EA Season Guides_Spring-Summer 21

SPRING-SUMMER 21 

Guide 

learn to kitesurf 

in Shorabad 

p.18 

the hiking trails 

in the north 

p.22 

the highlights 

of old Sheki 

p.28 

travel back to 

the Oil Boom 

p.34

Welcome! 

Borders remained closed in Azerbaijan due to the pandemic, but 

vaccines being rolled out means hope is on the horizon – so now is a 

good time to start thinking about that future trip to this fascinating 

country. Within these pages, we’ve put together some of the best 

Azerbaijan experiences in spring and summer, from relaxing at 

seaside resorts, to hiking in the Caucasus Mountains, to Formula 1 

cars whizzing around central Baku. Put simply, spring is when nature 

reawakens and the country’s diverse landscapes become fabulously 

green and fecund, while summers are hot and sunny and a great time 

to escape to the Caspian coast or to the mountains. Both seasons 

have plenty to surprise and delight! 

Have 

something 

to say? 

A race to remember 

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix 4 

EURO 2020 is coming 

to Baku 12 

Top seaside retreats 

near Baku 14 

GO 

kitesurfing 

in Shorabad 

18 

Trek the trails 

of northern Azerbaijan 22 

Highlights 

of historic Sheki 28 

Travel back 

to the Oil Boom 34 

Beat the 

heat with 

these 

drinks 40 

To send us your feedback, write to the editor 

at experienceazerbaijan@tourismboard.az. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

2 | EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN 

Experience 

Azerbaijan’s 

summer 

vibe 44

A RACE TO REMEMBER 

THE AZERBAIJAN 

GRAND 

PRIX 

SINCE DEBUTING IN 2016, THE AZERBAIJAN 

GRAND PRIX HAS PROVED ITSELF TO BE 

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING RACES ON 

THE ENTIRE FORMULA 1 CALENDAR. HAVING 

BEEN CANCELLED LAST SUMMER DUE TO THE 

CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC, THE LANDMARK 

FIFTH RACE THROUGH THE STREETS OF BAKU 

TOOK PLACE ON 4-6 JUNE. HERE IS WHAT 

HAPPENED – PLUS WHY THIS IS AN EVENT YOU 

SHOULD ALWAYS TUNE IN FOR. 

4 

| EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN 

EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN | 5

The 2021 race 

Normally, the Azerbaijan GP is a wonderful 

opportunity to experience an amazing 

weekend of motorsport while exploring 

Baku, its sights, atmosphere and nightlife, 

as well as enjoying a host of F1-related 

entertainment, including concerts with 

global stars. But sadly, due to the coronavirus 

pandemic, there was no special 

entertainment this year and the race went 

down without spectators. That said, it was 

nonetheless a fantastic show, producing 

myriad talking points and surprises. In 

the end, the race was won by Sergio Perez 

of Red Bull, who capitalised on mistakes 

by favourites Lewis Hamilton and Max 

Verstappen, involved in one of several 

dramatic crashes. 

Always drama 

Crashes and other attention-grabbing incidents are nothing 

new for Baku. The inaugural F1 race in Azerbaijan 

in 2016 (then called the 2016 European Grand Prix) may 

have been surprisingly uneventful – beyond Mercedes 

driver Valtteri Bottas clocking what was then the top 

speed for an F1 car (378km/h!) – but the next two races, 

in 2017 and 2018, were jam-packed with incidents, including 

crashes, quarrels and unexpected winners. Both races 

were voted “race of the season” by F1 fans! It is worth 

noting that every Formula 1 race in Baku so far has produced 

a different winner. 



Lined by 

landmarks 

The circuit was designed by German 

engineer Hermann Tilke, the leading 

track designer in F1, in order to really 

show off Azerbaijan’s dynamically 

developing capital. As a result, this 

is not just a race but an exhibition of 

Baku. The circuit is right in the city 

centre, where it traces the ancient Old 

City walls and passes along elegant 

streets like Istyglaliyyat, lined by an 

eclectic mix of architecture erected in 

the early 20th century. The long finishing 

straight runs parallel to the Seaside 

Boulevard, a glorious tree-filled stretch 

along the Caspian, and takes in landmarks 

like the iconic Maiden Tower, 

a structure so mysterious that to this 

day versions abound as to its original 

purpose (fort or fire temple?) and 

Government House, a striking Sovietera 

building. 

