Azerbaijan Travel Journal

The walled historic core is a UNESCO World Heritage Site containing the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Palace. Its caravanserais and stone lanes reflect Azerbaijan's position on the old Silk Road.

Best forHeritage walks and photography

Walk early morning before tour groups arrive, and wear flat shoes for the uneven stone lanes.

Three illuminated towers define the Baku skyline and are best seen from the Caspian promenade or from Highland Park. The complex includes a hotel and offices.

Best forEvening views and skyline photos

View them after sunset from the Bulvar, when the LED display is fully active.

The park holds thousands of ancient rock carvings and nearby mud volcanoes. The petroglyphs are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and date back thousands of years.

Best forHistory and geology day trip

Combine the rock carvings and mud volcanoes in one half-day trip; carry water and sun protection.

A mountain town known for apples, carpets and proximity to Qechresh forest and the Quba-Guba massif. It is a common base for Caucasus scenery and a day trip from Baku.

Best forMountain scenery and local culture

Visit the Quba carpet museum and the Qirmizi Qesebe (Red Village) on the same day.

A resort town with a cable car, waterfalls and the Tufandag mountain complex. Popular with families and summer visitors seeking cooler temperatures.

Best forFamilies and mountain activities

Check cable car operating hours in winter, when snow can affect schedules.

Home to the Sheki Khan's Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its stained-glass windows and frescoes. The town was a Silk Road trading stop and warrants an overnight stay.

Best forArchitecture and Silk Road history

Stay overnight to see the palace without a rushed day-trip schedule.

Azerbaijan's second-largest city, with the Nizami Mausoleum, old caravanserais and a distinct regional food culture.

Best forCity culture and regional food

Try Ganja's local sweets and visit the Bottle House, a quirky landmark built from glass bottles.

A mountain village known for copperware workshops and cobbled streets. It sits in the Greater Caucasus and is a common stop between Baku and Gabala.

Best forCrafts and village walks

Buy copperware directly from workshops and carry cash for small purchases.

A town known for its therapeutic crude oil baths, used in specialised health treatments. It is a niche stop rather than a mainstream sightseeing base.

Best forHealth and wellness travellers

Book treatments in advance through a licensed sanatorium if this is a priority.

The peninsula holds the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag burning hillside, both linked to Azerbaijan's Zoroastrian and natural gas heritage.

Best forFire heritage and easy day trips

Visit Ateshgah and Yanar Dag together on a half-day trip from Baku.

Saffron rice cooked with meat, dried fruit or chestnuts, often served in a pastry crust. Regional versions vary by season and city, and vegetable or chestnut plov is available on request.

Best forVegetarian-friendly main course

Ask specifically for vegetable or chestnut plov if you prefer a meat-free version.

Grape leaves or vegetables stuffed with rice and herbs, sometimes with minced meat. A common starter or mezze item across the country.

Best forShared starters

Confirm whether the filling contains meat before ordering, as both versions look similar.

Grilled lamb, beef or chicken skewers served with sumac onions and flatbread. Baku's Old City restaurants and regional roadside stops both serve versions.

Best forNon-vegetarian mains

Ask for chicken or vegetable skewers if you avoid red meat.

Small dumplings in broth, typically filled with lamb and topped with yoghurt or herbs. A warming winter dish common in Baku and the Caucasus foothills.

Best forCold-weather meals

Vegetarians should ask for a plain vegetable soup instead, as dushbara broth is meat-based.

Thin stuffed flatbreads cooked on a griddle, filled with herbs, cheese or meat. A quick snack or light meal available at bakeries and street stalls.

Best forQuick lunches and snacks

Herb and cheese qutab are the easiest vegetarian choices; confirm the filling before ordering.