The 18 best places to visit in Azerbaijan

Places of tourism in Azerbaijan You may have never thought about tourism in Azerbaijan

Not many people have heard of Azerbaijan before.

I will admit that it is a somewhat obscure tourist destination, especially for Arab travellers.

However, the Travel Splendors team works to introduce new, wonderful and sometimes exotic places and Azerbaijan is one of them.

There are few countries in the world where you can dip your toes in the cool waters of the Caspian Sea, watch natural unexplained fires come out of the ground, and take a relaxing bath in pure crude oil.

Yes, all these things you can do while traveling to Azerbaijan.

Read this article until the end to learn about the most important information and places of tourism in Azerbaijan.

The cost of tourism in Azerbaijan:

The cost of a medium-cost tourist trip for two people for a week in Azerbaijan is about 620 USD, which includes accommodation, food, transportation, and sightseeing, without counting airline tickets.

Food prices: Starting at $8 per meal.
Hotel prices: Starting from $12 USD for two people for one night. You can book a hotel in Azerbaijan easily with our website Booking.com.

Places of tourism in Azerbaijan:

1. Baku:

The list of places to visit when visiting Azerbaijan would not be complete without tourism in Baku. The capital of Azerbaijan is known as the seat of the country's oil and gas operations.

Energy executives and drilling workers come here to extract this precious resource from the land near the Caspian Sea.

As a result of the rampant oil production in the region, Baku is a thriving and developed city. The city will feel bright and cosmopolitan with flame towers above the skyline dazzling all night with a spectacular light show.

Gorgeous beaches meet busy streets lined with the world's most iconic designer stores. Men and women in smart clothes and sunglasses are hurriedly walking down the street. It is the New York City of Azerbaijan and is suitable for children and women to visit.

You can book a hotel in Baku easily with our website Booking.com

2. Ganja City:

Towards the west of Azerbaijan lies Ganja, one of the largest cities in the country after Baku. It is a very historical city, and civilizations have succeeded in it over the centuries since its existence. Hence, it boasts of many interesting ancient attractions for visitors to explore.

While in Ganja, you can start your day by strolling in Heydar Aliyev Park, which is one of the largest parks in the Caucasus region.

There is an iconic walkway near the entrance to the park and you can also explore the Ghoy Imam Mosque and the Shah Abbas Mosque, two important historical institutions for the residents of the city of Ganja.

Also, you can't miss the Ganja Bottle House, which is a very strange (yet unique!) structure built from various glass bottles. Visiting Ganja is one of the most important things to do when visiting Azerbaijan.

You can book a hotel in Ganja easily with our website Booking.com

3. Khinalug Village:

One of my favorite experiences in Azerbaijan is visiting Khinaliq, a small mountain village near the Russian border. As the highest village in Azerbaijan (and perhaps in all of Europe), a visit to Khinaliq is a glimpse into the 'real' Azerbaijan.

Here, friendly shepherds, woolly sheep and villagers come to greet you. The views at Khinaliq are amazing, and despite the fact that the tours come here daily, it really feels like an untouched destination.

While in Khinaliq, you can stroll through the misty, rocky streets of the city, play with the local children, and admire the strange and wonderful scenery of the mountains. Visiting Khinaliq is truly an exceptional pleasure when tourism in Azerbaijan.

If you get the chance to stay here for longer than a day, there are endless walking trails around the mountains, where you will see nothing but sheep, cows, and their caretakers.

You can easily book a hotel in Khinaliq with our website Booking.com

4. Quba:

Quba is only two hours away from the capital, Baku, and the Jewish Quarter is its most popular destination. Although Azerbaijan is a predominantly Muslim country, Quba is home to a large Jewish population.

Many of them don't live here all year round - they simply own homes here and come when they want to get away from the big cities. Here, you can wander the streets lined with gigantic, sometimes colorful houses, or stroll through one of the historic temples for a look.

There are not many sights in Quba other than exploring the Jewish Quarter and eating some local sweets and pastries. However, it is worth a visit when tourism in Azerbaijan because it is a cultural and unique region of the country.

You can book a hotel in Quba easily with our website Booking.com

5. Lahic Village:

Lahij, a small town famous for crafts and handicrafts, is located high in the mountains, northwest of Baku on the way to Sheki. It is a more developed village for tourists than places like Khinaliq, so it is ideal for a weekend getaway from Baku.

