Khiva offers the unusual experience of seeing a historic city as one connected space. Within the walls of Itchan Kala, minarets, madrasas, palaces, mosques and residential lanes sit close together. The compact centre should not be rushed.
Khiva is often combined with Bukhara and Samarkand. Transport options depend on the season and ticket availability, so the published itinerary and a manager’s confirmation should take priority over generic journey-time claims.