Azerbaijan Road Trip Guide: A Complete Guide to Exploring the Country by Car

If you are looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure, an Azerbaijan road trip is one of the best ways to experience the country. 

With dramatic landscapes, fascinating history, and a mix of Eastern and Western culture, Azerbaijan is an incredibly underrate country, and a super fun one for exploring by car. Driving in Azerbaijan gives you the freedom to visit remote villages, see natural wonders, and discover the unique character of this little-known gem in the Caucasus.

In this guide we're going to share everything you need to know for your Azerbaijan road trip, with top itinerary ideas and fun stops along the way to make your trip full of adventure.

Intro to Doing an Azerbaijan Road Trip

Doing a road trip in Azerbaijan is super fun! We absolutely loved it, but it doesn't mean it's more everyone - so here are some things you should know to see if doing an Azerbaijan road trip is right for you.

Why Take an Azerbaijan Road Trip?

Traveling by car allows you to go beyond the main cities and uncover parts of Azerbaijan that most visitors miss. Public transportation is limited, especially when it comes to reaching national parks or smaller towns, so having a car gives you much more flexibility. 

An Azerbaijan road trip also means you can set your own pace, stop at viewpoints, and explore cultural sites at your leisure. You can enjoy incredible natural wonders at golden hour, and find hidden gems that traditional tours wouldn't bring you to. 

 How Much Time is Needed for a Road Trip in Azerbaijan?

We'd recommend doing a road trip in Azerbaijan if you have at least 4 days in the country. This is because Baku deserves at least 1-2 days, and you can easily take a tour or two for doing nearby attractions like the Gobustan Mud Volcanoes, the pink lake, and Yanar Dag.

Something to also keep in mind is that there are main roads accessing different parts of the country which don't connect. So you'll either want to focus on one area, or you'll need to connect back to Baku before visiting other areas, requiring more time than meets the eye.

(For example: Quba and Khinaliq and Gebele look close on the map, but you need to drive all the way down towards Baku and up again to get from one to the other).

We did an 8-day road trip in Azerbaijan, and were able to see a lot! We could have easily spent 2 weeks exploring Azerbaijan though, as we didn't even see the west side or the south. (We also didn't do Nakhchivan - but in order to include there you'd have to drive through Iran).

We'd recommend 10-14 days in Azerbaijan if you really want to explore deeply and experience places off the beaten path.

Car Rentals in Azerbaijan

Renting a car in Azerbaijan is easy in Baku and other big cities, but you should be careful who you rent with. There are just a few car rental companies available at Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport, with some others throughout the city. (We'd recommend going with a more reputable company like Hertz or Sixt).

Prices are affordable compared to many European destinations, and options range from small sedans to larger SUVs. An SUV is recommended if you plan to explore mountainous areas such as Sheki, Quba, or the Caucasus Mountains.

Make sure to check if your rental includes unlimited kilometers, and ask about how fines work (since ours had outrageous "administrative charges". Gas stations are easy to find on main routes, but it's better to fill up while in towns as remote areas are much more limited.

What is it Like Driving in Azerbaijan?

Driving in Azerbaijan can be both rewarding and challenging. Roads in major cities like Baku are modern and well-paved, but conditions change once you head toward certain areas out in nature. Highways between cities are generally in good shape, but there are certain locations in the mountains that you should have a 4x4 for.

Traffic in Baku is hectic and drivers can be aggressive, but nothing out of the ordinary if you're from a big city. Outside the city driving is much calmer and routes are easy to follow (with the exception of a few sites we'll mention later). 

There are speed cameras along most roads with strict enforcement, so you'll have to be really careful not to get a ton of fines (which we did).

Suggested Itinerary for an Azerbaijan Road Trip

One of the best parts about driving in Azerbaijan is the variety of landscapes you can cover in just a few days. Here are some highlights worth including in your itinerary:

• Baku: Begin your journey in the capital city, famous for its futuristic Flame Towers and UNESCO-listed Old City. You won't necessarily need a car for the center, but you can use your car to reach some of the sites outside the center.
• Absheron Peninsula: Visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag, the natural burning hillside that gave Azerbaijan its nickname “Land of Fire.”
• Gobustan National Park: Just an hour from Baku, this site is home to ancient rock carvings and mud volcanoes.
• Quba and Shadag Mountain: The north east corner of Azerbaijan with beautiful mountains, waterfalls, and one of the oldest hilltop villages.
• Sheki: Drive all the way north into the Caucasus Mountains to explore this historic town known for its traditional caravanserais and palaces.
• Gabala: A resort area with mountain scenery, hiking trails, and ski slopes in winter.
• Ganja and Lake Goygol: Discover Azerbaijan’s second largest city and nearby national parks with stunning alpine lakes.
• Lankaran: Head south for tea plantations, subtropical forests, and views of the Caspian Sea.

