Tourism & Hospitality | Tuesday 7 April, 2015 12:19 am |

Azerbaijan, a country at a crossroads between Eastern Europe and Western Asia welcomes the summer season with a bang! The capital city, Baku, enriched with history, culture, music and great food, is the perfect vacation spot this year. Famously known for its active spirit and sport traditions, a bonus to the tourist are the European Games that will be held in Baku from 12 to 28 June 2015, and will feature over 6,000 athletes from 50 NOCs competing in 20 sports.

Number one on the list of things to do at Baku this summer are the social events planned around the European games. A country that prides on its history with sports and competition, this summer be a part of the European Games at the multi-sport centre with free Wi-Fi coverage, and ongoing light festival every night of the games. This summer will be an extra vagant and don’t miss this international shopping centre of the year for any chance. Explore the Azerbaijan history with competitions and sports tradition.

Before the spectacular light festival, immerse yourself with the stunning summer sunsets at the beautiful beaches of Baku, which is number two on the list of reasons to visit Azerbaijan. Plently of warm sunny days makes Azerbaijan the centre of beach tourism. Beach season opens at the Absheron seaside in May and lasts till the end of September.

The rich architecture of the city further compliments its natural beauty, and supports the title of a World Heritage Site. Built on a site inhabited since the Palaeolithic period, the Walled City of Baku is shaped by Zoroastrian, Sasanian, Arabic, Persian, Shirvani, Ottoman, and Russian civilizations. For this cultural richness it is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. The Inner City still has preserved much of its 12th-century fortifications like the defensive walls or the legendary Maiden Tower. Among other famous architectural attraction includes the Opera houses, branded boutiques, magnificent gardens and art galleries and museums.

Another reason for to spend summer at Azerbaijan is for its unique climate and pleasant weather, as 9 out of 11 world climatic zones are found in Azerbaijan. Find the most of the existing in the world climate types from dry and humid subtropical in Lankaran up to mountain tundra. At the same time the most part of the territory of Azerbaijan is situated in the subtropical zone. This allows planting oranges, tangerines, lemons, feijoa, kiwi and other exotic fruits. In south regions Lankaran and Masally one may often see growing banana trees with green fruit ovaries.
Take a sweet escape from the city life and enjoy a unique Naftalan oil restore at the Naftalan oil fields. Located only 20 km far from the second big city of Ganja, in the zone of Naftalan town, it provides with various healing effects to human organism, such as anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and stimulating. Healing properties and effectiveness of the Naftalan for different diseases have been proved by the results of thousands of scientific works and monographs. Today Naftalan resorts provide with treatment for over than 70 diseases thanks to healing Naftalan baths.


Other must-visit sites include the Mud volcanoes of Azerbaijan. They occupied the 5th place in the international contest of “Seven natural Wonders” hold by a non-commercial Swiss organisation. In 2004, the largest mud volcano of the World located in Azerbaijan was registered in the Guinness Book of Records. Another hot spot on the list is Park Boulevard, the well-known trade and entertainment centre. The guests are attracted here by a wonderful landscape design, shadowy alleys, comfortable cafes, which offer the most delicious ice-cream, deserts and appetizers of any kind, tea, Yacht-club, many amusement arcades for children and adults.

Social events and site-seeing aside, the unique national cuisine of Azerbaijan is one of the most interesting gastronomically experiences in the East. It is remarkable by plenty of different meat, fish and vegetable dishes supplemented by flavoured herbs and spices. Saffron enjoys special popularity in Azerbaijan: this spice is used in over 50 national dishes! Among bakery goods the Azerbaijanis prefer long bread and lavash (flat bread baked in tandoor).
From sport events to historic site-seeing to adventures at the beach, summer at Baku is a 360 experience of a life time.
About Atlantis Holidays
Atlantis Holidays (AtlantisHolidays.com) is the representation office of the Ministry of Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the GCC Countries. They assist Travel agents and Individual Travellers for Air tickets, Games Ticket, Packages, Visa Support, Ground Handling Support, Excursions, City tours and Tourist Guides in Azerbaijan. You may contact them at +97142829119 Ext 199; Mb: +971558570144; email: info@AtlantisHolidays.com