Discover Azerbaijan
Accommodation in Azerbaijan
Baku’s Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site; however, Azerbaijan has much to offer travelers beyond its historic center. In Sheki, traditional architecture and craftsmanship shape the cultural landscape, while Khinalig is part of an extensive seasonal cultural landscape. Other highlights include mugham, dolma and a variety of sporting experiences. The examples below will help you compare culture, landscapes and activities as focal points for your trip.
Urban History and Architecture
The Old City is Baku’s historic center, surrounded by 12th-century walls. Sheki offers a different architectural impression: its traditional buildings, with tall gabled roofs, deep verandas and gardens, stand amid a forested mountain landscape. The Khan’s Palace of Sheki is an outstanding example of the city’s architecture. The cultural focus of each destination is therefore quite distinct: Baku is known for its walled historic center, while Sheki is characterized by traditional house forms and an outstanding palace.
Music, Cuisine and Craftsmanship
Azerbaijani mugham is a traditional musical form characterized by extensive improvisation and is associated with many venues across the country. For those interested in music, it offers a cultural perspective distinct from architecture or landscapes. Dolma is also important throughout the country: it is a central culinary tradition, enjoyed on special occasions and at gatherings. This connection to social occasions makes dolma a particularly tangible subject if you are interested in the country’s food culture.
In Shaki, visitors can meet artisans and see a Shebeke workshop in the Shaki fortress. In Lahij, master classes for tourists are often held in the workshop of local coppersmith Nazar Aliyev. If you are planning a workshop visit or class, check current visiting arrangements and offerings in advance.
Religious sites are also part of the region’s culture: Ashabi Kahf is a popular pilgrimage site for local Azerbaijanis. The complex includes a mosque and shrines accessible via a network of stairways. The Ateshgah Temple is located in the settlement of Surakhani.
Landscapes and Different Time Periods
The Khinalig Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site includes the high-altitude village of Khinalig, summer pastures and agricultural terraces in the Greater Caucasus. It also includes winter pastures in the lowland plains of central Azerbaijan and the 200-kilometer-long seasonal transhumance route Köç Yolu (“Migration Route”). Comparing the mountain summer pastures with the lowland winter pastures brings the seasonal extent of this cultural landscape into focus.
Gobustan State Reserve includes more than 6,000 rock carvings dating from a period of about 5,000 to 20,000 years ago. Together with Baku’s 12th-century walls, they span a broad stretch of time: the rock carvings reach far back into prehistory, while the Old City presents a medieval urban landscape.
Activities for Different Interests
The sporting options also differ clearly. The resorts in Shahdag have 14 well-groomed ski runs. In the village of Shorabad in the Khizi region near Baku is Blueplanet Resort, Azerbaijan’s first kitesurfing center. It offers lessons and courses, as well as kites and boards for purchase or rental, each with the necessary accessories. At Yanardag, visitors can take part in guided off-road electric scooter tours. The options range from ski runs and kitesurfing to guided rides off-road.
Slope and lift operations may change; information from Blueplanet Resort’s operators may also change. Before your visit, check the current status of the slopes and the courses and equipment on offer.
Discover more destinations: Baku, Siazan, Kuzun, Badashkhan, Ağstafa, Ganja, Absheron, Bala-Gusar, Şəmkir, Oghuz, Masally, Sumgait, Lankaran City, Shaki, Qabala, Shamakhi, Qakh, Naftalan, Quba, Nabran, Aghbulag, Zaqatala, Khachmaz, Tovuz, Mingəçevir, Ismailli, Nakhchivan, Galaalti, Turist, Altiaghach, Shahdag, Sis, Samur, Armaki, Lerik
For the broader travel overview: Asia.
