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Must-visit places in Azerbaijan offer a variety you might not expect. Baku’s got a medieval wall five minutes from LED skyscrapers. Gobustan holds rock carvings from 10,000 years back, mud volcanoes dotting across a gray moonscape. Mountain villages perched at 2,300 meters, where people have lived for 5,000 years.

Azerbaijan is calling your name! The country is known for having a European aura mixed with an Asian mystique. Want to imagine it? Think huge mountains, and a serene blue sea - That's what Azerbaijan is all about!

Life feels bland without music. Thankfully, such is not the case with Azerbaijan. Its famous duduk, a local instrument, is famous for the soulful sound it produces. Let's move past the music and talk about how the food is. If we were to describe it in one word: We'd say: Mouthwatering! The delicious kebabs and fragrant saffron-infused rice dishes are to die for!

Azerbaijan comes with a deep history. This ancient kingdom is a fine example of art and architecture. Visiting the country will allow you to explore its ancient cave paintings, stroll around the historic buildings of Baku, etc. 

Excited much? Are you ready to make this dream a reality?

Before that, there's one crucial thing stopping you from stepping foot into Azerbaijan. An Azerbaijan visa. But don't sweat it, the application process is as easy as cake. We will guide you through all the steps and help you get an Azerbaijani visa.

And once you grab that visa, it's time to visit the top 10 Azerbaijan tourist places!

Read also: Is Azerbaijan Safe? A Comprehensive Guide For Travelers

Baku Mixes Centuries

Icherisheher (Old City) is wrapped in walls from the 1100s. Silk Road merchants crashed here with spices and carpets. Maiden Tower shoots up 29 meters - fire temple? Lookout? Nobody figured it out. You climb for Caspian views. Shirvanshah Palace sprawls courtyards built in the 1400s - mosque, tombs, bathhouse, same yellowish stone.

Walk 20 minutes, you hit Flame Towers - three flame-shaped skyscrapers, LEDs running after dark. 10,000 lights turn them into fire some nights, flag colors others. HOK architects designed them, completed in 2012. Fairmont fills one tower, apartments the rest.

Boulevard runs the Caspian for kilometers. The Carpet Museum curves like a rolled carpet - 14,000 items inside. Mini Venice sits there, too - little canals with gondolas, kinda cheesy but families dig it. The Baku Eye Ferris wheel gives aerial shots. 

Hit Old City before 9 am, or you’re fighting things to do with Azerbaijan tour buses. By 10, you’re packed in. Evening works - Flame Towers light up after sunset, Boulevard cafes fill, locals walk kids around Fountain Square.

Top spots worth hitting around the country:

• Icherisheher fortress from the 1100s, with a tower nobody understands;
• Three flame skyscrapers are visible everywhere at night;
• Rock carvings 40,000 years old next to bubbling mud craters;
• A palace with 5,000 glass pieces scattering colored light all day;
• Mountain village at 2,350 meters, speaking a language found nowhere else;
• Skiing and waterfalls switch by season, two hours from the capital;
• Jewish settlement operating synagogues in the Caucasus foothills;
• Burning hillside that’s been on fire naturally for centuries.

Most travelers spend 3-4 days in Baku, add a Gobustan day trip, an overnight in Sheki, and a Gabala weekend. Week total covers the main stuff. Two weeks go by everywhere without rushing.

Gobustan Looks Alien

An hour southwest from Baku, Gobustan National Park holds 6,000 rock carvings - petroglyphs 5,000-40,000 years old. UNESCO protected it. You walk trails past rocks with art still visible after 20,000 years.

Mud volcanoes spread past the carvings. Azerbaijan’s got 344 - nearly a third of Earth’s total. They’re cold from the Caspian water deep underground. Some bubbles continuously, while others erupt mud every few years. The ground’s gray and cracked, feels lunar. Wear boots - mud sticks.

Tours mix Gobustan with Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag (burning mountain). Ateshgah was a Zoroastrian temple where gas vents made eternal flames. Now, gas is piped because drilling killed natural flow. Yanar Dag burns naturally on a hillside - flames shooting from the rock. Smaller than the photos show, maybe 10 meters wide, but burning for centuries.

