Tourist Attractions in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is the largest state in the Caucasus, a region that lies between Western Asia and Eastern Europe. The region is world-known for its impressive mountain ranges such as the Greater Caucasus mountain range, considered to physically separate Europe and Asia.
The tourist attractions in Azerbaijan are many and diverse. Although traditionally exploited for its oil and natural resources, the region has so much more to offer as one of the places with the oldest history of the world, as well as an extremely diverse cultural heritage and spectacular nature.
If you are planning to visit this unique country, you will need an Azerbaijan visa. Visagov provides you with an easy and simple system to obtain it thanks to our simplified application form that takes you only 5 minutes to complete.
What to see in Azerbaijan
Natural attractions
Absheron National Park
A very popular tourist attraction in Azerbaijan, the Absheron National Park offers some of the most impressive and arid landscapes in the country. If that wasn’t enough, it’s also home to more than 50 species of animals, including some endangered ones.
Lake Goygol
Lake Goygol sits 1,500 meters above sea level in the stunning Goygol National Park. Be prepared to witness a fairytale-like setting with crystal-clear waters that have inspired painters and artists in the country for centuries.
The Caspian Sea
Considered the largest lake in the world, driving along the Azeri coast of the Caspian Sea is a calm and beautiful road trip experience. Small towns and traditional villages are bathed by the Caspian waters.
The coastal town of Astara
Astara is an historic coastal tourist attraction in Azerbaijan located by the border with Iran. It’s a beautiful coastal town surrounded by stunning landscapes, and one of the oldest towns in the country.
The Talysh mountains and Hirkan National Park are two of the most popular and beautiful natural destinations in the area.
Historical or architectural attractions
Ganja
This beautiful Azerbaijani city is almost hidden in the mountains, about 360 km west of Baku. It’s famous for the typical old houses covered with tiles and the Khan’s Palace.
You also cannot overlook the hotel-caravasar, an architectural ensemble that gives you an incredible view in the background with wooded hills and the tops of the snow-capped mountains.
The Nizami Mausoleum, another key attraction, was built between the 13th and 14th centuries, although it was rebuilt in 1990 following the traditional model. In its day it was the capital and had great commercial activity. There you can visit palaces like baths, madrasas and other buildings of the 12th and 13th century.
Quba
The northeast region of Azerbaijan is well-known for its green landscapes and culturally rich small villages. This is the perfect place to experience Azerbaijan’s culture at its best: the region has some of the oldest and highest rural villages in the country!
Khinalug is a stunning 5,000-year-old town that offers what some may consider the best views of the mountain range and it is actually the most remote tourist attraction of Azerbaijan.
Do not miss the Genocide Memorial Complex, which remembers the unfortunate events which took place on March 31, 1918.
Khinalig
This village is 65 km away from Ghuba and stands 2300 m above sea level. In addition to its labyrinthine town planning, this village is special because it has its own language! Learn some key phrases to communicate with them.
The Bibi-Heybat mosque
Although it was built at the end of the 20th century, it belongs to the architectural school of Shirvan and stands out for its color.
Fire Temple
A visit to the Fire temple of Ateshgah will help you discover the religious architecture of past centuries. In addition, you can learn why Zoroastrians, Sikhs and Hindus have made this World Heritage monument one of the cornerstones of their religions.
In the same area you can visit the mountain of fire, a magical place whose hillsides are always burning.
Things to do in Azerbaijan
Seeing all that Baku has to offer
Baku is the nation’s capital, and perhaps the perfect representation of Azerbaijan’s essence. Baku offers a beautiful mix of history and architecture that goes back more than 800 years combined with modern skyscrapers and a truly cosmopolitan vibe.
Walking around Baku’s old town, known as Icheri Seher, is a true delight. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Icheri Seher is a great maze of narrow stone streets connecting palaces, towers, city walls and mosques from the last three centuries.
History is alive in Baku’s old town and walking its streets will make you feel it. You cannot miss the Persian Maiden Tower, a symbol of the country, and the Palace of the Shirvanshas who ruled between the 9th and 16th centuries.
The modern center is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Azerbaijan. The impressive Flame Towers preside over the city skyline and have become an emblem praised by all Azeris, symbolizing the fire that characterizes an area with natural gas flares from the earth and also the mysticism of the divine.
Some key things to do in Azerbaijan if you visit Baku are:
- The Carpet Museum, a building shaped like a carpet
- The Taza Pir Mosque
- The futuristic Heydar Aliyev Center
- The Fountain Square
- The Yasil Market
- They alley of martyrs, honoring those who died during the Russian Civil War in 1918
A medicinal mud bath in the Gobustan National Park
Gobustan National Park is one of the most popular in the country, and it’s no surprise! Its location, less than 2 hours from Baku, makes it accessible and easy to get to from the capital. The Park has some of the world’s oldest rock carvings and it is also home to some of the country’s most spectacular mud volcanoes such as the Gobustan volcano.
Visiting the Republic of Artsakh
Artsakh is a territory that, although not internationally recognized, it’s perceived as an independent territory by Azerbaijan. Traveling to Artsakh is an interesting experience: the region is highly mountainous, and exploring its remote and arid landscapes is one of the main tourist attractions for travelers visiting Azerbaijan. The Alinja castle stands out as one of the most visited attractions in the area.