In addition to its rich history and stunning architecture, Azerbaijan offers a breathtaking encounter with nature that you won’t want to miss.
A perfect starting point for exploring Azerbaijan’s natural beauty is Gobustan National Park. This open-air museum of ancient history is one of the most fascinating attractions in the country.
Visitors from around the globe flock here to witness the unique landscape of the valley nestled between the foothills of the Caucasus Mountains and the Caspian Sea. One of the park’s most valuable treasures is its priceless petroglyphs—ancient rock engravings that have garnered international recognition from UNESCO.
The temporal range of these petroglyphs is equally impressive, spanning from the Mesolithic era to the Middle Ages. Throughout the park, you’ll discover approximately 6,000 elements of rock art, primarily depicting scenes of daily life, hunting, fishing, ritual dances, symbols, and various animals.
In addition to the petroglyphs, Gobustan is home to ancient human dwellings, marking it as one of the cradles of civilization in the Caucasus.
Another highlight that makes a trip to Gobustan worthwhile is the region’s famous mud volcanoes. These natural phenomena, bubbling with mud, have captivated people for centuries. Varying in height and size, they create a striking visual spectacle. Keep in mind that visits to the volcanoes are best during the dry season and require a vehicle with good off-road capability.
For those enchanted by the mystical and the extraordinary, a visit to Yanardag, the “Burning Mountain,” is an absolute must. This eternal flame, which bursts forth from the ground on the hillside just outside Baku, has captivated humanity since ancient times. Followers of Zoroastrianism would come here to pray to the flame, which has never ceased to burn.
The fire reaches about one meter in height and stretches ten meters in length, blazing atop Yanardag, located just 27 kilometers from Baku. Today, only a few similar natural gas sources remain in the world, and most of them are found in Azerbaijan. The most striking view of these flickering flames occurs after sunset, when the glow creates a mesmerizing spectacle against the night sky.
