Azerbaijan travel guide
Azerbaijan sits where Europe meets Asia, and its mix of Caspian coast, Caucasus peaks and Silk Road towns makes for a distinctive trip. You can walk the walled Old City of Baku beneath the Flame Towers, admire stained-glass windows in a khans' palace at Sheki and drive up to mountain villages above Quba. Baku is the obvious starting point, with its seaside boulevard and striking modern buildings. Ganja offers a quieter, greener city of poets, while Gabala brings forest, lakes and skiing. In the far south, Lankaran has tea fields and the Hirkan forest, and the Nakhchivan exclave holds medieval monuments such as the Momine Khatun Mausoleum. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with hot summers on the lowlands and snow in the mountains in winter. Azerbaijan suits curious, independent travellers who like food, craft and landscape. Zippy Trips can help you plan the itinerary city by city.
Capital: Baku.
Visa for Indian passport holders
E-visa, applied for online before you fly.
Before you go to Azerbaijan
- Currency
- AZN ₼
- Emergency number
- 112 / 102
- Plug type
- Type C, F
- Tap water
- Drink bottled water
- Tipping
- Optional
- Bargaining
- Common
- Card networks
- Visa, Mastercard
- ATM fees
- Varies; sparse outside Baku
Cities in Azerbaijan
- Baku Azerbaijan's cosmopolitan capital on the western Caspian coast, where flame-shaped towers rise behind a UNESCO-listed medieval walled city…
- Sheki A jewel of the Caucasus nestled in forested foothills, famous for its Sheki Khans' Palace with intricate stained-glass shebeke windows,…
- Gabala Azerbaijan's premier mountain resort set against the Greater Caucasus, offering year-round skiing, cable cars, lush forests, and the…
- Ganja Azerbaijan's second-largest city, a tree-lined cultural hub renowned for its medieval caravanserais, the tomb of poet Nizami Ganjavi, and…
- Quba A mountain gateway town celebrated for its apple orchards, carpet-weaving villages, and the nearby Jewish mountain village of Qırmızı…
- Lankaran Azerbaijan's subtropical southern gateway on the Caspian shore, known for Talysh culture, lush tea plantations, the Hirkan National Park…
- Nakhchivan An Azerbaijani exclave bordering Iran, Armenia, and Turkey, preserving ancient Silk Road heritage including the 12th-century Momine Khatun…
Frequently asked questions about Azerbaijan
- Do Indian citizens need a visa for Azerbaijan?
- E-visa, applied for online before you fly. Stay: 30 days from issue, 30-day stay. Fee: USD 20. Processing: Usually within 3 business days. Apply: Before departure. Apply only on the official portal, evisa.gov.az.
- What currency is used in Azerbaijan?
- The currency in Azerbaijan is the Azerbaijani Manat (₼). ₼1 is about ₹56.
- Can I use cards and ATMs in Azerbaijan?
- Accepted card networks: Visa, Mastercard. Typical ATM fees: Varies; sparse outside Baku. Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card machines.
- Should I tip in Azerbaijan?
- Tipping in Azerbaijan: optional. Typically about 10% in restaurants.
- Is tap water safe to drink in Azerbaijan?
- Drink bottled water.
- What plug type does Azerbaijan use?
- Azerbaijan uses Type C, F plugs.
- What is the emergency number in Azerbaijan?
- Emergency: 112. Police: 102. Ambulance: 103. Tourist helpline: 195.
- Can I get a SIM or eSIM in Azerbaijan?
- SIM cards available in Azerbaijan.
- What is the capital of Azerbaijan?
- The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku. Time there: IST - 1 h 30 min.