9 unexpected reasons to travel to Azerbaijan

Naftalan: take a dip in an oil bath

What? Yes! Even the oil in Azerbaijan is not ordinary, but medicinal. It is called naphthalane or naphthalane oil and is used to treat skin and joint diseases. There is even a whole resort with many sanatoriums — Naftalan. Tourists from all over the world come here to improve their health: know yourself, lie in a bath with a liquid of the usual color of water during the crimping season and get better. 

We have prepared a list of sanatoriums and hotels where you can comfortably take an oil bath and undergo other wellness procedures:

• Gashalti Health Hotel Naftalan, 5* — from 10,000 rubles. Friendly staff, quality service and full oil baths, as well as a large spa area, billiards and a 3D cinema.

Gashalti Health Hotel Naftalan.

• Chinar Hotel & Spa Naftalan, 5* — from 14,600 rubles. People come here to improve their health and relax: in addition to the medical center, there is a spa area with an indoor pool and a Turkish bath. You can also take a course of rehabilitation or massage, including underwater.
• Garabag Resort&Spa, 5* — from 15,000 rubles. Decorous, beautiful and useful. A fitness trainer will teach you how to swim and give you the basics of yoga or Pilates, and in the evening the DJs will make you forget that you are in a sanatorium.

Garabag Resort&Spa.

• Nafta sanatorium, 4* — from 9150 rubles. There are almost two dozen medical rooms and 10 baths in the treatment center, so there are no queues here. Plus hydro massage and carbon baths, a disco bar, a restaurant with European and Oriental cuisine.
• Karvan Hotel Sanatorium Naftalan — from 6650 rubles. A new hotel with round-the-clock medical care and an impressive list of procedures, after which you can swim in the outdoor pool or take a walk in the park next door. 

Karvan Hotel Sanatorium Naftalan.

For those who take care of themselves

We carefully collected useful links:

• 13 sanatoriums and boarding houses in Russia
• The best sanatoriums with treatment in Russia
• The best resorts in Kavminvody
• Where to escape from the flowering season

Baku: getting inside a giant carpet

Carpets and photos on their background are coming back into fashion. Baku is perhaps the best prepared for such a turn: A huge carpet with oriental ornaments has rolled up on the shore of the Caspian Sea. This is the National Carpet Museum, a bizarre building designed by the Austrian architect Franz Janz. It is pretty from the outside and very interesting inside: the exhibition contains about 3,000 different carpets from the XVII century to the present day, a special section is devoted to the production process. In addition, jewelry and weapons from the Bronze Age and later eras are presented, as well as an ethnographic collection of wicker products. An ideal option to hang out while looking at fancy patterns.

You can also take a carpet weaving master class at the museum – a good option for future downshifting if you get tired of everything. Tasks for the most observant: take a closer look at the work of spinners or try to find a jahaz, a camel’s headdress, without a hint.

National Carpet Museum, a bizarre building designed by Austrian architect Franz Janz. Photo: Kadagan/Shutterstock.com

Gobustan: to examine the rock paintings of ancient people

In general, put on comfortable shoes and let’s wander as if inside a textbook — either history or ancient painting. First, look into a small museum, and then go admire the scenery and look at the drawings.

The Gobustan Historical and Archaeological Reserve consists of more than 6,000 drawings created mainly during the Mesolithic period. Photo: Rustamli Photos/Shutterstock.com

Ateshgah: meditate in the Zoroastrian temple

A half—hour drive from the center of Baku – and it’s like you’re falling through the ages. Only gray stones, the altar of fire, flashes of flame, silence and semi-darkness remain. Pilgrims have been flocking to the outskirts of the village of Surakhany, where the Ateshgah temple is located, in search of truth and light for centuries. There were Zoroastrians, Sikhs, Hindus and just curious travelers among them — the scientist Dmitry Mendeleev was noted among the latter. The chemist could not help but be interested in the phenomenon of an unquenchable fire in the altar, which is explained by the release of natural gas to the surface.

The preserved temple-altar dates back to the beginning of the XIX century. AncientThe buildings of the temple complex were destroyed after the reign of Islam in the region, but Indian merchants passing along the Silk Road rebuilt the temple. Today, fans of fire and curious tourists flock here again. The cells recreate the way of life of ancient times — with utensils and wax figures. To get a better feel for the atmosphere and energy of the place, we recommend taking a local guide.

