10 Jan 2025
Azerbaijan Travel Guide
Azerbaijan is commonly referred to as “The Land of Wonders”, and indeed there is so much packed into this obscure Eurasian nation. Nestled in the Caucasus Mountains yet sharing its entire eastern coast with the Caspian Sea, the country boasts of such natural wonders as the mud volcanoes, multiple hot springs and the Yanar Dag, a continually burning natural gas pit. Manmade wonders also abound – Ateshgah Fire Temple, Maiden Tower, the futuristic Flame Towers and numerous castles, mosques, monasteries and fortresses. Or consider the cultural delights of tasting national Azerbaijani cuisine, relaxing by the expansive Caspian Sea or visiting an isolated mountain village, where endangered languages are still spoken and traditional lifestyles maintained. No simple description can do adequate justice to Azerbaijan, so we recommend reading through the Azerbaijan Travel Guide so you can prepare to come and experience the Land of Wonders in person!
General Information
- Capital: Baku
- Population: 10.1 million (2019)
- National Language: Azerbaijani
- Religion: Islam – 96.9% (Shi’a 85%, Sunni 15%), Christian – 3%, other - 0.1%
- Electricity: 220V AC, 50 Hz; type C and F plugs
- Time zone: GMT+4
- International dialing code: +994
- Currency: Azerbaijani Manat
Best Time to Visit
Thanks to Azerbaijan’s location between the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea, this tiny country has almost every climate zone in the world. Indeed, to see Azerbaijan at its absolute best, plan your visit in spring (April-June) or autumn (September-October). Spring comes to life with wildflowers and green pastures, while fall sees typically mild
Visa Requirements
Citizens of 9 countries can stay visa-free for up to 90 days:
- Belarus
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Moldova
- Russia
- Tajikistan
Flights to Azerbaijan
- Azerbaijan Airlines
- Emirates Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Aeroflot
- Air Arabia
- Air Astana
- Air Baltic
- Air France
- Azerbaijan Airlines
- Belavia
- Emirates Airlines
- Etihad Airways
- FlyDubai
- Gulf Air
- Indigo
- Iran Air
- Israir
- Lufthansa
- Qatar Airways
- SCAT Airlines
- S7 Airlines
- Turkish Airlines
- Ukraine Airlines
- Ural Airlines
- UTair Aviation
- Uzbekistan Airways
Is Azerbaijan safe for tourists?
Azerbaijan is a country of hospitable, patient people and tourists are rarely victims of crime. On the contrary, most are genuinely impressed by the kindness of the local people. Traffic laws are not as widely observed as in other nations. Exercise caution when crossing the street and don’t hesitate to demand safe driving practices from your taxi driver if he becomes reckless. Avoid night travel outside of the city when possible, as not all stretches of road are well-maintained. If asked by police officers to pay a fine, do not pay unless there is an official reason to do so. Some tourists have been duped by individuals posing as police officers, and a few officers themselves may unlawfully ask for bribes. It’s advised not to drink the tap water. You can easily purchase bottled water or bring a bottle with a built-in filter with you.
Language
Azerbaijani, also known as Azeri, is the official language in Azerbaijan. It’s spoken as a first language by more than 80% of the population and by more than 30 million people worldwide. It’s a Turkic language closely related to Turkish, Crimean Tatar and Turkmen, although traces of Russian and Arabic are also embedded in the language. There are two dialects: North Azerbaijani, spoken in Azerbaijan and Central Asia, and South Azerbaijani, spoken by Azeris in Iran, Iraq and Turkey. In Azerbaijan, the Latin script is the official writing system, but you’ll still see Cyrillic in wide use due to Azerbaijan’s close historical ties with Russia.
