Exploring Azerbaijan: A Beginner's Guide To Visiting

Azerbaijan is a country that straddles both Eastern Europe and Western Asia, offering a captivating blend of East and West. From the burning mountain of Yanar Dag, to the mud volcanoes and petroglyphs of Gobustan, to the beaches of the Absheron Peninsula, the country presents a dramatic mix of landscapes. Azerbaijan has a lot to offer visitors, including its unique culture, food, and people. The capital, Baku, showcases a mix of old and new, with the cobbled streets and 12th-century fortresses of the Old City sitting alongside modern architecture like the Flame Towers. Outside of Baku, there are many other places to explore, such as the autonomous republic of Nakhchivan, the ancient city of Sheki, and the Caspian Sea. With its rich history, diverse landscapes, and cultural offerings, Azerbaijan is a fascinating destination that is sure to leave a lasting impression on visitors.

Visa requirements

You can apply for an e-visa to visit Azerbaijan online, which is a quick and easy process. The cost of the e-visa is $25 USD for US citizens and $40 NZD for New Zealand citizens. The visa is valid for a 30-day stay in the country.

It is important to note that there are some travel advisories and warnings for certain areas of Azerbaijan. The US government, for example, advises its citizens to avoid the border region with Armenia and the Nagorno-Karabakh region due to the potential for armed conflict and landmines. It is recommended to stay informed about the latest travel advisories and warnings before planning a trip to Azerbaijan.

Baku's Old City

Among the must-see attractions are the Maiden's Tower, a 12th-century structure shrouded in mystery, and the 15th-century Shirvanshahs' Palace, a stunning architectural complex that includes a mosque, mausoleum, hamam, divankhana, gates, and reservoir.

The Old City also boasts hidden gems like the Museum of Miniature Books, which holds the world's smallest book, and the Marionette Theatre, which stages performances of Uzeyir Hajibeyli's masterpieces.

There are plenty of historic mosques, caravanserais, and hamams to explore, alongside small, independent art galleries, restaurants, rooftop bars, and cafes. The area is ideal for a walking tour, offering a mix of old and new, with reasonable prices.

The Old City is easily accessible and well-preserved, with modern structures interspersed among the ancient buildings. It is a must-visit place in Baku, showcasing the history of the city's architecture.

Azerbaijan's food

Meat-based dishes are common, with kebabs being a favourite. Various seasoned meats and vegetables are skewered and barbecued, with lyulya kebab being a particular type of kebab consisting of barbecued minced lamb on skewers.

Plov, or pilaf, is another traditional dish, made with saffron-flavoured rice cooked with aromatic herbs, fried meat and vegetables. There are said to be over 200 varieties, with chicken or lamb mixed through or piled on top, and sometimes dried fruit.

Dishes such as dolma, a leaf or vegetable (usually vine leaves) stuffed with a rice mixture, usually with minced lamb, herbs and spices, are ubiquitous across Azerbaijan.

The country's position on the Caspian Sea means there is an almost endless supply of fresh fish. Grilled fish, or baliq, on a skewer is a favourite food, eaten with a sour plum sauce.

Qutab, a type of pancake filled with meat, cheese or spinach and served with a yoghurt sauce, is also popular.

Azerbaijan also has its own version of halva, a sugary confectionery produced only in the mountainous region of Sheki.

Buckwheat is a common alternative to grains and rice, often eaten for breakfast or served in a large bowl in the centre of the table.

For those with a sweet tooth, pakhlava, or baklava, is a multi-layered sweet pastry stuffed with nuts and syrup.

Tea is an integral part of Azerbaijan's culture and traditions, and is usually served in pear-shaped glasses with jam.

Natural wonders

Azerbaijan is a country of natural wonders, from the flaming mountains to the mud volcanoes. Here are some of the natural wonders that make this country so fascinating:

Mud Volcanoes of Gobustan

Home to nearly a third of the world's mud volcanoes, Azerbaijan has a messy, bubbling, and sometimes explosive landscape. Gobustan, in particular, is home to most of these volcanoes, with approximately 350 out of the 800 existing ones located in this region.

Yanar Dag

Yanar Dag, or "Fire Mountain", is a hill with an eternal flame due to the natural gas burning on its slope. It is located on the Absheron Peninsula, near Baku, and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in the country.

Caspian Sea

The Caspian Sea is actually the largest lake in the world, measuring a whopping 371,000 square kilometres. It sits on what looks like an ocean bed, and the water is salty, although with a lower saline content than other seas and oceans, making it perfect for swimming. Popular activities on the Caspian Sea include boat cruises, diving, and fishing.

Candy Cane Mountains

The Candy Cane Mountains, also known as the Agate Mountains or Khizi, get their nickname from the swirling layers of white and red rock. These mountains create the illusion of a huge layered sardonyx, a type of agate. Such a geological phenomenon can only be observed in one other place on Earth - the Valley of Death in the USA.

Lake Goygol

Lake Goygol is one of the largest and most beautiful lakes in Azerbaijan. Surrounded by deep valleys and rapid rivers, it is a popular destination for those seeking to admire the natural beauty of the country. Swimming in the lake is forbidden, but fishing and boating are allowed.

Waterfall "Eddi Gozal" (Seven Beauties)

The small cascading waterfall "Eddi Gozal", or "Seven Beauties", is located in the village of Ruskyan. It takes about 15-20 minutes to walk through the meadows and the forest to the foot of the waterfall, and then 5-8 minutes to climb the stairs to the waterfall. It is possible to hold a short tea ceremony at the top of the waterfall, tasting local varieties of jam.

The Caspian Sea

The sea's name comes from the ancient Caspi people, who lived in Transcaucasia to the southwest of the sea. The Iranian city of Qazvin also shares this root. The traditional Arabic name for the sea was 'Baḥr Khazar', but in recent centuries, the standard name has become 'Baḥr Qazvin', the Arabized form of Caspian.

Frequently asked questions