“LIFE IS EITHER A DARING ADVENTURE OR NOTHING AT ALL”
HELEN KELLER
Azerbaijan is located in southwestern Asia. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea, Russia and Georgia to the north, Armenia and Turkey to the west, and Iran to the south. The official language is Azerbaijani, which is a Turkic language and is spoken by approximately 92% of the population as a mother tongue.
In addition, around 97% of their population are Muslims. However, according to a Gallup poll in 2006–2008, only 21% of respondents from the country stated that religion is an important part of their daily lives. This makes Azerbaijan the least religious Muslim-majority country in the world.
It only takes almost three hours for a direct flight to reach from Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Baku, Azerbaijan making it one of the “go-to” travel places for those staying in Dubai. Aside from Armenia and Georgia, Azerbaijan also has a lot to offer such as the below main attractions:
15 Best Places to Visit in Azerbaijan
- Baku, Azerbaijan
- Icheri Seher
- Absheron National Park
- Mud Volcano
- Naftalan Oil Resort
- Gobustan National Park
- Caspian Sea
- Shirvan National Park
- Nabran
- Sheki City
- Yanar Dag – Flaming Hillside
- Baku Boulevard
- Ateshgah Fire Temple
- Yanar Bulag
- Astara
Last May 2019, I and my husband decided to travel to Azerbaijan. Traveling to a place we have never been before is one of our “To-do” list and we are doing our best to work hard and save so we can do it faithfully each year.
The Package
Consequently, we have booked our tour package with HolidayMe for this destination as there was a holiday offer going on and it was the end of the Ramadan. During the end of this season, UAE employees are entitled for few days of leave from work. Hence, a good time for us to travel.
The package costs us AED 2100 or USD 570 and it includes a return economy class air ticket by Air Arabia from Sharjah, UAE to Baku, Azerbaijan, airport transfer by coach, a 4-night stay at a three-star hotel named The Opera Hotel including breakfast and full day tours at Baku city and Gabala.
Sharjah, UAE 
Baku, Azerbaijan
Heydar Aliyev International Airport, Azerbaijan
Visiting there too? Here are some of the things you should certainly do there:
1. Explore the city of Baku
It will take at least a 30-minute hike going up the hill to enjoy the picturesque view of the city by the seaside.
It is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan. It is also its scientific, cultural, and industrial center.
This was our first destination since our hotel was nearby the city. We were picked up and dropped off by our driver and surprisingly, we do not have a tour guide! It was fine, really, we were just shocked because usually a guide is there to explain and provide sufficient information regarding the place. Nevertheless, we have enjoyed the trip.
2. Take a picture with the Flame Towers
Tour at The Flame Towers
Exploring the city of Baku took us to the Flame Towers. Known as the ‘region of eternal fires’, Baku’s long history of fire worshiping provided the inspiration for this towers’ iconic design, consisting of three flame shaped towers. It symbolize fire as a sign of Ahura Mazda in Zoroastrianism by Azerbaijanies and Azerbaijan as a birthplace for the prophet Zoroaster. Each of the towers function as residential, hotel and office space. The first tower is the residential tower and is the tallest of the three, at 190m. The second building, located in the north, is the hotel tower which was operated by The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts. The third building located on the western side is the office tower.
3. Visit the Fountains Square
Fountains Square
It is a public square located in downtown Baku. The name of the fountains square derives from the presence of dozens of fountains throughout the square. The square is a public gathering place, especially after business hours and during the weekend. It is an attractive tourist destination with many boutiques, restaurants, shops, hotels and passage.
In the middle of your tour, you will surely feel hungry, thus, this is a perfect place to eat lunch, explore their shops and meet their local people. Just make sure to have your Google Translator with you.
Generally speaking, average of young people in Baku would most likely speak in English. You can easily find them in touristic areas. They usually work for hotels, restaurants and tour agencies. So, in these places it will not be a problem at all. But in case, it is recommended to either use a Google Translator or buy an Azerbaijani phrase book.
