Western Asia
Western AsiaAzerbaijanTravel guide
- Baku
- Ganja
- Lankaran
- Nakhchivan
- Qabala
- Sheki
Azerbaijan is a former Soviet republic in the Caucasus, often called the Land of Fire. Its capital is Baku, on the Caspian Sea.
Why go
Explore Baku's walled old city, Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower.
See the rock art at Gokustan.
Visit the Fire Temple near Baku.
Discover mud volcanoes, mountain lakes and forests.
Try local food, tea and wine.
Getting there
By air
- Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku is the main international gateway.
- Nakhchivan City, Ganja and Lankaran also have international airports. Their international routes are mainly to Moscow and Istanbul.
- Azerbaijan Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways are among the airlines serving Baku.
By land
- The source says most land borders remained closed to civilian traffic as of May 2026. It describes land crossings as exit-only for foreign citizens.
- A separate note says trains from Georgia resumed in May 2026 for travellers eligible for visa-free entry. These statements conflict, so the source does not give a clear answer about entering by land.
Customs
- Evidence of visiting Nagorno-Karabakh without Azerbaijani permission can lead to a permanent entry ban and possible arrest on arrival.
- For stays longer than 15 days, the source says to register with the State Migration Service within 15 working days of arrival. Registration is free; if your hotel handles it, check that it was completed.
- An entry restriction note last updated in December 2012 says citizens of Armenia and Kosovo, and people of Armenian descent, are refused entry. It also warns that surnames ending in '-yan' or '-ian' may lead to questioning.
Getting around
Buses and minibuses
Buses and marshrutkas, or shared minibuses, connect most cities. Bus stations are often near the bazaar. Minibuses can be very crowded, especially within cities. Orderly queues are uncommon. The source gives a rough fare of 1 manat per hour of travel or per 40–50 kilometres. If charged much more, ask other passengers for help. Men commonly sit towards the back and women towards the front. Men are expected to offer women a seat.
Trains
Most trains linking Baku with distant regions run overnight. The source lists a daily fast train to Ganja and a daily slow train to Shirvan. Frequent suburban trains connect Baku and Sumqavit.
Driving
Drive on the right. The permitted alcohol level for drivers is zero. Road accidents are common, and drivers often ignore traffic rules. Avoid driving after dark because roads can be poor and lighting limited. Automated speed cameras are widespread. Fines go to the car owner by text message, and you may have to pay them when returning a rental car.
Airport transfers
The source lists Baku Taxi Services for airport transfers and says English is spoken. Its listed fare between Baku and the airport is 33 manat for up to three passengers.
What to see and do
Baku's walled city
Explore Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower within this World Heritage Site.
Gokustan rock art
See the Rock Art Cultural Landscape, listed as a World Heritage Site.
Atesgah Fire Temple
Visit a 16th-century Zoroastrian religious compound near Baku.
Mud volcanoes
Azerbaijan has more than 300 mud volcano locations, accounting for over half of the world's total.
Caspian Hyrcanian forests
Discover forests near the Iranian border.
Tears of Kyapaz
This group of seven mountain lakes lies near Mount Kyapaz.
Food and drink
Piti
Mutton and vegetables cooked with saffron water and fat in a sealed pot. The Şəki version uses boiled chestnuts instead of potatoes.
Dolma
Meat wrapped in cabbage or grape leaves, or prepared with eggplant. Grape-leaf dolma is often considered a national dish.
Plov
Rice served with a variety of toppings.
Kabab and kufta
Kebabs and meatballs are among the country's specialities.
Çoban qovurma
A lamb stew with vegetables.
Khachapuri
This Georgian cheese-filled bread is common in Azerbaijan.
Money
Azerbaijani manat (AZN), divided into 100 gapik.
- Do not accept old manat notes. The new manat replaced them on 1 January 2007.
- Banknotes range from 1 to 500 manat. Coins range from 1 to 50 gapik.
- Manat and Georgian lari can be exchanged in towns near the border and in Georgia.
- Be prepared to bargain when buying carpets and souvenirs.
Typical costs
- Hotels: prices start at US$60 in the source.
- Buses: roughly 1 manat per hour or per 40–50 kilometres.
- Bus station toilets: 0.20–0.40 manat.
- Baku airport transfer with the listed taxi service: 33 manat for up to three passengers.
Language
- Azerbaijani, also called Azeri, is the official language.
- Russian is widely spoken and used as a common language.
- Turkish speakers can generally understand Azerbaijani well enough to get around.
- English is less widely spoken, though you are more likely to find English speakers in Baku.
- Xanım
- A respectful title for a woman, pronounced 'hanm'. Use it after her first name.
- Cənab
- A respectful title for a man, pronounced 'jenab'. Use it after his first name.
