Sheki

Juma Mosque

Cümə Məscidi

This picturesque mosque has a 40-m spire, from which you will hear the resounding call to prayer 5 times a day. It was built from 1745-1750 and is decorated with exquisite geometric designs.

Daily 06:00-21:00·Donation

Silk Factory

İpək Kombinat

Shaki, in addition to being on the Silk Road, has been a major silk producer over the past four centuries, and is famous for its various silk products. Shaki's silk factory is about a 15-minute walk from the center of town. It is quite difficult to gain entrance into the factory. There is a store adjoining the factory where vendors sell some fine silk items at lower prices than what you would find at the bazaar.

Daily 09:00-17:00

Caravansarai

This building was constructed by the Shaki Khans to house caravans as they passed through on the Silk Road to and from China. This was one of 5 such stops in Azerbaijan during the 18th and 19th centuries, and was the biggest caravansarai on the Silk Road in the entire Transcaucasus region. To this day, it still serves as a place for travelers to stay and eat, and also as a place where one can simply admire its beautiful architecture. In addition to being a main sight, it's also one of the city's best hotel options.

Daily 09:00-13:00

Chelebi Khan

This is one of the best deals for Azerbaijani food in Shaki. Additionally, the samovar tea service alongside walnut preserves, "goz murebbesi," and Shaki Halva is recommended.

Daily 10:30-00:00·3-5 manat

Chingis Club

A movie theater/museum showing two movies on most weeks. Usually one is a dubbed American/European film, while the other is from either Turkey or Azerbaijan.

The entire theater can be rented for 40 manat

Cultural and Resting Park of BU M.F. Achundov

This is a nice park to go to and sit after a hard morning of shopping. If you are hungry, you can have a picnic on the park grounds or stop in the nearby Kerpish Restaurant

Drama Theater

Plays are performed in Azeri, but it still can be interesting to see an Azerbaijani interpretation. The theater also hosts other events. There is a çay xana just outside where you can grab a cup of tea before or after a performance.

3-6 manat

Fazil Village Labyrinth

There is a labyrinth that is being excavated from the 4th and 3rd century BCE. It was the site of ritual sacrificing and graves. The labyrinth is open to the public. It is in Fazil Village, 25 km (16 mi) southwest of the city.

Gelersen-Gorsesen Fortress

This is an ancient fortress that aided the Shaki khanate in resisting Nadir Shah's incursions in the adjacent village of 'Kish.

Haydar Aliyev Museum

A museum dedicated to the first president of independent Azerbaijan (and to the perpetuation of his personality cult), across the street from the Shaki Olympic Complex. The museum is full of pictures, books, and statues dedicated to the man.

Daily 10:00-17:00·Free

Horse Racing

There is a horse racing, breeding, and riding center near Shaki in Dashuz village 15 km outside of Shaki.

Istanbul Restaurant

Has Turkish food and serves the cakes, danishes, and desserts from the Turkish bakery next door; this restaurant offers take-out on request, so on a nice day you can take your food to the park.

Daily 11:00-23:00·2-5 manat

Kerpish Restaurant

It has 5 small rooms for more private occasions. This is a typical Azerbaijani restaurant serving kebob, salad, and drinks. Expect a smoky atmosphere and it is recommended for strictly male tourists, as Azerbaijani women do not frequent such establishments.

Daily 12:00-22:00·3-5 manat

Khan Wine House

The owner will give you a history of wine in Azerbaijan and wine tasting of all different regions/wineries from Azerbaijan. Wine tastings from US$10 to US$30. Walk in. Enter from the main street (coming from the side street from the hotel above it may have the gate locked).

Khansarai

Palace of the Shaki Khans

This palace, along with the Caravansarai, is one of Shaki's true must-sees. During the city's period of independence as the Shaki Khanate, Khan Hussein constructed the palace, its gardens, and fortifications to serve as the summer palace of the Shaki Khans. The palace is exquisite, inside and out, and the courtyard boasts panoramic views of the city and the surrounding mountain forests. You could make a good half day of this one site, as there are also various museums, parks, and a nice tea house right on the palace grounds. Photography is forbidden for unclear reasons, and a member of staff will follow you to enforce this. The site unfortunately has no information in Azeri or English.

Daily 10:00-18:00·9 manat for foreigners

Laziz Restaurant

This restaurant has several personal rooms. In the summer, follow up a meal here with some soft-serve ice cream while walking in M.F. Achundov Park.

Daily 11:00-23:00·3-6 manat

M. Fuzuli Adina Pk

This central park is quite nice during the summer, and it has a couple tea houses where you can kick back and relax.

Shaki Government Painting Gallery

This art gallery is near the Palace of the Shaki Khans and features paintings by various Shaki artists and students.

Closed · opens 9 am tomorrow·0.40 manat

Shaki Saray Hotel Restaurant

This is a great restaurant inside of the Shaki Saray Hotel. They have all types of Western food, but it would be better to eat Azerbaijani food at the Chelebi Khan. For those willing to splurge, the best chocolate brownie outside of Baku is served at this hotel. A breakfast buffet is served in the morning and lunch and dinner after that.

Daily 07:00-23:00·4-20 manat

Soyug Bulagh Restaurant

Soyuk Bulagh

This is a restaurant that has tasty food with a wonderful natural environment with a stream running through the grounds and small platforms for individual groups to eat in a secluded manner. Because of the secluded nature of this restaurant, women can drink at this establishment without drawing undue attention. It is rumored that this is the coolest place (in terms of temperature) in Shaki because of an unspecified natural phenomenon. This restaurant can be reached by taking the number 15 or 23 bus from the center of Shaki and getting off at Soyuk Bulagh bus stop, paying 0.2 manat per person for transport..

Daily 12:00-00:00 daily·5-8 manat

Square Tower

There is a square tower in Aidanbulag villages about 20 km (12 mi) away from Shaki. The site was used as an observation tower for the eastern frontier of the Shaki Khanate. The tower is square with circular projections protruding from each corner.

The Rashidbey Efendihad House Museum

This museum is dedicated to one of Shaki's most famous educators and authors, Rashidbey Efendihade.

Daily 10:00-17:00·Free

World War II Memorial

World War II memorials are a dime a dozen throughout Azerbaijan, but this particular memorial distinguishes itself with its impressive panoramic vista of the city.

unknown

There is a nice and cheap restaurant just up the hill from the Khansarai 100 m across the river. You can sit under trees and enjoy a great view on Shaki.

Abduxaliq Hamam

public baths

Public baths (hamamlar).

10:00-17:00; open to women Mon Tue Thu Sat; men Wed Fri Sun·0.80 manat/hr

Handicraft Association headquarters

85 Vidadi St

Handicrafts

Made by the Disabled People Care Association.