Updated May 2025
Hippocrates once said, “Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food.” Azerbaijan embodies this philosophy—a country rich in culture and experiences, offering the best of both worlds: wellness and cuisine.
Natural wonders like mud volcanoes and Naftalan oil turn Azerbaijan into a remedy, soothing both body and mind. So, if anything rivals nature’s healing touch here, it’s food—where Azerbaijani cuisine truly shines.
Then there’s the modern-day therapy Hippocrates never saw coming—retail therapy. Much like food or wellness, shopping here isn’t just about splurging; it’s your chance to grab something you’ve always wanted, find unexpected treasures, or at least get souvenirs to immortalize your trip to Azerbaijan.
At the heart of it all is Baku, where every experience reaches its peak. To make your journey effortless, we’ve curated the finest wellness experiences, must-try Azerbaijani dishes, and the ultimate shopping spots you won’t want to miss!
Premier wellness and health experiences
You could craft an entire journey to Azerbaijan around wellness and still barely scratch the surface—there’s always more to look out for on your next visit. But we’ve handpicked the crème de la crème of experiences, the ones you simply can’t miss. So, let’s dive in!
Hammam
Think of Hammam as a grand, sauna-like sanctuary with rooms that shift in temperature, guiding you through a ritual as timeless as the land itself. It’s a science and an art.
You start in a warm chamber, letting the heat ease you in, before moving into an even hotter space that opens every skin pore and promotes deep cleansing. Here comes the magic – a vigorous scrub with a kese mitt exfoliates your skin thoroughly. Then, a lush lather of olive and herbal oils washes it all away.
This is followed by a cold bath that leaves you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated. The result is radiant skin, better blood circulation, and deep relaxation. In Baku, legendary spots like Taze Bey Hammam and Agha Mikayil Hammam stand as testaments to this time-honored tradition, featuring beautiful architecture from centuries ago that radiates tranquility and creates a majestic ambiance. If you’re after something more modern, head to the renowned HamamBath for a truly luxurious experience.
For locals, hammams aren’t just about self-care – they’re weekend rituals and social hubs where friends unwind, share stories, and hit reset before another week begins. It’s a way of life, a culture that prioritizes well-being and balance.
Mud volcanoes
In a country where wellness is a way of life – where hammams soothe the soul and self-care is second nature—Azerbaijan’s landscape plays along, offering its own brand of healing.
Discover the Mud Volcanoes—a rare geological phenomenon with the highest concentration found in Azerbaijan. Unlike their fiery cousins, these volcanoes don’t spew molten lava. Instead, they release a warm, mineral-rich mix of mud, water, and gases, creating a natural therapeutic retreat with healing properties.
For a deeper dive into the world of mud volcanoes, head to the Mud Volcanoes Tourism Complex—just 1.5 hours from Baku. Entry tickets are available online or at the gate. You’ll meet the Gilinj Mud Volcanoes, once active between 770,000 and 126,000 years ago, now calm with eight cones stretching into a valley. But here at the complex, it’s not just about mud—there are exhibits on local flora, fauna, and human history, plus golf cart and quad bike tours, and a cozy cafe to unwind in after exploring.
If you’re up for more adventure, check out the nearby Toraghay Mud Volcano—recognized by the Guinness World Records as the largest mud volcano on the planet.
Plush rejuvenation resorts
Azerbaijan’s reputation as a wellness haven hasn’t gone unnoticed, and the resort and spa industry has woven itself seamlessly into this landscape, elevating relaxation into an art form.
Luxury brands tailor their offerings to reflect the country’s rich traditions while adding a lavish touch. Take the Four Seasons Baku, home to the renowned Jaleh Spa. Overlooking the Caspian Sea, this retreat transforms wellness into peak luxury, with VIP suites and treatments fit for royalty.
One key highlight is the 24-karat gold massage—a Hollywood-favorite treatment that hydrates, firms and leaves your skin with a youthful glow.
Then there’s Hilton’s eforea Spa, bringing its signature organic and science-backed treatments to Azerbaijan. Think Turkish hammams, yoga sanctuaries, whirlpools – everything you need for holistic well-being.
The Ritz-Carlton Spa in Baku takes relaxation up a notch with hammams, saunas, and steam rooms, plus authentic experiences like the Naftavital Azerbaijani Recovery Massage.
It’s not just about unwinding—it’s about stepping into a world where luxury and wellness blend effortlessly, leaving you refreshed, rejuvenated, and ready for more.
Top gourmet specialties to savor in Azerbaijan
What is it about Azerbaijani cuisine, you wonder? It simply can’t be replicated—its essence is deeply tied to the land. The magic lies not only in how it’s prepared, but in the ingredients themselves, which are locally sourced and uniquely Azerbaijani. Many main courses feature subtle, fragrant spices such as saffron, sumac, cinnamon, and coriander, enhancing the natural flavors of meats, rice, and vegetables.
The region’s biodiversity provides raw materials that are scarce elsewhere. Consider caviar—a luxury across the globe, yet here, it’s a homegrown delicacy. Saffron is also a signature, with Baku located near one of the oldest saffron-growing regions.
With such fine ingredients at its foundation, it’s little surprise that the nation has a range of high-end dining options, particularly in Baku. So, let’s get into Azerbaijan’s most distinctive dishes and find out where to taste its refined flavors.
Azerbaijani wild honey
High in the untouched forest of the Caucasus Mountains, where wild hives sway with the breeze, bees collect nectar to produce Azerbaijani wild honey—thick, aromatic, and bursting with antibacterial goodness.
For honey enthusiasts, the Yashil Bazaar, Azerbaijan’s renowned organic market, is the ultimate stop for fresh, beekeeper-sourced honey, including rare varieties.
