Destination_EN

salam
hello
Content
History2
Activities4
Culture6
Food8
Landscape10
Architecture12
Baku14
One country, millions of flavours 16
Experience Azerbaijan18
City experience 20
Culture experience 22
Welcome to Azerbaijan, home of the Karabakh horse.
Our national animal is famed for its speed, stamina and
intelligence – we like to think that it represents us well!
It gallops through an amazing landscape of creativity,
trade and culture. Ride with us as we take you on a
journey to a land you’ll never forget.
Wellness experience 24
Nature experience 26
Practical Information 28
1

HISTORY
contemporary nation
criss-crossed by history
Our land shows evidence
of the earliest civilisations.
But the Great Silk Road
brought a constant stream
of travellers, all leaving
traces of their passing.
And our history is still being
rewritten today, giving us
a never-ending supply of
fascinating stories.
Gobustan
Rising out of the semi-desert here is the
UNESCO Cultural Landscape of more than
6,000 rock engravings, which go back
40,000 years. You can also see graffiti by
a Roman legionary - the furthest east it
has ever been found..
Ateshgah
The fire-worshipping Zoroastrians left
their mark at Ateshgah, where the Fire
Temple amazes visitors with its spouts of
flame. The present temple only dates from
the 19th century, though, as the site was
adopted by the Hindu merchants trading
in nearby Baku.
Shamkir and Goygol
There’s no better place to see the
influence of the Great Silk Road than
the towns of Shamkir and Goygol, where
German settlers lived in the 19th century.
The beautifully restored Germanic streets,
and Lutheran churches, make this a mustsee
destination.
Black Gold
In the first years of the 20th century,
Baku supplied half of the entire world’s
oil production, making the fortunes of
the Rothschilds, the Nobel brothers, and
the Taghiyevs. Thanks to the oil barons of
Baku, a new city was born out of the old,
and it’s fascinating to discover the stories
behind every façade.
Today
Modern Azerbaijan is a thriving
contemporary nation, with cutting-edge
cultural, leisure and business facilities.
Our hospitality is as warm as ever, and
our history is still being shaped by our
many guests.
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Azerbaijan has the perfect
landscape for every kind
of holiday you can think
of, from the relaxation of
a spa or beach, to more
energetic pursuits.
ACTIVITIES
land of leisure
buzzing with energy
Kitesurfers
You’ll find perfect conditions to learn
kitesurfing at the flat-water lagoon at
Shurabaad, close to Baku. Once you’ve
mastered it in the shallow waters of
the lake, take your board out into the
open Caspian.
Beach
It’s not far from Baku to the Amburan
Beach Club, one of the best resorts and
beaches in the area, where you can get
a splendid view of the Caspian from the
comfort of a poolside lounger.
Golf
If you’d rather spend the day avoiding
the sand, Baku has a challenging and
enjoyable course close to the city centre,
or you can travel to Quba to play on the
National Federation course, which has
breathtaking mountain views.
Hiking
The views in the mountains are stunning
in summer, especially the area of Qakh.
Ilisu village was once its very own tiny
sultanate, and you can hike from the
photogenic ramparts to amazing
viewpoints and spectacular waterfalls.
Skiing
The classy resort at Shahdag has firstclass
amenities, 14 well-prepared slopes
and friendly and accommodating
teachers and staff. For more challenging
pistes, try the black runs at Tufandag.
Sport
From Chovqan, a traditional Karabakh
horse-riding game, to freestyle wrestling,
we’ve always prided ourselves on staying
healthy and strong. We’re into gymnastics,
boxing, futsal, and football. But we also
host events, from the 1st European
Games in 2015 to Formula 1, the UEFA
Europa League Final 2019, and the UEFA
European Football Championships 2020.
Our beautiful sports venues are well
worth visiting!
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5

CULTURE
modern art
traditional masterpieces
From the latest cultural
experiences, to traditions
that haven’t changed
in hundreds of years,
our country shows the
influence of all the artists
that have passed through
and called it home.
