Sheki — City of the Khan's Palace and Caravanserais

Sheki sits at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, about 300 km north-west of Baku. In 2019 its historic centre and the Palace of the Shaki Khans were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

What to see

• Palace of the Shaki Khans (18th century) — shebeke stained-glass windows assembled without nails or glue, and rooms painted with hunting scenes and flowers.
• The caravanserai — a huge arcaded courtyard where Silk Road merchants stayed; you can still sleep there.
• Kish village — an ancient Caucasian Albanian church with a small museum.
• Workshops making shebeke and kelaghayi scarves, and sweet shops selling Sheki halva.

What to eat

Piti — a rich lamb and chickpea stew cooked and served in clay pots — and Sheki halva, a layered sweet with nuts and saffron.

Getting there

The scenic drive takes 4.5–5 hours. A day trip is possible, but an overnight stay is more relaxed. See our Sheki history and culture tour.