Staying safe
- Theft and pickpocketing are possible in Baku, though the source describes them as rare. Take extra care at night and in quiet or poorer areas.
- Watch your belongings on public transport.
- If someone in police uniform stops you, stay cooperative and ask to see a badge or identity card.
- Emergency calls require Azerbaijani, Turkish or Russian. Learn key phrases before travelling.
Local customs
Do
- Bring a small gift when invited to a home, such as chocolate or flowers. Give an odd number of flowers.
- Remove your shoes just outside or immediately inside the door. Your host may offer slippers.
- Offer your seat to older people, disabled people, pregnant women and people travelling with children.
- Let women enter and leave public transport or rooms first.
- Bend slightly when greeting an older person or someone in authority. Younger people are expected to greet them first.
- Use a respectful title with someone you do not know well.
Don't
- Do not give an even number of flowers, as this is associated with funerals.
- Do not bring wine or other alcohol as a gift when visiting a home.
- Do not assume women can enter tea houses or drinking establishments outside Baku. The source says drinking by women is taboo in rural areas.
Staying healthy
- Make sure your diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis A and hepatitis B vaccinations are up to date.
- The source identifies malaria risk in lowland areas, especially near Iran, and in rural areas near Baku.
- Drink water only from sealed bottles. Bottled soft drinks and boiled drinks such as tea or coffee also reduce risks.
Phone and internet
- The source names Azercell, Bakcell, Nar Mobile and Azerfon-Vodafone. Cards for different operators are sold in almost every store.
- Azercell is described as the largest operator and the only one that works in Baku's metro.
- Bakcell is described as cheaper than Azercell and available almost everywhere.
- Nar Mobile is described as cheap, but coverage is missing in some regions.
Where to stay
- Baku has a good choice of hotels, including Western European chains. Choices elsewhere are more limited but growing.
- The source lists hotel prices starting at US$60. Rental apartments can be cheaper and sometimes more comfortable.
- Guesthouses and hostel-style places can be poorly signposted, including in Sheki and Ganja. Get detailed directions, map coordinates and the exact apartment or doorbell before arriving.
Trips to Azerbaijan
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Outdoor adventures in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan has mountain walks around Sheki, forests near the Iranian border and beaches along the Caspian Sea. Other outdoor options include hot springs near Lankaran and balloon rides, horse riding and ATV rides near Qabala.
Sheki mountain trails
HikeSheki Regionnear Sheki
Trails start behind the Khansarai. The network includes a route to a 2,050 m peak northeast of town.
- Most trails are unmarked and do not appear on maps.
- Mountain snow can cut off villages in winter.
Sheki–Kish–Gelersen-Gorersen Fortress–Sheki
HikeSheki Regionnear Sheki
6 hours for the full outing; about 2 hours walking to the fortressTake bus 15 or 23 from central Sheki to the end of the line. They run every half hour. Ask local people in Kish for the path to the fortress. The walk follows the Kish River and passes through pine groves.
- Carry your passport. Border guards sometimes check visitors in the valley behind Kish.
Bilgəh Beach
BeacheNorthern Absheron Peninsulanear Baku
The beach is on the northern side of the Absheron Peninsula. Transport details are not specified.
Amburan Beach and Beach Club
BeacheBilgah, Absheron Peninsulanear Baku
Visit Amburan Beach Club in Bilgah. Contact the club on +994 12 453-86-85 or at info@amburan.com.
AF Beach Club
BeacheNovkhaninear Baku
Visit the club in Novkhani. Contact it on +994 12 448-30-30.
- Cost: 80–600 manat
Shikhov Beach
BeacheBaku Regionnear Baku
Shikhov is a beach near Baku. Transport details are not specified.
- The beach is polluted by sewage and industrial waste.
Lankaran southern beaches and Kanarmesha
BeacheLankaran areanear Lankaran
Head south of Lankaran. There is beach access in the Kanarmesha area, with some restaurants nearby.
Istisu Hot Springs
Hot springLankaran areanear Lankaran
The springs are east of Lankaran, in a natural area. They share their name with a sanatorium farther away.
Xanbulan Lake nature walk
HikeLankaran areanear Lankaran
Visit Xanbulan Lake, also called Khanbulan Reservoir, southeast of Lankaran.
Sheki–Bash Kyungyut–Bideiz–Sheki
HikeSheki Regionnear Sheki
11 hours for the full outingTravel to Bash Kyungyut by car or take the bus from Sheki bus terminal at 09:00 or 15:00. Continue to Bideiz by taxi or local bus. Walk between its two Albanian ruins, then return to Sheki by car.
