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Not only that, it’s a country that lets you explore all the best of east and west. Here’s just a few reasons why you should take a look at Azerbaijan for your next family holiday.
1- You can play among the mud volcanoes of Gobustan
Don’t let the name fool you. These rare wonders are mostly about the same height as a grown-up human – although some in Azerbaijan can be as tall as 200 metres. Instead of hot lava, they bubble up and spit out cool grey mud. Spread out on a wide surface that looks like the moon, this place feels like an earth-made playground. And not only are these “eruptions” and streams of mud fun to watch. According to locals, the minerals in it make it good for your skin too.
Gobustan is also home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site prehistoric settlement. Here, you can marvel at over 6,000 rock carvings and signs of life from 40,000 years ago. For kids who think 40 years is old, imagine what they’ll say when you tell them how old these are.
2- There are museums to discover everything from history to carpets
The crown jewel of culture in Baku is the Heydar Aliyev Centre, designed by superstar architect Zaha Hadid and a beautiful representation of Azerbaijan’s aesthetic. But let’s be honest, that might not be so interesting for little children. However, the classic cars on display (from Tuesday to Sunday) might be. And the Azerbaijan Treasures exhibition is a great way for everyone to get to know the rich, multicultural history of the country.
Another must-do is rolling up to the National Carpet Museum. Weaving intricate patterns is woven into Azerbaijan’s culture, and there’s nowhere better to experience this old craft in all its beautiful shapes and forms.
Tip: Want to take a trip to the stars? A visit to the Tusi-Bohm Planetarium is a literal out of this world experience for kids.
3- There’s a Formula 1 track in the centre of Baku
And not only is it central, it’s at the heart of Baku’s most beautiful sights. The circuit goes around the medieval walls of Baku’s old city, Icherisheher, before zooming down the coastal road and coming close to Nizami Street, where you’ll find pretty buildings that remind you of Paris as well as fancy shops.
The next Azerbaijan Grand Prix will be in June, making it perfect timing for an early summer holiday with the family. And you don’t even need to watch the race – just the buzz around town will be thrilling enough. Also, a final tip – if you search well enough in advance, you could find a hotel with a bird’s eye view of the race.
4- You can see Baku from above in a ferris wheel
You can tell from the way Baku is designed that the Caspian Sea is the heart and soul of the city. There’s a coastal stretch over 15km so that you can enjoy the views no matter where you are in the city. The spacious Bulvar area is perhaps the most kid-friendly of these seaside spots. There’s lots of room for children to run about. But the big treat, of course, is the giant ferris wheel that lets you look down on Baku like it’s a toy town.
5- Azerbaijani cuisine is packed with sweet surprises – savoury ones too
Take the qutab for example. On the surface, it looks like a naan. Maybe a bit like a crepe. But then you bite into it, and get hit by big flavours of pumpkin and pomegranate filling. Oh, and we cannot forget shah pilaf, an extravagant dish that looks like a big pastry. Except when you cut it open, it reveals a steaming, saffron-scented mix of meat, rice, plums and apricots.
Now, time for dessert. You can crown any meal with pakhlava – a tiny tower of thinly layered pastry sheets and nuts bathed in sweet syrup. And if you want the ultimate surprise, find a Turkish ice cream stand, and get ready for a very amusing show. Sorry, we can’t give you any more details!
6- Kids (and grown-ups) can explore the grand Philarmonia Gardens
Baku is full of wide open spaces and leafy parks for kids to play in. But among all of them, the Philharmonia Gardens are the prettiest. Or, at the least, most elegant. Its elegant marble stairways and colonnades, black and gold fountain, and view of Baku’s old walls will make you feel like a royal. It’s also super close to major attractions like Shirvanshahs’ Palace and Maiden Tower.
7- You can expect excellent hospitality from the friendly people of Azerbaijan
The amazing way Azerbaijani hosts treat their visitors is, seriously, reason enough to visit. We’re not talking regular politeness here. We’re talking about taxi drivers going out of their way to get you to out-of-town attractions, families inviting you for tea in their homes, youths offering to carry your bags, or locals not only giving you directions but taking you where you need to go.
Add to that how safe and open Azerbaijan is – and how much they cherish children – and you get a very, very family-friendly holiday destination.
8- Into shopping? You’ll find the finest brands from east and west at Nizami Street
It’s hard not to feel yourself special as you walk down Nizami Street, in the shadow of gorgeous neoclassical buildings. Here you’ll find not only well-known global brands, but also regional stars like Czech shoe company Bata or Lebanese chocolate maker Patchi. Baku landmarks like the House of Government and the Azerbaijan State Opera are also closeby.
You’ll also find many family-friendly malls in Baku. Park Bulvar, a 15 minute walk from Nizami Street, lets you combine a stroll by the sea with shopping. For luxury brands, head a bit further down the coast to Port Baku. Also worth noting are Ganjlik Mall and 28 Mall.
9- There’s a huge theme park right next to one of Azerbaijan’s natural paradises
Gabaland is a place full of fun rides, go-kart tracks, water slides and nostalgic rides. But thanks to its position in the heart of scenic Gabala, you might also consider it a bit of a national park. That means you enjoy a day full of soaking in the beauty of lush green forests and sharp mountains, all while keeping the kids (and teenagers) happy.
If that’s not a win-win situation, we don’t know what is.
Tip: You can also find great beaches and water parks within an hour of Baku at Bilgah and Mardakan.
10- You can take in the bright colours of Novruz celebrations
Novruz is a festival with Zoroastrian origins, and Azerbaijan’s biggest holiday. It’s a goodbye to winter and a greeting to spring. As you might expect, that makes it quite the lively occasion. There’s colourful costumes and folk dances everywhere, big smiles on faces, and sweet delights like nut-and-spice packed shakarbura. There’s also a tradition of painting eggs, a bit similar to Easter.
Since it has Zoroastrian roots, fire plays a big part in celebrations. In the weeks leading up to Novruz, you might come across people leaping through bonfires.
11- You can hit the slopes within a few hours from Baku
A trip to the Caucasus would not be complete without visiting the mountains. And a visit to the mountains would not be complete – if you’re visiting in winter, of course – without a ski holiday. Tufandag and Shahdag are Azerbaijan’s big winter destinations, and both offer amazing slopes and great facilities. And for parents who’ve worked so hard all year, there’s plenty of wellness opportunities.
12- The whole country is full of stunning sights like this one
Yes, it’s pink. And it’s just half an hour away from Baku. Of course, Masazir’s pink-red waters (which are best seen in summer) are just one of Azerbaijan’s many extraordinary sights. You can come across eternal flames shooting out of the earth at Yanardag, red-and-white striped hills at Khizi, and a tiny mountain village 2250 above sea level in Khinalig.
In fact, there’s so much to do you’ll probably just have to visit again. Azerbaijan is looking forward to it.
