Sightseeing Places to Visit Shaki-Zaqatala Region
Shaki-Zaqatala or Sheki-Zagatala is a northern political & economic region in Azerbaijan sharing international border with Georgia and Russia. Shaki-Zaqatala is a popular district for exploring the Caucasus Mountain Range. There are many places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala located along the Caucasus Mountains. This includes hike trails, waterfalls, lakes and rivers. Aside from the state capital town of Sheki, there are not many places for traditional tourist Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing in the state. Most people who visit Shaki-Zaqatala, are here either for the nature or for Skiing.
Skiing, Sledging, Snowboarding and other winter activities are the most popular things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala. Gabala or Qabala is the region to visit on Shaki-Zaqatala for the best skit resorts and skiing slopes. Though the Caucasus Mountain range extends on almost the entire eastern side of the Shaki-Zaqatala region, only few places are Ski worthy among all places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala.
But not ski worthy does not mean not visit worthy on Shaki-Zaqatala travel. There are several beautiful sights among things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala spread across the expanse of the Caucasus Mountains. The waterfalls are some of the most popular spots for Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing. Other major natural Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions are the lakes and the rivers. Many of the hiking trails follow or lead to a water body. You can even go offbeat and draw your own hiking trail when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. Some people do search for secret spots of natural wonders amidst the Caucasus Mountains and its forests among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala.
In terms of culture, there are many festivals you can attend when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. Most of the festivals are traditional events, religious festival or pastoral harvest festivals. The wine festival and hazelnut festival are popular on Shaki-Zaqatala travel. Speaking of wine, there are several great wineries for you to try and buy some unique traditional wines among Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions.
There are several signature cuisines you can try at many of the places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala. The most popular dishes associated with the region are the Sheki Halva & the Balakan Halva. Both are are sweet deserts you can have when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. Other popular dish of the region is the Maxara a bread preparation shaped like the sun with pointed ends. You can accompany Maxara with chicken chigirtma on Shaki-Zaqatala travel. If you are vegetarian, you can also have a vegetarian variant of the chigirtma. The preparation of the traditional cuisines is among things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala. Though not all kitchens allow that, there are a few restaurants & hotels who would oblige interested foodies. Gabala Plov is a popular dish to try when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. There is also a local variant of the famous Azerbaijan Dolma prepared with nuts which you can try on Shaki-Zaqatala travel. Another popular traditional speciality you can try when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala is called Piti, a stew made from meat, vegetables and nuts.
If you are looking to shop for traditional items & local specialities among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala, then you should head to Sheki. Some of the popular items people buy from places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala are carpets, handicrafts, and silk cloths. There are a few traditional musical instruments and handicraft items you can buy at the markets when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. The bazaar in Sheki is has many things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala which are popular items for shopping.
There are not many Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions. So you can traverse the entire region in a matter of days to cover all major Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing spots. Though most people come to visit Shaki-Zaqatala in winter for ski retreats, the summer opens a beautiful green scenery of the mountains. Add the blue cold rivers, picturesque lakes and you have one very solid reason to visit Shaki-Zaqatala in the summer as well.
Districts, Cities, & Places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala
Balakan (Balakən)
Balakan or Balakan Rayon is the northernmost district among places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala. This district touches international borders with both Georgia & Russia. Popular among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala in Balakan is the Hazelnut festival. This food festival attracts many people for things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala in Balakan Rayon. The only Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions in Balakan town is an old mosque built in the 19th century. There is a archeological excavation site for Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing in Okuzovtala town of Balakan. The most popular reason for Shaki-Zaqatala travel to Balakan is the Zagatala or Zaqatala State Reserve Forest. This forest is located on the foothills of the Caucusus Mountains and is one of the biggest attraction pulling people to visit Shaki-Zaqatala. It is a great place to hike, climb, swim, and camp among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala. Aside form the State Reserve Forest there are not many places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala in Balakan Rayon.