Sheki–Oraban–Bashkeldek–Keshnazar–Gyurgala–Sheki
HikeSheki Regionnear Sheki
12 hours for the full outingTravel by car through the Keshnazar Valley. Stop at the Hunter's House cabin, then hike to the ancient fortress on the peak. Return to Sheki afterward.
- The fortress stands on a steep peak.
Sheki–Ortazeyzit–Bashzeyzit–Quzuyolu–Khanyaylagi–Markhal–Sheki
HikeSheki Regionnear Sheki
13 hours for the full outingTake a taxi to Ortazeyzit and ask for the two churches. Follow the path past them to Khan Yaylaghi peak, then continue to the nearby Markhal recreation area. Return by car, or walk to the Kish road and take bus 15 or 23.
Skystar tethered balloon ride
More to doDaymadere, Qabala areanear Qabala
Early morningContact Skystar by WhatsApp on +994 0777440088 a couple of days ahead to arrange a ride. The location is WHV3+49 Daymadere.
- Cost: 120 manat per person
Horse riding at Skystar park
More to doDaymadere, Qabala areanear Qabala
Horse riding is available at the Skystar balloon park at WHV3+49 Daymadere.
ATV rides at Skystar park
More to doDaymadere, Qabala areanear Qabala
ATV rides are available at the Skystar balloon park at WHV3+49 Daymadere.
Caspian Hyrcanian forests
More to doNear the Iranian border
The forests lie near the Iranian border. No specific access route is described.
Tears of Kyapaz mountain lakes
More to doNear Mount Kyapaz and Nagorno-Karabakh
The lakes are near Mount Kyapaz. No specific access route is described.
Baku boat tour
More to doBaku Regionnear Baku
40 minutesJoin a boat tour from Baku Boulevard.
- Cost: 6 manat
Cycling in Heydar Aliyev Park Complex
CyclingGanja Regionnear Ganja
Bicycle rental is available inside Xatirə Parkı, also called Heydar Aliyev Park Complex.
Airports, metros and trains in Azerbaijan
Airports with scheduled flights
- GNJGanja International AirportGanjaMain international airport
- GYDHeydar Aliyev International AirportBakuMain international airport
- NAJNakhchivan International AirportNakhchivanMain international airport
Metro and subway
- BakuBaku Metro25 stations40.7 kmsince 1967
Trains
- Rail network
- 2,944 km
- Electrified
- 1,278 km
People and safety in Azerbaijan
Religion
Most people are Muslim. Mostly one faith.
- Muslim97%
- Christian3%
LGBT+ travellers
Legal in law, risky in places
- Same-sex marriage is not recognised.
- Legal gender change is not recognised.
Check your own government's travel advice before you go, and be careful with public displays of affection and dating apps.
Women travellers
Ranked #111 of 181 countries for women's safety, inclusion and justice.
62% of women say they feel safe walking alone at night where they live.
Who can visit without a visa
Travellers from 30 of 198 countries can visit Azerbaijan easily: no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Visa not required26
- Visa on arrival4
- eVisa76
- Visa required91
- Admission refused1
Who can visit easily, by part of the world
For each part of the world: how many countries' travellers can come easily. Easy means no visa, a visa at the airport, or a short online form.
- Asia22 of 49 countries
- Europe7 of 46 countries
- Africa1 of 54 countries
- Americas0 of 35 countries
- Oceania0 of 14 countries
Questions
What currency will I need?
The Azerbaijani manat, written as AZN. Do not accept old manat notes, which were replaced in 2007.
Can I get by with English?
English is not widely spoken, but you are more likely to find English speakers in Baku. Azerbaijani is the official language, and Russian is widely spoken.
Is tap water safe to drink?
The source advises drinking water only from sealed bottles. Boiled tea or coffee and bottled soft drinks also reduce risks.
How can I travel between cities?
Buses and shared minibuses connect most cities. Trains link Baku with other regions, and many run overnight.
What weather should I prepare for?
Summers are generally warm to hot and humid, while Baku is windy much of the year. Mountain winters are much colder, and snow can cut off villages.
What local food should I try?
Try piti, a mutton and vegetable dish, grape-leaf dolma, or plov rice with toppings. Many local dishes contain meat and fat.
Will my guesthouse be easy to find?
Some guesthouses are poorly signposted and look like ordinary apartments. Get detailed directions, map coordinates and the correct doorbell before arrival.
What should I bring when invited to someone's home?
Chocolate, an odd number of flowers or something from your country are suitable gifts. Avoid giving alcohol, and remove your shoes at the door.
Is driving a good way to get around?
The source warns of frequent accidents, poor roads and limited lighting. Avoid driving after dark, follow speed limits and do not drink alcohol before driving.
What plug and electricity supply does Azerbaijan use?
The supply is 220 volts at 50 hertz. Europlug and Schuko plugs are used.
Reviewed by @snuck