An amazing 

track 

The unpredictability is down to the 

track, the Baku City Circuit, which at just 

over 6km is the second longest circuit 

in Formula 1. But more importantly, it’s 

the fastest street circuit in F1! Drivers 

push the pedal to 360km/h on an over 

2km straight along Neftchilar Avenue – 

also the longest straight in F1. Another 

key feature is the tight and technical 

turns around Baku’s Old City, including 

a notorious turn 8 that’s just 7m wide! 

Of the 20 turns, many of them are sharp. 

And while, unlike other F1 street circuits, 

there are opportunities aplenty 

for overtaking, the lack of run-off areas 

means there’s little room for error. So it’s 

not necessarily the speed of the car that 

counts but rather skill, discipline, teamwork 

– and fortune. 

8 



Race winners 

2016 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 

2017 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 

2018 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 

2019 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 

2021 - Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 

To find out more, see: 

bakucitycircuit.com 

10 



EURO 2020 

is coming 

to Baku 

Azerbaijan’s vibrant capital is staging three 

Group A games and one quarterfinal: 

Wales vs Switzerland on 12 June 

Turkey vs Wales on 16 June 

Switzerland vs Turkey on 16 June 

Quarterfinal on 3 July 

The matches are being played at Baku’s stunning 

Olympic Stadium, the largest stadium in 

the Caucasus with a capacity of 69,870. The 

futuristic structure, which illuminates spectacularly 

at night, opened in 2015 to host the 

first European Games and has since staged 

the UEFA U17 European Championship in 2016, 

the 4th Islamic Solidarity Games in 2017, and 

the 2019 Europa League final between Arsenal 

and Chelsea. It has also hosted Champions 

League games involving local team Qarabag 

FK and is the home of Azerbaijan’s national 

football team. 

For health and safety reasons, the stadium 

may only be 50% full for EURO 2020 matches, 

with only locals and travelling fans of the competing 

teams allowed to attend. Nevertheless, 

EURO 2020 still promises to be an absolute 

feast of football and a great chance to showcase 

the beauty of Baku! 

Azerbaijan’s football history 

Football is really popular in Azerbaijan and the country has an intriguing football history. 

Remember that “Russian linesman” who helped England win the 1966 World Cup? Well 

that was Tofik Bayramov, a legendary Azerbaijani referee and former player of Neftchi. 

That’s Azerbaijan's most historic club, named after Baku’s local oil workers, which regularly 

performed in the Soviet Top League. One of its stars was Anatoly Banishevsky, who dazzled 

aged 19 for the USSR at the 1966 World Cup and went on to become a legend of Azerbaijani 

football. Another was Alakbar Mammadov, famed for scoring 4 goals against AC Milan at the 

San Siro in 1955. In more recent times, Qarabag FK made history in 2017-18 by becoming the 

first Azerbaijani team to reach the group stages of the Champions League. 

Postponed from last summer due to the 

coronavirus pandemic, the 2020 UEFA 

European football Championship finally 

kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome 

with Turkey versus Italy on 11 June. The 

tournament ends exactly a month later 

and in between, to mark the competition’s 

60th anniversary, matches are being held 

across 11 host cities: Rome, St Petersburg, 

Seville, London, Munich, Budapest, 

Bucharest, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, 

Glasgow – and of course, Baku. 

To find out more about 

EURO 2020 in Baku, see 

euro2020.affa.az 

12 



Top 

seaside 

retreats 

near 

Baku 

In the village of Nardaran, only a 30-minute drive from 

central Baku, is an exclusive self-contained seaside resort 

called Sea Breeze (seabreeze.az), comprising several 

architecturally striking hotels plus minimalist villas 

and luxurious apartments along with bars, restaurants, 

pools, private beach, tennis courts, football pitch, kids’ 

club, fitness halls and even an anti-ageing centre. This 

is the ultimate high-end summer escape where you can 

rest up, rejuvenate and soak up the amazing vibe of 

the Caspian. Sea Breeze also hosts a popular four-day 

summer music festival called Zhara. 

