day tours baku

Wander-Lush

12 Exciting Day Trips From Baku: Mud Volcanoes, Mountain Hikes, Mosques & More

This round-up of the best day trips from Baku, Azerbaijan includes short independent trips you can do with public transport and longer Baku tours. Whether you’re looking for nature, hiking, culture, history or food and wine, this list has something for you!

Baku is the gateway to some of Azerbaijan’s most incredible mountains, surreal landscapes of mud and fire, enthralling villages, and even the wine region.

It’s easy to get waylaid by the capital’s charming the Old City, Icherisheher , and the ultra-cool urban architecture , but don’t forget there are plenty of amazing things to see and do right on Baku’s doorstep.

I recommend spending at least 2-3 full days in Baku . That’s enough time to see the city highlights plus take 1-2 day trips around the Absheron Peninsula and beyond.

For all the best things to see and do in the city, see my Baku City Guide .

Getting around Azerbaijan can be a bit challenging, but it’s possible to do many of these Baku day trips independently using marshrutka vans or trains. Below, you’ll find detailed instructions for each destination.

For longer drives and more complex routes, I highly recommend joining either a guided tour or taking advantage of the hop-on-hop-off-style transfers available. In the next section, I list my top picks.

Please note: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I may earn a commission if you make a purchase by clicking a link (at no extra cost to you). Learn more.

Quick links: The best Baku day tours

⭐ Top-rated Baku day trip: Combined tour to the Gobustan mud volcanoes, petroglyphs, Yanar Dag & Bibi Heybet Mosque → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ Best extended day trip: Tour of the copper workshops in Lahic and ancient Shamakhi with an Azerbaijani picnic lunch in the forest near Ismailli. → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ For mountain scenery & hiking: Day trip to Xinaliq, Azerbaijan’s highest village → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ For architecture & culture: Day trip to Sheki and the UNESCO World Heritage listed Palace of the Sheki Khans → Check availability here on Viator .

⭐ For Azerbaijani wine: Day trip to Qabala → Check availability here on Viator .

Map of Baku day trips

→ Click here to open the map .

How to plan a Baku day trip

I’ve included detailed transport information for each destination in the next section. 

Here is a quick overview of your transport options for travelling out of Baku plus a few handy links:

Metro & intercity buses

Many of these shorter day trip destinations on the Absheron Peninsula are easy to reach from the Old Town using a combination of metro and buses. Public transport in Baku is linked up to Google Maps, which makes it very easy to navigate the city using your phone.

Pick up a rechargeable BakıKART for 2 AZN when you first arrive. A single metro trip costs 0.30 AZN, and bus fares range from 0.30-0.50 ANZ depending on the route.

Regional buses

You no longer have to travel all the way to Sumqayit to catch a marshrutka or coach. Regional buses to towns and cities outside Baku now depart from the International Bus Terminal Complex located here . To get there from Icherisheher, simply take bus 37 from Nizami Garden to Bilajari Circle (0.30 AZN; 20 mins).

The bus station publishes schedules and fares on their website – which is surprisingly easy to use. Check times and ticket prices for popular destinations here .

Organised day tours

Generally speaking, organised day trips from Baku are great value for money and take a lot of the hassle out of travel. I highly recommend joining a day tour with private transportation for longer trips, especially anything that requires more than three hours of travel.

Viator has the best range of itineraries and tour companies in Azerbaijan. Click here to browse all day trips from Baku .

Best day trips from Baku for history, culture & scenery

1. day trip from baku to gobustan national park – mud volcanoes & petroglyphs.

• Distance from Baku: 65 km (40 miles)
• Travel time: ~4 hours return
• Best for: History, culture, adventure, families with kids

A short drive south via the Caspian coast, Gobustan (Qobustan) is by far the most popular day trip from Baku. This was one of the first places I visited after arriving in Azerbaijan and it’s an experience I’ll never forget .

There are two things to see in the area. First and foremost, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is one of the country’s three UNESCO World Heritage Sites , where you can observe more than 6,000 petroglyphs – some 40,000 years old . After visiting the small but fascinating exhibition, you are then led through the open-air museum to view the ancient engravings hidden amongst caves and boulders. Entrance costs 10 AZN per person and includes an English-speaking guide.

There are mud volcanoes all over the Absheron Peninsula, including a big cluster 1.5km inland from Gobustan. It’s a short off-road drive from the museum to reach this otherworldly landscape, where little craters bubble and puff, spilling ice-cold mud onto the dry earth.

How to get to Gobustan from Baku with public transport

To get to Gobustan from Baku independently, you’ll need to use a combination of public transport and taxis.

First, take a south-bound bus 125 from Azneft Square to the Karvansaray Shopping Centre (0.40 ANZ; 30 mins). Cross the road to Bina Shopping Centre and board the south-bound 195 bus (1.30 AZN; 45 mins) to Gobustan House of Culture in the centre of Gobustan town. From there, a local taxi to the National Park takes around 10 minutes and should cost ~12 AZN. A taxi to the petroglyphs and the mud volcanoes combined should cost ~30 AZN.

Best Gobustan day tours

TOP CHOICE: Gobustan, Mud volcanoes, Fire temple, Fire mountain Group Tour with Bag Baku . This is the tour I did when I visited Gobustan. English-speaking guides and transport to/from Baku are included, but you need to purchase your own museum ticket. They also make a quick stop at the ‘burning mountain’, Yanar Dag (see the next section for more info). → Check prices & availability .

PRIVATE TOUR: Gobustan, Mud volcanoes, Fire temple, Fire mountain Private Tour . If you prefer to travel sans group, Bag Baku offers the same itinerary as a private tour. It’s very good value for money. → Check prices & availability .

