Sheki Travel Guide: 7 Best Things to Do & 1-Day Itinerary

7 Best Things to Do in Sheki, Azerbaijan

1. Visit the Palace of Shaki Khans But Don't Go Inside ♥️ Must Visit

The Sheki Khanate emerged in 1743 and became one of the most powerful khanates in the Caucasus. The Palace of Sheki Khans is its most famous surviving monument. In 2019, the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan's Palace was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The lavish decoration of its exterior and interior, with a taste of Persian influence, from the colorful glass mosaic windows to the beautifully crafted pattern found on the facade, is undoubtedly one of the prettiest ancient buildings you will find in Azerbaijan.

The Palace of Sheki Khans is one of the city's most popular attractions, so arriving early is still a good idea. When I visited, admission was 5 AZN. From 1 January 2026, the entrance fee for foreign visitors is 15 AZN.

Unfortunately, you are unable to take photos inside, and I'll be honest, I was pretty bummed out by it. Such a beautiful, well-preserved interior, almost matching the beauty of Nasir al-Mulk Mosque in Shiraz, Iran, went unnoticed.

As I was about to leave, I received a tip from someone that there is a winter palace not too far from the Palace of Shaki Khans that has the same beauty but without any restrictions on photography. Read the next section to understand why you should visit the Winter Palace instead of the Palace of Sheki Khans.

Updated as of 2025: Unfortunately, this is no longer the case, photography is now prohibited at both palaces. That said, they remain well worth a visit, as you can see from my photos.

Where to Stay in Sheki, Azerbaijan?

Budget

Central Hostel

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Mid-Range

Sheki Palace Hotel

Double Room | $$

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High-End

MinAli Boutique Hotel

Family Room | $$$

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Special - Caravanserai - Historic Silk Road inn. When I visited, a twin room was around 50 AZN; check directly for current rates and availability. For more information, see the "Staying Overnight at Caravanserai" section.

2. Go Inside the Winter Palace (Shakikhanovs' Palace) Instead

Located just a bit southwest from the Palace of Sheki Khans lies a true hidden gem of equal beauty, the Winter Palace.

Due to its hidden location within the crisscrossing streets of Sheki's Old Town, the Winter Palace does not receive the same number of tourists as the Palace of Sheki Khans.

In fact, I was the only one there when I visited the Winter Palace, allowing me to spend as much time as I liked inside. Hence, I recommend you to go inside the Winter Palace instead of the Palace of Sheki Khans.

When I visited, the entry fee for the Winter Palace was 5 AZN. That was the price during my trip, so check the current admission locally. Inside, you can explore several lavishly decorated rooms with the same kind of colorful shabaka windows and intricate wall paintings that make Sheki's palaces so distinctive.

Inside the Winter Palace, you will find the same lavish decoration as in the Palace of Sheki Khans, with colorful mosaic windows and highly intricate wall-to-wall paintings depicting plants and animals.

The best time to visit the Winter Palace is in the late afternoon, around an hour before sunset, when the light shines directly on the colorful mosaic windows, creating a colorful reflection on the floor.

3. Walk Around Sheki Fortress

Not just the Palace of Sheki Khans, within the walls of Sheki Fortress, you will find many interesting attractions waiting for you to discover. One of the attractions is the Three Saints Church, a beautiful round-shaped Caucasian Albanian Church that is not commonly seen.

If you are looking to buy some souvenirs back from Sheki, you can also visit the local craft market located not too far from the Three Saints Church, where you can buy some local silk cloths and other handmade memorabilia.

Other interesting attractions within Sheki Fortress are the Wall of Art and Crafts, a wall full of ceramic artwork located right by the Palace of Sheki Khans, and the Sheki Government Painting Gallery, which showcases the artworks of various famous artists and students based in Sheki.

4. Learn About the Caucasus Albanians at the Albanian Church in Kish

You may have been wondering quite a bit why there are several remnants of Albanians, a country in the Balkans that is some 2,000 km away, in Azerbaijan. I was as confused as you when I arrived in Sheki.