Sheki Does Silk Road

Five hours northwest, Sheki sits in the foothills where merchants rested. Khan’s Palace was built in 1797 without nails - a wooden construction. Shebeke windows use 5,000 glass pieces in wooden frames. Lights scatter across painted walls all day, changing patterns.

Old City survived the 1772 mud flood that destroyed the earlier town. What’s standing dates from the rebuild. Cobblestone alleys twist uphill, coppersmiths hammer in workshops. Caravanserais still stand - massive stone structures where merchants and camels stayed. Also, Sheki offers for travelers:

• Natural spring water running through old stone channels;
• Local halva factory, where you can watch them make it by hand;
• Mountain hiking trails start right from the town's edges;
• Soviet-era cable car still runs up to fortress ruins;
• Tea houses serve it in armudu glasses with jam on the side.

Sheki pakhlava is nuttier than Turkish baklava, less syrupy. Piti stew comes in clay pots - lamb, chickpeas, saffron. You eat it in two stages: first, broth over bread, then mashed meat. The town joined UNESCO in 2019.

Gabala Switches with Weather

Two hours from Baku, Gabala is open year-round. Winter brings skiing to Tufandag Resort: cable cars and slopes. Not Alps but solid. Summer flips hiking Seven Beauties Waterfalls, boating Nohur Lake, and Gabaland for families. Best Azerbaijan travel experiences happen timing seasons right - ski in December-February, hike April-October.

Qechresh Forest surrounds it - trees, trails, and camping. Gabala hosts international classical and jazz music festivals in June and July. Book early winter. Summer’s cheap, fewer people.

Villages in the Sky

North toward Russia, the Quba region holds Afurdzhi Waterfall and forests. The town’s known for carpet weaving - the market sells handmade carpets and apples. Juma Mosque dates back centuries, and is a brick minaret standing. 

Past Quba sits Krasnaya Sloboda (Red Village) - one of the world’s only all-Jewish towns outside Israel. Mountain Jews settled centuries ago. Synagogues run, and Hebrew school operates.

Keep driving, you hit Khinalug - 2,350 meters up, one of Europe’s oldest villages, still lived in. People have lived here for 5,000+ years. The village clings to the mountainside, stone houses stacked. Residents speak only the Khinalug language, used here. Roads are rough - 4x4 needed. Bring warm clothes even in summer; the altitude keeps it cold.

Where Your Days Go

From Baku’s modern skyline to Gobustan’s ancient art - every traveler finds a story here. What the spots deliver:

Place	What’s there	Time	Transport
Baku	Walls, towers, flames, boulevard	3-4 days	Fly in
Gobustan	Carvings, mud craters	Half day	Tour for 1 hour
Sheki	Palace, glass, old lanes	Overnight	Bus 5 hours
Gabala	Skiing or hiking by season	Weekend	Taxi 3 hours
Khinalug	Sky village, altitude	Full day	4x4 only
Ganja	Poet tomb, fewer crowds	Day trip	Train for 4 hours

Transportation runs buses, trains, and hired taxis between cities. Baku’s got a metro and a Bolt app. Mountains need 4x4 because roads wreck cars, and locals drive wild. Before the trip, confirm whether your nationality is eligible for the fast Azerbaijan e-visa program.

Ganja sits west of - second city. Nizami Mausoleum honors the 12th-century poet. The Shah Abbas Mosque, built in 1606, features blue tiles and twin minarets. Javad Khan Street runs cafes and vendors. Less touristy than Baku means authentic, but fewer English speakers.

What to bring for moving around Azerbaijan attractions:

• Cash for villages - ATMs don’t exist past cities;
• Modest clothes for mosques - shoulders, knees covered;
• Layers for attitude - 40°C in Gobustan, 10°C in Khinalughm same day;
• Russian phrases - help more than English outside Baku;
• Sturdy boots for mud volcanoes and mountain trails;
• Sun protection in summer, rain gear in spring;
• Power adapter Type C/F European plug.

Spring (April-June) and autumn (September-October) see temperatures of 15-25°C in most places. Summer pushes 35°C+ in the lowlands, while cooler temperatures prevail in the mountains. Winter drops to 0-5°C in Baku, colder in the north. Khinalug gets snow when Baku’s warm.