2. Day trip along the Absheron Peninsula – flaming hills & fire temples

• Distance from Baku: 100 km (62 miles)
• Best for: Adventure, scenery

The Absheron Peninsula is the piece of land that extends into the Caspian Sea north and east of Baku. As well as more mud volcanoes and a surreal shoreline of oil rigs, this area offers a range of other quirky landscapes and attractions – including the famous ‘flaming mountain’, Yanar Dag, and the Ateshgah Zoroastrian Fire Temple.

A tour of Absheron from Baku will typically include Gobustan to the south plus several stops to the east of the city. It involves a bit more driving, but it’s worth it to book a combination tour if you have time to see more of the area.

If you just want to visit Ateshgah or Yanar Dag, you can quite easily do it independently by bus. See numbers #9 and #10 on this list for more information.

Best Absheron Peninsula tour

ALL-INCLUSIVE GROUP OR PRIVATE TOUR: Gobustan & Absheron Tour All Entrance Fees and Lunch Included . Available as a private or group tour, this itinerary includes hotel pick up, lunch, and tickets to Gobustan Reserve. Yanar Dag and the Ateshgah Fire Temple are also included in the itinerary. → Check prices & availability .

3. Day trip to Khinaliq – hiking & high mountain villages

• Distance from Baku: 220 km (137 miles)
• Travel time: ~8.5 hours return
• Best for: Nature, mountain scenery, hiking

Khinaliq (Xinaliq / Khinalug) is one of the most popular places to go hiking in Azerbaijan. Located north-west of Baku in the Greater Caucasus mountains, the tiny village of 2,000 people is considered to be the highest and most isolated in the country. (Along with Ushguli and Bochorna in Georgia , it’s among the highest in the South Caucasus region ).

Khinaliq’s main attraction is its pristine mountain scenery, best appreciated when hiking along one of the marked alpine trails around the village. The History-Ethnography Museum of Khinaliq offers insights into the area’s Caucasian Albanian heritage and Tikmes embroidery traditions.

Sometimes called the ‘museum under the open sky’, this is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in Azerbaijan and one of the most spectacular landscapes in the region. Because it’s such a long drive – and because there’s so much to see – it’s best to spend a few nights in Khinaliq, staying at one of the local guesthouses in town.

If you’re pressed for time, it’s possible to visit in a day from Baku, but only by joining a guided tour. I only recommend this one for the summer months when the high mountain pass is completely clear and the days are long.

Best Khinaliq tours

TOP CHOICE: Quba and Khinaliq Village Tour . This 10-hour day trip has a packed schedule. On the way to Khinaliq from Baku, you’ll visit Besh Barmag mountain, Masdargah waterfall, Qachrash forest, and a number of other scenic viewpoints. After a short stop in Quba village, the tour culminates with a full two hours in Khinaliq. → Check prices & availability .

BUDGET GROUP TOUR: Guba Khinalug from Baku Group Tour . This budget-friendly tour includes stops at Besh Barmag mountain, Qachrash forest and Masdargah, and still gives you three full hours to explore Khinaliq. You’ll eat lunch with a local family and get a chance to visit the History-Ethnography Museum plus a local mosque. → Check prices & availability .

BEST CHOICE FOR HIKERS: Khinalig-Galakhudat hike with Bag Baku . If you want to focus on hiking, this day trip takes you straight to the mountains to maximise your time on the ground. The hike from Galakhudat village to Khinaliq is 8km (easy grade) and takes around five hours to complete. Arriving in the village by foot is a special experience. When you get there, you’ll be greeted with a home-cooked meal. → Check prices & availability .

BEST CHOICE FOR SCENERY: Khinalug and Candy Mountains (Group or Private) Tour . This tour follows a slightly different route and includes stops at the ‘Candy Cane Mountains’ near Khizi (similar to the ones in Udabno in Georgia ) as well as Qachrash forest on the way up to Khinaliq. → Check prices & availability .

4. Day trip to Quba – Azerbaijani carpet weaving & Jewish history

• Distance from Baku: 168 km (104 miles)
• Travel time: ~5 hours return
• Best for: Culture, history, textiles

Quba (Guba) is a small town in the foothills of the Caucasus that’s used as a departure point for visiting Khinaliq. Some hiking tours make a quick pit stop here to change vehicles, but if you’re interested in culture and traditional textiles , it’s a worthy day trip destination in its own right.

Quba is known for being the country’s apple-growing capital (more than 1000 varieties of the fruit grow here) and the home of one of Azerbaijan’s seven schools of carpet weaving. Workshops and studios line the main streets, with women diligently knotting huge soumaks and pile rugs behind closed doors. Qadim Quba is one of the most popular workshops and welcomes visitors to tour the studio.

Grab lunch and an apple tea at Alma Cafe on the river before crossing the bridge to Red Village (Girmizi Gasaba). A total contrast to the rest of Quba, this neighbourhood sports rows of tidy red-tiled houses. Home to a large community of Mountain Jews, it was once the only entirely Jewish settlement outside of Israel and the US. Nicknamed ‘Little Jerusalem’, it’s now believed to be the world’s last shtetl.

Visit a few of the eight local synagogues (the Six Dome Synagogue is particularly impressive) and the world-class Mountain Jews Museum . Having opened in 2019, it catalogues the area’s unique history from the mid-18th century onwards, including the WWII period, and provides an insight into local culture and Juhuri language. Entrance costs 10 AZN.

How to get to Quba from Baku with public transport

Quba is ~2.5 hours from Baku by road and easy to reach by bus. Marshrutka minivans and larger coaches both depart from Baku International Bus Station.

