Azerbaijan, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, offers a mix of rich history, cultural landmarks, and modern attractions. One of the best things to do in Azerbaijan is to explore Baku’s Old City (Icherisheher), where the Maiden Tower and the 15th-century Shirvanshah’s Palace tell stories of the past. You can visit the Heydar Aliyev Centre, a stunning architectural masterpiece known for its flowing design and engaging exhibitions.
When looking for what to do in Azerbaijan, you can experience the serene beauty of the Bibi-Heybat Mosque, rebuilt to reflect its 13th-century origins and adorned with intricate details. For a unique historical insight, you can visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple in Surakhani, which reveals ancient fire worship practices that will transport you back in time.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Shahdag Mountain Resort is perfect for skiing and winter sports. You can hike through the vibrant red and white-striped Candy Cane Mountains for scenic views and photo opportunities. As you explore, you can shop at Yashil Bazaar in Baku, where local spices, fresh produce, and traditional teas offer a true taste of Azerbaijani culture.
From historical exploration to outdoor adventures, you can find a variety of Azerbaijan things to do that will make your journey unforgettable.
The Palace of Shaki Khans stands as a testament to Azerbaijan's rich history and architectural brilliance. Built in the 18th century, its intricate design and lavish interiors showcase the opulence of the Khanate era. Today, it remains a symbol of cultural heritage and a must-visit destination for travelers exploring Azerbaijan.
The Juma Mosque in Baku, Azerbaijan, is a historical landmark known for its unique architecture and religious significance. Dating back to the 12th century, it features intricate Islamic designs and is notable for its ancient stone columns. The mosque remains an important cultural and spiritual site in Baku.
Tufandag Ski Resort in Azerbaijan is a premier destination for winter sports enthusiasts, offering a thrilling experience amidst the stunning Caucasus Mountains. Spread over an area of approximately 4.5 square kilometers, this resort boasts a range of exciting activities for all levels of skiers and snowboarders.
Nohur Lake, nestled in the picturesque region of Gabala, Azerbaijan, is a serene haven offering respite from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Surrounded by lush greenery and rolling hills, the lake's tranquil waters mirror the beauty of its surroundings, creating a mesmerizing spectacle that captivates visitors.
1. Check Out The Old Town Of Baku: The most famous and glamorous city of Azerbaijan is the old city Baku, which is the nation’s first World Heritage site. Get ready to soak yourself in the friendly atmosphere of the city and explore cafes and restaurants nearby where you can feel a refreshing vibe.
The historical place holds some beautiful monuments of the medieval period including the iconic Maiden Tower, Palace of Shirvanshahs, and many other attractive monuments. Wonder with your friends or families in the narrow streets and watch the beautiful museums and temples.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
2. Visit Bibi-Heybat Mosque And Check Out Its Interior: Get a charming experience at the historical mosque i.e Bibi-Heybat in Baku, Azerbaijan. Being the oldest Mosque, it still stands still at its position and now it has been recognized as the spiritual center for the Muslims. The Mosque depicts great architectural design from outside and inside the mosque, you’ll be surprised to see the amazing artworks and delicate design of the workers.
The captivating look of the mosque is escalated with the beautiful view of the massive blue sea and distinct mountains. Must add this place to your bucket list of things to do in Azerbaijan.
Location: Bibi-Heybat Mosque, Baku, Azerbaijan
3. Admire The Hypermodern Beauty Of Heydar Aliyev Centre: A perfect example of modern beauty in Azerbaijan is the Heydar Aliyev Centre, which is an important cultural center in Baku. This beauty is modern in style but speaks about the growth of Azerbaijan’s culture, where you can have a mind-blowing experience with walls and artifacts speaking about Azerbaijan’s past history and beautiful culture.
Enjoy each corner of this multi-functional center where different cultural events, workshops, and exhibitions are performed. Join the cultural events with your friend and enjoy the peaceful entertainment where you will get to know more about the Azerbaijan language and culture.
Location: 1 Heydar Aliyev Ave, Baku 1033, Azerbaijan
4. Buy Some Spices And Tea Leaves At Yashil Bazaar: Wondering about what to do in Azerbaijan then take a walk to the world of Azerbaijan tastes and aromas, Yashil Bazaar is one of the largest food bazaars with thousands of stallholders. Strolling around the stalls in search of different spices, herbs, vegetables, fruits, and spices will give an experience of all new flavors and aromas from distinct corners of the world.
In this hustle-bustle, you can test your bargaining skills and get some species at a very low cost. In order to have an immense experience, you must add this to your list of things to do in Azerbaijan and make the best of your trip.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
5. Stroll Along Baku Promenade And Check Out Mini Venice: The Baku Promenade is built along the coast of the beautiful Caspian Sea, which is a 4-km long stretch. You will see flaming towers while taking a walk around the Promenade, where you’ll find the massiveness of the Capsian sea.
Explore the market near the Baku promenade which will make you fall in love with stunning architecture. Make your trip more memorable by visiting a replica of Venice, yet a smaller version. It is a beautifully designed man-made waterway having the best attraction spot by travelers.
Location: 73 Neftchilar Ave, Baku 1004, Azerbaijan
6. Hike Up The Highland Park At Sunset: Talking about a beautiful park where you can get a mesmerizing panoramic view of Baku then Highland Park of Baku ranks on the top. Reaching out to the top of Highland park gives you a small trekking experience as it has 250 stairs to cover.
