Azerbaijan Travel | Best tours and trips to Azerbaijan

In countless places in this fascinating piece of land between the Western World and the East, natural fires are shooting up from the ground. Azerbaijan is also fascinating due to its diversity: as many as nine of the world's 13 climate zones are found in the small country on the Caspian Sea.

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About Azerbaijan

For many centuries, the most diverse peoples shaped today's Azerbaijan. These Turkish, Arab, Persian or Russian traces are still clearly visible today: in architectural, culinary and cultural terms.

In the bustling capital of Baku, traditions are blended with state-of-the-art glass facades and ambitious construction projects. The whole country has always been in a field of tension: between tradition and modernity, East and West, Russia, Persia and Europe.

In hardly any other country in the world are there such large temperature differences as in Azerbaijan, which occupies nine of the world's 13 climate zones in an area not much larger than Austria's.

The best time for round trips in Azerbaijan is spring and autumn. Summer is the perfect time for outdoor activities in the Caucasian mountains. In winter skiing is possible in the resorts Shahdagh and Tufandagh.

On the map

Azerbaijan

Capital: Baku

Crude oil is of vital importance to Azerbaijan – and has been since the 6th century BC, as records show. Even Marco Polo reported how people had skimmed off the oil that had accumulated in pits, packed them in leather sacks and brought them on camels to Arabia or India.

What many do not know: In Azerbaijan, or more precisely in Naftalan, you can even bathe in crude oil. And they say this is healthy, too. Black gold is said to be disinfecting and stimulates the metabolism.

The small country on the Caspian Sea, the largest lake in the world, offers numerous other highlights that we will offer on our tours starting in 2019. For example, the enclave of Nakhichevan, which in contrast to the Azeri heartland borders on Turkey, or the ancient city of Shamakhi, which has been inhabited since the 5th century BC.

The small country on the Caspian Sea, the largest lake in the world, offers numerous other highlights: for example, the enclave of Nakhichevan, which in contrast to the Azeri heartland borders on Turkey. Or the city of Sheki, home to the famous Khan's Palace and the Caravanserai. Other places worth seeing are Lahij and Khinalug, the village whose 2,000 inhabitants speak their own language.

Population

9,867,250

Area

86,600 Km²

Languages

Azeri

Currency

Azeri Manat Currency in Azerbaijan

Tours and trips in Azerbaijan

Come to Azerbaijan with MyCaucasus and discover this fascinating country between the Orient and the Occident. MyCaucasus offers small group tours, tailor-made private trips and drive-yourself trips.

Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan

Road trip between the seas

Culture & History Culinary & Wine

219,912.00 RUB

On this road trip you will discover the whole South Caucasus in 3 weeks. The journey takes you from the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan to the Black Sea in Georgia and even to Read more ...

Georgia Azerbaijan

Road trip along the Greater Caucasus

Culture & History Culinary & Wine

173,181.00 RUB

From the Caspian Sea in the east the trip follows the Greater Caucasus mountains until we arrive in Western Georgia. Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Surprising Azerbaijan

Culture & History Culinary & Wine

145,692.00 RUB

Azerbaijan is one of the most versatile countries in the world. Take this journey of discovery and let yourself be surprised every day anew by this fascinating country be Read more ...

Travel tips Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Baku

Baku region

Many visitors are surprised when they come to Baku for the first time and without any previous knowledge. In the expectation of travell Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Sheki

Sheki Rayon

Sheki, a small town in northern Azerbaijan, is probably the most beautiful place in the country. The historic old town and the caravans Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Naftalan

Naftalan Rayon

In the small Azerbaijani town of Naftalan, people have been bathing in oil for 900 years. Marco Polo had already reported on this in as Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Lahic

Ismailli

If you want to learn more about the old and traditional Azeri carpet weaving, cooper and brass work, the village Lahic, buried deep in Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Lankaran

Lankaran Rayon

Joseph Stalin was once in prison in Lankaran. And the city on the Caspian Sea produced a twofold hero of the Soviet Union. Reason enoug Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Astara

Astara Rayon

Astara is located at the border with Iran. Relax at the city beach, swim in the Caspian Sea or visit the burning springs «Yanar Bulag� Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Shamkir

Shamkir Rayon

Shamkir is located in the north-west of Azerbaijan. Its original name was Annenfeld, because it was founded by German emigrants in 1817 Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Khinalug

Quba

Khinalug is an ancient Azerbaijani mountain village in the Great Caucasus. In this secluded village, a language of its own has survived Read more ...

Azerbaijan

Shamakhi

Shamakhi Rayon

The main attractions of Shamakhi are the Jummah Mosque and the Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum. Tourists often visit the city on their journey b Read more ...

Sights in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan

Gobustan Mud Volcanoes

Azerbaijan, which is often called the Land of Fire, has the highest number of mud volcanoes in the world. 350 out of over 1,000 mud volRead more ...

Azerbaijan

Maiden Tower

The Maiden Tower is the oldest building in the walled old city of Baku. The enigmatic tower is the stage for legends and myths. The MaiRead more ...

Azerbaijan

Momine Khatun Mausoleum

The Mausoleum of Momine-Khatun is one of the most monumental buildings of Azerbaijan architecture and is distinguished by an imperial gRead more ...