When summer hots up in Azerbaijan, people 

naturally migrate towards the coastline. One 

of the best spots is the Absheron Peninsula, 

which juts out into the Caspian Sea north of 

Baku and attracts the crowds in summer with 

its hotels, spas, sanatoriums and beaches. 

Here are five of the best places to visit: 

Another seaside retreat in Bilgah is Amburan Beach 

Club (amburan.com), where an indulgent outdoor pool 

invites you to chill out in cosy deck chairs and sun 

loungers, or you may prefer to laze on the beautifully 

clean sliver of private gold-sand beach. You can also 

get involved in activities like beach football, volleyball 

and mini golf to get involved in, and keep yourself 

fuelled up with everything from coffee and ice cream to 

pizza and pilafs served at three different eateries. With 

an entrance fee of just 30 AZN per person on weekdays 

and 35 AZN on Saturdays and Sundays and free 

for children up to 12, this is an extremely good-value 

option for a fun day with the family. 

14 



About a 50-minute drive 

north of Baku, situated 

on a thin peninsula of 

the coast near the settlement 

of Shorabad, is 

Azerbaijan’s first and only 

kitesurfing centre and 

hotel (kitesurfing.az) set 

around an 8km 2 lagoon 

with ideal wind conditions. 

The season lasts from May 

to October, during which 

you can come and learn 

to kitesurf, perfect your 

skills, or simply chill out 

at the beach club. That 

includes a private pool, 

sun terrace and restaurant 

and is undoubtedly one 

of the most relaxing spots 

on Azerbaijan’s Caspian 

coastline. 

At Dalga Beach Aquapark 

(dalgaaquapark.az) in 

Mardakan there’s also a 

lovely patch of private 

beach, where you can either 

kick back on loungers or 

get active on kayaks, water 

skis or jet skis. What many 

people really love about this 

place is the fun aqua park, 

equipped with an entertaining 

assortment of pools and 

slides accompanied by the 

beats of an in-house DJ. In 

between all the relaxation 

and fun, you can grab a bite 

to eat at restaurants dishing 

up Azerbaijani and Italian 

cuisine, burgers and kebabs. 

Meanwhile, the kids can run 

wild in the onsite kids’ club, 

and if you’d like to stay over 

there are four-bedroom villas 

with jacuzzis, sea views and 

billiards. 

In the coastal village of Bilgah a 

futuristic structure looms above the 

coastline. This is Bilgah Beach Hotel 

(bilgahbeachhotel.com), occupying 

one of the best spots on the peninsula, 

blessed with turquoise sea 

and breezy air. The 300m private 

beach is a great spot to swim and 

sip cocktails, while you can zone out 

completely at the calming indoor 

and outdoor pools. More soothing 

experiences await in the sumptuous 

spa with Turkish and Finnish saunas. 

For more action, head to the aqua 

park at Cali Beach Club. There’s 

a range of cosy rooms, suites and 

villas plus bars, lounges and restaurants 

and even a nightclub. 

If you’re looking for a more local experience, 

then spend an afternoon 

on one of the vast sandy beaches 

lining the Absheron Peninsula – 

which draw Baku and Absheron 

locals to while away hot weekends, 

cooled by a refreshing breeze and 

dips in the sea. Here you can rent 

an umbrella, hut or gazebo, order 

tea and watermelon, and tuck 

into fresh fish at simple beachside 

restaurants. Be sure to stay for 

sunset to see a glorious lilac haze 

hovering over the Caspian. The best 

beaches to visit are in the coastal 

villages of Mardakan, Buzovna, 

Bilgah and Novkhani, reachable 

in just over an hour by bus from 

Koroghlu metro station. But hop in 

a taxi to get there much quicker 

(approx 30 minutes). 

16 



GO 

kitesurfing 

in Shorabad 

About a 50-minute drive north of Baku, situated on a thin 

peninsula of the coast near the settlement of Shorabad, 

is Azerbaijan’s first and only kitesurfing centre and hotel 

(kitesurfing.az) set around an 8km 2 flat-water lagoon with 

perfect wind conditions. The season lasts from May to 

October, during which time you can come and learn to 

kitesurf, perfect your skills, or simply chill out at the beach 

club – one of the most relaxing spots on Azerbaijan’s 

Caspian coastline. 

