A gallery of my favourite Baku photos and rural Azerbaijan photography to inspire you to visit ‘the Land of Fire’.

Azerbaijan might not be at the top of everyone’s bucket list, but the former Soviet Republic and ‘odd one out’ of the three Caucasus countries certainly has a lot to offer.

Travelling overland through the Land of Fire might not be the smoothest of journeys, but it’s an unforgettable experience full of contrasts and contradictions.

Of course, it helps that Azerbaijan is incredibly pretty and its smaller rural towns a street photographer’s dream.

Essential reading: 12 things you should know before visiting the Caucasus.

You’d be forgiven for mistaking the oil-rich metropolis of Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital city, for Paris in the spring.

Wide boulevards, perfectly manicured gardens, Belle Epoque architecture and gigantic fountains characterise downtown Baku. The iconic Flame Towers loom in the distance; a constant reminder of where you are and just how Baku’s fortunes were made.

The Heydar Aliyev Center, a true architectural masterpiece, is one of the most incredible buildings you’ll ever see or have the privilege of photographing. Baku’s Old City, Icherisheher, meanwhile, is a maze of ancient Zoroastrian towers, converted Silk Road caravanserais, mosques and carpet shops.

It backs onto the Bulvar, a vast boulevard that’s counted among the largest parks in the world, which in turn unfolds onto the satiny Caspian Sea.

You don’t have to venture too far from Baku before the scenery changes dramatically.

Oil rigs line the coast on the drive down to eerie Gobustan, a landscape of oozing mud volcanoes that is positively otherworldly. The Azerbaijan landscape beyond Baku is like nothing else I’ve seen before.

Small towns like Quba – with their friendly locals, carpet workshops and Soviet relics – are a paradise for street photographers.

I challenge you to come away with a shot that doesn’t feature either a Lada or a colourfully painted cigarette stand. Sheki – with its divine Summer and Winter palaces, caravanserai hotel, and charming backstreets – is the gem of Azerbaijan and a place that stole my heart.

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My best Azerbaijan photography

Here are 32 of my favourite photos of Azerbaijan to inspire your visit.

Stone buildings in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Baku Old City.
  • A train with a sign reading Baku Tbilisi in the window.
  • A white car sits on a city street with a wooden picture-box window above it.
A stone building with trees and two modern skyscrapers in the background.
Baku Old City.
A woman walks through a stone alleyway.
Back streets of Baku.
Modern skyscrapers and old stone buildings in Baku.
Old and new in Baku.
A stone Islamic monument in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijani mosque.
A man hangs colourful rugs outside his shop in Baku.
Carpet shop in Baku.
A tray of golden baklava.
Azerbaijani sweets.
A woman sits behind a loom weaving a carpet.
Carpet weaving in Quba.
A fountain and two old buildings.
A park in Baku.
A group of people walk in front of a white curved building.
They Heydar Aliyev Center.
  • My favourite Azerbaijan photography, from Baku to Sheki, Quba to Gobustan. These 32 images will make you want to buy a ticket to Azerbaijan!
  • My favourite Azerbaijan photography, from Baku to Sheki, Quba to Gobustan. These 32 images will make you want to buy a ticket to Azerbaijan!
An old city wall in Baku.
Baku in spring.
Looking down through the trees on dining tables with printed tablecloths.
A restored caravanserai in Baku.
A white taxi sits in a landscape of grey mud volcanoes.
Gobustan mud volcanoes.
Three white cars in the mud landscape of Gobustan.
Exploring Gobustan in a fleet of Ladas!
Oozing mud volcanoes in Gobustan.
Azerbaijan mud volcanoes in Gobustan near Baku.
A carpet depicting a lion hangs on a stone wall in Baku Old City.
A vintage carpet in the old city.
A group of men in suits walk along the grey sidewalk along the Caspian Sea in Baku.
The Bulvar.
A leafy street with shops and the sign for a barber.
Sheki.
Four men in Azerbaijan smile and wave for the camera.
Four friends pose for a photo in Sheki.
A old Soviet-era sign in Cyrillic language with a picture of a rocket.
Soviet retro in Sheki, Azerbaijan.
A richly decorated building with motifs in blue, pink and black.
The Palace of the Sheki Khans.
  • Stained glass windows.
  • A miniature painting depicting a man on bent leg.
A huge stone building with multiple arches and a central courtyard.
Sheki Karavanseri.
Three boys stand outside the doors of the Sheki Caravanserai Hotel.
Three friends in Sheki.
Old cigarette stands in Sheki, Azerbaijan.
Sheki.
Three pairs of beautifully embroidered shoes.
Azerbaijani slippers in Sheki.
A white car in an alleyway.
A quiet street in Sheki.

Where to stay in Baku

If it’s your first time in Baku, I highly recommend choosing a hotel located inside or close to the walls of the atmospheric Old City.

Deniz Inn Boutique Hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Deniz Inn. Photo courtesy of the property.

TOP CHOICE: Deniz Inn Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.5). Located within the Old Town walls, 5 minutes from Maiden Tower, this cute hotel has tidy rooms with balconies and a rooftop terrace. Breakfast is served in a quirky dining room decorated with Caucasian carpets.

