The Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, which span Asia and Europe, surround Azerbaijan, the nation and former Soviet republic. Baku, its capital, is famous for its mediaeval-walled Inner City.

About Azerbaijan:

The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, a 15th-century royal retreat, and the centuries-old stone Maiden Tower, which dominates the city skyline, are both located within the Inner City. Yanar Da (or “Burning Mountain”), a natural glowing fire burning on a hillside along the Caspian Sea, is one of Azerbaijans most famous sites. The mountain has been blazing for at least 65 years, living up to its name!

Places to Visit in Azerbaijan:

1 Baku:
Baku, Azerbaijans capital city, is a strange mix of the old walled city of Icheri Seher and a modern building craze that has led to a boom in skyscrapers, many of which are studded with LCD screens. Make sure not to miss the Flame Towers, three towers designed to resemble fire that cast a bronzed glow over the city at night. The city also embraces the modern at the Museum of Contemporary Art, which has over 900 artworks by regional artists and is well worth a visit for those interested in modern culture.

2 Icheri Seher:
Icheri Seher, also known as “Old City” and “Fortress,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bakus centre. Amazing architectural feats can be found throughout this protected quarter of the city. These include Maiden Tower, which was built in the 12th century as part of Baku’s ancient walled city, and Shirvanshah Palace, which was built in the 13th century. Visit not only for the architecture but also for handicrafts such as ceramics and textiles such as carpets and traditional Azerbaijan national clothing.

3 Absheron National Park:
Absheron National Park, located in the Bakus Azizbeyov region, spans 783 hectares of protected land and is the ideal place to witness Azerbaijan’s stunning flora and fauna. Gazelles, birds, jackals, badgers, and Caspian seals are among the local wildlife found in the national park. The land here is mostly dry steppe, which lends itself to romantic rolling sand dunes and wind-swaying reed grass.

4 Garasu Volcano:
Many visitors to Azerbaijan may be unaware that the country has the most mud volcanoes in the world. 350, to be precise! One of the most well-known is the Garasu Volcano, which has been known to spew mud 1,000 metres into the air. Volcanoes form when gases beneath the earth build up and push mud high into the air as a release. The first mud volcanoes are thought to have erupted in Azerbaijan 25 million years ago, and visitors to Garasu frequently comment that it looks like the surface of the moon!

5 Naftalan Oil Resort:
The Naftalan resort is well-known for its Naftalan crude oil, which is said to have healing properties and has sparked a surge in medical tourism to the region. Visitors come to the resort to bathe in the oil or to undergo a variety of oil-based treatments that are said to help with pain relief and anti-inflammatory healing. It is located in the Naftalan oil fields in the town of Naftalan.

6 Gobustan:
Gobustan, which features a prehistoric cromlech, is often referred to as the Azerbaijani equivalent of Stonehenge in the United Kingdom (a circle of stones that have been positioned vertically). It doesn’t stop there, as Gobustan is an archaeological reserve to the south of Baku that provides a fascinating insight into ancient civilizations thanks to over 6,000 rock drawings spread across 537 hectares.

7 The Caspian Sea:
The Caspian Sea, despite its name, is actually the world’s largest lake, measuring 371,000 square kilometres. The Caspian Sea sits on what appears to be an ocean bed, and the water is salty, though the saline content is lower than that of other seas and oceans, making it ideal for swimming because it is less likely to cause irritation. Bot cruises, diving, and fishing are popular activities on the Caspian Sea.

8 Shirvan National Park:
Shirvan National Park, which was formally designated as a protected area in 2003, was previously located beneath the Caspian Sea and now covers over 54,000 hectares to the south of Baku. This protected area is mostly semi-desert landscape, which means there are ambling sand dunes that are the perfect hideaway for the gazelles found here, and nature lovers may also spot turtles, hedgehogs, jungle cats, and jackals.

9 Nabran:
Nabran is a village in Azerbaijan that has become something of a resort zone. It is located about 3 hours northeast of Baku. Nabran is located on the Caspian Seas shores, and one of its main draws is the climate, which provides plenty of sunshine during the summer months.

10 Sheki City:
This site, located west of Baku, is renowned as one of the oldest human settlements in the Caucasus, dating back 2500 years. Sheki City was a Silk Road stop known for its exquisite silks and other textiles. This tradition is still very much alive in Sheki City today, with ornate embroidery and other local handicrafts available to visitors. Aside from the arts and crafts, this city has castles, mosques, and even ancient bathhouses, as well as the Palace of the Seki Khans, which has stood since the 18th century.

Places to eat:

Dolma Restaurant
Nergiz Restaurant
Araz Kafe

Hotels in Azerbaijan:

Ramada by Wyndham Baku
Central Baku Hotel
Baku Marriott Hotel Boulevard

Airports in Azerbaijan:

Heydar Aliyev International Airport
Zangilan international Airport
Gabala International Airport
Yevlakh Airport
Ganja International Airport