Sheki Wonders From Khans Palace to the Silk Road

5.0
(7 reviews)

12 to 14 hours (approximately)
Offered in: English

Step into the fairytale world of Sheki – a day trip filled with colors, culture, and timeless traditions.

Escape the bustle of Baku and travel through misty mountains, forested hills, and ancient trade routes to one of Azerbaijan’s most enchanting towns. Sheki is a masterpiece of Caucasian charm — with its 18th-century Khan’s Palace covered in intricate stained glass mosaics, artisan workshops where you’ll watch silk and "shebeke" come to life, and cobblestone streets echoing with stories of merchants and poets.

Along the way, enjoy a rustic village breakfast in Shamakhi and traditional tea in the peaceful Ismailli forest. Savor the legendary Sheki halva and a rich clay-pot dish called "piti" that tastes like history itself.

This is more than a tour — it’s a soulful journey into the heart of Azerbaijan, where every stop reveals a new wonder. Book now to discover a place that’s as warm and welcoming as it is unforgettable.

What's Included

Professional english-speaking guide
Traditional sweet "Three Ears", Traditional Sheki Halva
The excursion
Tea ceremony in Ismailli
Air-conditioned vehicle
Fuel surcharge
Parking Fees
Scream-eggs with tomatoes (a local favorite cooked over an open flame), freshly baked tandoor bread, cheese, honey, butter, cream, and piping hot tea - 4$
Piti — a hearty stew of lamb, chickpeas, and spices slow-cooked in a clay pot - 9$
Entrance tickets for all museums - 11$

Meeting and pickup

Meeting point
1 Azərbaycan Prospekti

Backside of KFC in Nizami street

End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Duration: 12 to 14 hours (approximately)
  • 1
    Shamakhi

    We begin the morning in the ancient city of Shamakhi, where you'll enjoy a traditional Azerbaijani breakfast in true countryside style. Expect eggs with tomatoes (a local favorite cooked over an open flame), freshly baked tandoor bread, cheese, honey, butter, cream, and piping hot tea. Simple, soulful, and deeply authentic.

    40 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 2
    Ismailly

    En route to Sheki, we’ll stop at a forest restaurant in Ismayilli, where you'll be treated to tea and the local sweet “Three Ears.” Surrounded by nature’s sounds, mountains, and trees, you’ll enjoy a moment of perfect harmony — this is how the real Caucasus smells and feels.

    40 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 3
    Palace of Shaki Khans

    Upon arrival in Sheki, we’ll visit the city’s crown jewel — the 18th-century Palace of the Sheki Khans. Its walls are adorned with intricate murals, wood carvings, and the iconic shebeke stained glass windows — handcrafted without a single nail or drop of glue.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included
  • 4
    Abad Ceramics And Applied Art Center

    Next, we’ll visit ABAD, a local center of arts and crafts. Watch potters, painters, and artisans at work — a living museum where heritage and creativity thrive in everyday life.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 5

    You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at how shebeke stained glass is made — a painstaking process involving hand-inserting colored glass into wooden latticework without any adhesives. This ancient skill is a proud Sheki tradition passed down for generations.

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 6
    Sheki's craft shops

    Browse craft workshops offering unique handmade souvenirs: silk products, ceramics, wood carvings, and more. These are not just gifts — they’re pieces of the region’s cultural soul.

    20 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 7
    Sheki

    Wander the narrow cobbled streets of the Yukhari Bash architectural reserve. Time seems to stand still here — homes, lanterns, and alleyways preserve the spirit of Sheki’s merchant past.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 8
    Sheki Karvansaray

    Descending from the old town, we arrive at the historic caravanserai, once a bustling hub for traders and travelers on the Great Silk Road. Step inside, imagine the bustle of commerce and aroma of pilaf simmering in ancient pots

    30 minutes Admission ticket included
  • 9
    Sheki

    Next, we visit artisan shops within old merchant houses, where you can purchase handmade goods — and most importantly, taste the legendary Sheki halva, made using a centuries-old recipe in traditional copper cauldrons.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 10

    Enjoy a panoramic view of Sheki from the hilltop Highland Park, which also houses the World War II Memorial. This is a place where nature, memory, and silence come together.

    30 minutes Admission ticket free
  • 11
    Sheki

    For lunch, you’ll enjoy Sheki’s iconic dish: Piti — a hearty stew of lamb, chickpeas, and spices slow-cooked in a clay pot. Rich, aromatic, and full of the spirit of old Sheki.

    1 hour Admission ticket free
  • 12
    Church of Kish

    The final stop on our journey is the village of Kish, home to one of the oldest Christian temples in the Caucasus. This sacred site — believed to be the first Christian church in the region — is nestled in the mountains and carries the soul of ancient Caucasian Albania.

    30 minutes Admission ticket not included

Additional info

  • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Supplied by Azerbaijan Travel International

Tags

Day Trips
Full-day Tours
Bus Tours
Historical Tours
Art Tours
Archaeology Tours
New Product
Short term availability

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

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Rating

5.0 Based on 7 7 reviews
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