19223_ATB_EA Season Guides_22_V_PREVIEW

SPRING-SUMMER 2022 

Guide 

off-road at Shahdag 

and Tufandag 

p. 42 

Baku for culture 

vultures 

p. 18 

tee off in 

Azerbaijan 

p. 34 

the cuisine of 

Nakhchivan 

p. 38

Welcome! 

Sharg Bazaar 4 

NOVRUZ 

traditions and 

rituals 24 

Keen to travel again after all the lockdowns and movement restrictions? 

Azerbaijan is now welcoming back visitors and is the perfect place for 

a post-pandemic holiday with its vibrant capital, varied attractions 

and remote, uncrowded places. In this issue we highlight some great 

things to do this spring and summer, from the ancient rituals of Novruz 

and the cuisine of Nakhchivan, to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2022 and 

opportunities here for golfers. In addition, you can discover Baku’s best 

cultural sites and the country’s most iconic castles. There's information 

too about the top farms and plantations to visit, outdoor activities at 

the Shahdag and Tufandag mountain resorts, and the spectacular 

new Sharg Bazaar. Enjoy! 

Have 

something 

to say? 

Send us your feedback by writing to 

experienceazerbaijan@tourismboard.az. 

We look forward to hearing from you! 

2 | EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN 

6 amazing 

agritourism 

experiences 8 

Azerbaijan 

Grand Prix 2022 14 

Baku 

for culture 

vultures 

18 

Must-visit towers 

and castles 28 

TEE OFF 

in Azerbaijan 34 

The unique cuisine 

of Nakhchivan 38 

Outdoor fun at Shahdag 

and Tufandag 42

SHARG 

BAZAAR 

DISCOVER AZERBAIJAN’S ORIENTAL SPIRIT 

PACKED WITH PRODUCTS AND ALIVE WITH 

ACTIVITY, BAZAARS HAVE LONG BEEN AT 

THE HEART OF DAILY LIFE IN AZERBAIJAN. 

YOU’LL FIND THEM IN EVERY CORNER OF 

THE COUNTRY, RANGING FROM JUST A 

FEW STALLS SELLING FRUIT AND VEG TO 

ENORMOUS PLACES WITH SOUVENIRS, 

CRAFTS AND EVEN PETS. VISITING IS A 

FUN WAY TO DISCOVER LOCAL FOOD 

AND CULTURE – AND PRACTISE YOUR 

BARTERING SKILLS! 

IN BAKU, A UNIQUE BAZAAR IS ABOUT TO 

REOPEN AFTER A MAJOR RENOVATION. 

SHARG BAZAAR (EASTERN BAZAAR) IS 

NO LONGER JUST AN EYE-CATCHING 

MONUMENT OF SOVIET MODERNISM BUT 

ALSO A MODERN-DAY MANIFESTATION OF 

THE SILK ROAD – A SYNTHESIS OF FOOD, 

CRAFTS AND MUSIC TO STIMULATE ALL 

THE SENSES. 

Architectural 

icon 

The original Sharg Bazaar was 

designed in 1979 by the famous 

architects Uruzmag Yarinovsky 

and Pavel Revazov and opened 

in 1982. It featured a series of octagonal 

cupola-shaped buildings 

set around a central yard and 

was widely regarded as a masterpiece 

of Soviet modernism for 

its harmonious mix of socialist 

severity and Oriental curves, so 

much so that it became the first 

Azerbaijani building to be nominated 

for the Aga Khan Award for 

Architecture in 1989. However, 

over time it deteriorated and 

restoration was required, which 

began in 2018. 

4 

| EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN 

EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN | 5

Fantastic 

food 

The new Sharg Bazaar has kept 

faithfully to the original design 

but includes many modern 

touches. The 9,000m 2 area now 

comprises three large domes 

and 13 smaller ones, each of 

which has its own attractions 

for visitors. Many are food-related: 

In addition to separate 

bazaar sections selling fruit 

and veg, sweets, spices and 

dried fruits and souvenirs, 

there’s a food court with 

Vietnamese, Japanese, and of 

course the national cuisine, 

plus chefs who prepare meals 

in front of your eyes. There’s 

also a traditional teahouse, 

contemporary cafes and a 

restaurant serving Turkish and 

Azerbaijani dishes. 

Plenty of 

culture 

But it’s not just a world of 

enticing tastes and aromas. 

Other domes host an events 

area with performances of 

national music and dancing, 

as well as a handicrafts 

zone where you can witness 

Azerbaijani masters weaving 

their magic on carpets, hats, 

pottery and painting, and even 

participate yourself in masterclasses. 

Elsewhere, you’ll find 

spaces devoted to jewellery, 

household items, antiques and 

national costumes. Overall, 

it's a journey into Azerbaijan’s 

Oriental spirit. 

