Exploring Azerbaijan And Georgia: Which Country Excels For Tourists?

Georgia and Azerbaijan are neighbouring countries in the Caucasus region, which is between the Middle East and Europe. They have drastically different cultures and offer distinct experiences for travellers.

Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia, is a photogenic, historic city with touches of modern architecture. Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, is a sophisticated metropolis, sometimes referred to as Little Dubai.

While Baku has a small Old City, Tbilisi's Old Town has winding, cobblestone streets and centuries-old churches. The two cities are great destinations, but which has the better tourist attractions?

If you're looking for a country with more widespread attractions, Georgia is the better option. It has far more to offer tourists away from its capital, from the mountainous Kazbegi to the seaside town of Batumi. Azerbaijan, on the other hand, is less interesting outside of Baku.

When it comes to food, both countries offer delicious options with similar staples, but Georgian food is considered some of the best in the world.

In terms of infrastructure, Azerbaijan has better roads and a more modern airport than Georgia. However, getting around either country can be tedious, with most inter-city transportation consisting of marshrutkas (large, uncomfortable vans).

Both countries offer plenty of outdoor escapes, with Georgia being greener but Azerbaijan having a greater variety of landscapes.

When it comes to safety, both countries are considered safe for tourists, with friendly locals.

Overall, Georgia is the better country to visit, with stronger advantages in cuisine, attractions, and affordability. However, Azerbaijan is still a great destination, providing a stark contrast between old and new.

Food and drink

Azerbaijani cuisine is influenced by its unique geographical location, with access to the Caspian Sea and situated at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. The country's food is rich in produce, milk products, and meat, including beef, mutton, fish, and game. The country's culinary traditions also draw from multiple cultures, including Turkic, Iranian, and Eastern European.

A typical Azerbaijani meal involves three courses. The first course may be a soup, of which there are more than 30 types, including kufta bozbash, piti, dovga, and ovdukh. The second course often includes a variety of kebabs and shashlik, such as lamb, beef, chicken, duck, or fish kebabs. The third course typically includes rice-based dishes, such as plov, which can be accompanied by dried fruit, mutton, or onion.

Azerbaijani cuisine also features a variety of snacks and side dishes, such as green leaves, bread, salads, white cheese, and pickles. Black tea is the national beverage, typically served after meals and offered to guests as a gesture of welcome.

Some other popular dishes in Azerbaijan include dolma (stuffed grape leaves or vegetables), saj ichi (barbecue), buglama (lamb stew), gutabs (stuffed meat or vegetable pies), and lavangi (baked stuffed meat or fish).

Georgian food, on the other hand, is influenced by flavours from Greece, the Mediterranean, Turkey, and Persia. Herbs such as tarragon, flat parsley, dill, and coriander are combined with walnuts and garlic to create rich fillings and sauces.

Some of the most popular dishes in Georgia include:

• Khinkali: dumplings typically stuffed with meat and spices, served boiled or steamed.
• Khachapuri: cheese-stuffed bread, often served warm and gooey.
• Lobio: a cross between bean soup and refried beans, typically served with mchadi (Georgian cornbread).
• Mtsvadi: fire-roasted chunks of salted pork.
• Satsivi: poultry served with a thinned paste of walnut, garlic, and herbs, considered a winter dish.
• Kubdari: a bread speciality from the Svaneti region, similar to khachapuri but stuffed with small chunks of meat, spices, and onions.

When it comes to drinks, Georgia is believed to be the birthplace of wine, with the oldest evidence of winemaking dating back 8,000 years. Chacha, a Georgian grappa, is also a popular choice for toasts and celebrations.

Overall, both countries offer a diverse range of culinary experiences, with Azerbaijan's cuisine influenced by its geographical location and Georgia's food known for its hearty, comforting dishes.

Nature and hiking

Both Georgia and Azerbaijan offer a plethora of nature and hiking experiences.

