Top 7 Things to Do in Sheki, Azerbaijan

7 Best Things to Do in Sheki, Azerbaijan

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

Sheki Khanate was once the most powerful khanate in the Caucasus region, ruling over the Afsharid Dynasty in modern-day Azerbaijan. The Palace of Sheki Khans is one of the last remnants left in Sheki from that time.

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 Khan is one of the most popular attractions in Sheki, so you can expect a ton of people visiting the palace on any given day. To enter the palace and see the magnificent decor of its interior, you will have to pay 5 AZN to get in.

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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👍 Top Pick

Mid-Range

Sheki Palace Hotel

Double Room | $$

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High-End

MinAli Boutique Hotel

Family Room | $$$

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Special - Caravanserai - 30 USD/Night (Twin Room) - Staying in an old Silk Road inn is not something you can do every day. For more information, check out 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.

The entry fee for the Winter Palace is 5 AZN, the same as the Palace of Sheki Khans, and you will get access to a few lavishly decorated rooms where you can truly enjoy its presence without being cramped into a small room with a hundred other tourists, as is the case at the Palace of Sheki Khans.

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 English information boards within the church area, so be sure to check them out when you are there. The entry fee for the church is 4 AZN per person.

To get from Sheki to Kish, you will have to take marshrutka number 15 from a bus stop in Sheki leading up north and get off at Kish Bus Stop. It should take no more than 15 minutes and should cost around 0.4 AZN per person. 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 are interested in immersing yourself further into the Silk Road culture found in Sheki, you can also stay at the Caravanserai overnight as well. For more information, check out our "Staying Overnight at Caravanserai" section.

7. Try the Delicious Piti Local Dish 🥘 Best 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?

The best time to visit Sheki is from June to August when the temperature varies between 20 - 25°C, thanks to its location on the foothills of the Greater Caucasus.

The shoulder seasons, from April to May and September to November, are also great periods to visit Sheki. The temperature is still manageable, hovering around 12°C, and there will be fewer local tourists with whom you will have to deal.

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.

Baku has a very well-established connection with Istanbul and Ankara, so you can easily fly into the city via Turkish Airlines or Pegasus Airlines.

From the US, there are no direct flights to Baku, but you can fly via Turkish Airlines to Istanbul or Ankara and transfer to Baku from there.

From within Europe, you should be able to fly directly from the UK via Azerbaijan Airlines, from Paris via Air France, or from Frankfurt via Lufthansa.

From Asia, there is no direct flight from the Far East to Baku. However, the region is pretty well-connected via Turkish Airlines, so you can fly to Baku via Istanbul or Ankara. Other Middle Eastern airlines like Qatar, Emirates, and Etihad Airlines are also great options.

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 for 0.3 AZN per trip.

The bus from Baku to Sheki runs daily every 2 hours from 9 AM to 11:50 PM. The bus ticket will cost you 8.4 AZN per person, and the journey takes 6 hours.

Although Sheki is only 300km away from Baku, it will take you 4.5 hours to get from Baku to Sheki, thanks to the road finally being reconstructed. For an official bus schedule and booking, you can check out the Baku International Bus Terminal Complex official website here.

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.

The marshrutka #15 comes every 20 minutes, so you shouldn't have to wait too long. Marshrutkas in Azerbaijan work pretty much the same as everywhere else, wherein you will have to tell the driver where to stop, and then you pay the driver when you get off.

The marshrutka ride will take around 15 minutes, and they will drop you off at Kish Bus Stop where you will have to be to get the marshrutka on your way back. The marshrutka ride costs 0.4 AZN per person per trip.

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?

From the itinerary above, we can calculate the minimum amount you will be spending in Sheki for a one-day trip as follows:

Accommodation: $10 for 2 nights of accommodation in a hostel (17 AZN).

Food: A good meal in Sheki should cost around 5 AZN per meal, so you will be spending around 15 AZN per day.

Transportation: A roundtrip marshrutka journey from Sheki to Kish and back costs 0.8 AZN, and that is all you will be spending on transportation.

Activities: For activities, you will be paying 5 AZN to enter the Winter Palace and 4 AZN to enter the Albanian Church, so in total, you will be paying 9 AZN for activities.

Total Budget: 41.80 AZN (25 USD)

Is it Safe in Sheki, Azerbaijan?

It is very safe in Sheki. The locals are really friendly, and I had no trouble walking around on my own at night in the city. Be aware that there aren't a lot of lamps around the city, so if you have to go outside at night, pack a flashlight and watch out for potholes on the road.

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 some restaurants should have good enough Wi-Fi for you to stay connected most of the time, but the city does suffer power outages quite often. So, if you really want to stay connected all the time, I would recommend getting a local SIM card.

Azercell is a great option if you are looking to buy a local SIM card. You can buy one right at the airport in Baku when you arrive. The prices range from 29 AZN (1 GB) all the way to 65 AZN (unlimited data), depending on the amount of data you need.

I would recommend that you get around 5 GB of data (40 AZN), especially if you are planning to travel further in Azerbaijan after Baku.

For more information about Azerbaijan local SIM card: Azerbaijan Prepaid Data SIM Card.

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.

What to Pack for Sheki, Azerbaijan?