Food Everywhere

Saffron rice with meat and dried fruits comes in 40+ regional variations. They wrap grape leaves around meat and rice, and dump garlic yogurt on the side. Kebabs come off real flames - not a grill, actual wood fire - with this sour pomegranate stuff drizzled on top. The lamb stew’s weird but good: served in a clay pot, you pour out the broth first and dunk bread in it, then you mash everything else in the pot and eat that. Two courses from one dish.

Layered pastry with nuts and honey, Sheki uses more nuts and less syrup. Flatbreads from street vendors cost nothing and fill you up fast. Tea is served at every meal in pear-shaped glasses with sugar cubes that you bite.

Expert Take

Travelers covering the Caucasus say Azerbaijan’s most underrated - Georgia and Armenia get attention. The range surprises people: ancient carvings, medieval Silk Road stuff, Soviet leftovers, ultra-modern Baku, mountain villages time-forgotten. Compressed diversity not found elsewhere. 

Gobustan’s mud volcanoes and rock formations don’t exist together anywhere else in the world. Sheki’s palace rivals Central Asia for craftsmanship. Khinalug’s location keeps it real - no tour buses yet. Won’t last as word spreads. Baku’s transformation since 2000 is wild. Oil money rebuilt the waterfront, added showcase buildings. Some say too fast, erasing character. Others call it progress.

Top Tourist Places to Visit in Azerbaijan:

Baku:  

A trip to Azerbaijan feels incomplete without Baku - the capital of Azerbaijan. Baku has this ancient aura - courtesy of its ancient architecture and warm culture. This is why it is one of the best tourist attractions in Azerbaijan! 

Visiting Baku will introduce you to the Old City - It’s a super old town famous for old streets and buildings that seem like a maze. When you’re done wandering the old city, don’t forget to stop by the Khan’s palace which was built around the 1400s! It’s a huge complex that contains several houses - this is where the royal family of Baku Khanate resided!

Enough of the old talk, now let’s glance at how modern Baku has become. Speaking of modern, the very first place that comes to mind is none other than the giant Flame Towers. Three identical towers of heights: 140m, 160m, and 170m - make up the flame towers. This tower lightens up the sky at night and is no less than a thing of beauty.

To end your day, you can stroll along the Baku boulevard. It’s a park just opposite to the seafront. You will also find several restaurants serving delicious food. Imagine munching on your favorite meal while gandering at the Caspian Sea. 

Gobustan National Park: 

Azerbaijan has some of the most amazing parks and Gobustan National Park is one of them.

This park is a cultural reserve since it is protected by UNESCO. It is famous for showcasing old cultural pictures carved on rocks by people who lived 10,000 years ago.

Oh, and they have mud volcanoes here! Not the fiery kind, but mountains that burp out mud instead. You can even climb on one for a super weird but totally fun adventure. This place really has it all!

Sheki:  

Sheki has all these shiny mosaics, colorful windows, and awesome carvings, all protected by UNESCO, like a super important historical monument. There's even a peaceful garden around it to relax in.

Moreover, there are workshops where super-skilled craftspeople make amazing silk scarves and wooden things. You can even buy some as souvenirs! If the city gets too much, escape to Kish Village in the mountains.

Gabala: 

If you’re a winter fanatic, you can shred down snowy mountains with epic views at Tufandag Mountain Resort. In case, sunshine is more your style? No sweat, head over to the sparkling Nohur Lake. Rent a boat and explore the chill waters, catch some fish for dinner, or just relax on the shore and soak up the beauty.

Families with kids can turn to the Gabaland amusement park. It is bursting with rides and shows that'll keep everyone entertained for ages.

Lastly, people who’re into history will get the chance to travel back in time. They can do so by exploring the ruins of the ancient Albanian settlement, Geygalinsha! And nature lovers can hike or drive to the amazing Seven Beauties waterfalls. These cascading beauties have local legends surrounding them, super cool!

In short, Gabala caters to people of all ages!

Quba:  

Seeing Quba makes you wonder: nature and history have intertwined! 

The mystical Qechresh Forest attracts tourists with its huge trees, jaw-dropping waterfalls, and hiking trails. If you’re in the mood to hike, make sure that you come prepared with the gear.

