Your stay — Erkin Palace
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Xiva.
The Property — Erkin Palace
Erkin Palace in Xiva is a no-frills 3-star hotel a short walk from the west gate of Itchan Kala. The lobby is compact, with tiled floors and a small reception desk, and the vibe is more functional than charming. It suits budget-conscious travellers who want a clean bed and basic facilities close to the old town, not period atmosphere or luxury.
Chronicles of Xiva
Xiva was a key stop on the Silk Road, first recorded in the 10th century. Its walled inner city, Itchan Kala, took shape from the 17th century under the Khiva Khanate, with its distinct blue-tiled madrasas, minarets and mud-brick walls. After Russian annexation in 1873, the city declined as a trade centre, but its architectural core survived. Today it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the old town functions as a living museum, with craftspeople, small museums and a steady flow of tourists.
Best Time to Visit
Full Xiva guide →Best months
April, May and September: daytime temperatures are warm but not extreme (20-30°C), and the spring/autumn light enhances the blue tiles. Crowds are moderate, though April has the Navruz festival.
Peak / festival surge
July is peak heat, with average highs above 40°C. This deters many, but the Navoi Theater and Khorezm Museum still draw domestic tourists. Hotel prices in Xiva stay low in July, typically 30-40 USD per night for a 3-star, as international visitors avoid the scorching days.
Budget shoulder season
October is a budget-friendly shoulder month: mild days (15-25°C), very few tourists, and room rates can drop to 25-30 USD per night. The risk of occasional rain is offset by quieter streets.
Weather & packing
Xiva’s climate is fiercely continental: hot days, cool nights, and almost no rain from June to September. Pack a light scarf for sun protection and a thin long-sleeve shirt to cover shoulders at mosques — the afternoon sun is relentless.
Live City Briefing — Xiva
- A new direct train service from Tashkent to Xiva began in 2022, cutting travel time to about 14 hours; book tickets online via Uzbekistan Railways at least two weeks ahead as seats fill fast.
- The Khorezm region has experienced occasional water shortages in summer 2025 — bring a reusable bottle and expect some taps to be dry in public fountains.
- In April 2026, the city inaugurated a small visitor centre at the western gate with free Wi-Fi and an improved map stand; it’s useful for orientation but not open at night.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Erkin Palace, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room facing the inner courtyard, away from the street. Upper floors (2nd or 3rd) are preferable for less foot traffic noise.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms overlooking the street at the front of the hotel, as traffic and pedestrian noise from the main road can be intrusive. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on lower floors.
Best views
Best view is from rear or side windows overlooking the courtyard or local neighbourhood rooftops — no significant landscape or monument visible from typical rooms.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors are generally the quietest, being above street level and away from ground-floor activity.
🔊 Noise notes
Street noise from the main road (Xiva's central thoroughfare) is the primary issue, especially at front-facing rooms. Occasional tour groups or taxis idling below add to the din.
Insider tips
Ask for a top-floor room at the back to minimise noise. Check-in early if possible — the hotel has limited parking, and arriving before 2pm secures a spot. Breakfast is in the ground-floor dining room; grab a seat away from the serving station for a calmer start.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Erkin Palace
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 10 Mbps down/3 Mbps up; login via room number and surname
No lift; building is a two-storey historic madrasa with stairs-only access to upper rooms
No physical newspapers; digital screen in lobby shows local news and weather
Standard check-in from 14:00; early bag drop from 10:00; late check-out until 18:00 for 50% of room rate, after 18:00 full night charge
Free of charge at front desk; collect by 22:00 same day
No step-free access; main entrance has three steps; wheelchair entry not possible; ground-floor rooms available only via one step
No on-site parking; nearest public car park at Ichan-Kala East Gate, 20,000 UZS per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; a 500,000 UZS incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Bog'bonli masjid (365 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Said Ota masjidi (415 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Yar Muhammad Devon masjidi (428 m · ~5 min walk)
- Mosque: Juma masjid (542 m · ~7 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Xiva shahar madaniyat va istirohat bogʻi — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Tibbiyot muzeyi — 351 m · ~4 min walk
Кукольный театр — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 539 m · ~7 min walk
Xiva — 2.2 km · ~27 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Uzbekistani Som, UZS
Exchange money at banks or official exchange offices in the old town; avoid airport and hotel exchange kiosks for poor rates.
Cards are accepted at major hotels, some restaurants, and larger supermarkets, but cash is essential for markets, small eateries, and entrance fees.
Not expected but appreciated; round up taxi fares or leave 5-10% in restaurants if service is good.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Instant coffee or a simple espresso at a local café — about 10,000-15,000 UZS.
A bowl of shurpa or lagman at a chaikhana (teahouse) — about 25,000-35,000 UZS.
Plov from a roadside stall or simple kebab with flatbread — about 30,000-40,000 UZS for a main.
The streets west of Ichan Kala around Pakhlavon Mahmud and the bazaar area have the best cheap eats.
