Azerbaijan brings together ancient rock art, natural flames and a modern capital on the Caspian Sea, and most of them are within a short drive of each other. Baku is where most visitors start, and one private day trip can take you to several of the country's most striking sights.
Baku: an old city and a modern skyline
The Old City, Icherisheher, sits inside medieval walls and includes the Shirvanshah's Palace and the Maiden Tower. Along Baku Boulevard by the Caspian Sea you can see the Flame Towers and the Ferris wheel. A short distance away is the Heydar Aliyev Center, designed by Zaha Hadid.
Gobustan: prehistoric rock art
About an hour's drive south-west of Baku, the Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape has thousands of carvings made over many thousands of years. They show hunters, boats, dancers and animals. The site has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2007.
Mud volcanoes
The Gobustan area is known for its mud volcanoes, where grey mud bubbles and gas escapes from the craters. Access depends on road conditions and the weather, so check the details on your tour page before you travel.
Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag
Ateshgah Fire Temple on the Absheron Peninsula is a walled complex built around a natural gas flame. Yanar Dag, the Burning Mountain, is a hillside where natural gas burns along the slope. Both are a short drive from Baku and are often visited with Gobustan on the same day.
Planning a private day from Baku
A private day tour can cover Gobustan, the mud volcanoes, Ateshgah and Yanar Dag, with hotel pickup and an English-speaking local guide. Our Baku private tour lists its stops, durations and package details, and you pay cash on arrival. You can also see all our Azerbaijan tours.
Practical tips
- Wear comfortable shoes. Mud can be slippery and the paths can be uneven.
- Bring water and sun protection, especially in the warmer months.
- Dress modestly when visiting mosques such as Bibi-Heybat Mosque.
- The local currency is the Azerbaijani manat (AZN).
Official sources
- Azerbaijan Tourism Board, the official tourism information for Azerbaijan.
- UNESCO World Heritage: Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
- Our travel guide, and contact us if you have questions before you book.
Book a tour
You can book these tours online and pay cash on arrival.