If you feel like taking a dip, Quba has the perfect spot for you. The Afurdzhi Waterfall is a hidden gem that takes your breath away with crystal-clear water surrounded by lush greenery.

If you do visit Quba, be sure to head over to the Juma Mosque. It is one of the modest mosques in Azerbaijan that was built in the 19th century. The architecture of the mosque will mesmerize you!

If you want to experience something mundane, simply go to the bustling marketplace. You’ll find creative souvenirs, carpets, and whatnot! 

Ganja:  

Time to visit Azerbaijan’s 2nd largest city - Ganja. If you’re a fan of poetry and prose then do visit the ravishing tomb of the legendary poet Nizami Ganjavi, located inside the Nizami Mausoleum. 

Gandering at the Nizami Mausoleum is a treat because every particle of this mausoleum screams “beauty”. The tilework, calligraphy, and the attractive turquoise dome are the focal points of the building.

Ganja is famous for its locality and culture. You can exchange talks with the locals and feel the atmosphere. If you have time, do visit Javad Khan Street - famously known as the traditional goodies street. To get a feeling of the older times, spend a night at the Caravanserais. It’s an ancient inn that welcomes tourists to rest up.

Ending your day with food is what’s needed now. Go to the Ganja lavash, a local favorite. It sells these amazing crispy flatbread street food snacks that you can’t say no to. Once done, head over to the imposing Ganja Fortress. The same fortress where you can witness the remnants of the older ruler.

Khinalug:  

A village that’s so ancient, that predates nearly everything you've ever encountered. Situated high atop the Caucasus Mountains, Khinalug feels more like a forgotten secret. 

Perched at a staggering altitude – well over 2,000 meters – it might as well be the crown jewel of Azerbaijan. And guess what? It's widely considered one of the country's must-see destinations!

Life here operates on a completely different rhythm. You won’t see the mundane hustle and bustle of city life. Just charmingly narrow, cobbled paths that snake between curiously constructed houses. Built from hefty, unhewn stones, these dwellings simply look amazing: 

Shahdag National Park:

This national park is one of the highlights of Azerbaijan. Why? Because it caters to all seasons. 

During summers, you can hike the park and witness the stunning panoramic views, take pictures, and spend quality time. However, if you’re not a hiking fan but still want to absorb the views, you can hop on the Shahdag Mountain Cable Car. It will take you to the highest point in Azerbaijan and simply mesmerize you! 

Come winter, the park drapes snow all over and welcomes the snowboarders. There are all kinds of slopes - so don’t worry if you’re a beginner, you can enjoy snowboarding on smaller slopes. 

If speed is your thing, get on a snowmobile and roam this snowy wonderland wearing snowshoes. It’s an amazing experience that will stay with you for a very long time.

Unforgettable Things to Do in Azerbaijan:

Culinary Delights: A Journey for Your Taste Buds

Food in Azerbaijan is one of a kind. Wondering how? Well, they combine the best bits from the neighboring countries including Turkey, Iran, and even Central Asia. The combination of Fresh ingredients, crazy-good spices, and cooking methods are the reason that you simply can’t resist Azerbaijani food!

Now, get ready to drool. Here are some must-try eats that you absolutely can't miss:

• Plov: If you’re looking for a spicy and tasty dish, Plov will leave you awestruck! The chefs use rice and lamb, and top it with saffron spice to give it an irresistible taste. The cherry on top is the dried fruits and chestnuts sprinkled at the end. Trust us, it’s the perfect treat for you!

• Minced lamb/lüle kebab/barbecue with or without cooked kuyruk (lamb tail) - It looks like Adana kebab or Iranian koobideh but is much tastier due to spices and due to cooked lamb tail in it. 

• Various types of dolma: Try yarpaq/vine leaves, kelem/cabbage leaves, üc bacı/tomatoes/green peppers/aubergines. They are filled with 95% meat and 5% rice. The dish is also famous in Iran - however, the main difference between Azerbaijan dolmas and Greek or Turkish ones is in meat. The Greek and Turkish ones have more rice and less meat. This indeed makes a difference in this dish.