Learn to kitesurf 

The Shorabad lagoon is the ideal place 

to come and learn to kitesurf as there’s 

an 80% probability of wind, the warm 

water is just 1.5m deep – shallow for 

beginners but deep enough to cushion 

the impact of falling when attempting 

tricks – and the sandy stoneless bottom 

and pristine surrounding beach means 

no boots are needed. Whether you’re a 

total beginner or an advanced rider, the 

kitesurfing school offers a range of effective 

courses led by friendly and experienced 

instructors. 

For beginners, prices range from 370 

AZN for a basic 3-hour group course to 

1,250 AZN for 15 hours of private tuition. 

One-off private lessons will set you back 

120 AZN for 1 hour and 200 AZN for 2 

hours. Once you’ve mastered the fundamentals 

and fortified your confidence, 

you can then venture out onto the open 

Caspian – provided the water isn’t too 

choppy. 

If you haven’t got any equipment 

don’t worry! Everything is available to 

rent, from kite and board to helmet, 

wetsuit and harness. Renting the whole 

lot for a day costs 180 AZN. You can 

also purchase equipment at the onsite 

shop, which also provides basic repairs if 

required. 

18 



Come and relax 

Besides the kitesurfing this is one 

of the best and most secluded 

spots to enjoy the Caspian 

coastline. A day pass costing 25 

AZN allows you to simply spend 

the day here, enjoying the pool 

and sun terrace with superb 

views of the lagoon backed 

by the Caucasus Mountains 

on the horizon, not to mention 

the sublime sunsets! The 

staff are incredibly warm and 

friendly and there’s a restaurant 

and poolside bar serving 

hearty meals like burgers 

and pizzas along with 

homemade lemonades, ice 

teas, desserts and ice-cold 

beers. 

Stay a while 

The kitesurfing centre in 

Shorabad makes for a great 

day trip from Baku but why 

not make the most of this 

relaxing escape from the 

rush and noise of the city 

and stay the night, or even 

a few? The hotel is just 80m 

from the kite station (meaning 

you can almost roll out 

of bed in the morning and 

onto the board!) and offers 

single, double and family 

rooms for 130, 170 and 230 

AZN respectively. All rooms 

are fully equipped with WiFi, 

air conditioners, TVs, ensuite 

bathrooms, super comfy 

beds and amazing views. 

Quick contacts: 

info@kitesurfing.az 

+994502770730 

20 


EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN | 21

Trek 

the trails 

of northern 

Azerbaijan 

The Greater 

Caucasus Mountains 

tower all the way 

across northern 

Azerbaijan, creating 

dramatic scenery at 

every turn. A great 

way to get up there 

and explore them is 

by hiking, which has 

never been easier 

thanks to a number of 

newly marked trails. 

One of the top hiking 

areas in Azerbaijan 

is the Guba and 

Gusar regions, where 

you can enjoy the 

following: 



Khinalig – 

Galakhudat 

This 8.2km route connects the 

mountain villages of Khinalig and 

Galakhudat in the Guba region and 

takes you through soul-stirring scenery 

of the steep cliffs of Gizilgaya and 

the valley of the river Gudialchay. 

Khinalig, the starting point, is one of 

the highest villages in Azerbaijan and 

populated by an ancient ethnic group 

with their own unique language. This 

is an easy walk and ideal for beginners, 

though the magnificent views 

make it worthwhile for anyone. 

Griz – Grizdehne 

From the dramatically set mountaintop village of Griz, 

located at 2100m, an 8.5km downhill trail leads to the 

village of Grizdehne at the foot of the mountains. The 

route includes some pretty steep sections so for those 

with vertigo, this is not ideal! But for anyone else the 

scenery is wondrous, with amazing views of jagged 

cliffs in the Gudialchay canyon, where an Egyptian vulture 

or long-legged buzzard may well be hovering. En 

route you’ll encounter a waterfall and venture through 

pristine forest near the bottom. 

Laza – Kuzun 

One of the top trails in the Gusar region, this 6.5km 

walk connects the villages of Laza and Kuzun through 

a landscape of steep cliffs, waterfalls and sparse forests 

– the superb scenery of the Gusarchay valley. Laza, 

where it begins, is inhabited by ethnic Lezgis, who are 

thought to be descendants of a tribe that populated the 

ancient kingdom of Caucasian Albania. As you go, you’ll 

have incredible views of two locally famous peaks: Mt 

Shahdag and Mt Gizilgaya. Most of the trail is downhill, 

and you might even see the occasional golden eagle. 