4. Be amazed with the Yanar Dag
The Yanar Dag, Flaming Hillside
Another place to show why Azerbaijan is called the “Land of Fire” is the Yanar Dag Flaming Hillside. It is a natural gas fire which blazes continuously on a hillside and was never extinguished. Around this open fireplace the atmosphere is filled with the smell of gas as the flames emanate from vents in sandstone formations.
The ticket to enter costs AZN 3 (Azerbaijani Manat) or around USD 2. Once you get your tickets, you will enter the place to see the fire at the base of a small hill. Walking down the stairs or sitting on the bleachers gives an interesting view of the flame coming out from the ground. Even though the fire seems small especially in daytime, its still quite a remarkable place to visit.
5. Discover the history of the Atashgah Temple
It is a castle-like religious temple in a suburb in Baku. This was used as a Hindu, Sikh and Zoroastrian place of worship. Its central focus is the eternal flame that burns in the central part of the Temple. Furthermore, the four holy elements of their belief were: ateshi (fire), badi (air), abi (water), and heki (earth). The temple ceased to be a place of worship after 1883 and was turned into a museum in 1975.
In the middle of this courtyard sits an altar, the centerpiece of the temple complex where fire rituals were observed. Along the sides of the temple are chambers where you would recognize statues reenacting its history as well as posters displayed on the walls to provide information regarding the association of the temple to their religion and other facts in this regard.
It was such an interesting place to visit and was very different to other temples we have visited in Hongkong and Singapore. Exploring this place showcases more of the country’s history especially their religion. The ticket costs AZN 5 or USD 3 and is totally worth it.
6. Explore Azerbaijan’s Old City
It is an extraordinary city in the heart of the city. It is like entering a time machine to another century. From the outside, a view of an old age building seems to portray the ancient city of Baku while the inside consists of grand palaces, mosques, curving streets and beautiful ruins of old hammams and caravanserais or hostels. Along side are local silver merchants, carpet and souvenir vendors selling a variety of their local items.
Icheri Sheher is also one of the must-see historical place in this Old Town.
7. Visit the incredible Yeddi Gozel Falls, Qabala
From Baku, we have travelled to Qabala for at least three hours by a shared coach. And to reach the Yeddi Gozel waterfalls, you need to take a ride with a smaller vehicle for at least 15 – 20 minutes. There are local drivers offering a ride directly to the falls for AZN 20 or USD 11 so it would not be a problem.
It was such an implausible experience. Working in Dubai made us miss the view of the natural environment and this place was totally perfect. During our visit, the water level in the falls was good and the temperature was cold. The scenic view was perfect for taking pictures. Additionally, there was also a small café offering their local tea and sweets.
For quite a moment, it was a peaceful time to relax and indulge with the beauty of the surroundings.
8. Ride a boat in the Nohur Lake
Nohur Gul is a man-made lake created after the World War II in order to supply surrounding villages with water. There aren’t many activities to do here but to enjoy the mesmerizing view of the water and the landscapes. Souvenir shops and fruit stalls flock as tourists wander the place.
9. Have a ride at the cable car in Qabala
You should not definitely miss the thrilling experience at the Qabala Cable Ride. The area is mainly a ski resort complex but because of the marvelous view of the greenery surrounding it, it was a perfect landmark even during the summer season when we have visited.
It was our first time to do this activity and it was surprisingly amazing. Though I was a bit afraid of heights, I was still able to manage to enjoy the ride. It costs AZN 10 or USD 6 and it is utterly worth it. The price is of great value because you will have a magnificent sight of the Tufandag Mountains and the villages in between. Moreover, you may also visit the cafes at each station where they have a fast food area and nice restaurants.
10. Grab a bite of their Doner Kebab
It is like having the traditional chicken or beef shawarma in Dubai. But Actually, they are just the same food item with different terms – where the meat is placed on a spit, grilled and wrapped in a bread. In Greek culture, it is called “Gyro”, “Shawarma” in the Middle East, and “Donair” in Turkish traditions. It tastes meaty and delicious while fatty parts ensure the meat stays juicy.
