Discover some of the best ways to experience Azerbaijan

From breathtaking mountain views to tempting gastronomic delights, there are so many wonders that await you in this captivating country

Whether you prefer an action-packed city break or a relaxing rural retreat, you can plan your ideal getaway with ease in Azerbaijan. The country’s capital, Baku, offers a unique blend of modern architecture and the stunningly beautiful Old City – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. By contrast, out in the countryside, you’ll find a whole host of picturesque villages and lush forested mountains to explore.

Of course, one of the best parts about visiting a new place is sampling the local cuisine – and Azerbaijan’s culinary scene certainly doesn’t disappoint. Read on to learn more about all the unmissable experiences you can look forward to when you visit.

Diverse flavours

What better way to start your day than with a traditional Azerbaijani breakfast in Baku’s Old City? The pièce de résistance is pomidor chigirtma, a delicious mix of cooked tomatoes and scrambled eggs, served with piping hot tandir bread, fresh honey, cheeses, cream and copious amounts of tea. For dinner, look out for restaurants serving shah plov, arguably Azerbaijan’s most famous dish, consisting of rice, lamb and dried fruits wrapped in butter-soaked lavash flatbread.

Elsewhere, each city has its own must-try dishes. In Lankaran, it has to be lavangi, which is a whole chicken or fish stuffed with nuts and onions and cooked in a cylindrical clay tandir oven. Meanwhile, both Sheki and Guba are known for their sweet treats, including regional variations of pakhlava – Azerbaijan’s signature pastry. Sliced into diamonds and arranged to form a star, it consists of layers of dough and nuts, coated with honey or syrup.

For keen cooks, there’s also an array of culinary masterclasses available at local restaurants and eateries – ranging from making qutab (stuffed flatbread) in Baku to catching your own rainbow trout at the Zagatala Trout Fish Farm.

Travel in time

Azerbaijan has plenty of fascinating history for you to uncover, too. Nestled in the north-west, the city of Sheki is the country’s craft capital, and it was once an important stop on the legendary Silk Road. Head to the historic centre – another UNESCO World Heritage Site – to explore the craft shops, caravanserais (roadside inns), mosques, museums and colourful sweet shops.

You could also visit some of the ancient buildings scattered throughout Azerbaijan’s countryside to learn more about the country’s heritage. For instance, the village of Nij is home to an ancient Christian people called the Udis, who gather every Sunday in a charmingly restored 17th-century church. Or there’s the Kish Temple, located in the village of the same name, which is thought to date back to the first century AD – but archaeologists have found evidence that a cultic site existed there as early as 3,000 BC.

Natural beauty

Are you a nature lover? If so, you’ll be pleased to hear that Azerbaijan has 10 national parks that are home to a wide variety of rare wildlife, including birds, tortoises, jungle cats and gazelles. Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is one of the most visited reserves, as it has an outstanding collection of more than 6,000 ancient rock carvings. Plus, it’s close to the newly established Mud Volcano Tourism Complex, where you can discover the country’s famous mud volcanoes.

Other outdoor activities could include a hike in the spectacular Caucasus Mountains, which are dotted with unspoilt mountain villages linked by an emerging network of trails with spellbinding views. You could also enjoy an exhilarating paragliding experience over Beshbarmag Mountain, or even go skiing at the Shahdag Mountain Resort in the winter.

Alternatively, if you’d rather sit back and relax, simply head to one of the sun-soaked beaches along the Caspian Sea coastline, just a 30-minute drive from Baku.