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Breakfast at the budget-friendly Cth Baku Hostel in Azerbaijan.
Cth Baku Hostel. Photo courtesy of the property.

BUDGET: Cth Baku Hostel (⭐ 9.2). Located in the popular student neighbourhood of Yasamal, west of the Old City and just footsteps from Nazimi Metro Station, this hostel has budget-friendly private rooms with shared bathrooms and comfortable communal spaces for socialising.

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Centric Baku hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Centric Baku. Photo courtesy of the property.

MID-RANGE: Centric Baku Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.8). Located just outside the Old City walls close to the National Museum, this modern, stylish hotel has chic rooms with city views. A terrific breakfast is included.

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The Merchant luxury hotel in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The Merchant. Photo courtesy of the property.

HIGH-END: The Merchant Baku (⭐ 9.6). Located right on the old wall, 600m from the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, this opulent hotel has spacious rooms with private balconies and a gorgeous Silk-Road-inspired cocktail lounge.

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Azerbaijan essentials

Here are some of the websites and services I use for planning a trip to Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. Remember to check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Baku on Skyscanner.

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Azerbaijan and apply for an expedited visa online.

DOCUMENTATION: Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo, my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance (use my link for 5% off).

AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book a private transfer from Baku Airport to your hotel.

RENTAL CAR: Use Local Rent to find an affordable rental from a local agent.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best Azerbaijan hotel deals on Booking.com or book a Baku hostel.

SHORT ON TIME? Get to know Baku on this Old City walking tour, or join this panoramic night tour to see Baku in her best light.

ALI AND NINO: Pick up a copy of Ali and Nino, Azerbaijan’s national novel. I can guarantee that Kurban Said’s evocative descriptions of Baku will get you excited for your trip!

7 things to pack for Azerbaijan

  • An anti-theft backpack. As a general rule, Azerbaijan is a very safe place and petty crime against tourists isn’t really an issue. Still, a good anti-theft day pack is worth having to keep your valuables safe in the city. If you’re having trouble deciding, here are a few of my favourite minimalist backpack designs.
  • A scarf for visiting mosques (women). A lightweight cotton scarf is my number one travel item. In Azerbaijan, it will come in extra handy for covering your hair when entering a mosque or for draping over your shoulders when visiting a market or a rural area. This neutral travel scarf goes with anything, and it even has a hidden pocket. Remember the dress code in Azerbaijan is quite conservative – women and men alike should avoid shorts and wear pants or a skirt that covers the knees.
  • Walking shoes. From the cobbled streets of Sheki to the hills of Baku and the muddy landscape around Gobustan, you’ll likely be spending a lot of time on your feet in Azerbaijan. Comfy walking shoes are absolutely essential.
  • A reusable water bottle. Avoid single-use plastics whenever you can. I love my S’Well water bottle for warm climates because it doesn’t sweat.
  • Wine Wings. Should you decide to buy a drinkable souvenir in Azerbaijan, these handy custom-made bottle protectors will keep your vino safe and sound in your luggage. A travel corkscrew and a wine stopper are bound to come in handy, too.
  • Entertainment for long bus/train journeys. If you don’t suffer motion sickness, an e-reader is great for passing the time on long bus or train journeys. If you have a travel buddy, pick up a headphone splitter – probably my favourite travel gadget of all time – so you can share a screen or a podcast. Check out my full list of essential items to make a long train or bus journey more comfortable.
  • Biodegradable wet wipes. Try this convenient travel pack.

More Azerbaijan travel resources

Baku photos & Azerbaijan photography: Save it on Pinterest

  • From the oil-rich metropolis of Baku—with its ambitious architecture and Paris-esque boulevards—to the backstreets of rural towns like Quba and Sheki, Azerbaijan is a street photographer's dream. This curated gallery of my favourite Azerbaijan photography will inspire you to visit the Land of Fire.
  • From the oil-rich metropolis of Baku—with its ambitious architecture and Paris-esque boulevards—to the backstreets of rural towns like Quba and Sheki, Azerbaijan is a street photographer's dream. This curated gallery of my favourite Azerbaijan photography will inspire you to visit the Land of Fire.

6 Comments

  2. Hi Emily,
    I have just returned from a 4 weeks trip in Azerbaijan. It is a great country with incredible nice people .I had a fantastic time there.
    You beautiful pictures give a correct impression of the country . Love them !!
    Greets !
    René

    Reply

    1. Hello René!

      How wonderful! I’m so glad to hear that. Four weeks is a great amount of time to spend anywhere—lucky you! I suppose you made it to many corners of the country that I missed. I do hope I get to return some day.

      Thank you for the kind words and for taking the time to leave a note!

      Kindest,
      Emily

      Reply

  3. Perfect timing, now I’m looking forward to my trip to Azerbaijan even more! 🙂 Amazing pictures, as always 🙂

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, Kami! That means a lot coming from you!

      I didn’t know you were heading to AZ! Have a wonderful trip, I’m sure you’re going to love it 🙂

      Reply

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