Tours to the former Soviet republics are becoming more and more popular among Russian travelers. Simplified entry conditions and the ability to communicate in their native language also attract compatriots to the Transcaucasian republics, with whose inhabitants relations have long been distinguished by special warmth. Looking for information on what to see in Azerbaijan during your holidays or vacations? Pay attention to the most famous sights for which both Baku and the Azerbaijani province are famous.
TOP-15 sights of Azerbaijan
Maiden's Tower
In the center of old Baku, on top of a cliff, partially lined with hewn stone, stands the oldest metropolitan landmark - the Maiden's Tower. The date of its construction is shrouded in mystery, and archaeologists believe that the construction began in pre-Islamic times, and the last work on the tower was carried out in the XII century. For about two hundred years, the Maiden Tower served as a beacon that showed the way to ships arriving at the Baku port.
However, the original purpose of the building is still a kind of mystery. The most reasonable explanation for the appearance of the tower in Baku is the version about its cult purpose. There is a version that Gyz Galasy served as a kind of observatory for sun worshipers.
The height of the building is about 28 meters, the diameter of the base is more than 16 meters, and the inner space of the tower, divided into eight tiers, is connected by spiral staircases. At the very top of the Maiden Tower you will find an observation deck with an excellent view of the Baku port.
The cost of visiting the attraction in local currency is equivalent to 5 euros.
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
The residence of the rulers of Shirvan in Baku is a complex of structures built in the period from the 13th to the 16th century. Visiting the landmark, you can see:
- A 15th century palace mosque decorated with stone carvings.
- The Kei-Kubada Mosque, built a century earlier on the site of an ancient burial place.
- The eastern portal or gate of Murad, designed and embodied in stone by an architect from Tabriz.
- Turbe or tomb, above the entrance to which rises a richly decorated stone portal.
The palace itself is a two-story building with narrow spiral staircases, many rooms and bay windows, from where a magnificent view of the sea bay opens.
The address of the complex is 76, Dvortsovy lane. The nearest metro station is Icheri Sheher. The complex is open from 10.00, the ticket price is 1 euro.
Gobustan
The reserve in the Absheron region carefully preserves rock paintings that have survived from primitive times. The oldest ones were made about 6 thousand years ago. The artists depicted people, animals, scenes of hunting and everyday life.
No less attention is attracted by mud volcanoes, which throw a mixture of mud, oil and water onto the surface of the earth. The landscape in these parts resembles a Martian one, and the volcanoes themselves are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Between Baku and Gobustan - about 50 km, which can be overcome by public transport or taxi.
Ateshgah
The Temple of Fire on the Absheron Peninsula appeared in the 17th century on the site of unquenchable fires. In Azerbaijan, such mysticism has a completely scientific basis: in these parts, natural gas escaping from the ground is burning. The temple was revered by Zoroastrians and Sikhs, and scholars believe that fire was worshiped here even in the Median era.
The open-air museum includes an outer battlement wall, an entrance portal, and a quadrangular altar, which pilgrims still visit today.
The exact address of the object: the village of Surakhany, Surakhani district. Distance from the center of the capital is about 30 km.
Carpet Museum
If you want to look at carpets in Azerbaijan, go to the museum, the building of which leaves no doubt about its purpose. The world's first museum dedicated to carpet weaving and the history of carpet and carefully preserving the most valuable examples of ancient art was opened in Baku in the middle of the last century.
The oldest exhibit of the museum is a fragment of a carpet of the Tabriz school woven in the 17th century, and the 18th century carpet, called Khila Afshan, has been preserved almost perfectly. Among the 14 thousand exhibits, visitors will see a collection of ancient faience, embroidery, weapons and even archaeological finds dating back to the Bronze Age.
Museum address - Baku, st. Mikail Useinova, 28. The exposition is open every day except Monday from 10.00.
Sheki khans' palace
A small residence of the eastern rulers in the city of Sheki was built in the Persian style. The building, erected in the 18th century for Huseyn Khan Mushtag, is still considered an example of the palace architecture of the Caucasus. Especially impressive are the huge mosaic window in the center of the palace, openwork stone lattices and the facade, painted with scenes of hunting and military battles. The painting covers absolutely the entire palace - both inside and outside, and the main color of the palace ornaments is gold.
