Azerbaijan, the enchanting 'Land of Fire', is a nation that is poised at the crossroads of Eastern Europe and Western Asia. This is a place where ancient history and sleek modernity coexist in remarkable harmony. Some of the top activities to do in Azerbaijan include exploring Baku’s Old City, visiting the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, ascending the Maiden Tower, witnessing the Flame Towers, admiring the Heydar Aliyev Center, discovering Gobustan National Park, seeing the Ateshgah Fire Temple, feeling the heat at Yanar Dag, touring the Palace of Sheki Khans, and wandering through Lahij Village. Preparing for such a diverse trip can be exciting, and with the right Azerbaijan tour packages, you can discover every unmissable facet of this amazing destination. 

What Should be Included in Your Azerbaijan Sightseeing Itinerary? 

With ancient Zoroastrian roots, Azerbaijan is a country that offers a chance to immerse yourself in its rich history and culture. There are also several amazing places to see and things to do in Azerbaijan for all kinds of travellers. From the maze-like alleys of ancient Silk Road cities to the futuristic gleam of Baku’s skyline, Azerbaijan is a country where tourists can enjoy a journey of vibrant contrasts. Here are some of the most essential places to see in Azerbaijan that you can consider including in your itinerary: 

• Explore Baku’s Old City (Icherisheher) 
• Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs 
• Ascend the Maiden Tower 
• Witness the Flame Towers 
• Admire the Heydar Aliyev Center 
• Discover Gobustan National Park 
• See the Ateshgah Fire Temple 
• Feel the heat at Yanar Dag 
• Tour the Palace of Sheki Khans 
• Wander through Lahij Village 

Explore Baku Old City (Icherisheher) 

One of the best things to do in Azerbaijan is to explore Baku’s Old City. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is the ancient, fortified core of the capital city, Baku. It is a living, breathing district enclosed within 12th-century walls, where you will find mosques, caravanserais, and traditional houses. 

Why It Is Unmissable: This is one of the best things to see in Azerbaijan if you are looking for a chance to step directly into the nation's past and feel the pulse of its medieval history with every step. 

Highlight: The distinct sensation of walking on smooth, worn cobblestones as you navigate a maze of narrow, sandstone-coloured alleyways, emerging into quiet courtyards. 

Historical Fact: Icherisheher is a cherished example of medieval urban planning. The formidable fortress walls, which still encircle the city, were built to protect its inhabitants. Within these walls, a complex labyrinth of streets was also designed to confuse any invaders. Many of the structures of the Old City were constructed between the 12th and 15th centuries. 

Timings: The Old City is a residential area and is open 24/7. 

 Entry: Visitors can enter and walk around for free. 

Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs 

Visiting the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, located within the Baku Old City, should definitely be on your list of things to do in Azerbaijan. Built in the 15th century, this sandstone complex used to be the seat of the country’s ruling dynasty, the Shirvanshahs. It is widely considered one of the most majestic pearls of Azerbaijani architecture and one of the best places to see in Azerbaijan.

Why It Is Unmissable: Offers a complete and perfectly preserved glimpse into the life, religion, and power of a medieval dynasty. 

Highlight: The intricate stone-carved calligraphy (shabaka) on the portals and mausoleum, which glows in a soft honey colour under the afternoon sun. 

Historical Fact: The complex was not constructed all at once and was added to over many years. However, the main palace building was started in 1411 by Shirvanshah Ibrahim I. The palace includes the Divankhana (council chamber), the royal mausoleum, a mosque, and the ruins of a bathhouse. In 2000, the entire ensemble was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, every day. 

Entry: Approximately 15 AZN for foreign adults. 

Ascend the Maiden Tower 

This enigmatic, cylindrical stone tower is Baku's most recognised landmark and one of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan. The Maiden Tower stands sentinel over the Old City and the Caspian Sea. As the true purpose and origin story of the tower are shrouded in mystery and local legend, it becomes quite an interesting addition to your itinerary for Azerbaijan sightseeing.

Why It Is Unmissable: The mystery is the main draw. No one is certain if the tower was a defensive fortification, a Zoroastrian fire temple, or an astronomical observatory. 

Highlight: The breathtaking 360-degree panoramic views that you get from the very top, over Icherisheher’s rooftops, the modern city, and the vast expanse of the Caspian Sea. 

Historical Fact: The tower is believed to have been constructed in two phases. According to some scholars, the lower part of the tower can be dated back to as early as the 7th and 6th centuries BCE. On the other hand, the upper portion of the tower is said to have been completed in the 12th century. Its unique 8-storey structure and massive 5-metre-thick walls at the base are a marvel of ancient engineering. 

Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, every day. 

Entry: Approximately 15 AZN for foreign adults. 

