Azerbaijan in Summer: Go Up, Not Out

Baku in July and August runs above 35 °C with Caspian humidity on top, which makes midday sightseeing on open ground genuinely unpleasant. The solution is altitude: two to three hours from the city, the mountains sit ten to fifteen degrees cooler.

Where to be when it is hot

Shahdag, Khinalug, Lahij and Gabala are all high enough to be comfortable through the afternoon, which is why local families head that way in July. Alpine meadows are at their best from June, and the cable cars run for sightseeing outside the ski season.

The places to avoid at midday are the open ones — Gobustan, the mud volcano field and Shirvan National Park have no shade whatsoever. They are still worth doing in summer, but early morning rather than 13:00.

Timing the day in the city

The workable summer pattern in Baku is to front-load and back-load: sightseeing until around eleven, a long indoor gap, then out again after five. The evening city and night lights tours exist partly for this reason.

The Old City is the exception — the lanes are narrow enough to hold shade for much of the day, which makes the walking tour viable when the boulevard is not. The south around Lankaran is humid rather than hot, which some people find harder than Baku's dry heat.

Tours covering this route

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.

from $62 · 12 hours · from Baku

• 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.

from $49 · 12 hours · from Baku

• 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.

from $65 · 12-13 hours · from Baku

• 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

Shahdag & Candy Cane Mountains Tour

This full-day journey takes you away from the bustle of Baku up into the peaks of the Greater Caucasus. The first stop along the way is one of Azerbaijan's most recognisable natural wonders — the Candy Cane Mountains, whose red-and-white striped slopes are a genuine feast for the eyes. Next you'll pause for a hearty lunch in the Gachrash forest, wrapped in dense greenery and cool mountain air. The day's main destination is the Shahdag Mountain Resort, one of the most celebrated in the Greater Caucasus: snow-covered in winter and lush green in summer, it offers a different kind of beauty in every season. Comfortable air-conditioned transport, hotel pick-up and a professional guide are all included. It's an ideal day out for anyone who loves nature, mountains and unforgettable scenery.

from $30 · 12 hours · from Baku

• The Candy Cane Mountains with their red-and-white striped slopes — a rare geological wonder
• A peaceful forest lunch in the cool mountain air at Gachrash
• The Shahdag Mountain Resort, one of the best-known in the Greater Caucasus

Sheki Tour

This full-day journey takes you out of busy Baku and into Sheki, a Silk Road town nestled at the foot of the Greater Caucasus. Along the way you'll stop in Shamakhi at the Juma Mosque, regarded as the first mosque in the Caucasus, before reaching the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Sheki, with its blue rooftops, stone lanes and mountain backdrop. You'll wander through the Sheki Khan's Palace, the khans' summer residence famous for its shebeke stained-glass windows, soak up the Silk Road atmosphere in the courtyard of a medieval caravanserai, and climb to the mountain village of Kish to see its ancient Albanian church. For lunch you'll sample Azerbaijani cuisine at a local restaurant and have the chance to taste the celebrated Sheki halva. Comfortable air-conditioned transport, hotel pick-up and an experienced guide are all included. Because Sheki lies far from the capital, the day is long and full — an ideal route for travellers who want to see northern Azerbaijan in a single day.

from $65 · 14-15 hours · full day from Baku

• The UNESCO-listed historic centre of Sheki and the famous Sheki Khan's Palace
• The Juma Mosque in Shamakhi, said to be the first mosque in the Caucasus
• The mountain village of Kish and its ancient Albanian church

Baku Lights Night Tour (Group)

Cover the highlights of Baku on this after-hours evening tour, which shows you the glittering lights of the city after dark. Explore a mix of old and new, getting an in-depth introduction to both the modern and traditional sides of the city. Highlights include a look at the Flame Towers all lit up, and a visit to the seaside Flag Square, home to one of the tallest flagpoles in the world.

from $25 · Evening · 2 hours

• An evening tour of Baku by night
• The perfect option for travelers on a business trip in Baku
• Discover Azerbaijan's rich and colorful history

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