A place called the ‘Land of Fire’ and where east meets west are the initial descriptions of Azerbaijan that picked my interest in planning a family trip. I have never been to any Middle Eastern country before. And this unique location near the Caspian Sea and a part of the South Caucasus region was perfect for our travel budget as well.
Azerbaijan has become a popular tourist destination in recent years because of social media exposure. Influenced by the stunning photographs online, we visited all the interesting locations such as the mud volcanoes, carpet museum, Baku Ferris Wheel, Azerbaijani cuisines, and more. Also, learn about Family Trip in Dubai on Vacation by reading this article.
It’s easy to get an Azerbaijan eVisa and book comfortable accommodation. The warm hospitality of the local people made our trip truly memorable. Here’s my experience of a family trip to Azerbaijan and everything you should know when visiting this out-of-the-world place.
Book a Family-Friendly Hotel
We chose to book a hotel in Baku, which is the capital city of Azerbaijan. It is also the central place to book a private cab or a bus according to the number of people you are traveling with.
An iVisa will help you find and book a family-friendly stay in this modern city with modern amenities and several commute options. From afar, you can see the famous Flame Towers, the three skyscrapers, shooting up like flames in the middle of the concrete city.
With your family, you can also visit other places in Baku such as the Central Botanical Garden, and the beautiful Denizkenari Milli Park, located near the Caspian Sea. There are many modern restaurants and cafes, and you will never get tired of exploring everything.
FUN FACT
Azerbaijan has a Formula 1 track in the center of Baku with one lap of the circuit is 6.003 km (3.730 mi), making it the fourth-longest circuit on the Formula One calendar
Explore the Natural Wonders
We wanted to make the most out of the family trip, so we pre-booked the many interesting places. This included exploring the natural wonders of Azerbaijan as mentioned below:
- Visited the 350 mud volcanoes of Gobustan National Park with no hot lava but cool grey mud spitting out of a moon’s crater-shaped playground.
- The grand Philarmonia Gardens is a perfect open space for kids to play around with greenery surroundings, black and gold fountains, marble stairways, and colonnades.
If you are visiting Azerbaijan in winter, then Tufandag and Shahdag are two winter slopes with great facilities for tourists. You can book a ski lodge to try a zip line and coaster ride for a thrilling adventure.
DO YOU KNOW?
Gobustan is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site prehistoric settlement with over 6,000 rock carvings and signs of life from 40,000 years ago.
Exotic Cultural Experiences
Being a Middle Eastern country, Azerbaijan has a rich cultural heritage. Even after being a modern city, it has royally preserved its history. In the old city of Baku, you can see the stamp of the past on the historical buildings and mosques.
The most exotic and not-to-be-missed place is the Azerbaijani National Carpet Museum. It was built in 1967 in the Juma Mosque and was later relocated to the former Lenin Museum on Neftchilar Avenue in 1991.
Don’t forget to visit the Heydar Aliyev Centre, with a beautiful representation of Azerbaijan’s aesthetic.
City Life and Modern Architecture
Outdoors are also great fun in Azerbaijan because its city life is so enchanting and glitters a bit different during the night. If you plan to view the architecture during the day, it’s a good option.
It is a safe place for children and women, with general tourist precautions to follow, like taking care of your belongings, etc.
However, the night scene is also recommended for families to capture the stunning view from the famous Baku Ferris Wheel. In the spacious Bulvar area near the Caspian Sea, there are many seaside spots to enjoy. When you get on the giant Ferris wheel, you can see the entire Baku town.
Do visit the huge theme park of Gabaland with go-kart tracks water slides, and lush green forests. It will be a memorable vacation fun for everyone.
Savor the Azerbaijani Cuisine
Finally, the one thing that every family looks forward to trying on a vacation to an exotic land is the food. Azerbaijani cuisine has a lot of variety, representing the perfect combination of Eastern and Western cultures.
The Nizami street is a must-visit foodie paradise with authentic bowls of cherry dumplings, mashed beef ribs with pea puree, Calamari zucchini fritti, pilafs, kebab, and dishes like plov
to try.
For entertainment and shopping, visit Highland Park, known for its craft beer sampling workshops, and vintage vinyl record shops.
People and Climate
Most of the time, Azerbaijan has a dry subtropical climate with mild winters and long summers for four to five months. Packing according to the weather and type of adventure is recommended to enjoy every bit of the family trip.
What makes this place rise to the top of must-visit tourist places is the recent changes in its tourist visa. The government is opening its doors to welcome international tourists to experience their festivals. This is also visible in the warm hospitality of the locals, who are always ready to help.
Final Thoughts
My family vacation to Azerbaijan was memorable for all the reasons mentioned in this article. It was truly a lifetime of experience that opened the doors to a place steeped in history and culture. But is also rapidly transforming with modern amenities for international tourists.
Since it is still an unexplored location, this is the best time to visit Azerbaijan and enjoy the modern architecture, and natural wonders, and not to forget the delicious cuisines. So, what are you waiting for, pack your biggest satchel, get your iVisa approved quickly, and take your family to this Middle Eastern wonderland!
