Visiting Azerbaijan: What To Encounter In Addition To Do, Including Itineraries
POSTED: 08/06/18 | August 6th, 2018
I don’t shout out back the start fourth dimension I heard virtually Azerbaijan, but it’s ever held an exotic allure to me. Republic of Azerbaijan — fifty-fifty the cite sounds exotic — a identify of…well, I didn’t know what. It only sounded intriguing as well as off the beaten path. I knew 2 things virtually Republic of Azerbaijan earlier I visited: it won the Eurovision Song Contest inward 2011 as well as has a lot of stone oil money.
It was exclusively inward the concluding few years that I began to think inward earnest virtually visiting.
But years passed without whatever progress toward that goal — until this June when, on a whim, I went in that location alongside a friend. We had institute a cheap flight from London, so off nosotros went! Sometimes that’s all it takes to halt upwards somewhere.
Azerbaijan matched my expectations: Baku was a modern metropolis steeped inward stone oil coin alongside a lately built subway, fast Wi-Fi, as well as tons of Parisian-style as well as futuristic buildings, piece the residue of the the world was incredibly rural alongside pocket-size towns surrounded past times gorgeous mountains as well as farmland. In tiny villages, former men alongside canes sat inward town squares gazing at passersby. Old babushkas alongside their backs bent as well as heads covered alongside scarves wandered past times alongside groceries, off to create dishes for the family.
A visa to Republic of Azerbaijan costs $25. You receive got to acquire it beforehand, as well as yous tin apply online. It takes 3 days to procedure (if yous pay an additional $30, yous tin acquire 1 inward 3 hours). You tin remain inward the the world for upwards to x days earlier yous postulate to register alongside the law as well as render an address of where yous are staying (you only postulate 1 address as well as yous don’t postulate to remain in that location the entire visit). Most hotels as well as hostels volition aid yous do this. After registering, you’ll acquire the total xxx days inward the the world your visa allows.
But honestly, yous don’t genuinely postulate xxx days to see Azerbaijan. In fact, fifty-fifty 2 total weeks would go a fleck of a stretch. Baku is cool as well as tin create for a fun few days, but exterior the city, in that location genuinely isn’t much to do every bit good hike as well as wander only about some cute villages. Granted, that is pretty awesome, but if yous aren’t going on whatever major multi-day hikes, you’ll most probable acquire bored quickly.
What to See as well as Do inward Azerbijian: One-Week Itinerary
Day 1 – Baku
Before the regain of oil, Baku was a sleepy fiddling town passed over past times the world. After stone oil was discovered inward 1846, the metropolis grew: large boulevards as well as buildings were built to emulate Paris, every bit the nouveaux riches loved all things French. The metropolis grew good into the early on 20th century earlier subsequent footing wars as well as Soviet dominion pushed it off the footing stage. Now, thank yous inward component to Eurovision as well as lots of stone oil money, Baku is a mix of its ancient core, the surrounding 19th-century Parisian-style neighborhoods, as well as the sprawling modern metropolis alongside its futuristic buildings, expanding outward.
On your start 24-hour interval here, wander only about the former city. Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, which was built inward the 15th century as well as includes a mosque, bathhouse, as well as mausoleum, every bit good the famous Maiden Tower alongside its corking views of the city. (Fun fact: They withal receive got no thought what this tower was built for.)
Afterward, go on a gratuitous walking tour alongside Baku Free Tour as well as so accept inward the Republic of Azerbaijan Carpet Museum (the the world is famous for carpetmaking) as well as the National Museum of History, which has a lot of artifacts as well as a few signs that volition give yous a decent agreement of the history of Azerbaijan.
Where to remain inward Baku: Sahil Hostel – This hostel has comfortable beds, a dainty mutual area, as well as incredible showers (they fifty-fifty receive got massage sprays). The staff is non that friendly, but its fundamental location as well as facilities, every bit good the ease inward which yous tin encounter other travelers, create upwards for their sour demeanor.
