Azerbaijan is a unique country that you shouldn’t miss out on. Located along the Caspian Sea in the Caucasus region, it has a nice mix of Caucasian, Persian, and Turkic influences. The country has amazing natural and cultural attractions: mountains, mud volcanoes, a cool big city, cute little towns, and many historic sites.
I loved my short week in Azerbaijan and can’t wait to return to explore the rest of the country, nicknamed the “Land of Fire.” Azeris are a Turkic people, and Türkiye is one of my favorite places in the world, so I know I’ll love all the destinations.
Azerbaijan is also quite inexpensive, being one of the 34 best affordable countries to travel to for $40 total per day. To continue our accommodation prices feature, we’ll share a separate post with many examples of lodging prices for these Azerbaijani destinations soon.
Here are the 11 best destinations in Azerbaijan.
Map of the 11 best destinations in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a small country, slightly bigger than New Brunswick. Its population is 10 million, slightly more than Québec.
Here’s a map to locate all the destinations in this post.
1. Baku
Baku (Bakı in Azeri) is the capital of Azerbaijan, the country’s only large city, and also the largest in the entire Caucasus region! With 2.7 million inhabitants in its metropolitan area (the same as Vancouver) and so much history in one place, it has a lot for you to discover.
Spend at least a few days exploring the city’s many attractions. The highlight is the wonderful old walled city of Baku (a UNESCO World Heritage site), including the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. If you like architecture, admire the unique Heydar Aliyev Centre and the magnificent Flame Towers.
An oil and gas-rich country, Azerbaijan really loves fire! The Fire Temple of Baku is worth a visit, but you should also take a short trip about 25 kilometers (16 miles) northeast to see Yanar Dağ. Known as the “Fire Mountain,” this natural wonder is a constantly burning hillside! It was pretty cool to see and a nice place to warm ourselves on that cold November day!
Enjoy Baku’s lively nightlife and waterfront promenade. Visit the National Carpet Museum to learn about this important part of the local culture or the world’s only museum dedicated to miniature editions of books if you like reading. You can also visit Absheron National Park at the very end of the peninsula, which I found pretty.
2. Gobustan
Gobustan (Qobustan in Azeri) is a place not to miss just south of Baku — be careful; there are many places with the same name. There, you can see the unique mud volcanoes — Azerbaijan has almost as many of those erupting landforms as all other countries in the world combined!
This area also has the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, a UNESCO site with petroglyphs dating 40,000 years.
If you want something more unusual, there’s a musical stone in Gobustan National Park that has been used as an instrument since prehistoric times, and also the very strange Sofi Hamid cemetery nearby, where graves are not just graves but pieces of art!
3. Shahdag/Laza
Shahdag (sometimes Shahdagh, Şahdağ in Azeri) is a popular mountain resort and national park in Azerbaijan, while Laza is a picturesque village with beautiful waterfalls and stunning scenery. They’re pretty close, only about 15 kilometers (9 miles) apart. It’s just a 30-minute drive, so you can easily visit both in one trip.
These destinations are perfect if you love the outdoors, skiing, snowboarding, hiking, zip-lining, and paragliding. Waterfall trekking in Laza is simply amazing. If you’d rather relax, you can enjoy Shahdag’s luxury resorts and spas with a range of wellness treatments.
Shahdag also has one of the world’s best Marriott points redemptions if you would like to get luxury for a small amount of points. The 5-star mountain resort, Park Chalet, Shahdag, Autograph Collection, looks stunning and costs fewer points than a basic suburban Courtyard hotel in North America. Don’t miss the Azerbaijan accommodations post for more details soon.
Since you’ll surely arrive from Baku, make sure to check out the Candy Cane Mountains on the drive north if you are driving or using a private taxi.
4. Shaki
Shaki (sometimes Sheki, Şəki in Azeri) is one of the oldest cities in Azerbaijan, with a history that dates back more than 2,500 years! It’s renowned for its well-preserved caravanserais. These buildings served as roadside inns for travelers when the city was an important stop on the Silk Road.
The historic city center and its Shaki Khan’s Palace (Xan Sarayı) is a gorgeous UNESCO site you don’t want to miss during your stay.
You can also tour the Shaki Museum of History, explore the Old Town, and taste the town’s famous sweet treat, Sheki halva, a kind of baklava. Take a short trip to the nearby village of Kish to see the historic church from Caucasian Albania (an ancient state unrelated to modern-day Albania in the Balkans).
5. Khinalug
Khinalug (Xinaliq in Azeri) is another charming village located in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, at around 2,350 meters (7,710 feet) above sea level. It’s one of the oldest and highest inhabited spots in the Caucasus.
It’s also part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site that highlights the local semi-nomadic Khinalig people’s unique seasonal migration, from the mountaintop in summer to the valley in winter.
Travelers go there to admire stunning mountain views, wander in the village of traditional stone houses, and trek along scenic trails.
6. Ganja
Ganja (Gəncə in Azeri) is located in western Azerbaijan. It’s the country’s 2nd-largest metropolitan area, with a population of around 335,600 (similar to Saskatoon). Ganja is primarily recognized for its Azerbaijani and Islamic architecture and its cultural significance.
