Discover the Top Cities of Azerbaijan: Culture and Beauty

Azerbaijan-or a land of fire-is a country of wonders, the combination of ancient traditions and a modern lifestyle at the crossroads between Europe and Asia. The cities of Azerbaijan have representatives of this beautiful combination, offering something special to every taste.

From shining skyscrapers of Baku to the quiet mountains of Sheki, every city is a marvel. History, nature, food-whatever one thinks, Azerbaijan has one city which will be etched in one's heart. Let us see what wonders this country possesses:.

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Baku: The Modern Capital of Azerbaijan

Quite the opposite is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, basically open to the Caspian Sea, impressing with its skyscrapers, historic buildings, and rich cultural heritage.

Sights to see in Baku:

Old City-Icherisheher: This is an ancient part of Baku that contains interesting sights such as the Maiden Tower and Shirvanshahs' Palace. A visit to this place will definitely be needed because of its historic buildings and streets.
Flame Towers: The beautiful skyscrapers light up the city during nighttime, a symbol of modern Azerbaijan.
Baku Boulevard is one of the seafront promenades, nice for a walk, bicycle ride, or just contemplating the view.
Heydar Aliyev Center: A huge, very modern building with a very unusual design; good to take memorable photos.
In Baku, one can also enjoy very delicious local food: plov and dolma.

Sheki is a city of history

Situated at the foot of the Great Caucasus, Sheki is among the most ancient cities of Azerbaijan. Rich in history, the city has flavored traditional architecture with wonderful landscapes.

Places of Interest in Sheki:

Sheki Khan's Palace is a beautiful palace, tints of colored glass and intricate designs at every window.

Caravanserai: Old inn; age-old stopping point for merchants and wayfarers.
Local Crafts: Sheki is famous for silk and handmade souvenirs.
Sheki halva: sweet dessert and one more kind of local cuisine-one shouldn't leave without tasting it.
Visitors like the quiet environment of Sheki because it possesses ancient charm.

Ganja: City of Poetry and Gardens

Ganja is the second big city of Azerbaijan and is a native town of the great poet Nizami Ganjavi. This city manages to combine a rich history and culture with the magic of nature.

Places to visit in Ganja:

Nizami's mausoleum is a monument of the great legendary poet.

Bottle House: A weird strange house made of thousands of glass bottles.
Goygol Lake: The very beautiful lake is situated nearby, suitable for nature lovers.
Javad Khan Street: Full of shopping and trying local foods.
Ganja is famous for its greenery and rich history.

Gabala - The place where the beauty of nature soothes

At the foot of the mountains and amidst the forests, Gabala is a real paradise for lovers of nature. It is one of the most picturesque cities in Azerbaijan, which attracts tourists with its beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities.

Places to visit in Gabala:

Tufandag Mountain Resort: The place where one can enjoy skiing in winter and trekking in summer.
Nohur Lake: Highly beautiful lake and it is covered with forests in all directions, highly suitable for boating and picnic purposes.
Gabaland: an amusement park, which has various rides amongst many other activities that retain families and kids.
Ancient Ruins: Enjoy the ruins that narrate the saga of historic sites in Gabala.
Nature has bestowed upon Gabala a lot of beauty, which attracted locals and foreigners alike.

Lankaran: The Beauty of the Coast

Lankaran is a city on the southern coast of Azerbaijan, famous for its warm climate, tea plantations, and beautiful beaches.

Places to Visit in Lankaran:

Lankaran Fortress represents the rich history of the city.

Caspian Sea Beaches: Enjoy the sandy shores and take in the breeze from the sea.
Tea Plantations: Have a taste of some of the best varieties of tea available in Azerbaijan.
The Hirkan National Park forms a UNESCO-site area rich with unique flora and fauna.
Lankaran is a quiet and lovely place for sea and nature lovers.

Shamakhi: Ancient Capital

The city of Shamakhi is historically and culturally important, being a former capital city of the Shirvan Empire.

Places to Visit in Shamakhi:

Juma Mosque was built in the 8th century and belongs to one of the oldest mosques on the territory of Caucasus.

Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum: Ancient tombs of Shirvan rulers.
Shamakhi Observatory is a great place for stargazing and learning about astronomy.
Traditional Vineyards Wine is very popular in Shamakhi, so it won't be a bad idea to taste a few local sorts.
Shakamakhi can be called a city of history and beauty in relation to Azerbaijani heritage.

Quba: Apple Capital of Azerbaijan

Quba is towards the north and is surrounded by all greenery of mountains. It is said to be so famous for the apple orchard and villages over there.

Things to See in Quba:

Qechresh Forest: very green and appropriate for picnicking and walking.
The Afurdja Waterfall, one of the highest in Azerbaijan, is pretty interesting cubically.
The Village of Khinalug is a mountainous, very ancient village rich in its inimitable traditions and captivating landscapes of nature.
Apple Orchards: Quba is famous for the juiciest varieties of apples. Never miss tasting them right at the spot because this never happens anywhere else.
Quba is the city where nature's beauty goes hand in hand with culture; it's a great getaway place.

Nakhchivan - a country of great culture and rich history

Nakhchivan is a separate part of Azerbaijan, rich in ancient monuments and picturesque landscapes.

Things to See in Nakhchivan

Momine Khatun Mausoleum: an amazingly carved decorations filled 12th century tomb.
Alinja Castle is a fortress half-way up this mountain and commands outstanding views.
One of the places that great numbers of pilgrims receive is the Cave of Ashabi-Kahf.
Aras River: The river is one of the historic ones and amazingly breathtaking to see.
Nakhchivan is a backwater that provides a unique glimpse into Azerbaijan's past.

Why should anyone visit cities in Azerbaijan?

Full of surprises, the cities of Azerbaijan represent a combination of modern skyscrapers and ancient palaces, history, culture, and nature. Here's why you should visit:

Rich history: Visiting a great number of historical monuments of former times, the palaces, mosques, and fortresses.
Beautiful Nature: Enjoy the mountains, the forests, beaches, and lakes.
Delicious Food: Eat local dishes-plov, kebabs, sweets, etc.
Friendly People: Expect warm welcomes wherever you go.

Conclusion

Azerbaijan is a country of vivid contrasts: from modern cities to ancient traditions, from the lively streets of Baku to serene Quba and historic Sheki, each city is special.