Azerbaijan, located in the Caucuses region, is a confluence of the east and the west; you can feel this strong influence as a result wherever you travel in this country. Azerbaijan has several charming subtropical seaside resorts, in addition to its mud volcano or raging mountain. You can also find gorgeous hillside towns, medieval-era mosques and minarets, besides some of the most imposing modern architecture found anywhere in the world such as the Flame Towers in Baku. Given your agenda and time restrictions, Azerbaijan, which is at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, has so much to offer if you’re travelling to this ravishing beauty of a country. This blog will cover some of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan that are guaranteed to attract you back time and time again.
Baku
Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, which is situated along the Caspian Sea, is an important place to visit in Azerbaijan. Full of surprises, it’s a queer mix of the “Old City” or “Inner City” of Icherisheher and a modern-day building that led to a number of skyscrapers coming up in the region. Don’t miss out on visiting the Flame Towers, comprising three curvy edifices casting moving flames visible across the city of Baku. You can also find the Museum of Contemporary Art that displays over 900 artworks featuring up-and-coming local artists a real treat for art lovers. There is the popular Teze Bazar known for its exotic range of spices and cheese products. You can enjoy kebab, a prominent delicacy amongst locals at one of the many restaurants dotting the ‘City of Winds’.
Icheri Seher
Dubbed as the “Old City” and “Fortress”, Icheri Seher, one of the key cities to visit in Azerbaijan, located in the heart of Baku, is a UNESCO-recognized World Heritage Site. There are astounding architectural marvels all around this well-preserved quarter of the ancient city. It houses some of the most beautiful places in Azerbaijan including the 12th-century-old Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah Palace, a splendid medieval-era building. The city is also known for its indigenous handicraft, textiles, ceramics, carpets and traditional national clothes
Azerbaijan national clothes
One of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan, nestled in the Azizbeyov region of Baku, the Absheron National Park has about 783 hectares of protected land and is a great destination to explore the amazing flora and fauna of the country. It is an abode to an exotic range of wildlife and is characterized by reed-like grass, crystal clear waters and quixotic sand dunes. You can also get a glimpse of the famed Caspian seals if you’re lucky enough.
Garasu Volcano
Do you know that Azerbaijan has the most number of mud volcanoes in the world (350 to be precise!). The most famous is the Garasu Volcano, notorious for spewing mud above 1,000m high and releasing it into the air. Don’t be surprised if we tell you that the first mud volcanic activity in Azerbaijan is as old as 25 million years ago. Another highlight is its moon-like surface (do take a closer at it!)
Gobustan
Often described as Azerbaijan’s very own version of the world-famous Stonehenge in the UK, Gobustan is known for its prehistoric cromlech (a circle of prehistoric vertically standing stones). Comprising an area of 537 hectares, Gobustan, an archaeological site offers a fabulous peek into ancient civilization, with its 6000 odd cave and rock drawings and ancient tombstones. Dating back to the Stone Age, there is ample evidence of the first human settlement here. Easily one of the best things to do in Azerbaijan.
