Not many places in the world have mastered the concept of keeping tradition and culture alive whilst moving on and developing with modernism and technology. Not many places in the world can boast of having a very rich and vivid natural landscape yet being extremely affordable for tourists. Not many places in the world are friendly and welcoming enough to show off these features to people who want to see them. However there is one place that does, we are talking about none other than Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a place that would not have immediately come to the minds of travelers back in the '90s or 2000s, this place was not as popular as the rest of the Asian or European countries before, however, with time and an increase in travel tours, social media influencers, and some bright minds starting to use the power of internet to show to people the hidden gems of the world, Azerbaijan has become one of the first few names that come to mind when people decide a place to visit.

The fact that you have landed on this article proves that you were somewhere down the line interested to know more about this hidden mystery and Nitsa Holidays is here to show it to you. Azerbaijan is a country that is bordered by Eastern Europe and Western Asia. It is a beautiful place that houses in itself the best of both worlds; in one country you will be able to feel the influence of both Asian and European cultures. Azerbaijan is also bordered by the Caspian Sea on the eastern side which provides it with some of the most beautiful coastlines in the world, it is bordered by the great Caucasus mountains on the north which serves as the perfect winter getaway location as well. The country is home to some natural wonders and magnificent sites which are worth exploring. A step into this country will make you feel like you have entered into the set of the movie Aladdin. The lanes, the streets, the monuments, the houses, and the people will all reflect a beautiful and magical environment, tell you some glorious stories of the past, show you some of the best architecture, and bring to you some of the most delicious dishes in the world. It is time that more and more people know about Azerbaijan and how about we start with you?

If you are wondering how to go to this unexplored and hidden gem don’t worry, Nitsa Holidays is here to help you. Nitsa Holidays is a travel and tour agency based out of Delhi and we provide multiple tour packages, especially catering to Indian clients. It is our word that Azerbaijan currently is one of the best locations for Indians to visit with their families, friends, colleagues, or partners. The tour packages that you find with Nitsa Holidays are extremely affordable, reasonable, comfortable, and safe just like the country of Azerbaijan. We give you the liberty to customize your packages based on your preferences and we also ensure that your tour packages include the best of the places that you are visiting. For Azerbaijan, our packages are Azerbaijan family tour packages, Azerbaijan group tour packages, and Azerbaijan couples tour packages. Pick the package that best suits your needs and let us take you on a ride that will be as close to riding the magical flying carpet with Aladdin as possible. But first, let’s learn a little bit more about Azerbaijan.

How can you reach Azerbaijan from India?

The easiest, best, and fastest way for Indians to go to Azerbaijan is via flights that fly from some of the major cities of India, such as Delhi, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kanpur, Mumbai et cetera. The fastest flight from India to Azerbaijan takes about four hours and the longest takes about eleven hours.

How much does it cost to go to Azerbaijan from India?

Azerbaijan is one of the cheapest countries for Indians to travel to right now and a seven-day trip to this place can easily be covered for under INR 50,000 per person

What is the best time to visit Azerbaijan?

The summer seasons of Azerbaijan can get pretty warm and humid going up to 30°C and making it pretty hard for tourists to get around. So we recommend the months of April to June where the temperatures range between 15°C to 25°C and it is perfect and comfortable enough to explore all of Azerbaijan.

How to travel around Azerbaijan?

The public transportation system in Azerbaijan is extremely reliable and even hitchhiking is safe. However, we recommend that you pick its buses, minibusses, taxis or rent cars for intercity travel. When you are exploring the cities of Azerbaijan, we suggest that you walk as much as possible since almost all the landmark sides and locations are situated at walkable distances from each other.

Where should you go in Azerbaijan and what should you do?

Baku- the capital city of Azerbaijan has gained a lot of popularity in the last couple of years and rightly so. This is the perfect place for visitors to see how tradition and history can be kept, preserved, and glorified whilst moving on with technology and advancement. The city of Baku is known for housing many museums, parks, and modernist architectural landmarks. Baku is famous for its old town, which perfectly encapsulates and defines the entire nature of Azerbaijan. The streets of the old town house a lot of rich stories from the past, cute cafes, informative museums, historical buildings, and traditional shops. This place is also declared as a UNESCO World Heritage site and it is undoubtedly the most unmissable destination in the entire country of Azerbaijan. The main highlights of the old town are the Maiden Towers and the Palace of Shirvanshahs. This area is packed with so much adventure, so many stories, so much history and so much love that we recommend you spend a minimum of two days there. In the modern and advanced part of Baku, you will find other marvels as well such as the iconic flame towers that are not only magnificent to look at but also turn the city's skylines into a magical site during the night. Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire and these towers are the perfect example of it.

