Why Azerbaijan Should Be Your Next International Vacation Spot

A Unique Blend of East and West

One of the factors that sparked my interest in Azerbaijan is what a unique and incredible blend of East and West it is. It seems like this amazing country is sitting at the intersection of Europe and Asia and taking its share of both. I've been reading about its history, and I discovered Azerbaijan has been exposed to a lot of different cultures throughout the years (Persian, Turkish, Russian, Arabic)-you can see it when you hear people talk, in the cuisine and buildings everywhere.

Baku, the capital, has such a unique skyline. I have seen photos and can't wait to experience that amazing combination of old and new it's described to be. The Flame Towers, which are modern glass skyscrapers, light up at night and for some reason I feel as though they are on fire-just incredible. Just a short walk away is the Old City known as Icherisheher, it is a UNESCO World Heritage and Royal site. There are narrow cobbled streets and stone houses, some of which are hundreds of years old. I can already imagine myself wandering through those alleys, maybe stopping at a little café for some tea while I soak in the history. That unique blend of East and West makes Azerbaijan feel like a place where every corner has a story to tell, and I’m so excited to hear them.

Azerbaijan Natural Beauty That’s Calling My Name

I'm a serious nature junkie, give me a good hike or a secluded beach any day of the week, so you can imagine my surprise to learn about the Azerbaijani landscapes and all of the Azerbaijan natural beauty in this place. It has it all, a sparkling coastline of Caspian Sea, majestic mountain ranges, plus some super crazy (and cool!) natural wonders. I could see myself strolling along the Caspian Sea in Baku (maybe even dipping my toes into the water while I watch the sunset?). I hear that there are some great little beach spots just outside of the city, so I will definitely bring my swimsuit for that.

A little further north, the Caucasus Mountains sound like a dream to someone like me who loves all things outdoor adventure! I read about a little town called Guba where you can hike in the green valleys with views of the mountains—I'll be dreaming of fresh air and perhaps a picnic with a view! And there is also Sheki, a little town with hills and waterfalls that looked so relaxing. Sheki in the fall with all of the trees changing colors was mesmerizing and breathtaking!, and it looked like something out of a painting.

Isn't it fascinating that there are mud volcanoes in Gobustan National Park? I never even knew there were mud volcanoes until I started researching Azerbaijan and realized they bubble out of the ground similar to being a mini eruption, that seems insane! Gobustan is also known for its ancient rock carvings (some dating back thousands of years), I can't wait to check these Azerbaijan travel experiences out in person; these types of places provide a connection to history in a totally different way!

Azerbaijan Cultural Heritage: Stepping Back in Time

I have always had a fascination with history, so Azerbaijan's Azerbaijan heritage and culture is one of the reasons I am excited for my visit. It is like a gift box of landmarks and historical sites with stories to discover. In Baku, I want to check out the Maiden Tower - a tower from the 12th century with an uncertain original purpose. Some suggest it may have been a lookout tower, while others believe it was a temple or something similar. I am excited to learn about a place with some mysteries still to explore. Just next to it is the Flame Towers, which are three modern glass towers that light up the night sky. I think it's fascinating how Azerbaijan blends old things with new ones so seamlessly.

In addition, I have a lot of UNESCO heritage sites from Azerbaijan on my list to consider. One in Baku that I hope to see is The Old City and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs with its ornate stone arches and courtyards. I want to check out Gobustan National Park, which has the ancient petroglyphs I mentioned earlier as a UNESCO world heritage site.I also learned about the Khan’s Palace in Sheki which has some amazing stained-glass windows that make the whole site glow with color, so I’m ready to take lots of photos there!

Although, I have to say, what excited me more was learning about what role Azerbaijan plays in the Azerbaijan Silk Road history. It was a prominent stop along the route for traders traveling Europe to Asia, plus you can visit the old caravanserais, which were basically ancient motels for merchants, which have been around for hundreds of years. I’m such a geek for this kind of history, and I’m really looking forward to wandering through those kinds of places, trying to imagine what life was like then. It’s all a part of why Azerbaijan is a unique place to vacation.

Azerbaijani Cuisine: A Feast for the Senses

As a total food devotee, I am all about food and I think the food scene is going to be a really fun part of my trip. I have been reading about the food and my mouth is watering. What can I say, Azerbaijani cuisine has so many culinary influences from Turkish, Iranian, and Central Asian cooking, resulting in so many rich flavors and thick ingredients. One dish that I am particularly looking forward to trying is plov. Plov is a rice dish with saffron, dried fruits, and tender meat—I can already anticipate that I will want to have seconds. Another dish is dolma. I have had dolma before in a Turkish restaurant and I will be excited to taste the Azerbaijani dolma—veggies like grape leaves, stuffed with meat and rice, served with a sauce made with yogurt and a tart flavor.

I've also been hearing about kebabs, particularly lamb kebabs cooked over an open flame, I'm already imagining the smokey scent in the air. Another dish I'm looking forward to trying is dushbara which are little dumplings filled with meat and served in hot broth -- this sounds cozy and welcoming especially after a day of sightseeing. For dessert, I definitely want to try baklava! I love sweet layers filled with nuts and soaked in honey - I've heard that Azerbaijan has baklava that is particularly special. I heard that Baku has some good food streets, like around Fountain Square where you can pick up all kinds of dishes from little stalls as you listen to street musicians. I’m also hoping to find a traditional dining experience, maybe sitting down with a local family for tea—that’s the kind of memory I’d cherish forever.