Cuisine
Azerbaijanis are naturally hospitable people, and the scrumptious local cuisine is a central aspect of many of their celebrations and gatherings. Some of Azerbaijan’s most popular and well-loved dishes include:
- Plov –Azerbaijan’s variations of this Central Asian dish are distinct and delicious. They add specific spices such as cinnamon and saffron, and a combination of meats, vegetables and fruits. One of the most popular varieties is shah plov, cooked inside a layer of thin crusty bread that is then peeled away to reveal a mountain of plov inside.
- Shashlik – Seasoned kebabs of meat or vegetables, they’re often eaten with garnish and thin lavash bread.
- Kufta bozbash - A national dish of Azerbaijan, this healthy soup consists of seasoned meatballs, potatoes, chickpeas and saffron.
- Dushbara – small boiled dumplings stuffed with meat or vegetables and served in a broth.
- Dolma – pepper or grape leaves stuffed with spiced minced meat and rice
- Shekerbura – A soft pastry stuffed with a sweet nut pastry, it’s a popular snack and dessert.
- Dovga – Soup-like yoghurt made with chickpeas and rice and eaten either hot or cold.
- Dushbara – vegetarian varieties of dushbara include garlic and tomato fillings.
- Qutab – thin, fried crepes stuffed with spinach or cheese and eaten with yogurt sauce. Meat varieties are also available.
- Shirin plov – a pilaf dish made with dried fruits instead of meat. Several varieties of cheese, including smoked cheeses and white cheese, are widely available, as are ample salads and produce in every season except winter.
Currency and Expenses
Azerbaijan’s official currency is the manat (not to be confused with Turkmenistan manat, which will not be accepted in Azerbaijan). Manat will be very difficult to obtain outside of Azerbaijan, so it’s recommended that you bring Euros, USD, pounds or rubles to exchange for manat after arriving to Azerbaijan. You should have no problem finding money exchange offices and 24/7 banks in Baku. There is also one at the international airport. Be sure to confirm the exchange rate and the final amount that you’ll be receiving before handing over your money or agreeing to an exchange. The country is primarily a cash-based society, although in Baku many hotels, cafes and shops will accept foreign credit cards. Outside of the capital, you’ll need cash to pay for most services and products, so be sure to withdrawal more than enough for your travels in advance. ATMs accepting most foreign credit cards can easily be found in Azerbaijan’s cities and towns. There are ATMs at the airport but expect the withdrawal fees to be slightly higher. Check the fees of both your home bank and the ATM bank fees for withdrawing manat, Euros or USD.
Internet & Mobile Networks
Wi-Fi is available at nearly all hotels and hostels and at an increasing number of restaurants. It may also be accessed cheaply at internet cafes in every city and town. Tourists who will only be in country for a few days may opt to only use Wi-Fi, but purchasing a SIM card is also possible. The three primary mobile operators in Azerbaijan are Bakcell, Azercell and Nar Mobile. All three have widespread and fast coverage. To purchase a SIM card you’ll need your passport, and be prepared to pay in cash. Check the price of a SIM card and package before making your purchase, and when possible buy your SIM card at an official store. Tourists have reported being scammed by shopkeepers trying to sell SIM cards at higher prices.
Souvenirs
There’s no lack of souvenirs to be found in Azerbaijan! The country has a long history in traditional arts, and this is reflected today in the selection of gifts to be found in the country: Colorful silk scarves are a modern-day gift from the ancient Silk Road trail. Carpets from Azerbaijan will make a priceless gift. Hand-woven from quality material, every region of the country produces a unique style of carpet. If price is a concern, smaller variations can also be found. Souvenir shop in Azerbaijan Crude oil paintings by local artist Sabir Copuroglu are a one-of-a kind gift from a nation with a booming oil industry. Bags, tablecloths and clothing with the traditional buta (tongue of fire) stitched into them make a practical yet distinctly Azerbaijani gift. Local pottery in the form of dishes, vases and pomegranate figurines can be found in all colors, sizes and styles. Edible gifts include freshly made jams, spices, nuts, teas and sweets. Other popular souvenirs include traditional glass teacups known as armudu, local daggers and backgammon sets.