And while you're there... 

Located just up the road from Sharg Bazaar is the city’s famous Yashil Bazaar, which is chockfull 

of the freshest produce from all around Azerbaijan. Fruits, dried fruits, vegetables, dairy 

products, meats, fish, herbs and tea are just some of the mouthwatering goodies you can taste 

and buy here. In particular, don’t miss local specialties like pomegranates, honey, saffron, sturgeon 

and caviar. 

Location: The Sharg and Yashil bazaars are in close proximity on Khatai Avenue, Baku. 



6 

Yashil Chay 

Since Azerbaijan’s first tea bushes were 

planted in Lankaran in 1912, tea has 

turned into a symbol of the south, with 

Lankaran and neighbouring Astara now 

home to a number of tea plantations. A 

great one to visit is Yashil Chay ("Green 

Tea" in English) in the village of Istisu, 

which has 70 hectares of tea plantations 

and makes over 30 different types of 

tea, including lemon, feijoa, rosehip, 

ginger, peppermint, thyme and others. 

There is also a Tea Museum, guest house 

and restaurant serving Lankaran’s popular 

local cuisine. Visitors can take a 

tour and discover the secrets of making 

Azerbaijan’s finest tea. 

www.yashilchay.az 

Contact the Lankaran DMO 

to arrange a visit: 

lankaran@tourism.gov.az; 

+994 25 255 4843 

amazing 

agritourism 

experiences 

BLESSED WITH A RICH BIODIVERSITY, AZERBAIJAN 

PRODUCES A WIDE RANGE OF DELICIOUS FOOD 

PRODUCTS, FROM FRUITS AND VEGETABLES PACKED 

WITH FLAVOUR TO SUPERB MOUNTAIN HONEY. 

INCREASINGLY TOURISTS CAN ENJOY EXPERIENCING 

HOW THESE PRODUCTS ARE PRODUCED FIRSTHAND 

AT FAMILY-RUN FARMS AND BUSINESSES. FROM 

TEA LEAF GATHERING TO TROUT FISHING, SUPERB 

AGRITOURISM EXPERIENCES AWAIT IN SCENIC 

CORNERS OF THE COUNTRY. 



Zagatala Trout 

Fish Farm 

Hidden amid fabulous forest in the 

village of Magov, Zagatala region, the 

Zagatala Trout Fish has been breeding 

high-quality rainbow trout since 1979. 

Tourists can enjoy an eco tour and food 

tasting, during which you’ll discover 

the ins and outs of trout breeding, with 

professional fish breeders guiding you 

through the entire process. Afterwards, 

you can taste the farm’s products at 

the onsite restaurant which serves a 

selection of fried and smoked trout. 

Additional activities, available through 

prior arrangement, include catching 

your own dinner, which will be prepared 

by the farm’s chefs, and outdoor fish 

cooking and painting masterclasses, 

available between May and September. 

Contact the Sheki DMO 


sheki@tourism.gov.az; 

+99424 244 6095 

Honey House 

Near the rustic village of Lekit, Gakh 

region, this is a bee farm spanning 15 

hectares. The family business keeps 300 

colonies of bees and produces a wide 

range of honey-based products. As part 

of its mission to educate future generations 

of beekeepers, it also stages a 

range of apicultural workshops and has 

even organised a small open-air museum 

demonstrating ancient methods of 

beekeeping. In particular you’ll learn 

about an endangered local wild beekeeping 

tradition known as Tekne, which 

uses a hollow wooden log to produce 

Caucasian mountain honey, and you can 

try the dark honey that results from it. 

IG: @apidelta.aridan 

+99455 610 00 34 

+99470 640 00 34 

Or contact the Sheki DMO 


sheki@tourism.gov.az 

+99424 244 60 95 



Bio Garden 

This is a peaceful oasis in the village of 

Oryet, a few kilometres from the city of 

Sheki, where a huge range of organic fruits, 

nuts and flowering plants from around the 

world are grown in picturesque orchards 

with views of the Caucasus Mountains. The 

eight-hectare territory is packed with over 

4,000 trees. Visitors can enjoy guided tours 

of the orchards, learn about local cultivation 

methods and pick fruits to purchase. You can 

also browse trout, chicken and honey farms 

and relax by a peaceful lake with superb 

views of the distant mountains. On top of 

that, there is a restaurant serving meals 

made from seasonal local ingredients. 

IG: @biogarden.az 

+99450 264 99 90 

Or contact the Sheki DMO 


sheki@tourism.gov.az; 

+99424 244 6095 

Chabiant 

winery 

Situated amid gorgeous 

countryside in the Ismayilli 

region, Chabiant is a great 

place to discover local 

winemaking as it has a 

particularly strong focus on 

growing local grape varieties. 

