Travel Guide to Azerbaijan-? How to plan a trip from Dubai?
Azerbaijan, the land of fire, is located at the crossroads of Asia and Europe as part of the ancient historical Silk Road. Azerbaijan has a lot to offer in terms of tourism, from the enclosed history of the Fire Temple and the preserved beauty of Sheki City to the mud volcanoes in Gobustan National Park, the beautiful green scenery of the Caucasus Mountains, and Baku, the capital city. Anyone who enjoys architecture, history, nature, cuisine, and adventure will enjoy their visit to the country. Travelling from the UAE to Azerbaijan is possible all year because the journey is only three hours long and is suitable for a weekend trip.
The best time to visit Azerbaijan
The best time to visit Azerbaijan is from April to June, when the landscape is green and flowers are in full bloom, from September to October, so that you can escape the 40°C summers and cold winters, especially in the mountains, this month is ideal for outdoor activities and exploration. If you want to go hiking in the mountains, July is the best time. It is also an excellent period for mountain trekking in these regions.
Passport Validity
If you are visiting Azerbaijan, your passport must be valid for at least three months after your visa expires. If you live in Azerbaijan, your passport must be valid for at least three months beyond the expiration date of your temporary or permanent residence permit.
Visa Requirements
For citizens and residents of the UAE, Azerbaijan is one of the nations that grant visas on arrival. Depending on your passport, it is advised that you pre-apply for the Azerbaijan Asan Visa online when travelling from the UAE to Azerbaijan to save time.
The Asan Visa is an electronic visa available to 94 nations worldwide. However, certain nations now face limitations as a result of COVID-19. The Azerbaijan e-visa application must be submitted by passport holders from countries that qualify at least three days before the anticipated arrival date.
Residents and nationals of the UAE are eligible for a 30-day single-entry visa to Azerbaijan. An on-site visa application for Azerbaijan costs AED 96.
Unless you are trying to renew your visa, you must get a temporary residency permit if you want to stay in Azerbaijan for longer than 30 days.
Is it safe to travel to Azerbaijan?
A cease-fire agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan has stopped their ongoing war. Avoid going anywhere within five kilometres of the Azerbaijan-Armenia border, including Nagorno-Karabakh, the rayons of Zengilan, Jabrayil, Qubadli, Lachin, and Kelbajar, and the western regions of the Khojavand, Fuzuli, and Aghdam rayons. It is safe to travel across Azerbaijan as long as you stay away from these areas.
The COVID-19 Regulations for travelling from the UAE
The COVID-19 criteria for travel to Azerbaijan are as follows:
- Travellers must be fully vaccinated, with the most recent vaccination received at least two weeks before departure.
- A negative PCR test result should be obtained within 72 hours after travel.
- They must have a vaccination certificate verified through a QR code.
Is Azerbaijan an expensive place?
The good news for travellers looking to save money and keep their entire trip expenditures as low as possible is that accommodation in Baku and Azerbaijan, as well as meals, are less expensive than in the UAE. This makes it an excellent choice for budget travellers. Consumer brands in Azerbaijan are often cheaper than those in the UAE.
Important things to know before you visit Azerbaijan
- Get Registered
If you want to stay in Azerbaijan for longer than 10 days, you must register with the State Migration Service before arriving. Hotels or hostels that you have reserved usually take care of this formality to prevent any trouble for their guests. You may be fined when you return to your home country if you do not comply.
- Clothing
There are no specific dress codes, and everyone is allowed to wear anything they choose. Thus, you can bring anything you like and wander around Baku’s lovely streets wearing outfits like shorts and shirts; it is not required to entirely cover your entire body, although it is suggested to wear proper clothing in religious areas.
- The Official Language
Azeri, a Turkish dialect, is the official language of Azerbaijan. Inhabitants here speak English, although it is uncommon to encounter one who does not, especially in remote areas where locals do not speak English. As a result, it is essential to understand some basic Azeri words that may assist you in any emergency.