Galakhudat – 

Griz 

This route extending 9.3km and 

taking just over 4 hours meanders 

through a magnificent landscape of 

valleys and canyons. Beginning in the 

rustic village of Galakhudat, it ends in 

sublimely set Griz village, inhabited 

by a separate ethnic group with their 

own language. If you attempt it in 

summer you can cool off at the lovely 

Gurgur waterfall, which in winter 

freezes over and makes for stunning 

photos! Sometimes you can see griffon 

vultures circling overhead. 



Laza – Shahdag 

Mountain Resort 

A short and scenic 4.5km trail taking under 

2 hours, this one links Laza village with 

the Shahdag Mountain Resort, the first of 

Azerbaijan’s three new ski resorts. Starting 

in Laza, which is stunningly set in a valley 

flanked by emerald-green slopes, it goes 

via the foothills of Mt Gizilgaya and finishes 

at the highest cable car station of the 

Shahdag resort. From there you can ride 

down to the resort for a pleasant post-hike 

cappuccino, or extend the route by trekking 

to the nearby villages of Zindanmurug, 

Anig, Susay and Griz. 

How to 

book a 

trip 

You can walk these trails independently 

by following the 

signs. Or you can go with other 

like-minded hikers on trips and 

tours organised by companies 

including these: 

Mountaineering.az 

Camping Azerbaijan 

Mountain Host Azerbaijan 

Nukha Outdoor Club 

Campsiz 

Nature Discover Azerbaijan 

Azerbaijan Alpine Club 

Vertical Travel Azerbaijan 

Shahdag Mountain Resort 

Backcountry Azerbaijan 

Kuzun – 

Yergi Kek 

Some do not have websites but 

you’ll find them on Facebook. 

This trail connects the village 

of Kuzun with one of 

Azerbaijan’s highest villages, 

Yergi Kek at 2,380m. Both 

Kuzun and Yergi Kek are populated 

by ethnic Lezgi people. 

The 8km hike takes you 

through magnificent scenery 

of expansive subalpine 

meadows backed by the steep 

cliffs of Mt Shahdag. And it’s 

a particularly good one for 

bird lovers, as you may be 

able to see rare birds of the 

Caucasus Mountains such 

as the Caucasian grouse and 

mountain chiffchaff hiding in 


the rocks and shrubbery. 


Highlights 

of historic 

Sheki 

The historic centre of Sheki is a 

national architectural reserve and 

a UNESCO World Heritage site. 

Occupying the northern part of 

the city lying across the southern 

slopes of the Caucasus Mountains, 

the area exudes a special Silk Road 

atmosphere with its cobblestone 

streets, distinctive houses, caravanserais 

and countless artisans 

making centuries-old local crafts. 



Sheki Fortress 

The core of the old town is the Sheki Fortress 

built as a stronghold of the Sheki Khanate, a 

local statelet founded in 1743. Have a wander 

inside the crenellated walls, to explore a number 

of local attractions including the Sheki Khan’s 

Palace – without doubt one of Azerbaijan’s most 

magnificent buildings. 

Museum of People’s 

Applied Arts 

Browse some 600 

artefacts and photos 

reflecting life in Sheki 

in previous centuries all 

within a distinctively 

shaped historic church. 

Sheki Khan’s Palace 

This lavish mansion fronted by 500-year-old plane 

trees dates from the 1760s and was the summer residence 

of the ruling Sheki Khans before the Khanate 

was subjugated by the Russian Empire. Admire 

the facade with its gorgeous geometric tiles before 

heading inside to find exquisite frescoes and magical 

stained-glass windows made using a local craft 

called shebeke, that creates a dazzling light show. 

Museum of History, Ethnography 

and Local Lore 

A museum containing over 5,000 exhibits covering 

everything from local flora and fauna to 

archaeological finds and domestic devices used 

by Sheki residents in former times. 

