Azerbaijan is attracting more Turkish visitors each year. Its close location and shared culture make it a popular destination. To explore beyond the capital, consider renting a car in Baku. With your vehicle, you can freely discover scenic towns, lush mountains, and the shores of the Caspian Sea at your preferred pace. A road trip is an ideal way to experience the country's towns and natural scenery.
Turkish tourists in Baku enjoy a comfortable and welcoming experience.
Azerbaijan ranks among the safest countries globally, with Baku leading as a secure capital city. Additionally, the country hosts many international congresses, meetings, and events. Modern event halls, luxury hotels, and affordable accommodations cater to all types of visitors.
Here are other reasons why more Turkish tourists are visiting Azerbaijan:
Turkey and Azerbaijan are close neighbors. Turks also benefit from visa-free entry for up to 90 days, simplifying spontaneous travel decisions. Their shared Turkic heritage and cultural similarities help Turkish visitors feel right at home. Since Turkish is widely understood in Baku, communication is straightforward.
Health tourism is becoming increasingly popular among Turkish tourists in Baku. Azerbaijan offers advanced spa and wellness services comparable to those in Turkey. Many tourists seek relaxation and health treatments during their visits. High-quality spas, wellness centers, and modern medical facilities provide excellent care.
The Zangezur Corridor will improve tourism between Turkey and Azerbaijan. It connects Turkey directly to Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region, helping Turkish tourists easily visit more places. Better roads and border facilities will also improve travel.
For Turkish tourists in Baku, renting a car is a practical option for exploring the country.
Driving in Azerbaijan requires awareness of local conditions and regulations.
Baku is a great starting point in Azerbaijan because it is the capital and largest city in the country. It’s well-connected by road, air, and rail.
Before heading out, tourists can explore the Old City, visit the Flame Towers, and enjoy the Caspian Sea views. Roads from Baku lead directly to popular spots like Sheki, Gabala, and Ganja. With many hotels, restaurants, and services, Baku is perfect for planning and stocking up before a road trip.
However, your exploration shouldn’t be limited to Baku alone, as the country offers much more beyond the capital. Here are some of the best road trips in Azerbaijan that Turkish visitors can enjoy starting from Baku:
Located about 170 km north of Baku, the drive to Quba takes around 2.5 to 3 hours by car. It's one of the most popular weekend getaways.
As you leave Baku, the landscape shifts to rolling hills, lush forests, and apple orchards. The region is known for its crisp mountain air and peaceful vibe.
Quba also has historic mosques worth visiting for their unique design and cultural value. The Juma Mosque stands out with its red-brick structure and octagonal shape, while the Sakina-Khanum Mosque is known for its white metal dome, arched windows, and graceful red-brick exterior.
You can also visit Krasnaya Sloboda, a unique Jewish town. It's the only all-Jewish settlement outside Israel and the U.S., preserving Mountain Jewish culture and language. The village is known for its kosher cuisine, including dishes like osh turschi govorme, a spicy pilaf with dried fruits and roast meat.
Located about 300 km northwest of Baku, the drive to Sheki takes 4.5 to 5 hours. It’s a rewarding journey through the Greater Caucasus Mountains, offering green valleys, winding roads, and village views along the way.
Sheki is one of Azerbaijan’s oldest cities and is famous for its Silk Road history. You’ll find caravanserais, stone inns once used by traders, and well-preserved cobblestone streets in the town center.
The most iconic site is the Sheki Khan’s Palace, known for its hand-painted walls and intricate stained-glass windows called shebeke, made without glue or nails.
Beyond the landmarks, Sheki offers a rich cultural experience. Visit local workshops to see artisans crafting shebeke windows. Try Sheki halva, a local sweet made with hazelnuts and syrup, and enjoy traditional Azerbaijani meals in a teahouse.
Located about 225 km northwest of Baku, the drive to Gabala takes around 3.5 to 4 hours by car. The journey is scenic, with views of mountain ranges, flowing rivers, and small forest villages.
Gabala is known for its natural beauty and is a top pick for tourists seeking calm, clean air and outdoor fun. The Tufandag Mountain Resort offers cable car rides with views of snow-capped peaks. Nohur Lake is another highlight, great for paddle boating, lakeside cafes, and photo stops.
Nearby, the Yeddi Gozel (Seven Beauties) Waterfall sits inside a dense chestnut and hazelnut forest, just a short drive from town. You can also explore the Gabala State Reserve, home to oak, beech, and hornbeam trees, where hiking trails lead through peaceful, shaded areas perfect for short treks.
Wildlife spotting is also possible. Red foxes may dart through the trees, and roe deer often graze in early morning clearings. Wild boars roam the deeper parts of the forest, while the elusive Eurasian lynx can sometimes be seen in remote areas.
Located about 190 km west of Baku, the drive to Lahij takes around 3.5 to 4 hours by car. The final stretch includes narrow mountain roads with sharp turns and scenic views of canyons and river valleys.
Lahij is a small mountain village known for its traditional handicrafts and cobbled stone streets. It's one of the oldest settlements in Azerbaijan, with a rich history of copper work, carpet weaving, and wood carving. Visitors can explore family-run workshops, where artisans still use old tools and techniques passed down through generations.