It is one of the top modern 

wineries in the country, 

producing an excellent 

range of wines from international 

and (especially) 

local grapes. Tours are 

available including visits to 

the vast cellar, production 

facilities and vineyards. 

In September, you can 

also take part in the grape 

harvest and related festivities. 

On warm evenings, 

excellent food and wine 

is served at the poolside 

restaurant. And throughout 

the year you can enjoy 

fabulous views of the 

vineyards rolling over the 

hills towards the Greater 

Caucasus Mountains. 

www.chabiant.az/en 

IG: @chabiantwinery 

+99451 700 32 22 

For more great wineries 

to visit, see 

azerbaijan.travel 



Action-packed 

Don’t miss the 

Azerbaijan 

The inaugural F1 race in Azerbaijan, which 

took place in 2016 under the banner of the 

European Grand Prix, saw Mercedes driver 

Valtteri Bottas clocking a new top speed 

for an F1 car (378km/h). But the race really 

came to life over the next two years, in 2017 

and 2018, when crashes, quarrels and unexpected 

winners meant that both events 

were voted “race of the season” by F1 fans. 

The 2020 race, postponed to 2021 due to the 

COVID-19 pandemic, once again produced 

another new winner in Sergio Perez of Red 

Bull. 

Grand 

Prix 2022 

Since debuting in 2016, the Azerbaijan Grand 

Prix has proved itself one of the best races of the 

Formula 1 season. Last year’s race took place 

without spectators due to the COVID-19 crisis yet 

still managed to produce a fantastic spectacle, 

full of talking points and surprises. And given the 

unique challenges posed by the Baku City Circuit, 

this year promises to be no different. 

Fantastic track 

What makes the Azerbaijan Grand Prix so 

unique and unpredictable is the track. At 

just over 6.003km, the Baku City Circuit is 

the second longest circuit in F1. It’s also F1’s 

fastest street circuit with drivers comfortably 

reaching speeds of 360km/h along the over 

2km-long straight along Neftchilar Avenue. 

Moreover, many of the 20 turns are sharp, 

especially around Baku’s Old City, which 

leaves little room for error. So skill, discipline, 

teamwork and fortune are more important 

than car speed. 



A stunning 

spectacle 

Designed by German engineer Hermann 

Tilke, the leading track designer in F1, 

the Baku City Cir-cuit is an exhibition 

of Azerbaijan’s vibrant capital. Weaving 

around the city centre, it takes in its wonderful 

contrasts of east and west, ancient 

and modern. Spectators can admire the 

12th-century walls of the Old City along 

with elegant streets like Istyglaliyyat built 

at the turn of the 20th centu-ry which are 

lined by an eclectic mix of architecture. 

The long finishing straight runs parallel 

to the tree-filled Seaside Boulevard and 

passes landmarks including the mysterious 

Maiden Tower and So-viet-era 

Government House. 

Race winners 

2016 - Nico Rosberg (Mercedes) 

2017 - Daniel Ricciardo (Red Bull) 

2018 - Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 

2019 - Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 

2021 - Sergio Perez (Red Bull) 

Coming soon 

Baku is looking forward to welcoming back 

F1 fans for this year’s event, which takes 

place on the weekend of 10-12 June. Events 

on track will include F1 practice sessions, 

the qualifying session, an F2 race and the 

Azerbaijan GP. All of this will be accompanied 

by an entertainment programme, which 

will be scaled back this year due to continuing 

COVID-19 uncertainties. A broad range of 

tickets are available, from general admission 

to grandstand. 

To find out more about 

the race, the city of Baku 

and purchase tickets, see 

bakucitycircuit.com 

16 



BAKU 

FOR 

CULTURE 

VULTURES 

A major cultural hub of the Caucasus and 

Caspian regions, Baku has everything from 

one-of-a-kind museums to hidden theatres. 

Here is a list of recommended places for 

culture lovers. 



1. Icherisheher 

3. The Marionette Theatre 

Icherisheher 

(Old City) 

Museum of 

Miniature Books 

Marionette 

Theatre 

Heydar Aliyev 

Centre 

The UNESCO-listed Old City, the historical 

core of Baku, has enough to keep you interested 

for days. The maze of narrow streets 

is home to countless cafes, restaurants, 

museums, monuments and galleries. The 

two major attractions are the Maiden Tower 

and Shirvanshahs’ Palace, but don’t miss 

hidden gems like the Marionette Theatre 

and Vagif Mustafazade House Museum. 