Budget-Friendly Travel to Azerbaijan

Here’s something I wasn’t expecting when I started planning my trip—Azerbaijan is super budget-friendly travel to Azerbaijan. I’ve traveled to places like Italy and Spain before, and while I loved those trips, they definitely hit my wallet hard. But Azerbaijan? It’s a whole different story. I was looking at hotels in Baku, and I found some really nice ones for around $40 a night—way cheaper than what I’d pay in Western Europe. Even fancier hotels were pretty affordable, like $80 a night for a 4-star place with a view of the Caspian Sea.

I also found some amazing tour packages that make exploring the country so easy. On Cheap Deals Fare, I saw Cheap Deals Fare Azerbaijan tours that bundled flights, hotels, and guided trips to places like Gobustan and Sheki for under $300—that’s such a good deal! I ended up booking my flight through them too—a round-trip from Chicago to Baku for $570, which is way less than I thought I’d pay for an international trip. Azerbaijan gives you this incredible experience without the high price tag, which makes it perfect for travelers like me who want to see the world without going broke.

Azerbaijan Warm Hospitality and Safe Travel

After reading so many Azerbaijan travel stories, one thing that I keep reading about is this warm hospitality in Azerbaijan. Tourists keep mentioning how friendly the Azerbaijanis are, and how much they enjoyed sharing their culture with guests. Whether it was inviting them for a cup of tea, or showing them their neighborhood, people found them really nice. I even read a story about a traveler who was invited to dinner with a family after just talking to them at a market. What an exciting experience! 

Another thing that makes me feel confident about traveling to Azerbaijan is that it keeps coming up as a very safe travel destination. I always like to check the safety stats before traveling anywhere as I tend to travel alone. Azerbaijan has very low crime rates, and a lot of travel blogs said that it’s a good destination for solo travelers, including women. I also learned that the visa process is really easy. I can get an e-visa in only a few days for $25. This is already way easier than some of the countries I have traveled to! Knowing that I will be finishing up my vacation plans in a friendly and safe place, gives me more reasons to get excited about this Azerbaijan vacation destination.

Azerbaijan Festivals and Traditions: Dive Into the Culture

I love getting to know a place through its traditions, and Azerbaijan’s Azerbaijan festivals and traditions sound like so much fun. One of the biggest celebrations is Novruz Bayram, their New Year festival in March. I read that it’s this big, joyful event where families get together, share special meals, and even light bonfires—there’s a tradition where you jump over the flames to let go of the past year’s troubles. I’d love to visit during Novruz and join in the festivities, maybe try some of the traditional sweets they make for the holiday.

I’m also really interested in Azerbaijan’s crafts, like carpet weaving. Their carpets are famous for their beautiful patterns, and I heard you can visit workshops in Sheki to see how they’re made—I’d love to bring one home as a souvenir. Traditional music is another thing I’m excited about—I listened to some mugham music online, and it’s this soulful, classical style that gave me chills. I’m hoping to catch a live performance while I’m there. And then there are the Azerbaijan local markets—I’ve got my eye on Baku’s Green Market, where you can buy everything from fresh pomegranates to handmade jewelry. These cultural experiences are going to make my trip so special, and I can’t wait to dive in.

Travel Tips for Azerbaijan: How to Get There

Getting to Azerbaijan seemed pretty easy, and I picked some great travel tips for Azerbaijan, too, so my trip should go smoothly. I didn’t know there were so many major carriers flying to Baku’s Heydar Aliyev International Airport: Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, Azerbaijan Airlines, and a few others. I booked a round-trip flight from Chicago for $570 with Turkish Airlines on Cheap Deals Fare—it has a short layover at Istanbul airport, and I’m looking forward to getting some Turkish delight there! The best time to visit Azerbaijan is the spring (March through May) or the fall (September through November), as the weather should be nice and not hot or cold. Baku can get hot in summer; and in winter, the mountains can get cold, but I’ve heard skiing is good if that’s your thing. In terms of what to pack, I will have some lighter clothes for the warmer days, a jacket for the cooler nights, and sneakers to walk around Baku’s Old City—those cobblestone streets look tricky.I also read up on local customs—like dressing modestly at religious sites and taking off your shoes if you visit a mosque. These tips are helping me feel ready for my Azerbaijan vacation spot adventure.

Conclusion

I am completely sold on Azerbaijan, and I have not even been there yet--I am so excited to see it all for myself! This underappreciated place has so much to offer, from its combination of East and West, to its Azerbaijan natural beauty and Azerbaijan cultural experiences. I am already fantasizing about my Baku travel experiences, like getting lost in the Old City, seeing the Flame Towers light up the sky, and indulging in Azerbaijani food, like plov and dolma. The only thing better than going to Azerbaijan, is that it is a budget trip to Azerbaijan; I can have an awesome trip without breaking the bank, especially with cheap deals. So why not make Azerbaijan your next international getaway? Check out exclusive international tour packages to Azerbaijan on Cheap Deals Fare and book Azerbaijan travel with Cheap Deals Fare to start your own adventure—I’m sure it’ll be a trip you’ll never forget!