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Azerbaijan travel guide

Baku, Ganja and small towns like Guba and Qabala, best in April, May and September

Best: Apr, May, Sep

Photo: Aleksandr Firstov / Pexels

Capital
Baku
Language
Azerbaijani
Currency
Azerbaijani manat
Time zone
UTC+04:00
Plugs
Type C, F · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
112

Why visit Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan suits a trip that pairs a capital city with smaller towns. Start in Baku, then travel to Ganja, home to about 328,800 people, or to small towns such as Guba, Qusar and Qabala. For the country as a whole, the best months are April, May and September. The honest limitation is that this window is short. Qabala is the one exception in our data: its best months run from June to September.

  • Mild months in spring and autumn

    April, May and September are the best months for Azerbaijan as a whole. Most towns on this page share that pattern, so you can plan a route across several places in one trip.

  • Qabala for a summer trip

    Qabala works differently from the rest of the country. Its best months are June, July, August and September, so it is a good choice if you can only travel in summer.

  • Ganja beyond the capital

    After the capital, Baku, Ganja is the largest city here, with about 328,800 people. Its best months run across spring and autumn: April, May, September and October. That gives you a longer window than most places.

  • Nakhchivan into October

    Nakhchivan, a city of about 94,400 people, has October at the top of its best months. April, May and September also rate well. This makes it an option for a later autumn trip.

  • Small towns of Guba and Qusar

    Guba has about 20,791 people and Qusar about 16,500, so both are small towns. Both have April and September as best months. The country covers 86,600 km², so you can combine these towns with larger cities on one trip.

Is Azerbaijan right for you?

Great for

  • Spring trips in April and May, when Ganja highs reach 18–23°C
  • Autumn travellers in September, with highs near 26°C and 10.3 sun hours a day
  • Summer mountain stays in Qabala, whose best months run June to September
  • Multi-town routes through Guba, Qusar and Nakhchivan, which all suit April and September
  • Quiet winter city breaks: January in Ganja has only 3.7 rain days

Less ideal for

  • Heat-sensitive travellers in July and August, when Ganja highs are near 32°C
  • Sun seekers in winter: December to February highs stay at 7–9°C
  • Travellers wanting dry spring days, as May brings 10.5 rain days in Ganja

Azerbaijan right now: October

7.4/10
Avg high
19°C
Avg low
11°C
Rain days
9

Averages for Ganja.

Weather by month

Climate data for Ganja shows April, May and September as the best months, with daytime highs of 18–26°C and 10–11 hours of sun a day. December to February has the toughest weather: highs reach only 7–9°C and nights hover near freezing, down to -1°C in January, so pack warm layers if you go in winter.

Average highs and lows in Ganja by month January: high 7°C, low -1°C , 4 rain days . February: high 9°C, low 1°C , 6 rain days . March: high 12°C, low 4°C , 9 rain days . April: high 18°C, low 8°C , 8 rain days . May: high 23°C, low 13°C , 11 rain days . June: high 30°C, low 18°C , 8 rain days . July: high 32°C, low 21°C , 6 rain days . August: high 32°C, low 20°C , 4 rain days . September: high 26°C, low 16°C , 7 rain days . October: high 19°C, low 11°C , 9 rain days . November: high 13°C, low 5°C , 5 rain days . December: high 8°C, low 1°C , 4 rain days . 7°C -1°C JAN 4d 9°C 1°C FEB 6d 12°C 4°C MAR 9d 18°C 8°C APR 8d 23°C 13°C MAY 11d 30°C 18°C JUN 8d 32°C 21°C JUL 6d 32°C 20°C AUG 4d 26°C 16°C SEP 7d 19°C 11°C OCT 9d 13°C 5°C NOV 5d 8°C 1°C DEC 4d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Ganja · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Azerbaijan: month-by-month weather →

Azerbaijan's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Ganja and the west

    Ganja

    Hot summers with July highs near 32°C and mild winters with January highs around 7°C. There are about 79 rain days a year. April, May, September and October bring the most comfortable weather.

    Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

  • Nakhchivan

    Nakhchivan

    The hottest and driest region. July highs reach about 35°C and January highs sit near 5°C, with only about 57 rain days a year. The best months are April, May, September and October.

    Best: Apr, May, Sep, Oct

  • Greater Caucasus foothills

    Guba, Qusar, Qabala

    Guba, Qusar and Qabala have milder summers, with July highs around 28°C, and cold winters, with January highs near 4°C. This is the wettest region, with about 122 rain days a year. April and September are the best months.

    Best: Apr, Sep

Sample itineraries

7 days

Guba, Qusar, Qabala and Ganja in 7 days

  1. Day 1–2

    Guba

    Start in Guba, a town of about 20,791 people. Spend two unhurried days exploring the centre on foot and trying local food. Its best months are April, May and September.

  2. Day 3

    Qusar

    Qusar is smaller, with about 16,500 residents. Use one day to slow down and look around the town. April and September are its best months.