Art
The collections at the Heydar Aliyev
Centre and Yarat Contemporary Art
Centre show the incredible diversity and
energy of Azerbaijani art today. We’ve
always been famed for decorative arts
like weaving, silverwork and metalwork.
But Faig Ahmed has taken carpets to a
new level with his mindbending designs!
Fashion
The traditional Kelaghayi silk scarf is still
a strong expression of our cultural identity.
But these days, we’re at the forefront of
contemporary chic, with our own fashion
week in its seventh season, and our style
even providing the inspiration for Leonie
Mergen’s “Karabakh” collection at Berlin
fashion week.
Music
Here, we love to sing, dance and play
music. The classic form of Azerbaijani
music, the mugam, is so good it
represented World Music on the Voyager
space probe! Our jazz mixes mugam
with blues, African music and modern
Western styles. But our new favourite is
the Eurovision Song Contest. We started
competing in 2008, and it only took us
until 2011 to win! You may have seen it in
2012, when it was broadcast from Baku.
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7

Azerbaijan’s unique
geography and location
have resulted in a cuisine
influenced not just by its
own varied ingredients,
but the tastes of many
peoples travelling along
the Silk Road. So it’s full
of surprising flavours and
combinations!
FOOD
latest cuisine
classic dishes
Plov
Our favourite dish is plov - rice served with
meat, fish or fruit. Every family has its own
recipe - there are books with 40 different
versions in! There is even an International
Plov festival.
Pakhlava
Pakhlava, symbolizing stars in the sky,
is a festive dish made for Novruz, the
traditional celebration of the coming
of spring. Our classic pakhlava is cut
into diamonds, but in Sheki they have
halva, which comes in squares, while
in Gabala it is triangular and called
“uchgulag” (3 ears).
Wine
We’ve been making wine for thousands
of years. The varied terrain of our fastimproving
wineries across the country
results in a myriad of flavours and
bouquets. Our most famous are Caspian
Coast, Fireland Vineyards, Yarimada,
Hacihetemli, Savalan, Hillside, and Agsu
pomegranate wine.
Caviar and Fish
Caspian fish has its own special taste
and is best served with narsherab
(pomegranate sauce). Our most famous
fish is the Beluga sturgeon, which don’t
reach reproductive age till they are
around 20 years old. No surprise then that
beluga caviar is now one of the world`s
most expensive delicacies.
Caravanserai
The ultimate way to experience traditional
Azerbaijani food is at a caravanserai.
These were the hotels of the medieval
merchants travelling on the Silk Road,
and now offer sumptuous banquets.
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LANDSCAPE
summer hillsides
winter slopes
If you are imagining any
one kind of terrain, you’ll be
surprised! The Azerbaijan
climate has 9 distinct zones,
and every kind of geography,
from the mountains and
plateaus to the lowlands
and coast.
Sand
It’s not just in the desert! The shores of
the Caspian sea have plenty of excellent
beach clubs to enjoy, from the Absheron
Peninsula resorts, which are easily within
reach of Baku, to the water sports
at Shuraabad.
Snow
Azerbaijan is nearly surrounded by
mountains, so we get great summer hiking
and winter skiing. Our best ski resorts are
at Shahdag and Gabala, while in the
summer you can get up to Khinalug, which
is so isolated it has its own language!
Fire
You’ll be amazed by Yanar Dag, which is
a hill that has been blazing away with a
10 metre wall of flame since the time of
Marco Polo. It’s no wonder people here
used to worship fire!
Mud
We have about half of the world’s
discovered mud volcanoes - 400 of them!
Dashgil area is wonderfully lonely and
atmospheric, unsigned and unfenced.
There’s a good variety of regularly active
but gentle features including many high
plopping mud nozzles and a bubbling
mud pool.
Flowers and trees
The flora of our country is impressive
all year round thanks to the variety of
habitats. Wild flowers are particularly
impressive in late spring, with massed
poppies giving a splash of colour to the
young, emerald green corn fields. In June
it’s the turn of the mountains to bloom.
The Lankaran forest has even been the
inspiration for a perfume made from the
native ironwood tree.