- Getting Around
The Metro is the best way to get around Baku since it is the cheapest and fastest way to navigate the city. However, you may use cabs if you want to go in comfort. However, it is critical to understand how to bargain in this country because taxis charge roughly ten times the initial fare.
- Try to Avoid Taxi
It is recommended to avoid using cabs throughout the city since they demand ridiculous prices from visitors. Thus, it is preferable to hire Uber or Yandex cabs so that you may travel around conveniently and without hassle.
- Carry your passport everywhere
Tourists are required by law to carry their passports when they go outside. Azerbaijani police stop visitors and check their identification and passports. Anyone who does not have their passport with them must pay a fine. So, keep your passport and a photocopy with you at all times.
- Don’t Litter
Littering is considered taboo in Azerbaijan. When exploring the capital city, you will note that the streets are pristine, so you may wish to avoid littering. If someone is caught littering, they face a heavy fine.
- Carry your Medical Kit
When travelling, don’t forget to bring your medical kit. It is best to keep basic medications for fever, cold, cough, and headache. Keep painkillers in your hand at all times. Furthermore, if you are taking any drugs, keep them with you always because you may not be able to obtain the same medications prescribed by your doctor in another nation. As a result, a medical kit is always useful on every vacation.
Top places to visit in Azerbaijan
Here are some of the best places to visit while you are in Azerbaijan
Baku City
The beautiful city of Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, located along the Caspian Sea in the Caucasus region. It is the country’s scientific, cultural, and industrial centre. Baku is a major tourist and entertainment destination, with several prominent tourist and entertainment places such as the famous Flame Towers, downtown Fountains Square, One and Thousand Nights Beach, Shikhov Beach, and Oil Rocks. On Baku’s outskirts, Yanar Dag, an ever-blazing point of natural gas, can be seen between the world’s largest flagpole in National Flag Square. In addition, there are several local markets where you can go shopping.
Sheik city
Sheki, located in northwest Azerbaijan, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. The city is located in the Greater Caucasus Mountain ranges, around 240 kilometres south of Baku. Because of its attractive homes with colourfully painted gates, lively cafés, plane trees, stone structures, and cobblestone roads, Sheki city is one of the most picturesque sites to visit.
While there, you may see Sheki Khan’s spectacular Summer Palace and his Winter Palace. Discover the traditional sleeping chambers of Silk Road merchants and old mosques and palaces. The city is also well-known for silk, textiles, and embroidery, making it an important landmark on the silk route.
Goyazan Mountain
Mount Goyazan is a mountain in Azerbaijan’s northeastern Qazakh District. The Goyazan mountains, located near the towns of Abbasbeyli and Alpout and rising 857.9 metres above sea level, are surrounded by magnificent plains and are the best spot in Azerbaijan for trekking. Near the peak, the ruins of a Goyazan stronghold from the 14th century can be explored.
Naftalan oil resort
Naftalan resorts have become an essential part of Azerbaijan’s cultural history due to the unique medicinal capabilities of human organisms, such as anti-inflammatory, pain relieving, vasodilating, and energising benefits. Hundreds of research papers and monographs have proved naftalan’s medicinal advantages and efficacy for 70 different illnesses. Every year, an estimated 15,000 people visit this location to bathe in heated oil baths to cure various skin ailments.
Lake Goygol
Lake Goygol, one of Azerbaijan’s most beautiful and biggest lakes, is located in the lower Caucasus mountains and is an ethereal landscape. The lake, filled with pure mountain water, was formed by an earthquake in the 12th century, thus the name Goygol. Every year, a large number of tourists come to explore the beauty of this alpine lake.
Absheron National Park
Absheron National Park is the ideal site in Azerbaijan for wildlife enthusiasts. This picturesque national park is located at the southeastern tip of the Absheron peninsula and is home to animals such as leopards, hyenas, gazelles, jackals, foxes, rabbits, badgers, and birds such as silver gulls, wheezing swans, grey and red-headed black, white-eyed black ducks, big white bitterns, sandpipers, and bald-coot.
Azerbaijan is a great place to visit for travellers. There is so much to see and do. If planning a trip here, it is suggested that you spend at least five days.