8 Best Day Trips from Baku

The Azerbaijani capital Baku is a remarkable mixture of a modern city and ancient traditions. Although the city itself is already beautiful with such attractions as the Flame Towers, Old City (Icherisheher), and the Caspian Sea promenade, the real enrichment of your Azerbaijan experience is the unique destinations that are only a few hours away. The landscapes around Baku have something to offer to any kind of traveler: prehistoric petroglyphs and mud volcanoes, beautiful mountain villages and fire temples - all this is a great choice of day-trip activities.

In case you are intending to take a vacation in the UAE or any other country in the world, this is the ideal moment to apply for Azerbaijan visa and witness the untapped beauty of the Caucasus region. These day trips are simple, fruitful, and filled with memorable experiences as they have well-linked road networks and organized tours. Whether you are a history buff, nature lover, or culture enthusiast, Baku is the right place to start taking day-long trips.

1. Gobustan National Park

Gobustan is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an archeology lover should visit it as it is only 64 km southwest of Baku. It has more than 6,000 rock engravings, older than 40,000 years. These petroglyphs are the representations of the ancient hunting scenes, rituals, and everyday life of the Stone Age. Here you will see the well-known mud volcanoes- an unusual geological phenomenon that is possible only in a few localities on the planet. It is a perfect place to visit to find the natural wonders as well as the prehistoric mysteries. 

2. Yanar Dag and Ateshgah Fire Temple

To have a spiritual and cultural day out, visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple found about 30km off Baku in Surakhani district. The Fire Temple of Baku (also known as this Zoroastrian temple) used to be a worship center of the fire-worshippers who believed in the eternal flame. Visit Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) after visiting Ateshgah where natural gas flowing out of the earth has maintained a natural fire burning since centuries. They are particularly attractive to tourists who are interested in ancient religions and natural gas phenomenon. 

3. Khinaliq Village

Khinaliq is one of the oldest and remote villages in the Caucasus, located in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, 220 km north of Baku. The trip has awe-inspiring views of the mountains at the altitude of 2, 300 meters, alpine pastures, and immersion into the Azerbaijani national culture. People of Khinaliq speak a unique language and have maintained their traditions over millennia.

4. Lahij Village

Lahij is where you want to go when you want to taste the traditional Azerbaijani craftsmanship. This small mountain village, located in the Ismayilli district some 190 km away from Baku, is known as the place of cobbled streets, copper workshops and beautiful stone houses. Handmade copper, carpets and leather goods are created here by artisans who use centuries-old techniques. It is a great place to go shopping and purchase real souvenirs and to enjoy the life of the old Azerbaijani villages.

5. Sheki (Long Day Trip Option)

Sheki is a perfect overnight trip, but can be forced into a long day by those who are keen to visit this Azerbaijani gem. Sheki is some 300 km north of Baku and is renowned by its Sheki Khan Palace, with magnificent stained-glass windows and multi-coloured murals. It is also a center of Azerbaijani confections such as Sheki halvah, and boasts a picturesque bazaar, ancient caravanserai and history back to the times of the Silk Road. 

6. Naftalan Oil Spa (Special Day Healthy Trip)

Want to see something exotic? Visit Naftalan, which is located approximately 320 km away from Baku, in case you are interested in spa treatments. Naftalan oil is known to cure a number of ailments such as joint pain and skin diseases due to its therapeutic oil baths. Although the process is traditionally carried out within a few days, numerous tourists reserve day tours in order to have at least a single session. It is a unique wellness experience that mixes relaxation and local tradition.

7. Shamakhi

Shamakhi is in the tranquil retreat of history and nature, only 120 km away form Baku. The town was once a capital of Shirvan Empire and has the oldest mosque in Azerbaijan, Juma Mosque, as well as lovely hillside cemeteries with ornately carved gravestones. Shamakhi is also characterized by wine-making tradition. Most tours visit the local wineries, allowing tourists to taste the Azerbaijani wines and learn more about viniculture of the area. 

8. Guba and Qechresh Forest

Guba is a green and beautiful resort, which is about 170 km away from Baku and is famous because of its waterfalls, apple fields, and beautiful woods. The adjacent Qechresh Forest is a good picnic area with fresh mountain air and calm nature routes. It is also possible to visit Krasnaya Sloboda, one of the remaining all-Jewish towns outside Israel, which provides a cultural insight to your trip.

Conclusion

Baku is not only a city of modern skyscrapers and old walls; it is also a starting point of most fascinating and satisfying day trips in the Caucasus. Visiting prehistoric territories in Gobustan, burning flames in Yanar Dag, and exploring ancient villages such as Khinaliq and Lahij will make you better understand the culture, nature, and history of Azerbaijan.

To start these adventures without any difficulties, it is important to apply for Azerbaijan travel in advance. Your day trips out of Baku can be the highlights of your entire journey because of the visa-friendly policies and hassle-free travel infrastructure. Select the most suitable travel company, which knows all about the richness of Azerbaijan, and organize a journey, which combines the modern comfort and the authentic experience.