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Azerbaijan Road Trip Itinerary

Now that you know a lot of the best places to explore during your Azerbaijan road trip, let's look at what your itinerary can look like! We'd recommend prioritizing Baku, the Absheron Peninsula, and Gobustan for a short visit, and to extend your road trip doing the north east next.

If you have closer to a week, then make sure you go through central Azerbaijan up north and to the west, and if you are visiting more than 10 days you can add the south into your itinerary.

🌃 Baku (1-2 Days)

Baku is the capital of the country, and is a must for any Azerbaijan itinerary. It's truly one of the most unique capitals in Europe because it feels more like the Middle East, and perfectly mixes ancient history with modern architecture. 

Most tourists start or end their trip in Baku, and it's certainly a city you'll want to save a day or two for. It's the most cosmopolitan destination in Azerbaijan, and really feels so different than the rest of the country.

During your Azerbaijan road trip you won't need the car a ton in Baku itself, so we'd recommend leaving it in a garage while exploring the center.

🔥 Absheron Peninsula (1/2 Day- 1 Day)

East of Baku is the Absheron Peninsula. Being right near the airport, this area is  perfect for exploring directly from the airport or before returning to the airport at the end of your Azerbaijan road trip.

The highlights of this area include:

• Yanar Dag: a fire that's been burning for hundreds of years
• Atashgah Fire Temple: a castle-like temple complex used as a place of worship
• Merdekan Qalasi: a castle rebuilt from the 12th century.
• Shebeke Beach: a beach that's great for sunset.
• Masazirgol: a pink lake.

🌋 Gobustan National Park (1/2 Day- 1 Day)

Gobustan National Park is a large area right outside of Baku that is home to miles of mud volcanoes and ancient rock carvings. We'd recommend taking a day trip here from Baku. We went for sunrise to drive around on our own, but missed out on the museum as it opened at 9. 

On the other side of the park you'll have the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, and nearby there are a ton of mud volcanoes you can swim in - truly one of the most unique experiences in the country!

🏔 Northeastern Azerbaijan Route (2-3 Days) 

Leaving Baku, you'll take the E119 up the east side of the country. Make a stop at the Candy Cane mountains for sunrise or sunset, and stay in Quba. 

In Quba you can visit Juma mosque, Nizami Park, and the Guba Genocide Memorial complex in the city. Right outside the city you can enjoy Chanibel Lake and Afurja Waterfall to the south, and Gachrash Forest just west of the city center. You can also take a day trip (or spend the night) in Khinaliq, one of the oldest and highest settlements in the country.

North of Quba don't miss out on Laza and Mount Shahdagh, a mountainous area featuring rolling green hills, waterfalls, and dramatic peaks.

After exploring the northeast of Azerbaijan you'll have to drive all the way back down to Baku before exploring other areas of the country.

🦙 Central Azerbaijan Route (2-3 Days)

E60 is the route that will take you from Baku all the way up north. Some people drive straight up to Sheki, but there are actually so many great places to see along the way.

Some stops along this route you can make are:

• Diri Baba Mausoleum: a 2-stories mausoleum from the 15th century.
• Gobustan Caves: Remains of cave settlements, right near the Diri Baba Mausoleum.
• Jummah Mosque: Azerbaijan's first mosque.
• Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory: Head there at night for stargazing and astrophotography!
• Alpaca Azerbaijan: the only alpaca farm in Azerbaijan.
• Qaranohur: a nice lake, particularly beautiful in Fall.
• Hanging Bridge: a cool suspension bridge between two gorges.

While driving through the region of Ismailli keep an eye out for the poppy fields! (if you are visiting in the spring time).

