Azerbaijan Travel Guide For First Time Visitors In 2025
Making a visit to Azerbaijan in 2025 and looking for an updated guide to help you get the best of the trip? We are here to help you with all the information that you’ll need to save, plan and explore the nation of Azerbaijan flawlessly. This Baku Azerbaijan Travel Guide will take you through everything, applying an Azerbaijan Visa to different methods of transport and is packed with many more details that you will find as you proceed with this guide. So without any delay, let's get started.
For making your trip planning easy, here are some best places that you can add in your itinerary.
The capital city of the country, Baku, is a must visit place on your trip as it has beautiful scenic views with some man made mega marvels that will leave you stunned. Every year, travelers from around the globe explore the capital city as it has the best destinations, natural views, shopping and dining areas and great tourist attractions such as museums, historical places & much more!
In designing the Heydar Aliyev Cultural Center, Zaha Hadid aimed to give an architectural icon and a cultural focal point to the city of Baku. The building houses various events, expresses Azerbaijani heritage, and provides facilities according to modern needs. The outstanding building design with educational activities and social initiatives will make the center a popular destination spot, not only for visitors but also for locals.
The Highland Park, in Baku, presents a wonderful panorama of the city and the Caspian Sea, the posh landscaping, some trails running around and quiet spots for sitting. This piece of urban oasis very often hosts cultural events and festivals, which makes it very popular with locals and tourists for spending quite relaxed time here, strolling around and enjoying the beauty of nature.
EspresSoul is a popular cafeteria chain in Azerbaijan with a contemporary take on the traditional.
Prices:
Breakfast options : omelet, pastry, etc.: 5-10 AZN ($3-$6 USD)
Sandwiches, wraps, salads : 8-15 AZN ($5-$9 USD)
Approximate costs for main courses, such as pasta or rice bowls, were 12-25 AZN, around $7-$15 USD.
Desserts and drinks : 3-7 AZN ($2-$4 USD) A meal at EspresSoul costs on average 15-40 AZN ($9-$24 USD) per person.
Fluffy Art Cotton Candy is one of the most favorite desserts in Baku. The place will provide original ideas and colors of cotton candy.
Prices are:
Small cotton candy: 3-5 AZN (roughly $2-$3 USD)
Medium cotton candy: 5-8 AZN ($3-$5 USD, more or less)
Big cotton candy: 8-12 AZN ($5-$7 USD)
Themed and personalized cotton candy (10-20 AZN, approximately $6-$12 USD)
Fluffy Art Cotton Candy is a quick indulgence into sweet treats, which will make everyone's taste buds tingle after a single serving, from the kid to the grownup.
Art Club Restaurant is a stylish restaurant in Azerbaijan, presenting imaginative Azerbaijani cuisine and highlighting the best of what local flavors have to offer.
Prices at the menu are:
Appetizers: 5-15 AZN (approximately $3-$9 USD)
Main courses - Different type of kebabs and stews, for example: 15-30 AZN ($9-$18 USD)
Seafood dishes: 25-40 AZN - approx. $15-$24 USD
Desserts: 8-12 AZN (around $5-$7 USD)
Drinks - wine, cocktails: 10-25 AZN ($6-$15 USD)
In the restaurant Art Club, dinner costs on average 30-60 AZN per head, which puts it very well in the middle-range dinners.
Chinar in Azerbaijan is a traditional restaurant with Azerbaijani food in intimate and cozy settings.
The prices go as:
Appetizers: 5 - 12 AZN approx. $3-$7 USD
Main courses: 12-25 AZN, plov and kebabs included, or about $7-15 USD.
Traditional dishes: dolma, qutab - 15-30 AZN ($9-$18 USD)
Desserts: 6 to 10 AZN - approx. $4-$6 USD
Drinks: tea, ayran 3-6 AZN ≈ $2-$4 USD
A meal at Chinar has generally cost in the region of 20 to 40 AZN ($12-$24 USD) per person, which is great value for such a traditional Azerbaijani dining experience.
There are buses, metro lines, taxis, and car rentals that one can take up in Azerbaijan, depending on individual preference and budget, for newcomers in 2025.
Public transport in Azerbaijan is easy and inexpensive. The big cities, like Baku and Ganja, have immense coverage with buses and metro lines. The journey by one bus costs about 0.20 AZN or 0.10 USD, while one metro trip costs 0.30 AZN or 0.15 USD. You can also buy a rechargeable transportation card, called BakuCard, at 2 AZN per card or 1 USD to make your travel easy. Monthly passes are also available from 30 AZN (15 USD), thus much cheaper for those who use the subway more often.
Baku has a very extended network of public buses, it connects the most important areas of the city with the suburbs and towns adjacent to the capital. A journey costs about 0.20 AZN in cash (0.10 USD) or using a BakuCard. In big cities, it is served by personal companies such as Azərbaycan Avtobus Qaydaları and BakuBus. The price can be a minimum of 0.30 AZN for very short distances, upwards to 1.50 AZN for longer routes. On top of that, some private bus companies charge higher fares for more comfortable and air-conditioned services.