Hidden within the narrow alleys of the 

Old City (Icherisheher) is a small museum 

containing the largest collection of miniature 

books in the world. Driven by a huge 

passion for tiny books, the museum’s 

creator, Zarifa Salahova, has spent over 

30 years amassing her unique collection 

of over 5,600 books published in 66 countries. 

Among them is the world’s smallest 

book, measuring just 2x2mm! 

Baku’s beloved Marionette Theatre has its 

roots in the 1980s, when it was established 

by the stage director Tarlan Gorchu. The 

theatre moved to its location, a 19th-century 

building in the Old City, in 2016. Since 

then it has been putting on two marionette 

performances – Leyli and Majnun and 

Arshin mal alan (The Cloth Peddlar), both 

by the great Azerbaijani composer Uzeyir 

Hajibeyli – and become a favourite place 

for locals and visitors. 

An icon of Baku’s 21st-century skyline, this 

stunningly flowing and futuristic structure 

was designed by the world-famous architect 

Zaha Hadid. The wonderful curves of 

the building’s exterior blend seamlessly 

with the spacious interior to represent an 

eternal cycle and a place of shared ideas 

open to everyone, regardless of gender, 

race or origin. Inside you’ll find several 

excellent exhibitions and museums. 


EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN | 21 

2. The Museum of Miniature Books 

4. The Heydar Aliyev Centre

1. The Carpet Museum 

3. The National Art Museum 

Carpet 

Museum 

Housed in a striking building designed in 

the shape of a rolled-up rug, this unique 

museum has three exhibition halls unravelling 

the beauty of Azerbaijan’s ancient 

carpet-weaving heritage. There are seven 

collections to explore covering pile carpets; 

flat-woven carpets; carpet products; artistic 

metalwork; pottery, glass, wood and 

paper; textiles, clothing and embroidery; 

and jewellery. In 2010 Azerbaijan’s carpet 

art was recognised as an intangible cultural 

heritage of humanity by UNESCO. 

Opera and 

Ballet Theatre 

The fabulous Opera and Ballet Theatre building, 

performed mainly in the Gothic style with 

hints of Modern, dates to 1910 and is famous 

for being constructed in just 10 months. It is 

closely connected with the development of 

opera in Azerbaijan, which began with Uzeyir 

Hajibeyli’s Leyli and Majnun (1908), the first 

opera in the Muslim East. Today you can 

watch a range of performances, from local 

ballets like 1001 Nights (Fikret Amirov) and 7 

Beauties (Gara Garayev) to Guiseppe Verdi’s 

opera La traviata. 

National 

Art 

Museum 

The National Art Museum is housed in two 

stunning mansions built during Baku’s Oil 

Boom period and contains a collection of 

over 19,000 exhibits, including paintings, 

handicrafts, antiques and other rare items of 

national and global culture. There are about 

3,400 paintings to admire by Azerbaijani, 

Russian and Western European artists, as 

well as beautiful examples of Azerbaijani 

miniatures, na-tional clothes and carpets. 

YARAT 

Contemporary Art 

Centre 

The not-for-profit contemporary art organisation 

YARAT is an epicentre of emerging Azerbaijani 

artistic talent. Named after the Azerbaijani word for 

“create,” the organisation regularly hosts thoughtprovoking 

exhibitions, together with educational 

workshops, film screenings and talks featuring 

top local and international artists and filmmakers. 

YARAT has various venues around the city, but this 

is the main one, housed in a former ship maintenance 

warehouse on the Caspian waterfront. 

22 | EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN 

EXPERIENCE AZERBAIJAN | 23 

2. The Opera and Ballet Theatre 

4. Yarat Contemporary Art Centre

The fascinating ways 

Azerbaijan celebrates 

NOVRUZ 

ONE OF AZERBAIJAN’S MOST 

IMPORTANT HOLIDAYS, NOVRUZ 

CELEBRATES THE COMING OF 

SPRING AND IS INSCRIBED ON 

UNESCO’S REPRESENTATIVE LIST 

OF THE INTANGIBLE CULTURAL 

HERITAGE OF HUMANITY. THE ACTUAL 

HOLIDAY TAKES PLACE ON THE 

VERNAL EQUINOX, 20-21 MARCH, 

BUT PREPARATIONS BEGIN A MONTH 

IN ADVANCE. HERE ARE SOME OF 

AZERBAIJAN'S FASCINATING NOVRUZ 

TRADITIONS AND RITUALS. 



Celebrating the elements 

Azerbaijan is a rare place where nature’s four elements come 

together: water – the Caspian Sea, fire – the burning mountain 

of Yanardag, earth – the rocks of Gobustan; and wind 

– Baku, “the city of winds.” On each of the four Tuesdays 

(known as Charshanba) before Novruz, one of these elements 

is celebrated. It’s believed that on the first still waters start to 

move, on the second bonfires are kindled, on the third a warm 

breeze brings life to water and fire, and on the last trees sprout 

new leaves and spring finally begins. 

