Azerbaijan is a country in the Transcaucasus, at the junction of Europe and Asia. One of the former Soviet republics. It borders Russia, Iran, Armenia and Georgia by land, and is washed by the Caspian Sea in the east.
Why go?
The country is rich in traditions and ancient architectural structures that coexist perfectly with ultra-modern skyscrapers. The cities are well-groomed in a European style and are ready to receive guests who are drawn here by the unique atmosphere woven from pomegranate trees, colorful carpets and the aroma of pilaf.
Azerbaijan is an interesting destination for sophisticated tourists who have had their fill of European views and prices. For Russians, a trip to the country is doubly attractive, because they do not need a visa or knowledge of foreign languages: many Azerbaijanis understand Russian.
The main thing about the country
- The capital and largest city is Baku.
- The official language is Azerbaijani.
- The majority of believers are Muslims.
- Time zone UTC+4. Time is one hour ahead of Moscow.
- The cost of the trip is 4-5 thousand rubles per day, excluding tickets.
- The attitude towards tourists is friendly, and oriental hospitality is widespread.
- Azerbaijan is rich in oil and gas, and its agriculture, industrial production, and services are also developed.
- The relief is varied, more than half of the territory is occupied by the Caucasus Mountains.
- The climate is predominantly subtropical, the warmest month is July.
Customs
The rules governing the import/export of goods and personal belongings are generally similar to those in Russia. When leaving the country, please note that there is a state monopoly on the export of carpets and carpet products made in the country. To export such souvenirs, you will need a special permit from the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan.
When to go
The best time to visit the country depends on the purpose of the trip. The high season is considered to be the period from June to October inclusive. At this time, beach holidays are especially good here. The average air temperature in July is +27-28°C.
In October, the time for excursions begins and lasts until January. The spring months are also favorable for excursion trips. The ski season starts in mid-December and lasts until the end of March.
Winter is reminiscent of November in central Russia. Temperatures are in the range of +5-10°C, the weather is damp and windy. Temperatures below zero and snowfall are perceived as something out of the ordinary: public transport on such days runs poorly, schoolchildren and students may not go to school, and adults – to the office.
Holidays and non-working days
- January 1 and 2 – New Year’s holiday;
- March 8 – Women’s Day;
- May 9 – Victory over Fascism Day;
- May 28 – Independence Day;
- June 15 – National Salvation Day of the Azerbaijani People;
- June 26 – Day of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- November 8 – Victory Day in the Patriotic War 2020;
- November 9 – Day of the State Flag of the Republic of Azerbaijan;
- December 31 is the Day of Solidarity of World Azerbaijanis.
Religious holidays whose dates change every year:
- Nowruz – five days from March 20 for 2022;
- Ramadan – two days from May 2 for 2022;
- Gurban – two days from July 9 for 2022.
Currency
The monetary unit is the manat (AZN), equal to 100 qepiks. All settlements are made in this currency. It is convenient for Russians to travel to the country with rubles. But keep in mind that according to Azerbaijani law, only banks have the right to exchange currency. If you come across a dubious kiosk with an Exchange sign, it is better to avoid it.
The ATM network is well developed and can be found in bank branches and shopping centres.
Large stores, restaurants and hotels accept bank cards. However, in taxis, public transport, cafes, small shops and markets it is better to keep some cash with you.
Prices
In general, living in Baku is cheaper than in European capitals and even Moscow. Of course, the prices depend on the class of the restaurant and the star rating of the hotel you choose. For example: lunch in a cafe without alcoholic drinks will cost 20 AZN (about 900 rubles). A snack in fast food restaurants like McDonald’s will cost 10 AZN. Products in markets are often cheaper than in the store, but they are of higher quality and fresher.
Beaches
The Caspian Sea is gentle and warm. Its water is clean and salty, and in season it warms up to +26°C. All the beaches are sandy, the entrance to the sea is gentle, which makes beach holidays in Baku suitable for families with small children. The vast majority of beaches are equipped with umbrellas, sun loungers, changing cabins and street cafes where you can hide from the midday heat. Access to the beach area can be either free or paid.
Baku is located right on the Caspian coast, but no one swims within the city limits: all the beaches are in the suburbs. The best of them are Shikhovo, Mardakan, Zagulba. The route is short – only half an hour’s drive from the capital.
Resorts
The main tourist attraction is Baku. This ancient city has been so transformed and beautiful in recent years that it is called the second Dubai. Other beach resorts include Sumgait with its spacious and not too crowded beaches, as well as Lankaran with its long beach season and majestic ancient buildings.
The best ski resorts are Shahdag and Tufandag (Gabala). The slopes here meet global safety standards, are presented in several difficulty categories, and the hotels offer a completely European service.
