Khiva was included in the list of the best tourist destinations of 2026 according to National Geographic

    Tourism 22 October 2025 598

    National Geographic magazine has included Khiva in the list of the best travel destinations in 2026. The rating is compiled by editors, photographers and researchers of the publication, who annually select the most inspiring places on the planet.

    The open-air museum city of Khiva is recognized as one of the most distinctive and attractive destinations. In the fortress of Ichan-Kala, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, tourists can spend whole days walking among the ancient minarets and madrasahs lined with geometric tiles, as well as visit mosques with wooden columns and magnificent palaces of Khiva khans.

    However, Khiva is known not only for its architecture and history. The city is actively developing a modern tourist infrastructure. The new Arda Khiva resort, which includes an aquapark and an amphitheater, makes Khiva attractive for family holidays, combining rich cultural heritage with modern comfort.

    The cultural life of Khiva is full of vivid events. Throughout the year, the International Lazgi Dance Festival, competitions of strongmen in memory of Pahlavon Mahmud, as well as the colorful melon festival Qovun Sayli are held here. These events turn the ancient city not only into a historical gem, but also into a dynamic, vibrant destination worth heading to as early as 2026.