When you arrive, proceed to the top level and look for buses waiting in the large outdoor depot area. If in doubt, ask around. Drivers depart regularly throughout the day (every 30 to 60 minutes), with the first bus leaving at 7.30am and the last bus at 5.55pm. Double check the schedule before you go. Tickets to Guba cost 4 AZN per person.

Buses terminate (and return to Baku) at the new bus station on the east side of Quba.

5. Day trip to Sheki – Silk Road history & the Palace of the Sheki Khans

• Distance from Baku: 300 km (186 miles)
• Travel time: ~9 hours return
• Best for: Culture, history, scenery

Sheki is my favourite place in Azerbaijan and a must-visit for every traveller. Ideally you should plan to spend 2-3 days in Sheki , but if one day is all you have, it’s better than nothing.

Alongside the newly UNESCO-listed Palace of the Sheki Khans with its glimmering shebeke stained glass windows, you should wander the historic Sheki old town, which features charming cobbled streets and several restored Silk Road-era caravanserais. One of the stone inns has been refurbished and serves as a hotel. Staying the night here is truly one of the best experiences you can have in Azerbaijan.

Sheki is a long drive from Baku – and it will be an exhausting day – but I still think it’s worth it to make the trip out. There’s no way you can do this by public transport though, so your only option is to hire a taxi or join an organised tour.

Best Sheki tours

TOP CHOICE: Private Sheki Tour . This day tour includes door-to-door transfers from Baku and an English-speaking guide. On the way to Sheki, you’ll stop at the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, but most of your time will be spent in Sheki touring the summer palace, the Albanian-Caucasian Church of Kish, and the caravanserai. → Check prices & availability .

MULTI-DAY OPTION: Shamakhi, Gabala and Sheki tour (All inclusive) . If you can find time in your itinerary, this overnight trip has a much better pace, is more affordable – and most importantly, it allows for a night and full day in Sheki. On the first day, you’ll drive up from Baku stopping at the Diri Baba Mausoleum, the town of Ismailli, Gebele and Nohur Lake. The second day features an in-depth tour of Sheki before returning to Baku in the late afternoon. Accommodation at the Sheki Palace Hotel and two lunches are included. → Check prices & availability .

6. Day trip to Shamakhi and Lahic – ancient mosques & Coppersmiths

• Distance from Baku: 173 km (108 miles)
• Travel time: ~5.5 hours return
• Best for: Culture, history

Shamakhi (Şamaxi) and Lahic (Lahij) are two charming small towns in central Azerbaijan. Shamakhi is one of the oldest cities in the country and formerly served as the Shirvanshahs’ capital until 1192. Known for its carpet weaving, poetry and folk dance, it’s also home to one of the oldest mosques in the Caucasus, the Juma.

The lush hills around the city hold many treasures, including wineries and even alpaca farms! The Yeddi Gumbaz (‘Seven Domes’) is a historic cemetery complex above the city and the final resting place of the last ruler of the Shirvan Khanate .

Fifty kilometres deeper into the mountains via a nail-biting serpentine road, the tiny village of Lahic is a UNESCO Creative City famed for its old streets and coppersmiths’ workshops. Step back in time as you wander the rows of tiny wooden shops, walking to the beat of a dozen anvils tapping beautiful designs into plates and jugs.

Again, you could easily spend 2-3 days exploring this area but it’s still possible to see the highlights on an extended day trip from Baku.

How to get to Shamakhi from Baku with public transport

There are no direct buses to Shamakhi that I’m aware of. The easiest way to get there is to take a bus from Baku International Bus Station to Gabala and ask the driver to drop you off early on the highway outside Shamakhi. Buses depart every hour between 10am and 6pm. Journey time is around 2 hours, and the fare is 7.60 AZN.

To get to Lahic from Shamakhi, you’ll need to take a local taxi. This should cost around 7 AZN.

Best Shamakhi & Lahic day tours

TOP CHOICE: Lahij Tour & Picnic Party (All inclusive) . This full-day tour includes a visit to Shamakhi, two hours in Lahic, plus an Azerbaijani feast with local wine in the forest near Ismailli on the way back to Baku. → Check prices & availability .

TRANSFER: Independent Tour to Shamakhi & Lahij . If you prefer something more hands-off, this transfer service from Baku is unguided. The driver will make two pit stops at Diri Baba Mausoleum and the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi before arriving in Lahic, where you get a full three hours to explore the town at your own pace. → Check prices & availability .

7. Day trip to Gabala – mountains, waterfalls & skiing

• Distance from Baku: 216 km (134 miles)
• Travel time: ~6 hours return
• Best for: Mountain scenery, skiing, hiking, adventure

Azerbaijan’s premier outdoor resort, Gabala is one of the best places in the Greater Caucasus for skiing and snowboarding. In the summer, the slopes of Tufandag Mountain Resort transform into trails for quad-biking, hiking and paragliding.

Gondolas whisk visitors up and down the mountains. In Gabala city, you can find Caucasian-Albanian churches and a gamut of local restaurants, while there are several waterfalls and lakes walking distance from the centre.

This landscape is a breath of fresh air after buzzing Baku and the perfect place to relax in a hot spring and take in some cool mountain air. A three-hour drive from the city, it’s another long day trip but quite easy to organise travelling either by bus or with a private driver.

How to get to Gabala from Baku with public transport

Buses depart from Baku International Bus Station once an hour starting from 10am. Travel time is 3.5-4 hours, and the fare is 7.60 AZN. In Gabala, buses terminate (and return to Baku) from the Bus Station here .

