Located on the west coast of the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan is still an unknown country sandwiched between Russia and Iran. Natural beauty, adventure and nightlife will make your trip an exciting one. Azerbaijan has different regions each having their own attractions and specialties. Baku is the most famous tourist attractions. Azerbaijan come in the category of nature’s diversity and has lot of outdoor activities to explore. This is a country which offers variety of landscapes which can be explored.

The best time to visit Azerbaijan is from the month of April to June where the flowers bloom, the skies are clear and the weather is pleasant for all kinds of sightseeing. July is a good time for trekking and to be in the mountains. October starts with nice breezy autumn and a good time for visiting.

The food in Azerbaijan combines flavours from the Mediterranean, Iran and Turkey. Azerbaijani cuisine features a range of dishes including fresh herbs and vegetables, hearty soups, chargrilled meats and kebab, aromatic rice pilaf, and slow-cooked stews. Black tea is the national beverage of Azerbaijan. This is taken after food is eaten and Black Tea is offered to guests as a welcome gesture also. The food in Azerbaijan is full of flavour and guaranteed to be a true highlight of your visit

Azerbaijan has some of the most beautiful market places to shop and bring back a souvenir. You can get some nice traditional carpets which come mostly in Persian style in many colours and patterns. On Baku’s Boulevard road, there is the carpet museum where you can find a range of them with affordable prices. There are also many malls where you can get branded items and by the street, you will find many local items and local arts and crafts.

Azerbaijani language is the state official language of Azerbaijan and the mean of linguistic communication of the population of the country.

1. BAKU

Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan. It is also the largest city of the country. Nestled on the Caucasus region and the Caspian Sea, the city lies about 28 meters below the sea level as a result of which, it is also the lowest lying National Capital in the world.

Situated on the southern shore of the Absheron Peninsula alongside the Bay of Baku, nearly one fourth of the inhabitants of the country reside in the metropolitan region of the city.

The city is cultural, scientific and industrial center of Azerbaijan. A number of sizeable Azerbaijan institutions also have their headquarters located there. Given all this, the trade and commerce position and the economic role of Baku is very evident. However, this does not mean that Baku is any less from the other cities of Azerbaijan when it comes to tourism. There are a number of tourist attractions which are fascinating and attractive. Monuments, museums, tombs and galleries, just about everything can be found in the city. Moreover, the transport network of the city is very well connected making the attractions and the places to see easily accessible. Besides, the attractions, there are also a number of things to do to keep you engaged all through your stay in the city.

Places to visit in Baku: Baku Ferris Wheel, popularly called as Baku Eye or Devil’s Wheel, Flame Towers, National Flag Square, Dənizkənarı Milli Park, Teze Pir Mosque, Baku Boulevard, Icherisheher Fortress Walls, Little Venice, Nizami Street, Heydar Mosque, Fountain Square, Bilgah Beach, Palace of the Shirvanshahs

2. GANJA CITY

Ganja is the third largest city in western Azerbaijan after Baku and Sumqayit. It has been the centre of history and culture of Azerbaijan. The city is dotted with age old heritage sites that are fashioned with top class intricate works and blue tiles. Heading over to one of the best tourist places in Azerbaijan, you will be able to enjoy zillions of archaeological sites that are not only large but also ornamental.

Ganja is home to some of the best tourist attractions including theatres, museums, adventurous treks, stunning nature and historic monuments. Heading out to the most sought after Tourist places in Azerbaijan, you can visit Ganja City Hall which stands as a testimony to the masterpiece of the Stalinist Empire architecture and The Juma Mosque (Shah Abbas Mosque) which boasts a red brick exterior with majestic white dooms.

Places to visit in Ganja City: Ganja City Hall, Juma Mosque (Shah Abbas Mosque), State Art Gallery, Shah Abbas Square, Imamzadeh, Heydar Aliyev Square

3. SHEKI

Sheki happens to be a city that is located in northwestern Azerbaijan which is surrounded by the district Shaki. The city nestles on the southern part of the Greater Caucasus mountain ranges which is about 240 km from Baku. With a total population of about 68400, this place can be considered as one of the top famous places in Azerbaijan to visit during your holiday vacation.