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The buildings of Azerbaijan
are a glorious mixture
of styles, reflecting
the cultural shifts and
changing trends of
hundreds of years. From
minarets to mosaics,
medieval to modern,
every corner reveals
something different.
ARCHITECTURE
fluid simplicity
intricate details
Momine Khatun Mausoleum
The dramatic, semi-desert mountain
landscapes of the Nahkchivan
Autonomous Republic stretch from
brooding Mt Aghri to the historic town
of Ordubad. This stunning 25-metre high
decagon of red brick and turquoise
enamelled tiles is the finest example of
the Nakhchivan architectural tradition.
Shirvanshakh Palace
You can see a fascinating variety of
medieval Islamic architecture in this part
of Baku’s UNESCO World Heritage Site,
because the complex was built gradually,
over the course of centuries.
Haydar Aliyev Centre
World-famous architect Zaha Hadid
designed the crown jewel of our
architecture in central Baku. It flows
seamlessly from the plaza around it,
joining the exterior and the interior to
represent the inclusion of everyone in
a place of shared ideas. A museum,
exhibition halls and an auditorium are
housed together in this single eternally
flowing shape.
Ganja Bottle House
This astonishing two-storey house in
Azerbaijan’s second city was completed
in 1967 by Ibrahim Jafarov, and is made
of 48,000 glass bottles of different colours
and sizes. Unusual, even for Azerbaijan!
Sheki Khan Palace
Our craftsmen are famed for their
shebeke - a mosaic of coloured glass set
in a wooden latticework and assembled
without nails or glue. The round-form
shebeke of Sheki Khan Palace is unique,
making it a real visual feast!
12 13

BAKU
modern life
ancient city
From the modern elegance
of the Flame Towers
standing proud above,
to the medieval World
Heritage site at its core,
there is something for
everyone in stunning Baku.
A constantly evolving
tapestry of life and energy
from bazaar to penthouse.
Prepare to be astounded!
Flame Towers
These three skyscrapers dominate the
skyline of Baku. They’re over 30 storeys tall,
and completely covered with LED screens.
At night they light up with a fire display
that’s visible from anywhere in the city.
Maiden Tower
The Maiden Tower is so old, we can’t tell
what it was originally meant for. It may
have been a Zoroastrian fire temple, an
observatory, or a fortress. Maybe it was a
watchtower, as it certainly gives incredible
views across Baku and the Caspian Sea!
Nightlife
However you let your hair down, you’ll
find somewhere to do it here. As well as
traditional entertainments, Baku has a
thriving jazz community, and DJs from
around the world come to contribute to
our lively club scene.
Carpets
In 2010 the Azerbaijani carpet was
proclaimed a Masterpiece of Intangible
Heritage by UNESCO, and this museum
has the largest collection in the world.
Of course, this is Azerbaijan, so these
traditional crafts are housed in a modern
building, shaped like a rolled-up carpet!
Shopping
The malls of Baku have all the luxury
brands. But for a real Azerbaijan
experience, lose yourself in the colour and
bustle of a traditional bazaar. Feel the
spirit of the Silk Road!
Games
We love games, but it’s not just old men
playing backgammon in the street! The
Crystal Hall in Baku has hosted both
the 42nd Chess Olympiad and the 6th
e-Sports World Championships.
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one country
millions of flavours
We are as varied as the colours of the carpet, or the
fruits of the bazaar. A basket of herbs and spices,
made up of more than 20 ethnicities and nationalities.
Harmony in diversity, a dazzling collection of opposites.
A collection of stories ready to amaze you at every turn.
Come visit us in the land of contrasts.
Azerbaijan. Take another look.