ABAD ceramic art centre 

Inside this lovingly restored 19th-century red-brick 

building local craftsmen make a range of ceramic 

objects and souvenirs. You can observe them, take a 

masterclass or buy souvenirs here. 

House of Craftsmen 

A former military barracks from 

the Tsarist era hosting rooms 

and stalls selling a variety of 

local crafts for which Sheki is 

famous, such as shebeke – 

wooden lattices filled with 

stained glass, tekelduz – a 

traditional type of embroidery, 

kelaghayi – a traditional silk 

headscarf for women, national 

musical instruments like the 

tar, and others. 

Upper Caravanserai 

In old Sheki there were several 

caravanserais where travelling 

merchants stayed and traded. 

Of the two that remain, one is 

open to visitors. This is the Upper 

Caravanserai, which is now a fantastic 

hotel and restaurant. Here, 

you can enjoy a wonderfully 

authentic stay, try local cuisine, 

or just pop in for a Silk Road-style 

tea experience. 



Shekikhanovs’ House 

Half-hidden in the mazy streets 

behind the caravanserai, the 

Shekikhanovs’ House is the 

former winter residence of the 

Sheki Khan’s family. It’s less 

lavish than the palace in the 

fortress but still a gem of local 

architecture displaying stunning 

stained-glass windows, 

opulent wall paintings and 

decorative Sheki-style bukhara 

fireplaces. Akhundzade Avenue 

Wandering down Sheki’s 

historic trading street along 

the Gurjanachay river, you 

can admire lovely old Sheki 

buildings, call into cafes to 

refuel with tea or coffee and 

browse shops selling local 

handicrafts and sweets. Be 

sure to try Sheki halva, a 

super sweet local variety 

of pakhlava – and to 

take in the awesome 

views of the beautiful 

Caucasus Mountains! 



Travel back 

to the 

Oil Boom 

When Baku’s oil industry boomed in the late 

19th century, it triggered the construction of 

a stunning collection of architecture, blending 

local and European styles, that completely 

changed the face of central Baku. Taking a 

walking tour of these delightful buildings is a 

fantastic way to uncover the history of Baku 

through dazzling architectural details and 

moving human stories. 

1. The Hajinski House 



2. The Palace of Happiness 3. The Institute of Manuscripts 

5 amazing buildings 

The Palace of Happiness (1910), aka 

the Mukhtarov Palace, is a luxurious 

French Gothic mansion that belonged 

to another highly influential oil baron, 

Murtuza Mukhtarov, who had it built for 

his beloved wife of Ossetian descent, 

Liza Turganova. According to legend, 

it’s a replica of a building Liza had greatly 

admired during one of the couple’s 

trips to Europe. Muktarov tasked Jozef 

Ploszko with the design and surprised 

Liza with her new home upon its completion. 

But the story has a tragic end: 

following the Soviet takeover in 1920, 

Red Army soldiers burst into the foyer to 

confiscate the property and Mukhtarov 

apparently shot them before turning the 

gun on himself. 

The Institute of Manuscripts (1901) 

was built to house a pioneering school 

for Muslim girls by the highly revered 

Baku tycoon Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. 

Given the general belief of the day 

among local Muslims that girls didn’t 

need an education, Taghiyev had to 

overcome immense resistance to realise 

the project but succeeded thanks to 

special permission from the Tsar and 

leading Muslim clerics. Girls from both 

rich and poor backgrounds received 

a well-rounded education here until 

the Russian Revolution, after which 

the building hosted the parliament of 

the first Azerbaijani republic. It was 

designed by another outstanding Polish 

architect, Jozef Goslawski, and now 

houses the Institute of Manuscripts. 

The Baku City Hall (1904) building was 

also designed by Goslawski, for whom 

this Oil Boom masterpiece became his 

final project as he passed away during 

it from tuberculosis, aged just 39. The 

stateliness of the building, constructed 

in the Baroque style, reflects the great 

importance of the role of the Baku 

municipality at that time. Red bricks 

were imported all the way from Italy to 

decorate the exterior, which also displays 

the Baku coat of arms featuring 3 

tongues of flame. A melody plays every 

hour from the impressive clock tower 

erected over the pavement. The Baku 

Executive Power offices are currently 

accommodated here. 


EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN | 37 

4. Baku City Hall

The Opera and Drama Theatre (1911) 

was built by local magnates the Mailov 

brothers and designed in Gothic with 

hints of Modern by the architect Nikolay 

Bayev, who completed the project in just 

10 months! The story goes that it was 

built in response to a glamorous soprano 

who while visiting Baku complained that 

such a wealthy city lacked its own opera 

house. The Mailov brothers quickly set 

about rectifying this and were given extra 

motivation by the tycoon Taghiyev, who 

offered to cover the costs if the Mailovs 

could complete it within 12 months – which 

they achieved by employing several shifts 

of workers to toil day and night. 

Ismailiyya Palace (1913) was built by the 

vastly wealthy oil baron Musa Naghiyev in 

memory of his son Aga Ismayil, who died 

young of tuberculosis. Naghiyev commissioned 

the design to Polish architect Jozef 

Ploszko, who modelled the Gothic edifice 

on Venice’s Palazzo Ducale. It originally 

hosted the Muslim Charity Society until being 

destroyed during a period of civil unrest 

in 1918. It was restored in the early Soviet 

period and currently houses the presidium 

of the Azerbaijani Academy of Sciences. 

These are just some 

of the amazing stories 

waiting to be told! 

6. The Ismailiyya Palace 

Book a tour 

The following companies offer guided walking tours 

of Baku’s Oil Boom architecture: 

ENC Tours 

www.enctours.az; 

+994 55 203 97 20 

Pasha Travel 

www.pashatravel.az; 

+994 50 250 73 89 

Explore Azerbaijan 

www.exploreazerbaijan.com; 

+994 50 295 11 53 

Discover Azerbaijan 

www.discoverazerbaijan.az; 

+994 50 515 45 05 

Myway Travel 

www.myway.az; 

+994 55 257 98 88 



5. The Opera and Drama Theatre

1 

SHERBET 

Beat 

the heat 

with these 

drinks 

One of the best-loved drinks 

in Azerbaijan, sherbet is a 

mix of sugar and fruits or 

herbs that has many possible 

flavour combinations. 

Among the most popular are 

lemon, pomegranate, basil, 

mint, rose petals, saffron 

and even milk sherbets. The 

drink is easy to prepare: 

fruits or herbs are boiled 

in water sweetened with 

sugar, then the concoction 

is cooled before adding 

ice and serving. Sherbets 

are popular at weddings 

and other celebrations, 

served alongside pilaf, 

dolma and other traditional 

Azerbaijani dishes. Some 

are even consumed for 

medicinal purposes. 

In the scorching heat of an 

Azerbaijani summer, it’s crucial to 

keep hydrated, and while water is 

of course the most important thirst 

quencher, Azerbaijan has many 

more refreshing drinks to help 

cool you down. Moreover, they’re 

packed with amazing flavours and 

really easy to prepare at home 

(except for the last): 

2 

AYRAN 

This simple and super refreshing 

beverage is essentially yoghurt 

mixed with water and a variety of 

aromatic herbs, and it’s found in the 

national cuisines of both Caucasian 

and Central Asian peoples. It goes 

especially well with kebabs and other 

hearty meat dishes, as it balances out 

the heaviness and aids digestion. It’s 

also enormously nutritious, so ideal 

if you’re planning on keeping active. 

A variation of ayran is altama, which 

contains added dill, mint or chopped 

cucumber. 

40 



3 

COMPOTE 

A very common drink in many former 

Soviet countries, compote is made 

by boiling any number of dried fruits 

in water, occasionally adding sugar 

to the mixture, and leaving the fruit 

chunks in the resulting drink. This is 

the perfect alcohol-free accompaniment 

to an al fresco lunch or dinner 

in summer, and you’ll find it served 

everywhere in Azerbaijan, from fancy 

urban eateries to simple countryside 

restaurants. Some of the most popular 

flavours are cornelian cherry, feijoa, 

peach and quince – but any fruit that 

grows naturally can be converted into 

compote! 

5 

CHAY (TEA) 

Azerbaijanis have made tea-drinking 

an art. Not only do they serve it in a 

beautifully pear-shaped armudu glass 

but there’s also a name for the rich red 

colour it’s supposed to have: pürrəngi. 

