Azerbaijan sits at the meeting point of Europe and Asia, where caravanserais and mosques share the skyline with bold 21st‑century design. From Baku’s UNESCO‑listed Icherisheher (Old City) to the windswept Caspian promenade and the gleaming Flame Towers, the country tells a story of Zoroastrian fire worship, Silk Road traders, and oil-boom modernity.

Just beyond the capital, ancient rock art and bubbling mud volcanoes dot Gobustan National Park, while the Absheron Peninsula keeps a sacred flame burning at Ateshgah and Yanar Dag. Head northwest to Gabala for alpine air, forested slopes, and Tufandag cable cars with wide‑angle Caucasus views—an ideal counterpoint to Baku’s urban energy.

Practical notes: most travelers use the easy e‑visa system (check your nationality). The manat (AZN) is the currency; cards are widely accepted in cities, cash is useful in the mountains. Pack layers—sea breezes make Baku cooler than inland Gabala—and dress modestly for mosque visits.

Baku

Baku is a city of contrasts: maze-like sandstone lanes inside medieval walls and, a stroll away, museums shaped like waves and flames. Start with the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshah’s Palace, then wander to the waterfront Boulevard, a century-old esplanade now dotted with cafes, the Carpet Museum, and ferris-wheel views.

• Top sights: Icherisheher, Maiden Tower, Shirvanshah’s Palace, Baku Boulevard, Heydar Aliyev Center, Flame Towers light show.
• Local bites: qutab (herb‑stuffed flatbread), saj platters, piti stew, Caspian sturgeon, sweet pakhlava with tea.
• Where to stay: classic luxury with sea views or stylish city-center boutiques; hostels cluster near Fountain Square.

Arriving/Departing flights: compare fares on Trip.com and Kiwi.com to/from Baku (GYD). In town, taxis (Bolt), the metro, and seaside promenades make getting around easy.

Where to book stays: Browse Four Seasons Hotel Baku (old-world glamour on the Boulevard), Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers (skyline icon with indoor pool), or budget‑friendly Sahil Hostel & Hotel. Prefer apartments or other hotels? Try Hotels.com in Baku or VRBO in Baku.

Day 1: Arrival, Old City First Impressions, and Caspian Sunset

Morning: Fly into Baku (GYD). If you arrive early, drop your bags and take a gentle stroll along Baku Boulevard—watch locals cycle and fish, and note the Carpet Museum’s “folded rug” architecture.

Afternoon: Enter Icherisheher through the Double Gates. Climb the Maiden Tower for sweeping views, then step into the courtyards of the 15th‑century Shirvanshah’s Palace. For a first taste, try lunch at Firuze (classic dolma, saffron‑tinted plov, rustic saj), or Sehrli Təndir for fresh tandir bread and herb qutab.

Evening: Dinner at Sumakh, where modern plating meets grandma’s recipes—try lamb saddles with narsharab (pomegranate sauce). Cap the night at the Flame Towers viewpoint; stay for the LED light show before mint tea at Art Garden, a caravanserai setting with live mugham on many nights.

Day 2: Streets, Stories, and Modern Icons

Morning: Fuel up at Baku Roasting Company (single‑origin espresso, hearty breakfasts). Then join a small‑group walk to decode the city’s layers—Persian, Russian, and oil‑boom Baroque.

Recommended tour: Baku Downtown Original Walking Tour

Afternoon: Taxi to the Heydar Aliyev Center—Zaha Hadid’s flowing structure is an architectural pilgrimage. Inside you’ll find rotating design exhibits; outside, grassy knolls for photos. Lunch nearby at Nargis Café (salads, soups, and comforting khangal noodles) or head back to Fountain Square for Nergiz (great for piti and levengi‑stuffed fish).

Evening: Explore Nizami Street’s Belle Époque façades, then dine at Chinar’s garden lounge (pan‑Asian with a chic vibe; the crispy duck salad and dim sum are crowd‑pleasers). For a nightcap, try ETUD Bar, a low‑lit spot popular with creatives.

Day 3: Gobustan Rock Art, Mud Volcanoes, and Eternal Flame (Full-Day Tour)

Spend the day among Azerbaijan’s signature wonders: prehistoric petroglyphs, gurgling mud volcanoes, a Zoroastrian fire temple, and a hillside that burns day and night. Pick-up typically starts in central Baku around 9 a.m., returning early evening.

Recommended tour: Baku Gobustan and Absheron Tour + Free Heydar Aliyev Center Ticket

Highlights include UNESCO‑listed Gobustan Museum and rock engravings up to 20,000 years old, a detour to lunar‑like mud volcano fields, the Ateshgah Fire Temple (once a stop for Indian fire‑worshipers), and Yanar Dag, the “burning mountain.” Pack water and a light scarf—Absheron winds can be brisk even in summer.

