Attractions of Azerbaijan

To help inspire or plan your trip to Azerbaijan, some of its major attractions for travellers are shown below, including some of the best natural, historical, cultural and adventure sites in the country. These include all of UNESCO World Heritage Sites for Azerbaijan which represent the best of the world's cultural and natural heritage.
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Natural	History	Wildlife	Trekking	Cities	Religious Monument	Boat Journey	Rail Journey	Diving	Cultural	Adrenaline	UNESCO WHS

Baku
Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Its history goes back centuries and is centred on the medieval walled city of 'Icheri Sheher'. Still surrounded by much of its 12th century defensive walls, the Old City is a fascinating mix of narrow, winding alleyways, mosques, caravanserais and overhanging wooden balconies. The 12th century Maiden Tower is a unique 8 storey cylindrical structure, built on an earlier structure that dates back to the 7th century BC that may have been an astronomical observatory or fire temple. The 15th century Shirvanshah's Palace is the other standout attraction in Baku. Also of note are the mansions of the oil barons, dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Azerbaijan supplied more than half the world's oil. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower

Baku

Baku is the capital of Azerbaijan and is located on the shores of the Caspian Sea. Its history goes back centuries and is centred on the medieval walled city of 'Icheri Sheher'. Still surrounded by much of its 12th century defensive walls, the Old City is a fascinating mix of narrow, winding alleyways, mosques, caravanserais and overhanging wooden balconies. The 12th century Maiden Tower is a unique 8 storey cylindrical structure, built on an earlier structure that dates back to the 7th century BC that may have been an astronomical observatory or fire temple. The 15th century Shirvanshah's Palace is the other standout attraction in Baku. Also of note are the mansions of the oil barons, dating to the late 19th and early 20th centuries when Azerbaijan supplied more than half the world's oil.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower

Absheron Peninsula
The Absheron Peninsula close to Baku is noted for a number of historical monuments. These include the remarkable Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple, the mosque at Amirjan and the medieval fortresses which formed part of the defences of the peninsula.

Gobustan
Gobustan Rock Art Landscape is located in the semi-desert of eastern Azerbaijan, south of Baku. There are more than 6,000 rock engravings dating back 40,000 years to the early Stone Age. The art depicts animals, plants and humans, with scenes of fighting, dancing, hunting and travelling in boats. The site also features graffiti left by the armies of Rome and Alexander the Great and the remains of human settlements and burials. The surrounding landscape is also noted for its bizarre mud volcanoes, structures only a few feet high which spew liquid mud into the air. UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Gobustan

Gobustan Rock Art Landscape is located in the semi-desert of eastern Azerbaijan, south of Baku. There are more than 6,000 rock engravings dating back 40,000 years to the early Stone Age. The art depicts animals, plants and humans, with scenes of fighting, dancing, hunting and travelling in boats. The site also features graffiti left by the armies of Rome and Alexander the Great and the remains of human settlements and burials. The surrounding landscape is also noted for its bizarre mud volcanoes, structures only a few feet high which spew liquid mud into the air.

UNESCO World Heritage Site: Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

Sheki
The historic town of Sheki has for centuries been an important trading and market town on the trans-Caucasus trading routes from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. A converted caravanserai allows you to relive the old days of merchants and traders. In Sheki, the Royal Summer Palace of the Sheki Khans is renowned for its magnificent frescos and stained glass. The nearby village of Kish contains the oldest church in the Caucasus dating to the 1st century and a walk through the woods brings you to the Gelersen Gorasen castle.

Sheki

The historic town of Sheki has for centuries been an important trading and market town on the trans-Caucasus trading routes from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. A converted caravanserai allows you to relive the old days of merchants and traders. In Sheki, the Royal Summer Palace of the Sheki Khans is renowned for its magnificent frescos and stained glass. The nearby village of Kish contains the oldest church in the Caucasus dating to the 1st century and a walk through the woods brings you to the Gelersen Gorasen castle.

Ganja
Ganja is Azerbaijan's second city and is renowned for being the birthplace of the nations most famous poet Nizami. In addition to his mausoleum, other attractions in the town include the 17th century Shah Abbas Mosque and the 'Bottle House', decorated with 50,000 glass bottles.