Georgia

Georgia is known for its incredible mountain ranges and nature trails. The southern Appalachian mountains in North Georgia feature soaring mountain summits, waterfalls, and mossy creek valleys. Some of the top hiking trails in Georgia include:

• Blood Mountain Loop: This trail summits Blood Mountain, the highest elevation on the Appalachian Trail in Georgia, and offers stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
• Tallulah Gorge Sliding Rock Trail: This trail takes hikers through Tallulah Gorge's towering sheer walls and waterfall-filled depths, with a swinging suspension bridge for an adventurous experience.
• Raven Cliff Falls Trail: A 5.8-mile trail through the Chattahoochee National Forest that leads to one of Georgia's most unique waterfalls, cascading 400 feet down a towering cliff.
• Appalachian Trail: A challenging trail that explores a ferny, shady ridgeline at Big Cedar Mountain and offers open views from Preacher's Rock.
• Panther Creek Falls Trail: This trail leads to one of the most beautiful rushing waterfalls in Georgia, with upper cascades and a sandy beach at the lower waterfall.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan also offers diverse natural landscapes and hiking opportunities. The country is home to stunning mountain ranges, forests, and waterfalls. Some of the notable hiking trails in Azerbaijan include:

• Laza-Kuzun Trail: A medium-hard trail that starts in Laza village and ends in Kuzun village, offering views of the Gusar River and the chance to experience local culture.
• Garanohur Lake Trail: A 2.5-mile trail that leads to a mountain lake located in the Ismayilli district, surrounded by lush forests and offering a peaceful outdoor experience.
• Sundu, Gobustan Trail: An easy 5.1-mile trail that starts in the historic village of Sundu and offers views of the surrounding landscape, including the starting point at 933 meters above sea level.
• Suspension Bridge-Zarnava Trail: A relatively difficult trail that takes hikers behind the steep cliffs surrounding the historic Lahij town, leading to the villages of Zarnava and Mushkamir.
• Chiraggala Hiking Trail: An easy 1.3-mile trail that starts in the village of Galaalti and ends at the Chiraggala castle, with mineral water treatment options nearby.

Comparison

Both countries offer an abundance of natural beauty and hiking trails, but Georgia may have a slight edge when it comes to the diversity of landscapes and the development of its tourism infrastructure. Georgia boasts mountain ranges, waterfalls, and even a Black Sea coastline, making it a great option for nature lovers and hikers. However, Azerbaijan also offers stunning mountain scenery and unique hiking experiences, especially in its national parks and around its lakes.

Ultimately, both countries are excellent choices for nature and hiking enthusiasts, and the decision between the two may depend on personal preferences and the specific experiences sought.

Infrastructure

When it comes to infrastructure, both Georgia and Azerbaijan have their strengths and weaknesses. Here is an overview of the infrastructure in each country:

Georgia:

Georgia has a well-developed transportation system, including an extensive road network. The country has over 1,474 kilometers of main or international highways in good condition and approximately 18,821 kilometers of secondary and local roads. The majority of Georgian roads, totaling over 19,123 kilometers, are paved. Georgia also has 22 airports, with 18 of them having paved runways. The capital city, Tbilisi, boasts the largest airport. In terms of railways, Georgia has 1,612 kilometers of tracks, with all of them being electrified.

Water and sewage systems in Georgia are centralized in all 85 towns and regional centers, utilizing mainly groundwater or underground water sources. However, approximately 60% of water supply systems and 50% of sewage systems are beyond their service lives, leading to frequent issues.

For power and energy, Georgia has overcome past energy shortages by renovating hydropower plants and relying on gas imports from Azerbaijan. The country plays a crucial role in the transportation of gas and oil between Europe and Asia, with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan oil pipeline and the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline supplying energy to Georgia.

Azerbaijan:

Azerbaijan has been investing in its infrastructure market, with a focus on improving various sectors. While specific details on Azerbaijan's transportation system are scarce, the country has been working to enhance its accessibility for international tourists. The capital city of Baku has a higher-traffic airport compared to Yerevan in Armenia, and visa regulations have been loosened in recent years.