It is difficult to get here from the city, but it is worth it, given the wonderful scenery and experience provided by a trip to Lahij, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Azerbaijan.

While in Lahig, you can stroll the town's cobbled streets, stop into local metal design shops, and even watch cattle run through the streets. You can also experience Azerbaijani regional life by staying in a traditional house and sampling unique local dishes.

You can book a hotel in Lahigue easily with our website Booking.com

6. Sheki City:

Sheki is a small city near the border of Georgia that served as a major trade center on the Silk Road. Here, the local townspeople made their own silk products (called “shaki silk”) and transported them in large caravans to trade goods to all parts of the world.

Today, Sheki still makes for an exotic area where visitors can explore historical buildings and malls, buy local handicrafts, and enjoy the leisurely pace of life in the rural part of Azerbaijan.

While in Sheki, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Sheki Khan's Palace is one of the most important tourist attractions in the area. Built in 1797, the palace is filled with intricate tile work, beautiful interior murals and art, and a small garden.

On the grounds around the palace, there are some areas for shopping or drinking tea. Just outside the palace area is the historic district of Sheki, with an old Caravanseray building converted into a hotel, plenty of antique shops and some lovely historic homes to enjoy.

Perhaps the most beautiful thing about Sheki is that it is surrounded by hills and forests, which makes it a great escape from the busy cities and a great place to visit when tourism in Azerbaijan.

You can book a hotel in Sheki easily with our website Booking.com

7. Qax City:

Home to one of the world's oldest civilizations, Qakh has many ruins and ruins to explore. Civilizations have changed here over the years, from Albania to Türkiye to Georgia and others.

As you can imagine, this region has a lot of fascinating history, and there is a lot to see here that makes it one of the most important tourist places in Azerbaijan.

Inside Qah, you can see the ruins of an Albanian church and a Georgian church, two strange sights in a predominantly Muslim country. You can also easily wander the streets enjoying the historic homes and slow pace of life.

Some of the most amazing places to visit in the Qakh region include the village of Ilisu (which was at the center of the sultanate), the village of Qum, and the Iceri Bazaar. Qakh is also one of the best tourist destinations in Azerbaijan in winter.

You can book a hotel in Gach easily with our website Booking.com

8. Gabala

Another ancient city located in rural Azerbaijan, Gabala is also home to the famous ruins of Chokhor Gabala, a centuries-old walled city that now stands dilapidated.

There are also a number of museums, such as the Museum of Historical Ethnography in Gabala. And if you're lucky, you can catch a music festival in town, too.

Many Azerbaijani people head to Gabala because it is located in a naturally beautiful area. Therefore, tourism here is developing rapidly.

In addition to the historical sites of Gabala, there are hiking trails, waterfalls, ski resorts, shopping malls, and more.

You can travel from Baku to Gabala by train or bus. Bus transportation is the least expensive, as the ticket price ranges between 22 and 27 dollars. A visit to Gabala is essential when tourism in Azerbaijan due to the diversity of its attractions and wonderful atmosphere.

You can book a hotel in Gabala easily with our website Booking.com

9. Yanar Dag: Mountain of Fire

Located on the Absheron Peninsula, the Mountain of Fire is a hill that looks like an ordinary one, except that there is a perpetual fire coming out of the ground on one side of it.

Yes, you heard me right, the earth here is literally on fire. This is due to the abundance of natural gas in the area, and the fire burning without a catalyst. Do not miss exploring this exotic place while visiting Azerbaijan.

This is the reason why Azerbaijan is called by this name, which in literal translation means the land of fire. To visit Mount Fire, you can base yourself in Baku and take a day trip from there.

10. Yanar Bulag Baths:

Have you ever turned on your bathroom faucet only to realize that fire was coming out with the water? You can live this moment only in the Yanar Bulagh Baths, there is a natural spring that flows with water and fire... at the same time. Yes, it is possible and this strange place is located near the borders of Iran.

This phenomenon is caused by the concentration of methane deep in the earth that mixes with the water source. When you turn on the water, it flows out naturally, but the strange thing is that you can set it on fire.

This is crazy, isn't it? Well, people come to Azerbaijan just to collect and use the water from Yanar Bulag, which is said to have special healing properties. To visit Yanar Bulag, you can stay in the city of Astara and take a one-day trip to Hammamet, which is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Azerbaijan.

11. Mud Volcanoes

At number three on the list of exotic natural attractions in Azerbaijan are the brown mud volcanoes. A mud volcano is exactly what you'd imagine it to be - a cone-shaped mound of dirt with a crater filled with falling mud.

