Gabala, Azerbaijan: travel guide
Caucasus foothill resort with ski lifts, lakes, waterfalls and forest
Azerbaijan's premier mountain resort set against the Greater Caucasus, offering year-round skiing, cable cars, lush forests, and the ancient Caucasian Albanian ruins of Qabala.
About Gabala
Gabala is a leading mountain resort town, set among the forested foothills of the Greater Caucasus. A cable car and ski lifts climb the Tufandag slopes, and the resort is busy year-round rather than only in winter.
In summer the draw is greener: Nohur Lake, shaded forest paths and waterfalls such as Yeddi Gozel, with cooler air than the lowlands. Archaeology fans can visit Chukhur Gabala, the site of an ancient Caucasian Albanian city, on the edge of the modern town.
Gabala suits families, couples and weekend breakers from Baku. Winter is for skiing, and spring to autumn for walking and lake views.
- Country
- Azerbaijan
- Currency
- AZN
- Time zone
- Asia/Baku
- Nearest airport
- GBB
Last updated
Top places to visit in Gabala
Tufandag Mountain Resort
Activity · 4.6 rating · about 5 h · check the fee at the gate
Azerbaijan's premier ski resort at 1,780 m with 15 ski runs, gondola cable cars, summer hiking, and an alpine coaster.
Nohur Lake
Nature · 4.3 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A picturesque lake below Gabala ringed by willows and mountains — popular for picnics, fishing, pedalos, and waterfront trout restaurants.
Gabala Tufandag Cable Car Base
cable-car · 4.5 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Base station of the Tufandag mountain cable car with year-round rides and views.
Gabala Archaeological Site (Chukhur Gabala)
archaeological-site · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Ruins of the ancient Caucasian Albanian capital, one of Azerbaijan's oldest cities.
Gabala International Airport viewpoint
scenic-drive · 3.9 rating · about 0.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Scenic mountain-backed area near Gabala's airport, popular for photos en route to resorts.
Yeddi Gozel Waterfall
natural-attraction · 4.6 rating · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Seven Beauties Waterfall — a scenic multi-tier waterfall near Gabala.
Gabala Trout Farm & Restaurant Area
agritourism · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
Riverside trout farms with on-site dining, a popular Gabala day-trip stop.
Nohur Lake Recreation Area
lake · 4.1 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Small artificial lake with paddle boats and lakeside cafes near Gabala town.
Gabala State History-Ethnography Museum
history-museum · 4.0 rating · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Local museum covering Gabala district history, crafts and ethnography.
Things to do
- Tufandag Cable Car Panorama Ride Adventure · 2 h · from AZN 36 per person
- Yeddi Gozel Waterfall Hiking Trip Adventure · 4 h · from AZN 30 per person
- Gabala Trout Farm & Countryside Tour Cultural · 3 h · from AZN 25 per person
Day trips and tours
- Gabala Mountains Adventure (Cable Car + Nohur Lake + Waterfalls) 8 h · from AZN 55
Where to stay in Gabala
- Tufandag Resort Area about AZN 400 per night
The Qafqaz Tufandag ski and summer resort cluster is the top-tier base: ski lifts, zip-lines, and cable cars on-site. Premium hotels with mountain views. Lively in both winter ski and summer hiking seasons.
- Gabala Town Centre about AZN 85 per night
The quieter base in Gabala proper. Budget guesthouses and local restaurants along the main road. Good for travellers who want to visit the resort area by day but save on accommodation.
Hotels
- Qafqaz Tufandag Mountain Resort 5-star · AZN 350 to AZN 950 per night
- Qafqaz Riverside Hotel 4.5-star · AZN 90 to AZN 220 per night
- Qafqaz Resort Hotel Gabala 4.5-star · AZN 85 to AZN 200 per night
- Gabala Inn 3-star · AZN 85 to AZN 105 per night
- Gabala Guesthouse Nohur 3-star · AZN 30 to AZN 55 per night
Where to eat
- Çinar Gabala Resort Restaurant Azerbaijani · about AZN 35 per person
- Tufandag View Restaurant Azerbaijani, Seafood · about AZN 22 per person
- Vandam Trout Farm Restaurant Seafood · about AZN 20 per person
- Nohur Lakeside Cafe Cafe · about AZN 10 per person
- Gabala Old Town Kitchen Azerbaijani · about AZN 14 per person
Getting to Gabala
Airport: Gabala (GBB)
Getting around
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Azerbaijan
Frequently asked questions about Gabala
- What are the top-rated places to visit in Gabala?
- The highest-rated places in our Gabala guide are Tufandag Mountain Resort, Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, Gabala Tufandag Cable Car Base, Nohur Lake, Gabala Archaeological Site (Chukhur Gabala).
- Where should I stay in Gabala?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Gabala: Tufandag Resort Area, Gabala Town Centre.
- How do I get around Gabala?
- Ways to get around Gabala covered in our guide: Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Gabala?
- The nearest airport to Gabala has the code GBB.