Best Gabala day tours

TOP CHOICE: Shamakhi and Gabala Tour (All inclusive) . The highlight of this day tour is riding the gondola at Tufandag for a close encounter with ‘Sleeping Beauty Mountain’. On the way up from Baku, you’ll stop at the Juma Mosque in Shamakhi and break for a picnic lunch in the forest near Ismailli. The tour culminates with a visit to Lake Nohur. → Check prices & availability .

BUDGET GROUP TOUR: Gabala & Shamakhi Group Tour . This affordable day trip covers Shamakhi, Ismailli and Lake Nohur while also giving you 90 minutes to ride the gondola at Tufandag. Lunch and tea are included but note that cable car tickets must be purchased separately. → Check prices & availability .

8. Day trip to Azerbaijan’s wine region – scenery & vineyards

• Best for: Wine, culture, scenery

While neighbouring Georgia and Armenia are better-known for their ancient winemaking techniques , it might surprise you to learn that Azerbaijan has a long history of viniculture as well. Just south-west of Gabala at the foot of the Greater Caucasus, the Savalan Valley is one of Azerbaijan’s premier wine regions and home to a number of vineyards.

An Azerbaijani wine tour usually includes a tour of the grounds followed by tastings of regional wines accompanied by local snacks. The biggest commercial vineyard in Savalan, ASPI Winery, is Italian-Azerbaijani and specialises in European-style riesling, chardonnay and merlot.

Best wine tour from Baku

TOP CHOICE: Wine Tour Qabala with Local Lunch . Accompanied by an English-speaking guide, you’ll visit the small Museum of Wine before touring the vines at Savalan ASPI. A tasting of four wines with local bites follows. On the way in from Baku, you will make a stop at Nohur Lake to drink tea and eat local bread. → Check prices & availability .

4 easy half day trips from Baku using public transport

9. ateshgah zoroastrian fire temple – one of azerbaijan’s most sacred sites.

• Distance from Baku: 23 km (14 miles)
• Travel time: ~1.5 hours return

Located on the eastern edge of the city, 30 minutes from the Icherisheher Old Town, Baku Ateshgah is one of the oldest and most important Zoroastrian monuments in Azerbaijan.

Built by the Persians in the 17th century, it has served various purposes over the centuries, including as a place of worship for Hindus and Sikhs. An eternal flame fanned by natural petroleum reserves went out in 1969. It was reignited with the help of gas piped in from Baku.

Entrance to Ateshgah costs 4 AZN per person. Allow for around 60 minutes to visit the temple.

How to get to Ateshgah from Baku with public transport

Starting from the Old City, take the Red Line metro east to Ulduz station (15 mins) then connect with bus 184 to the last stop, Surakhani Station (20 mins). From there, it’s a 600-metre walk.

→ Click here to see a list of day trips that include Ateshgah Fire Temple .

10. Yanar Dag – one of the most popular short day trips from Baku

Azerbaijan’s iconic ‘burning mountain’ is located north of Baku city, around 23km from the Old Town. Legend has it it’s been on fire since the 1950s when a shepherd threw a match into a patch of natural gas.

Yanar Dag is open every day from 10am until 7pm. Entrance costs 9 AZN. It’s best to visit in the early evening to see the three-metre-high flames erupting from the sandstone hill. There’s also a museum cafe-souvenir shop onsite. See here for more information.

How to get to Yanar Dag from Baku with public transport

Ride the Red Line Metro from Philarmonia Garden to Avrasiya Clinic (30 mins), then connect to bus 147 to Yanardagh Reserve (25 mins). The bus terminates right at the entrance to the complex.

→ Click here to see a list of day trips that include Yanar Dag .

11. Mardakan Castle – An alternative Baku day trip

• Distance from Baku: 30 km (19 miles)

Please note: Mardakan Castle is currently closed for renovations.

Located east of Baku past the airport, Mardakan Castle is one of two fortifications in this part of Baku that borders the coast. Built in the 12th century, it has a distinctive quadrangular shape with five tiers and an inner courtyard. The central 22-metre-tall tower has an internal staircase that leads to a viewpoint with stunning views of the Caspian Sea.

How to get to Mardakan Castle from Baku with public transport

Take the Red Line Metro to Koroghlu Station (20 mins), then cross the road to change to the number 136 bus. Get off at the Nizami Cultural Centre (30 mins) and walk another 400 metres to reach the castle. You can’t miss it.

12. Shebeke Beach – sand & sunsets near the city

• Distance from Baku: 40 km (25 miles)
• Travel time: ~2.5 hours return

Baku might not strike you as a beach destination, but there are white-sand Caspian beaches within easy reach of the city centre in the northern Bilgah district. Bilgah Beach Hotel is a popular place for swimming. Quieter beaches can be found at Shebeke and Dachnikov on either side of the peninsula.

How to get to Shebeke Beach from Baku with public transport

Starting from Icherisheher, ride the Metro Red Line to Koroghlu Station (20 mins) and then hop on bus 171. After another 40 minutes you’ll arrive at Jumeirah Bilgah Beach Hotel. From there, it’s an 800-metre walk down to the closest beach or a short taxi ride to the pier at Plyaj Dachnikov.

Where to stay in Baku

If it’s your first time in Baku, I highly recommend choosing a hotel located inside or close to the walls of the atmospheric Old City .

TOP CHOICE: Utopia Hotel (⭐ 8.5). Located within the Old Town walls, this hotel has simple, tidy rooms and a rooftop terrace with water views. Staff are helpful, and the complimentary breakfast is a nice bonus. It’s great value for Baku. I stayed here recently with my dad.

BUDGET: Cth Baku Hostel (⭐ 9.4). Located in the popular student neighbourhood of Yasamal, west of the Old City and just footsteps from Nazimi Metro Station, this hostel has budget-friendly private rooms with shared bathrooms and comfortable communal spaces for socialising.

