solo trip to azerbaijan travel guide

Introduction

Nicknamed "the Land of Fire", Azerbaijan is a beautiful and friendly place to visit. The country is famously known for its high-tech capital Baku, the Great Caucasus mountains, and the extraordinary fire phenomenon of Fire Mountain, because of which the term "the Land of Fire" is coined for the country. Following attaining independence in 1918, the nation became the first secular democratic Muslim majority state in the world. Following its independence with the rich resources of oil fields and money with the highly developed capital city, Baku, with rural and small towns surrounded by elegant mountains and farmlands, the nation attracts a large number of visitors each year for the things it has to offer. With this large audience of visitors, if you're going to be one such and that too being a solo traveller, in this article, we will guide you with essential information about having a perfect solo trip to Azerbaijan.

READ ALSO: TYPES AND DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIFFERENT AZERBAIJAN VISAS

Must visit places in Azerbaijan for solo travellers

Baku

Being the country's capital city, this place is a must-visit in Azerbaijan. Not only because it is the capital, but this city being so modern with tons of Parisian-style buildings, futuristic architecture and skyscrapers, this is a fantastic city to visit. Lying along the Caspian Sea, the town offers good food, museums and delightful wine bars, which can be explored in a day or two.

Sheki

A city holding importance in history, being the famous stop on the Silk Route, the city of Sheki still stands today. What also stands here is a large old caravanserai - an inn with a courtyard built like a castle which was done to protect it from merchants. It has seen days dating back to the early 18 century.

Lahij

While visiting Azerbaijan, you should also take a trip to Lahij, which is a beautiful place with cobblestone streets and stellar views of the valley. You can also walk on the trail leading up from the nearby river and waterfall and see the ruins which have been there for a long time.

READ ALSO: EMPLOYMENT VISA RULES IN AZERBAIJAN

Gobustan Petroglyph

Listen to the UNESCO World Heritage site Gobustan Petroglyph reserve is another place you must visit. This place has an astonishing number of 6,000 rock paintings being old up to 40,000 years. You will gain a deeper understanding of history by viewing the well-preserved sketches of ancient populations travelling on reed boats, men hunting antelope and wild bulls, and women dancing.

Ateshgah

A temple located outside Baku, which has been used by Hindus and Sikhs and is now a Zoroastrian place of worship, is a sacred place to explore. Ateshgah temple is well crafted, taking care of details which can be seen in panels in rooms showcasing the history of the Zoroastrian religion.

Safety in Azerbaijan

• Safety is a big concern for anyone deciding to visit a new place and especially if you're planning on a solo trip. Being a solo traveller planning to visit Azerbaijan, you will be glad that Azerbaijan is a safe country. The country has strict punishment laws for crimes against tourists keeping in view to increase the nation's tourism. You are unlikely to find yourself in trouble seeing the harsh penalties and also the wide presence of tourist police in places.
• Despite its capital, the cities and towns are also safe since they are very small and everyone knows everyone around them.
• End of the day, despite the place being safe, one cannot anticipate troubles, so it is advisable always to follow your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID, for additional precaution. Besides this, it is also recommended that you carry travel insurance that will aid you in illness, injury, theft, and cancellations.

READ ALSO: AZERBAIJAN GOVERNMENT E VISA STEPS

How to travel around Azerbaijan

Public Transportation

You can opt for public transportation in the country, with prices varying from city to city. Expect to pay 0.20 AZN for a standard bus ticket in the country. If you are in Baku, you can also avail the services of the subway system, for which you are going to require a prepaid smart card called, BakiKart. Besides this, taxi facilities are also available in most places.

Trains

One can also commute through train facilities in the country, but these are a lot slower and less frequent than buses. To aid your budget, you can opt for night trains if you are not in a rush. Baku is the central hub to get trains to different places outside Azerbaijan and to towns and cities in the country.

Airlines

If you are not pressed about the budget, you can also opt to travel via plane. The primary airline service provider is Azerbaijan Airlines in the country.

Rent a car

You can also opt for car rentals which can come out as a feasible option for your budget when booking in advance. It must be noted that you must have an International Driving Permit (IDP) to allow yourself a car rental.

READ ALSO: AZERBAIJAN VISA FOR EU NATIONALS

Conclusion

So here is your complete guide for a solo trip to Azerbaijan. Through this article, you are now aware of the necessary details to look out for on your solo voyage to Azerbaijan. It is crucial that you have all the necessary travel documentation, including your visa for Azerbaijan, with you before you depart.

Apply Azerbaijan Visa