TOURISM OF AZERBAIJAN

Azerbaijan is a country located at the crossroads of East and West, the main historical point of the Great Silk Road, and open to travelers and traders from all over the world for centuries. Caravans loaded with silk, sweets, gold, and pearls passed through here to European and Eastern countries.

The famous English traveler and merchant Anthony Jackson (16th century), the Russian traveler Afanasy Nikitin (15th century), the famous writer and traveler of the 19th century, Alexander Dumas, and others, have visited Azerbaijan.

It is not surprising that the rich historical, cultural and natural heritage of Azerbaijan attracts tourists from many parts of the world to this country. The warm Caspian Sea, mild climate, and untouched nature are the basis of beach, active, and hunting tourism.

Tourism development is a must in any country with beautiful nature and natural resources like Azerbaijan. The country is rich in well-maintained places and high-class resorts that are not inferior to world resorts. Recently, magnificent hotels have been built all over the country: the “Shahdag” ski center with six hotels in Gusar; The second ski resort in Gabala; The beautiful “Guba Palace” hotel in Guba, etc.

Azerbaijan is an amazing country!

Everything here – its nature and culture, history and architecture, customs and traditions are extraordinary. Hot water comes out from underground in Nakhchivan, Kalbajar, Lankaran, and Babadag, there is a fire temple Ateshgah in Surakhani, and there are a number of other attractions. Anyone who wants to restore and strengthen their health turns to numerous health centers in Azerbaijan. Thanks to the unusual climate of the southern region, there are numerous healing centers in Lankaran and surrounding areas. The world-famous Naftalan resort has unique biological quality treatment methods. Naftalan is a place where a special type of oil field, which has healing power, has no equal in the world. All these factors are indicators that encourage the emergence and development of medical tourism in Azerbaijan.

Unique architecture, primitive culture, and diverse samples of national cuisine attract tourists from all over the world to this place.

Mugham, which is considered a traditional musical genre of the Azerbaijani people, was included in the list of UNESCO’s non-cultural heritage and created a new tourism trend, mugham tourism tours.

During the summer, ecological tours – walking through nature reserves and hunting routes are trendy in Azerbaijan. These can easily be combined with ethnographic tours. It is also very interesting to visit Lahija, which is located in the ancient village of Khinalig, Ismayilli, in Guba.

Tourists in Baku, the capital of the country, definitely want to go to Icherisheher, which has a historical-architectural reserve – the palace of the Shirvanshahs and the “Giz Castle”, which is included in the UNESCO world heritage list.

Azerbaijan has already become a tourism center in the region. Every year, the country hosts a large national exhibition – “Tourism and Travel” AITF, which brings together hundreds of people from all over the world.

In 2018, the State Tourism Agency was established on the basis of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Azerbaijan. The State Tourism Agency operates as a central executive authority that implements state policy and regulation in the field of tourism.

The most famous hotel chains located in the capital of Azerbaijan are Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Hyatt Regency, JW Marriott Absheron Baku Hotel, Grand Hotel Europe, Fairmont Baku, Intercontinental, Pullman Baku, and Hilton Baku.

There are also hotels, recreation places, entertainment, and sports centers in the provinces of Azerbaijan, including Shahdag Mountain Resort, “Qafqaz Riverside”, “Shamakhi Palace Sharadil”, “Chınar Hotel Naftalan”, “Rixos Guba Azerbaijan”, Markhal Resort, “Galaalti”. , Duzdag hotel in Nakhchivan, Shahdag and Tufandag winter-summer tourist complexes, Agbulag Ski Center in Nakhchivan, and about 50 Olympic sports complexes and facilities with important infrastructure are at the disposal of tourists throughout the year.

Currently, a tourism development strategy is being prepared in the liberated territories. In the near future, Karabakh and East Zangezur region will be presented to the world as a new tourist destination and will become the main tourism center of Azerbaijan.

