Azerbaijan: Old Streets and Modern Skylines

Azerbaijan is an interesting country and it has a very interesting mix of historic places, modern architecture and different landscapes.Baku is the capital city of Azerbaijan. Its historic Old City has narrow streets and old stone buildings, while the surrounding city has modern buildings and a large skyline. 

Icherisheher, or the Old City, is the historic centre of Baku. It has narrow streets, old stone buildings and old walls. It also contains important sights such as the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. The area has kept much of its historic character despite being surrounded by the modern city. 

The Flame Towers are one of the clearest examples. The three towers stand above Baku and have become one of the most known parts of the city's skyline.

Outside Baku the scenery of the country changed again. Sheki has historic architecture and the Palace of Shaki Khans, which has detailed decoration and colourful stained-glass windows. The town is also surrounded by green hills and mountain scenery , while Gobustan is known for its ancient rock carvings and dry, rocky landscape. These places show that Azerbaijan's historic sites are not all concentrated in the capital.

For travellers planning a visit, entry requirements depend on nationality. The official e-visa portal currently lists the countries whose citizens are eligible to apply.

For travellers planning a visit, Azerbaijan's entry requirements depend on nationality. The official e-visa portal currently lists the nationalities eligible to apply. Under the current conditions, the standard e-visa is valid for 90 days and allows a stay of up to 30 days with a single entry.
More information about an Azerbaijan eVisa can be checked when preparing for the trip.

Azerbaijan is not a place where every part of the country looks the same. Baku has old streets and a modern skyline, while Sheki and Gobustan have their own architecture, history and landscapes. That is what gives the country some variety even on a relatively short trip.