As it turned out, the Albanian mentioned in Azerbaijan has no relation to the Albanians in the Balkans. The Caucasian Albanians in Azerbaijan are simply the people who lived within this area in ancient times.

The name Albania is derived from the ancient Greek name Albanía, and the prefix "Caucasian" is added solely to prevent confusion between the ancient people who lived in Western Azerbaijan and the modern-day Albanians of the Balkans.

Kish is a small town located just north of Sheki, and it is home to the Church of Kish, a 12th/13th-century Caucasian Albanian church that is steeped in historical significance.

Research led by the Norwegians has discovered that, even though the church was built in the 12th Century, the site on which it was built is much older than that.

They discovered skeletal remains as well as various objects underneath the Church that date back to about 3000 B.C. The archaeological evidence found within the area has led to the conclusion that the church was built on top of a Pagan cult site, which may be where St. Elishe, a prophet mentioned in both the New Testament and the Quran, built his altar for the Pagan Ceremony.

There are several information boards around the church complex, so be sure to check them out while you are there. When I visited, admission was 4 AZN. From 1 January 2026, foreign visitors pay 15 AZN to enter the Kish historical-architectural reserve.

When I visited, I took marshrutka #15 north from Sheki and got off at Kish Bus Stop. The ride took around 15 minutes and cost me 0.4 AZN. Local minibus routes and fares are not reliably published online, so treat those as my trip details and confirm the current fare and return service locally. Check out the "How to Get from Sheki to Kish" section for more detail.

5. Explore the Old Town

There are a ton of beautiful, red-brick old buildings from the Silk Road era in Sheki's Old Town that you can explore. The crisscrossing streets of the old town will take you away from the usual tourist spots and allow you to truly be immersed in the culture of Sheki.

Looking around all the beautiful buildings of Sheki's Old Town, you will start to notice the little Persian and Russian influences that can be seen throughout the Old Town. It's a unique blend that you don't get to see very often anywhere else in the world.

From the Palace of Sheki Khans, you can walk to the Winter Palace and then continue on through the Old Town until you reach Caravanserai, our next stop.

6. Visit the Caravanserai, a Hotel used by the travelers of the Silk Road

Caravanserai (Karvansaray) is an ancient roadside inn from the Silk Road era that accommodated travelers and merchants (caravaners) traveling along the Silk Road. The travelers often stop at Caravanserai to rest and recover from a long day's journey.

You can find many surviving caravanserais across the ancient Silk Road even today, and one of the most well-preserved caravanserais is located within Sheki's Old Town.

Today, the Caravanserai in Sheki is a hotel for those who want to experience what it was like to rest like caravaners during the Silk Road era. You can enter the premises for free, but you can only stay in the large, beautiful courtyard.

The spacious courtyard of a Caravanserai is a common feature found in almost every Caravanserai along the Silk Road. The purpose of the courtyard is for caravanners from all walks of life to come together, trade information, and hang out with each other.

If you would like to be truly immersed in the Silk Road atmosphere of Sheki, staying at the Caravanserai is a memorable option. When I visited, a twin room was around 50 AZN. Treat that as my historical trip price and contact the property for current availability and rates.

7. Try the Delicious Piti Local Dish 🥘 Place to Eat

Piti is an aromatic, rich, and tasty soup, a popular local cuisine originated from Sheki that you have to try in Sheki. Eating Piti properly requires instruction from a local, and if you order one at a restaurant, the waiters will happily guide you through the process.

Its delicious texture, aroma, and taste of spice of Piti will be one of the experiences you won't forget any time soon, so be sure to try one before you leave Sheki.

What to Eat and Drink in Sheki?

1. Learn How to Eat Piti at Buta Restaurant

One of the best and affordable places to try Sheki Piti is Buta Restaurant, located along the main road, tucked away between the Soviet-era buildings of Sheki. Its large courtyard, welcoming staff, and affordable price make Buta Restaurant one of my favorites in Azerbaijan.