Attractions
Icheri Sheher in Baku is the Old City, surrounded by well-preserved fortress walls. It was here that several scenes from the cult film “The Diamond Arm” were filmed.
The Maiden Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in Baku. It is part of the Icheri Sheher historical and architectural reserve and is considered the city’s top observation deck.
The Heydar Aliyev Center is a complex cultural and exhibition facility in a futuristic style. Designed by the famous architect Zaha Hadid and awarded the international Design of the Year award.
The Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum is a state institution engaged in the collection, preservation and study of traditional carpet products;
The Palace of the Shirvanshahs is the pearl of Azerbaijani architectural heritage, the residence of the rulers of ancient Shirvan;
Gok-Gol is the largest and most picturesque mountain lake in Azerbaijan. It is located at an altitude of almost 1600 meters above sea level and has a coastline of about 6.5 thousand meters.
Entertainment
The country offers many options for cultural leisure: museums, theaters, art galleries, architectural and sculptural monuments, and other interesting sites.
The Shahdag ski resort operates all year round. Horseback riding, hiking and excursions to the Shahdag National Park are available for tourists visiting the mountains in the summer and off-season.
The coastline offers an abundance of various water activities: diving, surfing, water hunting, water skiing and motorbikes, water parks, as well as cafes and restaurants where decent concerts are organized in the evenings.
In addition, one of the stages of the Formula 1 World Championship, the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, is taking place on the Baku city circuit.
Kitchen
Among the dishes of Azerbaijani cuisine, every tourist will find something to suit their taste. You should definitely try shakh-plov: it is prepared with the addition of dried fruits and baked in lavash.
Other popular dishes:
- dyushbara – a rich broth with small dumplings, generously seasoned with spices and herbs.
- qutab – a thin pie made of unleavened dough with filling, shaped like a crescent;
- Dolma is an eastern analogue of our cabbage rolls, but instead of cabbage, in which the filling is wrapped, grape or quince leaves are used.
- kyufta – oriental meatballs made from lamb or beef.
Souvenirs
If you are interested in souvenirs with national flavor, you will be offered:
- carpets with traditional patterns;
- charyki (eastern pointed shoes);
- kyurdo (velvet women’s vests);
- jorabs (wool knitted socks).
As gifts for loved ones, you can bring oriental sweets: local jam, halva, baklava, kurabye, nuts and dried fruits.
Azerbaijan also has its own wineries, a bottle of wine from which costs 20 AZN and more. Azerbaijani cognac is no less in demand among connoisseurs than Armenian. Its price starts from 80 AZN.
Transport
Baku is a modern city with well-developed public transport. There is a metro, buses and minibuses. The stations are well equipped, tickets are cheap.
Baku taxis are called “eggplants”. They look like London cabs, only painted purple. Uber also operates in Baku: a ride on it is usually cheaper than the “eggplants”.
To travel around the country independently, you can rent a car. Prices start from 35 AZN (about 1,500 rubles) per day. A Russian driver’s license is enough to drive a passenger car.
Safety
The country is safe for tourists. The crime rate here is one of the lowest in the CIS, there are no terrorist threats.
Medicine
Specific diseases are not registered in Azerbaijan. Intestinal infections are common in warm seasons.
Medical care for foreigners is paid. Therefore, tourists are advised to take out international medical insurance for the entire period of stay in the country.
There is an emergency medical care system in Baku and other cities.
Traditions
Azerbaijan is a secular state. The European style of clothing is widespread in the country. People here are hospitable, friendly and helpful. The respectful form of address is “gardash”, which translates as “brother”.
In Baku, they speak 3 languages: Azerbaijani, English and Russian. Russian is mostly spoken by the older generation, English by the youth. But the locals will be flattered if you learn a few common phrases in Azerbaijani and say “salam” instead of “hello”.
Internet
Russian mobile operators work in Azerbaijan in roaming, each at their own rates. But if you come not for a couple of days, but at least for a week, it is more profitable to take a local SIM card.
The most common operators are Azercell and Bakcell. They provide stable connection and favorable tariffs: for 5 GB of Internet you will pay about 10 AZN.
Almost all hotels, cafes and restaurants have free Wi-Fi hotspots.
Useful facts
- Traffic in Azerbaijan, like in Russia, is on the right. Traffic regulations are also almost identical to ours.
- In cafes and restaurants it is customary to leave tips – 5-10% of the bill.
- Hotels and apartments use the familiar European sockets and plugs (types C and F).
- Bargaining is only appropriate at the market. It is not welcomed in shops, cafes, and restaurants.
- There is a single number in the country that should be called in emergency cases – 112.