Asia · Western Asia

Azerbaijan

Republic of Azerbaijan

Flag of Azerbaijan
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+04:00
🏛️ Capital
Baku
👥 Population
10,241,722
📐 Area
86,600 km²
💱 Currency
Azerbaijani manat (₼)
🗣️ Languages
Azerbaijani
📞 Calling Code
+994
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+04:00
🌐 Region
Asia / Western Asia

About Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is one of the South Caucasus's most compelling and underexplored travel destinations — a country that straddles the boundary between Europe and Asia, ancient and ultra-modern, Islamic tradition and secular modernity in ways that are genuinely fascinating. Baku, the oil-rich capital on the shores of the Caspian Sea, presents one of the world's most striking urban contrasts: the pristine medieval walled city of Icheri Sheher sits in the shadow of the Flame Towers — three soaring glass skyscrapers designed to resemble leaping flames — a juxtaposition that perfectly captures Azerbaijan's determined leap from ancient crossroads to modern nation.

Azerbaijan calls itself "the Land of Fire," a name that references both the country's Zoroastrian fire-worship heritage and the natural gas vents that have burned on the Absheron Peninsula for centuries, famously seen by Marco Polo in the 13th century. The eternal flames of Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) still flicker today, and the ancient temple of Ateshgah — a fire-worshippers' sanctuary built over a natural gas vent — stands as one of the most extraordinary historical sites in the entire region. Beyond the fire mythology, Azerbaijan offers rich cultural heritage, dramatic mountain landscapes in the Greater Caucasus, and a hospitality tradition so generous it can be genuinely overwhelming.

The country has invested heavily in tourism infrastructure in recent years, and Baku in particular has become a sophisticated destination with excellent hotels, a vibrant restaurant scene, and a well-maintained historic centre that UNESCO has recognised as a World Heritage Site. Away from the capital, the country's rural regions, alpine villages, and ancient caravanserai routes offer compelling experiences for travellers willing to venture beyond the obvious.

History & Background

Azerbaijan's strategic position on the Silk Road made it a crossroads of civilisations for millennia, and its history is correspondingly turbulent and rich. The region was part of the ancient kingdom of Caucasian Albania before being absorbed successively by Persian, Roman, Arab, Mongol, and Ottoman empires. The discovery of oil on the Absheron Peninsula in the 19th century transformed Baku into a boomtown of almost unimaginable wealth — by the early 20th century, Azerbaijan was producing nearly half the world's oil, and Baku's "Black City" refineries made it one of the most important industrial cities on Earth. Oil barons built extraordinary villas and palaces that still line Baku's streets today.

Azerbaijan declared independence in 1918, establishing one of the first democratic and secular republics in the Muslim world, before Soviet conquest in 1920 ended this experiment. The Soviet period brought industrialisation, literacy campaigns, and the suppression of traditional culture, but also preserved much of Baku's architectural heritage. Independence was restored in 1991 following the Soviet collapse, but the transition was immediately complicated by the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with neighbouring Armenia — a war that displaced hundreds of thousands of people and remained unresolved for three decades until 2023. Azerbaijan's oil wealth has since funded extraordinary urban development, most spectacularly in Baku's transformed skyline.

Culture & People

Azerbaijani culture is a rich synthesis of Turkic, Iranian, and Russian influences, shaped by the country's position at the crossroads of major civilisations and trade routes. The country is predominantly Muslim but has a strong secular tradition inherited from Soviet rule, and the coexistence of mosques, Orthodox churches, and synagogues in Baku reflects a genuinely pluralistic society. Mugham — the country's traditional classical music, a complex, improvisatory style influenced by both Persian and Turkish traditions — is recognised by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage and represents the emotional heart of Azerbaijani artistic expression.

Carpet weaving is another cornerstone of Azerbaijani cultural identity, with regional styles of extraordinary technical complexity and beauty that are recognised as UNESCO heritage. Azerbaijani people are celebrated throughout the Caucasus for their hospitality — an invitation to share tea, bread, and food is genuine and generous, and refusing is considered rude. The tea culture (from ornate samovars, served in distinctive pear-shaped glasses with sugar and jam) is as important a social ritual as any formal ceremony. Novruz, the Persian New Year celebrated at the spring equinox in late March, is Azerbaijan's most important traditional holiday, with bonfires, traditional foods, and family gatherings.