Shahdag Trip

Coming to sunny Azerbaijan, it seems, You may completely forget about the snow, especially about the ski resort even during the winter period. However, thanks to the mountain landscape in some of the Azerbaijani regions, the local residents can enjoy the winter resort. So, Shahdag is one of such resorts, located in the north of the country, 32 kilometers away from region Qusar. The ski resort was named so after the Shahdag peak in the Caucasus Mountains, the altitude of which reaches 4243. The resort itself is located 1000-2000 meters high above sea level, which explains the reason for this region’s severe climate.

Shahdag – is exactly that special place, where you should go, if you wish to travel to winter fairytale. Those snow-white fields, bright sun, and mountain weather – best remedy from the tiredness from noisy cities.

Being the first ski resort in Azerbaijan, Shahdag very soon became the favorite place of many local citizens, where they can celebrate the New Year or just spend joyful weekends.

So, let’s learn a bit about the history of this place.

The story goes back to 2006 -the period when the preparatory work for the construction of the Shahdag started. Three years later in 2009, the foundation of the resort was set up.  Later, the snowmaking system was created; also the roadway and the ski slope were transferred here. Finally, in 2012 the ski resort Shahdag was officially open for everyone.

Soon, after the official opening of the resort, new hotels, such as Gaya, Zirve, etc. were opened. Eventually, the number of hotels in the resort territory reached 5 – Shahdag Hotel & Spa, Pik Palace, Gaya Residence, Zirve Hotel, Park Chalet

The ski season in Shahdag starts in December and closes generally in March-April.

Besides ski skating, in Shahdag you can also have other things to do such as ice-skating, going on 1800 meters long roadway or just having fun playing the snowballs with your friends! Climbing, hiking, parachuting, canoeing, mountain, biking, rafting, horse riding, trekking, lake swimming – all you can do in Shahdag tour!

In addition to entertainment, when you come to Shahdag, you walk into a fairy place, full of picturesque views! Even during winter times, the sun is brightly shining, and the view of snow lit with sunrays will stick in your memory for a long time!

The entertainment is certainly good; however, eating is a must-do thing in Shahdag. What a pleasure it is to drink a hot tea or coffee on a cold winter day! Besides entertainment, there are functioning about twenty cafes and restaurants on the territory of the resort, where you may try national dishes as well as international food.

However, do not forget to take your ID card, as you will be required to present it before buying a ticket for renting ski gear.

Here are the prices for usage of sky gears:

  • Ski gears (which includes skis + ski poles + boots) – 25 AZN
  • Ski gears + jacket + trousers + helmet – 53 AZN
  • Snowboard + boots – 40 AZN

However, the price for usage of ski gears for the children aged 6-12 is pretty cheaper

  • Ski gears (which includes skis + ski poles + boots+ helmet ) – 29 AZN
  • Ski suit (jacket + trousers) – 16 AZN

The prices of the ropeway use are the following (for the people aged over 12):

09:00 AM – 16:30 PM – 26 AZN

09:00 AM – 12:30 PM– 16 AZN

12:30 AM – 16:30 PM – 16 AZN

One-time use only – 6 AZN

The prices of the ropeway use are the following (for the people aged 6-12):

09:00 AM – 16:30 PM – 20 AZN

09:00 AM – 12:30 PM – 12 AZN

12:30 AM – 16:30 PM – 12 AZN

One-time use only – 4 AZN

And the usage of the ropeway for the children aged 0-6 is free.

Though Shahdag was initially opened as a winter resort, many people attend this lovely place in summer too. Fresh air, green fields, and amazing sunsets – perfect time spent in summer.

Additionally, Shahdag offers a great variety of facilities for any age – quad bikes, Nordic walking, bicycle, inflatable castles, etc. Besides, you can also try carting, paintball, riding a Segway, scooter, or visit our Adventure Park! So many things to do in just one place – no time for boring!

Visiting definitely should be added to your “things to do” list, when you visit Azerbaijan!