Gabala (Qəbələ)
Gabala or Qabala on the southern end of the Shaki-Zaqatala. This is the Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions to visit if you wish to go skiing. Qabala is known for the mountains, valleys, and its skiing slopes among places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala. The capital city of Gebele in the district has a ropeway to take you up the mountains for skiing, sledge slides, and other things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala. The most popular skiing resort for Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing is called Tufandag Mountain Resort. When its not snowing, you can enjoy great hiking trails on Shaki-Zaqatala travel in Ismailli State Reserve as well as amidst the Caucasus Mountains. One of the most beautiful hiking trail to explore when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala is the one leading to Lake Nohur in Gabala. The hike trails of Gabala are also known for incredible waterfalls among things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala. The most famous waterfall among Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing is called 7 beauties, because of the 7 stages of falls in the waterfall. If you are looking for more adventurous things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala, you also go for ice-climbing in the winters and mountain trekking in other seasons on the Caucasus Mountain Range from Qabala. In the capital city of Gebele there are a few historical places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala. You can also go for wine tasting or straightaway buy wine from the fine winery among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala.
Gakh (Qax)
Gakh or Qakh or Qax is northern district in Shaki-Zaqatala, facing Georgia on the West & Russia on the East. The capital town of Gakh is a quaint and beautiful town among places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala laid in black stones. Being a mountainous region with unbridled natural expanse, hiking, trekking, camping, and nature exploration are popular among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala in Qakh. There are also several historical places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala located in Gakh. One of the most popular things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala in Gakh is the Icheri Castle complex. This castle has several small brick houses made from black stone with beautiful wooden doors & windows. Another beautiful place for Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing in Qakh is the village of Ilisu. This village is protected by mountains on either side and is one of the best places for photography among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala. The village also used to be the capital of Ilisu Sultante. The road leading up to this village is has one of the most beautiful scenery to enjoy on Shaki-Zaqatala travel.
Oghuz (Oğuz)
Oghuz is a northern district of Azerbaijan which meets Russia at the Caucasus Mountain Range. Oghuz does not have many places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala. It can be said that it does not have any particular Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions. But, people do visit Shaki-Zaqatala to explore the mountains, valleys, and rivers in Oghuz. It is more of natural retreat popular among hikers and campers. The scenic beauty of Oghuz makes it popular for Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing, especially among those looking to explore offbeat and untouched regions. The villages and towns in the district are quaint little places located between valleys. It is a place you go to be with nature or if you have explored most of Azerbaijan & are looking of untouched territory for hiking and trekking among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala along the Caucasus Mountains. You can straightaway head towards the woods and the mountains from the capital city of Oghuz when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. There is not much to see in the city and the options for accommodation are also limited.
Shaki (Şəki)
Shaki or Seki is the district and the city to have contributed its name to the name of the state. It is one of the two most important districts to see when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. The Palace of Shaki Khans located in the capital city of Shaki is among UNESCO World Heritage Site list. This Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attraction used to be like a summer palace for the Shaki Khans. The entire palace is a work of art and is one of the most beautiful buildings among things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala. Another palace among Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attraction is the Winter Palace, which is not as popular but equally beautiful for its design & architecture. Shaki or Sheki or Seki is one of the oldest cities in the country and is also popular stop on Shaki-Zaqatala travel for being a part of the famous Silk Road. This district also touches Russia at the Caucasus Mountains. There are several things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala amidst the Mountains. Both forests and the Caucasus Mountains are easily accessible form Sheki city, which itself is one of the most popular places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala. Just outside the capital city is the Acinohur Lake which is a very popular spot for hiking and swimming among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala.
Zaqatala (Zaqatala)
Zaqatala or Zagatala is a northern district of Azerbaijan touching Georgia at international border on the west and Russia on the East at the Caucasus Mountain Range. If you wish to enjoy riverside hikes with beautiful mountain scenery then you should head to Zaqatala when you visit Shaki-Zaqatala. There are a few places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala located in Zaqatala as well. There is a ruined Russian fortress among Shaki-Zaqatala tourist attractions. There is a historical museum and a ruined church as among things to see in Shaki-Zaqatala located in Zaqatala. But those who do visit Zaqatala on Shaki-Zaqatala travel are here mainly for the natural Shaki-Zaqatala sightseeing. There is also a wonderful art gallery you can visit on Shaki-Zaqatala travel, if local & traditional art appeals your interest. Amidst the mountains there are many beautiful gorges and waterfalls you can discover while hiking or exploring nature in the mountains among things to do in Shaki-Zaqatala. Aside from these things there are not many places to visit in Shaki-Zaqatala.
