Maku's most important sight is outside the town itself: the Monastery of Saint Thaddeus (Qara Kelisa), a UNESCO World Heritage Site about 20 kilometres south. This ancient Armenian monastery, built partly in dark basalt stone, is one of the most remarkable Christian monuments in the Middle East and draws pilgrims from across the Armenian diaspora each July.
Within the town, the Maku Fortress is carved into the overhanging basalt cliff above the gorge — a dramatic piece of medieval fortification with an unexpected connection to the origins of the Baha'i faith. The Maku Palace, a 19th-century Qajar-era mansion, is a more sedate attraction worth a look if you have time.
The mountain gorge in which the town sits is itself a sight: the cliffs rise steeply on both sides and the setting is unusually dramatic for a small border town. The area is worth exploring on foot, and the hills above the gorge offer good walking with views toward Turkey.