Delicious food 

Traditional meals are cooked at Novruz. The main festive dish 

is plov, or pilaf. A beautifully decorated tray, or khoncha, with 

samani (green sprouting wheat) placed in the centre, is filled 

with nuts, candles, treats and sweets. The sweets and pastries 

have an ancient significance: the round, yellowish goghal represents 

the sun, the crescent-shaped shekerbura symbolises 

the moon, and pakhlava signifies both the sky and the stars. 

Symbols of life 

Samani, green sprouts of wheat seeds, is an important symbol 

of the Novruz celebration. It is an essential decoration 

at the holiday meal representing the revival of nature. 

People also believe that growing samani will bring abundance, 

wellbeing and prosperity to their family in the coming 

year. Every family grows their own, but small shops, 

bazaars, and even modern supermarkets sell samani in the 

lead-up to Novruz. 

Rituals for young people 

Novruz is especially exciting for young people as it features 

many games, performances and rituals. One of them is the 

“ear divination” game: Young people, especially girls, take 

a cup of water, a mirror and a key, make a wish and approach 

their neighbours’ doors to discover whether their 

wish will come true in the next year. Placing their ear to 

the door, they secretly listen in to conversations within and 

interpret the first word they hear in relation to their wish. 

That's why it's customary to talk positively during Novruz. 

Festival of fire 

National holidays usually emerge from a people’s spiritual 

world and beliefs, and Novruz is often linked to Zoroastrianism 

for its multiple links to fire. One of the main rituals during 

Novruz is jumping over a bonfire. Each house or neighbourhood 

makes their own and young and old people alike jump 

over them to banish their troubles and purify their souls for the 

new year. 

Making peace 

Novruz is not just a time for celebration, food and fun. It’s also 

a time for love, peace and equality. People who have fallen out 

with each other during the year are supposed to forgive and 

renew their relationship, while relatives and neighbours visit 

each other and exchange gifts. It brings together different sections 

of the population, strengthening mutual understanding 

and social cohesion. One of the golden rules of Novruz is that 

people should never lie, swear or gossip – they shouldn’t do 

anything bad, in other words. 



AZERBAIJAN IS HOME TO COUNTLESS CASTLES, FORTS 

AND FORTIFIED TOWERS WHICH STAND AS MONUMENTS 

TO DIVERSE AND DRAMATIC PAGES IN THE COUNTRY’S 

HISTORY. RANGING FROM SILK ROAD WATCHTOWERS TO 

STRONGHOLDS OF THE KARABAKH KHANATE, EACH HAS 

A FASCINATING STORY TO TELL, SO LET’S TAKE A LOOK 

AT WHICH TO VISIT. 

Must-visit 

towers 

and 

castles 

Shirvanshahs’ Palace 

Occupying the highest spot in Baku’s charming Old City is the former residence 

of the powerful Shirvanshah dynasty. Constructed in the 15th century, the 

complex features a palace, Divankhana, mosque, mausoleum, hammam, gates 

and water reservoir and is considered one of the finest examples of medieval 

Azerbaijani architecture. It has been a museum-reserve since 1964 and is a 

key part of the Icherisheher UNESCO World Heritage site. 

28 



Mardakan 

Castle 

This 12th-century castle is 

located in the coastal village of 

Mardakan. The quadrangular 

stronghold was erected to honour 

a victory of Shirvanshah 

king Akhsitan I and served as 

a shelter, defence and observation 

point. The height of the 

main tower is 22 metres; you 

can climb up and enjoy great 

views at the top. This is one of 

two castles in Mardakan which 

in the past formed part of a 

network of observation and 

defensive forts spanning the 

Absheron Peninsula. Others still 

exist in the villages of Ramana 

and Gala. 


Chirag Gala 

Believe it or not, in Azerbaijan 

there was once a defensive 

wall similar to the Great Wall of 

China. It began at the sea north 

of the Absheron Peninsula and 

stretched for many kilometres 

up into the mountains, culminating 

at 1,246m at the mysterious 

watchtower of Chirag Gala. 

Dating from the 4th-5th centuries 

AD, this tower, whose name 

means “Lamp Tower,” was used 

for defence and signalling purposes 

and protected the paths 

of the Silk Road passing through 

Azerbaijan. When an enemy 

approached, a fire was lit at the 

top of the castle and was visible 

for miles around. 

