Azerbaijan | ZHO Travel & Tourism

A country of modern skyscrapers and World Heritage old towns, between high mountains and the shores of the Caspian.

The destination

About Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan draws travellers with its place in the Caucasus, where modern architecture and skyscrapers stand beside World Heritage old towns. It suits families and young travellers for its closeness to the Kingdom and its range of landscapes, from high mountains to the Caspian shore, and as a Muslim country halal food and mosques are easy to find.

In Baku, the capital, the three Flame Towers rise above the walled Old City, İçərişəhər, home to the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, inscribed on the World Heritage List in 2000. Along the seafront, Baku Boulevard has run since 1909, and about 70 km to the south lies Gobustan, with its rock carvings and mud volcanoes.

North-west of the capital rise the Greater Caucasus: Gabala, with its forests, mountain resort and Lake Nohur; Sheki, on the old Silk Road, with its Khan's Palace and its sweets; and Quba, with its waterfalls and the high village of Khinalug. On the way lies Shamakhi and its mosque, founded in the 8th century.

At ZHO we arrange your journey with a private car and driver and chosen hotels in Baku and the mountains. Tell us your dates and the number of travellers, and we will come back to you with a detailed programme.

Best timeApril to June and September to October; June to September for Gabala and the mountains; December to March for snow

FlightAbout 3 h direct from Riyadh to Baku, with seasonal direct flights from Madinah

VisaVisa-free for Saudi citizens with an ordinary passport from 15 February 2026 to 15 February 2027, up to 3 entries of 30 days each; residents with a permit valid 6 months get a visa on arrival

CurrencyAzerbaijani manat (AZN)

LanguageAzerbaijani; Russian widely spoken; English in hotels

TimeOne hour ahead of Saudi Arabia

Ideal stay5 to 8 nights

Ideal for

Family travel Honeymoons Travel with friends

Regions

Where to go

01 · City

Baku

The Flame Towers above a walled Old City, and a long boulevard on the Caspian.

02 · Highlands

Gabala

A mountain resort with cable cars, Lake Nohur, and waterfalls in the Caucasus forests.

03 · City

Sheki

The Khan's Palace and its coloured glass, the caravanserais, and Sheki halva.

04 · Highlands

Quba

A mountain district in the north, with Afurja waterfall and the high village of Khinalug.

05 · Region

Shamakhi and Gobustan

Gobustan's rock carvings and mud volcanoes, and Shamakhi's mountains and historic mosque.

Experiences

What to do

The domes and minaret of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Baku

Baku's Old City Baku Inside the walls: the Maiden Tower, the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the old caravanserais. The oldest Baku, with an Arabic-speaking guide.Discover

Forested mountain slopes of the Caucasus near Gabala

Gabala: cable cars, a lake and waterfalls Gabala Two days between the Tufandağ cable cars, Lake Nohur and the Seven Beauties waterfall. Cool Caucasus air in summer.Discover

Nature Lake Nohur A quiet lake among wooded hills near Gabala. A family outing with lunch by the water. Read more

Panorama of the Palace of the Sheki Khans and its garden

Culture and heritage The Palace of the Sheki Khans An 18th-century summer palace with coloured shebeke windows and bright murals. Part of a World Heritage site. Read more

Ancient human figures carved into the rock at Gobustan

Culture and heritage The rock art of Gobustan More than 6,000 rock carvings on hills above the Caspian, with a modern museum. World Heritage since 2007. Read more

Grey mud flowing from a mud volcano near Gobustan

Adventure The mud volcanoes Small mounds where cold mud bubbles up with gas, near Gobustan. A sight that fascinates children and adults. Read more

Culture and heritage The road to Khinalug A mountain road through a rocky gorge to one of the highest villages in the Caucasus. World Heritage since 2023. Read more

Afurja waterfall falling from a cliff in the forest, Quba

Nature Afurja waterfall A waterfall dropping from a high cliff in the forest near Quba. A short walk through the trees. Read more

The Caspian seafront of Baku Boulevard under a cloudy sky

City and shopping Baku Boulevard A Caspian promenade since 1909, among gardens and cafés, with views of the Flame Towers. Read more

Where to stay

Hotels and resorts we recommend

View all 3 stays

Four Seasons Hotel Baku behind the arched rotunda of the Icherisheher metro entrance

Baku Four Seasons Hotel Baku Historic palace Explore

The three Flame Towers, one of which houses Fairmont Baku, seen from the seafront promenade

Baku Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers City Explore

Nohur Lake and its forested hills near Gabala, the setting of Chenot Palace Gabala (the lake, not the hotel)

Gabala Chenot Palace Gabala Mountains Explore

Taste and addresses

Flavours and places to know

Azerbaijani cooking is close to Gulf tastes: saffron rice, grilled lamb, stuffed vegetables, herb-filled flatbreads, and sweets of walnut and honey. Meat is generally halal, and tea with jam is served everywhere.

Shah plov opened to show saffron rice and dried fruit

To tasteShah plovŞah plov

To tasteQutabQutab

Stuffed peppers, tomatoes and aubergines

To tasteDolmaDolma

A piece of Sheki halva with its saffron lattice

To tasteSheki halvaŞəki halvası

The mosque of the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Baku

Landmark · Baku Palace of the Shirvanshahs The 15th- and 16th-century seat of the Shirvan rulers, with its mosque, minaret and mausoleum. Read more

The curved timber auditorium of the Heydar Aliyev Center

Landmark · Baku Heydar Aliyev Center A cultural complex of flowing curves without sharp corners, designed by Zaha Hadid. Read more

The arcaded courtyard of the Upper Caravanserai, Sheki

Landmark · Sheki The Upper Caravanserai, Sheki A stone Silk Road caravanserai with a wide courtyard and two storeys of arcades. Read more

Landmark · Shamakhi and Gobustan Juma Mosque of Shamakhi One of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, built in 126 AH and recently restored. Read more

Questions

Before you go

Do I need a visa for Azerbaijan?

From 15 February 2026 to 15 February 2027, Saudi citizens with an ordinary passport enter visa-free for tourism, up to 3 times in that period and 30 days each time, with registration at your address for stays over 15 days. Residents of the Kingdom whose permit is valid for at least 6 months can get a tourist visa on arrival at international airports in the same period.

When is the best time to visit?

Spring (April to June) and autumn (September and October) are best for Baku and Gobustan. Summer is the season for Gabala, Quba and the mountains, when the weather is mild. Winter suits travellers looking for snow at the mountain resorts.

Is halal food easy to find?

Yes. Azerbaijan is largely Muslim and restaurant meat is generally halal. Some restaurants do serve alcohol, so we recommend suitable family restaurants.

Is it easy to pray?

Yes. There are mosques throughout Baku and every town, including historic ones inside the Old City and the Juma Mosque of Shamakhi on the road to Gabala. We plan the tours around prayer times.

How do I get around?

A private car with driver is best: the drives from Baku to the mountain towns take two to five hours. Within Baku you can use the car, the metro or app-based taxis.

What is the currency, and are cards accepted?

The currency is the Azerbaijani manat. Cards are widely accepted in Baku; in mountain villages and small markets, carry some cash.

Is Azerbaijan safe, and what should we wear?

Azerbaijan is generally safe for families. Everyday clothing is fine in the cities; modest dress and a headscarf for women are expected in mosques. Bring a jacket: Baku is windy and the mountains are cool in the evening.

Azerbaijan, from the walls of old Baku to the forests of the Caucasus