11. Check out what is different with their Mcdonald’s meals
Who doesn’t like McDonald’s? Don’t forget to visit their branch in Baku and grab a taste of what their peculiar menu has to offer. I didn’t get a chance to list down the names of each of their meals, so it’s for you to figure it out. Surely, a version of doner kebab is one of it though. 🙂
12. Try other fast food chains too
Why not? You might be able to discover something you like and may be unforgettable for the rest of your life.
13. Have a taste of their local drinks
You have two options on how to do this; either you drink at their pub or purchase it from their local shops. Through both ways, you will find it easy even if majority of the population is Muslim, you will be able to find alcohol and wine stores along the streets. Just don’t forget to try their beer which they call Lager, it’s not too strong and not so bitter but really tasty.
14. Try their mystery street “fruit” for free
This is actually a mystery for us as we don’t know what the name of this fruit is. We saw a lot of its trees along the roads and sidewalks. The fruits were just falling down the road and as we explore the streets we found a guy picking some of the fruit and eating it raw. Out of curiosity, we tried it and surprisingly, it tasted fine, a bit sour at first but tastes sweet in the end. The texture is soft and it is seedless. Its appearance is a resemblance of a blackberry and tastes like our very own “aratiles” in the Philippines.
For those who could tell the name of this fruit, we would really appreciate it as it is still an unsolved mystery for us. Kindly leave us a comment below or send us an email. 🙂
There you go, here are the 14 things you may add to your list when visiting Azerbaijan. There are lots of other places you may visit and activities you may indulge to especially if you have a lot of time to spend there. Plan it well and be ready for a whole new kind of adventure. Good luck!
“It’s bad manners to keep a vacation waiting.”
Looks amazing. I had friends who were stationed there in the Peace Corps. I always thought of it as a rural area. Thanks to you guys, I can see it’s a vibrant and amazing place!
Hello Alison,
It is indeed a wonderful place to explore! Your friends there seems to be enjoying their job with all the greeneries surrounding them. We also thought of it as a rural place before visiting, but surprisingly they have a well-developed town and just like other emergent nations, they have a nice mode for transportation considering their railway system. Therefore, getting around won’t be troublesome.
Best,
Life Mag
Looks amazing. I had friends who were stationed there in the Peace Corps. I always thought of it as a rural area. Thanks to you guys, I can see it’s a vibrant and amazing place!
Hello Alison,
It is indeed a wonderful place to explore! Your friends there seems to be enjoying their job with all the greeneries surrounding them. We also thought of it as a rural place before visiting, but surprisingly they have a well-developed town and just like other emergent nations, they have a nice mode for transportation considering their railway system. Therefore, getting around won’t be troublesome.
Best,
Life Mag
I haven’t been to Azerbaijan! Seems like an interesting country. I want to try Kafta! So yummy!
It is indeed an interesting country Emmanuel. And you will know a lot more, once you’re there! Also, foods are yummy yet budget friendly! 🙂
It is absolutely a wonderful and interesting country Emmanuel. Hope you could visit there too! Meantime, enjoy our blog post. 🙂
This looks like an amazing trip! Thank you for the useful information and top 15 places to see while visiting Azerbaijan. Beautiful photographs!
Thank you Cynthia! It was indeed an amazing and unforgettable adventure we’ve had.
This looks like an excellent place to travel it’s so amazing the food looks so yummy and is very versatile I love it
It is really an excellent place to visit Jessica! It still has a lot more to offer but we didn’t have enough time. Hope to visit there again to explore other places. Hoping you could visit there someday too!
Beautiful pics and post. Very encouraging to visit Azerbaijan:)
Thank you Allie! Hope you visit there too soon! 🙂
Great pics. The flame towers and temples sound great
The flame towers are really cool! Overall, it is such a nice country to spend time, explore and discover.
Dubai is on my bucket list. Now Azerbaijan is a must-hit destination as well. Not traveling during quarantine is painful. We can’t go to the grocery store in Michigan.
Who knows? We can meet you here in Dubai!This is a wonderful multi-cultural place as well as the Azerbaijan! Really hope his quarantine period will be over soon so that we can enjoy our normal lives again. Stay safe there in Michigan.