Start your visit on Javad Khan Street or at the Ganja State History Ethnography Museum to learn more about this beautiful city. Go see the Gates of Ganja, the Ganja Fortress ruins, or for something uncommon, the Bottle House of Ganja (built with 48,000 bottles). You can also explore the Nizami Mausoleum, which pays homage to the famous Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi.
Don’t miss the stunning Göygöl Lake in the Dashkasan-Göygöl National Park. Another worthwhile day trip is to Naftalan, where you can find petroleum spas: yes, you really bathe in crude oil. It apparently has therapeutic effects.
The mountain pass near Ganja was amazing! Just after the mountain, we found a natural hot spring on the side of the road too.
7. Quba
You’ll find the city of Quba in northeastern Azerbaijan. It’s located near the Greater Caucasus Mountains, approximately 170 kilometers (105 miles) north of Baku. There are several mountain treks and hikes in this region, and you can easily reach it from the capital.
In Quba, nature lovers can discover the serenity of the Qechresh Forest, the stunning Afurdja Waterfall, and the breathtaking Tengialti Canyon. There are also some historical sites like the unique Quba Mosque (Juma Mosque), the beautiful Sakina Khanum Mosque, and the Quba Carpet Museum.
You can visit Krasnaya Sloboda (Qırmızı Qəsəbə in Azeri), believed to be the world’s only community exclusively populated by Jewish people outside Israel and the United States. A bit further away, you can enjoy the coastline on the Caspian Sea, but Azerbaijan is not known for its beaches. Qechresh Village is another nice small town nearby.
8. Nakhchivan
Nakhchivan (Naxçıvan in Azeri) is an exclave of Azerbaijan, which means it’s geographically separated from the mainland — it’s the world’s largest subnational exclave. It’s located southwest of the country’s main territory and only shares borders with Armenia, Türkiye, and Iran.
It’s an autonomous republic with its own governance and somewhat distinct culture — it also has the benefit of being one of the least-visited parts of the country and is known for its cleanliness.
You can explore ancient sites like Alinja Castle, an impressive mountaintop fortress called the “Machu Picchu of Eurasia,” the Momine Khatun Mausoleum, and the Tomb of Noah.
Mount İlandağ, the beautiful Aras River, and its surroundings are also worth your time. You can also relax in the healing Duzdag Salt Caves, which have salt deposits that are believed to be good for breathing and skin problems.
Nakhchivan was the very first part of the USSR to declare independence in 1990. It has 450,000 inhabitants (about the same as Newfoundland and Labrador) in a territory about the size of Prince Edward Island.
9. Shamakhi
Shamakhi (Şamaxı in Azeri) is located in central Azerbaijan. It has a rich history and is surrounded by picturesque landscapes. The city is known for its ancient landmarks, including the Yeddi Gumbez Mausoleum and the historical Juma Mosque, which dates back to the 8th century.
It was the home of the famous traditional dancers, the Shamakhi dancers. The Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory is another great attraction.
About 40 kilometers (25 miles) northwest of Shamakhi, you’ll find the village of Lahıc, celebrated for its local crafts, especially copperware and carpets. For a taste of local produce, including fresh fruits and wines, you can visit the Ivanovka farms.
10. Zaqatala
Zaqatala is located in northwestern Azerbaijan near the border with Georgia. This region is renowned for its breathtaking natural scenery.
The Zagatala Nature Reserve is a hotspot for wildlife such as brown bears, boars, and west Caucasian tur. Don’t miss the stunning Mestdergah Waterfall, the best in the area by far. Whether you’re into hiking, camping, or just relaxing in nature, this place has it all.
The main attractions in the city itself include the ancient Zaqatala Fortress and the ruins of Caucasian Albania churches. Be sure to taste Zagatala’s famous hazelnuts and walnuts — they’re delicious!
11. Lankaran
Lankaran (Lənkəran in Azeri) is located in Southeastern Azerbaijan, where inhabitants are mostly ethnic Talysh people. The region is the gateway to neighboring Iran, a country with more Azerbaijanis than Azerbaijan!
This area has wonderful natural attractions like the UNESCO-listed Hyrcanian forests. You can visit Hirkan National Park and Ghzil-Aghaj State Reserve to admire the fauna and flora. The area also has some sandy beaches and mineral springs.
In Astara, you can also admire the Yanar Bulağ Fire Spring; it’s not often you can see water on fire.
Learning how to travel for less
Join over 100,000 savvy Canadian travelers who already receive Flytrippers’ free newsletter so we can help you travel for less (and inspire you, too)!
Summary
Azerbaijan is a captivating destination at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, offering a unique blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage. From the stunning landscapes of the Caucasus Mountains to the serene waters of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is an affordable and diverse travel spot. You can explore ancient historical sites or marvel at the futuristic architecture in Baku. With its vibrant traditions, delicious cuisine, and a range of outdoor adventures, Azerbaijan promises a memorable and enriching travel experience.
What would you like to know about the best places to visit in Azerbaijan? Tell us in the comments below.
See the flight deals we spot: Cheap flights
Discover free travel with rewards: Travel rewards
Explore awesome destinations: Travel inspiration
Learn pro tricks: Travel tips
Featured image: Baku, Azerbaijan (photo credit: Lloyd Alozie)
.jpg){kind=link}