Sheki city is located in the northern part of the country. In addition to the palace, the fortress, the Khan's mosque, the caravanserais and the minaret of the Geyli mosque are noteworthy here.
National Park on the Absheron Peninsula
The reserve was first created in these places back in the days of the USSR, and a national park on the basis of it was founded in 2005. Tourists can see gazelles and Caspian seals in the reserve in their natural habitat. Herring gulls, swans, egrets and other birds nest in the coastal backwaters. Several bird species of the Absheron peninsula are included in the Red Book of the republic.
Icheri Sheher
The historical and cultural reserve in Baku is surrounded by perfectly preserved ten-meter fortress walls. The oldest part of the capital of Azerbaijan is located here, where you can look at mosques and caravanserais, baths and residential buildings. Icheri Sheher is protected by UNESCO as part of the World Heritage List.
Diri Baba mausoleum
The tomb of Sheikh Diri Bab in the Gobustan region of the country literally adhered to a sheer cliff. It was built at the beginning of the 15th century. The two-storey building has a hall with pointed vaults and an octagonal dome. A staircase carved into the rock leads to the second floor. The tomb is decorated with inlaid mosaics and trumpets with floral ornaments.
Locals tell legends about the saint buried here, but the appearance of the tomb, which hovers above the rock, is much more shocking.
The nearest settlement is the city of Gobustan, which was called Marazy until 2008.
Primorsky Boulevard Baku
The capital's embankment stretching for 16 km along the seashore is the quintessence of everything that can be seen and tasted in Azerbaijan. On Primorsky Boulevard, you will find a whole bunch of entertainments:
- A musical fountain, which, according to local residents, has no equal anywhere in the world.
- Amusement Park "Bulsur", where you can ride several attractions and look at the city from a 60-meter Ferris wheel.
- Children's theater, which hosts performances and concerts.
And on the boulevard, a lot of authentic catering establishments are open, where you will be offered to taste real dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine.
Goygol
The lake and the Goygol National Park of the same name are a must-see if you love mountain landscapes and dream of breathing clean air. The resort on the North Shore offers wellness programs and a comfortable location, while a variety of hiking trails will help you explore the surrounding area and discover the most picturesque corners of the national park.
It is very easy to get to the Goygol region by direct buses from the capital.
History Museum of Azerbaijan
The exposition of the museum was first opened in 1920 and since then its funds have grown several dozen times. The history of the country is reflected in authentic documents, books, household and cult items, weapons, coins and other exhibits. Today, the Museum of History invites visitors to explore exhibitions in the departments of the ancient and medieval period, admire the numismatic collection and get acquainted with paintings, jewelry and old books.
History Museum address: Baku, st. GZ Tagiyev, 4. The exposition is available for inspection from 10.00 all days except Monday. The price of a full ticket is 5 euros.
Flame Towers of Baku
Like flashes of a fire, three Baku skyscrapers delight the traveler's eye and slowly but surely become the new symbol of the Azerbaijani capital. The buildings, which are glowing in the evenings, have been awarded the title of the best in the world in terms of lighting, and they are located in a chic hotel, office space and apartments for the local nouveau riche. The best views of the skyscrapers are from the city's waterfront or from the Hilton's bar. The city funicular will take you to the foot of the skyscrapers.
Yanardag
The burning mountain Yanardag is one of the most unusual Azerbaijani sights. Located on the Absheron Peninsula, it attracts with its eternal fire that has been burning on the mountainside for several millennia. Even heavy rains cannot extinguish it, and the reason, as elsewhere in similar places in Azerbaijan, is the emergence of natural gas.
The Yanardag Historical Reserve is best visited at dusk. The nearest settlement is the village of Mehemmedi, 25 km from the capital.
National Flag Square
Local residents consider this place in the center of Baku to be the heart of the country. A 162-meter flagpole stands on the square, on which the huge flag of Azerbaijan flutters. The dimensions of the banner are 75x35 meters, and the flag weighs 350 kg. More recently, the height of the flagpole was entered in the Guinness Book of Records.
The exhibits of the Museum of the State Flag, located on the square, tell about the history of the symbols of the republic - the flag, anthem and coat of arms. Interesting stamps, collectible badges and awards of Azerbaijan are exhibited here.
Attraction address: Baku, st. Agil Guliyeva.