Korzinka and Makro are the main supermarket chains, but small neighbourhood shops are common.
The central bazaar near the old town sells cheap everyday clothing and fabrics; avoid the tourist lane for better prices.
Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) cost 1,000-2,000 UZS per ride; from Urgench airport, take a shared taxi for around 150,000 UZS to the old town.
Eat at chaikhanas where locals do rather than tourist restaurants inside the old city; buy water in bulk from supermarkets; negotiate for souvenirs but not for basic groceries.
Emergency Contacts
XivaFor non-urgent police matters, dial 102 in Uzbekistan (works citywide, including Xiva). The tourist police in Khiva Old City (Ichan Kala) are reachable via the main police station on Amir Timur Street. For medical help, the city's central hospital (Xiva shahar markaziy kasalxonasi) is on Al-Khwarizmi Street, but note that English may be limited. For travel-related emergencies, your hotel or a local guide is often the quickest help.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Xiva, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Erkin Palace
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 539 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Urgench Railway Station → Khiva Railway Station
💡 Scenic ride through desert and cotton fields. From Khiva station, take a taxi (5,000–10,000 UZS) to Isac Hoja. Buy tickets online 3 days ahead via O'zbekiston Temir Yo'llari app—queues at stations are slow.
Urgench Bus Station (near airport) → Khiva Bus Station
💡 Marshrutka drops you at Khiva's main bus stop, a 15-minute walk to Itchan Kala's west gate. From there walk east 5 min to Isac Hoja. Cheapest option, but no luggage space—backpack only.
Khiva Bus Station → Itchan Kala (West Gate)
💡 If you arrive by bus or marshrutka and need to reach the hotel quickly, flag a shared taxi near the bus station—just say 'Itchan Kala West Gate'. Isac Hoja is a 2-minute walk inside the gate. Don't pay more than 5,000 UZS per head.
Urgench International Airport (UGC) → Isac Hoja Hotel, Khiva
💡 Haggle before you get in. Official airport taxi booth inside arrivals gives a fixed price around 60,000 UZS—less hassle. Hotel can also arrange a driver for similar cost.
About Xiva
Wikipedia ↗Xiva may refer to: Xiva, the Catalan name of Chiva, Valencia, a town in Spain Xiva, the Uzbek name of Khiva, a town in Uzbekistan
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Erkin Palace?
Request a room facing the inner courtyard, away from the street. Upper floors (2nd or 3rd) are preferable for less foot traffic noise.
Which rooms should I avoid at Erkin Palace?
Avoid rooms overlooking the street at the front of the hotel, as traffic and pedestrian noise from the main road can be intrusive. Also avoid rooms near the stairwell or lift shaft on lower floors.
Is Erkin Palace noisy?
Street noise from the main road (Xiva's central thoroughfare) is the primary issue, especially at front-facing rooms. Occasional tour groups or taxis idling below add to the din.
Which rooms have the best views at Erkin Palace?
Best view is from rear or side windows overlooking the courtyard or local neighbourhood rooftops — no significant landscape or monument visible from typical rooms.
What are insider tips for staying at Erkin Palace?
Ask for a top-floor room at the back to minimise noise. Check-in early if possible — the hotel has limited parking, and arriving before 2pm secures a spot. Breakfast is in the ground-floor dining room; grab a seat away from the serving station for a calmer start.
What time is check-in at Erkin Palace?
Check-in at Erkin Palace is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Erkin Palace have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout, typical speed 10 Mbps down/3 Mbps up; login via room number and surname
Is there a city or tourist tax at Erkin Palace?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Erkin Palace?
A bowl of shurpa or lagman at a chaikhana (teahouse) — about 25,000-35,000 UZS.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Erkin Palace?
Marshrutkas (shared minibuses) cost 1,000-2,000 UZS per ride; from Urgench airport, take a shared taxi for around 150,000 UZS to the old town.
When is the best time to visit Xiva?
April, May and September: daytime temperatures are warm but not extreme (20-30°C), and the spring/autumn light enhances the blue tiles. Crowds are moderate, though April has the Navruz festival.
Top Attractions in Xiva
💡 The dome's tilework is best viewed from the adjacent roof terrace of the souvenir shop at the northeast corner—no purchase needed. Ask politely at the shop; they're used to it.
💡 Sit on the low stone wall by the southern entrance—locals often stop here for tea. Avoid noon heat; the courtyard has little shade.
💡 The ticket for inside includes the harem and throne room, but if you're short on cash, the best tile work is on the main entrance arch—visible from outside. Go early before the tour groups arrive.
💡 Try the fresh non bread from the tandoor ovens—it costs around 1,000 som. Haggling is expected for dried apricots, but not for bread. Women often wear headscarves here; it's respectful to do the same.
💡 Go at sunset when the light turns the bricks a deep ochre. The west gate (West Darvoza) is usually open and gives direct access to the rampart path.