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If you are in Baku and looking for things to do beyond the Azerbaijani capital, Quba is one of the best day trip destinations from Baku. From visiting historical monuments, museums, and mosques to learning carpet-weaving techniques and exploring waterfalls, lakes, canyons, and remote mountain villages to engaging in ecotourism activities and outdoor adventures like hiking, there are plenty of beautiful places to visit and things to do in Quba, Azerbaijan.
Visiting Quba – An Introduction
An ancient city where well-preserved traditions interweave with virgin nature to create a unique character, Quba (Guba) is one of the most beautiful places in Azerbaijan. It’s known for its breathtaking scenery, traditional carpet weaving, and sweet culinary delights!
Located at the base of the Greater Caucasus Mountains in the northeast of Azerbaijan, hikers and trekkers keep Quba as a base to explore the nearby picturesque mountain villages. And of course, a road trip through the Caucasian mountains is the stuff dreams are made of.
Best Things to do in Quba, Azerbaijan
Here’s a list of the best attractions in and around Quba for a timeless trip!
1. Enjoy Boating in Chanlibel Lake
Chanlibel Lake, a man-made emerald lake, once used for irrigation purposes, has come to become a famous tourist spot in Quba. Enveloped by mountains and forests, it’s utterly scenic and extends a peaceful time.
This mountain lake is a sight to behold during autumn and spring.
You can also indulge in activities like fishing and boating, or enjoy camping too.
You can book a stay at Macara Village Resort to stay close to untouched nature. We enjoyed a cup of tea at Macara Lake Park.
2. Uncover the History Behind Chukhur Hammam
The red-brick-domed ancient bathhouse, dating back to the 18th century, Chukur Hamam, aka dome bath or Gumbezli, has recently been restored and protected as a historical monument.
French writer Alexandre Dumas visited this bathhouse during his travels through Azerbaijan.
The Hamam also holds a gloomy past, it being the site where locals were suffocated by steam during the 1918 genocide by Armenians.
3. Learn Traditional Carpet Weaving at Qadim Quba
Local women artisans in Quba have been weaving carpets for days beyond recall. When in Quba, you ought to meet local weavers and learn about traditional carpet weaving skills.
Being the largest center of carpet weaving in Azerbaijan, there are many carpet factories in the Guba region.
We visited Qadim Quba, one of the most popular carpet-making workshops in the city. A kind woman supervisor made us meet the artisans, showed us the instruments used, and explained the entire process of traditional carpet weaving patiently. She didn’t speak English, but our driver cum guide came to our rescue. It’s best to visit the factory with an English-speaking local guide.
You can even buy a handcrafted Azeri carpet from a small shop at Qadim Quba. We purchased a mini wall carpet with Qadim Quba woven on it.
If you are thinking of buying a large carpet, make sure you know the rules set by the government of Azerbaijan about taking traditional carpets out of the country. I’ve read that one needs a certificate, and they don’t allow carpets over 50 years old to be exported.
There are many remote villages around Quba where women are working hard to preserve this age-old tradition. They are weaving different varieties of carpets, and, interestingly, each village has its unique style of pattern.
The carpets woven here adorn museums and private galleries around the world. The ancient (1712) rug (Golu Chichi) from Guba is on display in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
4. Visit Juma Mosque
Juma Mosque is one of the most unique mosques in Quba, or rather, Azerbaijan. This red-colored, small, octagonal-shaped mosque has an impressively large hall with a circular dome adorned by a huge chandelier.
5. See Sakina Khanum Mosque
Another uniquely designed mosque in Quba is the Sakina Khanum Mosque. Constructed in memory of the famous Azerbaijan writer, historian, and diplomat, Abbasgulu agha Bakikhanov, by his wife, this red-brick 9-domed mosque is 27 meters high, and it is believed that eggs were used as a binding agent instead of cement.
6. Take a Stroll in Nizami Park
Nizami Park is a beautiful and atmospheric urban park in the city of Quba. You can take a delightful stroll around the park and admire the lush surroundings, artistic sculptures, and colorful flowers.
You can also visit the Guba District Museum of History and Local Studies, located inside the park, to learn more about the history of the region and the country.
