Visiting Sheki, Azerbaijan: Top Sights on Foot

Nestled in the forested foothills of the Greater Caucasus, Sheki is one of Azerbaijan’s most captivating historic cities. For travelers looking for what to see in Sheki, the city offers an extraordinary blend of medieval fortresses, ornate royal residences, ancient trade hubs, and religious heritage sites. Neywo features a free audio guide for Sheki covering 15 narrated places across 2 walking tours, helping you explore the city at your own pace with no group and no schedule.

What to See in Sheki: Key Historic Landmarks

Sheki’s rich past is anchored by its historic center and the Yukhary Bash State Historical and Architectural Reserve, which was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019.

Palace of Shaki Khans and Shaki Fortress

In the northeastern part of the city, enclosed by extensive fortress walls, stands the Shaki Fortress. Serving as the citadel of Shaki Khan Haki Celebi, it is the largest surviving medieval fortification in Azerbaijan. Within its grounds sits the Palace of Shaki Khans, built in the eighteenth century in the Persian style. This compact, two-storey summer residence is celebrated for its painted façade depicting hunting and warfare scenes, geometric patterns, and a central stained-glass window assembled from colored glass. Nearby within the fortress stands the Round Temple, also known as the Three Saints Church, which dates to at least 1853 and today houses the Shaki Museum of Folk Applied Arts.

Caravanserais of the Silk Road

As an important stop along ancient trade routes, Sheki preserves two massive seventeenth-century caravanserais. The Upper Caravanserai, or Yuxarı Karvansara, offers a glimpse into the city’s historic urban landscape. A little further on, the Lower Caravanserai (Aşağı Karvansaray) covers about eight thousand square metres with around 242 rooms. Built alongside the Gurjanachay River, its trapezoidal shape and gates on all four sides allowed it to function as a secure fortress during times of unrest.

Historic Mosques and Cultural Sites

The historic center is dotted with notable religious and cultural monuments. The Gilahli Mosque was first built in 1849 by Haji Chalabi Khan and later reconstructed in 1805 by Haji Shamseddin Bey. Other significant places of worship include the eighteenth-century Khan’s Mosque, the Imam Ali Mosque, the Omar Efendi Mosque, the Juma Mosque built between 1900 and 1914, the Godak Minaret Mosque, Gyshlag Mosque, and Topgaraghaj Mosque. Visitors can also explore the House Museum of Mirza Fatali Akhundov, dedicated to the pioneering Azerbaijani playwright and writer who spent his youth in the house, as well as the Sheki Historical and Local History Museum, which has been operating since 1925.

Before or after your journey to Sheki, consider exploring other fascinating destinations in Azerbaijan, including the capital Baku and the historic city of Ganja.

Explore Sheki with Neywo

Discover the city’s rich heritage with a Sheki self-guided walking tour using the Neywo app. The free audio guide includes 2 walking tour options: a 3.08 km route taking 120 minutes across 12 stops, and a 2.61 km route taking 83 minutes across 8 stops. Narration is available in 11 languages. Each story plays automatically as you reach the place, allowing you to experience Sheki at your own pace with no group and no schedule. Download Neywo to begin your exploration.