5-Day Azerbaijan Road Trip Itinerary: Baku, Gobustan, Lahij, Gabala & Sheki
Five days may not sound like much, but with a car it's enough to see some of Azerbaijan's best places, from the Caspian coast to the foothills of the Greater Caucasus.
Here's a 5-day self-drive itinerary based on real distances: Baku, Absheron, Gobustan, Shamakhi, Lahij, Gabala and Sheki.
Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Route | Approx. distance | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baku: Old City, Boulevard, Absheron (Yanar Dag, Ateshgah) | ~70 km | Baku |
| 2 | Gobustan rock art and mud volcanoes | ~140 km | Baku |
| 3 | Baku → Shamakhi → Ismayilli (Lahij) → Gabala | ~250 km | Gabala |
| 4 | Gabala (Nohur Lake, Tufandag, Seven Beauties) → Sheki | ~100 km | Sheki |
| 5 | Sheki (Khan's Palace, Caravanserai, Kish) → Baku | ~320 km | — |
Total: about 880 km. Fuel for an economy sedan (~7 L/100 km, AI-92 ~1.15 AZN) comes to roughly 70–75 AZN; for a crossover, about 100 AZN.
Day 1: Baku and Absheron
- Morning: Old City (Icherisheher), Maiden Tower, Palace of the Shirvanshahs. Driving inside the Old City is tricky, so use a nearby paid car park.
- Afternoon: Seaside Boulevard and the Heydar Aliyev Center.
- Evening: Yanar Dag (the burning hillside) and the Ateshgah fire temple on Absheron. Yanar Dag is most impressive after dark.
Parking rules in Baku: Driving in Azerbaijan: cameras, fines and parking.
Day 2: Gobustan and the Mud Volcanoes
- Gobustan National Park: ancient rock carvings (petroglyphs) about 60–70 km south of Baku.
- Mud volcanoes: close to Gobustan. The last stretch is a dirt track that turns to mud after rain.
⚠️ Note: Dirt and mud can damage a rental car. Don't drive your rental to the volcanoes after rain. Hiring a local driver for that stretch is often the better option.
Day 3: Shamakhi, Lahij, Gabala
- Shamakhi (~120 km): the Juma Mosque and the Diri Baba Mausoleum (on the way, in Maraza).
- Lahij (optional): a mountain village famous for coppersmiths. The last part of the road is narrow and winding, so a crossover is more comfortable; go in daylight.
- On to Gabala: a scenic forest road via Ismayilli. Spend the evening in Gabala.
Day 4: Gabala → Sheki
- Nohur Lake: a calm lake against the mountains, especially beautiful in the morning.
- Tufandag: mountain views from the cable car.
- Seven Beauties waterfall: a short walk from the road.
- Afternoon: drive to Sheki (~100 km) and spend the evening in the old town.
Day 5: Sheki and Back to Baku
- Palace of the Shaki Khans: famous for its stained-glass lattice windows and the symbol of the UNESCO-listed historic centre of Sheki.
- The Caravanserai and Sheki halva.
- Kish village: an ancient Albanian church about 5 km from Sheki.
- Drive back: about 305 km to Baku, 4.5–5 hours. Leave early in the afternoon to avoid driving in the dark.
Which Car for This Itinerary?
| Travellers | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1–2 people, summer | Economy or mid-size sedan (Accent, Elantra) |
| 3–4 people + luggage | Mid-size sedan or crossover |
| Including Lahij and mountain villages | Crossover |
| Winter | Crossover with winter tyres |
Models compared: The most popular rental cars in Baku.
Planning Tips
- Check the mileage limit: the route is ~880 km. If the listing has a daily limit, make sure it covers 5 days.
- Pick up and return in Baku: the route is a loop.
- Don't cross borders: taking a rental car to Georgia or any other country is prohibited. See: Can you take a rental car from Azerbaijan to Georgia?
- Book hotels early: Gabala and Sheki fill up fast in summer and on holiday weekends.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the car cost for a 5-day trip?
The rental depends on the model and season. Fuel for the whole route is about 70–75 AZN in an economy sedan. Prices: Car rental prices in Baku.
Can I shorten it to 3 days?
Yes: Day 1 Baku, Day 2 Shamakhi to Gabala, Day 3 Sheki to Baku. You'll spend a lot more time driving each day, though.
Is this route good for families with children?
Yes. Skip mountain villages like Lahij and try to keep each day under 3–4 hours of driving.
Is it safe to drive in Azerbaijan?
Yes, with some care in Baku traffic and on mountain roads. See: Is it safe to drive in Azerbaijan?
Bottom Line
Five days with a car is enough to see Azerbaijan's variety, from an oil-boom capital to mountain villages, and from rock carvings to khans' palaces. Choose a car that suits your route in the Carent app, check the mileage limit and hit the road. Full guide: How to rent a car in Baku as a tourist.
Cover photo: Asif Masimov, Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped and resized.
