The Ultimate Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Unique Destinations, Transportation Options, & More
Welcome to our Azerbaijan Travel Guide - your one stop shop for all the things Azerbaijan!
Azerbaijan is a country that surprised us immensely (for the good!). It's well-connected, and has a beautiful blend of Eastern European and the Middle East. It has stunning landscapes, delicious food, fun nightlife, and friendly locals. It's one of those countries that will wow you at every corner, and a truly underrated destination.
In our complete Azerbaijan travel guide we'll be sharing how to get to Azerbaijan, the best places to visit, what to eat, and how to navigate your way around the country, so you can plan your most epic trip yet.
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Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Basic Info About Visiting
Welcome to our Azerbaijan travel guide 2025-edition! Before diving into all of the details, let’s go over some of the basics to introduce you to the beautiful and underrated country of Azerbaijan.
Religion in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is one of the only countries in Europe to be largely Muslim. The good thing is that religion and law do not mix, so unlike many destinations in the Middle East, religion hardly affects tourists. You will want to keep in mind though that mosques or religious sites will require you to cover up.
Why Do Tourists Go to Azerbaijan?
Tourists typically go to Azerbaijan to enjoy the capital city, Baku, which is a unique blend of historic tradition and modern luxuries. Beyond the capital though, this country boasts breathtaking nature from captivating mountain scenery to otherworldly landscapes, and unique activities like bathing in Naftalan oil or diving into mud volcanoes.
Azerbaijan is a truly unique country, and one that is really under the radar, but totally worth the visit!
Azerbaijan has a stunning mix of landscapes.
Where is Azerbaijan Located?
Azerbaijan is situated at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia, bordered by Russia on its north, Georgia on its northwest, Armenia on its west, Iran on its south, and the Caspian Sea on its east.
Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Getting There
Now that you know a bit about Azerbaijan and where it is, let's go over the different options for getting you there.
How to Get to Azerbaijan
There are a number of ways to get to Azerbaijan, including a variety of transportation options for all different budgets and travel preferences.
Here are all the different options for getting to Azerbaijan:
- Fly to Baku or Nakhchivan
- Crossing the land border from Russia or Iran (Georgian and Armenian borders are not open unless you cross by foot from Georgia)
- Sailing from Kazakstan or Turkmenistan
Want more info? In our guide for getting to Azerbaijan we dive into the details for each option, so you can choose which of them is right for you.
Sharing is caring! Share Tweet Pin If you are wondering how to visit Azerbaijan, there are a few important things to know before planning your trip. From visa requirements to the different ways of entering the country, preparing in advance will make your travels much smoother.Whether you are flying directly
Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Entry Requirements
Now you know how to get to Azerbaijan, but let’s make sure you can also enter the country without any issues!
Visas for Azerbaijan
Most countries need a visa to enter Azerbaijan, with the exception of a few. Visas are easy and affordable though, as long as you get them before the 72 hour period. (There is an expedited fee if you apply with less than 72 hours).
We go over all of the details for who needs a visa for Azerbaijan, fees, etc in our guide for how to visit Azerbaijan.
Do You Need Vaccines for Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan does not require any specific vaccines to enter, but it's always wise to have the globally traditional vaccines before traveling.
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Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Local Adjustments
The next part of our Azerbaijan travel guide is here to help you adjust to being in a new country, by sharing information about the language, currency, outlets, water potability, and the tipping culture there.
What Language is Mostly Spoken in Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan has its own language "Azerbaijani", which is most closely related to Turkish. In Baku many people speak English, while outside the capital you'll mostly need a translator app.
What is the Best Currency to Use in Azerbaijan?
The currency used in Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat. Currently (October 2025) 1 USD is around 1.7 Manat. Credit cards are accepted in the capital, but many smaller villages you'll need cash for.
What Adapter Do I Need for Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan uses the same plug types as the rest of Europe, which are types C & F. The standard voltage in Azerbaijan is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Is Water Drinkable in Azerbaijan?
In most areas of the country it's recommended to stick to bottled water. We recommend buying large jugs of water and refilling a reusable water bottle to be a more eco-friendly traveler.
Tipping in Azerbaijan
There is no specific tipping guideline for Azerbaijan - some locals wil round up, while others leave 5-10% extra for good service.
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Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Things to Do & Places to See
Now you know all of the basics of visiting Azerbaijan, and it's time for the fun stuff! The next part of our complete Azerbaijan travel guide goes over the top things to do and see around the country.
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The Best Places to Visit in Azerbaijan
- Baku: the capital and most popular destination in Azerbaijan boasting innovative architecture, great nightlife, and historically significant sites
- Sheki: a city which was once a resting place along the Silk Road full of history, markets, and great food
- Quba: a popular city known as the gateway to the country's best mountains
- Laza & Mount Shahdagh: a lush mountainous area goof for hiking and waterfalls
- Khinaliq: the oldest and highest settlement in the country
- Shamakhi: known for its fabulous mosque and nearby wineries
- Lahich: a village known for its copper artisans, cobblestone streets, and its numerous museums
- Qabala: a resort hub for skiing, lakes, and waterfalls
- Naflatalan: a town known for its bizarre Naftalan oil baths
- Ganja: a city that has unique sites but is also a great gateway to some of the country's most beautiful nature
- Hacagaya: a sacred site tucked away in the mountains
- Gobustan Mud Volcanoes: the highest concentration of mud volcanoes in the world
- Yanar Dag: a flaming mountainside that's been burning for thousands of years
- Candy Cane Mountains: colorfully striped mountains
- Goygol National Park: home to stunning alpine lakes and Mount Kapaz
Fun Things to Do in Azerbaijan
Now that you know the best places to visit in Azerbaijan, here are some other fun activities to add to your itinerary.
Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Getting Around
Now that you know all of the places to see and fun activities to experience, let's get back to some of the more practical information of our Azerbaijan travel guide - helping you navigate the country in the best way possible.
How to Get Around Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan is a small country, but there is so much to see and do, so it can be overwhelming to navigate the best way to move around. There are a lot of mountains, so even some areas that look close don't necessarily have direct routes.
Depending on how long you plan on staying and your budget will determine which way to get around is more ideal for you.
Here are the different options for getting around Azerbaijan:
- Domestic Flights (only a few routes available)
- Renting a car and doing a road trip in Azerbaijan.
- Using public buses (to get from city to another)
- Doing day trips (most of them are from Baku)
- Hiring a driver (most of them are in Baku)
- Being part of a group tour
Want more info? In our Azerbaijan transportation guide we dive into the details for each option, so you can choose the best way to get around the country for your trip.
Getting around a new country can feel overwhelming, but transportation in Azerbaijan is surprisingly easy once you know your options. From modern metro systems in Baku to scenic train rides through the countryside, the country offers a mix of transport methods for every type of traveler.In this guide Azerbaijan transportation guide,
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Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Local Food & Drink
Azerbaijan is a country that truly blew us away with their food! From succulent grilled meats to crisp local wine, we did not have a single meal in this country that we didn't love.
Baku has everything from cute cafes to traditional tavern-style restaurants, while the rural areas of the country have gorgeous outdoor eateries with roofed personal picnic-style tables and locally sourced foods. It's typical to have several small dishes to share in Azerbaijan, which are all super affordable.
We've written an entire Azerbaijan food guide for you, so that you know what to eat in Azerbaijan, and all about what to expect eating out there.
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Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Safety & Customs
Now that you know all of the fun stuff, and most of the logistics, it's time to get back to one of our most important topics of our Azerbaijan travel guide - staying safe as a traveler!
Is Azerbaijan Safe to Visit Now?
Azerbaijan doesn't come up much in the news, but it is known for its turmoil with nearby countries, particularly Armenia. While the two countries still have their issues, this doesn't affect tourists in anyway, and Azerbaijan is a completely safe country to visit.
As a woman, I'd be lying if I wasn't a little nervous that Azerbaijan is a Muslim country. However, one of the beauties of this country is that state and religion do not mix, so you really find a total mix of how people dress, eat, and practice religion. Women are not oppressed, and many locals drink alcohol.
The locals are some of the sweetest and most welcoming people we have ever met, and we constantly had people inviting us for tea and going out of their way to help us, making our travels so comfortable and heartwarming.
Azerbaijan Travel Guide: Other Things to Know About Visiting
You're almost done reading our ultimate Azerbaijan travel guide - but don't go just yet! Here are a few other things to keep in mind while visiting.
What is the Weather Like in Azerbaijan Year Round?
Azerbaijan experiences 4 different seasons, with hot and subtropical climate in the south during summer, and drier (but still hot) temperatures in the mountains. Springtime is full of flower fields, while Autumn brings vibrant colors from the leafs changing, and Winter brings snowy landscapes, especially in the mountains.
What are the Best Months to Visit Azerbaijan?
There really is no bad month for visiting Azerbaijan. The summer months are great for swimming and lavender fields, while spring and Autumn have perfect weather for exploring and are simply gorgeous. Azerbaijan is also a great ski destination, making it also fun in the colder months!
For summer we'd recommend late June or early July, and winter January or February (Azerbaijan is a Muslim country so we have some other incredible places to visit in December for you). In spring the most ideal time for flowers is mid-April to mid-May, and the fall foliage peaks in October.
Lavender fields in Azerbaijan are best witnessed in late June or early July.
Packing For a Trip to Azerbaijan
Here are some of the things that we recommend bringing on your trip to Azerbaijan:
- Comfortable shoes/sneakers for walking around and hiking
- Bathing suit for the mud baths, oil baths, and beaches
- Bag/ Backpack for day trips and tours (check out our list of favorite backpacks for travelers!)
- Action Camera (we use the Insta 360 X3 because you can use it with an extra long selfie stick to mimic a drone and it's ideal for the Gobustan mud volcanoes)
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Chapstick
- Jacket (except for summer)
- Reusable Water Bottle (we use this water bottle from Cafago because it holds the temperature well)
- Camera (we use the Sony A7Riii)
- Wide Lens for capturing certain ladnscapes (we use Sony GM 14mm 1.8)
- Drone for unique shots of the country's beautiful landscapes (We use the DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro)
- Power Bank (we use Anker power banks as they are super long lasting and durable)
- Cash (especially for outside of Baku)
- Travel Adapter
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Is Azerbaijan Worth Visiting?
Azerbaijan may just be one of the most underrated countries we have visited! It is an incredible blend of old and new, with breathtaking landscapes, fun activities, delicious food, and kind people. It's also a pretty budget-friendly destination, and super safe meaning it's ideal for all traveler types.
Sharing is caring! Share Tweet Pin Is Azerbaijan worth visiting? Tucked between Europe and Asia, this lesser-known gem often flies under the radar of travelers. Yet those who make the journey are rewarded with a country full of surprises, where futuristic skylines meet ancient traditions and dramatic landscapes lie just
How Much Time to Spend in Azerbaijan
When we first started planning a road trip in Azerbaijan, we imagined 5 days would be enough - boy were we wrong! We spent 8 days in Azerbaijan and barely scratched the surface.
If you're short on time, we'd recommend keeping Baku as your base and doing a few day trips, but if you have more time, we'd recommend driving around Azerbaijan and spending closer to two weeks.
Travel Planning Tools
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We hope you enjoyed our complete Azerbaijan travel guide, and that it answered and questions you may have had about visiting this underrated country.
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