Day 2 – Baku
On your 2nd day, wander some to a greater extent than only about the city, accept some other gratuitous walking tour, savor a cooking class, stroll along the lovely boardwalk along the Caspian Sea, as well as explore Upland Park, which offers corking views of Baku every bit well, every bit it’s the highest betoken inward town. There’s a funicular that goes all the means upwards if yous desire to avoid the stairs. Be warned: the funicular’s hours of functioning modify without notice. Here you’ll also detect Martyrs’ Lane, a cemetery as well as memorial dedicated to those killed inward World War II as well as the Nagorno-Karabakh War.
Additionally, nearby are the famous as well as iconic Flame Towers. Built inward 2012, they are 182 meters (600 feet) tall as well as covered inward LED screens displaying images of dancing flames (hence their name). One of them is a hotel alongside a eating theatre at the top; the nutrient in that location is supposed to go real practiced as well as fairly priced. I highly recommend watching the sunset over the metropolis close the Flame Towers, so seeing the tower’s LED lights come upwards on.
Day 3 – Outside Baku
Head out of town for a 24-hour interval trip to the 4 biggest attractions close Baku. First upwards are the mud volcanoes. Republic of Azerbaijan is habitation to nearly a tertiary of the world’s mud volcanoes, which shape when pockets of undercover gas forcefulness their means to the surface. They’re similar geysers, but alongside mud.
Next are the petroglyphs inward Gobustan, habitation to 6,000 stone paintings that are upwards to 40,000 years old. The well-preserved sketches display ancient populations traveling on reed boats, men hunting antelope as well as wild bulls, as well as women dancing.
Then see Ateshgah, a temple that has been used every bit a Hindu, Sikh, as well as Zoroastrian identify of worship (now it’s a middle for Zoroastrians). Each room has genuinely detailed panels virtually the history of the temple, the pilgrims who visited, as well as the Zoroastrian religion. In the middle of the complex is a open fire representing God.
Finally, in that location is Yanar Dag (“burning mountain”), which is a natural gas forcefulness out that blazes continuously on a hillside. Marco Polo 1 time described the the world inward this surface area every bit beingness on forcefulness out because of phenomena similar this, but this is the exclusively forcefulness out left. It’s sort of a disappointment, every bit it’s genuinely small. It’s non worth the journey, to go honest, but it’s included inward most tours, so you’ll view it anyways.
None of the sites are too far from Baku, as well as tin all go done inward a day. Most leave of absence only about 10 am as well as acquire dorsum only about 5 pm. I advise taking a tour instead of going on your own, every bit it makes getting to these sites easy. Only Ateshgah is reachable past times world transportation. All the other sites volition require a car. Lots of people on Couchsurfing offering to rides too. H5N1 full-day tour volition cost virtually $40 USD as well as include lunch.
Days 4 & 5 – Lahij
Take a three-hour coach to Lahij (pop. 900) inward the Caucasus Mountains (lots of 24-hour interval tours come upwards hither because the town is famous for copper wares — you’ll take away heed the clang of metalwork throughout the day). On your way, you’ll current of air through the mountains, over bridges, as well as along a route so narrow you’ll experience similar you’re going to autumn off earlier yous accomplish the town. When I was there, the route was partially out because of heavy pelting as well as I was non a fan driving the narrow, gravel route to town!
But it was worth it!
Lahij is beautiful, alongside cobblestone streets, panoramic views of the valley, as well as former locals sitting inward the town foursquare eyeing the tourists that wander past times on their means to hike for the day. There’s non much to do inward Lahij itself. OK, there’s a tiny museum that takes 5 minutes, as well as yous tin ride a Equus caballus or store if yous want, but the existent argue to see is to acquire hiking. There are a lot of trails inward the mountains only about town, as well as it’s best to enquire your guesthouse or the tourist component for information, every bit there’s no trail map. There are some ruins on the trail leading upwards from the nearby river as well as waterfall but go warned: it’s a steep 6 km upwards as well as the ruins (really only a wall) are easily missed.
