With summer break around the corner, families are in planning mode for their big annual trip, and in many cases, scrambling for that elusive Schengen visa for a European vacation. An alternative to a dreamy European holiday is the trendy destination of Azerbaijan. With visas becoming tougher to obtain and flight prices skyrocketing for mainland Europe, this Eurasian destination has emerged as the perfect alternative that doesn’t blow up your holiday budget but makes for a fantastic holiday.
Nestled in what most call Central Asia, Azerbaijan translates to the land of fire. Due to natural gases present in the soil, many regions of this nation have a natural burning flame which adds a level of intrigue to this lesser explored country.
The natural flames can be witnessed at Yanar Dag
Apart from easy logistics like direct flights, good connections and hassle-free e-visas, this small country has much to offer the discerning traveller. Occupied by Russia for much of the 19th and 20th century, right up till the late 1990s, the metropolises of Azerbaijan reflect a European aesthetic.
The Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by famous architect Zaha Hadid, is one of the spots to check out when in Baku
European feels in Baku
The capital city of Baku feels very much like any European city, with long avenues of cobblestone streets studded with shops and cafes. Looking at the prominent and historic buildings makes you feel like you might be in Paris or Vienna, due to the baroque and gothic architectural styles. Even the constant cool weather due to its geographical location — Baku gets winds throughout the year from three different directions — makes you feel like you’re strolling through a European town.
A stroll through the capital Baku’s old town is sure to remind you of walks in older European cities thanks to the architecture of historic buildings
The popular Nizami Street is home to small trendy boutiques, cafes and the occasional store that houses popular global fashion brands for those who want to shop. The real charm of Baku is strolling through the historic old city or Icheri Sheher and learning about the city’s past. The old city is now flooded with shops, trinket sellers and cafes, but it is also home to iconic historic edifices — Maiden Tower, the Synyg Gala Minaret or even the Palace of the Shirvanshahs — and has a charm of its own. You can spend a few hours strolling through the old city, soaking in the culture and history and perhaps pop into one of their old caravans which are now converted into restaurants for a local meal.
Spend a few hours walking around old town exploring the Soviet-era and older buildings, and visiting modern cafes
What’s on the plate
The cuisine in Azerbaijan is predominantly a hearty mix of meat and rice. Lots of stews and preparation of pulao or plov as they call it, with pomegranate and dry fruits. Of course, there are many global cuisines to choose from including a lot of Turkish food due to their proximity to the country.
The food in Azerbaijan features a lot of rice and meat dishes, lightly spiced and flavoured with dry fruits, raisins and saffron
If you do want to try local Azeri cuisine then their Shah Plov is what is most recommended. It is a unique rice dish worthy of a king and mostly eaten at a wedding feast or any celebratory meal. The rice is cooked like a pulao with raisins, dried plums, chestnuts, apricot and saffron along with meat and enclosed in a whole wheat flat bread and then baked. You have to crack it open to enjoy the rice and it is a labour of love best enjoyed with people.
Exploring the country
The fires at Yanar Dag burns year round and are believed to have been burning for over 4,000 years
The natural burning flames of Azerbaijan can be witnessed on an excursion to Yanar Dag (meaning burning mountain) in the Absheron peninsula about two hours away from Baku by road. Here, you can see the flames roaring 365 days of the year, come rain, storm or shine. This spontaneous fire is said to have been burning for over 4,000 years and is supposedly mentioned in 13th-century accounts by Marco Polo as he was travelling through the Silk Route.
The Gobustan National Park is about 90 minutes from Baku by road
While the capital city is captivating enough, the real charm of Azerbaijan lies when you travel out into the region. A popular choice for a day trip is Gobustan (Qobustan) National Park and its museum. The open air natural museum, and the complex within has petroglyphs — prehistoric rock carvings and drawings — dating back millions of years.
The museum at Gobustan National Park has specimens of petroglyphs
It is fascinating to see how ancient civilisations marked their presence on old rock formations. It’s best to take a guided tour and visit the museum first to get a better perspective and then venture out to the national park.
Lake Nohur in Gabala is a must-visit for some stunning views
The smaller city of Gabala (also known as Qabala), about four hours by road from Baku, is home to the picturesque Nohur Lake where one can enjoy the views on land or take a short boat ride on the lake.
The top of the Tufandag mountain resort offers a panoramic view of cloud-covered mountains
The Tufandag mountain resort in the upper reaches near Gabala is another spot not to be missed when visiting the city. All it takes is two cable car rides and you’re perched on top of the mountain witnessing breathtaking views on a clear day.
Azerbaijan boasts of many beautiful mountains and another spectacular range is Shahdag mountain range closer to the city of Guba (or Quba), about two hours north of Baku by road on the borders of the Russian Federation. Shahdag is known as a popular spot for winter sport and skiing but also has a roller coaster to take you zipping through the mountain for a rush of adrenaline.
Shahdag is right at the border of Azerbaijan with Russian territory on the other side of the mountains
Whether it’s the landscape, mountains, history or culture, Azerbaijan has slowly become a much sought after destination for most Indian travellers.
Travel details:
Best time to visit: April to June and September to October to avoid peak summers and cold winters
Visa: Azerbaijan offers e-visas to Indian travellers. A single-entry visa costs about Rs 1,930, and is valid for a 30-day stay. You can apply online
Flights: There are direct flights to Baku from Delhi and Mumbai. Fares begin as low as around Rs 15,000 one-way depending on season and number of stops
