time we reached Islamkhudja minaret — tallest in Khiva — my legs were tired but my head was buzzing with all these details: blue domes against pale sky, snippets of Russian and Uzbek floating past. I still think about that view from Kunya Ark’s tower; it wasn’t just pretty, it made me feel small in a good way. If you’re thinking about a day trip to Khiva or want a walking tour that actually feels personal (not just ticking off sights), this is probably it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Khiva city walking tour highlights

• Start at Western gate (Ata Darvaza)
• Visit Muhammad Aminkhan medrese
• See Kalta Minor minaret
• Explore Kunya Ark citadel and tower
• Visit Muhammad Rahimkhan II medrese
• Tour Djuma mosque with carved columns
• Explore Tosh Hovli Palace and Harem
• Visit Kutlug Murad medrese museum
• See Allakulikhan medrese
• Visit East Gates and Said Niyaz mosque
• Explore Islamkhudja complex and minaret
• Visit Islamkhudja school
• See Pahlavan Makhmud complex
• Observe local bread baking (if possible)

Top questions

How long does the Khiva walking tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 4-5 hours.

Where does the walking tour of Khiva start?

The tour begins at the main western gate (Ata Darvaza) of Khiva.

Is this Khiva walking tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and transportation options are wheelchair accessible.

Are entry fees included in the price?

Yes, all fees and taxes are included in your booking.

What languages does the local guide speak?

The professional guide speaks English, Russian, and French.

Is lunch included during the walking tour?

No lunch is included; however, you may see local bread being prepared along the route.

Can infants join this day trip in Khiva?

Yes, specialized infant seats are available for families joining the tour.

Which main sites are visited on this walking tour?

You’ll visit Muhammad Aminkhan medrese, Kalta Minor minaret, Kunya Ark citadel, Djuma mosque, Tosh Hovli Palace, Islamkhudja complex and more.

What’s included

Your day includes a professional local guide fluent in English (plus Russian or French if needed), all entrance fees to monuments along Khiva’s old city route such as mosques and palaces, plus accessibility support for wheelchairs or infants throughout your walk.