Gabala- in the northwestern part of Azerbaijan lies the beautiful city of Gabala. It is located right beside the great Caucasus mountains and the landscape here appears to be right out of a fairytale. Not just the landscape but the way the city of Gabala reflects its culture and tradition is also worth checking out when you are in Azerbaijan. If you are here to experience some adventure, you can engage in some winter sports in the mountains but if you want this peaceful experience away from the hustle and bustle of the city to bring you some calmness as well as some knowledge, you should head to the new age settlement or the ancient city of Gabala, where you will be mesmerized by the way the streets, the houses, the landmarks and the sites will tell you the tales of Azerbaijan’s glorious past.

Quba- nestled in the foothills of the great Caucasus mountains is yet another gem of Azerbaijan. Quba is also one of the oldest cities in the world and you will not only find amazing culture, history, stories, mesmerizing views, and friendly conversations here but if you are a fan of adventure and you want to escape the fast-paced city life, this is the perfect place to come to. The Winter resorts in Cuba are as amazing as one can imagine and you will definitely wake up to the most magnificent views. You can also go skiing and snowboarding or you can just make a snowman with your friends and family. You should also head to the Gudiyal Chay National Reserve to explore Azerbaijan’s vivid wildlife.

Absheron Peninsula- as we told you at the beginning of this article, Azerbaijan is a place with a lot of mysteries and hidden gems and this particular region is one of them. Azerbaijan has a lot of mud volcanoes that are worth checking out and you can find them in the Absheron Peninsula. These volcanoes are not dangerous however, they are very extraordinary to look at. Not just the volcanoes, but the ever-burning fire of the Ateshgah Temple in this location is the reason why Azerbaijan is known as the land of fire. This is the site that you will possibly not find anywhere else in the world and you must definitely check it out on your trip to Azerbaijan. This region also has some amazing beaches along the coastline of the Caspian Sea and these are wonderful places where family and friends can relax and have a wonderful time. You can not only lie down on the beach and admire the views but you can also try some adventurous water sports in the seas of Azerbaijan. The Absheron Peninsula is another UNESCO World Heritage site that Azerbaijan houses and we ensure that you will have an amazing time in this location.

Sheki- sheki is another place that all visitors and tourists idolize and are mesmerized by it. It is known for its beautiful, scenic, quaint streets and some of the most iconic palaces and buildings in the entire country. The Sheki Khan Palace will bring to you not just the glorious past of the country, but the beautifully decorated walls and the stunning architecture will capture your hearts The entire country of Azerbaijan is known to have multiple beautiful getaways in the same place and besides the historical monuments and buildings, Sheki’s landscape is also worth checking out. Once you are done exploring the history of the city, you can head to the Shaki Zaqatala reserve, and once again, be shell-shocked by the country’s glory.

Nakhchivan- in the Southern part of Azerbaijan lies another historical gem known as Nakhchivan. It is the perfect addition to a family tour of Azerbaijan. This city is unheard of and unknown to many travelers. However, Nitsa holidays can guarantee that it is a must-visit spot for anybody coming to the country. It has some magnificent castles, palaces, caves, mausoleums, mosques, and museums, which will enchant any visitor through and through. The food in Nakhchivan will bring to you the most amazing local flavors and the sites that you see in Nakhchivan will last with you forever. You must not miss the opportunity of shopping from the local Bazaar where you will find some of the most breathtaking and traditional goods and it is the best place in the entire country to buy souvenirs from.

What should you eat in Azerbaijan?

If you are a non-veg lover, good news for you. Azerbaijan's local cuisine is dominated by meat and the kebabs are some of the most iconic dishes to try anywhere in the country. If you are a vegetarian, you will have a slightly tough time in the villages and local regions, but you can always find some lentils and soups to save you. In the capital city of Baku, there are multiple fine dining restaurants that serve not just local cuisine but also international cuisine. But we do recommend you understand more about the country by trying the local food where the locals eat!

Where should you stay in Azerbaijan?

As popularity rose, Azerbaijan came up with multiple luxury hotels and resorts. However, there are also many budget-friendly options for those who wish to not rip their pockets. Here is a list of some options that you can pick from in Azerbaijan:

Budget-friendly options- Sahil Hostel and Hotel Baku, Qafqaz Riverside Resort Hotel Gabala, Sheki Palace Hotel

Midrange options- Fairmont Baku, Riverside Hotel Gabala, F Garden Hotel Sheki

Luxury options- Four Seasons Hotel Baku, Qafqaz Tufandag Resort Hotel Gabala