Azerbaijan
Republic of Azerbaijan
Western Asia · AZE
Editorial Snapshot
Why Go To Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan mixes a modern capital with unusual landscapes and Silk Road era towns, making it a high-contrast stop on the Caspian. The best trips focus on Baku plus one or two day or overnight excursions rather than a long multi-region route.
Popular For
Things To See
- Baku
- Icherisheher (Old City)
- Gobustan National Park
- Mud Volcanoes
- Ateshgah Fire Temple
- Sheki
Best Months
Know Before You Go
- Wind and weather can shift quickly on the Caspian coast, so pack layers.
- Baku plus Gobustan and one inland town is a strong first itinerary without long drives.
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Flights
Hotels & Accommodations
Compare stays across major booking options
Open hotel and accommodation options for Azerbaijan.
Guidebooks
📚Browse Azerbaijan Guidebooks on AmazonTours & Activities
Country Data
Stats At A Glance
Practical travel, safety, climate, and quality-of-life stats for Azerbaijan.
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Baku
- Population
- 10,241,722
- Area
- 86,600 km²
- Region
- Western Asia
Languages
- Azerbaijani
Currency
Azerbaijani manat (₼)
AZN
Exchange rate unavailable for USD.
Cost of Living (World Bank)
29.0
Price level index (US = 100)
- Groceries
- 29.2
- Restaurants
- 35.3
- Rent
- 9.7
Safety & Peace
higher score = safer everyday environment · derived from World Bank homicide data
lower score = more peaceful · 1.0–3.5 scale
Monthly Climate Averages
These weather averages are based on data for Baku (40.38°N, 49.87°E).
LGBTQ+ Friendly
28/100
Traveler LGBTQ score
- Legal protections
- 14/100
- Lived safety
- 54/100
This score blends legal protections with lived-safety context so strong laws alone do not automatically push a country to the top of the ranking.
- Homosexuality legal✅
- Relationship recognitionNone
- Adoption recognition❌
- Anti-discrimination laws❌
- Employment protections❌
- Legal gender recognition❌
- Conversion therapy ban❌
Human Development Index (UNDP)
0.789
High human development
- 5-year change
- +0.014
- 10-year change
- +0.032
- Trend
- improving
- Data year
- 2023
- Gender Dev. Index (GDI)
- 0.983
- Gender Inequality Index (GII)
- 0.315
- Planetary-adjusted HDI (PHDI)
- 0.737
UNESCO World Heritage Sites (5)
- 🏛️
Cultural Landscape of Khinalig People and “Köç Yolu” Transhumance Route
Inscribed 2023
- 🌿
Hyrcanian Forests
Inscribed 2019
- 🏛️
Historic Centre of Sheki with the Khan’s Palace
Inscribed 2019
- 🏛️
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
Inscribed 2007
- 🏛️
Walled City of Baku with the Shirvanshah's Palace and Maiden Tower
Inscribed 2000
Natural Beauty (World Bank)
- Protected land area
- 22.1%
- Forest cover
- 14.1%
Source: World Bank.
Wildlife & Birdwatching
- Threatened mammal species (IUCN)
- 7
- Threatened bird species (IUCN)
- 18
Source: World Bank / IUCN Red List. Higher counts indicate richer biodiversity, typically in tropical rainforest, island, and savannah ecosystems.
Food & Cuisine
38/100
Food and dining score
Built from two layers: dining-scene breadth and open prestige signals. We combine restaurant density, cuisine diversity, distinguished restaurants, and gastronomy-city recognitions from open data sources.
Winter Sports
26/100
Ski infrastructure & alpine pedigree
Combines ski resort depth, ski resort density, and Winter Olympic skiing results. Separate from climate comfort.
Luxury Infrastructure
78/100
Luxury & premium accommodation score
Based on OpenStreetMap luxury hotel density and World Bank international tourism receipts.
US Travel Advisory
There was no change to the advisory level or risk indicators. Advisory summary and areas of increased risk were updated. Reconsider Travel to Azerbaijan due to terrorism, armed conflict, and risk of landmines. Some areas have increased risk. Read the entire Travel Advisory. Do not travel to: The southern border region due to risk of armed conflict (unless this is your best overland exit from Iran). The border with Armenia due to risk of landmines. The following territories due to landmines: Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojaly, Khojavend, Lachın, Shusha, and Zangilan Advisory Summary Armed Conflict Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, 2026, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. There was a March 5, 2026, drone strike on Nakhchivan International Airport. Commercial flights have also been seriously disrupted. Terrorism There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Azerbaijan. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and are a risk in Azerbaijan. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning. They may target: Tourist locations Transportation centers (airports) Markets and shopping malls Local government buildings Hotels, clubs and restaurants Places of worship Parks Major sporting and cultural events Educational institutionsOther public areas Other public areas Risks in specific areas Level 4 – Do not travel Border with Iran Do not travel to the southern border region due to risk of armed conflict (unless this is your best overland exit from Iran). Following the onset of hostilities between the United States and Iran on February 28, 2026, there has been an ongoing threat of drone and missile attacks from Iran. U.S. citizens should avoid the southern border area unless this is your best overland exit from Iran. Border with Armenia Do not Travel to the border with Armenia due to the risk of landmines Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region. Many of them are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are. Exercise a high degree of caution on roads near the Azerbaijan-Armenia border: Be aware that some portions of the road may cross international boundaries without notice. Roads may be controlled by checkpoints or closed to travelers without notice. The U.S. government is unable to provide immediate emergency assistance to U.S. citizens because U.S. government employees working in Azerbaijan are prohibited from non-official travel to the border region. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. Landmine-contaminated regions in Azerbaijan Do not travel to the following regions due to landmines: Aghdam, Aghdara, Fuzuli, Gubadli, Jabrayil, Kalbajar, Khankendi, Khojali, Khojavend, Lachın, Shusha, and Zangilan Armed conflict has stopped in these regions, but landmines are still in the ground and remain dangerous. Landmines and unexploded ordnance exist throughout this region. Many of them are not marked, so it can be hard to know where they are. The U.S. government is unable to provide immediate emergency services to U.S. citizens in these regions because U.S. government employees need approval to travel there. Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas. If you decide to travel to Azerbaijan: Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to get important updates and alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate. Enrolling helps the U.S. embassy or consulate contact you or your emergency contact in an emergency. Review the Country Security Report for Azerbaijan. Have a plan to leave in an emergency that does not depend on U.S. government help. Review our information on Crisis and Evacuations. Review our information on Terrorism and Travel to High-Risk Areas. Prepare a plan for emergency situations. Review the Traveler’s Checklist. Visit the CDC page for the latest Travel Health Information related to your travel and return to the United States. We highly recommend that you buy insurance before you travel. Check with your travel insurance provider about evacuation assistance, medical insurance, and trip cancelation coverage.
Read full advisory →Data current as of May 2026 and subject to change. Travel advisory information is sourced from the U.S. State Department and reflects conditions at the time of data collection, not real-time conditions. Do not rely solely on this information for travel decisions. Always check current government advisories for your nationality. Terms of Use · About our data