Itinerary Baku & Sheki

May is an excellent time to visit Azerbaijan: pleasant spring temperatures, green landscapes, and lively cultural events make it ideal for exploring its historical and architectural treasures.

💰 Budget overview

Category	Amount
✈️ Transport	900 USD
🏨 Accommodations	650 USD
🧳 Gear	60 USD
🗺️ On-site	700 USD
Total	2310 USD

🗺️ Activities & landmarks

🇦🇿 Baku - 3 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏰 Icherisheher (Old City) ⭐⭐⭐ (~2.5h)
  • UNESCO site with winding alleys, city walls, and unique architecture—start early to avoid crowds.
• [ ] 🕌 Maiden Tower (Qız Qalası) ⭐⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Iconic landmark; climb for panoramic views over Baku and the Caspian Sea.
• [ ] 🏛️ Palace of the Shirvanshahs ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • 15th-century royal residence with courtyards, mosque, and tombs—guided tours recommended.
• [ ] 🏙️ Baku Boulevard (Seaside Promenade) ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Lively waterfront stroll with cafes, fountains, and the Carpet Museum.
• [ ] 🖼️ Azerbaijan Carpet Museum ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Unique cylindrical building; features stunning Azerbaijani carpets and weaving demonstrations.
• [ ] 🏞️ Upland Park & Martyrs' Alley ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Best viewpoint over the city and flame towers; historic memorials.
• [ ] 🏛️ Azerbaijan National Museum of Art ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Extensive collection of national and European masterpieces.
• [ ] 🌳 Philarmonia Park & Governor's Garden ⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Shady, elegant park near Old City.
• [ ] 🏢 Heydar Aliyev Center ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Architectural masterpiece by Zaha Hadid; modern design and rotating exhibitions.
• [ ] 🏙️ Flame Towers (Exterior & Light Show) ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Modern Baku icon; best viewed after dusk.
• [ ] 🏛️ Miniature Books Museum ⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Quirky, world’s only miniature book museum—free entry.
• [ ] 🏬 Nizami Street & Fountain Square ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Busy shopping street with restaurants, fountains, and people-watching.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍸 360 Bar at Hilton Baku ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Rotating rooftop bar with exceptional city views—ideal for sundowners.
• [ ] 🏙️ Nizami Cinema Center ⭐ (~2h)
  • Stylish spot for local and international films.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Sehrli Təndir ⭐⭐⭐
  • Atmospheric spot in the Old City for tandoor bread and traditional Azerbaijani plov (~20 USD per person).
• [ ] 🍢 Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant ⭐⭐
  • Dine in a converted caravanserai; curated local specialties (~30 USD).
• [ ] 🍲 Çay Bağı 145 ⭐
  • Local favorite for tea and snacks in a garden setting (~12 USD).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🏙️ Ateshgah (Zoroastrian Fire Temple) (~1.5h, short taxi ride from central Baku)
  • Unique history, insights into Azerbaijan’s multi-faith heritage.
• [ ] 🌋 Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) (~1h, 30 min drive)
  • Natural gas fire burns continuously on hillside.

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🇦🇿 Sheki - 2 days

☀️ Daytime

• [ ] 🏰 Sheki Khan’s Palace ⭐⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • 18th-century palace—famed for stained glass windows and vibrant murals.
• [ ] 🏘️ Sheki Old Town & Caravanserai ⭐⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Walk through cobbled streets, explore the atmospheric old bazaar.
• [ ] 🕌 Juma Mosque ⭐⭐ (~0.5h)
  • Elegant 18th-century mosque—stunning woodwork inside.
• [ ] 🧵 Sheki Silk Factory ⭐⭐ (~1h)
  • Discover the town’s silk-production heritage.
• [ ] 🏛️ Sheki Museum of Folk and Applied Arts ⭐ (~1h)
  • Folk costumes, embroidery, and local crafts.
• [ ] 🌳 Gelersen-Gorersen Fortress Ruins ⭐ (~1.5h)
  • Scenic hike; ruined fort in the hills with lovely views.
• [ ] 🏙️ Bazaar Street ⭐ (~1h)
  • Sample sweets, shop for souvenirs, and wander Sheki’s cultural heart.

🌙 Evening & night

• [ ] 🍺 Sheki Karvansaray Courtyard ⭐⭐ (~2h)
  • Relaxed, historic setting for local wine and live music.

🍽️ Must-try food spots

• [ ] 🍜 Chingiz Restaurant ⭐⭐⭐
  • Renowned for piti (stew) and Sheki pakhlava (~15 USD).
• [ ] 🥟 Seki Xanlar ⭐⭐
  • Dumpling house—try handmade gurza (~10 USD).
• [ ] ☕ Çay Evi ⭐
  • Local tea house, sweet pastries (~5 USD).

🔁 Optional if time permits

• [ ] 🍯 Village Day Trip (Kish) (~2h)
  • Visit Albania’s oldest church; scenic traditional village.

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🎬 Films & series to watch

🇦🇿 Baku

• [ ] 🎬 Ali and Nino (2016) — ⭐ 7.0 — Romance and culture clash in Baku, WWI era — Amazon Prime
• [ ] 🎬 The Grand Duelist (2018) — ⭐ 7.1 — Crime thriller set in modern Baku — Apple TV

🇦🇿 Sheki

• [ ] 🎬 Steppe Man (2012) — ⭐ 7.2 — Drama about rural life in Azerbaijan — Festival circuit/YouTube
• [ ] 📺 Traveler’s Guide to Sheki (2022) — ⭐ 8.0 — Documentary on Sheki’s crafts and cuisine — YouTube

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🍜 Local specialties

🇦🇿 Baku

• [ ] Plov (rice pilaf)
• [ ] Dushbara (meat dumpling soup)
• [ ] Dograma (cold lamb soup)

🇦🇿 Sheki

• [ ] Sheki pakhlava (layered pastry with nuts/honey)
• [ ] Piti (slow-cooked lamb stew)
• [ ] Sheki halva (syrupy dessert)

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📍 Maps - places to pin

🇦🇿 Baku

1. Icherisheher (Old City)
2. 360 Bar at Hilton Baku
3. Nizami Street
4. Fairmont Baku (suggested hotel)
5. Sehrli Təndir

🇦🇿 Sheki

1. Sheki Khan’s Palace
2. Sheki Karvansaray Courtyard
3. Bazaar Street
4. Sheki Palace Hotel
5. Chingiz Restaurant

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✈️ Transport to book

• [ ] ✈️ London → Baku
• [ ] 🚅/🚌 Baku → Sheki
• [ ] 🚌/🚅 Sheki → Baku
• [ ] ✈️ Baku → London

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🏨 Accommodations

City	Nights	Accommodation	Price
Baku	3	Fairmont Baku (4-star)	420 USD
Sheki	2	Sheki Palace Hotel	230 USD
Total	5 nights		650 USD

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