Witness the Flame Towers 

The Flame Towers are probably the most popular Azerbaijan tourist attractions. Dominating the modern skyline, this trio of sleek, flame-shaped skyscrapers serves as the powerful symbol of contemporary Baku. They are a testament to the country's ancient identity as the 'Land of Fire' and are one of the top must-visit places to see in Azerbaijan.

Why It Is Unmissable: The towers are an architectural marvel and the centrepiece of the country’s modern identity. 

Highlight: Nightly light show, where the facades of the towers are illuminated with over 10,000 high-power LEDs, displaying moving flames, a waving Azerbaijani flag, and other vibrant animations. 

Historical Fact: This multi-use complex was completed in 2012. The three towers house residential apartments, a luxury hotel, and office spaces. The tallest tower stands at 182 metres (597 ft). 

Timings: The light show begins at sunset and goes on until midnight. 

Entry: Free to view from the outside, particularly from Baku Boulevard or Upland Park. 

Admire the Heydar Aliyev Centre 

Another one of the best places to see in Azerbaijan is the Heydar Aliyev Centre. A masterpiece of modern architecture, designed by the legendary Zaha Hadid, this building is famous for its flowing, wave-like design that avoids all sharp angles. It is a cultural hub that hosts exhibitions and has a museum and concert hall. You should definitely add it to your list of things to do in Azerbaijan.

Why It Is Unmissable: It is a breathtaking piece of art that you can walk in and around. Its fluid white lines defy conventional geometry and represent a break from rigid Soviet architecture. 

Highlight: The pure, uninterrupted white curves of the main hall which create a serene and almost futuristic atmosphere as you explore the exhibits inside. 

Historical Fact: The centre was opened in 2012. Its construction was a significant technical achievement, as it uses a complex space frame system to create the signature free-form structure. It is internationally recognised and was awarded the London Design Museum's "Design of the Year" in 2014. 

Timings: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm (Tuesday to Friday), 11:00 am to 6:00 pm (Saturday and Sunday), and closed on Mondays. 

Entry: Approximately 15 AZN for the main exhibitions. 

Discover Gobustan National Park 

One of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan for animal and nature lovers is Gobustan National Park. Located around 64 kilometres (40 miles) to the south of Baku, this is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The national park is a vast, semi-desert landscape that is home to two incredible phenomena – prehistoric rock art and bubbling mud volcanoes – which are among the reasons why visiting this park must be a thing you do in Azerbaijan.

Why It Is Unmissable: Take a raw and fascinating journey back in time through 40,000 years of human history etched into stone, alongside a bizarre natural wonder. 

Highlight: The peculiar, cool bubbling of a miniature mud volcano is a surreal geological phenomenon that cannot be found at a lot of places on Earth. 

Architectural Fact: Over 6,000 rock engravings (petroglyphs) have been catalogued at the national park. These carvings were created over a period of 40 millennia and depict scenes of hunting, rituals, animals, and ancient reed boats. The area also features the remains of inhabited caves and burial sites from the Stone Age. 

Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, every day. 

Entry: Approximately 10 AZN for the park and museum. 

See the Ateshgah (The Fire Temple of Baku) 

Next on your list of things to see in Azerbaijan should be the Ateshgah. Located in the suburb of Surakhani, Ateshgah is a castle-like temple complex that was once a centre of worship for Zoroastrians and later, Hindu pilgrims. Its eternal flame was fed by natural gas vents, which is why it has been one of the top places to visit in Azerbaijan for years. 

Why It Is Unmissable: This site is a powerful symbol of Azerbaijan's fiery namesake and its ancient history as a crossroads of religions. 

Highlight: The central altar, where a natural, eternal flame once burned. Today, the flame is fed by Baku's main gas supply, but it still provides a captivating focal point in the serene stone courtyard. 

Interesting Fact: The pentagonal complex you see today was built during the 17th and 18th centuries. It was constructed by Indian traders and fire-worshippers who used to live in Baku. The cells surrounding the central altar were once used as monastic cells for pilgrims and ascetics. The natural flame at this temple died out in 1969. 

Timings: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, every day. 

Entry: Approximately 9 AZN for foreign adults. 

Feel the Heat at Yanar Dag (The Burning Mountain) 

Yanar Dag is one of the most famous and unusual places to visit near the Azerbaijan capital, Baku. It is a natural gas fire that blazes continuously on a hillside on the Absheron Peninsula, literally a wall of flame 10 metres long. One of the most popular activities to do in Azerbaijan is camping at Yanar Dag. 

Why It Is Unmissable: A surreal and primal experience to see fire erupting directly from the earth. This is a phenomenon that has fascinated travellers, including Marco Polo, for centuries. 

Highlight: Visiting just after sunset, when the intense, bright orange flames create a dramatic contrast against the dark twilight sky, and you can feel the warmth on your face. 