Food & Cuisine

Azerbaijani cuisine is one of the jewels of South Caucasus cooking — a sophisticated, flavourful tradition built around slow-cooked meats, saffron-scented rice dishes, pomegranates, dried fruits, and fresh herbs that reflects both Persian and Turkic culinary influences. The plov (pilaf) tradition in Azerbaijan is considered an art form: dozens of regional varieties exist, from shah plov (baked inside a crusty bread casing) to parcha-dosheme plov with chestnuts and lamb. The result is always fragrant, buttery, and deeply satisfying — rice as a serious culinary achievement rather than a mere accompaniment.

Dolma — vegetables and grape leaves stuffed with spiced lamb and rice — comes in extraordinary variety here, and Azerbaijanis debate the superiority of their regional versions with passionate conviction. Lamb is the predominant meat, appearing in the slow-cooked stew piti (traditionally cooked and served in individual clay pots) and the tangy, sour-sweet kufta bozbash meatball soup. Fresh pomegranate juice, ice-cold on a hot Baku afternoon, is one of the most refreshing drinks you will ever taste. The country's winemaking tradition, particularly in the Sheki and Gabala regions, is experiencing a revival worth exploring.

Top Attractions

  • Baku Old City (Icheri Sheher) — A UNESCO World Heritage walled city with 12th-century Maiden Tower, Palace of the Shirvanshah, ancient caravanserais, and carpet shops inside a remarkably preserved medieval urban fabric.
  • Flame Towers — Baku's iconic 21st-century landmark — three glass towers shaped like flames that glow with LED light displays visible across the city at night, representing modern Azerbaijan's ambition.
  • Sheki Khan's Palace — An 18th-century summer palace covered in extraordinary stained-glass shebeke windows, elaborate frescoes, and intricate geometric patterns that represent the pinnacle of Azerbaijani decorative art.
  • Gobustan National Park — A UNESCO World Heritage landscape of ancient rock carvings dating back 40,000 years, mud volcanoes, and dramatic stone formations about 60km from Baku.
  • Ateshgah Fire Temple — An ancient fire-worshippers' temple built over a natural gas vent on the Absheron Peninsula, visited by Zoroastrians, Hindus, and Sikhs for centuries and still burning today.

Practical Travel Tips

  • An e-Visa for Azerbaijan is easy to obtain online before travel and is available to most nationalities — apply at least a week before departure to be safe.
  • Baku's Old City (Icheri Sheher) is compact and best explored on foot — wear comfortable shoes as the cobblestone streets are uneven.
  • The Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) eternal flame is best visited at dusk when the effect is most dramatic — the site is about 25km from Baku and easily reached by taxi.
  • Dress modestly when visiting mosques — women should cover their head and shoulders; conservative dress is also appreciated in rural areas.
  • Cash (Azerbaijani manat) is essential outside Baku; ATMs are available in the capital but scarce in rural areas, so carry sufficient cash before venturing into the countryside.
  • The overnight train from Baku to Sheki is an excellent and affordable way to travel to the northwest — book tickets through the national railway website or at the station in advance.

Visa Overview

Most nationalities require a visa to visit Azerbaijan, but the process is simple via the official e-Visa portal (evisa.gov.az), where eligible visitors can obtain a 30-day single-entry visa quickly and affordably. Citizens of a small number of countries (including Russia, Georgia, and some CIS states) have visa-free access. The e-Visa system has made Azerbaijan considerably more accessible in recent years. Ensure your passport has at least six months' validity beyond your planned stay, and always check the latest requirements for your specific nationality before travel.

Getting Around

Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport is well connected to Europe, the Middle East, and regional hubs. Within Baku, the metro system is efficient and inexpensive, covering the main city areas; taxis and Bolt ride-share are also widely available. For travel to regional cities like Sheki, Gabala, and Lankaran, buses, shared minibuses (marshrutkas), and the national rail network provide options. Renting a car from Baku is the most flexible option for rural exploration, though road conditions in mountain areas can be challenging. Many visitors hire a driver-guide for multi-day regional trips.

