Azerbaijan is capturing international attention. From Eurovision to Formula One, from international business conferences to backpacking tourism, more and more people are finding reasons to visit Azerbaijan.
This small country in the Caucasus mountains has a lot to offer visitors, no matter their reasons for visiting or travel styles.
Here are a few reasons why Azerbaijan should be the next destination on your travel list.
Most visitors to Azerbaijan start their visit in the capital, and not just because it’s the transportation hub for the country.
Baku is a spectacular city, blending ultramodern architecture from top architects such as Zaha Hadid with traditional buildings and crafts. Thanks to Azerbaijan’s reputation as a prime destination for international business, the capital is packed with amenities you can expect anywhere in Europe for a lower price.
One reason why you should visit Azerbaijan now is that it is easier to go than ever.
For decades, Azerbaijan was inaccessible to Western visitors since it was part of the USSR. Now, you can easily get an Azerbaijan visa online. For most visitors, the process takes only a few days.
The country is excited to receive international visitors, which shows in the strong sense of hospitality.
The most famous sports event that the country hosts is the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, a Formula One Grand Prix race that follows a circuit around Baku.
In recent years, Azerbaijan has hosted international sporting competitions in other sports, including gymnastics, shooting, and martial arts. Visiting Azerbaijan gives you a unique opportunity to see top athletes up close.
Outside of Baku, Azerbaijan boasts unique landscapes, from mountains to the shores of the Caspian Sea. One of the most interesting areas is in Golbustan, where hundreds of mud volcanoes are located—nearly 50% of the mud volcanoes found in the world today.
Once neglected, the site has received serious investment recently from the government with the goal of conserving the volcanoes.
High in the Caucasus Mountains, you can still find stunning peaks, Silk Road caravanserais, and villages that have looked the same for centuries. Getting to this part of Azerbaijan requires some work, but it’s worth it to see a way of life that is disappearing in many parts of the world.
Even though the country is developing, it still holds on to its traditions.
Right now, Azerbaijan is a hidden gem that only travelers in the know are adding to their itineraries. However, more and more people are waking up to the beauty that this country has to offer. Visit now while you can still brag about how you were one of the first people to enjoy Azerbaijan, because soon it will be on everyone’s radar.
Azerbaijan is a rapidly changing country that has still managed to hold on to what makes it unique. Infrastructure updates and development have made it easier to see the country’s unique destinations. International events and an easy visa regime have opened the country up further to visitors from abroad.