MID-RANGE: Centric Baku Boutique Hotel (⭐ 9.4). Located just outside the Old City walls close to the National Museum, this modern, stylish hotel has chic rooms with city views. A terrific breakfast is included.

HIGH-END: The Merchant Baku (⭐ 9.4). Located right on the old wall, 600m from the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, this opulent hotel has spacious rooms with private balconies and a gorgeous Silk-Road-inspired cocktail lounge.

Azerbaijan essentials

Here are some of the websites and services I use when I’m planning a trip to Azerbaijan and the Caucasus. Remember to check out my full list of travel resources for more tips.

FLIGHTS: Find affordable flights to Baku on Skyscanner .

VISAS: Use iVisa to check if you need a tourist visa for Azerbaijan and apply for an expedited visa online.

DOCUMENTATION: Use OneWayFly to obtain proof of onward travel/hotel reservation for your visa application.

TRAVEL INSURANCE: Insure your trip with HeyMondo , my preferred provider for single-trip and annual travel insurance.

AIRPORT TRANSFER: Pre-book a private transfer from Baku Airport to your hotel.

ACCOMMODATION: Find the best Azerbaijan hotel deals on Booking.com or book a Baku hostel .

SHORT ON TIME? Get to know Baku on this Old City walking tour , or join this panoramic night tour to see Baku in her best light.

AZERBAIJAN GUIDEBOOK: Get your copy of the new Lonely Planet Caucasus guidebook (February 2022).

ALI AND NINO: Pick up a copy of Ali and Nino , Azerbaijan’s national novel. I can guarantee that Kurban Said’s evocative descriptions of Baku will get you excited for your trip!

More Azerbaijan travel resources

• All the best things to see and do in Baku , Azerbaijan’s capital city
• My best photos of Azerbaijan to inspire your travels
• Plan your trip: The ultimate Caucasus itinerary or an efficient 10-14 day Azerbaijan Georgia itinerary
• How to travel to/from Baku and Georgia by overnight train
• Tips for travelling around Azerbaijan by bus
• Guide to exploring Baku Old City
• The 12 best day trips from Baku
• Why you must visit the Heydar Aliyev Center in Baku
• How to take a day trip from Baku to Gobustan for the mud volcanoes
• Guide to Sheki , Azerbaijan’s most beautiful city
• Guide to Quba , Azerbaijani carpet weaving
• How to spend the night in a Silk Road caravanserai in Azerbaijan

Your details on how to travel independently in the Caucuses is really helpful, and as far as I can tell, only found on your blogs. Today I used the “ Gobustan from Baku with public transport” guidance and it was spot on. I have used similar advice for Georgia and Armenia. Your blog rocks!

Thanks so much Kevin! Really appreciate it.

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Full day Guba & Khinalig Tour

from 1 review

Arabic, English, Russian, Turkish

Embark on an unforgettable journey with our Guba & Khinalig Tour, a captivating exploration that promises a tapestry of experiences in Azerbaijan’s Northern Region. Immerse yourself in the vibrant culture, rich history, and diverse landscapes that define this extraordinary adventure.

This is a special Guba & Khinalig tour Departing from the bustling city of Baku at 9:00 AM. This enchanting adventure is a symphony of experiences, promising a day filled with cultural immersion, natural wonders, and the ancient charm of Khinalig village.

As the day begins, our comfortable transportation whisks you away from the vibrant cityscape of Baku. The first stop at the 5finger Mountain Bus Stop Market invites you to indulge in a leisurely break, sipping on tea or coffee amidst the lively local market ambience.

The journey then unfolds into the serene Qecresh Forest in Quba City, a verdant haven where lush greenery and tranquillity set the stage for a rejuvenating stroll. A visit to the Qudyalchay River and Canyon follows, allowing you to marvel at the rugged beauty of the canyon and the soothing flow of the river.

The Eagle Chest provides a captivating photo stop, where panoramic views of the mountains become the backdrop for your memories. Finally, we arrive at the pinnacle of the day – Khinalig village. Nestled among the peaks, Khinalig village offers a journey back in time, inviting you to explore ancient traditions and architectural wonders.

Throughout the tour, expect encounters with friendly locals, delicious food, and a diverse array of landscapes that showcase Azerbaijan’s rich tapestry. The day concludes with reflections on the experiences gained as we journey back to Baku at 7:00 PM.

Khinalig Tour: Explore the Rooftop of the Caucasus

Embark on a Khinalig Village Tour, traversing ancient pathways that wind through the heart of the Caucasus. As you ascend, the village unfolds like a hidden gem, revealing unparalleled views and the captivating spirit of a community that has withstood the test of time.

Khinalig Village isn’t just a destination; it’s a harmonious blend of natural beauty and human resilience. Surrounded by peaks and valleys, this high-altitude retreat beckons travelers to witness the coexistence of traditional values and the majestic landscapes that define the allure of Khinalig.

Join us for the Guba & Khinalig Tour, a meticulously crafted exploration that transcends the ordinary, promising a day of enchantment and cultural discovery in the heart of Azerbaijan’s Northern Region. Depart from Baku at 9:00 AM and let the adventure unfold.

• Caucasian Foothills Exploration: Immerse yourself in the breathtaking landscapes of the Northern Region. Marvel at the picturesque beauty of the Caucasian foothills, where every turn unveils a new masterpiece of nature.
• Dramatic Canyons Experience: Witness the awe-inspiring grandeur of Azerbaijan's most dramatic canyons. Stand amidst rugged terrain and towering cliffs, capturing moments that define the majesty of the natural world.
• Journey to Khinalig, the Highest Village: Venture high into the hills to discover the remote mountain village of Khinalig. Known as the highest inhabited village in the Caucasus, Khinalig offers a glimpse into ancient traditions and a mystical way of life.