Sumuggala 

An icon of the historic 

village of Ilisu, Gakh 

region, this three-storey 

defensive tower 

was built in the 17th or 

18th centuries (sources 

differ) when the 

village was the centre 

of the Ilisu Sultanate, 

a semi-independent 

khanate. The rectangular 

two-toned tower was 

used to defend against 

imperial Russian forces 

during the Caucasian 

War. Sumug-gala is also 

synonymous with the 

popular Soviet film Don’t 

Worry, I’m With You!, 

an adventure comedy 

about two circus performers. 

Today it houses 

a small museum on the 

Ilisu Sultanate which is 

open only in summer. 


Perigala 

Fortress 

Located 15km from the 

small city of Zagatala, 

this extraordinary 

fortress is carved into 

the cliff face at a height 

of 300m near the village 

of Chardakhlar. 

Historians have concluded 

that Perigala was 

built during the 3rd-5th 

centuries AD under 

the ancient state of 

Caucasian Albania. The 

castle is made of limestone 

brick and consists 

of three rooms and a 

window, and occupies 

an area of 30m 2 . To 

reach it requires special 

climbing equipment and 

a professional guide, but 

you can admire it from 

a distance in Yukhari 

Chardakhlar village. 

Alinja 

Castle 

Dubbed by some as “the Machu 

Picchu of Azerbaijan,” this is 

a recent reconstruction of a 

mountaintop fortress dating 

from the 8th century in the 

Julfa region of Nakhchivan. The 

castle overlooks the village of 

Alinja in the valley below and 

was famed for its invincibility – 

it took 14 years for the mighty 

Mongol ruler Tamerlane to conquer 

it in 1401. Centuries earlier 

it had housed the treasury of 

the state of the Atabays. About 

2,000 steep steps lead up to 

it. The climb is exhausting but 

worth the effort for the spectacular 

views! 

Shusha 

Fortress 

The hilltop city of Shusha is 

the pearl of Karabakh and 

Azerbaijan’s cultural capital. 

Surrounding the city’s historical 

centre is an 18th-century fortress 

built by Panah Ali Khan to 

help him govern the Karabakh 

Khanate (1748-1822). Its construction 

was supervised by the 

famous poet and vizier, Mollah 

Panah Vagif, whose mausoleum 

is another landmark of Shusha. 

The fortress’s location on a 

plateau between 1,300m and 

1,600m above sea level surrounded 

by rocky cliffs made it 

nearly impregnable. 

32 



TEE OFF 

IN AZERBAIJAN 

GOLF IS NOT THE FIRST THING YOU WOULD ASSOCIATE WITH 

AZERBAIJAN, BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN GOLFERS WON’T HAVE A 

WONDERFUL TIME HERE. THERE ARE TWO FABULOUS GOLF CLUBS 

PROVIDING A FANTASTIC CHANGE OF SCENERY FOR ANYONE 

SEEKING NEW COURSES AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO DISCOVER A 

NEW COUNTRY. 

AS THE CLUBS ARE LOCATED WITHIN A FEW HOURS’ DRIVE OF 

EACH OTHER, YOU CAN EASILY COMBINE ROUNDS AT BOTH. 

MOREOVER, DREAMLAND’S LOCATION ON BAKU’S OUTSKIRTS 

ENSURES EASY ACCESS TO THE CAPITAL’S ATTRACTIONS AND 

NIGHTLIFE. 

34 



NATIONAL 

GOLF CLUB 

AZERBAIJAN 

DREAMLAND 

The Dreamland golf course is an 

18-hole manmade masterpiece designed 

by leading landscape architect 

Cynthia Dye which provides 

a premium tournament golf experience 

in the Caucasus with a refreshing 

Mediterranean feel. It was 

designed to include all the intricacies 

of golf while still being very 

playable. 

The beautifully manicured course 

is decorated with native olive trees 

which lend it a lovely local feel. The 

course is relatively flat, which helps 

beginners. On the other hand, the 

abundance of large bunkers and 

water features, in addition to Baku’s 

frequent and infamous winds, present 

serious obstacles for more experienced 

golfers. 

Dreamland has a superb clubhouse 

with restaurants, cafes 

and a golf shop. It is in fact a large 

www.dreamlandgolfclub.com 

complex which also includes a hotel, 

shopping mall and fitness centre. 

Another unique feature is the 

Dreamland Golf Academy, a stateof-the-art 

training and practice 

facility. 

A comprehensive range of lessons 

are available at the Academy, 

where world-class teaching is fully 

focused on improving technique 

and efficiency. Lesson packages include 

individual, group and junior 

lessons, as well as TPI-specific and 

technology-focused lessons. Full 

details are available on the club’s 

website. 

