You’ve probably been to France to visit the Eiffel Tower. But we’d bet you haven’t seen Azerbaijan’s bubbling mud volcanoes yet.
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Often dubbed the ‘Land of Fire’ thanks to its rich natural gas reserves and the flames that escape through cracks in the earth in parts of the country, Azerbaijan is much more than an oil-rich nation. Just a hop, skip and a jump from plenty of European capitals (Berlin and London , to name a few), it’s an easy weekend trip when you’re in the mood for something a little different.
Baku is a handy base with a lot to offer, from the beautiful Old Town and Caspian Sea views to some seriously good qutab. Fancy getting out of the city? You can take some cracking day trips to the mountain regions of Gabala and Quba, too.
Two other big draws: Azerbaijan is quite cheap for the quality you get, and it’s hard to find places that don’t look good on camera. Just visit remote mountain settlements like Xinaliq, and you’ll see what we mean.
Azerbaijan is more accessible than ever, with quick flight connections from across Europe , strong public transport links across the country and a low price tag to go with it. Here’s how to plan your first visit.
Key takeaways
Getting in is easy. Citizens of up to 95 countries can apply for an Azerbaijan e-visa online; the official fee is $29 ($20 state fee plus $9 service fee) and standard processing takes up to 3 working days.
It's cheap. A metro or city bus ride in Baku costs AZN 0.60, a sit-down meal for two runs AZN 40-100, and a sensible daily budget is AZN 40-80.
Time it right. Visit from March to May or September to November, but expect prices to rise around Baku's September Formula 1 weekend.
Public transport is your friend. Baku's three metro lines and city buses cost the same flat fare, and a BakıKart from the airport covers the Aeroexpress bus into town.
Key Takeaways
- Purchase a BakıKart at Baku Airport for AZN 2 (€1.10), then you only need to pay AZN 1.30 (€0.70) for the Aeroexpress bus into the city.
- Plan your visit from March to May or September to November, but expect prices to rise around Baku’s September Formula 1 weekend.
- Use public transport where possible: it’s only AZN 0.60 (€0.30) per metro or city bus ride.
- Apply for Azerbaijan’s standard e-visa at least 3 working days before arrival; the official fee is $29 ($20 state fee plus $9 service fee).
3-Day Baku Itinerary
- Day 1: Baku Old City → Maiden Tower → Palace of the Shirvanshahs → Çay Evi 145 → Highland Park → Flame Towers
- Day 2: Heydar Aliyev Centre → Caspian Boulevard → Azerbaijan Carpet Museum → Deniz Mall
- Day 3: Gobustan rock carvings → Gobustan mud volcanoes → Yanar Dag → Ateshgah Fire Temple
Your Trip to Azerbaijan Starts with a Flight Into Baku (GYD)
Getting to Azerbaijan is pretty straightforward. Fly into Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) just outside Baku on Azerbaijan Airlines, which has connections to and from destinations across Europe, Asia, and beyond. You can also check Kiwi.com for Virtual Interlining fares, which mix legs from different airlines and can sometimes even work out cheaper than flying direct. A few hours’ layover in Istanbul won’t hurt. If your route includes a self-transfer, you can add the Kiwi.com Guarantee at checkout on eligible bookings for help if a delay or cancellation breaks your connection.
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Once you land, hop on the Aeroexpress Bus from Terminal 1 or 2, and you can be in central Baku in around 30 minutes. The bus drops you at Baku Railway Station, so it’s very convenient. Just make sure you buy a BakıKart beforehand. Pick one up from a dedicated kiosk at the airport for AZN 2 (€1.10), then top it up at one of the machines at the bus stops. Several people can use one card, and each journey costs AZN 1.30 (€0.70).
Azerbaijan Entry Rules
Entry into Azerbaijan depends on your nationality. Citizens of up to 95 countries can apply for an e-visa through the government’s ASAN Visa system. The process is done online, costs $29 ($20 for the visa and $9 for processing), and usually takes up to three working days. In a rush? Apply for an urgent e-visa and get a result within three hours.
Azerbaijan’s land borders are currently closed to incoming travellers. Rules can change at short notice, so check the latest official guidance before you travel.
Make Your Way Around Baku like You’re from There
Metro
Baku has a decent metro system with three lines (Red, Green and Purple) that link different parts of the city. The metro runs from 6 am to midnight, with departures every few minutes. A single journey costs AZN 0.60 (€0.30), and you can pay with contactless or a BakıKart.
Bus
If the metro doesn’t get you where you need to go, Baku’s buses will. The easiest way to find out which buses go to your destination is to type your route into Google Maps, which will show you where to catch the bus. Fares are the same as the metro at AZN 0.60 (€0.30), and so are the payment methods.
Rideshare (Bolt)
Bolt is a popular way to get around Baku. Drivers are fairly easy to find, with wait times no longer than 5-10 minutes. Standard rides across the city cost around AZN 5 (€3). Download the app before you arrive and get a SIM card. You’ll need data to use it.
