Discover 20 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Azerbaijan. Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Maiden Tower (Baku), Old City (Baku) or National Museum of History of Azerbaijan (Baku).
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Azerbaijan.
Table of Contents
Maiden Tower, Baku
Also known as: Qız qalası
The symbol of Baku. The Maiden Tower is a 12th-century monument in the Old City, Baku, Azerbaijan. Along with the Shirvanshahs' Palace, dated to the 15th century, it forms a group of historic monuments listed in 2001 under the UNESCO World Heritage List of Historical Monuments as cultural property, Category III. It is one of Azerbaijan's most distinctive national emblems, and is thus featured on Azerbaijani currency notes and official letterheads.
The Maiden Tower houses a museum, which presents the story of the historic evolution of Baku city. It also has a gift shop. The view from the roof takes in the alleys and minarets of the Old City, the Baku Boulevard, the house of Isa bek Hajinski and a wide vista of the Baku Bay.
The Tower is covered by cloud of mysteries and legends which are rooted to the history and culture of Azerbaijan. Indeed, some epics became a subject for scenario for ballets and theatre's plays. The Maiden Tower (ballet) is a world-class Azerbaijani ballet created by Afrasiyab Badalbeyli in 1940 and ballet's remake was performed in 1999.
Consequent to the receding of the sea shoreline of the Caspian Sea, a strip of land emerged. This land was developed between the 9th and 15th centuries, when the walls of the old city, the palace including the huge bastion of the Maiden Tower were built.[1]
Address: Downtown Baku, Baku
Old City, Baku
Also known as: İçərişəhər
Historic city center with 12th-c. walls. Old City or Inner City is the historical core of Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan. The Old City is the most ancient part of Baku, which is surrounded by walls which were easily defended. In 2007, the Old City had a population of about 3000 people. In December 2000, the Old City of Baku, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and Maiden Tower, became the first location in Azerbaijan to be classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.[2]
Address: Asef Zeynalli Street, 1000 Baku
National Museum of History of Azerbaijan, Baku
Also known as: Milli Azərbaycan Tarixi Muzeyi
History exhibits in a former mansion. The National Museum of History of Azerbaijan is the largest museum in Azerbaijan, located in Baku, in the former mansion of Azerbaijani oil magnate and philanthropist Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev. It was founded in 1920 and opened to visitors in 1921.[3]
Address: 4 Haji Zeynalabdin Taghiyev St, 1005 Baku
Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, Shushi
Cathedral in Shusha. Holy Savior Cathedral, commonly referred to as Ghazanchetsots, is an Armenian Apostolic cathedral in Shusha in Azerbaijan, in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. It is the cathedra of the Diocese of Artsakh of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Standing 35 metres high, Ghazanchetsots is one of the largest Armenian churches in the world. A landmark of Shusha and the Karabakh region, and of Armenian cultural and religious identity, it is listed as cultural and historical monument of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh.
Built between 1868 and 1887, the cathedral was consecrated in 1888. It was damaged during the March 1920 massacre of the city's Armenians—and the destruction of their half of the city—by Azerbaijanis and experienced a decades-long decline well into the Soviet period. During the first Nagorno-Karabakh War Azerbaijan used the cathedral as an armoury to store hundreds of missiles. The cathedral was extensively restored in the aftermath of the first war and reconsecrated in 1998. During the 2020 war, it was damaged by Azerbaijani attacks, viewed as “possible war crime” by Human Rights Watch.
In Azerbaijan, the cathedral is called Gazanchy (Azerbaijani: Qazançı); the state denies its Armenian Apostolic heritage, instead vaguely referring to it as "Christian". Azerbaijan's announcement of the church "renovation" after it came under Azerbaijani control in 2020 has been met with criticism and concern by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom and various Armenian groups alike.[4]
Address: Ghazanchetsots Street, 5800 Shusha
Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque, Shushi
Also known as: Yuxarı Gövhər ağa məscidi
Mosque. Yukhari Govhar Agha Mosque is a mosque located in the city of Shusha, Azerbaijan, in the disputed region of Nagorno-Karabakh. The mosque also bears the name Boyuk Juma of Govhar Agha.[5]
Carpet Museum, Shushi
Museum. Shushi Carpet Museum was founded by Vardan Astsatryan in 2011. The museum opened its doors to the public in 2013, when its location, Shusha, was under the control of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh.
