Azerbaijan in Spring: the Window When Everything Works
April and May are the strongest months of the Azerbaijani year. The semi-desert around Gobustan is briefly green, the mountain roads have reopened, the birds are moving through the Caspian wetlands, and Baku sits at a temperature where you can walk all day.
Novruz and the calendar
Novruz falls around 20–21 March and is the biggest holiday of the year — bonfires, sweets, and several public holidays in a row. Cities empty as people travel to family villages, which makes the regions livelier and Baku quieter than usual.
It is worth knowing before booking: some businesses close for the holiday stretch, and domestic transport and mountain guesthouses fill up. It is a good time to be here, but not a time to improvise accommodation.
What spring gives you that other seasons do not
Green. The landscape around Gobustan and Shirvan is scrub-brown for most of the year and turns briefly green in April, which changes the photographs completely. The same applies to the foothills on the western route.
Migration peaks in March–May along the Caspian, so Shirvan and the southern wetlands hold flamingos, pelicans and waterfowl in numbers you will not see in summer. And by May the Khinalug road is reliably open again, while the mountains are still snow-capped above green meadow — the best combination of the year.
Tours covering this route
Candy Cane Mountain, Pink Lake, Heydar Mosque Tour
Discover some of Azerbaijan's most unique natural and cultural attractions on this enjoyable day tour. Begin with a visit to the magnificent Heydar Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the country. Continue to the colorful Candy Cane Mountains of Khizi, famous for their striking red-and-white striped rock formations. Next, stop at the legendary Five Finger Mountain (Besh Barmag) for photos and breathtaking panoramic views. Afterwards, visit the stunning Masazir Pink Lake, known for its unusual pink-colored waters and picturesque landscape. The tour concludes with a relaxing lunch by the Novkhani seaside, where you can enjoy fresh local cuisine and beautiful views of the Caspian Sea before returning to Baku.
- Heydar Mosque — one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the Caucasus
- Candy Cane Mountains — red-and-white striped rocks in Khizi
- Five Finger Mountain (Beshbarmag) — panoramic photo stop
Guba, Khinalug & Candy Cane Mountains Tour
This full-day journey takes you from Baku deep into the majestic mountains of the Guba region in northern Azerbaijan, where colourful geology, ancient villages and breathtaking Caucasus scenery come together in a single route. Along the way you'll pass the striped pink-and-white Candy Cane Mountains, the legendary Besh Barmag (Five-Finger) peak, the dense Gechresh Forest and the deep Gudialchay Canyon. The highlight is Khinalug village, perched at 2,335 metres — one of Europe's oldest and highest continuously inhabited settlements, with its own language, architecture and thousands of years of history. On the way you'll also visit the Red Village, considered the only entirely Jewish town in Europe. Comfortable transport, hotel pick-up and a professional guide are all included. It's the ideal route for travellers who want to see nature, history and a truly unique culture in a single day.
- The striped pink-and-white Candy Cane Mountains
- Khinalug at 2,335 m — one of Europe's oldest villages
- The legendary Besh Barmag peak and Gudialchay Canyon
Shamakhi, Lahij & Gabala Tour
In a single day, this full-day journey links three of the most beautiful corners of north-western Azerbaijan — Shamakhi, Lahij and Gabala — in one route, bringing together history, craftsmanship and mountain scenery. Setting out from Baku, you'll pause at the 15th-century Diri Baba Mausoleum carved into a cliff face, visit the historic Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, one of the country's oldest cities, and then climb mountain roads to Lahij, a village famed for its cobbled streets and coppersmiths. The trip continues towards Gabala: the forest-ringed Nohur Lake, the cable car at the Tufandag mountain resort, and the Seven Beauties Waterfall in Vandam village. Comfortable air-conditioned transport, hotel pick-up and a professional guide are all included — the ideal route for travellers who want to experience history, culture and nature in a single day.
- The cliff-carved 15th-century Diri Baba Mausoleum
- The historic Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, one of Azerbaijan's oldest
- The mountain village of Lahij, known for cobbled streets and coppersmiths
Lankaran & Astara Tour
This full-day journey takes you from Baku to the sunny south of Azerbaijan — the Lankaran and Astara regions, known for their subtropical climate, lush greenery and distinctive Talysh culture. Over a whole day you'll breathe in the scent of citrus orchards, dive into the lively atmosphere of the Grand Bazaar, and visit the historic Circular Castle and the Lankaran Museum of History and Ethnography. In Astara you'll marvel at Yanar Bulag, where fire and water meet as one, walk among green tea plantations, and end the day beside the tranquil Khanbulanchay Reservoir. Along the way there's a chance to taste the region's famous longevity tea and sample local Talysh dishes. Comfortable air-conditioned transport, hotel pick-up and a professional guide are all included. It's a perfect choice for anyone who wants to discover one of the country's most fertile and ancient corners in a single day.
- A full-day tour from Baku to the Lankaran and Astara regions
- The site of the historic prison where Joseph Stalin was held
- Tasting longevity tea and local Talysh dishes
Baku Old City Walking Tour
Set out on a guided walking tour through the ancient heart of Baku — Icherisheher, the UNESCO-listed Old City of Azerbaijan's capital. This experience is made for travellers who want to understand the city beyond the surface: its fortress walls, narrow stone streets, medieval monuments, mosques, bathhouses, colourful artistic corners, and the stories shaped by centuries of trade and culture. You'll pass through the Double Gates of the fortress, see the elegant historical buildings around Icherisheher, walk by the vivid workshop of artist Ali Shamsi, drop in on small cultural stops such as the Museum of Miniature Books, and explore the surroundings of the city's two most iconic landmarks — the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Ideal for first-time visitors, culture lovers and families, this relaxed half-day walk offers a deep introduction to Baku's history in a short time.
- Walk inside the centuries-old fortress walls of Icherisheher, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Explore the surroundings of Baku's icons — the Maiden Tower and the Palace of the Shirvanshahs
- Historical interpretation from a professional guide at every stop
Into the Wild — Shirvan National Park, Gobustan & Mud Volcanoes
Discover the untouched beauty of Shirvan National Park on a full-day adventure that combines Azerbaijan's unique wildlife, ancient history, and breathtaking landscapes. Home to the famous Goitered Gazelles and a wide variety of migratory birds, the park offers an unforgettable experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike. Your journey begins with a visit to the historic Bibi-Heybat Mosque, followed by the fascinating Gobustan National Park, where prehistoric rock carvings reveal the story of humanity dating back thousands of years. Continue to the extraordinary Mud Volcanoes, one of Azerbaijan's most remarkable natural wonders, before heading south to the vast open plains of Shirvan National Park. Enjoy an exciting wildlife safari, observe gazelles in their natural habitat, and, depending on the season, spot flamingos, pelicans, herons, and many other bird species. Complete your experience with a traditional Azerbaijani lunch in a local village before returning to Baku.
- Bibi-Heybat Mosque
- Gobustan UNESCO rock art
- Bubbling mud volcanoes