Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan - the treasury of Transcaucasia

Guide to Azerbaijan

Basic Information

While tourism in Azerbaijan has only recently started to flourish, the country has quickly become a popular destination for travelers. It's no surprise, given that Azerbaijan offers a wide range of options for a fantastic vacation year-round. From the sunny beaches of Baku and Khudat to the exhilarating slopes of the Shahdag Mountain ski resort, and numerous attractions in cities and towns throughout Azerbaijan, there are plenty of opportunities for an exciting trip. Plus, you can count on abundant sunshine and delicious fruits during your stay in Azerbaijan.

Photos of Azerbaijan

Ancient Tower of the Maiden in Baku Azerbaijan

Capital

Baku

Language

Azerbaijani

Currency

Azerbaijani manat (AZN)

Time zone

utc+4:00

Population

9,574,000

Territory

75,000 km²

Dishes worth trying:

Pilaf — has dozens of variations, and the recipes of the most delicious pilafs are passed down in families from generation to generation.

Dovga — a light, fermented milk-based soup made with yogurt, flour, eggs, seasonings and herbs.

Levenghi (lavangin) — baked chicken or fish stuffed with ground walnuts, grated onions, a special seasoning made from alycha called turshu, and other spices

Kutab — a traditional Azerbaijani pie made of thin dough.

Jizz would be — flavorful and juicy roast is prepared from lamb by-products: kidneys, liver, heart and other organs. Adding potatoes, onions and turkey fat.

Buglama — lamb stewed in a sauce of roasted vegetables and alycha.

Petey — soup with meat, vegetables and chickpeas.

Saj — a dish of lamb meat and many different kinds of vegetables: eggplants, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and zucchini.

Sheker churek — "sweet bread" - cookies with a delicate structure, characterized by a pleasant sweetness.

Baklava — a dessert made of delicate, milk-based dough filled with ground nuts and honey.

Things to do in to Azerbaijan

To visit Gobustan reserve and listen to "singing" stones - Gavaldash
To photograph the Maiden Tower.
Vacation on the Apsheron coast
See active mud volcanoes on the Baku-Alyat highway
To see the flames of Ateshgah, the temple of fire.
Visit the palace of Sheki khans
Try different koutab recipes
Visit the ancient village of Hynalyg, and enter one of the houses through the chimney stack
Take a walk along Baku seaside boulevard
See the Momine-Khatun Mausoleum

Tips

Do not travel around the cities of Azerbaijan without documents. In this way you will be able to settle issues with the police on the spot - the latter are quite strict here, by the way.

The Azerbaijani authorities consider it a crime to visit Nagorno-Karabakh controlled by Armenia. If you have a stamp from Armenia in your passport, be prepared for questions about staying in this region.

Corruption is rampant in Azerbaijan, with cases occurring both at border crossings and on city roads. The best advice here is to avoid renting a car, travel on foot and minimize border crossings with neighboring countries.

You can and should bargain at markets and even in private stores! This way you can easily halve the price if you have a strong enough argument.

We recommend leaving a tip of up to 10 percent of the bill, if the waiter's gratuity is not included in the bill and it is not mentioned in the receipt. Reward porters with 5-10 manats

When calling a cab, negotiate the exact cost in advance, so that at the end of the trip there is no misunderstanding. If you order a cab through the dispatch service, there is no need to leave a tip, and you will be able to pay only with local money.

Speaking of money: all walks of life use slang when talking about banknotes. The designations are based on the picture of the banknote. For example, a 10,000 manat bill is called "Shirvan" because of the Shirvan Shahs' palace depicted on it.

Food prices in supermarkets are surprisingly lower than in the Yazil Bazaar market. This is especially true for oriental sweets, and the quality will be equally high in the store or in the bazaar.

Bank cards are accepted everywhere in the capital, but in provincial towns and small villages payment in this form may not be accepted.

When visiting mosques and other places of worship, do not wear shorts or clothing that will expose your shoulders.

In Azerbaijan sockets of the Eastern European type - for a plug with two pins - are widely used. It is recommended to buy chargers with such plugs in advance to avoid mishaps with a discharged phone.

Sights

Ancient mosques and towers, fortresses and tombs, each of which has its own history, will allow you to get to know Azerbaijan from a completely new side. The main attractions of Azerbaijan are to be found in and around the ancient cities of the country.