Here, tea is consumed everywhere and 

in all seasons – even on hot days at 

the beach! And it’s not just a drink but 

a symbol of hospitality that is eagerly 

offered to guests. Tea also still plays 

a key role in certain cultural rituals, 

such as when a girl’s family signals 

their acceptance of a marriage proposal 

by serving the young man’s family 

tea with sugar rather than without it. 

At the Yashil Chay tea farm in Lankaran you can collect tea, try 

dozens of different tea varieties as well as local food, take a tour, have 

a photo session and more. Address: Istisu village, Lankaran. 

Coordinates: 38.79550629571087; 48.734468452053314 

4 

POMEGRANATE 

JUICE 

In Azerbaijan, people are passionate about 

pomegranates, which are grown throughout the 

country. There’s even a unique Pomegranate 

Festival each autumn in the city of Goychay 

– which is so unique it was recently added to 

UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible 

Cultural Heritage of Humanity. In cultural 

terms, the pomegranate is seen as a symbol 

of abundance, while in the local cuisine it’s consumed 

in countless forms, from sauce to wine. 

In summer, pomegranate juice is a super health 

thirst quencher sold widely by street vendors. 

6 

LOCAL BEER 

If you’re looking for an ice-cold beer on a 

summer’s evening by the Caspian Sea, then 

Khirdalan (Xirdalan in Azerbaijani) is the 

ideal option. This most popular of local lagers 

is brewed in the Baku suburb of Khirdalan and 

has a golden colour, light body and sweetish 

aftertaste. 

Şərəfə! 

Cheers! 

42 



Experience 

Azerbaijan’s 

summer 

vibe 

THE FOOD 

Watermelon and cheese is admittedly an 

unusual combination but one that’s really 

popular among Azerbaijanis on the Caspian 

coast in summer. All you need is seasonally 

fresh watermelon and white cheese which 

you slice into chunks. In Azerbaijan people 

like to consume it with freshly baked bread 

from a clay tandir oven, which is also readily 

available. The trio is cheap, simple and surprisingly 

delicious! 

One of the favourite summer activities in Azerbaijan is enjoying 

amazing moments on the golden sands of the Caspian seashore 

on warm sunny days. All you need is great company, local music 

and some light and cool food and drinks. Here are some simple 

ingredients to help you recreate the experience. 

THE DRINK 

Sherbet 

comes in many flavours, but 

here’s a recipe to make the 

popular basil variety at home: 

1 litre of pure drinking water 

8-10 stalks of purple basil 

6-10 tablespoons of sugar 

Juice of ½-1 lemon 

Peel of ½ lemon 

3 clove buds 

½ stick of cinnamon 

Step 1: Bring the water to boil, 

add the cinnamon, clove and 

sugar and cook for 15 minutes. 

Then take off the heat and 

add lemon juice. 

Step 2: Add finely chopped 

lemon peel to the jug and 

pour in the piquant herbal 

brew. Mix and then leave for 

at least 2 hours but ideally 

8-12. 

Step 3: The sherbet will take 

on a lovely saturated colour 

and aroma. Once it’s ready, 

strain out the liquid and pour 

into glasses. 



THIS SUMMER 

REJUVENATE YOUR 

ENERGY AT SHAHDAG! 

Shahdag Mountain Resort is the first and the largest mountain tourism spot of Azerbaijan. 

THE MUSIC 

and winter. With its budget category to world class 5 star hotels, hiking, camping and 

dozens of other outdoor sport activities, exceptional gastronomic experience and 

award-winning OVDAN SPA that will refresh your soul, Shahdag Mountain Resort promises 

an unforgettable summer getaway full of memories. 

For picnics, people also take with them fresh fruits and 

vegetables, wine or beer, and a guitar to sing with friends. 

Scan this QR code to listen to some Azerbaijani jazz by 

Vagif Mustafazade, who is considered the father of jazz 

in Azerbaijan. His composition Soul in Love will take you 

to Azerbaijan! 

KP29, Gusar – Laza motoroad, Azerbaijan 

1110, +994 12 310 1110 

reservations@shahdag.az 

shahdag.resort 

46 



www.shahdag.az 

shahdagresort

ExperienceAZE 

experienceazerbaijan 

podcast.azerbaijan.travel 

azerbaijan.travel 

Scan the QR code to download the guide. 

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