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From every high-pointed surface down to the doorknobs are being regularly sanitized using approved products by health experts such as disinfectants with above 70% alcohol content.
Welcome to Baku – a truly contemporary city criss-crossed by history. From the modern elegance of the Flame Towers standing proudly above to the medieval UNESCO-listed Old City at its core, there is something for everyone in our stunning capital.
A gateway into the majestic Caucasus Mountains, Guba is a glorious stretch of countryside and a great destination for lovers of ecotourism and outdoor adventures.
Sheki is Azerbaijan’s true travel gem – a small city off the forested slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains rich in Silk Road history and renowned for its fascinating architecture, food and friendly residents.
Nakhchivan, an autonomous Azerbaijani republic, is a region of breathtaking landscapes, quaint villages and a cuisine distinct from the rest of Azerbaijan. It’s also scattered with historical monuments and a growing list of intriguing attractions.
From kitesurfing on the Caspian to hiking through multi-coloured mountains, the Khizi region’s unusually enticing landscapes are waiting to be explored and within easy reach of the capital. The corridor between the mountains and the sea is a birdwatching site of global significance and you can climb from here to the top of Beshbarmag Mountain to witness stunning views and intriguing spiritual rituals.
Gusar is all about the stunning mountains that dominate this north-eastern region which borders with Russia. In winter, head to Azerbaijan’s first ski resort, the Shahdag Mountain Resort, which is named after the iconic 4,243-metre-high Mt Shahdag located in the Shahdag National Park – a vast protected area spanning multiple regions of the country.
Shamakhi is one of Azerbaijan’s most historic cities and the birthplace of legendary Azerbaijani poets such as Sabir and Nesimi. Invaders and earthquakes have left little in the way of an old town but the city’s Juma Mosque was one of the first to be founded in the Caucasus and, in rebuilt form, is truly splendid. And across the valley Yeddi Gumbaz houses the tombs of Shamakhi’s last independent rulers.
Once a stronghold of the Caucasian Albanians and the mighty Shirvanshahs, Ismayilli’s lush mountains and forests still hide the remnants of centuries-old towers and temples. You’ll also find here the stunning mountain lake of Garanohur, a unique village home to Russian ‘Molokans’ and one of the finest wineries in the country. Plus, you can soak up the spirit of the Silk Road with visits to Lahij and Basgal, mountain villages famous for their copper and kelaghai crafts.
Welcome to Azerbaijan’s outdoor resort hub! In winter, stay for skiing and snowboarding in the Caucasus Mountains, while in summer there’s an excellent range of adrenaline-fuelled activities including quad-biking, shooting, paragliding and hiking. Many hotels have excellent swimming pools and spas, and if you head to Yengija or Chenot Palace it’s possible to benefit from thermal springs, take medicinal baths in heavy petroleum oil or undergo cryotherapy.
Multicultural Gakh in north-west Azerbaijan is scattered with the relics of ancient churches and towers. Enjoy wandering around the charming city centre and discovering some culinary curiosities. Definitely visit the quaint village of Ilisu which was once its very own tiny sultanate, and from there you can hike to photogenic ramparts, amazing viewpoints and spectacular waterfalls.
You’ll find some interesting variations on traditional dishes in Azerbaijan’s far north-west, an area famous for its delicious nuts and persimmons, both of which have their own dedicated harvest festivals. With various powers having ruled over this north-west corner of Azerbaijan, from Caucasian Albanian kings to Georgian queens and Russian tsars, the region is brimming with fascinating historical traces, and the ruins of fortresses, towers and temples can all be explored.
In central Ganja, you’ll find ancient mosques and hammams built during the reign of the Safavids that sit side by side with structures from the Ganja Khanate and Russian Empire as well as eye-catching examples of socialist classicism. The city is truly brimming with history, yet it also exudes a distinctive youthful energy, reflected in its selection as the 2016 European Youth Capital.
Celebrated in Azerbaijani poetry, paintings and songs, Lake Goygol is the country’s best-loved mountain lake, set beneath the dramatic rocky peak of Mt Kapaz and ringed by thick green forests that turn golden in autumn. Maral Gol, which is nearby, is also very appealing. However, the Goygol region offer more than just Lake Goygol and the surrounding national park: here you can still feel the spirit of the German town that once existed here
Naftalan is the centre of health tourism in Azerbaijan as the city is home to the only healing naphthalene oil field in the world and attracts thousands of health-seekers. The oil extracted here looks similar to conventional industrial oils but, thanks to its unique chemical composition, has exceptional therapeutic qualities and is used in the treatment of over 70 diseases.
Sometimes nicknamed the ‘greenhouse of Azerbaijan’ given its reputation for producing fantastic fruits and vegetables, Shamkir is also a great place to discover the western region’s German heritage, as well as a national form of folk music called ashug and even the remains of an ancient city once serving as a stop-off on the Silk Road. What’s more, one of the country’s most scenic roads weaves a picturesque path from here high into the Lesser Caucasus Mountains.
Wedged between the Caspian Sea and the lush Talysh Mountains, Lankaran is a region of unique natural diversity. The city itself is an old port that used to be surrounded by fortifications, and it’s ideally placed between some of Azerbaijan’s best nature reserves. The swamps of the Gizil Aghaj reserve lie to the north and are rich in birdlife, while the Hirkan Forest to the south is home to ancient iron trees as well as the endangered Caucasian leopard.