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

The palace, constructed in the early 15th century, served as the residence of the Shirvanshahs for a period of time. This palace complex comprises various architectural elements, such as the palace building itself, the Diwanghana, the Mausoleum of Shirvanshahs, the Shah's Mosque, Ovdan, Hamam, the Mausoleum of Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, and the Eastern Gate. Among these, the most intriguing and stunning structure within the complex is the Diwanhana, situated adjacent to the palace.

Gobustan

Gobustan State Historical and Artistic Reserve. Here one can find traces of caves, dwellings and cemeteries that were inhabited by people from the Paleolithic times to the Middle Ages. There are more than six thousand petroglyphs here. The oldest of them dates back to 40 thousand years ago.

Palace of Sheki khans

One of the most outstanding and rare monuments of medieval architecture of Azerbaijan. Khan's Palace, decorated with national ornaments, is the most magnificent architectural monument of the times of khanates. It was built in the 18th century in the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains as a summer residence of Sheki Khan.

Tours to Azerbaijan

Tours to Azerbaijan have been gaining popularity recently, offering various options from trips to seaside cities like Baku, Nabran, Astara, and others to winter getaways at the Shahdag ski resort.

A standard tour package to Azerbaijan typically includes round-trip flights and hotel accommodations. Depending on the hotel's class, the package may also cover meals, ranging from breakfasts to full three meals a day.

The base cost of a tour to Azerbaijan, including round-trip flights and accommodation in a 3* or 4* hotel with breakfast, starts at 10,000 UAH. If you prefer, you can lower the basic expenses by opting for a more budget-friendly hotel or hostel and choosing affordable dining options or cooking for yourself if you have access to a kitchen (applicable for hostels or apartments).

Tour prices are also influenced by the season. Winter ski tours to Shahdag are typically priced similarly to summer coastal tours. However, visiting thermal springs in Naftalan or exploring Sheki during the off-season can often be more cost-effective compared to high-season tours.

Where to go to Azerbaijan?

Choosing a travel destination in Azerbaijan depends on your preferences. You can spend your vacation at the country's seaside resorts, basking in the sun and enjoying the waves. Alternatively, you can delve into the rich history of the country through guided excursions. During the winter, travelers often opt to admire the snow-covered peaks at Azerbaijan's ski resorts or indulge in relaxation at spa resorts. Regardless of your choice, Tripmydream will always assist you in deciding where to go in Azerbaijan.

Baku

When to go to Azerbaijan

When selecting the ideal time to travel to Azerbaijan, consider your desired activities. Spring or fall are preferable for historical excursions when the weather is mild. Summer is perfect for coastal getaways, while winter beckons mountain enthusiasts to master skiing or brush up on their skills on the local slopes. Utilize the Tripmydream service to effortlessly decide when to visit Azerbaijan and make <a href="https://en.tripmydream.com/flights/">online air ticket bookings</a>.

Azerbaijan in spring

Spring in Azerbaijan is a stunningly beautiful time. After all, during this period, orchards begin to bloom, and everything around is in pink and white boils of petals. In March, the air in most of the plain cities warms up to +10°C, and by May the weather is already summer-like.

Azerbaijan in summer

Summers in Azerbaijan are hot and dry. In most cities the stable summer temperature is +30...+32°C, but sometimes reaches extreme +40...+45°C. In the mountains at this time is cool, from +20...+25°C on the slopes, to +5...+10°C on the tops of the mountains.

Azerbaijan in the fall

September on the coast of Azerbaijan is warm in summer and you can swim here until October. In October the air temperature stays at +20°C, which disposes to walks and excursions. In November, the air temperature gradually drops from +15°C to +10°C and rains begin.

Azerbaijan in winter

The weather in Azerbaijan in winter varies depending on the altitude you are at. At the highest peaks it can reach as low as -20°C, while on the coast it will be around +5°C, with no snow and high humidity. In the ski resorts of Azerbaijan, the snow is dense and the air freezes to -5...-10°C.

Usefulness

Experts of tripmydream have prepared for you information about Azerbaijan, which will surely be useful for you while traveling around the country.

Visa to Azerbaijan

No visa needed for European citizens

Customs & Tax Free

Azerbaijan's customs regulations are primarily focused on protecting the country's resources and ensuring security.

Travel by car

You can rent a car in Azerbaijan in Baku and some other cities of the country.

Phrasebook for tourists

Although in most places in Azerbaijan you will be understood if you speak English, but it is better to learn a few phrases in Azerbaijani.

Public transport and prices

Public transportation in Azerbaijan is mainly represented by buses, minibuses and cabs.

Events

If you want to time your trip to one of the holidays in Azerbaijan, you should familiarize yourself with the calendar of events prepared by our service.