Baku is the capital and largest city of Azerbaijan, a Caspian Sea port where a walled medieval Old City, Belle Epoque oil-boom mansions and the glass-and-steel Flame Towers share one crescent-shaped bay. Visitors come for the UNESCO-listed Icheri Sheher, the Heydar Aliyev Center, a seafront boulevard, mud volcanoes and rock art at Gobustan, and a tea-and-plov food culture at very low prices.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Gobustan Rock Art Reserve and Mud Volcanoes
Leave Baku by 8AM; see the museum and the rock trail in about 2 hours, then the mud volcanoes (4x4 transfer usually needed for the Dashgil field). Be back by 2PM before the heat.
Highlights: Petroglyphs of the Gobustan reserve, with carvings up to 12,000 years old · Gobustan museum with audio guide · Nearby mud volcanoes with bubbling grey mud
Ateshgah Fire Temple and Yanar Dag
Visit Ateshgah in the morning and Yanar Dag at dusk when the flame is clearest; combine with Mardakan on the same day.
Highlights: Ateshgah, the 17th-18th century fire temple built by Indian and Persian worshippers · Yanar Dag, the natural-gas flame burning on a hillside · Evening light at Yanar Dag
Mardakan and Absheron Coast
Half-day trip; pair with Ateshgah or a beach in summer.
Highlights: Mardakan fortresses (round and square towers) · Quiet coastal villages and gardens · Summer beach sections
Shamakhi and Juma Mosque
Leave Baku by 8AM; visit the mosque and mausoleum, lunch in town, and return by late afternoon.
Highlights: Juma Mosque of Shamakhi, one of the oldest in the Caucasus · Yeddi Gumbaz mausoleum · Shamakhi Astrophysical Observatory
Lahij Mountain Village
Best as an overnight; a day trip leaves limited time in the village.
Highlights: Cobbled lanes of the old copper-smithing village · Copper workshops and the village museum · Mountain scenery
Sheki Khan's Palace and Caravanserai
Better as an overnight stay; a same-day return is very long.
Highlights: Sheki Khan's Palace (18th century) with stained-glass windows · Caravanserai and old town · Sheki pakhlava
Gabala (Qabala) Mountains and Nohur Lake
Long day; an overnight allows the lake and cable car.
Highlights: Nohur Lake and forest walks · Tufandag cable car · Waterfalls near Gabala
Guba (Quba) and Apple Orchards
Leave early; a full day gives time for the town and the Qechresh forest.
Highlights: Guba town with its mosques and old bridges · Apple orchards (autumn) · Gateway to Khinalug and Shahdag
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Public
- Intercity buses and minibuses to Shamakhi, Guba, Gabala and Sheki depart from the Baku International Bus Terminal (next to Avtovaghzal metro); fares are AZN 4-14 (approx $2.40-8.20). Absheron sites are reached by city buses or ride-hailing.
- Tours
- Small-group tours to Gobustan and Absheron cost about AZN 40-80 (approx $24-47) per person and can be booked on GetYourGuide or Viator.
- Private
- A private driver for Gobustan or Absheron costs about AZN 100-250 (approx $59-147) per car for the day; agree the price in the Bolt or Yango app or in writing beforehand.
Multi-day tours from Baku
If you have longer than a day, these are organised multi-day trips that start here.
Browse multi-day tours from BakuWe may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start early: Gobustan and the Absheron sites are exposed and hot in July and August
Gobustan and Absheron fit into a single day by private driver but are better done separately
Sheki, Lahij and Gabala are long days; staying overnight makes them worthwhile
Confirm bus departure times at the Baku International Bus Terminal or on the operator's page; schedules change
Avoid border areas near former conflict zones; stay on marked roads and paths because of landmines
Carry cash in small manat notes, because village taxis and many sites do not take cards