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GEORGIA
RUSSIA
3
EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN
one journey
many roads
5
Sheki
4 7 4
Shahdag
5
Shabran
Shamkir
Ganja
Mingechevir
Gabala
Ismailli
8
Shamakhi
2
Shurabad
3
5
4
Goygol
1
Naftalan
3
1
Baku
2
Gobustan
Shusha
6
2
CASPIAN
SEA
Nakhchivan
Key
IRAN
Lerrik
1
Lankaran
City experience
Culture experience
Wellness experience
Nature experience
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GEORGIA
RUSSIA
CITY EXPERIENCE
eastern city
western outlook
Ganja
Sheki
Gabala
Gobustan
Baku
Baku is an exceptional combination of antiquity and novelty
CASPIAN
SEA
Nakhchivan
Places to go
IRAN
Lankaran
Nariman Narimanov M
1 Icheri Sheher (Inner City), the pearl
of Azerbaijan’s cultural heritage, has
a history of thousands of years and is
located in the historic centre of Baku, the
capital city of the ancient state of the
Shirvanshahs and symbol of Azerbaijani
statehood. This unique historic ensemble
has been called the Acropolis of Baku, Old
City or Icheri Sheher. It was the famous
Norwegian adventurer and ethnographer
Thor Heyerdahl who noted that Icheri
Sheher and its surrounding areas may
have been one of the first centres of
human civilization.
2 Maiden Tower is so old, we can’t tell
what it was originally meant for. It may
have been a Zoroastrian fire temple, an
observatory, or a fortress. Perhaps it was a
watchtower, as it certainly gives incredible
views across Baku and the Caspian Sea.
Climb it to gaze out across the Caspian –
maybe dressed up in one of the available
traditional costumes. Along the shore of the
Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan can be found
different ancient towers built in this way.
3 Shirvanshakh’s Palace This part of
Baku’s UNESCO World Heritage Site is
in fact a complex that was constructed
in stages in the highest point of Icheri
Sheher, from the late 12th century to
the late 14th century, so it exhibits a
fascinating variety of medieval Islamic
architecture.
4 Baku Boulevard Beyond the Inner
City, there is no better way to get a
feel for Baku’s relaxed, Mediterranean
atmosphere than by strolling the
Boulevard, a sweep of Caspian waterfront
promenade that forms a gentle arc past
the whole length of the central city area.
The whole sweep offers potentially hours
of pleasant strolling with ever changing
views around the bay and back towards
different sections of the city. It has
national park status and year by year is
being extended along the Sea.
5 Flame Towers are a trio of skyscrapers
that dominate the skyline of Baku. Our
most visible landmark symbolises the
3 flames from the historic logo of the
capital. Over 30 storeys tall, they are
completely covered with LED screens, and
at night they light up with a display of fire
that we can see from anywhere in the city.
6 Heydar Aliyev Centre World-famous
architect Zaha Hadid designed the crown
jewel of our architecture. This astonishing
architectural masterpiece is likely to leave
you speechless. Not a single straight
line was used in the Centre’s design. The
overall shape of the building resembles
a wave-like ascension from the ground
towards the sky followed by gradual
descent down to the earth. This is not only
a tribute to post-modern architecture, but
also a portrayal of an eternal cycle. The
lines on the building bridge the past with
the present. The harmonious link between
the Centre’s exterior and interior aspires
to remove any boundaries in the building’s
perception because this place is meant to
be open to anyone irrespective of gender,
race and origin, bringing people together
united by shared ideas.
7 Carpet Museum In 2010 the Azerbaijani
carpet was proclaimed a Masterpiece of
Intangible Heritage by UNESCO, and the
National Museum of Carpets has one of
the largest collections in the world. These
traditional works of art are housed in a
modernist building that itself resembles
a rolled-up carpet. While visiting the
museum you will be able to read our
history and heritage from the symbols
indicated on the carpets.
The Maiden Tower offering
spectacular views of the Caspian sea.
Baku Boulevard is very pleasant with
great views of the city..
The sweeping curves of the Heydar
Aliyev Centre.
The modern and unusual exterior of
the Carpet Museum.
Nizami M
Icharishahar M
5
1
3
Baku Metropolitan CJSC M
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2
Jafar Jabbarli M
Sahil M
Ganjlik M
CASPIAN
SEA
6
4
Khatai M
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CULTURE EXPERIENCE
colourful glass
scorched hills
Visit the fascinating sites that tell the story of Azerbaijan’s diverse culture
RUSSIA
Places to go
1 Gobustan Rising out of the semi-desert
of central Azerbaijan is an outstanding
collection of more than 6,000 rock
engravings bearing testimony to 40,000
years of rock art. Designated a Cultural
Landscape by UNESCO, here we can also
find the most easterly known inscription by
a Roman legionary.
