Want to explore the dynamic seam between Europe and Asia, and revel in a fantastic mix of landscapes across a relatively compact stretch of real estate—including some stunningly gorgeous mountains? Azerbaijan’s your ticket.
You may know it (directly or—more likely—indirectly) as a source for premium beluga caviar, but this republic also offers a remarkably varied suite of attractions to the visitor who explores it on the ground. Part of a cultural and ethnic frontier in the heart of Eurasia, Azerbaijan borders Georgia and Russia to the north, Armenia to the west, Iran to the south, and the Caspian Sea to the east.
The capital, Baku, which fronts the Caspian Sea on the Absheron Peninsula, is bedecked with skyscrapers and high-end museums, art galleries, and other cultural institutions; its archaic walled center, meanwhile, preserves historic architecture. This blend of the old and the new, exemplified in Baku, symbolizes Azerbaijan’s multifaceted character: on the one hand, an oil-rich and prosperous country, on the other a reservoir of age-old rural traditions.
Azerbaijanis take great pride in their natural landscape, and it’s not hard to see why. The Caspian Hyrcanian mixed forests of the southeast, which sprawl deeply into Iran along the seacoast, are bastions of biodiversity; though the Caspian tiger that once ruled these verdant woods is gone, leopards, bears, wolves, lynx, wild boar, bustards, and peregrine falcons remain. From the eternal natural-gas blazes of Yanar Dag (“Burning Mountain”) near Baku to the infernal mud volcanoes sprinkled across the country, there’s some heavy-duty geological action on display. And the scenic power of the country climaxes in the north, where the terrain rises past 14,000 feet in the ranges of the Greater Caucasus. Skiers delight in the generous snows of these regal peaks, while hikers in reserves such as Shahdag National Park can scout the high slopes and broken cliffs for ibex, chamois, and the magnificently horned East Caucasian tur.
Sheki is an outstanding destination city in the Caucasus, showcasing a plethora of historical sites, distinctive regional cuisine, and other standout expressions of Azerbaijani culture. The surrounding region, Shaki, is well known for its fleet Karabakh horses, a symbol of the country.
If Azerbaijan remains a blank space on your mental map of the world, come on over to this meeting-ground of Europe and Asia: Here in the heart of the Caucasus, you’ll find splendid landscapes, millennia-forged lifeways, and impressive urban energy.
13 things not to miss.
- Baku's Old CityWalk Baku's Old City
- mud volcanoes of GobustanSee the mud volcanoes of Gobustan
- Sheki silk-road routeDrive the Sheki silk-road route
- Gobustan PetroglyphsThis tantalizing clutch of rock art—depicting varied figures like lions, elephants, and boatmen—is one of Europe’s standout prehistoric sites.
- Maiden TowerYou won’t soon forget the views from this revered centuries-old tower in Baku’s Old City, which unfurl over the Caspian Sea.
- Shirvanshahs’ PalaceThis 15th-century palatial complex of the Shirvanshah dynasty, one of Baku’s signature landmarks, includes a mosque and tombs.
- Ateshgah Fire TempleThis temple has been a center of Hindu and Zoroastrian fire worship for centuries, reflecting the Baku area’s natural gas and oil fires.
- National Museum of History of AzerbaijanDelve into the country’s deep past at this excellent Baku museum.
- Palace of Shaki KhansThe summertime residence of the Shaki Khanate, built at the close of the 18th century, boasts an amazingly ornate décor.
- Yanar DagNot far from Baku, the “Burning Mountain” flares a sandstone hill with a perennial gas fire.
- Binagadi Tar PitsThis natural asphalt lake was a prehistoric, La Brea-style boneyard: It’s turned up the remains of cave hyenas, rhinos, and other long-ago beasts.
- Besh Barmag Mountain“Five Finger Mountain,” of modest height but arrestingly craggy form, has long been a center for religious pilgrimage.
- Shahdag National ParkEnjoy the Greater Caucasus in their wild glory—from Azerbaijan’s 14,652-foot high point to mountain wildlife such as wolves and the goat-like tur.
