Discover Azerbaijan
Accommodation in Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan can be discovered through a wide range of experiences: traditional architecture in Sheki, Baku’s historic city center, music and food culture, and a cultural landscape in the Greater Caucasus. Crafts, pilgrimage sites and active pursuits are also possible areas of focus. When choosing your vacation rental, consider which of these interests you want to shape your trip and which region you would like to search in.
Altstadt von Baku (Icherisheher) mit historischen Steinmauern und Gassen.
Photo: xiquinhosilva via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0
Architecture, crafts and food culture in Sheki
The Historic Centre of Sheki includes traditional buildings with steeply pitched roofs, deep verandas and gardens in a wooded mountain landscape. Sheki’s Khan’s Palace is an outstanding example of the city’s architecture. Those interested in architectural styles and local crafts will find more to explore in Shaki: visitors can meet artisans and see a Shebeke workshop in the Shaki fortress. Master classes for tourists are often held in the workshop of local coppersmith Nazar Aliyev in Lahij.
Sweet treats and cooking together are also among the experiences described. Several traditional sweet shops in Shaki offer halwa-making classes with local confectioners. Dolma is a central culinary tradition throughout Azerbaijan and is enjoyed at special occasions and gatherings. If you want to get to know the culture not only through buildings but also through music, crafts and food, these themes can help guide your choice of destinations.
Historic sites and music
Baku’s Old City is the historic center of Baku and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walls dating from the 12th century surround the Old City. This puts the historic character of the city center and its fortifications at the heart of a visit. A hop-on hop-off bus tour of Baku follows a 25-kilometer route with 15 stops, taking in the city’s main attractions. The details on route length and stops can help you consider this tour as a separate city activity.
Mugham offers a different cultural experience: this traditional Azerbaijani musical form is characterized by a high degree of improvisation and is performed at venues throughout the country. In the settlement of Surakhani, the Ateshgah Temple is an open-air museum. Those interested in rock art will find more than 6,000 images at Gobustan State Reserve, dating from around 5,000 to 20,000 years ago. The Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex has an information center, an exhibition on natural history and mineral exhibits. Each of these places offers a different focus—from music and historic buildings to rock art and natural history.
Cultural landscape and special activities
The Khinalig Cultural Landscape World Heritage Site includes the high-altitude village of Khinalig, summer pastures and agricultural terraces in the Greater Caucasus, as well as winter pastures in the lowland plains of central Azerbaijan. It also includes the seasonal Köç Yolu, a 200-kilometer transhumance route whose name means “migration route.” This connection between the village, pastures and seasonal route gives the cultural landscape a distinct appeal for travelers interested in agricultural traditions and the use of different landscapes.
There are other options for exercise and active experiences: the resorts in Shahdag have 14 well-groomed ski runs. At Yanardag, visitors can take guided off-road electric scooter tours. Blueplanet Resort in the village of Shorabad in the Khizi region near Baku is Azerbaijan’s first kitesurfing center. Lessons and courses are offered there; kites and boards, along with the necessary accessories, are available to buy or rent. If you plan to take part in these activities, the place and region names may factor into your choice of accommodation search area.
Ashabi Kahf is a popular pilgrimage site for local Azerbaijanis. The complex includes a mosque and shrines, accessible via a network of stairs. Its religious character sets this destination apart from the options related to sports, music or crafts.
Regions to search
The places described appeal to different interests, so the best way to choose a suitable vacation rental is to consider which regions you would like to explore. For your next search, you can visit the individual regional pages: Lerik, Şəmkir, Aghbulag, Khachmaz, Tovuz, Lankaran City, Naftalan, Kuzun, Nabran, Sis, Shaki, Qabala, Turist, Mingəçevir, Oghuz, Samur, Zaqatala, Qakh, Ganja, Quba, Badashkhan, Baku, Ismailli, Altiaghach, Masally, Nakhchivan, Shamakhi, Bala-Gusar, Armaki, Sumgait, Absheron, Siazan, Galaalti, Ağstafa and Shahdag.