Azerbaijan's capital, Baku, is often described as a "glitzy" and "sophisticated" city, with a mix of classic European-style architecture and futuristic buildings. However, outside of Baku, the country lacks a well-developed tourist infrastructure, and there aren't many tourist sites to visit.

In summary, Georgia appears to have a more extensive and well-maintained transportation system, including roads, railways, and airports. On the other hand, Azerbaijan is working on improving its infrastructure and has made strides in attracting international tourists by developing its capital city and simplifying visa processes.

Affordability

When it comes to affordability, Georgia and Azerbaijan are both incredibly cheap places to travel. Transportation is incredibly cheap, food is inexpensive, and many of the top attractions are free. However, Georgia takes the edge on affordability when it comes to the cost of accommodation. There are plenty of cheap Airbnbs, hostels, guesthouses, and hotels in Georgia. In Azerbaijan, it is much harder to find cheap, quality places to stay, especially in Baku, where prices are often on par with those in Western Europe.

In Georgia, it is very easy to get around the country. While it doesn't have the most developed train network, Georgia is very well-served by an extensive bus network. Minibuses (called marshrutka) are very easy and affordable to take to most destinations. This is going to be the cheapest option for transport in Georgia, aside from hitchhiking. It is also popular to hire a car in Georgia, although this isn't necessary due to the country's good public transportation system.

Compared with most Western European countries, travelling by taxi in Georgia can be quite affordable. It is also common to share taxis with other travellers or hire one on your own, the latter of which is going to be more expensive. You can also pre-book drivers to take you anywhere in the country.

Azerbaijan also has marshrutky (marshrutka in the singular), which are the main form of public transport. They are very affordable and connect most destinations within Azerbaijan with relative ease.

While Baku is trying to brand itself as a luxury destination, it is just as easy to stick to a tight budget in Baku and Azerbaijan in general. Although there is a lot of oil money in Azerbaijan, there is also a huge wealth divide in the country, meaning that most average Azeris don't have a lot of money to get by. This makes travelling in Azerbaijan quite affordable for Westerners, even in glitzy Baku.

On average, you can plan to spend very little per day and live pretty well in Azerbaijan. The same goes for Georgia and Armenia, where it is possible to travel for less than $35 or €35 per day if you are on a tight budget.

Ease of tourism

Georgia is considered to be the easiest country to visit out of the three Caucasus countries. The Georgian government has made a significant effort to encourage tourism, making the country incredibly accessible and affordable for visitors from Europe and the rest of the world. Georgia has three international airports, located in Tbilisi, Batumi, and Kutaisi, with the latter serving as a hub for the budget airline Wizz Air. This has opened up a range of affordable travel options for tourists.

Once in Georgia, it is reasonably easy to get around the country. While the train network is somewhat limited, with only a few trains running between major cities, Georgia has an extensive bus network. Minibuses, called marshrutka, are very easy and affordable to use for travel between most destinations. Taxis are another option, and are relatively affordable compared to Western European countries. Car rental is also an option, although it is not necessary due to the well-developed public transportation system.

Compared to Georgia, Armenia is a bit less accessible, especially in terms of international routes. Yerevan is the only major international airport in the country, and most flights will require a connecting flight. While it is possible to reach Armenia by bus or train from Georgia, there are some border closures in place with neighbouring countries that limit travel options. Getting around Armenia can be challenging for independent travellers, as English-language information about bus routes and timetables can be difficult to find. Renting a car is an option for those who want more flexibility.

Azerbaijan has also made efforts to attract international tourists in recent years, including loosening visa regulations. Baku's airport has a higher volume of traffic and is more modern than the airport in Tbilisi. However, Azerbaijan still lags behind Georgia in terms of overall infrastructure. Outside of Baku, the focus of most development, the country's infrastructure is less developed. English is also less commonly spoken outside of the capital.

Overall, Georgia is the easiest country to visit in terms of tourism infrastructure, accessibility, and affordability.

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