Palace of Shaki Khans Şəki xan sarayı
Shaki, Azerbaijan UNESCO World Heritage Site
The Palace of Shaki Khans is a château located in Shaki, Azerbaijan, which opened in 1797. It is a cultural heritage monument and part of the Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building measures 10 meters in height and 30 meters in length, featuring architecture of Iran. It is one of the most looked-up sights in Azerbaijan.
Planning a visit
The best time to visit Shaki depends on temperature preferences. June through August are the warmest months, with daily highs between 25 °C and 28 °C. Those who prefer cooler weather might choose spring or autumn, though rainfall varies throughout the year. May is the wettest month with 120 mm of rain, while August sees the least precipitation, with rain on about 4 days. Winter months are cold, with temperatures frequently dropping below zero, such as in January and February when lows reach -4 °C.
The palace is 241 km from Baku. The nearest airport is Gabala International Airport, located 62 km away, and Ganja International Airport is 90 km away. Visitors can combine a trip to the palace with a visit to the Juma Mosque in Sheki, situated 1.4 km away. The palace is open daily from 10:00 to 18:00. The entrance price for foreigners is 9 manat.
Weather by month
The warmest month is July, with an average high of 28 °C. The wettest is May, with about 120 mm of rain.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average high, °C | 4 | 4 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 23 | 17 | 10 | 6 |
| Average low, °C | -4 | -4 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 19 | 14 | 9 | 2 | -2 |
| Rainfall, mm | 36 | 54 | 76 | 97 | 120 | 96 | 86 | 78 | 72 | 94 | 72 | 40 |
| Rainy days | 5 | 6 | 11 | 7 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 6 |
Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for this spot (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.