Day 4: Museums, Boulevard Breezes, and an Azerbaijan Wine Crawl

Morning: Coffee at United Coffee Beans near Fountains Square (house roasts, pastries), then the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum—learn motifs by region and watch weavers at work. Ride the small Baku Eye ferris wheel for Caspian views if skies are clear.

Afternoon: Lunch at Dolma (traditional set menus and stuffed grape leaves). Stroll the Seaside Park toward Little Venice canals; pop into the Mini‑Venice cafés for tea and pakhlava. If shopping interests you, check out local designers at Port Baku Mall.

Evening: Explore the country’s blossoming wine scene (grapes like Madrasa and Bayan Shirey) on a guided tasting hop.

Recommended tour: Baku Wine Crawl for Small Groups

Prefer dinner after? Book a late table at Mangal Steakhouse (succulent shashlik, grilled veggies, and house ajika) or Dərələr (seafood and Caspian sturgeon) before turning in.

Gabala (Qabala)

Green, mountainous, and unhurried, Gabala is Azerbaijan’s alpine escape. Tufandag Mountain Resort offers year‑round cable cars and seasonal activities, while Nohur Lake mirrors birch and pine forests—perfect for rowboats, photos, and a quiet tea hour.

• Top sights: Tufandag cable cars and ridge walks, Nohur Lake, Yeddi Gozel (Seven Beauties) Waterfall, village markets with honey and walnuts.
• Eating well: trout from mountain streams, kebabs grilled over vine cuttings, hearty dovga yogurt soup, and village breads from clay ovens.
• Where to stay: resort hotels near Tufandag, lakeside cottages, or family‑run guesthouses in town.

How to get there from Baku: Morning trains on the Baku–Gabala line take about 3–3.5 hours; check options via Trip.com trains. Intercity buses (approx. 4 hours) and private transfers (3.5 hours) are common; expect roughly $10–15 by bus or $80–120 by car depending on vehicle and season.

Where to book stays: Browse options on Hotels.com in Gabala and VRBO in Gabala. For high‑end wellness, look for properties offering spa hydrotherapy; for families, consider chalets near the gondola for easy mountain access.

Day 5: Transfer to Gabala, Lake Time, and Village Dinner

Morning: Depart Baku by early train (around 3–3.5 hours) or private car along the scenic Shamakhi road (break for pomegranate stalls in season). Book rail seats in advance via Trip.com trains; if flying into Azerbaijan today, compare options on Trip.com and Kiwi.com.

Afternoon: Check in, then head to Nohur Lake for rowboats and shaded strolls. Lunch at Nohur Gol Restaurant (try grilled trout with lemon and fresh herbs, plus warm tandir bread).

Evening: Dinner at Qebele Et—smoky lamb kebabs, eggplant salads, and pickled veggies. End with tea and local honey at a teahouse; nights are cooler here, so bring a light jacket.

Day 6: Tufandag Cable Cars, Forest Trails, and Waterfalls

Morning: Breakfast at your hotel or a gondola‑base café—order kükü (herb omelet) and cheese plates. Ride Tufandag’s multi‑stage cable cars; at the upper station, walk easy ridge paths for Caucasus panoramas and a coffee at Zirve Café.

Afternoon: Drive or taxi to Yeddi Gozel Waterfall. The stone steps can be damp—wear good shoes. After, try dovga soup and qutab at a nearby village eatery; in walnut season, pick up fresh kernels and churchkhela‑style sweets at roadside stands.

Evening: Casual dinner in town—look for saj platters served on sizzling iron pans with lavash. If you enjoy wine, some restaurants pour bottles from the Savalan (ASPI) winery; pair a semi‑dry white with trout or salads.

Day 7: Back to Baku and Departure

Morning: Catch an early train or private transfer back to Baku (aim to arrive late morning). If time allows, swing by Icherisheher’s handicraft lanes for copperware and carpets, or the Yashil Bazaar for dried fruits, saffron, and smoked cheese.

Afternoon: Final lunch at Sehrli Təndir for warm bread and qutab to-go. Head to the airport for your onward flight—check any last‑minute changes or upgrades on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional swap if you have extra energy in Baku (evening add‑on): For a night photography spin through shimmering boulevards, consider this guided outing: Old and Modern Baku Tour (Day & Night Time).

Where to stay, quick links: Baku—Four Seasons Hotel Baku | Fairmont Baku, Flame Towers | Sahil Hostel & Hotel | Hotels.com | VRBO. Gabala—Hotels.com | VRBO.

In one week, you’ll trace ancient petroglyphs and eternal flames, sip tea in caravanserais, and breathe in spruce-scented mountain air. Azerbaijan rewards the curious traveler: centuries of stories, hearty cuisine, and a skyline that glows like a lighthouse on the Caspian.