Safety Notes

Azerbaijan is generally safe for tourists, with low violent crime rates in Baku and major cities. The capital has a visible security presence particularly around government buildings and the Old City. Avoid photography of military installations, government buildings, and police officers — this can lead to detention. The border regions near Armenia and areas formerly associated with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict should be avoided; check your government's travel advisory for current guidance on these areas. General urban caution — particularly regarding pickpockets in busy areas — is advisable as in any major city.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijani manat (AZN) ₼
Updated: 2026-10-06
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 5.564093
AAVE 0.003237
ADA 2.182962
AED 2.160265
AFN 38.006097
AKT 0.768648
ALGO 4.580226
ALL 48.248880
AMD 212.806889
AMP 917.359482
ANG 1.057761
AOA 538.823621
APE 3.671467
APT 0.716466
AR 0.130489
ARB 2.885392
ARS 894.059270
ATOM 0.323081
ATS 7.217369
AUD 0.844091
AVAX 0.051807
AWG 1.052927
AXS 0.449154
AZM 5,000.0000
BAKE 2,291.733848
BAM 1.025846
BAT 5.576523
BBD 1.176454
BCH 0.001861
BDT 72.310769
BEF 21.158546
BGN 1.025846
BHD 0.221173
BIF 1,767.282733
BMD 0.588227
BNB 0.000753
BND 0.752626
BOB 7.056307
BRL 2.940384
BSD 0.588227
BSV 0.029458
BSW 1,429.477639
BTC 0.000007
BTCB 8.418917
BTG 0.891630
BTN 56.715727
BTT 1,582,240.149720
BUSD 0.588128
BWP 8.095914
BYN 1.794519
BYR 11,530.849233
BZD 1.182982
CAD 0.839317
CAKE 0.240533
CDF 1,359.390693
CELO 5.656094
CFX 10.720166
CHF 0.489259
CHZ 35.165065
CLP 572.362225
CNH 3.942899
CNY 3.944161
COMP 0.023999
COP 1,881.526715
CRC 269.165073
CRO 8.662177
CRV 1.595640
CSPR 230.604506
CUC 0.588309
CUP 14.090283
CVE 57.837350
CVX 0.265733
CYP 0.306980
CZK 12.831516
DAI 0.588466
DASH 0.010377
DCR 0.031898
DEM 1.025846
DFI 643.609697
DJF 104.646195
DKK 3.920186
DOGE 6.203758
DOP 35.253107
DOT 0.475424
DYDX 4.025976
DZD 79.073294
EEK 8.206767
EGLD 0.131613
EGP 30.839621
ENJ 17.768632
EOS 5.788386
ERN 8.823409
ESP 87.270566
ETB 95.682164
ETC 0.066288
ETH 0.000218
EUR 0.524507
EURC 0.524436
FEI 0.588484
FIL 0.492789
FIM 3.118575
FJD 1.323566
FKP 0.445156
FLOW 18.591500
FLR 81.606370
FRAX 0.594183
FRF 3.440538
FTT 2.277106
GALA 242.784635
GBP 0.445156
GEL 1.526736
GGP 0.445156
GHC 69,155.853460
GHS 6.915585
GIP 0.445156
GMD 43.535312
GMX 0.066995
GNF 5,171.793010
GNO 0.004844
GRD 178.725645
GRT 20.202009
GT 0.052546
GTQ 4.489011
GUSD 0.589440
GYD 122.792109
HBAR 5.843238
HKD 4.616085
HNL 15.772626
HNT 1.133611
HOT 1,284.451984
HRK 3.951895
HT 16.127452
HTG 76.864817
HUF 192.679128
ICP 0.168706
IDR 10,538.232256
IEP 0.413083
ILS 1.798889
IMP 0.445156
IMX 3.208015
INJ 0.077602
INR 56.715727
IQD 769.012105
IRR 1,057,942.179529
ISK 71.821393
ITL 1,015.586516
JEP 0.445156
JMD 93.084322
JOD 0.417053
JPY 93.005434
KAS 13.711280
KAVA 8.485018
KCS 0.077485
KDA 60.249606
KES 76.357134
KGS 51.445575
KHR 2,382.969645
KLAY 14.123654
KMF 258.040363
KNC 4.106666
KPW 529.477958
KRW 789.673906
KSM 0.114816
KWD 0.181824
KYD 0.489002
KZT 267.807428
LAK 13,199.072382
LBP 53,047.868100
LDO 1.284114
LEO 0.066149
LINK 0.042530
LKR 194.016361
LRC 57.294028
LRD 100.380331
LSL 9.793332
LTC 0.008444
LTL 1.811017
LUF 21.158546
LUNA 11.518987
LUNC 11,124.699381
LVL 0.368623
LYD 3.774130
MAD 5.870904
MANA 5.688209
MBX 19.888874
MDL 10.542278
MGA 2,604.930797
MGF 13,024.653985
MINA 4.366005
MKD 32.271072
MKR 0.000293
MMK 1,234.791692
MNT 2,114.780219
MOP 4.754568
