Azerbaijan is the place where you can observe the modern creations brought by the 21st century and just in 5 minutes dive into 19th century. However, besides the architectural artworks, Azerbaijan will charm you with its fairy nature. High mountains, hilly plains, lakes, mud volcanoes – all of them constitute only a part of what will mesmerize you in this country.
So, let’s get acquainted with these places more closely. Here is the number of places you have to add to your “must visit” list 🙂 And here we go!
Baku
City of winds – here is how people usually call Baku, strong winds are not rare here.
Baku City is the heart of Azerbaijan, which is located at the interception of Europe and Asia, and you will certainly feel it 😉 Indeed, the city contains the traits of both the parts of the continent. Additionally, the modern architecture artworks perfectly fit with the ancient building, so that every tourist will definitely find their ideal place in this wonderful city.
It is the city you won’t have time to get bored! Old City, Upland Park, Palace of Shirvanshakhs, Baku Boulevard and many other places you have to see are located right here.
What is one of the things to do in Azerbaijan during summertime? Of course, swimming and sunbathing! Baku is located on the shore of the Caspian Sea, so you know where to go during your summer trip! You can go to Amburan, Sea Breeze etc. to have your swimming rest!
And while daytime the radiant sun is shining and warms the whole city with its sunrays, in the evenings Baku is turning into city of bright lights – you will never get enough of this view.
Waiting for you to visit
Palace of Shaki Khans
The Next place included in the list of things to do in Azerbaijan – Palace of Shaki Khans’.
Shaki Khans’ Palace is known as one of the brightest heritages of Azerbaijani nation kept from 18th century until today.
The Palace was built during the years 1752-1762 by Huseyn Khan and as the name suggests, it was intended to become the summer residence of the Shaki Khans. It took ten years to construct the building, and eight years were devoted to decorations only! While visiting the Palace, it starts to be clear why the construction process, especially ornaments took so long.
Glasses. As soon as you see the building, the magnificence of glasses will definitely catch your eye. Thousands of glass pieces are joined to each other and are painted in various colors. Once the sun illuminates those glasses with its rays, the whole palace starts shimmering in different shades – fascinating scene!
The Palace is in two stores and includes six rooms, four corridors and two balconies. It is embellished with a huge number of geometric patterns and different paintings in the inner as well as the outer areas of the building. The facade also depicts the hunting and war scenes.
However, the surprising fact is that no glue or nails were used during the construction, can you believe it?! Therefore, the Palace of Shaki Khans’ is the representation of Azerbaijani oeuvre and craftsmanship in the architecture. Once you visit this place, you will wish to capture every detail of this Palace in your memory – the accuracy of work is just impressive!
The Shaki Khans Palace is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Tentative in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Carpet Museum
The carpet museum naming sounds evry simple until you really visit it.Carpet weaving art is a national heritage of Azerbaijan.
It is one of the oldest forms of art in Azerbaijan preserved until these days. Hard to imagine that these carpets were weaved ma-a-any years ago – the accuracy of work is just impressive!
Upland Park
Just a park, but the view… This is the highest place with a picturesque view of the whole Baku city. Our boulevard, ancient and modern buildings, including Maiden Tower and Flame towers –observe the beauty of them all from the park. And how beautiful the city is in the evenings! Ah, those inexpressible sunsets and night city lights. You should see it with your own eyes!
You can rise up to the park by funicular, though 🙂
Gabala
Gabala is one of the most-visited regions of Azerbaijan. Don’t leave Gabala until you visit its Yeddi Gozal Waterfall, Nohur Lake and our lovely Gabaland! And if you’re lucky to visit Gabala in winter, don’t lose your time and rush to Tufandag Winter Resort! Here, you can go skiing, ice-skate or just ride a rope enjoying the fresh air of the mountains. And after entertaining enough, you can visit one of the cafes located on the territory of the resort. What can be better than getting warmed with soft drink in the cold weather or recover your energy with delicious food at the end of an active day?!
Next place included in the list is Nohur Lake. We all sometimes get exhausted from the noise of the big cities and feel the need for silence and the rest to freshen our minds. Nohur Lake is exactly the place you need in such cases! A picturesque corner of Gabala, where you can stay alone with your own thoughts and enjoy the bird and crocket singing.
Maybe you want to see an Azerbaijani version of Disneyland? Then the Gabaland is for you! This is the place where you can go with anyone you wish – friends, parents, children or somebody else and have fun anyway! Motorcycle rinks, volleyball and football areas, skating rink and a lot more waiting for you! You won’t get bored 😉 And don’t forget to visit the “Yeddi Gozal” waterfall – the place which will leave no person indifferent!
