Azerbaijan holidays take you to the heart of a country that has wholeheartedly embraced change while keeping true to its traditions.
From the space-age skyscrapers of Baku to unspoiled rural villages and spectacular volcanoes, you’ll find plenty to admire in the ‘Land of Fire’. Situated at the crossroads of Asia and Europe, recent decades have seen Azerbaijan undergo a dramatic transformation.
Baku is now a capital city made for the 21st century, sitting on the shores of the Caspian Sea and playing host to high-profile events such as the Azerbaijan Grand Prix and the final of football’s Europa League.
Yet still you’ll find an ancient walled city at its core, one that peels back the layers of the country’s rich history through traces of the empires that have ruled it down the centuries.
Plan your holiday to Azerbaijan with prepare to be enchanted by this endlessly fascinating destination.
Our Azerbaijan packages give you the chance to explore this country’s fascinating blend of old and new. There’s so much just waiting to be discovered in a place of dazzling contrasts.
Dominating the skyline of Azerbaijan’s capital, the magnificent Flame Towers are a famed symbol of Baku and testament to the giant strides the city has taken in recent years. Home to offices, apartments and a hotel, the towers are especially impressive at night when they light up in a variety of patterns.
Head to Baku Boulevard for the best views of the towers as they depict figures waving the country’s flag, flickering flames and then fluttering Azerbaijan flags.
Amid the soaring skyscrapers and modern architecture of Azerbaijan’s capital nestles Baku’s ancient and charming Old City. Arguments persist as to exactly how old this area is. No matter, it’s an enthralling place to explore.
You’ll love walking the narrow, cobbled streets and browsing the stalls where locals sell handmade goods. Two of the must-see highlights here are the Palace of the Shirvanshahs – who ruled over the historical state of Shirvan from the mid-9th century to the early 16th century – and the impressive 12th-century Maiden’s Tower.
Head out of the city to explore Azerbaijan’s vast and rugged landscapes. The country is home to many of the world’s active mud volcanoes. Wherever you’re staying, you won’t be too far from one of these natural wonders with many hotels offering organised day trips to see them.
A great place to experience them is at Gobustan National Park, about 40 miles from Baku. Along with hundreds of mud volcanoes you’ll find prehistoric rock carvings and the musical stone of Gaval Dash – which makes a tambourine-like sound when it’s struck with smaller stones.
Opened in 2014, the Heydar Mosque is undoubtedly one of Baku’s most beautiful buildings. Its four ornate minarets each stand more than 300 feet tall, surrounding a magnificent central dome.
Step inside and admire the exquisite interior with its wood and marble designs, along with religious verses from the Koran written on the walls. The best time to visit is in the evening when the exterior is stunningly illuminated.
Designed by renowned architect Zaha Hadid and completed in 2012, the Heydar Aliyev Centre is recognised as one of the most striking examples of modern architecture in the whole of Baku.
You can while away plenty of time just walking around the outside of this impressive building before venturing inside to find exhibitions by artists, sculptors and more. Concerts are often staged here by a range of music theatres, orchestras and operas – it’s the city’s vibrant cultural hub.
Choosing a hotel near Nizami Street will put you at the centre of the action. This area is slick, modern and cosmopolitan, with big name stores, restaurants, coffee shops and more.
The buildings are stylishly designed and the whole street looks magical when lit up at night. It’s the perfect location for an Azerbaijan city break.
The capital has plenty of high-quality accommodation. Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers is a great choice, with glorious city views from the hotel’s impressive rooms. Pamper yourself at the spa and relax in indoor and outdoor pools.
Other attractive choices if you’re looking for a spot of luxury include the Hyatt Regency Baku and the Grand Hotel Europe.
Just half an hour south of Baku, in Sabayil, you’ll find The Crescent Beach Hotel and Leisure Resort.
Perfect for family holidays in Azerbaijan, a stay here gives you access to outdoor football pitches, a squash court, gym and a great outdoor pool to keep you entertained. It’s perfectly positioned by a beach looking over the Caspian Sea.
The currency used across the country is the Azerbaijan manat (AZN). In Baku, you’ll find plenty of ATMs around the city.
Many attractions in Baku can be reached on foot while there are taxis available for hire. Buses and trains are a reliable way of exploring further afield or you can hire a car.
The official language here is Azerbaijani. Russian and Armenian are also widely spoken, along with English. Minority languages include Georgian, Avar and Lezgian.
Azerbaijan celebrates a number of public holidays throughout the year including Victory Day (9 May), Republic Day (28 May) and Flag Day (9 November).
The success of Azerbaijan’s oil industry has brought the country great wealth, with these riches paving the way for the development of a host of eye-catching buildings and other architectural triumphs.
Baku has some of the best-known examples, with ultramodern structures taking their place on the city’s ever-changing skyline on a seemingly regular basis. Stand-out examples include the iconic Flame Towers, the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, the Heydar Mosque and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum.
Holidays in Azerbaijan offer plenty of opportunity to delve into the country’s history and culture. Places such as Baku’s Old City celebrate long-standing traditions and beliefs, with many people still living within the walls of this historic area. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time as you wander its cobbled streets, watching the locals go about their business.
Dig deeper into Azerbaijan’s past by visiting some of Baku’s fantastic museums, including the Taghiyev History Museum, the National History Museum of Azerbaijan and the Nizami Museum of Azerbaijani Literature.
If you’re keen on the idea of an active holiday in Azerbaijan, there’s plenty in store for you just outside the beating heart of the city. Azerbaijan is known as the Land of Fire and it certainly does its best to live up to its name.
Azerbaijan’s high volume of gas helps make Burning Mountain (Yanar Dag) one of the most unforgettable attractions here. As the name suggests, it’s a natural gas fire that blazes constantly on the mountainside and can be found just half an hour outside Baku.
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