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: 2026-07-06
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 8.206254
AAVE 0.006657
ADA 3.133608
AED 2.160294
AFN 37.399381
AGIX 7.539571
AKT 0.937873
ALGO 6.571169
ALL 48.218548
AMD 216.453097
AMP 1,318.792117
ANG 1.060789
AOA 540.232011
APE 4.196178
APT 0.940572
AR 0.294685
ARB 7.354351
ARS 877.979037
ATOM 0.371999
ATS 7.079976
AUD 0.849154
AVAX 0.085202
AWG 1.052941
AXS 0.582542
AZM 5,000.000000
BAKE 782.856370
BAM 1.006317
BAT 6.679211
BBD 1.176471
BCH 0.002438
BDT 72.513831
BEF 20.755762
BGN 1.006317
BHD 0.221177
BIF 1,751.180727
BMD 0.588235
BNB 0.001006
BND 0.760298
BOB 4.074800
BRL 3.040050
BSD 0.588235
BSV 0.039842
BSW 1,757.527489
BTC 0.000009
BTCB 11.100046
BTG 2.038553
BTN 56.044032
BTT 2,217,989.781001
BUSD 0.587735
BWP 7.939255
BYN 1.708190
BYR 11,530.527107
BZD 1.184744
CAD 0.835871
CAKE 0.406207
CDF 1,357.201907
CELO 8.755601
CFX 13.148108
CHF 0.473200
CHZ 32.583120
CLP 541.882269
CNH 3.994927
CNY 3.993344
COMP 0.035099
COP 1,966.194621
CRC 268.051058
CRO 9.841289
CRV 2.751623
CSPR 302.882651
CUC 0.588292
CUP 15.589743
CVE 56.736330
CVX 0.489091
CYP 0.301136
CZK 12.444354
DAI 0.588514
DASH 0.016722
DCR 0.052992
DEM 1.006317
DFI 708.024778
DJF 104.760533
DKK 3.846008
DOGE 7.611915
DOP 34.862538
DOT 0.674319
DYDX 4.454186
DZD 78.231750
EEK 8.050539
EGLD 0.212830
EGP 28.895281
ENJ 20.325602
EOS 8.121211
ERN 8.823531
ESP 85.609240
ETB 94.091499
ETC 0.082823
ETH 0.000331
EUR 0.514522
EURC 0.514897
FEI 0.588444
FIL 0.744989
FIM 3.059208
FJD 1.320887
FKP 0.440868
FLOW 20.990220
FLR 84.627039
FRAX 0.594640
FRF 3.375042
FTT 2.469540
GALA 256.768644
GBP 0.440868
GEL 1.545027
GGP 0.440868
GHC 66,829.287084
GHS 6.682929
GIP 0.440868
GMD 43.379023
GMX 0.099263
GNF 5,157.376379
GNO 0.005595
GRD 175.323337
GRT 31.004576
GT 0.086768
GTQ 4.490028
GUSD 0.589012
GYD 123.126663
HBAR 7.790182
HKD 4.613553
HNL 15.748371
HNT 2.454677
HOT 1,630.084444
HRK 3.876665
HT 16.417950
HTG 76.996861
HUF 181.936523
ICP 0.266845
IDR 10,583.823209
IEP 0.405219
ILS 1.766861
IMP 0.440868
IMX 4.257534
INJ 0.120404
INR 56.044032
IQD 771.290624
IRR 809,460.651446
ISK 74.091948
ITL 996.253315
JEP 0.440868
JMD 93.189766
JOD 0.417059
JPY 95.205744
KAS 19.176156
KAVA 13.037467
KCS 0.081478
KDA 100.924940
KES 76.053442
KGS 51.449554
KHR 2,358.724654
KMF 253.128180
KNC 5.277122
KPW 529.463185
KRW 901.682374
KSM 0.166935
KWD 0.182529
KYD 0.489365
KZT 278.084177
LAK 13,299.440900
LBP 52,825.544061
LDO 2.177584
LEO 0.062848
LINK 0.073667
LKR 196.997168
