Sheki combines UNESCO-listed city history with silk craftsmanship and culinary discoveries: local sweet shops offer halva master classes, while visitors can observe silk production at the Sheki Silk Combine. There are also museums and hiking routes in the wider Sheki area.
Palace History and Shebeke
The UNESCO-listed historic centre of Sheki includes the Palace of the Khans, the fortress, caravanserais and garden houses used for productive purposes. The historic urban landscape is associated with residential, administrative and commercial functions, as well as mulberry cultivation, silkworm farming and silk processing. The city’s history and silk culture are therefore both part of its inherited character.
The Palace of the Khans was built at the end of the 18th century as an administrative building. Its Shebeke windows are made from thousands of pieces of coloured glass and wood, assembled without glue or nails. During excursions at the palace, visitors can learn about its history and construction. This makes the palace interesting not only to architecture enthusiasts, but also to travellers who want to better understand traditional craftsmanship.
Fortress, Mosque and Cultural Events
Within the fortress, visitors can explore the Museum of Applied Folk Art and the Museum of History, Ethnography and Local Lore. Access to individual museums may vary. Following restoration, the Khan Mosque complex opened for tourist visits and worship in 2022; check access locally before your visit.
Sheki regularly hosts international events, including the Great Silk Road International Music Festival. Specific event dates vary. If you would like to plan your trip around a festival, check the dates in advance.
Craftsmanship, Silk and Halva
You can visit a Shebeke workshop within the fortress. Other possible encounters and experiences include meeting local artisans, seeing handmade goods and getting an insight into a traditional craft technique. At the Sheki Silk Combine, visitors can observe the production of silk products and learn more about silk production. Confirm visitor access locally in advance.
Local sweet shops organise halva master classes based on family recipes preserved for centuries. If you would like to take part in a class, arrange bookings and local details directly with the shops before your visit. This adds a culinary activity to the trip’s focus on craftsmanship.
Kish Temple and Hiking Routes in the Wider Sheki Area
About five kilometres from Sheki is Kish Temple, which currently serves as a Museum of Caucasian Albania. On display are Bronze Age pottery fragments found during joint Azerbaijani-Norwegian excavations. A visit to the museum offers an additional historical perspective alongside Sheki’s city and palace history.
The hiking routes in the wider Sheki area also differ considerably. The fully marked Qumux–Qaşqaçay route is mostly forested, suitable for easy nature walks and offers wide views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. The Baş Göynük–Kiş route is also fully marked: it passes through forests, summer pastures, mountain landscapes and wooded valleys, and is physically demanding. When comparing the two trails, consider both the level of difficulty you want and the scenery.
Discover more destinations: Bideyiz.
Go to the main travel overview: Shaki.