As you may already know, I am an advocate of light traveling, and indeed, packing light for a journey like this is a unique art form. Here are some packing tips for your upcoming trip to Sheki, Azerbaijan:

• Walking/Hiking Shoes: With all the walking and possible hiking during your travel, a comfortable pair of shoes is a must. I recommend the Timberland 3-Eye Classic Boat Shoes that are my go-to pair for long strolls and hikes.
• Breathable Shirts: Given the potential for hot weather, pack a few breathable shirts for your outdoor adventures.
• Shorts/Jeans: Anticipate lots of walking during your travels? Be sure to pack some breathable shorts and a pair of Levi's jeans for when the weather cools. For women, leggings are excellent for both hot and cold climates, so consider packing some as well.
• Fleece Jacket: For colder weather, layering is the key, and a fleece jacket makes an excellent insulating layer. I recommend the Columbia Steens Mountain Fleece (for women).
• Outer Shell Jacket: An outer shell jacket is great for windy or rainy conditions. I highly recommend the Columbia Watertight Jacket (for women). It's lightweight, breathable, and even comes in a cool orange color.
• Microfiber Towel: A Microfiber towel is the ideal backpacker's towel due to its lightness, quick drying, and compressibility.
• Camera: You should also pack a good camera for your trip so that you can capture all the beautiful experiences you might have. I recommend the Sony a7R V camera together with the Sony 24-70mm f2.8 GM II lens, which is probably the highest-performance camera and lens combination you can get right now.
• Power Bank: Keep your electronics charged on the go with a 20,000+ mAh Power Bank.
• Water Bottle: The Hydro Flask Trail Water Bottle is a great insulated water bottle to have with you in cities or on hiking trails. It is lightweight and can keep your water cold or warm for more than 12 hours. It's a total game-changer.
• Universal Adapter: You'll need just one universal adapter to plug in your electronics in any country you visit.
• Packing Cubes: Packing Cubes will help you save space in your backpack and keep all your belongings organized.
• Daypack: The Langly Alpha Globetrotter is my go-to everyday camera backpack. It's large enough to carry all my travel gear, and it comes with plenty of slots and pouches. Plus, it's stylish as hell!
• Large Backpack: You will need a large backpack to carry all of your stuff. I recommend the Osprey Atmos AG 65L backpack. With excellent weight distribution and a lifetime guarantee, you can't go wrong with Osprey.

For more information on what I pack in my backpack for this trip, check out: My Packing List: 60 Travel Essentials.

Now that we have all the information we need, it's time to start planning your trip! Here are some resources to help you get going:

Flights: Skyscanner and Expedia are the best places to start looking for cheap flights and great deals from your home country.

Accommodation: Hostelworld, Booking.com, and Agoda.com are the ultimate go-to platforms to search for amazing hostels and hotels at affordable prices.

Travel Insurance: Heymondo covers theft, medical emergencies, cancellations, and more during your travels. Get a 5% discount if you sign up today.

Transportation: For buses, I always go with Omio when traveling in Sheki, Azerbaijan while for trains, Omio is my go-to place to book all my train travels in advance.

Car Rental: DiscoverCars.com is a great and reliable platform to find rental cars.

Internet: Airalo is the best way to get a sim card and has reliable internet access for your trip. All you need is an esim compatible smartphone, install it on your phone prior to your trip, and you are all set.

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

Day Trips & Tours: Viator, GetYourGuide and TripAdvisor are great platforms to search for trips and tours to join.

Tickets & Deals: Klook is always my go-to website when I want to find cheaper deals for entrance tickets to tourist attractions.

Are you planning to travel independently? Be sure to check out my guide on How To Plan A Backpacking Trip here.

Further Reading for Azerbaijan

Looking for more information for your trip to Azerbaijan? Here is a collection of articles about Azerbaijan that you might find useful.

• Looking for a complete travel guide to Azerbaijan? Check out: 2-Week Itinerary for Azerbaijan.
• The hypermodern capital city of Baku is unlike any other city in the Caucasus. It's full of surprises, and you will need a good guide to see them all. Here are 14 BEST Things To Do In Baku, Azerbaijan.
• Two of the best sights you will see in Azerbaijan are Khinaliq and Laza, the ancient mountain villages in the Caucasus. To get there, be sure to check out A Backpacking Guide to Khinaliq and Laza.
• Ganja, the second-largest city in Azerbaijan with a name that is hard to forget, has a ton of hidden gems for you to explore, from Lake Goygol and Maralgol to the beautiful Imamzadeh Complex. Here's everything you need to travel to Ganja: 8 Best Things To Do In Ganja, Azerbaijan.
• Nakhchivan, an autonomous exclave republic of Azerbaijan that is not attached to Azerbaijan itself due to conflict with Armenia, is a republic you will have to see for yourself. To travel there, check out The Ultimate Backpacking Guide To Nakhchivan.
• Looking for something more visual to convince you to visit Azerbaijan? How about a travel video? Azerbaijan, The Land Of Fire Travel Video
• Wondering where to go after Azerbaijan? How about dropping by the charming hipster city of Tbilisi and then visiting Yerevan, Armenia?
• For all articles about Azerbaijan, visit the Azerbaijan Travel Guide page.
• Looking to travel to the Caucasus Region? Check out all my articles about the region here: The Caucasus Travel Guide page.
• You can see all my Asia-related articles here: Asia Travel Guide page.
• For more of my travel guides like this, visit my Destinations page.