1. Absheron National Park: Spread across an area of whopping 2,000 acres, the Absheron National Park lies on the southeastern part of the Absheron Peninsula. Established back in 1969, this national park aims at protecting Caspian Seals and gazelles. At present, the Absheron National Park is home to 50 species of mammals, 25 species of plants, and umpteen varieties of reptiles and birds.
Featuring arid plains, this national park offers easy sightings of animals like jackals, badgers, gazelles, Comb Jellyfish, sea snake, and of course one of the smallest seals of the world, the Caspian Seal.
Location: The Caspian region, Bak?, Azerbaijan
2. Astara: Encompassed by majestic mountains and perched on the border of Iran, Astara is the capital of the Astara Rayon District in Azerbaijan. Bordered by the picturesque Caspian Sea, this flamboyant city is the land of stunning hot springs, aromatic citrus fruit orchards, lush tea plantations, quaint cafes, breathtaking nature reserves, and pristine black sand beaches. Astara is also known famously for its flavourful local delicacies including fish lavangi and Azerbaijani tea.
The prime attractions of Astara include the Astara TV Tower and Hirkan National Park. Astara is also home to a museum, which exhibits umpteen varieties of archaeological findings excavated in this region.
Location: Astara District, Azerbaijan
3. Maiden Tower: The oldest and most iconic structure in the Old Town of Baku, Maiden Tower is a magnificent tapered tower dating back to the 12th century. As per popular beliefs, this building served as a Zoroastrian temple, before the inception of Islam. The tower is also believed to have served as an astronomical observatory.
The 97 feet high Maiden Tower features a base diameter of 54 feet that gradually becomes narrower moving upwards. The well-preserved body of the tower is credited to its deep foundations, thick walls, and truncated conical shape.
Location: Maiden Tower, Baku, Azerbaijan
4. Heydar Aliyev Centre: Named after one of the former national leaders of Azerbaijan, Heydar Aliyev, the magnificent Heydar Aliyev Center happens to be a stunning cultural hub in the capital city. Spread across an area of whopping 10 hectares, this structure is sheltered inside a gorgeous building, constructed by the Zaha Hadid Architects.
The Heydar Aliyev Center is aimed at promoting the culture, history, and language of Azerbaijani and organizing various cultural events. The building features a museum, a conference room, temporary exhibition areas, workshops, and an auditorium with the capacity to accommodate 1000 people at a single time.
Location: 1 Heydar Aliyev Ave, Baku 1033, Azerbaijan
5. Azerbaijan Carpet Museum: As its name suggests, the Azerbaijan Carpet Museum is aimed at showcasing the artistry, culture, and history of carpet weaving in the country. Founded back in 1967, the building of the museum resembles a humongous rolled carpet, which is designed by the renowned Austrian architect Franz Janz.
The museum exhibits traditional Azerbaijani carpets, with some being more than 2,600 years old. You can also witness age-old oil lamps, ceramics, jewelry, embroidery works, folk crafts, and archaeological artifacts. Some of the basic carpet weaving equipment is also displayed in the museum, including wool, looms, and ropes.
Location: 28 Mikay?l Hüseynov Prospekti, Bak? 1000, Azerbaijan
6. The Caspian Sea: Spread across an area of around 3,86,400 square kilometers and sprawling across a length of 1,200 kilometers, the humongous Caspian Sea happens to be the largest lake of the world. This sea is surrounded by Kazakhstan on its northeast, Turkmenistan on its southeast, Russia on the northwest, Iran on the south, and Azerbaijan on the southwest. The Caspian Sea is fed by a number of rivers, the major ones of which are Terek, Ural, and Volga.
Since the content of salt in the waters of this sea is low, you can enjoy swimming here without making your skin subject to any major irritation. Having the Caspian Sea in your Azerbaijan tour packages will also offer you the opportunities to enjoy fun water activities, including diving, boating, and cruising.
7. Shirvan National Park: Established back in 2003, the Shirvan National Park aims at protecting the endemic flora and fauna of the region. The national park flaunts a semi-desert topography with sand dunes and a stunning coastline. Including the Shirvan National Park in your Azerbaijan tour packages will let you enjoy the best encounter with the gazelle, as the park shelters plenty of them.
The national park is also home to more than 200 species of exotic and indegenous birds and numerous species of rich marine life. There are also nice camping sites and bungalows in the Shirvan National Park that can offer you decent overnight stays.
Location: Salyan Rayon administrative districts, Azerbaijan
8. Agh Gol National Park: Lying in the southern part of Azerbaijan, the Agh Gol National Park features an arid landscape. Nestled surrounding the second largest lake of the country, Lake Aggol, this national park makes for one of the offbeat places to visit on your Azerbaijan tours.
Established with the aim of protecting wetland ecosystems, the national park is home to over 140 species of colourful indegenous and migratory birds and umpteen varieties of fish. Crowded with towering lush trees, adorned by a serene blue-green lake and backed by magnificent mountains, the Agh Gol National Park is an absolute treat for nature lovers.
Location: Kur-Araz lowlands, Azerbaijan
9. Goyazan Mountain: Encompassed by rolling verdant fields, Goyazan Mountain is perched near the villages of Alpout and Abbas. Standing at an elevation of whopping 2,812 feet above sea level, the mountain is the place where the remnants of the magnificent 14th century Goyazan Fortress can be explored.
If you are an avid trekker, you can include a hiking tour to Mount Goyazan in your Azerbaijan tour packages.
Location: Northwestern Qazakh District, Azerbaijan
10. Lake Goygol: Lying in the foothills of the magnificent Murovdag, the picturesque Lake Goygol came into existence just after an earthquake, nearly 1000 years back. Encompassed by dense green forests and towering mountains, this lake is perched at a height of around 4,921 feet above sea level.
Translating to ‘Blue Lake’ in english language, Lake Goygol will offer an awe-inspiring treat to your eyes on your Azerbaijan tours. This serene lake is also home to umpteen varieties of wildlife, including various species of fish and colourful birds.
Location: Ganja-Gazakh Region, Azerbaijan
11. Icheri Seher: Often referred to as the Inner City or the Old Town, Icheri Seher happens to be a historical site, lying in the heart of the capital city of Azerbaijan. Ancient Baku was established exactly at the same place where the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ichari Seher lies today. Three sides of Icheri Seher is encompassed by a fortified wall, while one side is exposed to the picturesque Caspian Sea.
The oldest part of Baku, this place is packed with age-old limestone buildings and narrow winding streets. You can shop for traditional clothes, carpets, and ceramic handicrafts at Icheri Sheher, during your Azerbaijan tours.
Location: Baku 1000, Azerbaijan
12.Garasu Volcano: The postcard-perfect Garasu Volcano is considered to be the most popular mud volcano, lying 65 kilometers away from the capital city of the “Mud Volcano Capital of the World”.
Spewing mud to a height of more than 1000 meters, this volcano is the result of gases building up underneath the earth and pushing the mud into the air.
Location: Baku, Azerbaijan