71 rugs and carpets from the Shushi Carpet Museum are on display in Yerevan at the National Museum-Institute of Architecture after Alexander Tamanyan.[6]
Address: 32 Mesrob Mashdots Street, Shushi
House Museum of Mirza Fatali Akhundov, Sheki
Museum in Shaki. Mirza Fatali Akhundov's house museum is the house museum of Mirza Fatali Akhundov, an Azerbaijani writer, educator, poet, materialist philosopher and public figure, founder of Azerbaijani drama and literary criticism in Azerbaijani literature, located in Sheki. Akhundov was born in this house and spent his childhood and adolescence here. This museum is also the first memorial museum opened in Azerbaijan.[7]
Heydar Aliyev Park, Ganja
The Heydar Aliyev Park Complex is the largest urban park in Ganja, Azerbaijan located on an area of 450 hectares. It includes within its boundaries fountains and decorated garden plots, an amphitheater, “Triumphal arch”, Youth Center, Heydar Aliyev Center, Museum of Modern Art, a waterfall and an artificial lake in addition to thousands of trees. The Park Complex was opened in 2014.[8]
Shakikhanovs' Palace, Sheki
Shakikhanov's house or Shakikhanov's palace, is a monument of Azerbaijani architecture, located in the Sheki preserve area.[9]
We Are Our Mountains, Stepanakert
Also known as: Biz və bizim dağlar
Sculpture by Sargis Baghdasaryan. We Are Our Mountains is a large monument north of Stepanakert, the capital city of the Republic of Artsakh. The sculpture, completed in 1967 by Sargis Baghdasaryan, is widely regarded as a symbol of the Armenian heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh. The monument is made from volcanic tufa and depicts an old man and woman hewn from rock, representing the mountain people of Karabakh. It is also known as "tatik-papik" in Armenian, which translates as "Grandmother and Grandfather". The sculpture is prominent in Artsakh's coat of arms.[10]
Askeran Fortress, Stepanakert
Also known as: Əsgəran qalası
Askeran Fortress is a fortress in the town of Askeran. Located on the banks of the Qarqar River, it was built by the Karabakh Khanate ruler Panah Ali Khan and consists of two sections. The left-bank section features a double line of stone walls.
During the Russo-Persian War of 1804–1813 the Russian encampment was near the fortress. In 1810 the peace talks between the Russians and Persians were conducted at the fortress.
In the Middle Ages, on this place there was a fortress and an Armenian village called Mayraberd.
During 2018, the walls and towers of the fortress were restored. The purpose of the restoration is to preserve the monument, as well as making the place of interest for tourists.[11]
Address: Askeran town, Stepanakert
Shaki fortress, Sheki
Fortress in Shaki, Azerbaijan. Shaki fortress is a fortress in Shaki, Azerbaijan. It dates to the 15th century.[12]
Stepanakert Memorial, Stepanakert
The Memorial Complex of Stepanakert is a memorial located in Stepanakert, the de facto the capital of the self-proclaimed Republic of Artsakh, de jure in Azerbaijan.[13]
Palace of Nakhchivan Khans, Nakhchivan
Monument. Palace of Nakhchivan Khans is historical and architectural monument of the 18th century located in Nakhchivan. The monument built in the style of the Nakhchivan-Maragha architectural school was the residence of the Nakhchivan khans before the early 20th century. At the end of the 18th century, the palace was built with the order of Nakhchivan khan, Ehsan Khan’s father Kelbali Khan Kangarli. The Khan Palace has been operating since April 1998 as Nakhchivan Carpet Museum.[14]
Tomb of Javad Khan, Ganja
Javad Khan's tomb is in Ganja, Shah Abbas Square, near the Shah Abbas Mosque.[15]
Khan's Garden, Ganja
Khan's Garden is a garden and resting corner located in Ganja, Azerbaijan.[16]
Momine Khatun Mausoleum, Nakhchivan
Also known as: Möminə Xatun türbəsi
Mausoleum in Nakhchivan, Azerbaijan. Momine Khatun Mausoleum is a 12th century mausoleum located in the city of Nakchivan in Azerbaijan.
The mausoleums of Nakhchivan were nominated for the UNESCO List of World Heritage Sites in 1998 by Gulnara Mehmandarova, the president of the Azerbaijan Committee of ICOMOS.[17]
House-Museum and Memorial Complex of Huseyn Javid, Nakhchivan
The house-museum and memorial complex of Huseyn Javid is a memorial museum dedicated to the Azerbaijani poet and playwright, Huseyn Javid. It is located near Mausoleum of Huseyn Javid in the capital of Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, the city of Nakhchivan.[18]
Sumgayit State Musical Drama Theater, Sumgait
Theater. Sumgayit State Musical Drama Theater is a professional theater operating in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan. It is named after Huseyn Arablinski.[19]
Peace Dove, Sumgait
Also known as: Sülh göyərçini abidəsi
Sculpture by A. Guliyev and Sumgayit Vagif Nazirov. Peace Dove is an allegorical sculpture in Nasimi Culture and Leisure Park in Sumgayit, Azerbaijan. The Peace Dove is the symbol of Sumgayit.
The monument was designed by the Chief Artist of Sumgayit Vagif Nazirov and architect A. Guliyev. It is made of solid concrete. It was raised in 1978 as a symbol of peace in a newly functioning public park on coastline city of Sumgayit.
In 2008, the monument and the whole park went through an extensive renovation works.[20]