Walking
Baku is easy enough to explore on foot if you stick to the main tourist areas. The Old City (Icherisheher), Juma Mosque and Mini Venice are all within walking distance of each other. But if you want to see some of the city’s more jaw-dropping architecture, like the swerving Heydar Aliyev Centre or the towering Flame Towers, you’ll have to add a fair bit more to your step count.
It’s worth mixing walking with public transport or Bolt rather than trying to do everything on foot. You’ll save time getting between sights and still have plenty of room for spontaneous detours.
The Best of Baku’s Sights
The UNESCO-Listed Streets of the Old City (Icherisheher)
Officially known as Icherisheher, Baku’s Old City is the perfect starting point for any trip. Come without a plan and get lost in the quaint streets. You’re bound to stumble across the 29-metre-high stone Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, the former seat of Baku’s medieval rulers. For a pick-me-up, do as the locals do and stop for a cuppa at İçərişəhər Bookhouse & Cafe.
Watch the Light Show at the Flame Towers
Dominating the Baku skyline, the Flame Towers are one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks. Designed to look like flickering flames, the trio of towers are quite spectacular even in daylight, but become even more striking when illuminated at night thanks to the daily LED light show. It usually starts just after sunset, and one of the best places to watch it is Highland Park. Get there around half an hour early if you want to secure a good spot.
Check Out the Quirky Architecture at the Heydar Aliyev Centre
Okay, Baku, we get it. You know how to build something that makes people stop and stare. The Heydar Aliyev Centre is a prime example, with its wave shape. Inside, you’ll find a collection of galleries, but the real showstopper is the building itself. Its white curves look fantastic in photos, and admiring the exterior won’t cost you a thing.
Walk the Boulevard Along the Caspian
Save your morning strolls for the boulevard by the Caspian. Stretching along Baku Bay, it passes several of the city’s attractions, including the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum, and you’ll be able to catch some panoramic views across the water at Deniz Mall. It goes on for a fair few kilometres, so comfy shoes are a must.
The Fire Temple (Ateshgah)
Ateshgah is well worth a visit if you’re curious about Azerbaijan’s connection to fire. This pentagonal temple complex has a fascinating history linked to Zoroastrianism, a religion where fire holds an important symbolic role. It was built over a natural gas outlet, where flames have blazed for centuries. Today, the fire continues to burn thanks to a gas pipeline, which keeps it alive.
Budget Guides
Toast to Tbilisi: How to Eat, Wander, and Wonder Without Going Broke
Arrive in Tbilisi and it hits you instantly: warm bread smell in the streets, balconies hanging like lace, grand old mansions collapsing beautifully, and locals debating life, philosophy, and football over glasses of wine that taste better than anything costing twenty times more in London. It’s a city that welcomes you in like a long-lost cousin, and if you know where to look, it can be incredibly kind to your wallet.
Read the guideAzerbaijan’s Attractions You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Observe the Burning Hillside of Yanar Dag
More flames? Of course. This is the Land of Fire, after all. Yanar Dag, around 25 km from Baku, is literally a hillside that looks like it has been set alight. Its name translates to ‘burning mountain,’ and it’s exactly what it sounds like: a stretch of flames cutting across the landscape. This one won’t take long to visit; a few hours, including the trip out and back, usually does it.
Witness Bubbling Mud Volcanoes near Gobustan
Azerbaijan has one of the world’s highest concentrations of mud volcanoes, many of which are found around Gobustan. Forget the usual volcanoes: these grey, bubbling pools of mud and bizarre volcanic formations look like they belong on another planet.
Many sit off the main roads, though, and getting there usually involves a bumpy journey over rough terrain. Be careful if you hire a car to visit. The last thing you want is a fine for causing damage.
Uncover Gobustan’s Ancient Rock Carvings
While in Gobustan, don’t miss the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, where up to 6,000 rock engravings sit alongside ancient caves and burial sites. These prehistoric carvings offer a glimpse into everyday life thousands of years ago, with some depicting hunting and fishing scenes. A few are even thought to date back around 40,000 years.
Day Trips for a Little Adventure Beyond Baku
Sheki (The Khan’s Palace and Caravanserais)
Among Azerbaijan’s most historic cities, Sheki is home to the Sheki Khan’s Palace (entry fee AZN 9 at the time of writing (€5) — check before visiting), with its ornate stained-glass windows and 18th-century caravanserais, old merchant inns that are an ode to the Silk Road period (free entry to the first floor). To get here from Baku, take a shared minivan, coach, or train. Private tours are also available for around AZN 100 (€52).
Mountain Areas Around Gabala and Quba
Get out and experience Azerbaijan’s breathtaking peaks around Gabala and Quba. From the dense Qechresh Forest to serene mountain lakes like Nohur Lake, outdoorsy people will love it. Both areas can be reached by minivan and coach, while the train only goes to Gabala.
It’s usually better to go with a tour company because many of the good spots are in rural locations. If you were to do it alone, you’d only end up spending your time travelling from A to B and wouldn’t see much. However, if you have a driver, it makes things much easier. Prices range from around AZN 40 (€21) to AZN 65 (€34).