Pilgrims have been flocking to the outskirts of the village of Surakhany, where the Ateshgah temple is located, in search of truth and light for centuries. Photo: Mehdi Kasumov/Shutterstock.com

Yanardag Mountain: to see the eternal flame

The place is equally interesting for romantics and skeptics: the former can arrange a date here, the latter can visualize the image of hellfire. Even old—timers and legends cannot say since when a fire has been burning in Yanardag Mountain – consider it an eternity. The place will help solve the mystery of why Azerbaijan is called the land of lights (in secret, it’s about a natural gas leak). It is better to arrive in the late afternoon, when the spectacle is most spectacular.

Yanardag, in fact, is the Azerbaijani equivalent of the burning Chimera lights in Turkish Chirals: if you liked it there, you will like it here.

Even old-timers and legends cannot say since when a fire has been burning in Yanardag Mountain. Photo: Victoria_Balobanova/Shutterstock.com

Shahdag: going to a ski resort

Azerbaijan and downhill skiing is an unusual combination, but possible. A three-hour drive from Baku, in the Shahdag resort, snow lovers will be pleased with the ski area 32 km away. These are 26 trails located at altitudes of 1430-2550 m. Regardless of the level of skiing, guests will find a route they can afford, from simple “green” trails to complex “red” and “black” ones. 

There is an instructor school for beginners, including children. An undeniable plus is the presence of five belt lifts: you do not have to immediately master the bugel, which is so unloved by beginners. You don’t have to carry your own equipment — a rental service is available. Sufficiently experienced athletes can do a ski tour.

There are no queues at the Krasnaya Polyana or Sheregesh level here, and a half-day ski pass will cost 32 AZN (about 1900 rubles). It would not be superfluous to grab a swimsuit and swimming trunks: you will find spa areas in local hotels. Other activities, from horseback riding and paragliding to down-to-earth bar hopping, are also enough, so you won’t be bored.

A three-hour drive from Baku, in the Shahdag resort, snow lovers will be pleased with the ski area 32 km away. Photo: Aleksandr Melnikov/Shutterstock.com

Dedicated to snow lovers

If you haven’t rolled in Shahdag, here are our guides to resorts in Russia and neighboring countries:

• Sheregesh
• Elbrus
• Arkhyz
• Tsakhkadzor

Sheki: get to know the crafts

The small town of Sheki, 380 km from Baku, near the Georgian border, has long been famous for its artisans. Talented residents and a good location — the Great Silk Road passed here — led to the flourishing of the city, traces of which are still visible to the naked eye. Dumas himself, a father brought here by a thirst for adventure, was so happy about a successful purchase: “… I bought two embroidered saddles for 24 rubles. In France, you can’t have them even for 2,000 francs, or rather, you can’t get them at any price.” And for the quality of the local silk, the city was called the Azerbaijani Lyon.

First, admire the stained glass windows in the magnificent palace of the Sheki khans — according to legend, it, like the Kizhi churches, was built without a single nail. Then go wandering through the cobbled streets, looking into caravanserais and artisan shops. Remember: a silk handkerchief is never superfluous. And don’t forget to take a break for a cup of tea with local halva, filled with thick syrup and decorated with saffron jam. 

First, admire the stained glass windows in the magnificent palace of the Sheki khans. Photo: Vastram/Shutterstock.com

Macery: go to the winery

In the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains, among the picturesque hills 130 km from Baku, there is a point of attraction for true oenophiles. The Shirvan Wines winery will delight with slender rows of vineyards stretching into the distance, extraordinary photo zones — what a huge bunch of grapes and wine barrels with a corkscrew stuck in, from which Gulliver could drink — and, of course, tasting organic wines. They are made from French and local varieties: cabernet Sauvignon, merlot, shiraz and muscat. 

Absheron Peninsula: relax on the Caspian Sea

If the frenzied inflation in your favorite Turkey is completely frustrating, you can look at the beaches of the Absheron Peninsula. Thirty to forty minutes on the way from Baku — and hello, the Caspian Sea. You can go towards the village of Bilgah and settle in the luxurious Bilgah Beach Hotel with a sea view or spend the day at the Amburan beach club — on sun loungers by the pool or on the seashore. Nearby there is a place with the name of the Summer Residents’ beach, caressing the heart of a Russian person, only instead of cucumbers and tomatoes, gently tingling shells are collected here, swim and admire the sunsets. 

Note: plan a beach holiday in the vicinity of Baku from June to September. 

Thirty to forty minutes on the way from Baku — and hello, the Caspian Sea. Photo: ilkinmuradaran/Shutterstock.com

Ski vacation, ethnographic trip, beach vacation, gastronomic tour or a little bit of everything? It’s up to you to decide what your image of diverse Azerbaijan will be and the reason for the trip. See you in Baku!

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Cover photo: Rzaev/Shutterstock.com