MRO 235.508266
MRU 23.550827
MTL 0.225171
MUR 27.883282
MVR 9.093796
MWK 1,018.121048
MXN 10.632347
MXV 1.208688
MYR 2.403293
MZM 37,546.101633
MZN 37.546102
NAD 9.793332
NEAR 0.112567
NEO 0.232089
NEXO 0.691723
NFT 2,465,062.583197
NGN 777.662708
NIO 21.625095
NLG 1.155861
NOK 5.645722
NPR 90.787700
NZD 1.050914
OKB 0.004511
OMR 0.226384
ONE 4.016188
OP 4.375782
ORDI 0.129283
PAB 0.588227
PAXG 0.000142
PEN 2.025339
PEPE 136,011.538739
PGK 2.650126
PHP 36.967922
PI 6.738578
PKR 162.644994
PLN 2.297669
POL 5.379043
PTE 105.154145
PYG 3,436.417207
QAR 2.141147
QNT 0.002274
QTUM 0.600081
ROL 28,036.711519
RON 2.803671
RPL 0.307620
RSD 61.605622
RUB 49.905105
RUNE 0.757656
RVN 239.748129
RWF 867.029807
SAND 8.945267
SAR 2.205852
SBD 4.746224
SCR 8.331498
SDD 35,304.260521
SDG 353.042605
SEK 5.908547
SGD 0.752626
SHIB 100,487.189579
SHP 0.445156
SIT 125.692777
SKK 15.801288
SLE 13.561514
SLL 13,561.514369
SNX 2.349379
SOL 0.004903
SOS 334.673316
SPL 0.098038
SRD 22.179589
SRG 22,179.589225
SSP 3,368.563172
STD 12,941.479872
STN 12.941480
STX 1.569716
SUI 0.492874
SVC 5.146988
SYP 7,649.189013
SZL 9.793332
THB 19.799525
THETA 2.540311
TJS 5.413831
TMM 10,321.558269
TMT 2.064312
TND 1.760460
TOP 1.416714
TRL 28,926,422.574051
TRX 1.750492
TRY 28.926423
TTD 3.982735
TUSD 0.588693
TVD 0.844091
TWD 18.694951
TWT 1.030406
TZS 1,551.971310
UAH 26.493340
UGX 2,364.759195
UNI 0.066396
USD 0.588227
USDC 0.588387
USDD 0.588645
USDP 0.591725
USDT 0.588525
UYU 23.762079
UZS 6,919.378853
VAL 1,015.586516
VEB 51,218,390,254.6662
VED 512.183903
VEF 51,218,390.254666
VES 512.183903
VET 67.406230
VND 15,291.183542
VUV 70.712009
WAVES 1.971721
WEMIX 3.071591
WOO 42.972782
WST 1.637150
XAF 344.053817
XAG 0.009722
XAU 0.000143
XAUT 0.000143
XBT 0.000007
XCD 1.592285
XCG 1.057761
XCH 0.375867
XDC 17.504149
XDR 0.434793
XEC 73,764.343363
XEM 936.922882
XLM 2.725569
XMR 0.001048
XOF 344.053817
XPD 0.000504
XPF 62.590294
XPT 0.000344
XRP 0.391505
XTZ 1.760566
YER 138.937928
ZAR 9.793332
ZEC 0.000439
ZIL 161.198469
ZMK 11,629.458883
ZMW 11.629459
ZWD 212.879436
ZWG 15.747742
ZWL 39,349.264865

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Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Azerbaijan needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Azerbaijan?
The capital of Azerbaijan is Baku.
What currency does Azerbaijan use?
Azerbaijan uses the Azerbaijani manat (₼) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Azerbaijan?
The official language(s) of Azerbaijan include Azerbaijani.
What is the population of Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan has a population of approximately 10,241,722 people.
What region is Azerbaijan in?
Azerbaijan is located in Asia, specifically in the Western Asia subregion.
What is the international calling code for Azerbaijan?
The international dialing code for Azerbaijan is +994.
What time zones does Azerbaijan observe?
Azerbaijan observes the following time zone(s): UTC+04:00.
What is the current time in Azerbaijan?
The local time in Azerbaijan is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Azerbaijan?
Azerbaijan covers a total area of 86,600 km².
How many states or provinces does Azerbaijan have?
Azerbaijan is divided into 15 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Azerbaijan in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Azerbaijan in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Azerbaijan?
Visa requirements for citizens of Azerbaijan vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.