You can order Piti here, and the waiter will help guide you through the process of mixing the soup, spices, pieces of bread, and show you exactly how you can enjoy Piti the right way. If you are looking to try Sheki Piti, Buta Restaurant is the place to be.

2. Try Halva Sweets

One of the most popular Azerbaijani sweets to try in Sheki is Halva (baklava), a confection made with hazelnuts, walnuts, butter, sugar, rice flour, and spices. It has an intricate pattern reminiscent of Shebeke, the stained glass windows that originated from Sheki. The top layer begs you to try it.

The best place to buy Halva in Sheki is the sweet shop that has pioneered the intricate techniques of making Halva for centuries called Aliahmed. You can buy a pack of Halva here, as well as other sweets for souvenirs.

Other Things to Do in Sheki

1. Stay Overnight at Caravanserai

If you would like to be truly immersed in the Silk Road culture of Sheki, you can stay overnight at the Caravanserai. They offer a twin room for about 50 AZN, and you get to stay in the very place where caravanners used to stay while they traversed the Ancient Silk Road.

I was unable to find a way to book Caravanserai online. So, if you want to reserve a place, I would recommend you book it through a travel agency in Baku or contact them directly via their Facebook Page.

2. Visit Juma Mosque

Juma Mosque is a beautiful mosque worth stopping at on your way from Sheki Main Road to Sheki's Old Town. It is located at an intersection before you approach the Old Town from the main road, and you can see its minaret from miles away.

The building is old, built with red bricks that are common to see in Sheki's Old Town, and it has some really nice decorations on the facade, so be sure to drop by while you are there.

3. Hike to Galarsan-Gorarsan Fortress

Last but not least, you can go hiking in Kish and hike to Galarsan-Gorarsan Fortress, an old ruin from the 8th Century located on the foothill of the mountains behind Kish.

The hike starts from Kish, and it follows a straightforward trail along a dirt road and up to the fortress. The hike should take about 30 minutes one-way.

When to Visit Sheki, Azerbaijan?

For sightseeing, I would aim for April to June or September to October, when Sheki is generally comfortable for walking around the historic center and visiting Kish.

July and August are also perfectly possible, but they are warmer and can be busier. Winter is much quieter and colder, while spring and autumn give you a better balance of comfortable weather and fewer crowds.

How to Get to Sheki, Azerbaijan?

How to Get to Baku?

First and foremost, you will have to get to Baku before you can travel to Sheki, and there are several flights you can take from your home country to Azerbaijan.

For most international travelers, flying into Baku is the simplest way to begin the trip. Heydar Aliyev International Airport has connections with cities across Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and the wider region.

From the US, you will generally need at least one connection. From Europe and Asia, nonstop and one-stop routes change regularly, so compare your departure city directly rather than planning around an old fixed list of airlines.

To find a cheap flight to Baku, I would recommend you use Skyscanner or Expedia to look for the cheapest route and schedule, so you can compare and pick the best one.

Looking for a complete backpacking guide to Baku?14 BEST Things To Do In Baku, Azerbaijan

How to Get from Baku to Sheki?

From Baku, you will have to take a bus to Sheki from Baku International Bus Terminal, which is located in the northern part of the city.

To get to the bus terminal from the city center, you can either call a taxi via Bolt (Android|iOS) or take the metro to Avtovaghzal Station. A Baku Metro ride currently costs 0.60 AZN.

There are several daily buses from Baku International Bus Terminal to Sheki. The official terminal currently lists a journey time of about 4 hours and fares of roughly 13.20 - 13.60 AZN. Departures run from morning into late evening, so check the official timetable below for the date you travel.

Sheki is about 290 km from Baku, and the scheduled bus journey now takes around 4 hours. For the latest departure times and fares, check the Baku International Bus Terminal Complex official Sheki timetable.

How to Get Around Sheki, Azerbaijan?