9:00 AM - Departure from Baku

11:30 AM - 5finger Mountain Bus Stop Market

1:00 PM - Qecresh Forest in Quba City

2:30 PM - Qudyalchay River and Canyon

3:30 PM - Eagle Chest Photo Stop

4:00 PM - Arrival at Khinalig Village

Included/Excluded

• Transportation (brand new SUV or Mercedes minivan for larger groups)
• Guiding service
• Entrance fees
• Hotel pick up & drop off
• Homemade lunch (12USD Per Person)

Tour's Location

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The best day trips from Baku: the Absheron peninsula

This post is a travel guide about the best day trips from Baku into the Absheron peninsula for the independent budget traveller.

Baku is located in the middle of the Absheron peninsula. This area is the heart of Azerbaijan’s land of fire with some of the best day trips from Baku.

This travel guide will not only show you which day trips from Baku you can make, but also how to organize them yourself without the need of an expensive tour. Tours to the Absheron peninsula tend to be pricey, but are not necessary to explore this fascinating area. It is easy to make day trips from Baku on your own using public transport.

Why visit the Absheron peninsula?

If you stick to Baku you will only get to see a small part of Azerbaijan. The modern capital has done a good job showing off its oil wealth, but obviously this is not the whole story. It all felt a bit artificial to me and you almost forget thst this area had a rich history on the Silk Road.

I wanted to learn more about Azerbaijan’s vast reserves of gas and oil and to see what was behind the glitter and glamour of Baku. It was only when I made some day trips from Baku that I got to see a different side of Azerbaijan.

Beyond Baku into the Absheron peninsula you will find a strange world of pollution, poverty and corruption, but also ancient history that shows the interesting past of Azerbaijan.

Ottomans, Persians and Russians dominated the landscape in different times resulting in Azerbaijan’s own unique cultural traditions. Authentic Azeri culture is hard to find in Baku, but the Absheron peninsula offers a glimpse into the soul of Azerbaijan.

Backpacking the Absheron peninsula

In my hostel I met a friendly lady in her sixties who decided that now was the best time to travel to Azerbaijan. We decided to explore the Absheron peninsula together. The first day we went on a tour through our hotel, but the second day we traveled on our own using public transport.

The sights on our tour were rather peculiar. What was maybe the most amazing thing of the day was how ugly things were outside of Baku.

We were in shock because of the pollution. Every inch of the soil was exploited by the oil industry with abandoned pipes and machineries left to rust. Whole fields of iron donkeys dotted the dry desert landscapes.

A quick search on Google showed that nearby Sumqayit is in fact one of the most polluted cities in the world.

This is not a reason to dismiss the Absheron peninsula. It gives a fascinating look into Azeri culture where ancient traditions and superstitions survive alongside the cultural influences left behind by the Ottomans, Persians, Russians and others that once passed through the lands of fire.

Exploring the Absheron peninsula was an interesting way to look beyond Baku where people live a less glamorous life. Soviet flats still dominate the suburbs and the local citybuses are rusty and always packed. There is maybe not deep poverty but people live a simple life amidst pollution. Needless to say the oil wealth is nowhere to be found.

The best day trips from Baku

1. qobustan mud volcanoes.

Our first stop on our day trip from Baku during our tour were the Qobustan mud volcanoes. Far outside of the city we drove through polluted desert untill we stopped in the middle of nowhere. In the distance we saw the blue sea waters, but all around us it was an empty wasteland, except from some small hills spitting mud.

The Gobustan region is home to one of the largest concentrations of mud volcanoes in the world. Mud volcanoes are geological formations that erupt a mixture of mud, water, and gases, such as methane. They occur due to the intense tectonic activity in the region, where the collision of the Eurasian and Arabian tectonic plates leads to the subduction of the latter beneath the former.

Almost half of the 800 mud volcanoes in the world are in this area. We weren’t too excited about the bobbling and spitting muddy waters. Although it felt like I was on the moon, rather than in Azerbaijan.

How to get there: Either by taking a taxi straight from Baku or by taking Elet bound bus 195 till the south end of Qobustan and take a taxi from there. More tips on how to reach the places to visit in the Absheron peninsula is further down.

2. Gobustan petroglyphs

Our second stop on our day trip from Baku was much more interesting than the mud volcanoes. Up on a hill were several caves with very old petroglyphs of animals, hunters, warriors and dancing people. It shows the long history of human habitation in this region.

There are more than 600,000 rock paintings depicting prehistoric life. The landscape was once full of green forests which was hard to believe when we looked at the desert around us.

3. Bibi Heybat mosque

On the way from Baku to Gobustan is the Bibi Heybad mosque. The Shirvanshah dynasty built it in the 13th century around the tomb of Ukeyma Khanum, a descendant of Mohammed.

In Azeri culture a pir is a holy place that is often associated with the grave of a holy person. The Bibi Hebat Pir became an important place of worship for local people.

During communist rule it was destroyed, but when Azerbaijan gained its independence they immediately reconstructed the mosque to its original design.

The new building is quite impressive, but most pirs are simple shrines marked by a piece of colorful cloth tied to a tree. They have grown rapidly throughout the country after the collapse of the Soviet union and there are several important pirs in the Absheron peninsula.

To read more about pirs in Azerbaijan I can recommend this article about the persistence of pirs .