These reasons are caused by pockets of underground gas falling to the surface of the earth, which brings with it some cold liquid mud. Visiting this unique place is an enchanting experience when visiting Azerbaijan.

Unlike other countries (such as Iceland) that have this natural phenomenon, mud volcanoes in Azerbaijan are usually cold. There are mud volcanoes all over Azerbaijan, but the most accessible sites are just a short taxi or car ride from Baku.

12. Naftalan Oil Baths:

This is probably the most exotic place in Azerbaijan, they love their oil so much and literally bathe in it and as a tourist in Azerbaijan you can do that too.

In an area called Naftalan, near Gabala in the west, there are several hotels and resorts dedicated to serving crude oil baths.

Yes, this is a real thing. Many people believe that this type of crude oil, called “green oil,” has health benefits for those who bathe in it as it contributes to the treatment of joint pain. Do not forget to try bathing in oil when visiting Azerbaijan.

You can book a hotel in Naftalan easily with our website Booking.com

13. Nakhchivan:

The Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic or Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic is one of the most beautiful and least explored regions when tourism in Azerbaijan, and it is also considered a quiet and wonderful place to visit, especially for photographers and landscape lovers.

Flights to Baku from this region are fairly inexpensive, and visitors can spend wonderful days taking in its empty roads and beautiful mountainous areas.

14. Shirvan & Agh-Gol National Park:

Wildlife lovers, there is good news for you! Azerbaijan has some great areas for bird watching, wildlife, and hiking.

Two of the best places to do these things are Shirvan City and Ag Gol National Park as these parks feature amazing flora and fauna for National Geographic type travelers. If you are a fan of walking in the arms of nature, this is the right place for you when tourism in Azerbaijan.

15. Lake Goygol:

It can be said that Lake Goygol is one of the most beautiful places to visit when tourism in Azerbaijan, which is located near Ganja. It is a beautiful lake located in a natural park and surrounded by mountains and forests.

For outdoor lovers, this is a great getaway from Ganja, as it is very peaceful and full of outdoor activities like hiking.

16. Gobustan National Park:

From a distance, Gobustan National Park looks like a pile of large stones and boulders piled up on the side of a mountain. However, the special thing about this park is not the rocks themselves, but the ancient rock carvings on them that give us a hint of what life was like in the ancient Azeri civilizations.

For lovers of history and archeology, the Gobustan National Park is a must-visit during tourism in Azerbaijan, as many of the carvings in the park date back thousands of years, and are still easy to spot on the rocks today.

There are many paths around the park that lead to some of the most distinctive sculptures. You can explore Gobustan on a day trip from Baku.

17. The Caspian Sea:

One of the most special places to visit when tourism in Azerbaijan is its coast overlooking the Caspian Sea. But it's not really a sea, the Caspian Sea is technically the largest lake in the world, and it's made up of salt water like the actual sea.

While much of the sea is used for oil drilling, there are few resorts in Azerbaijan where you can explore the water and relax on the beach.

18. Samakhi City:

Shamakhi is a small, quiet and beautiful city in Azerbaijan and the capital of Shamakhi region. The city has a rich historical heritage dating back two thousand years, the most prominent of which is the Golestan Fort, which was built in the eighth and ninth centuries AD and rebuilt in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.

At the foot of Gulistan Castle lies the Yedi Gumbez (seven-domed) mausoleum as well as the Juma Mosque, one of the oldest mosques in the South Caucasus. Nature and adventure lovers can also explore Bergulu. Tourism in Shamakhi is essential when tourism in Azerbaijan.

You can book a hotel in Shamakhi easily with our website Booking.com

Living prices in Azerbaijan:

If you are thinking of staying for a long time in Azerbaijan, here is a list of prices to get an idea of living prices:

1. Food:

Lunch in the business district of the capital, Baku: 6 dollars
Lunch or dinner in a regular restaurant: $5
1 kg of chicken: 3.5 dollars
A liter of milk: 1.2 dollars
1 kg of apples: 1.2 dollars

2. Living :

Renting a house of 85 square meters in an upscale neighborhood: $499
Renting a house with an area of 85 square meters in an ordinary neighborhood: 314 dollars
Housing bills with an area of 85 square meters: 32 dollars
1 month of internet at a speed of 8 megabytes: 9 dollars

3. Mobility and transportation: