The Most Beautiful Beaches in Azerbaijan

While Azerbaijan isn’t known for its beach breaks, a selection of soft-sanded spots on the Caspian Sea can provide a bit of fun in the sun on your travels here.
The water around Baku is famously filled with oil rigs and industry pipes, so you’ll have to travel a little further outside of the capital to find somewhere to set your towel down. Here are some of our favourite options for a day spent at the beach in Azerbaijan.
Bilgah Beach
Natural Feature

In the north of the Baku Peninsula, Bilgah Beach is dominated by the rocket-ship-like Bilgah Beach Hotel. The golden sand is a popular place for families to gather at the weekend to escape the city and spend the day paddling in the sea. A collection of beachside cafes provides a little sustenance, and there are changing facilities, too.
Crescent Beach
Natural Feature
In the Baku suburb of Shikh, Crescent Beach is a family-friendly spot on the shore of the Caspian Sea. The slow drop-off into the sea makes it a safe paddling spot – and a play park and plenty of dining options make it a popular place for families. The silhouette of an oil rig looms in the distance, which may be a blot on the landscape to some – but there’s a modern beauty to it floating out there in the sea.
Amburan Beach Club
Natural Feature
Sprawling day beds and loungers lining the sand are the order of the day at Amburan Beach Club. This private slice of Baku Beach comes with an entrance fee, but it’s worth it for the pristine sand and array of amenities. There are several beach bars and a restaurant – and a huge swimming pool is an option if you like your water calm and a little less saline.
Nardaran Beaches
Natural Feature
North of Baku, the suburb of Nardaran has a stretch of Capsian Sea beach perfect for a day trip from the city. Palm-frond parasols dot the sand, offering some shade, and freshwater outdoor showers to freshen up after a dip in the sea. At SeaZone Beach, you’ll find sun loungers that can be rented and a couple of fresh seafood restaurants, where the catch of the day is served up street-food-style at wooden bench tables.
Dalga Beach
Natural Feature
On the Absheron Peninsula, Dalga Beach is one of the cleanest beaches within easy reach of Baku. Terracotta sand slips into the Caspian Sea, and there are plenty of changing huts, parasols and places to lay your towel. It’s also home to the biggest water park in Azerbaijan, and you can try your hand at every kind of water sport, from parasailing to banana boating.
Novkhani Beach
Natural Feature

There’s a reason that Novkhani Beach has attracted a handful of resort hotels and aqua parks to its shores – it’s one of the prettiest beaches on the Absheron Peninsula. Away from the oil rigs and industry pipelines of Central Baku, it’s a long stretch of sand where seafood restaurants have set up shop and you’ll see nothing but water for miles. There are lots of facilities here, too, such as changing huts, outdoor showers and water sports vendors in abundance.
Nabran
Natural Feature

Up in the north of Azerbaijan, Nabran is a little beach resort town that attracts locals to spend the weekend by the sea. The Caspian Sea is cleaner up here than around Baku and the Absheron Peninsula, so this is the opportunity to fully submerge yourself in the sea. A couple of rustic-style beach clubs have been set up on the sand, offering a place to lie on a lounger and enjoy a drink.
Lankaran
Natural Feature
Down in Azerbaijan’s south, Lankaran is another resort town – though it’s a little livelier here. The beach is all shingle, made for morning strolls rather than an all-day event. The ancient town itself is a charming spot to visit if only to try the local lemons and tea – or perhaps tea with a slice of lemon in it – and explore local museums. For a more surreal experience, head south to Yanar Bulag Fire Spring to watch water ignite.
This is an updated version of an article originally by Sam Bedford.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!


Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.


KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.