How to get there: Bus 124 from 28th may or Sanahil bus station. It is very easy to visit this mosque from Baku and it is also easy to combine it with a trip to Gobustan, because it is on the way

4. Yanar Dag: the burning hill

The last stop on our day trip from Baku was a burning hill where natural gas evaporates from the earth. It was accidentally set on fire 50 years ago by a shepherd lighting his cigarette. It has been burning ever since, despite rain and snow.

Even some of the streams near Yanar Dag can be ignited with a match. Locals believe that the burning springs have curative powers.

How to get there: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 217 to Yanardag Reservation till the last stop (45 minutes)

5. Ateshgah: the fire temple

The next day we decided to explore the Absheron peninsula on our own. Our first stop was Ateshgah, the fire temple. A very popular day trip from Baku, because of its historical significance.

Like Yanar dag, natural gas evaporated from the soil and lit a fire that kept burning. It was a place of worship for both Zoroastrians and Hindus.

It’s origins remain unclear, but in the 7th century it was already a holy place. In the late middle ages, Hindu and Sikh merchants who traveled along the ancient Silk Road built the current structure. You will find inscriptions in Persian, Sanskrit and Punjabi.

The temple is associated with Zoroastrianism, an ancient religion that originated in ancient Persia (now Iran). Zoroastrians revered fire as a sacred symbol of purity and worshipped it in special fire temples. The current fire is no longer natural as the gas reserves have been depleted under Soviet rule.

How to get there: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 184 to Surakhani railway station till the last stop (45 minutes)

6. Mir Movsun Agha pir

After the fire temple our day trip from Baku continued. We took a bus to the Mir Movsum Agha pir. Mir Movsum Agha was a disabled person, but locals believed he had supernatural powers and cured many diseases.

People still visit his grave looking for miraculous cures believing that a visit can make any wish come true. As with many pirs people sacrifice animals, sweets and money to the shrine, especially when their prayers have been answered.

The Mir Movsun Agha pir receives hundreds of visitors each day and they collect enough meat to help 600 local people that could otherwise not afford to eat meat.

How to get there: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 136 to Suvelan Cimerliyi and get out at Mir Movsum Aga mescidi

7. Mardakan

Our last stop on our day trip from Baku was the small town of Mardakan. One of the oldest villages in the Absheron peninsula with the old Mardaken castle from the 13th century. Here was another interesting pir.

The Hassan pir is a shrine where they smash bottles above someones head to cure nervousness of spirit. Often patients first undergo childagh, a mystical treatment to relieve shock, fear and anxiety. The ancient practice involves burning cloth rolls that are used to touch certain nerve endings.

How to get there: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 136 to Suvelan Cimerliyi and get out at Nizami Merkezi

Planning your day trips from Baku

To visit all of the above places you need at least 2 or 3 days, depending on your mode of transport. Some of the places are easily combined on a single day trip from Baku and later on I will give some example itineraries, but first I will explain the different transport options you have.

Day trips from Baku by tour agency

The easiest and most expensive way to explore the Absheron peninsula and arrange your day trips from Baku is to take a tour from one of the travel agencies.

Bag baku runs tours from 40 manat onwards depending on the amount of people that sign up. Therefore prices can vary a lot among the tour companies. The more people they have, the cheaper the price.

Most hostels also offer similar tours so I can recommemd to talk with your hostel and negotiate a good price with them. The more people, the cheaper it is per person. So it helps if you can find other people in your hostel to join the trip.

Day trips from Baku with your own taxi

In theory this would be the cheapest option to arrange your daytrips from Baku if you dont want to take public transport. However, you need very good negotiation skills and a good intuition to know whether you have a trustworthy driver.

Also keep in mind that if you want to visit Gobustan, the mud volcanoes requires to go off road and not every cab in Baku wants to get their car dirty. In addition, they might not even know where the mud volcanoes are and they are not easy to find.

Prices to Gobustan start from 45 manat onwards, depending on how many other things you include in your trip (Yanar dag or the fire temple).

Day trips from Baku by renting a car

Renting a car is not the cheapest option, but also a possibility in Azerbaijan and this would allow you to visit most places in a single day.

Do keep in mind that the Gobustan mud volcanoes are almost impossible to find on your own and that the road is horrible (read: non-existent).

Day trips from Baku by public transport

Travelling the Absheron peninsula by public transport is not straight forward, but not that difficult either. Making daytrips from Baku using local buses and the Metro are very well possible.

There are frequent connections and locals will help you find the right bus. Public transport is very cheap in Azerbaijan and this will save you a lot of money compared to the expensive tours.

Gobustan: Gobustan is the most difficult to get to by public transport. You can take elet bound bus 195 and get off at the south end off qobustan town (before the overpass bridge). From here it still requires a taxi, but it will be cheaper. 10 manat to see the petroglyphs and 25 manat if you include the mud volcanoes

Bibi Heybad mosque: Bus number 124 leaves from the 28th may bus station or Sahil bus station (both bus stations are easily accesible by metro)

Yanar Dag: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 217 to Yanardag Reservation till the last stop (45 minutes)

Atesghah fire temple: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 184 to Surakhani railway station till the last stop (45 minutes)

Mir movsun agha: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 136 to Suvelan Cimerliyi and get out at Mir Movsum Aga mescidi

Mardakan: From metro station Koroglu take bus number 136 to Suvelan Cimerliyi and get out at Nizami Merkezi

Day trips from Baku itineraries

The answer to the question whether you can better take a tour or travel on your own when you plan your day trips from Baku is not that straightforward.

Tours to the Absheron peninsula can be expensive, but you pay per car and driver so the price depends on the amount of people. Therefore it is worth asking at your hotel and some of the tour agencies what they have to offer. They might have several people willing to go making it a cost effective way to explore the Absheron peninsula.

