Azerbaijan is a wonderful country where the European and Asian cultures come together to create a beautiful destination for tourists who want to discover the lovely mix of history, nature, culture and traditions. The country has much to offer to its visitors so here are some of the most exciting places to see in Azerbaijan:
Baku
Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan and it is the perfect mix of old and modern architecture situated along the Caspian Sea. The local cuisine is perfect for those who are not afraid to taste some spicy and delicious food.
If you are wondering what kind of activities you can enjoy in Baku, besides visiting the city and its tourist attractions, keep in mind that the Caspian Sea, which is actually the largest lake in the world, is perfect for fishing, diving and boating.
Shirvan National Park
Shirvan National Park is located south from Baku and it is a protected area with mainly semi-dessert landscapes with sand dunes that provide shelter to various animal species including turtles, jungle cats, jackals, hedgehogs and gazelles.
Tourists who love birding while visiting national parks will be able to see flamingos and swans in Shirvan National Park.
Shirvan National Park is also famous for the mud volcanoes that are commonly found in the park. Bandovan Mountain is probably the most famous mud volcano in the park and visiting it to enjoy this incredible natural phenomenon is definitely a must.
The park offers accommodation in bungalows or camping for those who want to spend more time discovering its beauty.
Absheron National Park
Absheron National Park is another national park in Azerbaijan that offers a demonstration that the flora and fauna of the country are absolutely amazing. The park’s wildlife includes gazelles, jackals, Caspian seals, badgers and some bird species.
Absheron National Park is absolutely stunning during September so if you really want to see the park at its true potential, plan a visit during this month.
Gobustan National Park
Gobustan National Park is home to what most people refer to as the Azerbaijan version of Stonehenge.
The prehistoric circle of stones positioned vertically are a wonderful reminiscence of the old times. But Azerbaijan’s version of Stonehenge is not the only memory of a different era tourists can see while visiting the national park, Gobustan is actually a large archaeological reserve that offers an incredible view of the ancient civilizations that lived in the region. With more than 600 rock drawings and cave drawings, Gobustan National Park makes a perfect destination for history nerds from all over the world.
Garasu Volcano
If the mud volcanoes found in Shirvan National Park intrigued you, add Garasu Volcano on your list of place to see in Azerbaijan! This mud volcano is probably the most famous out of all the 350 mud volcanoes that can be found in the country. Garasu Volcano is not afraid to spew mud at over 1000 meters in the air and this is why it is considered the most spectacular mud volcano to visit while in Azerbaijan.
Yanardag
Yanardag is another place in Azerbaijan where natural phenomena are impressive and mesmerizing for tourists. The gas deposits under the surface are responsible for the burning flame outlets and also for the name of the region that can be translated as “the burning mountain”. The flames are clearly visible at dusk and that is when you should go watch the spectacle.
Yanar Bulag
From the burning mountain we are moving to the burning water, another interesting natural phenomenon in Azerbaijan. Situated between Astara and Lankaran, two towns in Azerbaijan, Yanar Bulag is the region where flaming water becomes a reality due to the high levels of natural methane. According to locals, the water has healing properties and it can be used to cure numerous diseases.