For the attractions I have listed here, most of them are within walking distance. However, for places a little further out of town, such as Kish and Galarsan-Gorarsan Fortress, you will have to catch a marshrutka (mini-van).

How to Get from Sheki to Kish, Azerbaijan?

In order to get from Sheki to Kish via public transport, you will have to flag down a marshrutka number 15 going north from this bus stop.

When I visited, marshrutka #15 came roughly every 20 minutes. Because local minibus schedules are informal and can change, confirm the current service locally rather than relying on that frequency. I paid the driver when I got off.

When I took it, the marshrutka ride lasted around 15 minutes and dropped me at Kish Bus Stop, where I also caught the return service. I paid 0.4 AZN each way during my trip; confirm the current fare locally.

You can also walk from Sheki to Kish if you have time to spare. It will take you around 1.5 hours to walk, but beware that it can get blazingly hot in Sheki, so be sure to prepare accordingly.

How Many Days to Spend in Sheki, Azerbaijan?

Sheki is a small town that can keep you busy for a day, so I would recommend spending one full day (2 nights) here.

Day 1: Spend the morning visiting Kish and the Albanian Church. You can also hike to Galarsan-Gorarsan Fortress while you are in Kish.

After spending half a day in Kish, spend the rest of the day exploring Sheki's Old Town, visiting the palaces, checking out Caravanserai, and end your day with Piti and a dish of Halva sweets.

How Much Money Do I Need for Sheki, Azerbaijan?

For one full day and two nights in Sheki, I would now use the following as a practical working budget:

Accommodation: Allow around 40 - 70 AZN for 2 nights in a simple hostel, guesthouse, or budget room.

Food: Budget around 45 - 65 AZN for simple meals, snacks, and drinks over the stay.

Transportation: Allow around 2 - 5 AZN for local transport to and from Kish. When I visited, marshrutka #15 cost only 0.4 AZN each way, but local fares are not reliably published online.

Activities: Allow around 30 - 40 AZN. Foreign-adult admission to both the Palace of Sheki Khans and Kish reserve is now 15 AZN each. Add a little extra if you also enter the Winter Palace; I paid 5 AZN there during my trip, but its current fee is not reliably published.

Total Budget: 120 - 180 AZN (71 - 106 USD)

Is it Safe in Sheki, Azerbaijan?

I felt comfortable walking around Sheki on my own, including at night, and the locals I met were friendly. I would still use the same normal precautions you would anywhere else. Some streets were poorly lit during my trip, so a phone flashlight can be useful, especially on uneven roads after dark.

Which tourist SIM card is best for Azerbaijan?

Update: If your phone supports eSIM, I highly recommend checking out Airalo, a global eSIM marketplace. It allows you to stay connected affordably while traveling in Sheki, Azerbaijan without having to switch out your physical SIM card.

Gone are the days when you needed to scramble to find a local SIM card at an airport upon arrival. You can purchase an eSIM before your arrival, and you'll be good to go. If your phone doesn't support eSIM, here is how you can get a local SIM card in Sheki, Azerbaijan:

Your accommodation and many restaurants should have Wi-Fi, but I would still recommend a local SIM or eSIM if you want reliable navigation and connectivity while traveling around Azerbaijan. I experienced occasional power and connectivity interruptions during my trip, but I would not assume they remain a frequent citywide problem today.

Azercell is one of the main local options. Its current tourist packages cost 39 AZN for 30 GB, 59 AZN for 60 GB, or 79 AZN for 120 GB. All three are valid for 30 days and include national/international call minutes.

For most travelers, the 30 GB / 39 AZN package should be more than enough for a trip around Azerbaijan, and the SIM or eSIM is included with the package.

Alternatively, if your phone supports eSIMs, you can set one up before arriving and have mobile data as soon as you land. You can browse through available eSIMs here.

Tips: To stay connected with people at home, be sure that you have a VPN, such as ProtonVPN, installed before traveling. It's FREE, and you can gain access to services that may be blocked in certain countries.