Azerbaijan is where Europe meets Asia on the shores of the Caspian Sea, and it’s the classic starting point for a Caucasus journey. Baku pairs a walled UNESCO old city with the Flame Towers and Zaha Hadid’s swooping Heydar Aliyev Centre; beyond it lie mud volcanoes, rock art and the silk-road town of Sheki.
This guide covers where to go, when, and how it fits with Georgia and Armenia. For our hand-picked trips, see our Azerbaijan holidays page.
The quick answer
- Give Baku two or three days.
- Day-trip to Gobustan for rock art and mud volcanoes.
- Travel north-west to Sheki and its painted palace.
- Continue into Georgia and Armenia for a full Caucasus trip.
- Go in April–June or September–October.
Where to go
| Region | Best for | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Baku & the Absheron | City, architecture | Old City, Flame Towers, Yanar Dag |
| Gobustan | History, landscapes | Rock carvings and mud volcanoes |
| Sheki & the north-west | Silk road, crafts | Palace of the Sheki Khans, caravanserai |
| Mountain villages | Walking, village life | Lahij, Quba and Xinaliq |
Most trips spend two or three nights in Baku, then head to Sheki before crossing into Georgia. Our Caucasus tours do exactly this, with Armenia to finish.
Things to do
- Baku Old City — the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, on the UNESCO list.
- Gobustan — Stone Age carvings and bubbling mud volcanoes.
- Yanar Dag and Ateshgah — a burning hillside and a fire temple on the Absheron Peninsula.
- Sheki — the painted Palace of the Sheki Khans and a working caravanserai.
- Lahij — a mountain village of coppersmiths.
- Heydar Aliyev Centre — Zaha Hadid’s landmark building.
When to go
April to June and September to October are the best months — warm in Baku and green in the mountains. July and August are hot on the coast but good in the hills, and Baku is famously windy in any season.
Getting there and entry
Baku has flights from London, direct or with one stop via Istanbul, from about 5 hours 30 minutes. UK passport holders need a visa, available online as an e-visa, and the FCDO advises against travel to some areas near the Armenian border. Check the FCDO travel advice for Azerbaijan before you go.
Money and local costs
The Azerbaijani manat is the currency; cards are accepted in Baku, but carry cash elsewhere.
Food and drink
Try plov rice dishes, kebabs, dolma, fresh herbs and pomegranates, and the sweet halva of Sheki. Black tea with jam is offered everywhere.
Ask us to plan a Caucasus trip →
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Azerbaijan?
April to June and September to October, when Baku is warm but not hot and the mountains are green.
Do I need a visa?
Yes — UK passport holders need an e-visa, applied for online before travel.
How many days in Baku?
Two or three, plus a day trip to Gobustan and the Absheron Peninsula.
Can I combine Azerbaijan with Georgia and Armenia?
Yes, and most travellers do. Our Caucasus tours start in Baku and continue through Georgia to Armenia.
Is Azerbaijan safe to visit?
Most of the country is visited normally, but the FCDO advises against travel to some areas near the Armenian border. Always check the latest advice.
Planning a Caucasus journey?
Tell us how long you have, and we will plan Azerbaijan alone or with Georgia and Armenia.
