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Islam Khodja Minaret Itchan Kala Khiva

4.6
·401 reviews·Xiva, Uzbekistan

Khiva's tallest minaret, a 56.6m marvel with intricate tilework, offering panoramic city views from its challenging climb.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Late afternoon

Golden hour light on tiles

CrowdMedium
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Madrasa

Islam Khodja Minaret Itchan Kala Khiva

Best Time

Late afternoon

Golden hour light on tiles

CrowdMedium
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Khiva's tallest minaret, a 56.6m marvel with intricate tilework, offering panoramic city views from its challenging climb.

4.6
(401 reviews)

"The climb is steep and narrow but offers fantastic views of the whole Khiva city."

Vertical photo
TIP

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The climb is steep and the steps are uneven. Good footwear is essential for a safe and enjoyable ascent.

💰 Extra Fee for Climb

Climbing the minaret costs an additional 150,000 UZS on top of the Itchan Kala entrance ticket.

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.6 · 403 reviews

Type

Monument

👶 Good for kids

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Islam Khodja Minaret

Islam Khodja Minaret

Itchan Kala, Khiva

Khiva's tallest minaret, a 56.6m marvel with intricate tilework, offering panoramic city views.

Minaret Climb

Minaret Climb

Top of Islam Khodja Minaret

Ascend the steep, narrow steps for unparalleled vistas of Itchan Kala's rooftops and ancient walls.

Islam Khodja Madrasah

Islam Khodja Madrasah

Adjacent to the Minaret

Explore the adjacent madrasah, showcasing intricate majolica and ganch carvings within its domed hall.

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Planning Your Visit

Climb for Panoramic Views

The Islam Khodja Minaret offers breathtaking views of Khiva's ancient city. Be prepared for a steep, narrow climb; comfortable shoes are a must. The climb is an additional fee, so factor that into your budget.

Best Light for Photos

For the most stunning photos of the minaret's colorful tiles, aim for late afternoon. The golden hour light beautifully accentuates the glazed details, making it a photographer's dream.

Best Times

When
Late afternoon
Why
Golden hour light on tiles
Crowd
Medium
When
Early morning
Why
Fewer crowds, soft light
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Minaret of Jam #afghanistan🖤❤️💚
@theumairmedia
35.6K likes • 328.2K views

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The climb is steep and the steps are uneven. Good footwear is essential for a safe and enjoyable ascent. Reddit

💰 Extra Fee for Climb

Climbing the minaret costs an additional 150,000 UZS on top of the Itchan Kala entrance ticket. Reddit

📍ملوية سامراء Welcome to my second stop on this trip of solo traveling through Iraq: Samarra! Home to some of the most unique architecture in the world, with its spiral minarets standing the rest of time for over a thousand years. Can you believe they used to be climbed 5 times a day for the call to prayer by the muezzin, back when they were active? Not a job for anyone afraid of heights. This ...
@iraq.places
8.3K likes • 385.8K views
Popular attractions in Khiva (Itchan Kala) ⬇️ ~Juma Mosque. ~Citadel Kunya-ark. ~ Makhmud Mausoleum. ~Mohammed Amin Madrassah. ~Kalta Minor Minaret. ~Stone Palace (Tash Khauli) ~Islam Khodja Complex. #uzb #uzbekistan #khiva #centralasia
travelistanuz
189 likes • 4.7K views

📸 Best Photo Light

Visit in the late afternoon for the best light to capture the minaret's vibrant, glazed tiles. Reddit

🚶‍♂️ Explore the Madrasah

Don't miss the adjacent madrasah with its beautiful carvings and tiled mihrab. Reddit

Climb a watchtower with me in one of the worlds most ancient cities! 🇺🇿🤯 📍 Khiva, Uzbekistan In the heart of Khiva’s walled Itchan Kala stands the Islam-Khodja Minaret - the main symbol of Khiva, it’s 56.6 meters tall, built by Islam Khoja & offers the best city views from the top. You can climb the narrow spiral staircase to the top, where sweeping views reveal the maze of mud-brick streets, b...
evaseeks
0 likes • 977 views

