When is the Best Time to Visit Azerbaijan? - Culture Trip 2023, The Broke Backpacker. Buses are generally pretty safe in Azerbaijan, just keep your belongings in sight and stay vigilant in the Baku bus terminal. Hey Kerri, thanks for your comment. Bum bags aren't just for Adidas lads and super dads! Its no fun lugging a whole lot of baggage around with you when youre supposed to be hot-footing it around a cool new country. We recommend taking a water bottle with a filter; yes, plastic bottles of water are available at shops, but lets not add to the already plastic problems of the planet. But as with anywhere in the world, its probably not a good idea to be walking around dark, deserted areas of towns and cities by yourself. International organisations have shown concern over issues related to freedom of speech, which is always a worrying sign. So I would really advice everybody to go there before it will become too touristic. There are, however, new highways for example, Baku to Quba in the north, and Baku to Astara (Iran) which makes long-distance travel slightly easier. Even if a potential pickpocket tries to pick your pocket, or dip into your bag, youll be safe in the knowledge that your money for the day is securely stashed in this awesome money belt. Jo quan vaig anar a Azerbaijan, vaig demanar el visat a travs del consulat de Dubai, ja que era la meitat de preu que fer-lo online. You think? document.getElementById("ak_js_2").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); document.getElementById("ak_js_3").setAttribute("value",(new Date()).getTime()); This website uses cookies to improve your experience. People are friendly even in the capital city. The uniqueness of Giz Galasy architecture is that the tower is located on a large rocky ledge. For those who want to spend time taking in all the natural attractions here, there is accommodation available in the form of quaint bungalows, or, for more adventurous visitors, camping on the northern beach of the park is permitted with a permit. Public transport in Azerbaijan varies throughout the country, though for the most part, its just two main modes of transport: buses and trains. The blend is too chaotic and, for me, this is the top reason why you should visit Azerbaijan. Its affordable, it looks and acts like a belt, and its sturdy what more could you ask for out of a money belt! 15 Best Places to Visit in Azerbaijan Written by Jan Meeuwesen Updated on February 11, 2023 Our travel recommendations are based on our personal experiences and research, written by locals and travel experts with deep familiarity with the destination. When it comes to crime in Azerbaijan, its said that one in every five crimes is related to narcotics; theres a lot of drug trafficking across its borders and the countrys authorities have failed to intercept over 90 percent of what does come over the borders. Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe! I havent found Georgians to be friendly at all and was skeptical about Azerbaijan, but now Im quite excited to hop over there! AZERBAIJAN Baku is a wonderful mix of old and new | WIN-Initiative / Getty Images Sam Bedford 13 May 2020 View Situated on the Caspian Sea, the Azerbaijani capital of Baku combines a Medieval old town with an ultramodern skyline, bringing together Persian, Turkic, Soviet and European influences. These are always a good measure of the culture of a country, so dont be afraid to dive in there and see whats going on. Sign up for our newsletter and get the best travel tips delivered right to your inbox. Chances are that, living there, you wont be looking like a tourist every time you step out of the house anyway. Its very nice to drink on a hot day. Dont forget to check our travel guide to Azerbaijan. The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Azerbaijan. Take it slow! Azerbaijan is a great place to visit and definitely safe destination. Make sure you do your research and only go with a reputable tour company. The boulevard stretches over 5 kilometres along the coastline from National Flag Square to the International Baku Port, and is a great place to take in the seaside attractions on offer in Azerbaijan. (Insider Tips). World Nomads mission is to support and encourage travellers to explore their boundaries. 6. Tourism is the second busiest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be slightly higher priced. Azerbaijanis sounds like a lovely place to visit, I love how the places that you have immersed yourself in are so of the beaten path and so interesting. I definitely agree with you!! Azerbaijan is such a nice place! I want to know the best time to visit the country and is 5 - 7 days is ok or should I stay a little longer? Though Azerbaijan is safe for families, our suggestion (especially if you are travelling with really young children) is to simply stick to Baku and its environs. If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. To help you make smart choices when you are travelling around this country and ensure that you stay as secure as possible