Sheki is one of the most beautiful places to see in Azerbaijan as it is dotted with beautiful houses with brightly painted gates, lively cafes, plane trees, stone buildings, and cobbled streets.

While in Sheki, you can visit the incredible Summer Palace of Sheki Khan and also take photographs of his Winter Palace. The Winter Palace has been under reconstruction since 2010. The stone caravanserai is the original sleeping chambers of the Silk Road traders and is a historic and architectural gem of the Sheki city. You can spend a night in one of the rooms of the caravanserai. The Three Saints Church is located in the complex of the Summer Palace.

On a trip to Sheki, tourists can stopover at the The Sheki Khan Winter Palace to capture the beautiful mosaic works, Sheki Caravanserai which is loaded with antiquity dating back to the silk trade, and Summer Palace / Sheki Xan Sarayi which is popular for its paintings and decorations.

Places to visit in Sheki: Summer Palace, Winter Palace, Sheki Caravanserai, Teze Bazaar, Sheki Fortress

4. SHAMAKHI

Shamakhi is the capital city of Shamakhi District of Azerbaijan. This place is very much popular for its traditional dancers and Soumak Rugs. The city has been destroyed a number of times by eleven major earthquakes but it has strengthened itself. At the present time it is the economic as well as the administrative capital of Shirvan, which is one of the key townships on the Silk Road.

The Juma Mosque of Shamakhi was built in the 8th century and it has survived eight out of eleven earthquakes. A 15th-century mausoleum and graveyard, known as Shirvan Domes, is located at the Gulistan Fortresses’ foot. You can also explore the Yedid Gumbaz Mausoleum which has a cemetery, a group of mausoleums, and the burial vaults of the Shivran Khan’s ruling during the 18th and 19th centuries. You can only see three of the four mausoleums as the fourth one lies in need of restoration.

During your visit to Shamakhi, you can think of taking a fascinating excursion tour to capture the magnificence of ancient mosque and medieval baths, visiting workshops of highly skilled craftsmen, walking on the famous iron suspension bridge over Girdmanchay River and witnessing some of the brilliant views of the southern foothills of the Great Caucasus Ridge.

Places to visit in Shamakhi: Juma Mosque, Gulistan Fortresses, Yedid Gumbaz Mausoleum

5. NAKHCHIVAN

Situated 450 kilometers west of Baku is the capital of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic – Nakhchivan City. The most convenient way to reach Nakhchivan is by flying from Baku to Nakhchivan Airport.

One of the most distinct features of Nakhchivan is cleanliness. Tourists visiting Nakhchivan are almost stunned by how clean the city is. Affixed to the spotless surroundings are historically significant buildings, fetching mountains, iconic castles and mausoleums. The uncluttered aura helps the already exquisite architectural wonders look even more remarkable.

To truly get a taste of the city of Nakhchivan, one must not forget to devour the beauty of marvels like the Yezidabad Castle, Momine Khatun Mausoleum and especially Noah’s Mausoleum from where the city is believed to have received its name.

Exploring Nakhchivan’s architecture might be the most popular activity known to visitors but it definitely isn’t the only option. Tourists can visit one of the local bazaars and engage in conversations with the locals who are always curious about foreigners. One can climb to the top of Alinja Mountain and visit the Alinja Castle, popularly referred to as the Machu Picchu of Azerbaijan.

Places to visit in Nakhchivan: Yezidabad Castle, Momine Khatun Mausoleum, Noah’s Mausoleum, Alinja Mountain, Alinja Castle, Local Bazaars

6. ABSHERON NATIONAL PARK

Absheron National Park happens to be one of the most sought after places in Azerbaijan. Located in the Caspian Hyrcanian Mixed Forest Ecoregion, this national park is spread over an area of 783 hectares. The national park is home to a wide range of birds and wildlife such as snakes, turtles, jackals, and foxes.

There are about 50 warm blooded animals and you will also be able to find more than 25 different types of flora. If you wish to capture the Caspian Seals, then you would need to come over to one of the most popular Tourist places in Azerbaijan in between May and August.

Location: The Caspian region, Baku

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