Most of the big cities in Azerbaijan are well-linked by railways, and it is rather comfortable but at the same time quite affordable transport. The prices for the train travel depend on the route and carriage class. For the local trains, such as Elektrichka, a ticket one way would be between 1 and 5 AZN (0.50-2.50 USD), for the long-distance train, prices start from 10 to 50 AZN (5-25 USD) or even more for a one-way ticket in an economy class. There are also business class tickets, as well as long-distance routes, for which the price can range approximately from 50 to 100 AZN (25-50 USD) or even more.
Budget airlines in Azerbaijan can get you around the country and beyond with relatively reasonable prices: domestic and international flights. Buta Airways is a low-budget airline performing domestic flights within Azerbaijan. Prices start from 20-30 AZN (10-15 USD) one way. You can find international flights to neighboring countries and beyond for as low as 50-100 AZN (25-50 USD) one way, pending the route and travel dates. The tickets for flights operated by other airlines-AZAL (Azerbaijan Airlines) and Buta Airways-are rather cheaper to destinations such as Turkey, Russia, and the UAE. However, the price would be dependent on the season and just how much in advance the ticket is booked.
Car rental service is very widespread in Azerbaijan, especially in big cities like Baku. Starting from economy class to luxury, different kinds of vehicles are provided by both local and international companies such as Rent A Car, Aerocar, Europcar, etc. Depending on the type of car and days ordered, daily rental prices vary between 40-150 AZN. Moreover, some of the companies request additional fees for fuel, insurance, and mileage. With prices starting from 30 AZN per day, the rates offered by local companies might be more competitive, but again the options will be limited. You'll need a valid international driving license to rent a car in Azerbaijan.
Hitchhiking is very common in Azerbaijan, particularly outside of Baku, where public transportation is scarce. Legally, it should not be regulated, though quite some locals are willing to take a chance on strangers. Hitchhiking perhaps might be another way to experience Azerbaijani hospitality and culture at its best. However, one is strongly advised to be extremely cautious and never alone or as a woman. Officially, thumbing a ride is not recommended, but one needs to take care and go by their guts when taking up the ride. To thumb a ride with the locals, people use hand signals, the thumb points in the direction one is going.
Note: Hitchhiking is something that should not be tried in urban areas because the traffic is huge and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure is rare or non-existent.
The official currency is the Azerbaijani Manat (AZN).
You can change your money in banks, currency exchange offices, or hotels.
US dollars and euros are widely accepted, but you'll get a better exchange rate for AZN.
Currently, only major tourist-oriented establishments accept credit cards, including those from Visa, Mastercard, and American Express. However, cash is still king.
Generally, Azerbaijan is very safe, but take all the normal precautions to look after yourself and your belongings.
Be aware of your surroundings, especially in high-volume areas and tourist destinations.
Avoid carrying a lot of cash and securely store it in your hotel room safe or a well-kept pocket purse/bag.
Be cautious when using the ATM especially at night or in isolation.
Respect the traditions and customs of locals, especially when being brought to mosques or rural parts of the country.
In general, avoid discussing any sensitive subjects like politics or Nagorno-Karabakh; the locals may take it sensitively.
Anticipate the range of road conditions and driving styles. Try to avoid night driving especially in the rural areas with poor lights.
Learn some simple words of Azerbaijani-"Salam" for hello, "Təşəkkür" for thank you, and "Gözəl" for goodbye.
Dress appropriately, bearing in mind that when going to mosques or rural areas, shoulders and knees should be covered.
Take off your shoes while you enter homes or places of worship.
Try local food such as plov, shashlik, and dolma, but do not forget about possible allergic reactions and standards of hygiene.
Stay hydrated, especially in the summer when temperatures can be extremely high.
Always wear sunscreen and bring a hat to protect yourself from the sun’s heat.
The perfect and best time to visit Azerbaijan to get the best experience in 2025 is from the months of March (Spring Season) to May and September to October (Autumn) as the weather is mild and comfortable and best for outdoor activities that are available in Azerbaijan.
In the end, Azerbaijan is a country full of interesting things, having an impressive history, culture, and natural beauty. With its well-developed system of public transportation, low prices in hostels, and spectacular local food, it serves as an excellent choice for travelers. Before planning your trip in some detail, make sure to explore what steps you should take regarding getting an Azerbaijan visa. You'll be well-prepared to face the cities and contact the warm hospitality of the Azerbaijani people by following our suggestions. Now is the time to begin planning your excursion to Azerbaijan and building lifelong memories.
FAQ's
Q1. What to know before going to Azerbaijan as a first-timer?
Ans: When you are visiting Azerbaijan for the first time, you must know all the tourist locations, transportation and places to feast on the local cuisines.
Q2. Which month is best to visit Azerbaijan?
Ans: The months of spring and autumn are the best as the climate is mild and perfect for outdoor activities.