Welcome to Azerbaijan! This country sits where Europe meets Asia. It is a beautiful place with sandy beaches, fire-spouting mountains, and strange mud volcanoes. If you plan to visit, remember that you will need an Azerbaijani e-Visa.
In the capital city, Baku, you can see impressive new buildings like the Flame Towers right next to the blue Caspian Sea. It is a perfect mix of ancient history and very new ideas.
Baku is a city of surprises located on the coast of the Caspian Sea. It has two sides: an ancient part with stone walls, and a new part with tall skyscrapers lit up with bright lights.
One of the most incredible sights is the Flame Towers. At night, these buildings glow like real fire. If you like art, the Museum of Contemporary Art has hundreds of paintings and sculptures. If you are hungry, go to Teze Bazaar to buy fresh cheese and spices, or sit outside at a restaurant to eat tasty kebabs.
IcheriSheher is the heart of Baku. People call it the "Old City." It is so special that UNESCO protects it as a World Heritage Site.
Inside the old walls, you will find the Maiden Tower and the Shirvanshah Palace, which were built hundreds of years ago. You can walk through narrow streets to shop for handmade carpets, clay pots, and traditional clothes. It is the best place to find a gift to take home.
Located in the Ezizbeyov region of Baku, this park is a quiet place for nature lovers. It protects many plants and animals on a large piece of land.
You can see wild animals like gazelles, jackals, and birds. If you go in September, you might even see Caspian seals swimming near the shore. The land looks like a desert with grass and sand, and the water is obvious.
Have you ever thought about bathing in oil? In the town of Naftalan, people do exactly that! The area produces a special type of crude oil that is famous worldwide.
Many people visit this resort because they believe the oil helps stop pain and heals the skin. You can stay in a fancy hotel and enjoy a warm oil bath at the spa. It is a very unique way to relax.
Azerbaijan has more than 350 mud volcanoes. The most famous one is Garasu. Instead of hot lava, these volcanoes spit out cold mud. Sometimes the mud shoots up to 1,000 meters into the air!
The ground here looks like the surface of the moon. These volcanoes have been around for millions of years. Walking around them feels like you are on another planet.
The Caspian Sea is actually the biggest lake in the world. It is so big that it looks like an ocean, but the water is not as salty as the ocean.
Because the water is less salty, it does not itch your skin when you swim. People love going on boat trips, going fishing, or trying diving. It is a great place to enjoy the sun and the water.
Gobustan is an ancient site south of Baku. It is famous for having more than 6,000 rock drawings carved by people who lived thousands of years ago.
These drawings show how ancient people lived and hunted. You can also see old graves and signs of where people lived during the Stone Age. It is like a giant outdoor history book.
Nabran is a popular place for a summer holiday. It is about three hours away from Baku. The village is right by the sea, making the summer months even more enjoyable.
During the day, kids and adults can play at water parks and swimming pools. At night, the village gets busy with music, dancing, and many places to eat. It is a fun place for a vacation.
This big park was once under the sea, but now it is dry land with dunes. It is a safe home for many animals like turtles, hedgehogs, jackals and wild cats.
If you like birds, you can see beautiful pink flamingos at Flamingo Lake. You can even stay overnight in a small cabin or a tent if you want to be close to nature.
Sheki is one of the oldest towns in the region. Long ago, it was a famous stop on the Silk Road. People here are still very good at making beautiful silk and embroidery.
The most famous building is the Palace of Sheki Khans. It was built without using a single nail! It has colourful glass windows and pretty paintings on the walls.
Yanardag means "Burning Mountain." It is a hill that is always on fire! This happens because natural gas leaks from underground and ignites.
The flames never go out, even when it rains. It is best to visit in the evening when the fire looks the brightest. You can sit at a nearby tea shop and watch the flames dance.
Baku Seaside Park is a long path by the water. It is an excellent place for a walk. You can stop for tea, eat local ice cream, or visit a cafe.
Along the path, you will see the Carpet Museum and the Crystal Hall, a large building used for hosting concerts and art exhibitions. There are also fun games and rides for children.
Astara is a pretty city right on the border with Iran. Green forests and tall mountains surround it.
The city has a museum where you can see ancient coins and stones. Nearby, small mountain villages with old mosques and stone towers tell the story of the past.
Azerbaijan is often called the "Land of Fire." Because of the natural gas underground, fires used to burn naturally in many places. Long ago, people built temples around these fires.
The Ateshgah Temple is a beautiful hexagonal building. In the middle, there is a fire that used to burn naturally. Today, the fire is kept lit by a pipe so visitors can still see it.
Yanar Bulag is an extraordinary place where you can see "burning water." The water contains a gas called methane. If you hold a flame near the water as it comes out of a pipe, the water catches fire!
Many local people believe this water is healthy. They come here to drink it or use it to help heal wounds.
Step 1: Complete the online application form with your personal details and passport information.
Step 2: Proceed to securely pay online using your credit card.
Step 3: Check your email for payment confirmation and receipt of your Azerbaijan eVisa, which will be sent electronically.
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