12 Compelling Reasons to Take a Vacation Right Now

Summer is nearly over, and if you haven’t taken a vacation yet, it’s time to change that. Warm seas, delicious food, breathtaking nature — these are just a few reasons to drop everything and book a trip to Azerbaijan. Plus, the flight from Moscow takes only about three hours!

Azerbaijan is a fantastic travel destination not only during the warm season. Learn more about why it’s worth visiting year-round here.

12 Ways to Enjoy Your Stay in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan offers a versatile tourism experience. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an urban explorer, or a foodie eager to discover new flavors, this country has something for everyone. You can even witness mud volcanoes and take a dip in therapeutic oil baths. If you can’t see it all in one trip, come back—Azerbaijan is captivating any time of the year.

Visit Lake Göygöl

Lake Göygöl is one of Azerbaijan’s largest lakes, formed in 1139 by a massive earthquake that blocked the Aghsu River with rock debris.

The water here is so pure it’s drinkable, though swimming isn’t ideal since the lake’s temperature rarely exceeds 66°F (19°C) even in summer. The stunning scenery rivals that of Lake Baikal, offering fantastic photo opportunities.

Located in the country’s west, it’s 28 miles (45 km) from Ganja. A taxi ride costs around $11–$13 USD, and entrance to Göygöl National Park is about $1.10 USD.

Explore Gobustan’s Petroglyphs and Mud Volcanoes

The Gobustan Historical-Artistic Reserve lies 37 miles (60 km) south of Baku. Visitors come to see over 6,000 ancient rock carvings, including a 15,000-year-old wild bull image and a Roman inscription dating back 2,000 years.

Nearby, mud volcanoes create an otherworldly landscape with bubbling mud lakes inside cone-shaped hills. The mud is believed to have healing properties, but be sure to bring water to wash off afterward.

From Baku, take bus #195 near the Bina shopping center for about $0.50 USD to Gobustan village, then a taxi to the reserve for roughly $15–$18 USD. Entrance costs around $5.50 USD.

Savor Local Wines

Winemaking in Azerbaijan dates back to ancient times. It declined with the rise of Islam but revived under Russian rule. During the Soviet era, viticulture was a major income source, even surpassing oil.

After the 1980s anti-alcohol campaign, many vineyards were destroyed, forcing winemakers to start anew. Today, Azerbaijan produces grape and pomegranate wines. Wine tours from Baku to the Savalan valley cost about $40 USD per person, while a two-day trip to Ismayilli vineyards with waterfall visits is around $63 USD.

Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center Exhibition

No trip to Baku is complete without seeing the Heydar Aliyev Center, a city icon designed by Zaha Hadid, winner of the 2014 Design of the Year award. Its flowing architecture symbolizes the connection between past and future.

Start your visit with the “Mini-Azerbaijan” model exhibition featuring the city’s landmarks like the Maiden Tower and Flame Towers. Admission costs approximately $8 USD.

Experience World-Class Jazz Performances

Azerbaijan’s first jazz orchestra dates back to 1938. After a period of decline post-World War II, jazz experienced a revival in the 1960s, blending global styles with traditional mugham music.

Since 2005, Baku hosts an annual jazz festival every October, attracting musicians from 17 countries. The festival opens with an outdoor concert in the historic Inner City (Icherisheher).

Stroll Through Icherisheher (Old City)

The oldest part of Baku, Icherisheher, dates back to the 2nd–1st centuries BC. It remained the city’s core until the 19th-century oil boom.

Spend at least a day wandering its narrow streets, visiting the Maiden Tower from the 12th century and the UNESCO-listed Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Don’t miss the famous filming spot from the classic Soviet film “The Diamond Arm” near 8 Kichik Gala Street.

Swim in the Caspian Sea

If visiting in early autumn, pack your swimsuit. The swimming season lasts through September, with water temperatures between 77°F and 81°F (25–27°C). While Baku’s beaches are limited, nearby villages like Mardakan and Bilgah offer scenic spots. The resort of Zagulba also features clear waters but can be windy. Avoid Shikhovo Beach, which was declared unsafe for swimming this year.

Capture the Flame Towers at Night

Completed in 2012, the Flame Towers complex has become Baku’s signature landmark. At night, LED lighting transforms the 530–600 ft (161–182 m) tall buildings into vivid flames.