Its stone houses with wooden balconies, narrow alleys, and mountain backdrop make it ideal for walking tours and photos. Local shops offer handmade copper plates, jewelry, and woven textiles perfect for gifts or souvenirs.
Located about 365 km west of Baku, the drive to Ganja takes 5 hours by car. The journey crosses vast plains and quiet towns.
Ganja is Azerbaijan’s second-largest city, offering a strong mix of historic charm and modern city energy. Key landmarks include the Shah Abbas Mosque, admired for its red brick walls and large dome, and the Imamzadeh Complex, a religious site known for its turquoise domes and intricate tilework.
In contrast to its historical side, Ganja has a youthful vibe fueled by universities and creative spaces. The Bottle House, built from over 50,000 glass bottles, showcases local artistic spirit. You can relax at Khan Baghi Park or enjoy live music at open-air cafes.
Just 40 km away is Lake Goygol, a clear mountain lake surrounded by forests. It’s perfect for a peaceful nature escape. Ganja offers Turkish tourists a chance to explore ancient sites, enjoy local art, and soak in modern Azerbaijani culture in one visit.
Once outside Baku, Turkish travelers can dive into these specific activities that show the real charm of Azerbaijan:
Gobustan is famous for its bubbling mud volcanoes and ancient rock carvings. The gray, cracked earth and cone-shaped mud domes make the area feel like another planet. Guided jeep tours are available to take you close to active mud volcanoes, where you can safely observe eruptions and bubbling pools.
Visit the nearby Gobustan Museum, which offers interactive exhibits in English and Azerbaijani. It features digital reconstructions of prehistoric life and tools found in the area. Walk the trails at the UNESCO-listed Gobustan Rock Art Reserve, where petroglyphs of dancing figures, animals, and hunting scenes were carved into stone over 10,000 years ago.
Lankaran is known for its warm weather, quiet beaches, and lush subtropical landscape. Turkish visitors can enjoy well-maintained public beaches along the Caspian Sea, where sunbeds, changing cabins, and local food stalls are now more accessible.
Popular beaches like Mayak Beach and Narimanabad Beach offer clean sand, calm waters, and scenic views. You can also visit the Lankaran Fortress, a historic landmark with newly added signage and walking paths that make exploring easier.
Guided tours now include stories of the city's past as a Persian stronghold. After sightseeing, relax in one of Lankaran’s tea houses, many of which serve locally grown black tea brewed in traditional samovars.
Astara offers a peaceful escape with its green tea fields, mountain trails, and dense forests. Visitors can join guided walks through working tea plantations, where farmers explain the picking and drying process. Some plantations now allow you to try hand-picking tea leaves and enjoy freshly brewed tea on-site.
For nature lovers, forest trails around the Tengerud and Hirkan National Park areas are now better marked. These shaded paths lead through areas rich in native trees and quiet rivers, perfect for birdwatching or quiet hikes.
After your walk, stop by local tea houses, which serve fragrant black tea and homemade sweets, such as walnut-filled baklava and honey-soaked pastries.
Khinalug is one of the highest and oldest mountain villages in the Caucasus, surrounded by alpine meadows, rocky cliffs, and snowy peaks. Trails like the Khinalug–Griz path offer stunning views, river crossings, and peaceful grazing lands.
Local guides can lead small group treks, share insights into Khinalug’s history, and help spot rare alpine flowers and mountain birds. Some trails also pass ancient stone shrines and offer views of Mount Shahdag on clear days.
Back in the village, visitors can walk narrow lanes lined with stone houses, meet local families, and enjoy home-cooked mountain meals. Khinalug is a perfect stop for Turkish tourists who love mountain culture and high-altitude adventures.
The Duzdagh Salt Caves offer a unique health and wellness experience deep inside a natural salt mountain. The site includes a modern treatment center built into the caves, where visitors can stay overnight in special chambers designed for halotherapy. It is a salt-based air treatment believed to help with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory issues.
The air inside the caves is clean, dry, and rich in salt particles. Visitors rest in underground sleeping rooms. Sessions, including light physical activity, breathing exercises, and medical consultations, are offered as part of guided wellness programs.
Beyond treatment, guests can also tour the historic salt mine and learn about its centuries-old role in trade and healing.
Shamakhi is a historic wine region surrounded by rolling hills and cool mountain air, perfect for growing grapes. Turkish visitors can participate in guided vineyard tours offered by local wineries such as Savalan or Meysari, where they’ll see how Azerbaijani wine is produced from grape to glass.
Tastings include limited-edition wines paired with regional cheeses, dried fruits, and fresh bread. Some vineyards also host harvest festivals and grape-picking events in autumn.
Beyond the vineyards, Shamakhi offers centuries-old landmarks, including the Shamakhi Juma Mosque, one of the oldest in the Caucasus, and the Seven Domes Mausoleum, where noble families are buried.
Azerbaijan’s varied geography means each season offers a different driving experience. Here’s a closer look at what to expect in Azerbaijan:
Exploring Azerbaijan by car lets Turkish tourists enjoy the country's rich culture and beautiful views at their own pace. Rent a car in Azerbaijan with Finalrentals for an easy and smooth trip. We offer many pick-up and drop-off spots, like Baku Airport and city areas, so you can start your drive without delay. You can choose from small cars, big SUVs, or fancy cars ready for long drives. Booking is fast and clear, with no surprise fees.
