2-day tour to Sheki from Baku: Khan's Palace and craft traditions

Two days learning Sheki's crafts, stories and 500-year-old trees

A 2-day tour from Baku to Sheki, the mountain city known for its geometric woodwork and hospitality, with private transport and an English-speaking guide. Day one includes the drive from Baku, a stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum, Khan's Palace and Kervansaray in Sheki, plus an overnight stay. Day two covers more of Sheki's mosques and heritage sites before the return to Baku, with hands-on workshops in shebeke making, traditional halva preparation and tar instrument craftsmanship woven through both days.

The experience

The drive from Baku to Sheki covers significant distance, which is why this tour runs two days instead of one. You'll travel with private transportation and a guide who speaks English, Italian, French, German and several other languages. The route includes a stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum on the way, and meals at local restaurants where you can eat the way Sheki residents do.

In Sheki itself, you'll visit Khan's Palace and the Kervansaray, both UNESCO heritage sites, along with the old mosques and the Chinar trees that have stood for more than 500 years. The guide shares the stories behind these places, including the famous Khan's love story and the jokes Sheki is known for. You'll also make shebeke, the intricate geometric woodwork that defines the city's craft tradition, prepare traditional halva by hand, and learn to play the tar, the stringed instrument central to Azerbaijani music. Breakfast is included both mornings. You'll arrange your own lunch and dinner.

The overnight stay in Sheki lets you move at a pace that fits the distance and gives you time to absorb the culture and hospitality the city is built around, rather than rushing back to Baku the same day.

What’s included

• Private transportation from Baku to Sheki and back.
• breakfast both mornings.
• a live guide in your choice of language.
• and hands-on workshops in shebeke making, traditional halva preparation and tar instrument craftsmanship.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (10 to 80 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Hebrew, Japanese, Korean and Russian

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 11 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 17 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearby

Operated by Cactus Travel Azerbaijan

Is this one for you?The two-day structure means you spend the first afternoon and evening in Sheki and most of the second day there as well, leaving the rest of your Baku itinerary free. If you're planning a shorter trip or need to stay based in Baku, a same-day option would cut the travel time in half but also cut the time in Sheki itself.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French, German, Italian, Arabic, Russian, Korean, Japanese and Hebrew.

What is shebeke and why is it associated with Sheki?

Shebeke is the geometric woodwork pattern that appears in Sheki's traditional windows and decorative panels, made by fitting pieces of wood together without nails or glue. It is the signature craft of the city and you'll make a piece of it yourself during the tour.

How far is Sheki from Baku and how long does the drive take?

Sheki is a significant distance from Baku, which is why the tour spans two days rather than one. The journey includes a stop at Diri Baba Mausoleum on the way, and meals at local restaurants, so you're not driving straight through.

Will I stay in a hotel in Sheki overnight?

Yes, you stay overnight in Sheki after the first day of touring. This gives you time to rest and explore at a comfortable pace before returning to Baku on day two.

What crafts will I actually make during the tour?

You'll make shebeke (the geometric woodwork), prepare traditional halva by hand, and learn to play the tar, the traditional stringed instrument. These are hands-on activities, not demonstrations.

Are entrance fees to the museums and palaces included?

Entrance fees to Khan's Palace, Kervansaray and the mosques are not included in the tour price, so budget for those separately when you book.