Key Takeaways
- ✓ Minimum: Plan at least 3 full days to see the main highlights of Baku.
- ✓ Best 1-Week Plan: 3 Days Baku + 2 Days Gabala + 1 Day Sheki.
- ✓ Pace: Travel between cities takes 3-4 hours by car.
- ✓ Day Trips: Gobustan and Absheron Peninsula can be done as half-day trips from Baku.
Planning a route is the hardest part of any trip. To help you maximize your time, we have crafted these optimized itineraries based on years of experience hosting travelers in Azerbaijan.
1. The "Baku Express" (3 Days)
Perfect for a long weekend or a stopover. This itinerary sticks to the capital and its immediate surroundings.
Day 1: Modern & Historic Contrast
Morning exploration of Icherisheher (Old City). Lunch at a traditional restaurant. Afternoon stroll on the Boulevard. Sunset at Highland Park looking over the Flame Towers.
Day 2: Marvels of Absheron
Visit the Heydar Aliyev Center. Take a trip to the Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanardag (Burning Mountain).
Day 3: Ancient Petroglyphs
Half-day trip to Gobustan National Park to see mud volcanoes and rock carvings. Evening shopping at Nizami Street.
2. The "Nature & City" Mix (5 Days)
Our most popular request. Combine the vibe of the capital with fresh mountain air.
Days 1-2: Baku Highlights
Follow the express itinerary for the first two days.
Days 3-4: Escape to Gabala
Drive to Gabala (3.5 hours). Ride the cable cars at Tufandag, visit Nohur Lake, and relax. Overnight in Gabala.
Day 5: Return & Relax
Return to Baku. Visit a hammam for a scrub or do some souvenir shopping before departing.
3. The "Classic Azerbaijan" Route (7 Days)
The ideal duration to see the "Golden Triangle" of tourism: Baku, Gabala, and Sheki.
Day 5: The Silk Road
From Gabala, drive 1.5 hours to Sheki. Visit the Khan's Palace and Caravanserai. The architecture here is completely different.
Day 6: Crafts & Wines
Visit the village of Kish to see the ancient Albanian church. On the way back to Baku, stop at a winery in the Savalan valley.
4. The "Grand Tour" (10+ Days)
For the traveler who wants to see it all, including the south.
Adding the South
Add 2-3 days to visit Lankaran and Lerik. Discover the tea culture, subtropical forests, and the longevity museum.
Adding Quba & Shahdag
Alternatively, head north to seeing the mystical village of Khinalig and stay at the Shahdag mountain resort.
5. Winter Ski Itinerary
Focuses on snow and city.
- Day 1: Arrival in Baku.
- Day 2-4: Direct transfer to Shahdag. 3 days of skiing/snowboarding.
- Day 5: Return to Baku for city tour and shopping.
6. Culinary Route
A tour designed around your stomach.
Includes cooking masterclasses (making Plov/Dolma), wine tasting in Gabala, and tea tasting in Lankaran.
7. Family Fun Itinerary
Slow paced with kid-friendly activities. Includes the Baku Zoo, Kinderland (a huge edutainment center), and the Gabaland amusement park.
8. Logistics: Getting Between Cities
Roads in Azerbaijan are generally good quality.
A private driver is affordable (approx. $80-100/day including fuel) and is the most stress-free way to execute these multi-city itineraries.
9. Customizing Your Route
Don't pack too much in. We always recommend spending at least 2 nights in a region to truly enjoy it, rather than rushing back to Baku the same day.
10. Let Us Plan It
These are just templates. At The Fine Travel, we specialize in building bespoke itineraries.
Tell us your interests (history, nature, food), and we will draft the perfect day-by-day plan for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I do Gabala as a day trip? ▼
Technically yes, but it involves 7-8 hours of driving round trip. It is exhausting. We highly recommend staying overnight.
Do I need a 4x4 vehicle? ▼
For standard routes (Baku-Gabala-Sheki), a standard sedan is fine. For Khinalig or remote villages, a 4x4 is necessary.
What about the Nakhchivan exclave? ▼
Nakhchivan requires a separate flight from Baku (1 hour). It is a fascinating, distinct destination worth an extra 2 days.
Are domestic flights available? ▼
Yes, there are flights to Nakhchivan, Ganja, Gabala, and Fuzuli, but flight schedules can be sparse. Driving is often more flexible.