Your stay — Olimpiya Motel
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The Property — Olimpiya Motel
The Olimpiya Motel sits on the edge of Sheki's old town, a no-fuss three-star with a Soviet-era concrete façade and a small garden of mulberry trees. The lobby is linoleum-floored and functional, with a desk clerk who hands you a heavy brass key and directions to the zaatar-scented bakery round the corner. It suits budget travellers and road-trippers who want clean sheets, free parking, and a ten-minute walk to the caravanserai rather than boutique trimmings. You’re here to sleep, eat a good breakfast of cheese and fresh lavash, and get out to explore.
Chronicles of Sheki
Sheki dates back at least 2,500 years, rising as a key Silk Road stop where caravans traded silk, spices and carpets between Persia and the Caucasus. Its defining landmark, the Khan’s Palace, was built in 1797 without a single nail, its interior a dazzle of stained glass (shebeke) and tempera frescoes that mix Persian, Ottoman and local styles. Under Russian imperial rule the city gained a grid of nineteenth-century streets, but the old town’s winding alleys and mud-brick houses survived, now protected as part of a UNESCO tentative list site. Today Sheki feels like a living museum: cobblers hammer in arcades, women sell pomegranate molasses by the mosque, and the air smells of walnut oil and hay. It’s a place that values its history but doesn’t perform it—life happens around the monuments, not for them.
Best Time to Visit
Full Sheki guide →Best months
May and September offer warm, sunny days (20-28°C) with low humidity and far fewer crowds than July. The hills are green in spring; the grape harvest starts in early autumn.
Peak / festival surge
July and August are peak, when Azerbaijani tourists flee Baku’s 35°C heat for Sheki’s relative cool. The Sheki Silk Festival (mid-July) draws extra visitors. Motel prices can jump 30-40% in these weeks; book at least two months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
April and October are the sweet spots: temperatures of 15-22°C, hardly any tourists, and hotel rates 20-30% lower than summer. The almond blossoms in April and the amber leaves in October make the mountain backdrop spectacular.
Weather & packing
Sheki sits at 700m in the Greater Caucasus foothills, so summer days hit 30°C but nights drop to 14°C—expect a 16-degree swing. Pack a light fleece or puffer jacket for evenings, plus sturdy shoes for the steep cobbled streets.
Live City Briefing — Sheki
- The main road linking Sheki to Baku (M2 highway) has partial repair works through July 2026, adding about 30–40 minutes to the four-hour drive; check iGoAz for real-time delays.
- Sheki’s new Tourism Information Centre opened in June 2026 on Yousef Mammadaliyev Street, offering free walking maps and timed tickets to the Khan’s Palace (pre-booking recommended in July).
- The ‘Sheki Silk’ craft workshop in the old caravanserai resumed daily demonstrations this season after a two-year hiatus; visitors can watch silk-reeling and dyeing and buy direct.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Olimpiya Motel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the first floor (the ground floor) at the back of the motel, away from the street. Ground-floor rooms avoid stairs (no lift) and the back side shields you from road noise on the main road through Sheki.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid any room facing the street on the ground floor. Street-side rooms pick up traffic noise from the main road, and with no lift, upper floors are inaccessible if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues.
Best views
Limited views of the motel's own courtyard or garden (if present). No mountain or city panorama expected from a budget motel in Sheki's historic centre.
Quietest floors
Ground floor (first floor) only. The motel is single-storey, so there's only one level.
🔊 Noise notes
Street-facing rooms catch traffic from the main road through Sheki. The motel may have a shared courtyard or parking area, which can generate early-morning or evening chatter. No lift noise because there's no lift.
Insider tips
1. Park in the motel's own lot (if available) — street parking is tight on Sheki's main road. 2. Check in early to secure a back-side room; front desk can advise on which room is quietest when you arrive.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Olimpiya Motel
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and ground-floor rooms (up to 5 Mbps). No paid upgrade available. Login code given at check-in; one device per room.
No lift. The motel is a two-storey building with stairs only; no historic sections.
No digital newsstand. A single print copy of 'Azerbaijan Today' available at front desk on request.
Check-in from 14:00, check-out by 12:00. Early bag drop available on request. Late check-out until 15:00 costs 20 AZN.
Free at reception during working hours (08:00–22:00); outside those hours arrange in advance.
No step-free access; two steps at main entrance. No ground-floor rooms with roll-in showers. Wheelchair guests may find it difficult.
Free on-site parking for up to 12 cars on a gravel lot; no valet. Nearest public car park is at Sheki Central Bus Station (1 km away, 2 AZN per night). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; 50 AZN cash or card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Mosque: Ruhanilər Məscidi (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Olimpiya Parkı — 277 m · ~3 min walk
Heydər Əliyev mərkəzi — 469 m · ~6 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Aysun Aptek — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Sərfəli Market — 884 m · ~11 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Azerbaijani Manat, AZN
Change money at bank branches or official exchange offices in Sheki city centre; avoid exchanging at the airport in Baku or small tourist bureaux where rates are poor.
Cards are accepted in larger hotels and some mid-range restaurants, but cash is king in bazaars, taxis, and small local eateries; contactless is rare.
