Attractive places of Azerbaijan Combine mountains and semi-arid plains stretching endlessly towards the horizon with historic towns. Now add in wildlife, fire and hundreds of kilometres of coastline to get an idea of Azerbaijan’s real beauty. by the semi-desert climate cover almost 2000 acres.
Stand inside and marvel at the rolling dunes against the clear, unpolluted waters of the Caspian. But, the mesmerising landscapes aren’t the main attraction. More than 50 species of animal call the steppes home, including the endangered Caspian Seal and Comb Jellyfish as well as gazelles, badgers and jackals.
Astara:According to locals, historical Astara tops the list of beautiful places in Azerbaijan. Mountains surround the town, sitting on Iran’s border, while lush green virgin rainforest and a variety of plant and animal life, including the Caucasus leopard are inside the nearby Hirkan National Park.
The Caspian Sea:The Caspian Sea, or the world’s largest lake, makes one of the best places to visit in Azerbaijan. The coastline stretches more than 500 kilometres (310 miles) from the border with Iran to the south and Dagestan in the north. You can find beautiful resorts in Sumgait in the northern part of the Absheron Peninsula. Lankaran, four hours south of Baku towards the Iranian border, has a few resorts too.
Shirvan National Park:The semi-desert national park located just over 100 kilometres (62 miles) southwest of Baku combines wildlife, dunes and a short stretch coastline. Visitors enjoy landscapes and diversity of fauna with its large population of gazelles, jungle cats and turtles. More than 200 species of bird also live inside Shirvan National Park, including 32 rare ones. Bungalows and camping sites are available for overnight stays.
Agh Gol National Park:Lake Aggol, the second largest lake in Azerbaijan, sits inside the Agh Gol National Park in the Kur-Araz lowlands. The arid landscape creates a nesting spot for migratory birds, while the lake is full of fish. And the views are spectacular. Imagine a blue-green lake surrounded by a band of trees with mountains in the distance.
Quba:Quba in the country’s northeast is an important destination for Azerbaijan culture. The ancient mountain town along the Qudailchay River is a stone’s throw from remote villages full of history. A small all-Jewish settlement sits on the opposite side of the river traversing the town. Craggy mountains and valleys surround the cultural communities. The nearby village of Khinalug at 2350 metres (7710 feet) offers stunning mountain landscapes and plenty of hiking opportunities.