we have created this epic insiders guide to staying safe in Azerbaijan. If you find a cheaper country than Azerbaijan, please let me know. First of all, its literally just a belt no fuss, just a belt with a buckle and a secret zipper pocket where you can stash your cash. Thanks in advance. During the few hours I spent wandering around its walls and climbing its surrounding hills, I didnt see a single soul and, probably, nobody had come here during the whole day. Disclaimer! Its surprisingly beautiful, as well. Whilst the Azerbaijan-Dagestan (Russia) border is no longer closed, the UK governments travel advisory office, advises against travel to Dagestan. The best time to visit Azerbaijan is April to June and September to October, which will let you avoid the 40C summers and sub zero winters - particularly in the mountains. Nabran lies on the banks of the Caspian Sea, and one of the great attractions here is the climate which provides plenty of sunshine in the summer months. Degut a que no tinc molt de temps (ara mateix estic treballant, tot i que espero que no per molt de temps), tu quan temps li dedicaries? There are a lot. My cousins and I are planning for a short stopover in Azerbaijan this March and would like to squeeze in Gobustan and Xinalig. Its just that easy. I would just like to correct one thing; although Iran is a somewhat conservative country, it is filled with cinemas and theaters. When it comes to things to do for families in Azerbaijan In Baku, for example, there is plenty to you and your kids occupied from fairground rides and amusements to shopping malls and parks. Whether or not visitors travel here for health reasons, or just to indulge is this unusual practice, you can still enjoy bathing in the oil in the resort and experience a range of relaxing or stimulating oil treatments at the onsite spa. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Thanks for sharing the detailed information about Azerbaijan. Close, Is Azerbaijan Safe for Travel? To help stay safe and ensure that enjoy your trip to the fullest, were sharing our top tips for solo female travellers in Azerbaijan. Considering humidity, temperatures feel nice most of the year, excluding some cold weeks in the winter, with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. To apply for the eVisa, individuals can visit Azerbaijan's official online visa portal at evisa.gov.az for the same. Tourists are unlikely to visit Azerbaijan in December. Its up to you whether you bribe or not, but its not really something you should encourage. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists. As we mentioned earlier its an actual offence to criticise the name or the de facto ruling Aliyev family. It is like taking a time machine and going back 50 years, when all you are doing is driving half an hour out of the capital.. I will visit Baku this month. Best Time To Visit Azerbaijan - Thomas Cook If you are travelling outside of Baku by car during the winter, you should definitely make sure you are prepared with provisions like extra food, a torch, a shovel, a blanket, and warm clothes. Thanks for your post. There are a number of options on offer when it comes to choosing a taxi service in Azerbaijan; from London-style cabs in Baku to app-based options and more local companies, theres a fair bit to choose from. Israel's President Herzog to make historic state visit to Azerbaijan In fact, both cultures are quite similar but they hate each other, which is kind of controversial. Though that sounds good, they often leave very early and will only leave when theyre full if youve been on local transport elsewhere in the world, youll know the fun of this. . US 'pleased to see' that talks between Armenia and Azerbaijan continue Fall daily highs range from 85.1F (29.5C) and 52.5F (11.4C), which will feel comfortable given the humidity and wind. Although many people in the world couldnt tell you one dish from Azerbaijan, you are in for a treat if you like food and youre heading to this country. [READ MORE] Embassy Messages Alerts Azerbaijan Level 2 Travel Advisory Tue, 15 Nov 2022 Azerbaijan Level 3 Travel Advisory Wed, 31 Aug 2022 CDC WARNING LEVEL 3: HIGH LEVEL OF COVID-19 IN AZERBAIJAN Wed, 31 Aug 2022 Health Alert - U. S. Embassy Baku (11 August 2022) Thu, 11 Aug 2022 View Alerts and Messages Archive Quick Facts PASSPORT VALIDITY: Glad that you also want to go to Azerbaijan. I cant tell much about Georgians because I was just in Tbilisi but I went all across Azerbaijan and they were very nice! It is surprisingly expensive to live there, but most days you can walk through the streets of the city late at night and see families and their children together; you can see this quite a lot in the family friendly Boulvar area even until the early hours of the morning. Armenia and Azerbaijan may both lay claim to the Nagorno-Karabakh region, and there may be potshots and landmines in that area, but its localised to that particular part of the country. Youll feel out of place, itll be uncomfortable, and you may be more at risk from