Catch the evening vibe of the park as at that time you can beat the heat with a cool and calm environment, giving you a great feeling. On top of the park, you can see some statues devoted to the people caught in the tragic history of the Azerbaijani nation.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
7. Be Blown Away By The Beauty And Scale Of Heydar Mosque At Night: Unleash the secret treasure of Baku’s street i.e Heydar Mosque, which is located in the northern part of town. Feel the quietness and calmness in the Heydar Mosque where spending even a few minutes will give you a mindful relaxing experience.
The beauty of the mosque lies in the night where the whole mosque is turned into beautiful twinkling lights, which create an eye-catching attraction for locals nearby. The actual beauty is in the interior having delicate designs and architecture that will take your breath away. Explore this one of the best things to do in Azerbaijan with your friends or family.
Location: Hamza Babashov, Baku, Azerbaijan
8. Go On A Day Trip To Gobustan And The Mud Volcanoes: Gobustan is a must place to visit when making a trip to Baku, it is one of the oldest yet wonderful places to explore. The outer look of Gobustan might not look much appealing but the interior of Gobustan speaks a lot about history.
There are thousands of rock engravings and petroglyphs which depict the hunting scenes, constellations, humans, and other ancient engravings. The magnificent look of mud volcanoes creates an eye-catching look and attracts a lot of travelers to this spot and adds a new experience to their visit.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
9. Learn About The History Of The Zoroastrianism At Ateshgah Fire Temple: Holy rituals in the fire temple are one of the favorite spots for tourists coming to Azerbaijan. The fire temple at Aatishgarh was a place of sacrifice which used to run on natural gas, but now, the vents are switched with a gas line to make this place look beautiful to worship during nighttime.
The wall and structural design of this temple speak about the history of Zoroastrianism. The flames are visible from a large distance, thus grabbing the attention of tourists. Feel the positive vibes during your visit to this spiritual place with your friends and families.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
10. Spend The Night Away At Nizami Street: Think of anything and you’ll find that Nizami street, which is one of the bustling famous shopping streets in Baku, must add this to your things to do in Azerbaijan. shuffling between the clothing collection at stores will make you fall in love with the street market.
You can find many luxurious outlets, beautiful fountains, and small architectural buildings that make your travel experience more interesting and delightful. Don’t miss to try the traditional and luscious food at the stylish restaurants in Nizami street with your friends or families as this will add a peaceful experience to your journey.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
1. Kayaking in Baku: Kayaking is one of the perfect adventure-filled activities to do in Azerbaijan that makes your blood pump faster. Enjoy your trip with Kayaking where you get a chance to do fishing on Kayak. The best spot for kayaking is in Lankaran and lake Goygol.
2. PaddleBoarding in Baku: One of the toughest adventurous activities to do in Azerbaijan that you can explore in Azerbaijan. Get your strength skill refined before going for paddleboarding, as you will be needing muscular strength for paddling.
3. Skiing at Shahdag: Plan your trip to Azerbaijan in winters for skiing, snowboarding and enjoy a cozy stay at the beautiful resorts of Shahdag. You can double up your skiing experience with fabulous scenic beauty, creating special moments for your memories.
4. Shooting at Gabala club: Experience an unparalleled target shooting experience at Gabala shooting club, which is located near the Caucasus Mountains. You can improve your shooting skills and side by side enjoy the relaxing natural surroundings.
5. Hiking in the Candy Cane Mountains: Have a daring hiking experience around the colorful rocky landscape of candy cane mountains, where you get a chance to showcase your hiking skills and add them to your experience.
You can reach Azerbaijan through Flights and Trains.
Via flights: Reach the main international airport Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku from your country.
Via Train: Take a direct train from Russia and Georgia to Azerbaijan.
The best time to visit Azerbaijan is between April to June and September to October. During this period you will have pleasant weather conditions, making your travel experience delightful.
1. The surprising fire temple of Ateshgah: This historical and magical place attracts a lot of tourists from different parts of the world who want to experience the stunning view of the temple fire during nighttime.
2. The old town of Baku: The old town of Baku holds the maximum tourist gathering as it has beautiful museums, mosques, and traditional villages that depict Azerbaijan history and culture.
3. Heydar Aliyev Centre: A perfect example of modern technology and architecture where you can spend a relaxing time in a calm and quiet environment.
1. Beautiful ceramics
2. Traditional Chirag
3. Matching handbags & purses
4. Colorful Kelagayi, and some stunning jewelry from the street market of Azerbaijan.
Yes, it is safe to visit the beautiful city of Azerbaijan, where you get a chance to discover new places, traditions, and cultures. The police of Azerbaijan are always on patrol especially during night time and if anyone is caught doing any crime then strict actions are taken against them.
You can go to Azerbaijan by plane from India, where you take flights from New Delhi or Mumbai. Available airlines are Jet Airways, KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Emirates, and Gulf Air, having a connecting flight from Istanbul, Dubai, or Bahrain to Heydar Aliyev International Airport in Baku.
You might need at least 5-6 days to explore each corner of Azerbaijan covering famous places like the old town of Baku, Heydar Aliyev Centre, Yashil Bazaar, Ateshgah Fire Temple, and many adventure-packed places which will make your travel more memorable.