I guess we are all experiencing bad manners coz our vacations are all waiting right now.
Absolutely dear. Life these days are quite boring, depressing, lonely, I’m out of words, but hopefully, everything will be okay soon and all of us will stay healthy away from any diseases.
My first time learning about Azerbaijan today. It’s such a beautiful and interesting place!
Great to hear CA that you’ve known a lot more now about Azerbaijan!
I would love to go and visit it looks super nice and lots of things to see. The pictures are stunning and are all extremely inviting.
Thank you for appreciating our shots Steven! It is really such a nice place. Visiting there is totally unforgettable and worth it!
Great post. I am looking forward to visiting Azerbaijan, hopefully this time next year.
Thank you dear! Good luck to your travel. I suggest you to visit there during the summer season, don’t worry it’s not that hot unlike here in the Middle East. But unlike during winter, at least you’ll be able to visit different places without all the hassle.
This sounds like a very interesting place to visit. I would love to check out Azerbaijan’s Old City from your description. I am interested in castles and ruins.
Indeed Joy! Going there is totally worth it. We’ve learnt a lot from its history and culture. You’ll definitely love it too!
So many incredible places. The Flame Towers look so cool!
It is indeed cool! Thank you for the appreciaetion.
Wow I didn’t know much about Azerbaijan, but now I want to visit there! So many awesome things to do there, it looks like. Great photos! And they even have a McDonalds? McDonalds is everywhere!! lol 🙂
Yes Matt! It was a bit funny that they have McDonalds there too, the only problem is, their menu is not in English, so you’ll have to look at the pictures to know what to order. Perhaps, someone in the cashier can speak in English (yet it’s very rare).
I love learning about places I have never heard of. Great post!
Thank you Jody! Happy to share valuable information.
I heard Azerbaijan is a great country to visit, and you post proves it. It has so much beauty and a variety of things to do!
It is indeed a great country Aisasami! Aside from that, people are very courteous and polite, though sometimes you couldn’t understand each other’s language, but you would see deep in their soul how nice and kind they are!
There is so much to see there! I really don’t know a whole lot about it!
Truly Shannon! There are a lot more places to visit in Azerbaijan that we weren’t able to visit such as the interesting mud volcanoes and a lot more.
I am wonderlusting so hard right now! I am just hearing about Azerbaijan through this post so thanks for sharing this lovely place.
That’s so nice to hear Lily! We’re happy you’ve had a great experience reading our blog. Hope we can share more lovely pieces in the future too!
SO cool! My moms been there once, I wanna visit some day!
Really? That’s nice to hear! Hope she had a good time too. 🙂
Would love love to visit Azerbaijan when it’s already good to travel! So many beautiful sights to see! How exciting! plus the weather really enticed me!
The weather is really good there Krizzia! It was already summer yet the heat is just perfect and not skin-prickling! Hope you could visit there too soon!
Like me, most people When think of visiting Azerbaijan they Baku but also Candy Cane Mountain is cool
Unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to visit the Candy Cane Mountains, but we would really go there on our next visit hopefully. I’ve heard it is such an amazing place with all the colorful peculiar mountains!
Baku and Azerbaijan have been on my travel bucket list for a while! Hope I´ll get a chance to visit soon! Thanks fot the inspiration!
You’re welcome Anna! Hope you could visit there too soon! Good luck.
It looks like there’s SO much to do in Azerbaijan. It’s somewhere I’d most definitely like to visit one day 🙂
Louise x
The country indeed has a lot to offer Louise. Hope you visit here someday too! You will definitely enjoy it!
Azerbaijan is one of those places that I honestly never thought about visiting. But now after reading this post, I’ll definitely put it on my travel bucket list.
The country itself is really wonderful including the people whoa re very welcoming, kind and courteous. You will definitely enjoy when you visit there! Good luck!
loved the concept of Atashgah Temple , ana amalgamation of different faiths
I loved it too Sumit! It was historically interesting and informative at the same time!
