Want European views without the hassles of a Schengen visa?

If you're dreaming of a European getaway this year but are deterred by sky-high costs and the frustrating delays of securing a Schengen visa, there's a tempting alternative waiting for you. Azerbaijan, the ‘Land of Fire’ (natural gas burning) offers a taste of Europe without breaking the bank.

This oil-rich former Soviet republic is located along the Caspian Sea and on the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It offers a unique blend of ancient heritage and cosmopolitan life, but Baku is among the only modern city, while the rest of the country is more rural. While credit card will work in Baku and bigger cities, carry cash/local currency for smaller, remote locations. Buy a SIM card from Azercell, among the best operators.

Flight options:

IndiGo and Qatar Airways are the cheapest and it’s easy to get a direct flight. Skyscanner is among the best options to book tickets, with costs having come down in the past few years. You can get a return ticket for as low as Rs 17,000.


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Accommodation:

Baku is the most expensive and has a variety of stay options like hotels, guesthouses and hostels, with a midrange hotel available for less than Rs.5,000 a night. Other locations are more affordable, mainly featuring homestays and guesthouses. For longer stays, you can consider house swapping through platforms like holidayswap.com or homeexchange.com, allowing you to trade your home for vacation stays at no cost.

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Food:

Street food is inexpensive and available for less than Rs.250, while a mid-range hotel/restaurant can cost around Rs.1,000-1,200 per meal. Some must-try dishes include dolma (steamed grape leaves stuffed with meat), plov (rice dish), piti (lamb, chickpea soup), dushbara (dumpling), bozbash (soup), lavangi (stuffed chicken), and drinks like ayran (yogurt-based) and feijoa juice (local fruit-based).

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Transport:

In Baku, you can get around using the metro for 0.4 AZN per ride with a BakiKART, which costs 2 AZN. For longer journeys, marshrutkas are the cheapest option (3-15 AZN), but taxis, rental cars, or hiring a driver (Rs. 3,000-4,000) offer more comfort, albeit at a higher cost. For day tours, it’s recommended to arrange a guide and taxi in advance.

Activities:

There’s wide range of sightseeing options ranging from mud volcanoes and beaches to museums, mosques, ancient petroglyphs and stunning palaces. Entry to historical sites typically ranges from $1-5 (Rs.83-417) per person. Book day tours from Baku on GetYourGuide for upwards of Rs.2,000.

Suggested Itinerary:

Nestled between the Caspian Sea and the Caucasus Mountains, Azerbaijan boasts diverse landscapes, though tourism is primarily centered around its beaches. You can also explore Astara, near Nakhchivan, and visit the Hiran National Park.

Day 1:
Baku: Take a walking tour of the city. Stroll at Baku Boulevard and check out the Flame Towers. A must-visit is Old or Inner City (Icherisheher), a UNESCO World Heritage site, where you can see the traditional souks and hammams, tea houses and antique shops, art galleries and museums, boutiques and street vendors. Don’t miss the Palace of the Shirvanshahs, Maiden Tower, Heydar Aliyev Cultural Centre, Little Venice and Hyder Mosque. Sample local delicacies and Azeri meals, and shop for carpets.

Day 2-3:
Baku (Absheron-Gobustan): Take a day trip to the Absheron Peninsula and don’t miss the famous burning mountain, Yanar Dag, which has been burning for thousands of years. Also visit the Ateshgah Fire Temple. The next day, visit Gobustan State Historical and Cultural Reserve, about 60 km from Baku, and check out the over 6,000 rock carvings and petroglyphs, as well as the famous mud volcanoes.

Day 4:
Sheki: Visit the Sheki Castle and Sheki Khan Palace, explore the Sheki bazaar and caravanserai, and try the Azeri sweets. On the way you can stop at Lahij and Shamakhi, regarded as the most beautiful remote villages in the country.

Day 5:
Lankaran: In this beautiful coastal town, visit the Khan Palace, Khanbulan Lake, Kichik Bazaar Mosque, and the black sand beach.

Day 6:
Nakhchivan: This is an autonomous republic with rich history. Visit Juma Mosque, Nakhchivan Museum of Local Lore, Alinja Castle, Ashab-i-Kehf cave and Palace of the Nakhchivan Khans. There are other mausoleums too that you can visit.

Day 7:
Return to Baku and fly back.