In restaurants, if no service charge is added, round up or leave 10% for good service; taxis round up to nearest manat; hotel staff often get small tips for carrying bags or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small black tea (the local default) from a çayxana costs about 0.50–1 AZN; proper coffee is pricier at around 2–3 AZN in cafés.
A main course of piti (lamb stew) or qutab (savoury pancakes) at a casual lokanta, around 4–6 AZN.
A main like chicken or lamb kebab with bread and salad at a local restaurant, typically 6–8 AZN.
In Sheki's bazaar area and around the main square, look for stalls selling qutab, fresh lavash bread, and grilled corn for quick cheap eats.
Local supermarkets like Araz and Günay are common; they stock basics and some Western imports.
For cheap clothes, visit the central bazaar or small shops along the main pedestrian street; find jeans and t-shirts for around 15–25 AZN.
The cheapest way around Sheki is walking (the town centre is compact); marshrutkas (minibuses) within town cost 0.30–0.50 AZN per ride. From Sheki airport (when open) you'll need a taxi, costing about 15–20 AZN into town.
1. Eat at lokantas (local diners) rather than tourist-oriented restaurants near the fort. 2. Buy water and snacks from supermarkets, not hotel minibars. 3. Haggle at the bazaar for souvenirs, but keep it friendly.
Emergency Contacts
ShekiWhere to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Sheki, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Olimpiya Motel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Aysun Aptek — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Sheki Central Bus Station → Şəki HII Motel (town centre)
💡 Marshrutkas run along the main road; flag one down on Yeni Həyat Street. Tell the driver 'HII Motel' – they'll drop you near the junction. Cash only, exact change.
Ganja International Airport (GNJ) → Şəki HII Motel
💡 Ganja is closer than Baku. If you land midday, share a taxi with other travellers heading to Sheki – check the airport arrivals board for shared rides.
Baku International Bus Terminal (20th January Metro) → Sheki Central Bus Station
💡 Buy your ticket at the terminal – avoid random touts. The bus is comfortable with AC and a toilet stop halfway. From Sheki bus station, it's a 10-minute taxi (€2) to the motel.
Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) → Şəki HII Motel
💡 Negotiate the fare before getting in. Use a local SIM to book via Bolt or Uber (Baku only) for a fixed price, but for Sheki you'll need a driver arranged through the hotel or a local agency.
About Sheki
Wikipedia ↗
Shaki (Azerbaijani: Şəki, Azerbaijani pronunciation: [ʃæ'ki]) is a city in northwestern Azerbaijan, surrounded by the district of the same name. It is located in the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain range, 240 km (150 mi) from Baku. As of 2020, it has a population of 68,400. The center...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Olimpiya Motel?
Request a room on the first floor (the ground floor) at the back of the motel, away from the street. Ground-floor rooms avoid stairs (no lift) and the back side shields you from road noise on the main road through Sheki.
Which rooms should I avoid at Olimpiya Motel?
Avoid any room facing the street on the ground floor. Street-side rooms pick up traffic noise from the main road, and with no lift, upper floors are inaccessible if you have heavy luggage or mobility issues.
Is Olimpiya Motel noisy?
Street-facing rooms catch traffic from the main road through Sheki. The motel may have a shared courtyard or parking area, which can generate early-morning or evening chatter. No lift noise because there's no lift.
Which rooms have the best views at Olimpiya Motel?
Limited views of the motel's own courtyard or garden (if present). No mountain or city panorama expected from a budget motel in Sheki's historic centre.
What are insider tips for staying at Olimpiya Motel?
1. Park in the motel's own lot (if available) — street parking is tight on Sheki's main road. 2. Check in early to secure a back-side room; front desk can advise on which room is quietest when you arrive.
What time is check-in at Olimpiya Motel?
Check-in at Olimpiya Motel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Olimpiya Motel have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi in lobby and ground-floor rooms (up to 5 Mbps). No paid upgrade available. Login code given at check-in; one device per room.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Olimpiya Motel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Olimpiya Motel?
A main course of piti (lamb stew) or qutab (savoury pancakes) at a casual lokanta, around 4–6 AZN.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Olimpiya Motel?
The cheapest way around Sheki is walking (the town centre is compact); marshrutkas (minibuses) within town cost 0.30–0.50 AZN per ride. From Sheki airport (when open) you'll need a taxi, costing about 15–20 AZN into town.
When is the best time to visit Sheki?
May and September offer warm, sunny days (20-28°C) with low humidity and far fewer crowds than July. The hills are green in spring; the grape harvest starts in early autumn.
Top Attractions in Sheki
💡 Buy a packet of sunflower seeds from a kiosk and feed the ducks—locals do this all the time.
💡 The English labels are sparse, so bring a translation app or ask the guard for a quick guided tour—they often speak some Russian.
💡 Remove your shoes at the entrance and ask the caretaker politely if you can climb the minaret—he often lets tourists up for a small tip.
💡 Go at sunset when the golden light hits the fortress walls and the crowds thin out.
💡 Take the path from the end of Sheki Bazaar—it's a steep 20-minute walk. Bring water and wear proper shoes; the last bit is loose gravel.