I can’t read articles like these, because then my ”places to visit” list keeps growing and growing, lol. Great article, thank you for sharing! :))
Sounds great Sedija! At least, you’ll be inspired to save and travel more! Good luck! Hope to hear suggestions from you for our next travel. 🙂
I look forward to the days when we can travel again. So many new places to see and visit.
Elizabeth O
Same here Elizabeth. Hope everything goes back to normal when we can again enjoy our normal lives, travelling and discovering new places.
This is the first time I am reading about Azerbaijan. It is such a beautiful place and has touched my imagination. There are so many activities to do which makes it all the more interesting. Wish I could visit sometime.
It is indeed a wonderful and interesting place to visit Subhashish! Hope you could visit there too someday!
Great read. I can’t wait to go to Azerbaijan.
Thank you Meghana! Hope you would be able to visit there too, soon!
Wow! I have been planning to visit Azerbaijan this year but because covid it will not gonna happen really soon. But thank you for sharing this blog. It will help me alot to plan my itinerary. Top on my list is Baku. Looking forward to reading your future posts about your amazing travels.
Thank you too Jeph! You are absolutely right, this outbreak is hindering us to pursue our dreams and travel to the places we’ve been longing to visit. Hopefully, this will be over soon and we’ll be able to travel again.Good luck and stay safe.
Just what I needed this is the perfect travel inspiration especially at the moment. Lovely pictures too by the way x
Thank you for the appreciation Melanie! It was quite an unforgettable and amazing travel we’ve had.
I have never heard of Azerbaijan! But, now I want to visit! Thank you!
You’re welcome Wendy. Happy to share our travels! 🙂
Wow I’d never heard of Azerbaijan before. And it looks dreamy! Thanks for sharing
You’re welcome Serena! Glad to share information about our travels in this wonderful country!
I found out about Azerbaijan when I was looking Ms Universe 2 years ago. Thanks for sharing this post and let me know about these great places.
Oh! I didn’t know about that, do they have a representative with Miss Universe too? That’s interesting to know. And, thank you. Azerbaijan is indeed an amazing place to visit.
wow this looks amazing! i would love to visit some day! for now i’ll lie through your photos.
It is absolutely amazing Katrina! You’ll enjoy your visit there for sure!
This is fascinating! I love visiting new places too.
So, I believe we are sharing the same fascination here Kristyn! Hope to hear about your travels too! 🙂
Wonderful article on Azerbaijan. Amazing photographs.
Thank you for the appreciation Indu! Happy to share information about these beautiful places!
This is such a wonderful and adventures place to visit.
There is a lot of things to do.
Indeed Steph! There are lots of things to do in Azerbaijan, all you need is enough time and research of course. 🙂
Amazing!!! I have always wanted tovisit Azebaijan. I will bookmark your article for that future trip.
Thank you Neil! Hope you visit there too, there are a lot more to see and discover. We just didn’t have enough time to explore other places. Good luck! Hope you enjoy your visit there too!
I have only heard of Azerbaijan from radio or Eurovision, but it seems like a wonderful place to visit! There is so much to do!
Absolutely Aisasami, it is indeed an amazing place to visit. You would really enjoy your visit there while being safe. 🙂
Great guide to consider while visiting ArerBaijan. I would like to travel there
Thank you Pooja! You would really enjoy your visit there for sure! Good luck and safe travels!
Love the scenery. I hope I can visit Azerbaijan in the near future.
Thank you Allan! Hope you visit there too soon!
Ive never heard of Azerbaijan, it looks like an amazing place! Thanks for sharing
It is indeed an amazing place Chelsea! Another place to consider to visit when travelling.
Wow I would love to visit there. It’s crazy how the McDonald’s always have weird food items.
That’s right Elle! I would have say, interestingly, McDonalds have different recipe in each country.
I haven’t heard of this place but seems like a wonderful place to visit one day. Thanks for sharing.
You’re welcome Nikhila! Happy to share travel inspirations. 🙂
That looks like a beautiful places to visit. I will definitely add this on my bucket lists.
Indeed Billy! It is such a beautiful place to explore. Good luck on your bucket list!
This looks amazing! Another place on the list for me!
Thank you dear! Good luck on your bucket list!