If you are a solo traveller planning day trips from Baku, I think it is easy enough to visit most places in the Absheron Peninsula by public transport. The exception are the Gobustan mud volcanoes and petroglyphs that are difficult to get to.

Below is a sample itinerary of two daytrips from Baku covering all the places mentioned above

Daytrip from Baku 1: Gobustan and Yanar Dag

The Gobustan mud volcanoes and Gobustan petroglyphs are the most difficult to get to. My advice is to find other people that also want to go and arrange a tour through your hostel or a travel agency. Make sure to include a stop at the Bibi Heybad mosque that is conveniently on the way.

This trip is easily done in half a day and I can recommend to visit the burning hill of Yanar Dag the same day. Either try to include it in the tour or visit it yourself by public transport in the afternoon.

Daytrip from Baku 2: Atesgah and Mardaken

Start your second day trip from Baku at the Atesgah fire temple . It is easy to travel from Baku to Atesghah and there continue with bus 136 to Mir movsun agha . From the fire temple it is a 5-10 minute walk to the bus station where bus number 136 passes by. From Mir movsun agha take bus number 136 again to Mardaken to visit the Mardaken castle and the Hassan pir.

Day trips from Baku Travel tips

Accomodation.

There is no need to sleep outside of Baku. Baku still has the best selection of accomodation options including backpackers hostels. Hostels are getting more common in Baku and they are a great way to keep things within your budget. Hostels with good reviews are Home Boutique Hostel , Travel Inn Hostel and Central Inn Hostel

When to visit

The Absheron peninsula can be visited any time of the year. However, winters are cold and summers are hot. Considering the comfortable temperatures and the vibrant natural scenery, the ideal time to visit the Absheron Peninsula would be during spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November). These seasons offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities, sightseeing, and exploring the cultural heritage of the region.

Safety in the Absheron peninsula

The Absheron peninsula is safe to visit whether you travel by public transport or take a tour.

People in Azerbaijan are very friendly and helpful. The more you go off the beaten path, the less people are used to see foreigners. You might receive some curious stares and smiles, but this is nothing to worry about.

In the summer the sun can get pretty strong and especially in Gobustan there are few places with shadow. On your day trips from Baku bring a good sunscreen and sunhat. Also take plenty of water to drink with you and some snacks. There are not a lot of shops around in Gobustan and it might be difficult finding a place to eat.

Solo female travel

I travelled alone throughout Azerbaijan for two weeks and had no problems taking the usual precautions. Azerbaijan is a muslim country, but Baku is a very modern and liberal city. Outside the city things are a bit more conservative though, including the Absheron peninsula.

If you make day trips from Baku it helps to dress modestly. For women this would be to cover your shoulders and avoid short skirts or trousers. You might occasionally get some male attention and it is best to ignore this or be firm and clear his attention is unwanted.

Disclaimer : This travel guide with the best day trips from Baku in Azerbaijan contains affiliate links. If you buy any service through any of my links, I will get a small commission at no extra cost to you. These earnings help me to keep Backpack Adventures alive! Thanks for your support!

6 thoughts on “The best day trips from Baku: the Absheron peninsula”

Nice post, I liked this trip as well, but the real beauty of Azerbaijan in my opinion is hidden deep in the North, in the heart of Caucasus Mountains 🙂

I agree. You can check my post on Xinaliq. Such a beautiful place

Azerbaijan’s been appealing to me more and more recently – I’d love to go to Baku, but nice to know these day trips are also doable! #blogpostsaturday

Really well written post! Thank you! Visiting next week so fingers crossed hope all goes as per plan

Thanks for this post, I cancel my expensive day tour and I shall do it by public transport instead ! Thanks again

hi, your articles helps me a lot in preparing and planning my visit to Azerbaijan on December. My concern is, are the transportation mentioned updated? Thanks a lot and mpre travels to come.

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4 replies to this topic

I am also visiting next week.

here is the plan I am following:

Museum of Miniature Books, Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Icherisheher

Muhammad Mosque, Juma Mosque, Maiden Tower

Mini-Venice, Carpet Museum, Baku Eye, sunset over the city near the Flame Towers

Night: Fountains Square, Nizami Street

Day Tour: Gabala/Gebele/Qabala & Samakhi Tour

Baku -> Tufandag mountain resort (cable car ) -> Nohur Lake -> Yeddi Gozel Waterfall, Essenso Lavender Field

Ismayilli -> Yeddi Gumbaz Mausoleum, Juma Mosque Shamakhi -> Diri Baba Mausoleum -> Baku

Optional, if time permits: Lahich, Zarnava Hanging Bridge

Day Tour: Gobustan and Absheron tour

Bibiheybat, Gobustan National Park Museum, Mud Volcanoes, Yanar Dag, Ateshgah Fire Temple

Day 4 & 5:

2 Day Tour: Shahdagh & Guba tour, Stay in Guba at night, back to Baku next day

Shahdag Mountain Resort (Roller Coaster, cable car ), laza, three large waterfalls -> Qrız & Khinaliq (Optional) -> Qechresh

The Guba Genocide Memorial Complex -> Juma Mosque -> Red Village

Besh Barmag Mountain -> Khizi -> Candy Cane Mountains (red mountains) -> Sumqayit -> Baku

Funicular Baku, Upland Park, Top of Highland Park, Martyrs' Lane

Heydar Aliyev Art Center, Baku Convention Center/Baku Conference Hall

Heydar Mosque at night

Thanks. But was planning 1 day trip so was thinking which is better to visit in summers.

If you love nature more, then i would recommend Quba area with the surrounding villages like Laza, Khinaliq, and Qriz. But 1 day might not be enough to cover all of them.

Gabala is better if you have to choose between gabala and shahdag and have one day

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