Azerbaijan Travel invites you on a journey across the Caucasian leg of the Silk Road, where history and modernity collide across dreamy semi-desert landscapes. Retrace the path of ancient Zoroastrian pilgrims, walk the cobbled streets of artisan villages, and examine ancient petroglyphs up close. From ultra-modern skyscrapers to bubbling mud volcanoes and medieval caravanserais, Azerbaijan surprises travelers at every step.
Suppose Azerbaijan has already captured your imagination and you are looking for practical details on preparing for your upcoming trip. In that case, we invite you to check out our Azerbaijan Travel Tips.
Embark on Your Dream Journey in Azerbaijan
Taste the arid winds of the Caucasian semi-desert, pray in the ancient temple of fire, stroll the corridor of oriental palaces and rest in the shadow of enduring caravanserais. Let Azerbaijan bewitch you with its delicious pilaf, tea served in delicate pear-shaped glasses and bustling bazaars. Craft your tour around the land’s fine-tuned artistic traditions, intricate petroglyphs or bubbling mud volcanoes.
Our Azerbaijan travel packages are as diverse as the clients we serve. Whether you are into history, outdoor adventures or cultural pursuits, chances are we have a tour that perfectly suits your interests. Options include everything from day trips to Azerbaijan’s major sites and attractions to extensive, multi-country expeditions. We are also happy to design a personalized Azerbaijan travel itinerary tailored to your specific needs and passions. Just drop us a message and get one step closer to your dream vacation!
Traveling Through Azerbaijan
With nine climate zones stretching across the country, Azerbaijan is a worthy travel destination year-round. Spring and autumn draw the most crowds with their pleasant temps and vibrant landscapes, but summer and winter also have plenty to offer:
Winter: Winter transforms the high peaks of Azerbaijan into a snowy white paradise. Ski resorts at Shahdag and Tufandag are filled with frenzied fun, while many see wintertime as a chance to slow down and relax over hearty Azerbaijani food. Since Azerbaijan’s winter is usually quite mild, many local attractions are still accessible to travelers. With fewer tourists around, you can count on a much more individualized experience and unbeatable off-season discounts.
Spring: The season starts with the Persian New Year, the country’s most important holiday celebrated at the end of March. If you want to shape your tour around cultural immersion activities, spring is a great time to come! The weather noticeably warms up by late spring, when flowers and green foliage start to dominate the landscape. Not surprisingly, nature lovers find spring the best period to enjoy Azerbaijan’s great outdoors.
Autumn: As September approaches, the summer heat decreases while fruits and vegetables ripen in gardens and farms. Travelers flock to admire the autumn forests surrounding Lake Goygol in Ganja or to observe bird migrations in local national parks.
Summer: Summers in Azerbaijan are hot, with temperatures in Baku occasionally reaching 40°C (104°F). It’s the perfect time to explore the Caspian Sea beaches or, if you wish to escape the coastal heat, to hike in the Caucasus Mountains.
Your Travel Map Guide
Use the Azerbaijan Map to locate the country’s main cities and find out what each one has to offer:
Determining the Ideal Destination for Azerbaijan
Our local tourism specialists have offered their personal Azerbaijan travel advice for must-see sites and itineraries:
Baku – Metropolitan capital of Azerbaijan where trendy skyscrapers mix with historical sites galore, it’s also the perfect gateway for exploration of Absheron Peninsula and nearby Gobustan.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Icheri Sheher, Heydar Aliyev Center, Baku Boulevard, Nizami Street, Azerbaijan Carpet Museum
How to get off the beaten path: Explore the bustling alleys of Green Market (Yashil Bazaar) or visit the Modern Art Museum.
Greater Baku – This large area surrounding the capital encompasses almost the entire Absheron Peninsula as well as a number of islands. Befitting its size, Greater Baku spoils with a variety of attractions, from natural phenomena to manmade architectural and historical wonders.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Ateshgah Temple, Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, Gobustan Mud Volcanoes, Yanar Dag
How to get off the beaten path: Visit Gala State Historical Ethnographic Reserve to explore the history of Absheron Peninsula.
Sheki – This fascinating city is the cultural and architectural gem of Azerbaijan. Sheki is rich in Islamic architecture, delectable regional food and fascinating Silk Road history.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Sheki Khan’s Palace, Juma Mosque, Sheki Caravanserai, 19th-century hammam
How to get off the beaten path: Dedicate some time to explore Gelersen-Gerersen Fortress, or visit Christian Church in Kish.
Ganja – One of the oldest cities in the Caucasus, Ganja boasts a plethora of historical and cultural monuments. The town prides itself as the birthplace of the famous Persian poet Nizami, and his tomb is a popular site for visitors.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Imam-zade Mausoleum, Old Ganja Fortress, Nizami Ganjavi Mausoleum, Sheikh Bahauddin Complex, the bottle house
How to get off the beaten path: Slow down to enjoy the beauty of Goygol National Park with its alpine landscape, crystal clear lakes and pristine forests.
Quba – Set on the northeastern slopes of Shahdag Mountain, Quba spoils summer vacationers with a cool climate and spectacular mountain scenery, not to mention the best apples in Azerbaijan.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Chirag-Kala Fortress, Gilgilchay Fortress, Juma Mosque, Sakina-Khanum Mosque
How to get off the beaten path: Experience the unique culture of Khinalug, the oldest village in Azerbaijan, or visit the elusive Jewish community at Red Town (Red Sloboda).
