- British visitors need an eVisa, applied for online before travel
- Baku is the main draw, with day trips to Gobustan and the fire temples
- Land borders have been closed to most travellers, so plan to fly in and out
- The FCDO advises against travel to some areas near the Armenian border
- Airports
- Baku Heydar Aliyev International (GYD)
- Flight time
- about 5h30 from London to Baku direct; longer with one stop
- Best time to go
- April-June and September-October
- Currency
- Azerbaijani manat (AZN)
Azerbaijan is a land of fire and contrasts. Baku, on the shore of the Caspian Sea, wraps a UNESCO-listed walled old city in oil-boom mansions and dazzling modern architecture such as the Flame Towers and Zaha Hadid's Heydar Aliyev Center. Within an hour or two are prehistoric rock carvings at Gobustan, bubbling mud volcanoes and hillsides where natural gas has burned for centuries. Further north, the Caucasus foothills hide Silk Road towns such as Sheki, with its painted Khan's Palace and old caravanserais.
Azerbaijan is three hours ahead of the UK in summer and four in winter. Cars drive on the right, and plugs are the two-pin European type. It combines well with Georgia, and is easy to pair with a stopover in Turkey. This Europe guide covers where to go, when, and what it costs in 2026.
Entry requirements
British passport holders usually need a visa to visit Azerbaijan, which you can apply for online through the official ASAN eVisa system before travelling; it is normally issued within a few working days for a single stay of up to 30 days. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond the visa's expiry. If you stay more than 15 days, you must register your address, which hotels usually do for you. Visitors who have travelled to Nagorno-Karabakh without Azerbaijani permission in the past may be refused entry. Land borders have been closed to most travellers in recent years, so plan to arrive and leave by air. The FCDO has advised against travel to areas close to the border with Armenia, so check its current map. Rules change, so check GOV.UK foreign travel advice before booking.
Where to go in Azerbaijan
Baku
Start in Icherisheher, the walled old city, with the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Walk along the Caspian seafront boulevard, ride the funicular up to Highland Park for views of the Flame Towers, and visit the flowing white Heydar Aliyev Center and the carpet-shaped Azerbaijan Carpet Museum. Baku's restaurants serve excellent plov, kebabs and tea with jam.
Gobustan and the mud volcanoes
About an hour south of Baku, Gobustan National Park protects thousands of rock carvings, some over 10,000 years old, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby, small mud volcanoes gurgle and bubble on the hillsides; tours usually combine the two.
Yanar Dag and Ateshgah
On the Absheron Peninsula, Yanar Dag is a hillside where natural gas burns continuously, most impressive after dark. The Ateshgah fire temple at Surakhani was used by Hindu and Zoroastrian worshippers and traders.
Sheki
About five hours north-west of Baku, Sheki is a charming mountain town with the 18th-century Palace of Shaki Khans, decorated with frescoes and shebeke stained glass, plus a caravanserai you can stay in and famous sweet halva. The ancient Albanian church at nearby Kish is worth the short detour.
Gabala, Lahij and Quba
Gabala is a mountain resort with cable cars and lakes. Lahij is a village of coppersmiths in the Greater Caucasus, and Quba, in the north, is the base for the remote mountain village of Khinalug, one of the highest in the Caucasus.
Best time to visit Azerbaijan
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Spring (April-June) | Pleasant temperatures, green countryside, ideal for touring |
| Summer (July-August) | Hot and humid in Baku (often 30 °C+); cooler in the mountains |
| Autumn (September-October) | Warm days and harvest season; comfortable sightseeing |
| Winter (November-March) | Cool and windy in Baku, snow in the mountains; skiing at Shahdag |
Getting to Azerbaijan from the UK
Baku Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD) is the main gateway. Azerbaijan Airlines (AZAL) has operated direct flights from London, taking about five hours 30 minutes, though schedules change. Otherwise, connect via Istanbul, the Gulf, Tbilisi or other European hubs. Because land borders have been closed to most travellers, combining Azerbaijan with Georgia usually means a short flight between Baku and Tbilisi.
Getting around
Baku has a cheap metro and buses, which use a rechargeable BakuCard, and Bolt and Uber are widely used and inexpensive. The Aeroexpress bus and a rail link connect the airport with the city. For Gobustan, the mud volcanoes and Yanar Dag, a tour or private driver is easiest. Buses and trains run to Sheki, Gabala and Quba, and car hire is possible, though driving in Baku can be chaotic.
Money and costs
The Azerbaijani manat (AZN) is the currency. Cards are widely accepted in Baku, but carry cash for the regions. Azerbaijan is reasonably priced: a meal with drinks costs roughly 25-50 manat (around £11-22), and a mid-range hotel in Baku about £60-120 a night. Budget around £60-100 per person per day for a mid-range trip.
Apply for your eVisa only through the official ASAN Visa website; many look-alike sites charge extra fees.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Azerbaijan?
Yes, British passport holders usually need one. Apply online for an eVisa through the official ASAN system a few weeks before travelling.
Is Azerbaijan safe to visit?
Baku and the main tourist areas are generally safe, and crime against tourists is low. Follow FCDO advice on areas near the Armenian border.
How many days do you need in Azerbaijan?
Three or four days covers Baku, Gobustan and Yanar Dag. A week lets you add Sheki and the mountains.
Can you travel overland from Georgia to Azerbaijan?
Land borders have been closed to most travellers in recent years, so check the latest rules; in practice most visitors fly between Tbilisi and Baku.
Written by
Thomas Ski, mountains & expeditions editor
Thomas is happiest above the tree line or below the Antarctic Circle. He writes our ski, mountain and polar expedition guides.
More from ThomasWe research every guide carefully, but prices, opening times and timetables change. Check them shortly before you travel. Links to our booking partners are affiliate links.