2 Ateshgah The fire-worshipping
Zoroastrians left their mark at Ateshgah,
where the Fire Temple amazes visitors
with its spouts of flame. The present
temple only dates from the 17-19th century,
though, as the site was adopted by the
Hindu merchants trading in nearby Baku.
3 Yanardag Just 20 minutes drive from
Ateshgah you might notice a strange
orange glow rising from the hillside near
the low pass. That’s because the hill itself
is on fire. Gas escaping from subterranean
flues has been burning incessantly for
decades and now attracts the curious
from all over the world.
4 Shamkir and Goygol We can clearly
see the trading history of the Silk Road in
the towns of Shamkir (formerly Annanfeld)
and Goygol (formerly Helenendorf), which
show the presence of German settlers in
the 19th century. The beautifully restored
Germanic streets, and Lutheran churches,
make this a unique destination.
6 Momine Khatun Mausoleum The
splendid mausoleum is Nakhchivan’s
icon and focus. With dramatic, semidesert
mountain landscapes Nahkchivan
Autonomous Republic stretches from the
looming shadow of Mt Aghri to the historic
town of Ordubad. This stunning 25-metre
high decagon is representative of the
city’s architectural tradition, typified by its
use of brick and turquoise enamelled tiles.
7 Old Gabala and Nij History hunters
have plenty to do seeking out the
archaeological reminders of the oncegreat
kingdom of Caucasian Albania.
That state’s 4th-century capital was some
20km west of Gabala, a site that’s now
a beautifully set, rural archaeological
site with a splendid new museum. In
the nearby village of Nij, the population
still speaks an otherwise ‘lost’ dialect
that’s essentially the same as that of
the mysterious Caucasian Albanians.
8 Lahij Less than 2 hours’ drive from
Gabala, via a geologically spectacular
canyon, the pretty little village of Lahij
woos visitors with its antique copperware
workshops, white-cobbled streets, stone
houses and plethora of craft shops. It’s
a great place to unwind in relatively cool
summer air and hike a series of accessible
mountain trails to the crumbling remnants
of half-forgotten fortresses.
Gobustan’s rock engravings, depict
life from thousands of years ago.
The 17-19th century Zoroastrian fire
temple delights visitors to Ateshgah.
GEORGIA
5
Sheki
Shamkir
Mingechevir
Ganja
4
Naftalan
Goygol
Shusha
6
Nakhchivan
7
Gabala
Ismailli
8
Shahdag
Shabran
Shurabad
Shamakhi
1
Gobustan
3
Baku
2
CASPIAN
SEA
5 Sheki Khan Palace The lavish decoration
of the Palace at Sheki is a visual feast.
The facade is covered with shebeke - a
mosaic of coloured glass set in a wooden
latticework and assembled without nails
or glue. The round-form shebeke of Sheki
Khan Palace is unique. The descriptions
come to life through the expert
commentary of the guides. Afterwards to
prolong your relaxation you can enjoy the
exquisite Sheki cuisine of local chefs.
The beautifully hand crafted
coloured glass of the Sheki Khan
IRAN
Lerrik
Lankaran
Lahij’s cobbled streets and craft
sellers make for an intriguing visit.
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23

WELLNESS EXPERIENCE
liquid mud
crystal salt
Feel the benefit of our natural cures at these stunning destinations
RUSSIA
Places to go
1 Naftalan city is a well-known petroleum
spa resort, the centre of medical tourism
in Azerbaijan and is located near Ganja,
the second largest city in the country.
The unique Naftalan oil has no equivalent
anywhere in the world. The curative
properties of the oil are particularly
helpful in the treatment of musculoskeletal
system diseases, as well as neurological,
urological, gynaecological, skin and other
ailments. While unforgettable as a one off
experience, for the full effect you will need
a ten-day course.