  3. Day 4–5

    Qabala

    Qabala has about 13,190 residents. Plan two relaxed days, mostly outdoors. Unlike the other stops, its best months run from June to September.

  4. Day 6–7

    Ganja

    Finish in Ganja, the largest city on this route with about 328,800 people. Two days give you time for its streets, parks and cafés. September, October, April and May suit it best.

10 days

Five Azerbaijani cities in 10 days

  1. Day 1–2

    Guba

    Begin in Guba, home to about 20,791 people. Spend two days walking the town and settling into a slower pace. April, May and September are the best months here.

  2. Day 3–4

    Qusar

    Move on to Qusar, a town of about 16,500. With two days, you can explore without rushing and enjoy the quiet. Its best months are April and September.

  3. Day 5–6

    Qabala

    In Qabala, population about 13,190, spend two days outdoors. It is the only stop whose best months include June, July and August, as well as September.

  4. Day 7–8

    Ganja

    Ganja is the largest city on the trip, with about 328,800 people. Use two days for its centre, parks and cafés. It is at its best in April, May, September and October.

  5. Day 9–10

    Nakhchivan

    End in Nakhchivan, a city of about 94,400. Spend your last two days exploring the centre on foot. October, April, May and September are its best months, so September suits every stop on this trip.

Food to try in Azerbaijan

Plov

Saffron rice served with lamb, dried fruit and chestnuts. Shah plov is baked inside a crisp lavash crust and often appears at weddings and family celebrations.

Dolma

Vine leaves or vegetables stuffed with minced meat, rice and herbs. It is eaten across the country, usually with yoghurt mixed with garlic.

Qutab

Thin flatbread folded around minced meat, fresh greens or pumpkin, then cooked on a hot griddle. It is a common snack or light meal in Baku cafes.

Piti

A lamb and chickpea stew cooked in single clay pots, linked to the town of Sheki. People first soak bread in the broth, then eat the meat.

Dushbara

Very small lamb dumplings served in a clear broth with dried mint. Many people add garlic vinegar at the table. It is a warming home-style dish.

Black tea with jam

Strong black tea served in small pear-shaped armudu glasses, often with jam, lemon or sugar. Tea houses called chaykhana serve it all day.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Azerbaijan uses plug types C and F, the round-pin plugs common in much of Europe. The supply is 220 V. If your devices use a different plug or voltage, bring an adapter or converter.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Azerbaijan drives on the right side of the road. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts during your first days.
  • Emergency number: The emergency number in Azerbaijan is 112. Save it in your phone before you arrive so you can reach help quickly.
  • Currency: The local currency is the Azerbaijani manat. Check current exchange rates before your trip so you know what things cost in your home currency.
  • Language: The official language is Azerbaijani. A translation app or a few basic phrases will help, especially outside the capital, Baku.
  • Time zone: Azerbaijan runs on UTC+04:00 across the whole country. Check the difference from your home time zone to plan calls and flight connections.
  • Calling code: The country calling code is +994. Use it when you call Azerbaijani numbers from abroad, or when you give your local number to people back home.

Azerbaijan: frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Azerbaijan?

April, May and September are the best months to visit Azerbaijan. In Ganja, highs reach 18.4°C in April, 23.4°C in May and 25.7°C in September, so days are warm but not hot. These months score highest in our ratings: 7.9 for April and September, and 7.6 for May. Bring a rain jacket in May. It is the wettest month, with 10.5 rain days and 54 mm of rain.

Is Azerbaijan too hot in July and August?

July and August are hot in Azerbaijan, but not extreme. In Ganja, highs average 31.8°C in July and 31.5°C in August, and nights stay near 20°C. August is dry and sunny, with 3.8 rain days, 23 mm of rain and 12 hours of sun a day. Qabala lists June, July and August among its best months.

What is the weather like in Azerbaijan in winter?

Winter in Azerbaijan is cold but fairly dry. In Ganja, January has an average high of 6.8°C and a low of -1.1°C, with 3.7 rain days and 14 mm of rain. December gets 6.6 hours of sun a day. December, January and February score lowest in our ratings, between 3.4 and 3.6, mainly because of the cold. Pack warm layers for city days.

Is October a good month to visit Azerbaijan?

Yes, October is a good month to visit Azerbaijan. In Ganja, highs average 18.7°C and lows 10.7°C, which is comfortable weather for walking. It scores 7.4 in our ratings. Expect some showers, with 8.9 rain days and 42 mm of rain. October is the top month for Nakhchivan, and Ganja also lists it among its best months.

What plugs, currency and emergency number does Azerbaijan use?

Azerbaijan uses plug types C and F at 220 V, and the currency is the Azerbaijani manat. The emergency number is 112. The country uses UTC+04:00 time, and cars drive on the right. The calling code is +994. The main language is Azerbaijani, and the capital is Baku.

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