Azerbaijan travel infos

Money & Costs:

Since 1992, the Azerbaijani Manat (Azərbaycan Manatı) is the official currency of Azerbaijan. In 2006, it was replaced by the new Manat, with a New Manat being the equivalent of 5,000 old Manats. Today 100 Manat is worth about 50 Euro.

The banknotes are available in the sizes 1, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 Manat. A Manat consists of 100 Gepik (Qəpik). Gepik coins are available in sizes 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 50. Funnily enough, there is no 2 Gepik coin.

It is difficult to get enough Manat before the trip, as the currency is rather difficult to obtain. But you won’t have a problem withdrawing money in Azerbaijan. In the cities and the tourist places are numerous ATMs, which usually work with international credit cards.

Whether the withdrawal with EC or Maestro cards also works, you should clarify in advance with your bank.

Euro, US dollars and other currencies can be easily changed in the many exchange offices into Manats. Unlike banks, which usually close at 4 pm, exchange offices are open until late in the evening.

Tip 1: When entering the country, you must declare how much money you have in foreign currency. The receipt of this declaration you should keep until your departure. Also, note that you cannot spend more than you have brought in.

Tip 2: Be careful not to accept banknotes that are in poor condition. Because these are sometimes not accepted, which makes it a little more complicated to get rid of them.

Tip 3: We do not recommend travel checks because they are not very common in Azerbaijan and their redemption is cumbersome.

In our blog, you find more information about the Azeri manat.

Safety:

As in any other country, you should also follow the usual security precautions in Azerbaijan: Do not go alone through dark and remote places, do not flaunt your valuables openly, respect local customs and avoid conflicts. It is beyond question: Azerbaijan is a safe destination; the crime rate is low.

Politically, too, Azerbaijan is fundamentally stable. The only exception is Nagorno-Karabakh, a region claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia, which is a conflict that has persisted for many years and that often involves acts of war.

You should not visit the Nagorno-Karabakh region. First, because of the periodic tensions, second, because entry into the region is considered a criminal offense under Azerbaijani law without the Azerbaijani authorities' permission, and thirdly, because of the risk of landmines and gunshot wounding or death across the entire Azerbaijani-Armenian border area is extremely high.

Aside from the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, Azerbaijan is politically stable.

Tip: Always carry your passport or a copy of it with you as there are occasional police or army checks. There are also international airports in Ganja, Lənkəran and Naxçıvan. Direct flights to Baku can be found, for example, from the cities of London, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Frankfurt, Budapest, Tel Aviv, New York and the Russian cities of Moscow, St Petersburg, Samara, Ufa and Ekaterinburg.

Entry & Exit:

There are four international airports in Azerbaijan. Most flights arrive at Heydär Äliyev Airport in Baku.

There are direct flights to Baku from London, Paris, Milan, Berlin, Frankfurt, Budapest, Tel Aviv, New York, Tbilisi and from the Russian cities Moscow, St. Petersburg, Samara, Ufa and Yekaterinburg.

People from most states need a visa. If you come from an EU country or from the USA, from Canada Israel, Switzerland, or Liechtenstein, you can apply for an e-visa easily and quickly if you plan to stay less than 30 days.

Best time to go:

As many as nine of the world's 13 existing climate zones occur in Azerbaijan. Between the coldest temperature ever measured (-33° Celsius) and the highest (+46° Celsius), there is a difference of almost 80° Celsius.

The ideal travel time for Azerbaijan is the months from May to October. In May and October, the temperatures are between 20° and 22° Celsius. In the summer months around 30° Celsius and above.

If you want to travel to the high mountains, the summer months are recommended. In July, it is still around 5° Celsius in the mountains.

We only carry out our tours during the ideal travel time. You do not need to worry about it.

Health:

Medical care is ensured in Baku. In the smaller cities and rural areas, care is often not up to international standards.

Before you arrive, you should take out a foreign health insurance in your country that is valid for Azerbaijan. Your health insurance should include travel insurance to avoid inflated costs in case of an emergency.

Before you travel, you should have your vaccinations checked. You should be vaccinated against the following diseases: tetanus (tetanus), diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A. Alternatively, we recommend vaccinations against hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies.

Tip: If you are dependent on certain medications and must take them on your trip, clarify in advance with your consulate, whether the import of these substances is allowed.

FAQ about Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan in photos

Baku

Galaalty reservoir

Hills in Azerbaijan

Mud volcano

Ilisu

Karabakh

Nature in Azerbaijan

Azeri mountains

Mud volcano

Baku

Ilisu

Khinaluq

Kelekhana tombs

Sheki

Natural fire

Sharmistha Sen (India)

The eclectic architecture and breathtaking natural beauty of the Caucasian region would have remained unknown to me if not for this awesome MyCaucasus travel portal.

Simon Stahl (USA)

We had a great group. I still have contact with all six. We have already agreed that we will come back next year. Then it will be a wine tour through Kakheti.

Michal Kos (Czech Republic)

Gudauri and its awesome mountains, tons of free riders and probably the friendliest nation in the world. Thank you Mycaucasus for the best trip in my life!

Eleanor Lewis (USA)

I recommend Fabio and his company MyCaucasus Travel to custom your trip. Fabio is knowledgeable about the region and will provide you with a great adventure.