2 Duzdagh is one of the oldest salt
deposits in the world. According to French
and Azerbaijani scientists, the exploitation
of this mine began as early as 4,500 years
ago. Salt deposits here are so abundant
that its production is still active, and one
of the salt mines was specially equipped
for patient treatment. Nowadays Duzdagh
is transformed into an asthma treatment
spa and hotel complex.
4 Chenot Palace Surrounded by the
silence and tranquillity of the magical
pine woods, and overlooking the peaceful
Nohur lake, the new Chenot Palace Hotel
in Gabala represents a new class of
health wellness retreat in the heart of a
breathtaking forest. The Chenot Palace
Gabala is a perfect getaway retreat, far
from the hustle and bustle of congested
cities, where you can recharge your
batteries and gather new strength to
replace the energy that daily life drains
out of us.
5 Galaalti Hotel & SPA “Galaalti’s
sanatorium” is a medical and recreational
resort complex, new, unique in
architectural style and its treatment
programme, resting in the settlement
of Shabran in 120 kilometres from Baku.
The complex of various improving and
all-strengthening programmes offers
benefits for many organic conditions
and promotes increased life expectancy.
The Oil of Naftalan is famous for its
curative properties.
Chenot palace provides a peaceful
place for a relaxing break.
GEORGIA
Shamkir
Ganja
Sheki
Mingechevir
1
Naftalan
Goygol
4
Gabala
Ismailli
Shahdag
5
Shabran
Shurabad
Shamakhi
3
Gobustan
Baku
3 Mud volcanoes Azerbaijan is home to
about half of the world’s discovered mud
volcanoes, and we can easily visit many
of them from Gobustan. These geological
oddities bubble and burp constantly,
producing endless streams of liquid mud.
Volcanic clay and mud are used in the
treatment of diseases related to the
nervous system, skin and rheumatism.
2
Nakhchivan
Shusha
CASPIAN
SEA
The bubbling mud of the Gobustan
mud volcanoes.
Lerrik
Lankaran
IRAN
Gabala’s tranquil forests make for
the perfect setting for Chenot Palace
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NATURE EXPERIENCE
dramatic mountains
placid lakes
Enjoy the natural landscapes of Azerbaijan at these amazing locations
RUSSIA
Places to go
1 Hirkan National Park Being one of the
pearls of Azerbaijani nature, is located in
the south of the country, in the heart of
the Talysh Mountains. This region can be
easily compared to a botanical garden.
The Hirkan Ironwood tree, which is specific
to this area, not only survived the ice
age but indirectly became one of the
reasons for the oil boom in Azerbaijan.
Not many know that back in the day,
the Nobel brothers were looking to buy
a large quantity of ironwood for their
weapon production facilities. Luckily,
transportation proved too expensive and
the brothers decided to invest instead
into the oil business.
2 Shuraabad Surely one of the Caucasus’
most beautiful stretches of seaside lies
close to the small town of Shuraabad,
around an hour’s drive north of Baku. This
very special location combines idyllic
beaches accessing the open Caspian
Sea, with a limpid area of protected
lagoon. Here, reliable winds yet shallow
calm waters combine to create the ideal
spot for learning kiteboarding or paddleboarding
with professional coaching
and top-quality gear rental available.
Alternatively, just relax and enjoy the
sunshine at the pool, cocktail bar and
Italian restaurant of the peaceful on-site
beach complex.
4 Gabala is one of Azerbaijan’s foremost
resort towns, counterpointing a beautiful
landscape with an exceptional array
of upmarket yet great value hotels.
Activities abound – quad biking, skiing,
hiking, skating, paintball, bowling, horse
rides, spas, shooting and several great
swimming pools. Kids love the Qabaland
Theme Park while classical music lovers
can attend the prestigious annual
International Music Festival. Mountain
waterfalls, large forests and magnificent
Caucasian mountains make Gabala an
ideal place for relaxation in summer, while
during the winter Gabala offers active
sport tourism full of adrenaline with skiing
and snowmobiles.
5 Goygol district, located in the western
part of Azerbaijan, is one of the most
picturesque regions of the country.
Celebrated in Azerbaijani poetry, painting
and song, Goygol is the country’s best
loved mountain lake, set beneath the
dramatic rocky beak of Mt Kyapaz and
ringed by thick green forests that turn
golden in autumn. Nearby Maral Gol is
arguably even lovelier.
