Best Tourist Places to Visit in Shaki, Azerbaijan, Asia

Best Tourist Places to Visit in Shaki, Azerbaijan, Asia

Shaki is a city situated in Shaki rayon in northwest Azerbaijan, about 300 kms away towards the northwest of national capital Baku. The Postal Code of Shaki is AZ5500.

The economy of Shaki is based on agricultural activities and tourism. Also Shaki houses several gas-power plant, brick factory, sausage factory, wine factory, a dairy plant and silk factory. More than 15,000 foreign tourists visited Shaki in the year 2010.

Geography of Shaki:

Shaki is placed on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range at the coordinates of 41°11′31″ N 47°10′14″ E.

Shaki occupies an area of 9 sq. km. at an altitude of 545 meters. Kish and Gurjhana are the major rivers flowing through Shaki.

Etymology and History of Shaki:

Shaki was called by different names as per the medieval sources; the names by which Shaki was identified is Sheki, Shaka, Shakki, Shakne, Shaken and Sheke.

Atabegs of Azerbaijan, Georgian Kingdom and Khwarezmid Empire were the major empires ruled Shaki in earlier.

Connectivity to Shaki:

The nearest airport to Shaki is Zaqatala International Airport located at a distance of 67 kms with flights to Baku, Nakhchivan and few foreign destinations, served by Azerbaijan Airlines.

The railway station of Shaki located 16 kms away from the midpoint of the city. The trains to Baku depart at 10PM and 6:30AM every day at Shaki Railway Station.

Ther are plenty of buses to Baku accessible at Shaki Bus Terminal at regular intervals and the cost is 6AZN. Taxi and Minibus are the other modes of transportation vehicles operating services in Shaki.

Culture, Food and Shopping in Shaki:

Shaki is packed with full of cultural centres, museums, mosques, churches and palaces. Azerbaijani is a usually spoken language in Shaki.

Shaki is famous for ‘Shaki Halva’ and other famous dishes include Girmabadam, Sheki Piti and Zilviy. The major restaurants in Shaki include:

Istanbul
Kerpish
Sheki
Laziz
Chelebi

Shaki is one of the best cities in Azerbaijan to buy carpets, musical instruments, and copper and iron products. The silk products of Shaki are very popular. There is one big market as well.

Places to see in Shaki:

Juma Mosque:

Juma Mosque is in Shaki, built during 1745 and 1750. It is open from morning 6 AM to 9 PM. The outer designs of the mosque are worth watching.

Caravansarai:

Caravansarai is an ancient building, constructed by Sheki Khans. It is open for tourists from 9 AM to 1 PM every day.

Khansarai:

Khansarai is a palace surrounded by museums, parks, and fine tea houses open from 10 AM to 6 PM every day.

Silk Factory:

Silk Factory is open every day from 9 AM to 5 PM, known for its variety of silk products.

Haydar Aliyev Museum:

Haydar Aliyev Museum was constructed in the honor of the first president of independent Azerbaijan. It includes pictures, books, and statues of Haydar Aliyev. It is allowed for visitors from 10 AM to 5 PM every day. No entry fee.

Other tourist attractions near Shaki are: