Tourism in Azerbaijan has been an important sector of theAzerbaijani economy since the 1990s. According toAzerbaijan'sCenter for Economic and Social Development, the country is in 39th place[1] among 148 countries in tourism competitiveness indicators. TheWorld Travel and Tourism Council reported that Azerbaijan is among the top ten countries with the greatest increase in visitor exports from 2010 to 2016. The country had the world's fastest-developing travel and tourism economy (a 46.1% increase) in 2017.[2][3] To promote tourism, Azerbaijan sponsoredAtlético Madrid jerseys reading "Azerbaijan – Land of Fire". In 2018, a new tourism brand and a slogan "take another look" were introduced.[4]
Tourist visas can be obtained from an Azerbaijani embassy or electronically online without an embassy visit. In 2016, atax-free shopping system was introduced to attract foreign shoppers. Purchases must be made up to 90 days before export to be eligible for the tax refund.
In January 2017, Azerbaijan introduced its electronic visa for a single-entry visit of up to 30 days.[5] The e-visa[6] is available to tourists from 93 countries, who can apply on the e-visa website.[7][8] A visa is not required for citizens of theCommonwealth of Independent States (exceptTurkmenistan andArmenia) who intend to visit Azerbaijan within 90 days.
Due to a state of war withArmenia,[9] the government of Azerbaijan has banned the entry of citizens from Armenia, as well as citizens of any other country who are ofArmenian descent (including Armenian Russians, Turkish Armenians, etc.),[10] to the Republic of Azerbaijan.[11]
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Over 1.4 million tourists visited Azerbaijan in 2008. In 2017, a record-high number of 2,691,998 foreign citizens visited Azerbaijan.[15] Visitors to the country in 2017 came from the following countries:[16]
| Country | Number |
|---|---|
 Russia | 853,082 |
 Georgia | 537,710 |
 Iran | 362,597 |
 Turkey | 301,553 |
 United Arab Emirates | 102,360 |
 Iraq | 62,454 |
 Ukraine | 57,756 |
 Saudi Arabia | 33,273 |
 Kazakhstan | 31,994 |
 United Kingdom | 29,514 |
 Uzbekistan | 16,093 |
 Germany | 13,042 |
 Belarus | 12,320 |
 United States | 12,291 |
 Israel | 10,814 |
 Italy | 8,654 |
 Turkmenistan | 7,637 |
| Saudi Arabia | 7,463 |
 China | 7,363 |
 India | 6,012 |
 France | 5,785 |
| Total | 2,691,998 |
| Year | Number |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 900,000 |
| 2007 | 1,100,000 |
| 2008 | 1,400,000 |
| 2009 (9 months) | 1,000,988 |
| 2010 | 1,850,000 |
| 2011 | 2,239,000 |
| 2012 | 2,484,048 |
| 2013 | 2,508,904 |
| 2014 | 2,297,804 |
| 2015 | 2,006,176 |
| 2016 | 2,242,783 |
| 2017 | 2,691,998 |
| 2018 | 2,849,600 |
| 2019 | 3,170,000 |
| 2020 | 1,299,400 |
| 2021 | 792,000 |
| 2022 | 1,602,000 |
| 2023 | 2,086,000 |
| 2024 | 2,626,700 |
| Rank | Nationality | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 701,110 | 786,684 | 876,013 | 903,242 | 843,851 | 685,555 | 744,125 | 854,331 | 880,029 | 932,984 |
| 2 | Georgia | 491,942 | 573,063 | 763,251 | 810,390 | 699,532 | 571,648 | 506,306 | 538,213 | 610,556 | 725,465 |
| 3 | Turkey | 214,594 | 242,606 | 295,549 | 361,413 | 314,476 | 288,620 | 313,341 | 301,924 | 291,499 | 316,628 |
| 4 | Saudi Arabia | 312 | 284 | 380 | 479 | 507 | 727 | 7,463 | 33,312 | 73,284 | 107,230 |
| 5 | United Arab Emirates | 412 | 469 | 551 | 638 | 821 | 2,379 | 53,180 | 102,498 | 94,031 | 68,346 |
| 6 | India | 3,755 | 3,715 | 5,048 | 4,791 | 4,853 | 5,584 | 6,012 | 14,244 | 39,051 | 65,118 |
| 7 | Ukraine | 31,500 | 40,030 | 42,393 | 51,802 | 58,201 | 55,119 | 55,508 | 57,818 | 57,707 | 59,116 |
| 8 | Turkmenistan | 4,072 | 3,969 | 4,906 | 4,766 | 5,398 | 6,800 | 7,637 | 17,101 | 28,305 | 52,127 |
| 9 | Iraq | 549 | 679 | 917 | 991 | 738 | 2,147 | 62,983 | 62,547 | 67,514 | 50,723 |
| 10 | Kazakhstan | 19,209 | 28,225 | 25,295 | 28,226 | 29,468 | 27,145 | 31,994 | 36,360 | 37,824 | 47,551 |
| 11 | Israel | 6,346 | 5,671 | 6,369 | 6,989 | 7,534 | 8,325 | 10,814 | 15,385 | 40,185 | 47,056 |
| 12 |  Pakistan | 1,949 | 1,743 | 1,675 | 1,767 | 1,817 | 2,193 | 3,998 | 17,579 | 41,307 | 46,602 |
| 13 | United Kingdom | 24,160 | 24,646 | 29,125 | 32,841 | 33,563 | 34,892 | 29,514 | 31,751 | 29,417 | 36,914 |
| 14 |  Kuwait | 322 | 324 | 233 | 392 | 419 | 528 | 1,699 | 16,481 | 29,803 | 30,303 |
| 15 | China | 5,846 | 6,224 | 5,060 | 6,465 | 5,930 | 5,094 | 7,363 | 10,274 | 15,730 | 25,542 |
| Others | 959,375 | 1,012,692 | 1,120,726 | 980,164 | 974,674 | 1,277,506 | 1,409,215 | 1,643,517 | 1,484,033 | 558,668 | |
| Total | 1,962,906 | 2,239,141 | 2,484,048 | 2,508,904 | 2,297,804 | 2,006,176 | 2,248,773 | 2,696,745 | 2,849,592 | 3,170,373 |
| Rank | Nationality | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Russia | 624,753 | 446,712 | 258,315 | 225,201 |
| 2 | Turkey | 378,045 | 311,804 | 197,907 | 160,504 |
| 3 | Iran | 165,214 | 170,450 | 125,358 | 72,783 |
| 4 | India | 117,302 | 60,731 | 5,705 | 12,769 |
| 5 | Georgia | 104,450 | 82,206 | 62,666 | 184,228 |
| 6 | Saudi Arabia | 80,675 | 96,233 | 8,834 | 11,945 |
| 7 |  Qatar | 58,062 | 3,411 | 1,912 | 1,567 |
| 8 | Pakistan | 55,148 | 51,691 | 2,948 | 7,773 |
| 9 | Kuwait | 29,692 | 22,609 | 2,289 | 7,076 |
| 10 | Israel | 29,091 | 23,933 | 6,655 | 4,238 |
| 11 | United Arab Emirates | 45,759 | 41,085 | 17,320 | 7,951 |
| 12 | Uzbekistan | 39,655 | 26,301 | 4,213 | 5,283 |
| 13 | Ukraine | 31,267 | 27,741 | 17,428 | 16,953 |
| 14 | Belarus | 27,612 | 18,562 | 5,730 | 6,036 |
| 15 | Turkmenistan | 26,010 | 11,188 | 2,738 | 8,257 |
| Others | 283,745 | 285,592 | 348,513 | 272,148 | |
| Total | 2,085,790 | 1,602,279 | 791,751 | 795,722 |
Most of the visitors were from Europe, Asia, and North America. There were 1,818,258 foreigners in Azerbaijan in 2017.[18] The overwhelming majority were citizens of theRussian Federation,Georgia,Iran,Turkey andUAE. “Azerbaijan expects a massive flow of tourists from the Arab countries, Iran, Russia, Kazakhstan, much less will come from Ukraine and Belarus, and only a small flow from European states.[19]
Azerbaijan had 320 hotels in 2007, 370 in 2008, 452 in 2009, 499 in 2010, 508 in 2011 and 514 in 2012. The country has 230 tourist agencies and 560 hotels and hostels.[20]
Azerbaijan began tourism-development planning for 2002–2005 and 2010–2014.[1] The programs compiled tourism statistics, particularly its effect on the GNP. The Ministry of Tourism made a development study from 2008 to 2016[21] to increase accommodations and attract foreigners.
In March 2018,Ministry of Culture tourism head Aydin Ismiyev expressed a desire to developHalal tourism.[22] The following month, the 17th international tourism and travel exhibition (AITF 2018) opened.[23] Azerbaijan also providesculinary tourism.[24]
In addition to the capital,Baku, Azerbaijan has a number of resort areas with varied climates and a variety of flora and fauna. Notable areas are the cities ofGanja,Nakhchivan,Gabala andShaki[25][26] Shaki is noted for its architectural heritage: the 1763Palace of Shaki Khans,[27] mausoleums and fortresses.Nakhchivan was a centre of traditional medicine and has salt mines and mausoleums.Lankaran, near theCaspian Sea, has a history dating back to the 10th century BC.[25][28]
Baku has a number of historic and architectural monuments. TheOld City is its ancient core. In December 2000, the Old City (including thePalace of the Shirvanshahs and theMaiden Tower) was named Azerbaijan's firstUNESCOWorld Heritage Site.[29]
The Walled City of Baku (Icheri Sheher) hosts over 50 historic and architectural monuments, including Synyg Gala (the Broken Tower). The Palace of the Shirvanshahs, built at the beginning of the 15th century, is a hallmark ofAzerbaijani architecture. The complex contains the palace, theShirvanshah's residence, a mosque with minarets, a bathhouse, and the residence ofSeyid Yahya Bakuvi. Construction began in 1441 and was completed in 1558.
The Maiden Tower, in the south-western part of the walled city, was built in two stages. Its bottom part, 13.7 metres (45 ft) high, is dated by most experts to the 6th–7th centuries BC. The tower has a total height of 29.7 metres (97 ft), with a diameter of 16.5 metres (54 ft). The wall is 5 metres (16 ft) thick at the bottom, tapering to 4 metres (13 ft) at the top. The tower has of eight tiers and a 21-metre-deep (69 ft) well. It was built by 12th-century architectMasud ibn Davud, who was probably the father of the architect of the Mardakan Round Tower.[30] Its foundation is believed to be aSasanid-eraZoroastrian site.[31]
TheAteshgah of Baku is a temple in the south-westernSuraxanı raion on theAbsheron Peninsula, 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Baku. West of the Caspian Sea, it was built byHindu,Sikh andParsi traders from theIndian subcontinent during the 17th and 18th centuries. Ateshgah is afire temple, with its central stone shrine on a pocket of natural gas. The present structure was built around 1713, and the central shrine was funded by the merchant Kanchanagaran in 1810.
The Absheron Peninsula is noted for its shallow oil deposits, which trigger natural oil fires.[32] Zoroastrianism has along history in Azerbaijan, and the region was considered sacred by Zoroastrians due to these natural fires.[32] Scholars have speculated that the temple may have been an ancient Zoroastrian shrine, which was destroyed by invading Islamic armies during theMuslim conquest of Persia and its neighbouring regions.[33]
The complex was converted into a museum in 1975 and receives about 15,000 visitors a year. It was nominated as a World Heritage site in 1998 and was declared a state historical-architectural reserve.
Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, located southwest of Baku, is renowned for its ancient rock carvings and unique geological features, includingmud volcanoes. Established in 1966, the reserve was designated a national historical landmark to protect its rich archaeological and natural heritage.
Within the park lies theGobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape, home to more than 6,000 petroglyphs dating from approximately 5,000 to 40,000 years ago. These rock engravings depict scenes of prehistoric life, including primitive humans, animals, ritual dances, bullfights, boats with armed oarsmen, warriors with lances, camel caravans, and representations of the sun and stars.
The site also contains remnants of inhabited caves, settlements, and burial grounds, reflecting continuous human presence from theUpper Paleolithic period to theMiddle Ages. Covering an area of 537 hectares (1,330 acres), the site was inscribed as aUNESCO World Heritage Site in 2007 in recognition of its universal value.[34]
Mardakan, a settlement in Baku, has two ancient towers. The quadrangular tower was built in the 12th century by Akhsitan, the son ofShirvanshah Mechehrin, to commemorate a military victory. The 22-metre (72 ft) tower has a wall 2.6 metres (8 ft 6 in) thick at the bottom, tapering to 1.6 metres (5 ft 3 in) at the top. The inside of the tower is divided into five tiers. The second tower is round and 12.5 metres (41 ft) tall. Its inner part consists of three circles. The inscription on the tower wall reads that it was built by the architect Abdulmejid Masud in 1232.
ThePalace of Shaki Khans inShaki, 246 kilometres (153 mi) from Baku, was a summer residence of theShaki Khanate which was built in the early 18th century. It features decorative tiles, fountains, and severalstained-glass windows. The exterior is decorated with dark blue, turquoise and ochre tiles in geometric patterns; the murals, coloured withtempera, are inspired by the poetry ofNizami Ganjavi.[35]Apart from being uniquely beautiful, one of the outstanding features is that no nails or glue was used in the construction of the building.
The whiteHeydar Aliyev Center, designed byPritzker Architecture Prize winnerZaha Hadid, is a symbol of modern Baku. It contains two ornamental pools and an artificial lake.[36]
Mountain tourism is a popular attraction in Azerbaijan, particularly during the winter season. Two major mountain resorts,Tufandag in theGabala district andShahdag in theGusar district, have been developed to promote winter tourism and alpine sports. Located at altitudes between 2,500–3,000 metres (8,200–9,800 ft) above sea level, these resorts provide suitable conditions forskiing,snowboarding, and a range of other winter recreational activities.
Shahdag Mountain Resort (named after the Greater Caucasus mountain), about 32 kilometres (20 mi) fromQusar, is Azerbaijan's first ski resort.[37] It has private homes, hotels, cottages, villages and tent camping in summer. Winter activities include snowmobiling, horseback riding, sledding and tubing, and the resort has a snow park for children.[38] Tufandag, about 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) fromGabala, has acable car, skiing, an entertainment center for children and a hotel.[39][40]
Mountain tourism in Azerbaijan is promoted by the Mountain Sports Club (MSC), established in 1999. Members of the club have undertaken expeditions to notable peaks, includingMount Shahdagh.[41]
Khinalig, in theQuba region on the southeastern ridge of theCaucasus Mountains, is Azerbaijan's highest mountain village. Its highest peak is 2,250 metres (7,380 ft) above sea level. There are a number of caves around the village, which has a small museum with local artifacts such as tools, toys, clothes and manuscripts.[42]
The village ofLahij,[43] in the southernGreater Caucasus range of northern Azerbaijan about 1,505 metres (4,938 ft) above sea level, is a center of ancient art. Lahij is known for its forests, mountains, waterfalls, historic monuments and ancient artifacts.[44] Laza is a village at the foot of 4,243-metre (13,921 ft) Mount Shahdagh.[45]
Azerbaijan has eight other national parks.Zangezur National Park (formerly Ordubad National Park) was renamed and expanded in 2009. The park has 58 species of animals (35 vertebrates and 23 insects) and 39 endangered plant species. It is home to the Anatolian leopard, mountain sheep, bezoar goat, white-tail sea eagle, golden eagle, and little bustard.
The semi-aridShirvan National Park has a lake covering about 40 square kilometres (15 sq mi). It is home to many bird species (including turaj, little bustard, bustard, swans and flamingoes), which winter and nest in the marshy areas. Djeyran gazelles are the most populous mammals in the region.
