Impressive Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Sheki (Şəki)
Shaki, also known as Sheki, is a city in the northwestern part of Azerbaijan. The city sits at the southern plains of the Greater Caucasus mountain range. There are several historical places to visit in Sheki. It held an important position on the legendary silk road. You will come across several top things to do in Shaki which are in one way or other related to the history of the silk road. There is also a historic hotel which is famous for having hosted travellers and merchants on the Silk Road.
There are several beautiful things to see in Shaki like the Palace of the Khans. This wonderful palace is included among UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city also features several other buildings with rich Islamic and Persian architecture. Shaki tourist attractions like the Winter Palace and Sheki Fortress are two more prime candidates of such architecture. You can also include the regional history museum and house museum of Bakhtiyar Vahabzade as important historical attractions during Shaki sightseeing.
Like many cities and towns in Azerbaijan, you will get to see amazing views of mountains and valleys when you visit Sheki as well. These mountains hold some incredible nature trails ranging from a couple of hours to an entire day. There are trails leading to villages, hill tops, sightseeing points and historical ruins. If you are looking for outdoor things to do in Sheki, these trails would satiate your desire for adventure.
On the cultural side, the city is famous for local food dishes like the Sheki Halva and Sheki Piti. Both of these can be considered Shaki attractions in their own right. The city has a few markets and traditional bazaars you can explore during Sheki travel to purchase local produce, souvenirs, handicraft items, textile and so on.
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Table of Contents
Top 8 Tourist Places to Visit in Sheki
1. Palace of Shaki Khans
This palace is one of the best places to visit in Sheki. It is an opulent palace and belonged to the khanate of the Afsharid Dynasty. The design elements are heavily influenced by Persian architecture. You will need about an hour or so to explore this palace when you visit Shaki.
2. Shakikhanovs’ Palace
This used to be the winter palace of the khanates of the region. This palace may not look much appealing from outside. But, from inside it is among the most beautiful things to see in Shaki. You will need 1 hour for this palace.
3. Sheki Fortress
The fortress is quite large and contains quite a few Shaki tourist attractions within its walls. You get to see the fortress, churches, painting gallery and a market inside this fortress. You would need 2 hours for this fortress during Shaki travel.
4. Shaki Museum of History and Local Lore
This museum is dedicated to the history of the region and also its culture and folklore. It is one of the most important Shaki attractions. You would need an hour or so for this museum.
5. Sheki Old Town
The old town is popular for several top things to do in Sheki. You can see some nice historical buildings, enjoy local market, explore restaurants and street foods. You can easily spend an hour exploring this area.
6. Caravanserai Silk Road Hotel
This hotel has historically served several people along the silk road. It is included among places to visit in Shaki for its rich history. You wouldn’t need about 20 to 30 minutes for this hotel.
7. Kish – Bash Goynuk Trail
If you are looking for some adventurous things to do in Shaki, you should head for this trail. The trail takes you from Kis village to Goynuk village. During this trail you will come across forests, grass-fields, hills, valleys and rivers. You will need about 4 to 5 hours for this nature trail.
8. Bakhtiyar Vahabzade Home Museum
This is one of the lesser known aspect of Shaki sightseeing. It is dedicated to the life and work of Azerbaijan poet and writer Bakhtiyar Vahabzade. You will need 30 to 45 minutes for this museum.
If you are looking for more places to explore during Sheki travel, check out the section below.
Things to do in Sheki
Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Sheki
- Palace of Shaki Khans
- Galarsan Gorarsan Fortress Ruins
- Shaki Fortress
- Shakikhanovs’ Palace
- Museum of Local History
- Bakhtiyar Vahabzade House Museum
- Juma Mosque
- Three Saints Church
- Silk Factory
- World War 2 Memorial
- Hyder Aliyev Museum
- Sheki Government Painting Gallery
- Rashidbey Efendihad House Museum
Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Sheki
- Kish – Bash Goynuk Trail
Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Sheki
- Bio Garden
- Caravanserai Hotel
- Cultural Park of Sheki
- Abduxaliq Hamam
Shopping in Sheki
- Sheki Bazaar
- Silk Road Market
Offbeat Places & Adventure Activities to Do in Sheki
- Hiking
Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Sheki
- Chelebi
- Xancinar
- Istanbul
- Ovuclar Mekani
- Kerpish
- Gagarin
- Laziz
- Ahmad Haraadir
- Gagarin
- Shebeke
Where to Stay in Sheki?
Here we have listed Top Rated Hotels in Muar. Here We recommended all luxurious, mid-range and budget Hotels in Sheki.
- MinAli Boutique Hotel
- Sheki Park Hotel
- Issam Hotel & Spa
- Sheki Panorama Guest House
- Ilham Mustafa Houses
- Sheki Palace Hotel
- Ilgar’s Hostels
- Shaki Host House
- Old Town Sheki
- Ruma Qala Hotel
Custom Tours Package in Sheki
How to Reach Sheki?
By Air
The closest airport for Shaki travel is the Tblisi Airport which is about 8 hours drive away. But it is situated in Georgia. Other viable airports you can pick to visit Shaki are Zaqatala International Airport, Ganja International Airport and Qabala International Airport. You don’t get direct transport from the airport, but you can easily get transport options from respective cities where these airports are situated.
By Road
You can get trains for Sheki travel as well. You get direct trains from Baku, Balakan, Zaqatala and Qax. The bus network is more widespread and you can get direct or connecting buses from almost every city and town in Azerbaijan.
If you are planning to reach Shaki by road, you should head for routes AZN60 or AZN15.
By Water
There are no direct water routes to visit Sheki.
Image Reference
- Palace of Shaki Khans – Robert Wilson / Flickr
- Shakikhanovs’ Palace – Urek Meniashvili / Wikimedia Commons
- Sheki Fortress – Interfase / Wikimedia Commons
- Shaki Museum of History and Local Lore – Tarkhan Pashazade / Wikimedia Commons
- Sheki Old Town – Adam Jones / Flickr
- Caravanserai Silk Road Hotel – Ludvig14 / Wikimedia Commons
- Kish – Bash Goynuk Trail –
- Bakhtiyar Vahabzade Home Museum –
