Azerbaijan Travel Blog
A modern online magazine about traveling in Azerbaijan that combines inspiration with practical advice. We write about attractions, cities and regions, national cuisine, history, culture, traditions and holidays, as well as the country's nature: lakes, mountains and national parks. In one place you will find useful tips for tourists, routes and interesting stories that will help you plan your trip and get to know Azerbaijan better.
The Taste of Azerbaijan: A Journey Through the National Cuisine
Some countries are remembered for their architecture, others for their table. Azerbaijan belongs to the second kind. Your introduction often begins with the smell of smoke from a grill and a bunch of fresh coriander, and ends with a plate of sweet pakhlava, and between those two points lies a whole geography of flavors.The cuisine took shape where the mountains meet the subtropics, and it reflects...
The Origin of the Name Azerbaijan: Four Theories
The name Azerbaijan sounds proud and great. It seems closely connected with this ancient land, its culture, people and history. References to this name go back to ancient times. During the period of the Arab Caliphate, the region was already called the Emirate of Azerbaijan. Historical sources from that time also say that the name has an ancient origin. Today, scientists still do not have o...
Lakes of Azerbaijan: From the Caspian to Goygol
Azerbaijan can rightly be called a country of lakes. Its eastern border is washed by the largest lake on the planet — the Caspian Sea. Despite its name, the Caspian is scientifically a lake, although its size is really like a sea. Millions of years ago, the Caspian was part of the world's ocean. But over time, because of changes in the Earth's crust, it became separated from the ocean. Today, it ...
Gudialchay Gorge: Where Water Carved a Path Through Mountains
On the northeastern slopes of the Greater Caucasus Mountains, where peaks rise against the sky and a river winds between cliff faces, lies one of Azerbaijan's most impressive natural wonders. This gorge takes its name from the foot of one of the region's principal symbols—the city of Quba, located at an elevation of 600 meters above sea level. But the true protagonist of this place is the Gudialch...
Saint Bartholomew Chapel: A Forgotten Monument of Faith at the Foot of the Maiden Tower
At the foot of the Maiden Tower in central Baku, in the old city, among narrow streets and ancient stones, lies the foundation of a chapel. This is all that remains of the Chapel of Saint Bartholomew—a small church that stood here for less than fifty years, yet its history stretches back centuries, into the first century of our era. According to Christian tradition, the Apostle Bartholomew, one o...
Lankaran Khan Palace — Monument to Love, Architecture & Talysh Heritage
In the center of Lankaran, on Mir Mustafa Khan Street, stands a building that immediately catches your attention. It is white, three-storied, with elegant stained-glass windows and clearly visible traces of European craftsmanship in every detail. This is the Khan Palace — a monument to history, an architectural masterpiece, and, as locals say, a palace of love. The story of its creation is one...
Masally: Azerbaijan's Colorful Corner Where Crafts and Nature Meet
Masally is not just a district in southern Azerbaijan. It is a colorful corner of the country where dense forests meet agricultural plantations, where rivers wind through mountains, and where people still practice crafts that have almost disappeared in other places.The first thing that strikes you about Masally is nature. The subtropical climate has created conditions for growing plants that canno...
Ismailly: When You Need to Escape the Heat
Baku is a city where you can barely breathe in summer. Heat, asphalt, cars everywhere, people everywhere. You get tired. And then someone says: "Let's go to Ismailly." It's in the mountains, cooler, and there are mineral springs there.Ismailly sits at an elevation of 750 meters. This means you need to drive for a few hours from Baku, but when you arrive, you understand it was worth the time. The t...
Ganja: Where Medieval Silk Road Trade Meets Modern Azerbaijan
Ganja is not what most tourists expect when they think of Azerbaijan. It's not dramatic like the Caucasus mountains, not stunning like Baku's modern skyline, and not hidden like the remote villages in the north. Instead, Ganja is something quieter—a city that speaks in whispers, where history is woven into the fabric of daily life so thoroughly that locals often don't realize how remarkable their ...
Jingirdagh: The Burning Mountain of Azerbaijan
A Natural Phenomenon That Looks Like Magic On the Absheron Peninsula, among dry steppes and sparse vegetation, lies a place that appears as if the earth itself is literally burning. Flames burst from cracks in the rocky surface, dancing in the air with shades of orange and yellow. Locals call this place Jingirdagh, or "the singing mountain," and this name perfectly captures the character of thi...
The Talysh Villages of Azerbaijan: A Journey Through Forests, Mountains, and Tea Country
In southern Azerbaijan, where the Caspian Sea meets the green slopes of the Talysh Mountains, life moves at a different pace. There are no towering skyscrapers, busy boulevards, or crowded city streets. Instead, visitors find winding rural roads, tea plantations, ancient forests, and small villages where traditions have been preserved for generations.This part of the country is known as the hist...
The Samovar Circle in Lankaran: How Tea Became a Symbol of Southern Azerbaijan
One of the first things people notice when entering Lankaran is the enormous samovar standing beside the road. For travelers, it may look like an unusual city monument, but for the region itself, it represents something much deeper - the identity of southern Azerbaijan and its long connection to tea culture. Lankaran has been associated with tea for generations. The humid subtropical climate,...
Deniz Mall in Baku
Baku is a city that masterfully blends centuries-old history with futuristic architecture. One of the most striking symbols of its modern skyline is Deniz Mall, a premier shopping and entertainment destination located right on the Baku Promenade. This venue has evolved far beyond a typical shopping center, turning into a vibrant lifestyle hub for relaxation, dining, and scenic evening walks. ...
Lavender Fields in Gabala: Where They Are and When They Bloom
During summer, Gabala transforms completely. The mountain air becomes warmer, the forests turn intensely green, and among the hills appear purple lavender fields that many travelers compare to the landscapes of Provence. For many visitors, this side of Azerbaijan comes as a surprise. The country is usually associated with the Caspian coast, ancient cities, or the Caucasus Mountains, but in su...
Wedding Traditions in Azerbaijan: Ancient Customs That Still Live On Today
An Azerbaijani wedding is much more than a celebration or a single evening event. In Azerbaijani culture, weddings have always been considered one of the most important moments in family life, bringing together relatives, neighbors, friends, and entire generations. That is why wedding traditions in Azerbaijan still remain a major part of the country’s cultural identity, even in modern life. Tod...
Guba Region: Mountains, Waterfalls, and the Side of Azerbaijan Most Travelers Miss
Explore Guba in Azerbaijan: waterfalls, forests, Khinalug village, and mountain landscapes near Baku
One Day in Baku: A City That Changes Every Hour
What to do in Baku in one day: top places, city views, and the best walking spots in Azerbaijan’s capital
Azerbaijan you don’t see as a tourist
Discover hidden places in Azerbaijan: non-touristic routes, nature, and authentic travel experiences beyond Baku