LRC 47.876295
LRD 106.837643
LSL 9.561054
LTC 0.013031
LTL 1.776541
LUF 20.755762
LUNA 11.978183
LUNC 9,581.134661
LVL 0.361606
LYD 3.773157
MAD 5.508027
MANA 8.453743
MBX 23.389456
MDL 10.353605
MGA 2,496.192829
MGF 12,480.964146
MINA 12.407744
MKD 31.695446
MKR 0.000411
MMK 1,234.898176
MNT 2,108.317069
MOP 4.751960
MRO 234.923751
MRU 23.492375
MTL 0.220884
MUR 27.650990
MVR 9.093759
MWK 1,020.374438
MXN 10.281954
MXV 1.165878
MYR 2.398388
MZM 37,568.537003
MZN 37.568537
NAD 9.561054
NEAR 0.295229
NEO 0.297388
NEXO 0.764638
NFT 2,219,586.375786
NGN 806.046717
NIO 21.653455
NLG 1.133857
NOK 5.786134
NPR 89.712484
NZD 1.033913
OKB 0.007375
OMR 0.226400
ONE 470.618861
OP 5.471582
ORDI 0.181210
PAB 0.588235
PAXG 0.000142
PEN 2.003108
PEPE 215,663.815540
PGK 2.587817
PHP 36.184065
PI 5.199937
PKR 163.652810
PLN 2.208668
POL 7.998600
PTE 103.152379
PYG 3,578.016626
QAR 2.141177
QNT 0.008786
QTUM 0.827516
ROL 26,888.963671
RON 2.688896
RPL 0.290532
RSD 60.349289
RUB 45.328048
RUNE 1.422364
RVN 154.347505
RWF 862.277128
SAND 11.789839
SAR 2.205883
SBD 4.760036
SCR 8.405763
SDD 35,308.546936
SDG 353.085469
SEK 5.678138
SGD 0.760298
SHIB 134,353.041264
SHP 0.440868
SIT 123.300028
SKK 15.500487
SLE 13.435267
SLL 13,435.266752
SNX 2.568864
SOL 0.007290
SOS 335.906361
SPL 0.098039
SRD 22.143896
SRG 22,143.895824
SSP 2,793.639170
STD 12,699.327450
STN 12.699327
STX 3.440058
SUI 0.787364
SVC 5.147060
SYP 65.025171
SZL 9.561054
THB 19.553107
THETA 4.193136
TJS 5.452520
TMM 10,321.149427
TMT 2.064230
TND 1.734082
TOP 1.416652
TRL 27,538,501.829671
TRX 1.791200
TRY 27.538502
TTD 3.985875
TUSD 0.589467
TVD 0.849154
TWD 18.876614
TWT 1.711127
TZS 1,545.652546
UAH 26.215057
UGX 2,149.715308
UNI 0.186124
USD 0.588235
USDC 0.588417
USDD 0.588833
USDP 0.590015
USDT 0.588870
UYU 23.675924
UZS 7,039.881787
VAL 996.253315
VEB 37,908,154,078.1488
VED 379.047791
VEF 37,904,779.124380
VES 379.047791
VET 124.693126
VND 15,470.714317
VUV 70.701144
WAVES 2.213663
WEMIX 2.272084
WOO 49.679566
WST 1.626949
XAF 337.504240
XAG 0.009527
XAU 0.000141
XAUT 0.000142
XBT 0.000009
XCD 1.592279
XCG 1.060789
XCH 0.373249
XDC 20.934777
XDR 0.433875
XEC 110,738.981891
XEM 1,374.086833
XLM 2.946502
XMR 0.001818
XOF 337.504240
XPD 0.000463
XPF 61.398794
XPT 0.000359
XRP 0.513846
XTZ 2.364048
YER 139.407924
ZAR 9.561054
ZEC 0.001292
ZIL 190.688290
ZMK 10,793.712951
ZMW 10.793713
ZWD 212.882382
ZWG 15.778578
ZWL 39,426.313511

No currencies match your search.

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.