Everyone seems to recommend Sheki, but I'm still trying to understand what makes it so special. We'll be travelling around Azerbaijan for a week and can either spend two nights in Sheki or use those days somewhere else. Is Sheki really one of those places you shouldn't miss, or is it mainly famous because of the Khan's Palace?
Sheki is, first and foremost, a historical city, home to the Khan's Palace, a caravanserai, and an old town. It also boasts well-developed recreational infrastructure, including an extreme park with ziplines. The restaurant scene is also very well developed, and Sheki boasts some of the best cuisine. As someone who's traveled everywhere шт Azerbaijan, I recommend Gakh and Sheki. While this is my personal opinion, if you consider Azerbaijan as a whole, the most beautiful nature is in Guba and Lankaran.
Whilst there, don't miss the Sheki Khan's Palace, but don't make the mistake of thinking that's all there is to see. Many visitors spend an hour at the palace and immediately continue to Gabala or Baku. In my opinion, they're missing the best part of the town.
For me, Sheki isn't about one attraction—it is about the whole atmosphere. I visited the Khan's Palace, of course, but what we remember most is simply wandering through the old streets afterwards. There are craftsmen working in small workshops, traditional houses hidden behind stone walls and cafés where nobody seems to be in a hurry. It feels completely different from Baku.
Totally agree. I actually wish we'd stayed longer. We only had one night, and by the time we'd explored the historic centre, visited the palace, walked through the caravanserai and sampled the local cuisine, it was already time to leave. Sheki is one of those places where slowing down is part of the experience.
We stayed inside the old caravanserai, and I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a different experience. It's not a luxury hotel, but waking up in a restored Silk Road inn gives you a completely different feeling than staying in a modern hotel. In the evening, after most day-trippers had left, the courtyard became wonderfully quiet.
One of my favourite memories wasn't even a famous attraction. We bought fresh Sheki halva from a family-run confectionery, then spent nearly an hour drinking tea in the garden of the caravanserai. It wasn't something we'd planned—it just happened naturally. That's the kind of place Sheki is.
Thanks for all the answers. Is one full day enough?
You'll see the main attractions in a day, but I think Sheki deserves at least one night. The town changes character in the evening once the tour buses leave. Streets become quieter, locals come out for tea, and you can enjoy the atmosphere without feeling rushed. We actually preferred Sheki after sunset.Is one full day enough?
Something else I appreciated was how walkable everything is. Once we'd reached our hotel, we hardly used the car again. Most of the historic centre can be explored on foot, and that encourages you to notice small details you'd otherwise miss—beautiful wooden balconies, little bakeries, tiny museums and local people sitting outside chatting.