Spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) are the best times to visit Khiva. Daytime temperatures sit in the 20s, evenings are cool enough for a jacket, and the desert air keeps things dry. The tourist season peaks in September and early October — book accommodation inside Itchan Kala in advance for these months.
Summer is brutal. Temperatures above 40°C are common in July and August, and the lack of shade in Itchan Kala makes midday touring punishing. Winter brings cold and occasional snow, with temperatures dropping below freezing at night, but the empty streets and crystalline desert light have their own appeal — and accommodation prices fall by half.