Shamakhi – Home to a sizeable astrophysical observatory, Shamakhi was the former capital of the Shirvan Empire and one of the largest trade centers along the Caucasian Silk Road. Today the city is famous for silk production, carpet weaving and an impressive number of historical monuments. It is also one of the best places to try Azerbaijani wine.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Juma Mosque, Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum, Village of Lahij, Diri-Baba Mausoleum-Mosque, Gulistan Fortress
How to get off the beaten path: Explore local wineries to sample young local wine.
Nakhichevan (Nakhchivan) – Azerbaijan’s oldest city is also the capital of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Local tradition claims that Noah founded the city after the Flood and subsequently died and was buried here. To reach Nakhchivan, you must catch a domestic flight from Baku.
How long should I stay? 2-3 days
Major Sites: Gulistan Mausoleum, Momine Khatun Mausoleum
How to get off the beaten path: Leave the city behind and step into the ruins of the magnificent Alinja Fortress, visit the spectacular Karabaglar Mausoleum or explore the ancient Gemigaia Petroglyphs.
Gabala – An ancient city with a history dating back to the 4th century BC. With its many ruins and relics, Gabala is a perfect destination for history buffs.
How long should I stay? 1 day
Major Sites: ruins and excavations of Old Gabala, ancient capital of Caucasian Albania
How to get off the beaten path: Visit Udin Temple, a unique architectural monument of Caucasian Albania, or drive to Hazra village to see 15th-16th century domed tombs.
Lankaran – A subtropical paradise in southeast Azerbaijan near the border with Iran. The city’s landscape harmoniously combines high mountain tops, fertile lowlands and pebbly coasts.
How long should I stay? 1 day
Major Sites: Lankaran Fortress, Pir Hussein Mosque and Mausoleum
How to get off the beaten path: Immerse yourself in Khanega, a sophisticated complex of mausoleums and mosques on the banks of Pirsagat river.
Naftalan – This small city in the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus attests to the importance of oil to Azerbaijan’s economy and culture. In Naftalan, local oil is believed to have therapeutic effects and is used as a natural treatment in unique oil spas.
How long should I stay? As long as you want to stay at a spa resort, usually at least a week
Major Sites: Naftalan oil spa resort and treatments
How to get off the beaten path: Enjoy a visit to the quirky Museum of Crutches, where you can admire a collection of crutches left behind by patients said to be successfully treated in Naftalan.
Nabran – This popular Caspian Sea resort delights with subtropical forestland and a long, lovely beach.
How long should I stay? 1-2 days
Major Sites: Nabran beach and affiliated resort facilities
How to get off the beaten path: Leave the beach behind and hike in the Nabran forests, rich with unique trees particular to this area.
Where Culture Comes Alive
Azerbaijan is the only Muslim country in the South Caucasus, and as such the country’s culture and customs vary widely from their predominantly Christian neighbors. This difference is apparent when it comes to national holidays: As Muslims, Azerbaijanis observe Ramadan Bayrami (Eid al-Fitr) and Gurban Bayrami (Eid al-Adha) but not Christmas or Easter. Persian New Year, or Navruz, is also widely celebrated in the country.
Most parties in Azerbaijan are loud, colorful and full of laughter. This hospitable nation is always happy to welcome guests during festivities, so take advantage of the opportunity by arranging your Azerbaijan travels around one of these celebrations:
New Year (1st-2nd January) – New Year is one of the most popular holidays in the country, a joyful time spent with relatives and friends. It begins on the evening of 31st December with a splendid feast. Once the clock strikes midnight, spectacular fireworks shows erupt all across the country. The best ones take place in Baku, particularly at Baku Boulevard.
Best place to celebrate: Baku
Novruz (20th-25th March) – Navruz is the celebration of the Lunar New Year, which according to Persian tradition begins with the arrival of spring. The festival is celebrated with song, dance, games and copious amounts of food.
Best place to celebrate: Baku, Sheki
Republic Day (28th May) – Republic Day commemorates the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic, established on 28th May, 1918. The Republic was the first secular democratic country in the Islamic world, a fact which brings great pride to Azerbaijanis. Each year on this day, top officials lay a wreath at the Republic Monument in Baku, and concerts and parades celebrating Azerbaijan’s history and culture are held across the country.
Best place to celebrate: Baku
Gabala Music Festival (July-August) – Gabala Festival starts at the end of July and lasts for a week. This open-air festival combines classical piano concerts with jazz improvisations and an evening of traditional mugham music.
Best place to celebrate: Gabala (Qabala)
Baku International Jazz Festival (October) – This fantastic musical event, which has been taking place in Baku since 2005, brings together jazz musicians and jazz lovers from all around the globe. Rather than a one-day event, it’s a series of concerts stretched over several days.
Best place to celebrate: Baku
Goychay Pomegranate Festival (November) – The Pomegranate Festival is an annual cultural celebration featuring a carnival and an exhibition dedicated to different varieties of pomegranates and pomegranate products. Visitors can also enjoy concerts of traditional Azerbaijani music, performances of various folklore groups and friendly competitions.
Best place to celebrate: Goychay
Check out our list of Azerbaijan holidays to learn more about other events you can incorporate into your Azerbaijan travel plans.