The permit must be obtained online in advance—without it, you won't be allowed through the checkpoint.

Access to the liberated territories is only possible with prior authorization. You have to obtain it online before your trip. It cannot be issued at the checkpoint or "on the way."

The main official resource is yolumuzqarabaga.az. Alternatively, you can use mygov.az, then go to Transport → Permit to Travel to the Liberated Territories.

There's one exception that not many people know about: if you've booked and paid for accommodation at an officially accredited hotel in the liberated territories, you don't need to register through the portal. The hotel will arrange your entry permit for you. An up-to-date list of accredited hotels is available on the yolumuzqarabaga.az portal.

One important practical tip: apply for your permit at least one day before departure. During peak tourist season and public holidays, applications can take longer to process. Don't leave it until the evening before your trip.

Karabakh is not a destination for a quick day trip.

Yes, technically you can drive to Shusha and back in a single day. But that's more than 800 km (about 500 miles) behind the wheel, leaving only around three hours to actually see the city. That's not the right way to experience Karabakh.

Here's what a realistic itinerary looks like:

Day 1 – The drive and Shusha

Leave Baku at 6:00 a.m. and arrive in Shusha around lunchtime.

Visit Jidir Duzu, the famous horse-racing plateau perched above the Dashalty Gorge. Explore the Upper and Lower Govhar Agha Mosques, built in the 19th century with their distinctive twin minarets and regarded as masterpieces of Karabakh architecture. See the Mausoleum of Molla Panah Vagif and the fortress walls built by Panah Ali Khan.

Spend the evening in Shusha, where it's cool, peaceful, and the stars shine brightly at an elevation of about 1,400 meters (4,600 ft).

Day 2 – Khankendi and Aghdam

Khankendi is the largest city in the region and is currently undergoing major reconstruction.

Then head to Aghdam, about 50 km (31 miles) from Shusha.

Visit the Juma Mosque, built between 1868 and 1870, the only major structure that survived 27 years of destruction.

You'll experience two cities with completely different histories and atmospheres in a single day.

Day 3 – Fuzuli and Lachin

Fuzuli is the gateway to the region and the first city you'll pass through on your journey.

Continue to Lachin, a mountain town in a scenic gorge that opened to tourists in April 2024.

On the way, stop at the Istisu mineral springs.

Return to Baku via Horadiz.

The minimum itinerary if you really want to experience the region is three days.

If you have the opportunity, make it four days so you have an extra day and don't have to rush.

Places currently open to tourists

Since July 2025, foreign visitors have been allowed to visit:

• Shusha
• Lachin
• Aghdam
• Fuzuli
• Khankendi
• Khojaly

Access to all of them requires authorization through yolumuzqarabaga.az or mygov.az.

Shusha has been open the longest, since December 2023, and has the most developed tourist infrastructure, including hotels, cafés, museums, and scenic viewpoints.

Lachin has been open since April 2024.

The other cities opened later and are still at an earlier stage of tourism development.

Important: the list of accessible destinations and entry regulations may change. Always check the latest information on yolumuzqarabaga.az immediately before your trip.

A complete Karabakh driving route

For independent travelers entering via Fuzuli, this circular route makes the most sense:

Baku → Fuzuli → Shusha (using the toll road — Day 1)

Shusha → Khankendi → Shusha (overnight in Shusha — morning of Day 2)

Shusha → Aghdam → Shusha (50 km / 31 miles each way — afternoon of Day 2)

Shusha → Lachin → Fuzuli → Baku (Day 3 return journey)

Each permit is issued for a specific vehicle and specific travel dates.

If you visit Karabakh again, you'll need to apply for a new permit.

The application process is the same and takes about 10 minutes.

During holidays and peak season, processing times may be longer, so submit your application at least 24–48 hours in advance.

If your permit hasn't arrived, contact the support team through the contact details listed on the yolumuzqarabaga.az website.

These days it's usually done through Yolumuz Qarabağa or myGov, although the exact requirements depend on your nationality, your means of transportation, and the type of trip you're planning.

It's best to check the latest regulations before you travel.

I'd recommend staying in Khankendi. It's livelier there in the evenings, and the hotels are cheaper. Shusha is only about a 15-minute drive away.

I recommend Ulus Hotel—it's centrally located and very quiet.

The main restriction is simple: don't go anywhere marked with mine warning signs.

I'm planning to fly to Baku at the end of July and then travel to Karabakh. I'd like to clarify a few things:

1. Do foreign nationals need a special permit to enter Karabakh? If so, where and how can it be obtained?
2. Is it currently possible to book a hotel in Shusha and stay there for 4–5 days?
3. Are there any important restrictions or recommendations for foreigners visiting Karabakh at the moment?

I'd really appreciate any information! 🙏