The base offers panoramic views of the city and Caspian Sea. Walking is possible, but during hot weather, take the funicular from Neftchilar Avenue for $0.55 USD.

Visit Ateshgah Temple and Burning Mountain Yanardag

Historically, locals practiced Zoroastrianism before Islam's arrival in the 7th century. Pilgrims visited sites with natural gas vents and eternal flames.

The 17th–18th century Ateshgah Fire Temple, 19 miles (30 km) from Baku, likely stands on an ancient shrine site. From Koroğlu metro, bus #184 ($0.17 USD) takes you there; entrance is about $2.20 USD.

Yanardag, the Burning Mountain, features natural flames burning for centuries. Visit in the evening for the best experience. From Koroğlu metro, bus #217 ($0.22 USD) goes there; entry costs around $1.10 USD.

Experience a Therapeutic Oil Bath

Near Naftalan city, medicinal oil deposits provide viscous, heated oil baths (98–100°F / 37–38°C) used to treat skin and urinary diseases, arthritis, tonsillitis, and sinusitis.

The Naftalan museum displays crutches left behind by cured visitors. A week-long stay with full board and treatment starts around $133 USD per person. Many resorts offer airport transfers from Ganja for about $12 USD.

Discover How Famous Azerbaijani Carpets Are Made

The Carpet Museum, housed in a building shaped like a rolled carpet, exhibits over 14,000 items including carpets, woven bags, clothing, and Bronze Age jewelry.

Carpet weaving is a meticulous craft; visitors can watch artisans at work (photography discouraged). Entry with an audio guide is about $5.50 USD.

Try Authentic Azerbaijani Plov

Plov is a signature dish made with lamb, chicken, pumpkin, or chestnuts. Ingredients are cooked separately and combined before serving. There’s even a sweet version with dried fruits.

Azerbaijani cuisine celebrates meat, especially lamb, used in kebabs, shashlik, and dolma—minced meat wrapped in grape leaves. Try piti, a hearty stew with meat, chickpeas, and potatoes, or jiz-biz, fried lamb offal with potatoes and onions.

For dessert, enjoy crumbly kurabye cookies or baklava, layered pastry with nuts. Tea is traditionally served strong in pear-shaped glasses, often infused with thyme, sage, or cinnamon—avoid adding sugar to preserve the flavor.

Additional Tips for Visiting Azerbaijan

Visa Requirements

Russian citizens can enter Azerbaijan visa-free with a valid passport for up to 90 days. Stays longer than 15 days require online temporary registration at the place of residence, which is free of charge.

Getting There

Three main options:

• By air: Flights from Moscow to Baku and Ganja take about three hours. Round-trip tickets with luggage cost approximately $220 USD to Baku and $170 USD to Ganja.
• By train: The journey from Moscow exceeds two days, with round-trip sleeper tickets around $190 USD.
• By car: Driving from Moscow covers roughly 1,370 miles (2,200 km) through Tambov and Volgograd regions, crossing into Azerbaijan via Dagestan, taking about 28 hours.

Weather

August and September in Baku are warm, with daytime temperatures above 86°F (30°C). Sea temperatures range from 77°F to 81°F (25–27°C), cooling by late September.

Mountain regions are cooler, often windy and rainy—pack warm clothes for excursions.

Accommodation and Food Costs

Hostel beds in Baku start at $3.50 USD per night in shared rooms. Single hotel rooms near the city center cost around $33 USD. Apartments for rent in central areas begin at about $35 USD per night.

A full meal at local restaurants averages $15 USD:

• 500g of dyushbara (tiny dumplings in broth) — about $3.50 USD.
• One qutab (flatbread with greens) — approximately $0.80 USD.
• 500g of chicken plov — around $6.50 USD.
• Glass of semi-dry pomegranate wine — about $3 USD.

Currency Exchange

The official currency is the Azerbaijani manat. 1 manat equals roughly $0.59 USD. Tourists are advised to exchange money at banks rather than on the street.

Russian Language Proficiency

Russian is widely taught in schools, so communication is generally smooth, especially in major cities and tourist areas.

Discover more about traveling in Azerbaijan and start planning your unforgettable getaway today!

Discover the latest news and current events in Travel & Leisure as of 05-02-2022. The article titled " 12 Compelling Reasons to Take a Vacation Right Now " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Travel & Leisure field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.

The information in " 12 Compelling Reasons to Take a Vacation Right Now " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Travel & Leisure category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.