Located in the stunning countryside 

of Guba in north-east 

Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijan 

National Golf Club is nestled 

amid natural forests 

near the stunning Caucasus 

Mountains. Designed by Jon 

Hunt from International Golf 

Design, it was the first 72- 

par 18-hole golf course to 

appear in Azerbaijan. And 

during the summer of 2014, 

less than two months after it 

opened, the club hosted the 

Azerbaijan Challenge Open, 

Azerbaijan’s inaugural professional 

event. 

Positioned within 75 hectares 

of idyllic Azerbaijani 

nature, the course features 

beautifully undulating fairways 

lined by apple trees and 

dotted with deep bunkers 

and lakes, creating plenty of 

challenges. However, it looks 

harder than it plays, so less 

accomplished golfers can also 

enjoy it. 

The excellent clubhouse, 

meanwhile, has luxurious 

locker rooms, a pro shop and a 

restaurant serving great food 

and drink with magnificent 

views of the course. In addition, 

there is a practice zone 

with putting and chipping 

areas along with a driving 

range. Golf lessons are available, 

with a one-hour session 

with a pro costing 50 AZN. 

Details of lesson packages are 

on the club’s Facebook page. 

Another bonus is being able 

to stay at the fabulous onsite 

Quba Palace Hotel. 

www.facebook.com/gubagolfclub 



1 

ORDUBAD 

OMELETTE 

The unique 

cuisine 

One of the must-taste 

dishes in Nakhchivan is a 

large omelette traditionally 

cooked in the historic 

town of Ordubad. It looks 

like a puffy cake and is 

made by whisking together 

about two litres of butter 

and 18-20 eggs in a pot or 

saucepan. A sweet sauce 

of golden honey and ginger 

is then added. The dish is 

usually cooked on special 

occasions such as birthdays 

and weddings. 

of Nakhchivan 

Nakhchivan is a beautiful and little-explored 

region of south-west 

Azerbaijan which is separated from 

the mainland. There are many 

reasons to visit, such as the breathtaking 

landscapes and ancient historical 

monuments. Another is the 

distinctive local cuisine, reflecting 

the region’s climatic diversity and 

rich flora and fauna. If you go, here 

are some of the dishes and delicacies 

to look out for. 

2 

ARZUMAN 

KOFTE 

This is the biggest and heaviest of all 

the kofte (Turkish meatball) meals in 

Azerbaijani cuisine – too much for just 

one person. The dish consists of a full 

chicken stuffed with a boiled egg and 

covered with a mix of minced beef and 

fatty mutton, which is all rolled into a 

massive meatball. This is then cooked 

in a broth for 20-30 minutes before 

being served with chopped herbs, vegetables, 

boiled potatoes, sumac and 

lavash bread. 

38 



3 

NAKHCHIVAN 

L AVA SH 

Lavash flatbread, included in the 

UNESCO Representative List of 

Intangible Cultural Heritage, is one of 

Azerbaijan’s national types of bread 

and holds a particularly special place 

in the cuisine of Nakhchivan. Women 

in the region have been preparing it on 

a saj (rounded frying pan) since time 

immemorial. They also dry it and keep 

it for winter, adding water before serving 

it. A number of other breads, such 

as fatir, kombe, dastana and chippa, are 

also popular in Nakhchivan. 

4 

CHOCHE 

Also known as “koke,” choche is 

another of the first dishes that 

comes to mind when talking 

about Nakhchivan cuisine. It is 

usually made from walnuts, but 

fillings like beans, peas, potatoes 

and lentils can also be used. 

Chocha is always available in 

the pastry stores of Nakhchivan. 

The pastries are easy to carry, 

making them an ideal snack if 

you get hungry during your visit. 

5 

ORDUBAD DELICACIES 

The Ordubad region in particular stands out for both its 

stunning scenery and numerous food delicacies. The 

region is famous for its local fruits and medicinal herbs, 

from which locals prepare a variety of treats, such as 

jams, sweets and pickles. The dried fruits, delicious 

lemons, walnut, thyme and eggplant jams, herb gutabs 

(stuffed pancakes) and alana (peaches or pears stuffed 

with walnuts and sugar) are must-try products if you 

visit here. 

Şərəfə! 

Cheers! 

40 



Outdoor 

fun 

at 

Shahdag 

and 

Tufandag 

Nestled in the 

Greater Caucasus 

Mountains of 

northern Azerbaijan 

there are two 

fantastic mountain 

resorts, Shahdag and 

Tufandag, offering 

perfect pistes, 

fabulous hotels 

and opportunities 

aplenty to boost 

your wellbeing. Both 

resorts are within a 

few hours’ drive of 

Baku and beyond 

the fantastic winter 

sports options have 

a host of outdoor 

activities available in 

summer. 



Shahdag Mountain Resort 

Located on slopes adjacent to Mt Shahdag in the north-eastern Gusar region, 

this is Azerbaijan’s oldest and largest ski resort which has an ever-expanding 

network of well-groomed pistes and four ski-in, ski-out hotels equipped with 

luxury spas along with a variety of cafes, bars and restaurants. Activities such 

as snow tubing, snowshoeing and ice skating can also be enjoyed in winter. In 

summer, meanwhile: 

Zip-lining 

Keen to combine the exhilarating feeling of 

soaring through the air with breathtaking views 

of the Shahdag mountains? This thrilling ride 

begins with a safety briefing before climbing up 

to a platform high above the resort. From there 

you descend across the hillside with incredible 

views of the resort and surrounding areas at 

speeds of up to 20-25km/h. 

Adventure park 

Harness up and get ready to explore! The resort’s 

adventure park is designed for all ages. You 

can climb up ropes, swing across bridges and 

test your nerves on a high wire. This is a great 

activity for the whole family to enjoy. Safety 

equipment including helmets is provided. 

Alpine coaster 

Shahdag recently 

launched the first 

mountain coaster in the 

Caucasus which allows 

adrenaline-seekers 

aged 3 and over the 

unique opportunity of 

soaking up the magnificent 

mountain views 

while whizzing down a 

thrilling 1,670m track 

on sleds at speeds of 

42km/h. 

Jeep tours 

You can explore the immense scenery around the 

resort from the comfort of a Jeep Wrangler. Shahdag 

customises routes based on your trip desires which 

allow you to conquer high elevation mountain passes, 

cross shallow streams, snap photos of wildflowers 

and stop in remote mountain villages. 

Camping 

Shahdag offers great venues for a summer camping 

trip and will provide you with all the necessary amenities 

for camping in the mountains. This is a great 

way to escape the summer heat, forget the daily 

grind and recharge mentally in the beauty of nature. 

Segwaying 

Segways are two-wheeled, 

self-balancing, electric vehicles 

fitted with rugged tires to help 

you traverse the hills at ease. 

The resort has a number of 

supervised trails to choose from 

and its local guides will take 

you high into the mountains 

for breathtaking views of the 

resort. 

And that’s not all! You can 

also enjoy archery, trotinette, 

paintball, a water 

slide and a kids’ entertainment 

centre. 

Discover more at 

shahdag.az 



Tufandag Mountain Resort 

Further west across the Greater Caucasus mountain chain in the Gabala region, 

Tufandag provides more great ski pistes, this time descending through 

forest, as well as the luxurious Qafqaz Tufandag Mountain Resort Hotel, and 

the Chalet Steak & Winehouse mountaintop restaurant. Non-ski activities like 

tubing and snowmobile tours are also available in winter, and the cable car 

runs year-round, taking you to a height of 1920m. And in summer: 

Trekking 

Keen to explore some of the best scenery in the 

Greater Caucasus on foot? Tufandag’s trekking tours 

take you along some of the best local paths to scenic 

spots like the Sleeping Beauty Peak and Duruja 

Waterfall. This is a great way to boost your health 

while exploring the great natural beauty of Gabala. 

ATV tours 

Experience the wonderful scenery around 

Tufandag from the seat of a quad bike! This 

guided tour takes you from the resort through a 

scenic valley to the peaceful village of Duruja. 

The ride lasts about 20 minutes and covers 

4km. Riders must be 18 or over, however there 

are also special ATV tours for children. 

THIS SUMMER 

REJUVENATE YOUR 

ENERGY AT SHAHDAG! 

Shahdag Mountain Resort is the first and the largest mountain tourism spot of Azerbaijan. 

and winter. With its budget category to world class 5 star hotels, hiking, camping and 

dozens of other outdoor sport activities, exceptional gastronomic experience and 

award-winning OVDAN SPA that will refresh your soul, Shahdag Mountain Resort promises 

an unforgettable summer getaway full of memories. 

Mountain swing 

This is the newest attraction at Tufandag which, 

located on a mountain peak called Sleeping Beauty, 

combines the thrills and excitement of swinging 

with sensational views of mountain peaks and 

forested slopes beneath your feet. There are two 

swings to choose from (7m and 10m high) available 

to riders aged 14 and over, as well as an observation 

point to soak up the scenery. 

Discover more at 

www.tufandag.com 

KP29, Gusar – Laza motoroad, Azerbaijan 

1110, +994 12 310 1110 

www.shahdag.az 

reservations@shahdag.az 

shahdag.resort 

shahdagresort

ExperienceAZE 

experienceazerbaijan 

podcast.azerbaijan.travel 

azerbaijan.travel 

Scan the QR code to download the guide. 

circ.: 500

19223_ATB_EA Season Guides_22_V_PREVIEW

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?