Interesting Fact: This natural fire is not man-made and has never been extinguished. It is believed that the fire was ignited accidentally in the 1950s. The steady seep of natural gas from the sandstone layer below the fire ensures that it keeps burning 365 days a year, regardless of wind, rain, or other weather conditions. 

Timings: 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, every day. 

Entry: Approximately 5 AZN. 

Tour the Palace of Sheki Khans 

The Palace of Sheki Khans is also an attraction that is counted among the best places to visit in Azerbaijan. Set in the charming mountain city of Sheki, this 18th-century summer palace is a jewel of Islamic architecture. Renowned for its magnificent frescoes and intricate stained-glass windows, known as 'Shebeke', visiting the palace is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Azerbaijan.

Why It Is Unmissable: The Shebeke windows are a marvel of craftsmanship. Thousands of tiny, coloured glass pieces were meticulously fitted together into wooden lattices without the use of any glue or nails. 

Highlight: Standing inside the main hall as sunlight streams through the vibrant Shebeke, projecting a dazzling, kaleidoscopic mosaic of colours onto the fresco-covered walls. 

Historical Fact: The palace was built in 1797 as a summer residence for the Sheki Khans. The two-storey building is adorned with miniature paintings that depict hunting and battle scenes. The entire historic centre of Sheki, with the Khan's Palace, was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019. 

Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm, every day. 

Entry: Approximately 5 AZN. 

Wander through Lahij Village 

Nestled high in the Greater Caucasus mountains, Lahij is an ancient and picturesque village that feels wonderfully isolated from time. It is a living centre for traditional Azerbaijani crafts, especially copper smithing. 

Why It Is Unmissable: It offers an authentic glimpse into the traditional, artisanal way of life in Azerbaijan, which has been preserved for centuries on the old Silk Road. 

Highlight: The distinct, rhythmic sound of hammers striking copper, echoing through the cobbled streets as you wander past artisan workshops. 

Historical Fact: Lahij has been a hub for artisans since the Middle Ages. The village is also noted for its ancient and sophisticated sewage and water-supply system, which was constructed over 1,500 years ago and is still in use. The stone houses and cobbled lanes are a perfect example of traditional mountain architecture. 

Timings: Open all year, but artisan shops generally open from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm. 

Entry: Free to enter. 

A journey to Azerbaijan is a rich tapestry of fire, history, and futuristic vision. From the ancient mysteries of the Maiden Tower to the eternal flames of Yanar Dag, it is a destination that truly engages all the senses. Apart from these, other things to see in Azerbaijan include Gabala, Shah Dag, Quba, Lankaran, Khinalug, Ganja, Shamakhi, Sumqayit, Naftalan, and much more. To ensure a seamless and worry-free holiday in Azerbaijan, make sure you put in the research and plan well. 

FAQs 

Q1. Is it true that fire has been burning naturally in Azerbaijan for thousands of years? 

Yes, and that’s why it’s called the “Land of Fire”. At Yanar Dağ (“Burning Mountain”), flames literally rise from the hillside due to underground natural gas seepage; they have been burning for centuries. Ancient Zoroastrians once worshipped fire here, and you can still visit their 2,000-year-old temple, the Ateshgah Fire Temple, where eternal flames once symbolised divine energy. 

Q2. Where can I see landscapes that look like another planet? 

Head to the Gobustan National Park, a UNESCO site full of ancient rock carvings, mud volcanoes, and surreal lunar terrain. Azerbaijan has almost half of the world’s mud volcanoes, and you can watch them bubble, gurgle, and even erupt gently like cauldrons of grey clay – all natural marvel without the special effects. 

Q3. How can I experience Azerbaijan’s mix of East and West in daily life? 

In Baku, stroll from the futuristic Flame Towers to the ancient Icherisheher (Old City). Within minutes, you will pass from glass skyscrapers to caravanserais, mosques, and medieval bathhouses. Stop for black tea served in pear-shaped armudu glasses, paired with jam or sweets, a tradition that blends Eastern hospitality with European café culture. 

Q4. What’s an unusual cultural experience outside Baku that most tourists miss? 

Visit Lahij, a mountain village famous for copper craftsmen who still hand-forge pots using techniques passed down for a thousand years. Its cobbled streets and stone houses feel like an open-air museum, and you can even join a workshop to make your own engraved copper trinket. 

Q5. Is it true you can ski and sunbathe in the same country? 

Yes! Azerbaijan’s geography is wildly diverse. You can ski in the Caucasus Mountains at Shahdag or Tufandag resorts in the morning, then drive a few hours to Caspian Sea beaches for a mild seaside afternoon. In spring, you can literally see snow-capped peaks and blooming pomegranate trees in one frame.