Foods You Absolutely Need to Try in Azerbaijan
- Plov: Plov is popular across Asia, and Azerbaijan has its own delicious take on this classic rice dish. It often features long-grain rice infused with saffron, served with lamb or mutton, chestnuts and dried fruits such as prunes and raisins. What makes the Azerbaijani version unique is that the rice and meat are prepared separately, rather than cooked in the same pot.
- Qutab: Prepared on a warm saj, qutab is a thin Azerbaijani flatbread often filled with various ingredients, including meat and greens.
- Dolma: Every restaurant you visit in Azerbaijan will have dolma. These are grape leaves wrapped around basically anything you can think of, from mutton to peppers and tomatoes. They’re a tasty snack you can never say no to.
Tea Culture in Azerbaijan
Offering guests a cup of tea is a strong sign of respect in Azerbaijan. If someone gives you some, always accept; never refuse. It’s served hot, strong and brewed to perfection, often with sweets. For AZN 12 (€6), you’ll get a sizeable teapot at Çay Evi 145, a cosy little tea house on Neftchilar Avenue right next to Port Baku Mall; if you’re in the mood for something sweet, try their nutty baklava for AZN 3 (€2).
Where to Eat on the Cheap in Baku
- Xezer Kafe: Tucked away in a basement off Istiglaliyyat Street, Xezer Kafe serves quality Azerbaijani food at very good prices, which is fantastic considering its central location. Wait your turn (queues can be long around lunch), and once you’re seated, choose from their endless selection of plates. The kebabs hit the spot, with some costing just AZN 5 (€3).
- Afghan Restaurant Baku: If you’re feeling adventurous, this Afghan joint is fantastic value. Whether it’s lamb curries or yoghurt dumplings, you’ll have plenty of options. Average prices are between AZN 10 (€5) and 20 (€10).
- Əriştə: For some truly authentic home-cooked grub, swing by Əriştə. You can get a portion of pilaf here for AZN 10 (€5), and they also do tasty dolma, which makes a scrumptious side.
What You Should Know Before Visiting Azerbaijan
- Paying for things: In Baku, you can pay by card almost everywhere, but outside the capital, cash is superior. Don’t forget to withdraw some Azerbaijani manat before leaving Baku.
- Tipping: Tipping isn’t really a thing in Azerbaijan, but staff will be very grateful if you leave something. If you’ve had a nice meal or a friendly Bolt driver, 10% is usually fine.
- Dress code: Most people dress how they want in Azerbaijan, especially in Baku. Of course, when visiting mosques or other religious sites, cover up, but on the streets, it’s not mandatory.
- Alcohol: Azerbaijan is a secular country, so even though a sizeable portion of the population is Muslim, alcohol is widely sold. Just avoid walking around drunk in public, and you’ll be fine.
Basic Phrases to Learn for Your Azerbaijan Trip
- Salam – Hello
- Haradadır – Where is
- Neçəyədir – How much
- Sağ olun – Thank you
- Hələlik – Bye
- Çox sağ olun – Thank you very much
- Sabahınız xeyir! – Good morning
- Gecəniz xeyrə qalsın! – Good night
Best Time to Visit Azerbaijan
The best times to visit Azerbaijan are March to May (spring) and September to November (autumn).
In March, the Novruz festival signals the start of spring. By April, the snow has slowly melted away, making hiking in parts of the Caucasus much more doable. May comes just before the summer season, so it’s not as hot yet, and more of the rural areas are accessible.
September is a great month to visit; you still get some of the summer heat without the busy crowds. October brings colourful autumn scenery to Azerbaijan, and Gabala is one of the best places to see it. By November, it’s getting colder, and winter is approaching, but prices are lower, so it can be a good option for a cheap trip.
One thing to note about September is that Baku hosts the Formula 1 then. Prices for everything during this period skyrocket: hotels, flights and attractions all go up, and you’ll pay through the roof for pretty much everything. It’s best to avoid coming then unless you actually want to see the F1.
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What Azerbaijan Actually Costs
Approximate conversions at €1 ≈ AZN 1.91.
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea at a café | AZN 2 (€1.10) per cup |
| Beer | AZN 3–4 (€1.60–€2.10) |
| Lunch | AZN 5–12 (€3–€6) for local Azerbaijani plates or AZN 10–16 (€5–€8) at fast-food chains |
| Sit-down meal | AZN 40–100 (€21–€52) for two people |
| Hostel dorm bed | AZN 12 (€6) |
| Budget hotel | AZN 43 (€23) |
| Daily budget | AZN 40–80 (€21–€42) |
Prices checked on 23 October 2026 and subject to change.
Azerbaijan Awaits!
Tired of overhyped tourist hotspots and want something totally new? Azerbaijan is it. Start exploring flight options to Baku on Kiwi.com today and see all the ways to reach the capital. With low-cost direct and multi-airline options, you’re only a few clicks away from your next adventure. Kiwi.com has been showing off the Flame Towers from across the Caspian, too:
Or read how the neighbours do it in Tbilisi .