Tips

from all over the internet

👟 Wear Comfortable Shoes

The climb is steep and the steps are uneven. Good footwear is essential for a safe and enjoyable ascent. Reddit

💰 Extra Fee for Climb

Climbing the minaret costs an additional 150,000 UZS on top of the Itchan Kala entrance ticket. Reddit

📸 Best Photo Light

Visit in the late afternoon for the best light to capture the minaret's vibrant, glazed tiles. Reddit

🚶‍♂️ Explore the Madrasah

Don't miss the adjacent madrasah with its beautiful carvings and tiled mihrab. Reddit

What Travellers Say

4.6
(401 reviews)

Reviews Summary

The Islam Khodja Minaret is a must-see landmark in Khiva, celebrated for its impressive height and beautiful tilework. While the climb to the top is steep and requires an extra fee, the panoramic views of Itchan Kala are widely considered worth the effort. Some visitors find the ascent challenging, but the overall experience is highly praised.

"This almost a modern complex dates back to the beginning of the XX century. It includes a minaret and a mosque. The complex is called in honour of Islam Khoja, Prime Minister of Isfandiar Khan. Islam Khoja minaret called the symbol of Khiva. The height of the minaret 56.6 meters, diameter of the fundament is 9.5 at the base."

Lets Travel To (Nouna)

"The tallest minaret in Khiva and one of the highlights of the city. The colorful tiles on the minaret are beautiful especially when the light hits in the late afternoon."

Ced Aquino

"The steps are steep. Try to avoid the crowd because the staircase is narrow and the space at the top is confined."

Booxbox Lo

What People Like

Stunning panoramic views
Beautiful tilework
Iconic city symbol

What People Dislike

Steep, narrow climb
Additional climbing fee

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The Islam Khodja Minaret is located within the ancient walled city of Itchan Kala in Khiva. You'll need to purchase an entrance ticket to Itchan Kala first. Once inside, it's a prominent landmark easily visible and accessible by walking through the city's narrow streets. Reddit

Private vehicles are generally not allowed inside Itchan Kala to preserve its historical integrity. You'll likely need to park outside the city walls and walk in. Reddit

Walking is the best way to explore Itchan Kala. The narrow alleys and historical sites are best experienced on foot. Consider hiring a local guide for deeper insights. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

There's an additional fee of 150,000 UZS to climb the Islam Khodja Minaret, on top of the general Itchan Kala entrance ticket. Reddit

The entrance fee for Itchan Kala is approximately 150,000 UZS. This ticket grants access to the walled city and most of its historical monuments. Reddit

Information on discounts can vary. It's best to check at the ticket office upon arrival or look for official tourism websites for any available concessions. Reddit

The minaret generally follows the opening hours of Itchan Kala, which are typically from morning until evening. It's advisable to confirm exact hours locally. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

Yes, the climb is described as very steep, narrow, and uneven. It requires good physical condition and comfortable, non-slippery shoes. Reddit

From the top, you get a fantastic panoramic view of the entire ancient city of Khiva, including its flat-roofed houses, narrow streets, mosques, and fortress walls. Reddit

Due to the steep and narrow stairs, the climb might be challenging and potentially unsafe for very young children. Parents should exercise caution. Reddit

The minaret is a striking example of Khivan architecture, characterized by its height, narrow form tapering towards the top, and horizontal belts of glazed facing. Reddit

It is the tallest minaret in Khiva and is considered a symbol of the city. It was built in the early 20th century in honor of Islam Khoja, a prominent prime minister. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Late afternoon offers the best light for photographing the minaret's colorful tiles. Early mornings provide softer light and fewer crowds. Reddit

You can capture stunning panoramic shots of Itchan Kala, including the intricate patterns of the city's rooftops, winding alleys, and other historical structures. Reddit

Generally, photography is allowed in most outdoor areas. However, always be respectful of local customs and any specific signage regarding photography inside religious buildings or private areas. Reddit

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