Goygol Lake
Welcome to the most beautiful lake and one of the main sightseeing places of Azerbaijan – Goygol, located near to Ganja city 1500 meters high above the sea level.
The lake pleases the eyes of the local citizens as well as the tourists since 12th century, when the earthquake created this mountain lake. You may not only admire the lake itself but also enjoy the breathtaking view opened when rising up to the mountain.
Gobustan
Observing the remains of old ages – one of best things to do in a country with a long-established history! If you want to travel several millenniums back, then your next destination should be our museum of petroglyphs – Gobustan.
A huge number of rock paintings, traces of primitive life, mud volcanoes – Gobustan has a lot to amuse you. These paintings will tell you about the ancient people’s way of lives, their views, beliefs and traditions. And besides these drawings, various caves, stones, bowls and other household items are left to show the ancient life.
Gobustan remains have greatly contributed to the archaeologists and provided an opportunity to investigate the Paleolithic era.
But the petroglyphs were found by accident! The thing is that while working in stone quarry, one of the workers has found these attention-grabbing rock paintings, which led to subsequent exploration of other remains -this is how we came to know our precious Gobustan.
But, these Gobustan has more to show than just the paintings – mud volcanoes. Azerbaijan is first in the world by the number of the mud volcanoes, so it is a rare and, therefore, exciting experience for the tourists visiting Gobustan. But, be cautious and watch carefully every direction you go.
Old City
Every tourist MUST visit Old City in Baku!
Old city, or Inner City, possessing a long history, is located right in the center of Baku city and is listed by UNECSO as World Heritage.
Old town is the mixture of Azerbaijani modern and ancient culture. The first thing that will grab your attention at the entry is the thick walls surrounding the Old City, which defended the local citizens from attacks many centuries ago. Currently the City is still inhabited by the citizens, which creates an opportunity for tourists not only to enjoy the architectural masterpieces of the City, but also view the life of local residents in Baku.
This is the place where you just fly in time – observe modern-style buildings and travel back to an old era. The Pearl of Azerbaijan – Maiden Tower is also can be found in the İnner City. The Tower is full of mysteries and various stories – local residents will tell you them, listen carefully!
Moreover, Old town is full of national restaurants where you can taste the national dish. What can be a better energizer after a long walk than satisfying food?
Shirvanshahs palace
While having a walk in the Old town, don’t forget to visit another pearl of Azerbaijan’s architecture – the Shirvanshahs Palace – definitely one of the things you have to do in Azerbaijan. The complex served as a residence of the Shirvanshahs in XIII-XVI centuries (!). Along with the Maiden Tower, Shirvanshahs palace has been included in UNESCO World Heritage list.
Shirvanshakhs Palace was constructed in 15th century, just at the time when the capital of Shirvanshahs was moved from Shamakha to Baku. During ancient ages the Palace was used for “Divan Khanah” meeting.
Shahdag
Another thing to do in Azerbaijan – mountains!
Sweater weather? If you would like to dive into winter’s tale, then rush to Shahdag! Shahdag is located 4000 metres above the sea level, therefore, the weather frequently reaches minus 20 degress in winter time.
Along with Tufandag, this is the place where you can enjoy the freshness of the mountains and joyfully spend your time ice-skating or skiing. And do not forget about cable car ride!
Guba
And the final thing you have to do in Azerbaijan – see the magnificent and dreamlike nature of Guba. Since ancient times the region has been one of the main cities in Azerbaijan and possesses a long history. This is where you can meet unique villages; one of them is called Xinaliq and is listed in UNESCO.
Besides this, Guba city still remains the carpet weaving center of Azerbaijan. The carpets waved here decorate the museums of many countrıes across the world. For instance, the carpet called “Golu Chichi” is embellishing the museum called “Metropolitan’ in New York. After you see the elegance of the patterns illustrated on the carpets as well as the accuracy of work, you will understand why these carpets are appreciated this much across the world.
But what will impress you no less than villages or carpets is the picturesque nature of Guba and its waterfall Afurja. Isolated with the nature and green admiring the pouring water streams all lightened by the bright sunrays, you are instantly getting drowned in the atmosphere of the rest and relaxation…You can also take Guba tour to visit this beautiful place.You can’t come restless from Guba!
The list of things to do in Azerbaijan could be continued to an eternity… But these are the places which you definitely have to visit before leaving Azerbaijan.