Ag-Gel National Park, also semi-arid, is on theMil plain of theKur-Araz Lowland. Over 140 species of birds are found, including 89 species of nesting birds such as partridge, spoonbill, swan, teal and bustard. The park is on theRamsar Convention list of internationally important wetlands.[46]
Hirkan National Park, on theLankaran Lowland and in theTalysh Mountains, is 99% forested and strictly protected. The park preservesrelictual and endemic plant species from theTertiary, and contains 150 types of trees and bushes such as the Hirkan box tree, iron tree, chestnut leave oak, fig tree, Hirkan pear tree, silk acacia, Caucasus palm tree, Caspian Gleditsia, butcher's broom andalders. The fauna includes the Persian leopard, Talysh pheasant and golden eagle.
Altyaghach National Park is 90.5% covered by temperate deciduous broadleaf forest, and major tree species include iron trees, Caucasus hornbeam, Oriental beech, cud andbirches. The park is home to the rareEast Caucasian tur (Capra cylindricornis), a mountain-dwellingcaprine found only in the eastern half of the Caucasus Mountains. Other species include roe deer, bear, wild boar, lynx, fox, rabbit, squirrel, and wolf.
The Soviet-era predecessor ofAbsheron National Park was the Absheron State Nature Preserve which was created in July 1969 to protect gazelle, Caspian seal, and waterbirds. The area's climate is also semi-arid (Köppen classification BSk). Vegetation is sparse due to soil dryness and salinity. Seacoast sand plants make up 42.6% of vegetation, meadow grasses 13.2% and annual salt grasses 5.2%.Ephemeral plants develop in early spring. Fauna is similar to that in Shirvan National Park: gazelle, jackal, fox, rabbit, badger, in Caspian waters seal and various fishes, birds such as silver gull, wheezing swan, grey and red-headed black- and white-eyed black ducks, white bittern, sandpiper, marsh belibagli, sea bozcha, and other migrant birds.
Shahdag National Park, in northern Azerbaijan on the border with Russia and Georgia, was created in 2006. TheWorld Bank allocated a $17 million loan and $8 million grant in 2007, and the government of Japan provided an $8 million grant for the southern Caucasus' largest national park.[47]
Göygöl National Park, created in 2008, is Azerbaijan's newest national park. Its Soviet-era predecessor was the Goy Gol State Reserve, established in 1925. The park, in the east on the northern slopes of theLesser Caucasus, includesLake Göygöl. It contains over 420 plant species (including 20 which are endemic to the area) and is home to brown bears, Caucasian red deer, roe deer, and lynx. Bird species include the lammergeyer, raven, and mountain partridge.
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Most museums are located in major cities, such as Baku (including theBaku Museum of Miniature Books),Ganja,Nakhchivan,Sumgait,Lankaran,Mingachevir andShaki.
Azerbaijan permits the hunting of Dagestan goat, wild boar, rabbit, forest dove, quail, partridge, water birds (goose, duck,coot), woodcock, andchamois. Hunting is prohibited in theAghdam,Khanlar,Goranboy,Dashkasan,Gadabay andTer Ter regions, the Caspian Sea islands, green zones, protected areas and near cities and resort areas.[48]
{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)... Oil oozes up out of the ground in the region of the Apsheron ... natural oil fires were revered long ago by Zoroastrians, to whom fire is a sacred symbol ...
... 'maybe, that before Moslem epoch it was Zoroastrian Fire Temple, which was destroyed by Arabs and later was restored by Hindu people for their purposes' ... Farroukh Isfandzadeh ... Not just me but any Parsee who is a little familiar with our Hindu brethren's religion, their temples and their customs, after examining this building with its inscriptions, architecture, etc., would conclude that this is not a Parsee Atash Kadeh but is a Hindu Temple ... informed me that some 40 years ago, the Russian Czar, Alexander III, visited this place with a desire to witness the Hindu Brahmin Fire ritual ... gathered a few Brahmins still living here and they performed the fire ritual in this room in front of the Czar ... I asked for a tall ladder and with trepidation, I climbed to the top of the building and examined the foundation stone which was inscribed in the Nagrik [or Nagari] script ... the installation date is mentioned as the Hindu Vikramaajeet calendar year 1866 (equivalent to 1810 A. D.) ...