For those with a deeper interest in bees and beekeeping, head to the charming Lekit Village, around 400 kilometers from Baku. Situated in the foothills of the Caucasus, it’s the perfect spot to witness the art of honey-making up close and discover how this golden treasure is crafted straight from nature.
Caviar
In the world’s most luxurious hotels, chefs elevate their dishes with a touch of something truly exquisite–caviar. This prized garnish, fetching up to USD 10,000 per kilogram, owes its sky-high value to its rarity.
Carefully exported to the finest tables across the globe, it all traces back to one place—Azerbaijan! With the Caspian Sea embracing Azerbaijan’s shores, the country is home to some of the world’s finest caviar, harvested from sturgeon fish.
The crown jewel is Beluga caviar—rarest, costliest, and most abundant here. Other elite varieties of caviar, like Osetra, Sevruga, Kaluga, and Sterlet, also originate from Azerbaijan. Renowned for its sought-after delicacies, Azerbaijan doesn’t reserve caviar for ultra-luxurious venues. Even mid-range restaurants serve it, something unheard of elsewhere.
Many upscale restaurants in Azerbaijan incorporate caviar into their signature dishes. What’s rare elsewhere is simply part of the experience here.
But for those seeking the purest caviar experience, Baku Caviar is the name to know. Renowned globally, it delivers exquisite black caviar to elite tables worldwide. In partnership with the Four Seasons Hotel in Baku, they host the “Guided Baku Caviar Tasting Experience”—a two-hour journey into the pinnacle of this rare gourmet indulgence. Alongside the caviar, guests are treated to additional snacks and sparkling wine.
Want to take a bit of the luxury home? Baku Caviar Boutique, located right across from the Maiden Tower in the Old City, showcases the finest selections that’s pure, premium, and unmistakably opulent. This is caviar at its most glamorous.
Other distinguished delicacies
In Azerbaijan, while you can find comfort foods from around the world, the real heart of the country lies in its rich and diverse national cuisine. Rooted in centuries of tradition and shaped by generations of people who have called this land home, Azerbaijani cuisine is a true reflection of local heritage. Let’s explore the icons of this culinary legacy.
Plov
Plov is a fragrant rice dish, often enhanced by tender meat and infused with the rich, aromatic warmth of saffron. But for the ultimate indulgence, try Shah Plov, the “king of plovs”—a regal masterpiece where rice, meat, and dried fruits are encased in a golden, crispy flatbread.
When cut open, the steam carries an irresistible aroma straight to your senses. Shirvanshah Museum Restaurant in Baku is famed for its expertly crafted Shah Plov, but you’ll find variations of Plov across the country, each with its own appeal, ensuring you never tire of it.
Dolma
Dolma is a proud testament to Azerbaijani ingenuity, even earning a spot on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list. Its magic lies in its simplicity – minced lamb and rice wrapped in various types of leaves, vegetables, or even fruits, with grape and cabbage leaves being the most popular. Slow-cooked to perfection, each bite is packed with rich local flavors that truly define Azerbaijani cuisine.
Mugam Club Restaurant, set in Baku’s Old City, serves this delicacy in an atmospheric setting with traditional music, making for a memorable experience. The restaurant itself was housed in a former caravanserai dating back to the 15th century, providing a charming historical setting to your dinner.
Lavangi
For something truly unique, Lavangi is a must-try. This national dish features eggplant, chicken or fish stuffed with walnuts, onions, and plum paste (or sour fruit leather, ‘lavashana’), all baked together until the flavors meld into a rich, savory-sweet delight. Popular dining spaces like Dad House (“dad” means “taste” in Azerbaijani) in Lankaran proudly serve it, offering a taste of the country’s culinary soul.
Sheki Pakhlava
Finally, end on a sweet note with Sheki Pakhlava—a decadent treat from Sheki City made with rice flour, sugar, and nuts, slow-cooked until perfectly tender. Known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture, this delicacy gets its signature flavor from Azerbaijani saffron, one of the world’s finest. It’s so irresistible, you’ll probably want to take a few boxes home with you.
Retail therapy with a dash of luxury
Every time you touch down in a new country, there’s that irresistible urge to snag a keepsake, right? In Azerbaijan, understanding the shopping scene makes it easier to do it right.
While many global shopping hubs flaunt high-end brands at every turn, Azerbaijan takes it up a notch with a mix of grandeur and tradition. Towering malls packed with luxury labels stand alongside traditional bazaars and seasonal shopping events, blending extravagance and authenticity.
Nizami Street and Neftchilar Avenue
For a sophisticated retail experience, Nizami Street is the place to be. This posh area is home to embassies and the European Union Delegation, exuding an air of affluence that demands nothing but the finest. Ranked among the world’s most expensive streets, it is dotted with upscale retail stores and stylish cafes.
Just around the corner, Neftchilar Avenue takes the luxury up a notch with the designer boutiques and global fashion giants like Gucci, Armani, and more gracing its storefronts.
Port Baku Mall
If you’re after a more extensive shopping spree with countless options within reach, Port Baku Mall is your go-to destination. Here, step into Emporium—a concept store housing over 400 luxury labels, including Balmain, Elie Saab, Tom Ford, and Miu Miu. Beyond the Emporium, the mall features individual boutiques like Rolex, Ralph Lauren, and Balenciaga, all sitting side by side with some of the country’s top fine-dining spots.
Crescent Mall
This is Baku’s latest hotspot, and it has everything you could ask for. Luxury boutiques, a mix of celebrated local and global eateries, a bowling alley, a vibrant kids’ play zone, and the city’s most iconic HamamBath experience—all under one roof. It’s the ultimate all-in-one destination for a perfectly rounded day out.
Azerbaijan caters to both hardcore shoppers and those who love a mix of retail and entertainment; you can always find a place here that suits your way of exploring.