potential thieves. Im so intrigued by the Stans (as I like to refer to them!) Each city has its own uniek architecture and food traditions..that makes it very interesting. With any of them, its important to do research: make sure they come well-reviewed by other female travellers, are in safe areas and wont make you feel insecure. In more rural areas, you should definitely dress more modestly, covering shoulders and knees. Places to visit in Azerbaijan Top Things to Do in Azerbaijan Places to Visit in Azerbaijan Popular things to do Day Trips Cultural Tours Bus Tours 4WD Tours Private Sightseeing Tours Historical Tours Archaeology Tours Art Tours Half-day Tours City Tours Full-day Tours Night Tours Photography Tours Nature and Wildlife Tours Hiking Tours For the most part, Azerbaijan is not dangerous at all. Not many people know about it and its a pity! Azerbaijani food is pretty amazing, and wont be much like anything youve had before. This protected area is made up largely of semi-desert landscape meaning that you will find ambling sand dunes that are the perfect hideaway for the gazelles found here, and nature lovers may also spot a diverse array of species including turtles, hedgehogs, jungle cats, and jackals. By contrast, its most likely to rain or snow in late October with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of October 22nd. Azerbaijan's capital city is known for being the headquarters of the country's oil and gas operations. Azerbaijan has long been known as the Land of Fire, due the burning of natural oil and gases under the earth,said to have inspired the fire worshippers who later founded the Zoroastrian faith. Azerbaijan certainly fits the bill. Azerbaijan Itinerary: 1 & 2-Week Routes for First-Time Visitors Nevertheless, I invite you to take the smallest district in Cairo, Dubai or Amman and youll find a larger number of mosques there than in the entire city of Baku. Best Places to Visit in Azerbaijan | Travel Guide (2023) | Things to Do Republic of Azerbaijan Official Electronic Visa Portal Languages Local bakeries are a good place to get a cheap snack. Being by yourself allows you to soak up everything the country has to offer, at your own pace, without having to stick to someone elses itinerary. Wow I fell totally in love with the country, Ive been looking for some quiet country to relocate to and this seems like the perfect place. Are tourist facilities in Azerbaijan operating and is a COVID-19 passport required to visit them? ct intro final View All Trips Baku Azerbaijan: Take Another Look | Azerbaijan.Travel Naftalan resort is famous due to the Naftalan crude oil found here that is said to have healing properties, and has sparked a boom in medical tourism to the region. It is however unfortunate that 7,614 square kilometres of this is disputed territory. It has so many places Ive wanted to visitso many places, not enough time , Your email address will not be published. Many of the trains travel overnight (which is when you should be most vigilant) and theyre very, very cheap. In Baku, the bus station is the central hub for all bus travel throughout the country. The Stasns as you call them (which means Land by the way) are full of history and have key for the trade in Asia since centuries ago. Holidays that you view will be shown here. Yes, for a 3-day trip its perfectly possible. Be careful with what you wear because even men wearing shorts can be taboo scratch that, its just not ok. Maybe if youre in a tour group, you could get away with wearing shorts and maybe in Baku, by yourself but outside of the capital, and especially travelling solo, you should stick to long pants. Your email address will not be published. If all this sounds dangerous in the daytime, imagine trying to tackle it at night and without street lights. Basically, the local food in Azerbaijan is loads of different food coming from Turkey, Iran, Georgia, Ukraine, Russia, Central Asia, etc., all cooked and served with a local twist. A particularly lovely part of the city is Baku Boulvar, a 10 kilometre stretch of coastline thats pedestrianised and family friendly, filled as it is with restaurants and other amenities and attractions. Youve caught my attention with those beautiful mountains as Im an avid hiker. The government recently made it easier to visit Azerbaijan by introducing an eVisa and after oil prices fell, the country suddenly became a very affordable destination. The area is somewhat temperate in the 53rd percentile for pleasant weather compared to tourist destinations worldwide. This tradition is still very much alive in Sheki City today, and visitors here will find ornate embroidery and other local handicrafts on offer. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH. US 'Pleased to See' That Talks Between Armenia and Azerbaijan Continue The warmest time of year is generally mid August where highs are regularly around 92.4F (33.6C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 70.3F (21.3C) at night. I have quite a long list of off the beaten track places which I can share with you But Azerbaijan is probably the most remote country Ive been to. Yanardag is different from the mud volcanoes also found in Azerbaijan as there are no deposits of lava or mud that erupt from the hills, and the region is also one of great religious significance. (A good spot for cheap food, too). The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots. Sheki City was a stop off on the Silk Road and was famous for exquisite silks and other textiles. Sitting in the Azizbeyov region of the city of Baku, Absheron National Park spans 783 hectares of protected land and is the perfect place to come to witness the stunning flora and fauna of Azerbaijan. We advise: Exercise a high degree of caution in Azerbaijan overall due to the unpredictable security situation and ongoing tension along the border between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Vicki, Stan countries are located between the Caspian Sea and China in Central Asia. Seriously, this country is too cheap for what you get. Perhaps keep one of these handy, just in case. Instead, buy an eSIM! The mix of cultures looks to be absolutely fascinating! November 15, 2022 Azerbaijan - Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution O T Last Update: Reissued with updates to the Travel Advisory level, health information and "Do Not Travel" areas. Demonstrations and political disturbances do occur. However, it is good to know about some of the issues that currently face the country. It is called Alinja castle and it is, by far, the most off the beaten track and stunning at the same time castle I have ever been to. While there, he will participate in the 28th annual Baku Energy Week, which consists of the International Caspian Oil & Gas Exhibition, the Caspian International . Israeli president flies to Azerbaijan as increasingly public alliance Cheers! Men give up their seats on buses for women, the history is fascinating, and the landscapes are epic. There is a whole lot of stuff that you can do around this country, from exploring the Soviet grandeur of its capital city (Baku) to going skiing at the resort area of Gebele. Last Updated: 10/26/22 | October 26th, 2022 Azerbaijan is one of those emerging destinations that tourists are finally starting to discover. Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market andditch the plastic. COVID-19 Advisory - Azerbaijan Many people believe that Azerbaijan is an expensive destination but thats why some parts of the capital are quite expensive, as it is a city full of luxury similar to Dubai but, the truth is that, outside of the capital (and in some parts of the capital also) its a total different story. Its not normal in Azerbaijan for women to go out alone after 9pm; if you want to avoid the hassle, consider venturing out in a group. Read: Georgia travel tips Everything you need to know. These months see the least precipitation with 1 to 2 days of precipitation per month. Also, read up on Peter Hopkirks On Secret Service East of Constantinople to understand the pivotal role that Azerbaijan played in WWI.. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism. Maiden Tower is justly called the most mysterious monument of Baku. To use the metro system youll need a card which you can top up, costing 3 AZN (around $2 USD), which includes 5 rides. Office of the Spokesperson. The religion is mostly Islamic. Its definitely cheaper than Armenia, Georgia, and perhaps Iran (well, maybe not because the Iranian Rial has dropped drastically). I love finding out about places that are off the beaten track. There is a whole lot of stuff that you can do around this country, from exploring the Soviet grandeur of its capital city (Baku) to going skiing at the resort area of Gebele. They take this issue VERY seriously. Trying to figure out if Uber is actually operating in Azerbaijan is somewhat confusing. Com ests? President Herzog and his wife Michal will travel to Baku on Tuesday for the 2-day visit. May 30, 2023. You dont need to be a backpacker to enjoy a 1 beer. Seriously, once you enter the travel belt life, you never go back. First time, i heard about Azerbaijan and i like your amazing photos and information and i agree with your reason. Latest update Still current at: 08 May 2023 Updated: 17 April 2023 Latest update:Azerbaijan has removed all COVID-19 entry restrictions. Feel free to wander the city, but still doing so at night does come with more risks than daytime explorations. Azerbaijan has produced some of the greatest poets, scientists, musicians and is home to several UNESCO world heritage sites. 24 Top Safety Tips for Traveling to Azerbaijan. Gobustan is often referred to as the Azerbaijan version of Stonehenge in the United Kingdom, as it features a prehistoric cromlech (a circle of stones that have been positioned vertically). Your email address will not be published. In this article, I will tell you the several reasons why you should visit Azerbaijan. Its a pretty safe country on the whole and, if you want to move there, theres no overarching risk involved in doing so.