Where to remain inward Lahij:
Lahij Guesthouse – This virtual chateau has spectacular views of the mountains, a garden, as well as incredible forest interiors as well as patios. It’s a stunning place, as well as the possessor Rustam is quite knowledgeable as well as tin volume anything yous want. The breakfast volition fill upwards yous for days, as well as yous tin acquire an optional dinner each black (you should — it’s delicious!).
Days 5 (& 6?) – Sheki
From there, caput to Sheki via world bus, a famous halt on the Silk Road, as well as view the former caravanserai (inn alongside a courtyard), which housed traders as well as merchants dorsum inward the day. Built similar a castle to protect merchants (high walls, 1 gate), it dates dorsum to the early on 18th century. Now, it’s a eating theatre (skip it) as well as a hotel. Additionally, there’s a fortress as well as few churches inward the former town fortress downward the street from the caravanserai. All inward all, yous exclusively genuinely postulate a few hours to view everything inward town.
Be certain to see nearby Kis to view the Albanian church, which dates dorsum to the 5th century as well as was restored alongside the aid of Norwegians inward the early on 2000s.
Afterward, acquire to the Gelersen-Göresen ruins, which are a lot to a greater extent than expansive than those inward Lahij as well as render some incredible views of the surrounding valley. I’d recommend taking a taxi there, every bit it’s an uncomfortable as well as non real scenic two-mile walk on opened upwards as well as exposed road. Your driver volition hold off (or mightiness bring together you, similar mine did).
Overall, yous genuinely exclusively postulate a 24-hour interval for these sights. There’s non much to do, as well as the attractions aren’t that stellar. Sheki is a pop 24-hour interval trip from Baku as well as a weekend spot for locals, who caput to the resorts located on the means to the ruins. The exclusively argue I would remain longer is if yous wanted to do some hiking as well as horseback riding inward the area.
Where to remain inward Sheki: Ilgar’s Hostel – Ilgar is an incredible host. This homestay is genuinely basic. No A/C, uncomplicated accommodations, real basic bathroom. It’s inexpensive but you’re staying inward Ilgar’s habitation alongside his household unit of measurement as well as he’s an awesome host, who speaks fluent English linguistic communication as well as knows everyone inward the area. There’s zip he can’t aid with!
Day vii – Back to Baku
Spend the 24-hour interval heading dorsum to Baku to savor a concluding black inward the large metropolis earlier yous caput home.
What to See as well as Do inward Azerbijian: H5N1 Two-Week Itinerary
Want to pass some additional fourth dimension inward the country? Great! There are a bunch of other places worth visiting too. Here are to a greater extent than suggestions on what to view as well as do inward Azerbijian if you’re staying longer:
Days 1, 2, & 3 – Baku
Follow the Baku itinerary from above.
Days 4 & 5 – Quba
Head due north past times coach to the mount town of Quba for a cooler climate, former mosques, as well as traditional carpets inward beautiful alpine surroundings. There’s a lot of hiking here, too, as well as many people also see Tenghi Canyon. You tin also halt inward Khinalig, a major Zoroastrian center, or Krasnaya Sloboda, the exclusively all-Jewish town exterior of Israel, populated past times the Juhuro, or Mountain Jews.
Where to remain inward Quba: Hostel Bai Guba – H5N1 real basic hostel side past times side to some hiking trails, this identify also offers airdrome transfers. Dehne Ailevi Istirahet Merkezi is a slightly to a greater extent than expensive option, but it’s an first-class identify to stay. There is a eating theatre onsite as well as a genuinely dainty garden as well as terrace.
Days 5 & 6 (& 7?) – Lahij
Follow my Lahij suggestions from higher upwards as well as pass some other 24-hour interval or 3 hiking the mountains. There are some famous multi-day hikes inward the surface area if yous desire to camp. H5N1 guide is highly recommended for longer hikes; your guesthouse or the tourist component tin adjust 1 for you.
Days vii & eight – Sheki
Follow the itinerary listed inward the higher upwards department as well as purpose your extra fourth dimension for hiking or horseback riding!