Foodie Paradise:

Azerbaijan is basically a giant food court with endless options. Here are a couple of places where you can find these incredible dishes:

• Baku: The capital city is where tourists and food lovers come to dine. It's like one giant restaurant with all sorts of choices. If you want something scrumptious, head to "Firuze" or "Şergi" for an experience you won't forget.

• Sheki: Sheki’s "Khan's Palace" restaurant serves a delicious Azerbaijani feast while surrounded by beautiful history. 

Celebrating Azerbaijan: Festivals and Events

Azerbaijan is known to throw grand parties in the form of festivals and events.

Here are some of the must-see events and festivals in Azerbaijan:

• Novruz: A traditional holiday where the people of Azerbaijan celebrate the arrival of spring. Interestingly, when Azerbaijan was still under the Soviet Union, the citizens were restricted from celebrating this event. But, such is not the case anymore! This event showcases bonfires, games, and food. What’s interesting about this event is that the people jumped over the bonfires seven times. Being the land of fire, it’s one of their traditions.

• Carpet Holidays: Azerbaijan is well known for its crafty carpets. The people of Azerbaijan love to celebrate their art with a carpet festival. At this festival, there’s a huge exhibition on display and sellers put a hefty discount on their carpets. 
• Pomegranate Festival: Call it a Pomegranate party (Tomatina style). During this festival, the people of Azerbaijan indulge in making various dishes with the fruit and even turn them into wines. Moreover, the fun is doubled by playing traditional music and dancing!

These are just a few examples! Many more festivals take place in Azerbaijan. 

Outdoor Adventures:

Outdoor enthusiasts love Azerbaijan. And why shouldn’t they, it’s a haven for thrill seekers. You can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities here, such as:

• Hiking the Caucasus Mountains and gandering at its majestic trails. Yes, completing the hike is no easy feat but once you do, the level of accomplishment will have no bounds. 
• If you’re not a climber then be a camper. Gather camping essentials including a camp along with necessary items and spend a night under the sky. One of the best camping spots in Azerbaijan is the Gobustan National Park. The serene nature, rock carvings, and mud volcanoes give you the experience of a lifetime and allow you to connect with nature in its purest form.
• Horse-riding fanatics, don’t be sad - because Azerbaijan offers horseback riding in the countryside. Apart from fun, you’ll be contributing to a cleaner environment (since you won’t be using a vehicle and polluting the atmosphere). Moreover, witnessing the beauty of Azerbaijan on horseback is no less than seeing a movie scene!
• Lastly, and the most important outdoor activity any tourist longs for is the water activity. The Caspian Sea allows you to travel in a kayak or windsurf and let the force of water and air take your breath away (not literally!).

People who love to spend time in the calm, can book a spot near the Caspian Sea and let the sound waves transport them to a different world. Looking at the turquoise water and tranquility around is a therapy in itself.  In contrast, if you’re an adrenaline junky, you can try jet skiing or go scuba diving. Seeing the underwater world is something that will truly steal your heart.

Shopping:  

Honestly speaking, a trip without a bit of shopping feels incomplete. Fortunately, Azerbaijan is loaded with busy marketplaces, offering a wide range of items. You can buy traditional carpets, cultural wall frames, unique souvenirs, and antique pieces. These gifts will serve as a trip remembrance whenever you look at them.

And, it’s not just carpets that you can buy. There are other handcrafted items as well. You’ll find ceramic pots that flaunt tremendous artistry. Jewelry items and precious stones give a Middle East vibe.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that Azerbaijan has it all. The jaw-dropping scenery, the ancient vibes given by the architecture, delicious food that reeks of tradition. And of course, adventures you simply can’t say no to!

Tourists from all over the world love to spend time in Azerbaijan for the peace and calm it offers. Apart from that, it caters to fun-lovers as well. Plenty of festivals, a high number of restaurants, and lit-up roads are some of the reasons why tourists love the place.

Mostly, people love to witness the Flame Towers since it is a thing of beauty. There are other marvelous buildings and architecture that flaunt Azerbaijan’s tradition. 

With so much to offer, the only thing that can stop you from visiting Azerbaijan is the need for a visa. But even that is not a problem. You can get your visa for Azerbaijan online with us and fly off in a very short time! So start packing your bags!

Eligible Countries for Azerbaijan e-visa