The Hirkan National Park has a vast
variety of fauna and flora.
Shahdag ski resorts and their stateof-the-art
snow guns ensure great
GEORGIA
Shamkir
Ganja
5
Goygol
Shusha
Nakhchivan
Sheki
Mingechevir
Naftalan
4
Gabala
Ismailli
3
Shahdag
Shabran
2
Shurabad
Shamakhi
Gobustan
Baku
CASPIAN
SEA
3 Shahdag The rapidly expanding
Shahdag resort sits on a glorious shoulder
of green mountain turf, offering a fine
range of summer hiking options across
shepherd pastures towards the dramatic
crags above. Or you might take an easier
path into the gloriously set village of
Laza surrounded by strings of waterfall.
These freeze into ice climbs in winter when
snow turns Shahdag into one of the most
spectacular ski resorts imaginable. Piste
quality is ensured by state-of-the-art
snow guns and accessed by a brand
new network of world-class cable-cars
and ski-lifts.
The magnificent Caucasian
mountains perfect for a relaxing
Goygol’s beauty is celebrated
through poetry, painting and song.
IRAN
Lerrik
1
Lankaran
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PRACTICAL INFORMATION
salam
Azerbaijan
Country Size
86, 600 km 2
Population
9.4 million
4 hrs
Moscow
4 hrs
Minsk
3 hrs
London
Frankfurt
2 hrs
Kiev
Paris
Vienna
1 hr
Madrid
Barcelona
Rome
Istanbul
Ankara
Tbilisi
Aktau
Baku
Best time to visit
Dec-Mar: Cold, but perfect for skiing.
Apr-Jun: Getting warmer - try hiking in
the foothills. Take a brolly in Spring!
Jul-Aug: Very warm. Ideal for hiking
in the high mountains, or relaxing at a
Caspian Sea resort.
Sept- Oct: Perfect for walking at
medium altitudes.
Nov: Enjoy the changing foliage.
Wear layers!
Time zone
4 hrs ahead of GMT. Since 2016 , we no
longer put the clocks forward an hour
in summer, so while the time is 4hrs\3hrs
ahead of UK\Western Europe in winter,
that drops to 3 hrs\2hrs April-October.
Religion
While we are a secular country,
most of the population follow Islam.
Muslim dress code is not enforced
nor expected. Alcohol is very widely
available. All religions have somewhere
to worship in Azerbaijan.
Language
Our state language is
Azerbaijani, which is
similar to Turkish. Basic
English is understood by
most of the population.
A few mountain villages
have their own unique
languages.
Visa
For some nationalities
visas are available upon
arrival. For others e-visa
can be obtained within
3 days via evisa.gov.az.
We advise you to check
requirements before
booking your trip.
Exchange rates
Mastercard\Visa ATMs
are very widespread
and available in main
towns. Changing money
back is no problem.
Accommodation
Tehran
We have a complete range of options,
from luxury and mid-range hotels, to rural
en-suite bungalows, provincial motels and
even private home-stays.
Transport prices
On the bus and Baku underground one
journey costs 30 qepik, taxis Doha are also Dubai widely
available as an alternative option.
Driving
Riyadh
An international driving licence is advised.
Car rental is increasingly available in Baku.
Telephone
The country code is +994, the dial out code
from Azerbaijan is 00.
Internet
Most good hotels are fully equipped with
WI-FI connection throughout, and big
hotels will also have business centres with
at least a few computers. Major hotels
sometimes charge for WI-FI, but it’s free
in dozens of cafes, parks and restaurants
across Baku and beyond. Mobile phone
providers offer relatively inexpensive
dongles so that you can access the web
through 3G mobile networks.
Shopping
Most international goods are available in
Baku, which has a phenomenal range of
designer boutiques. Export certificates are
only required for carpets, art and antiques.
There’s a 125 g limit on exporting caviar.
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Azerbaijan.Travel
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Azerbaijan Tourism Board,
96 E Nizami Street,
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Baku AZ1010, Azerbaijan