Azerbaijan’s landscape is rich in geothermal activity. Travelers can find steaming Azerbaijan hot springs tucked in mountains and forests, fed by mineral-rich waters. In fact, there are over 1,000 mineral water sources across the country. Soaking in these natural thermal baths is wonderful for wellness and relaxation.
Renting a car in Azerbaijan is the best way to reach these spots. With your own wheels, you can venture beyond the city and explore at your own pace. This guide will show you where to find natural hot springs and how to enjoy a scenic road trip.
Exploring Azerbaijan’s hot springs by car offers more than just convenience. It gives you access, freedom, and a richer travel experience. Here’s why driving is the best way to reach these relaxing destinations:
If you want to explore the best hot springs in Azerbaijan, here are four must-visit spots. Each offers a unique experience—from high mountain springs to healing oil baths. They can be reached by car from major cities.
Istisu’s natural hot spring pools in the Kalbajar region. These bubbling pools form from warm, sulphur-rich water in the Lesser Caucasus Mountains. Istisu is a historic spa town known for its therapeutic springs, situated at 2,225 m altitude. During the Soviet era, it was a famous sanatorium, treating up to 50,000 visitors a year at its peak.
Driving from Baku, it’s about 480 km (roughly 8 to 9 hours by car) heading west. The route typically goes via Ganja or Yevlakh, then winds up into Kalbajar’s hills. Roads in this region are mountainous and rough; a 4x4 vehicle is recommended.
Be prepared for scenic switchbacks and plan for a full day’s drive. As the area was only recently reopened to tourism, check local advice on road conditions. Once there, you can relax in natural stone pools of hot mineral water. The sulphuric water (about 58 °C) is rich in minerals like lithium and magnesium.
Locals believe it helps with joint pain and skin ailments. There are no big facilities yet (the old resort was destroyed decades ago), so bring towels and be ready for a rustic, yet incredibly rejuvenating, experience.
In southern Azerbaijan’s Lankaran region, Gamarvan Hot Springs are famed for their therapeutic benefits. Nestled in the foothills of the Talysh Mountains, this area is blessed with subtropical forests and natural springs.
The springs are often called Istisu in Lankaran. It produces sulphur-rich hot water renowned for its healing properties. Thanks to the mineral content, visitors report the waters are especially good for rheumatism and skin conditions. Don’t expect a fancy resort here; it’s a rustic spot where hot water bubbles into simple baths used by locals.
To get there by car from Baku, drive south ~250 km (about 4 hours) on the M3 highway toward Lankaran. Once in the Lankaran city, you’ll head about 10 to 15 km inland to the village area (Gamarvan/Haftoni) where the springs are located.
The road from Baku is a smooth highway along the Caspian coast, and the detour into the hills is paved but narrower. Any standard car can handle it. There is usually parking near the springs or the small bathhouse. While in the area, you can also visit Hirkan National Park or stop by local citrus orchards and tea plantations.
The Masalli Istisu hot springs are among the largest and oldest in the country. Located in Masalli District (southern Azerbaijan), this site has been a popular wellness destination for locals for decades. The mineral water here pours out at over 60 °C deep underground.
It’s rich in hydrosulfate and iodine, which is why many people come to treat health issues. In fact, the Masalli sanatorium’s waters are used to help with arthritis, joint pain, and skin diseases. It is a go-to spot for those with aches and eczema. Even if you’re perfectly healthy, a dip in these pools leaves you feeling relaxed and your skin soft.
Masalli is roughly 240 km south of Baku (about a 3.5-hour drive) along the main coastal highway. The drive is straightforward and flat, passing towns like Salyan and Jalilabad. You can also reach Masalli from Lankaran city in about 1 hour (north of Lankaran).
The hot springs are about 10 km outside Masalli town, in a wooded area with a small resort complex. There’s a facility called Masalli Istisu Health Centre, which features indoor treatment rooms and a large outdoor thermal pool.
Parking is available on-site. The best time to visit is spring or autumn when the weather is mild. In summer, Masalli can be hot (though the forest provides some shade). In winter, the sanatorium may operate on a limited schedule. After your soak, you can explore the nearby forests or picnic by the Vilash River.
Not all of Azerbaijan’s healing waters are clear. In Naftalan, they’re black as oil. Naftalan Istisu is all about oil-based thermal baths rather than typical spring water. Naftalan is a small city in western Azerbaijan that is famous for its crude oil spa treatments.
The oil here is a unique grade used for therapeutic bathing (people immerse themselves in tubs of warm oil). These oil baths help with skin conditions like psoriasis and joint ailments. Naftalan has been a health resort for over a century; at the height of its fame, Soviet sanatoriums here saw tens of thousands of visitors annually.
Getting to Naftalan by car is easy. On good roads, it’s about 330 km west of Baku (approximately a 4-hour drive). You’ll take the M2 highway toward Ganja and then turn north towards Naftalan (which is near the city of Goranboy). The route is mostly highway; a normal sedan is fine.
Parking is straightforward in the city or at your hotel. Schedule your oil bath session in advance, as they typically limit you to 10 to 15 minutes in the oil under supervision. After your treatment, you’ll shower off the oil and relax, as many facilities have resting lounges.
Naftalan doesn’t have natural scenery like the other springs, but it offers a unique spa-town vibe. You can stroll around the quiet town, visit the Naftalan Museum of Medicine (to learn about the oil’s history), or drive to the nearby city of Ganja (Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, about an hour away) for sightseeing.
Timing your trip right can make all the difference when visiting Azerbaijan’s thermal springs. Here’s a guide to help you plan your road trip.
Spring and Autumn are generally the best seasons to plan your hot spring road trip. During these months, the weather is mild and pleasant for driving and outdoor soaking. Mountainous regions become accessible in late spring once the snow melts.
For example, visiting Kalbajar’s Istisu in spring means cool mountain air and blooming alpine meadows, which pair nicely with a hot soak. Autumn brings beautiful foliage in forested areas like Lankaran and Masalli, making your nature drive even more scenic.
Winter is more challenging, especially in high-altitude springs. Roads in the Caucasus Mountains can be snowy or icy. Kalbajar might be cut off by snow, and passes can close. Lowland springs (Masalli, Naftalan) remain reachable in winter, but it can get chilly and wet in the south.
If you go in winter, ensure your car has winter tires and check local forecasts. On the upside, bathing in hot springs when cold air can be very cozy.
Summer is generally hot in Azerbaijan. Coastal and lowland areas may see temperatures above 35 °C, making the idea of a hot bath less enticing during the day. However, many locals still visit springs in summer, especially in the evenings when it’s cooler.
If you travel in summer, start your drives early to avoid the midday heat, and consider heading to higher-elevation springs (mountain air is cooler). Some sanatoriums (like Masalli’s) operate mainly in late spring through early fall, so check ahead for summer availability.
Here are some essential tips to help you rent and drive a car in Azerbaijan:
Before setting off on your hot spring adventure, coming prepared is important. Here are the key items to pack before going to Azerbaijan’s hot spring regions:
Exploring Azerbaijan’s hot springs by car is an unforgettable way to combine wellness and adventure. From high mountain valleys to subtropical forests, you can experience the country’s best geothermal treasures on your schedule. A rental car unlocks access to remote Istisu and lets you linger as long as you like at each site.
Ready to hit the road? Consider renting a car with Finalrentals for your journey. Our easy, reliable service will have you in a rental car and on your way.