Day nine – Qabala
Once strategically located along the middle of the Silk Road, this dusty, old, not-so-small town at 1 time houses several ancient monuments, including a thousand-year-old defence tower, a 13th-century mosque, as well as a mausoleum. Take an early on coach from Sheki as well as pass the black here. All the attractions are closed together, so yous tin easily view the town inward a day. There’s genuinely zip else worth sticking only about for.
Where to remain inward Qabala: Kahran Hostel – This is a newly opened hostel inward a practiced neighborhood located side past times side to some corking cafés, bars, as well as restaurants. It’s a social surroundings as well as the staff is genuinely helpful.
Day 10 – Ganja
Azerbaijan’s 2nd biggest metropolis dates dorsum to the 6th century. There’s an attractive foursquare close some other caravanserai (similar to the 1 inward Sheki), some traditional churches, a real strange solid made from bottles, as well as the Tomb of Nizami Ganj4vi, the country’s most famous 12th-century poet (he’s sort of a national hero). It’s a practiced stopover on the means south.
Where to remain inward Ganja: Old Ganja Hostel – It’s located correct inward the middle of the city, as well as the staff is friendly as well as helpful.
Days xi & 12 (13?) – Lankaran
Before heading dorsum to Baku, acquire due south see this sleepy resort town on the Caspian Sea. See the Old Prison as well as Lighthouse (Stalin was genuinely a prisoner hither for a while), see the ancient bazaar, the 18th-century fortress, as well as the 19th-century mosque. You tin pass a practiced 24-hour interval sightseeing hither as well as so some other on the beaches farther due south inward Kenaramesha. If yous receive got to a greater extent than time, accept a 24-hour interval trip to the Ghizil-Agaj State Reserve, which is habitation to virtually 250 aeroplane species. You tin accept organized tours from town.
Where to remain inward Lankaran: Khan Lankaran Hotel – There are non many hostel options inward Lankaran, but this hotel is affordable as well as incredibly cozy. The eating theatre serves Azerbaijani Cluster as well as European food, every bit good every bit local drinks.
Day thirteen – Head dorsum to Baku earlier heading home.
Whenever I leave of absence a place, I ever enquire myself: On a scale of 1 to 10, how probable am I to come upwards back? I experience similar I’m a 6 alongside Azerbaijan.
I loved my fourth dimension in that location and, if I were inward the portion again, I would definitely see over again to do some longer hikes I missed this time. But I don’t think I’d leave of absence of my means to acquire over again unless in that location was a compelling reason.
That said, I institute the people incredibly warm as well as hospitable. Even though nosotros couldn’t communicate a lot (outside Baku, English linguistic communication is non widely spoken), nosotros pantomimed as well as communicated nonverbally, which led to some fun as well as lots of express joy over the confusion of trying to figure out what nosotros were both trying to convey. The nutrient inward the the world is excellent: a mix of Turkish as well as Mediterranean styles, alongside lots of rice, chicken, fresh vegetables, as well as spices. The landscape is stunning alongside lush valleys as well as farmland as well as the raw beauty of the Caucasus Mountains inward the north. And Azerbijian is real rubber too, every bit the authorities doesn’t desire to anything to ruin the tourism sector; beingness a quasi-dictatorship, it has the ability to create certain zip does.
All inward all, Republic of Azerbaijan is an awesome destination. It’s slow to acquire to, super inexpensive 1 time yous acquire inward (you tin alive large on $30 USD a day), as well as beautiful. It’s definitely a identify yous shouldn’t miss, peculiarly if yous desire something a fiddling exotic, cheap, as well as filled alongside outdoor activities.
Book Your Trip to Azerbaijan: Logistical Tips as well as Tricks
Book Your Flight
Find a inexpensive flying to Republic of Azerbaijan past times using Skyscanner or Momondo. They are my 2 favorite search engines. Start alongside Momondo.
Book Your Accommodation
You tin volume your hostel inward Republic of Azerbaijan alongside Hostelworld. If yous desire to remain elsewhere, purpose Booking.com every bit it consistently returns the cheapest rates. (Here’s the proof.)
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
Travel insurance volition protect yous against illness, injury, theft, as well as cancellations. I never ever acquire on a trip without it. I’ve been using World Nomads for x years. You should too.
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