The main highlights in the area are:

• Lahich: famous town for coppersmiths and craft workshops
• Gebele: Known for Tufandag Mountain Resort that has a scenic lift and skiing. Nearby you can also see the Geddi Yozel Waterfall and Nohur Gol, a pretty lake with boat rides, food stalls, and souvenirs.

After Gebele you can continue north to Sheki, a popular city that is near the border with Georgia.

Sheki (1-2 Days)

After Baku, Sheki is probably one of the most popular cities of Azerbaijan. This charming town was a resting point of the silk road and is full of history and places to see. Enjoy the bustling market, visit Sheki Khan's palace, explore the castle complex, and simply get lost along the streets.

If you stay an extra day, you can also head up to Zagatala State Reserve for some stunning nature.

After Sheki, you'll head back south towards Gebele, to then take the road going west to explore the western part of the country.

On the way towards to the west, there are a few stops you can make:

• Essenso Lavender Garden: particularly a great stop in summer!
• Savalan Winery: the most famous winery in Azerbaijan with an impressive tour and tasting
• Turian Chay State Reserve: this is really just a scenic area you'll be driving past, but we'd recommend leaving time to stop and enjoy the views!

Northwestern Azerbaijan (2-4 Days)

One of our favorite parts of our Azerbaijan road trip was the Northwestern part of the country. It's got an incredible mix of cultural sites and gorgeous nature.

Here are the top spots you shouldn't miss out on:

• Naftalan: Known for their unique Naftalan oil baths.
• Ganja: Don't miss out on the mosque, bottle house, and Heydar Aliyev Park beautifully lit at night.
• Goygol National Park: An excellent day trip from Ganja - make sure to reserve a guide if you want to hike Mount Kapaz or visit some of the lesser known lakes there.
• Shamkir: a city known for its agriculture, folk music, and greenhouses.
• Haçaqaya: a sacred site featuring a giant boulder split in half.

💦 Western Azerbaijan (1-2 Days)

Western Azerbaijan is mostly an area of the country that domestic travelers explore, which is why you won't find a ton of travel guides out there promoting it. This is because it's a bit far from the other top places to visit in Azerbaijan. 

While we weren't able to make it out there this trip, we save a ton of spots out in nature, particularly in Lachin. If you have extra time on your Azerbaijan road trip then we'd recommend speaking with locals about cool things to see out there, and give yourself a couple of days to explore the beautiful nature of the area.

Southern Azerbaijan/Lankaran (1-3 Days)

Southern Azerbaijan is one of the least visited areas for tourists, but it's full of incredible nature to discover! Lankaran is just 3 hours outside of Baku, meaning you can go for an easy getaway for a few days if you have time.

Some of the highlights of the area are Khanbulan Lake, a black sand beach, and the nearby natural thermal springs.

Tips for a Successful Azerbaijan Road Trip

Final Thoughts & What's Next

An Azerbaijan road trip is one of the most exciting ways to discover this diverse and fascinating country. From modern Baku to ancient mountain villages, and fire temples to alpine lakes, the open road allows you to experience the contrasts that make Azerbaijan so unique. 

With a little preparation and an adventurous spirit, driving through the Land of Fire will be a journey you will never forget.

 What's Next?

Now that you know all of about doing a road trip in Azerbaijan, you'll probably want to learn more about what traveling around the country is like!

Here are a few other travel guides we have about Azerbaijan:

 How to Visit Azerbaijan

 The Best Places to Visit in Azerbaijan

 Renting a Car in Azerbaijan

 The Naftalan Oil Baths Experience

 Gobustan Mud Volcanoes

 Goygol National Park

We're going to also be having new articles each Thursday as well, so stay tuned!

So are you ready to do an epic Azerbaijan road trip? It truly was one of our favorite countries to explore, and doing a road trip makes a big difference  in your visit if you're staying a while.

Want to learn more about traveling around the country of Azerbaijan? We have new Azerbaijan Travel Guides coming up each week! Make sure to subscribe to our newsletter so that you can stay up to date with our latest content, as well as for special discounts on our shop.

Ready to start planning an amazing trip to Azerbaijan? Well, we're here to help! Scratch Your Mapa is dedicated to help save you both time and money on your travels, so that you can sit back, relax, and fully enjoy an awesome trip. Take a peak at a few of our travel planning packages we offer, or email us today to learn more!

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