7. Check Out Gudyalchay Arched Brick Bridge
One of its kind in Azerbaijan, the Gudyalchay arched bridge is an architectural and historical monument. It was constructed by the Russian Tsar Alexander III in 1894 to scale up the military presence of Russia in the Caucasus.
The robust multiple-span architecture makes it so powerful that it is still going strong, even after strong mudflows and flooding for centuries.
You can walk back in time with a stroll on this pedestrianized (close to traffic) bridge.
8. Explore Red Village aka Krasnaya Sloboda (Qırmızı Qəsəbə)
As you cross the old arched bridge, across the Kudyal (Qudiyalcay) River from Quba, is Red Town, an all-Jewish town, fondly known as the Jerusalem of the Caucasus.
There are only two (recorded) entirely Jewish towns outside of Israel – Palm Tree in New York and Qirmizi Qesebe in Azerbaijan.
The Jews who came here in the 5th century never went back and made their little settlement.
Populated with mountain Jews, mostly Oligarchs, who live a life guided by Torah, Qirmizi Qesebe is also called a town of millionaires. Most of them live abroad; however, they have homes here and regularly donate to the development of the settlement.
Huge extravagant palace-like villas and expensive cars replace the small brick houses and humble cars; the vibe and feel (worlds apart) here are entirely different than those in Quba. The appearance of the people, the language, the dialect – everything is different.
9. Visit the Guba Genocide Memorial Complex
This monument takes you through the tragic history of Azerbaijan, an unpleasant yet eye-opening experience.
The mass graves resurfaced in Quba during the 2007 excavation work that indicated the genocide of locals by Armenian armed forces in 1918.
In 2013, the Genocide Memorial Complex was erected at the same location to commemorate the innocent victims of the tragedy. The complex consists of 5 sections – a memorial, a symbolic cemetery, a genocide museum, a flag square, and an information center.
The architect Vahid Kasimoghlu has designed this two-knife-shaped museum in a way that every element has a meaning. The knives emerging from the ground represent the emergence of truth, no matter what, while the sharp ends speak of the stabbing pain.
10. Marvel at Afurdja Waterfall
Located on the Velvelichai River near the village of Tengealti, falling from a 75-meter-high cliff, Afurdja is the highest waterfall in Azerbaijan.
You can enjoy a cup of tea or coffee in one of the cafes near this beautiful state-protected nature monument while enjoying the incredible sight.
11. Discover the Remote Village of Khinaliq (Xinaliq)
Nestled in the Greater Caucasus Mountains, Khinaliq, or Xinaliq or Khinalig, is a UNESCO-listed medieval mountain village near Quba.
With a history dating back over 5,000 years, it’s the oldest inhabited village in Azerbaijan. It’s also known to be the remotest, largest, and highest (2350m or 7710ft) of mountain villages in the region.
As you stroll the village, witness the unique architecture, and visit its ancient cemeteries and mosques, you’d feel like exploring an open-air museum. And, you’d appreciate the fact that locals have managed to stay true to their roots and have beautifully preserved their culture and tradition.
Just about 5 km from the village, you can visit the highest fire temple in the world.
12. Lose Yourself in Untouched Nature at Laza
An hour’s drive from Quba takes you to the little village of Laza. Located at the foot of Mount Shahdagh, the village has a handful of houses scattered here and there, surrounded by lush mountains and towering cliffs, and is known for its numerous waterfalls.
While here, just relax and rejuvenate, or if you feel adventurous, follow one of the many incredibly scenic trails to drink in the virgin natural beauty.
13. Walk Through Gachrash
A stretch of a road leading to Qechresh is enveloped by lush and dense trees on both sides, creating a canopy overhead, which makes it difficult for the rays of the sun to pass through it giving it a beautifully mysterious aura.
Dubbed a magical forest, Gachrash has become a huge tourist draw. There are recreational areas and restaurants along the road.
Trip to Quba: How to Plan
Getting to Quba
Quba is located 167 km from Baku, and you can hire a private car with a driver or board a public bus, or book a guided day tour to get there.
The buses run from the Baku International Bus Terminal daily at regular intervals. The first bus leaves at 8 am and the last bus at 5:55 pm. A ticket costs 5 AZN per person, and you can buy one on board. You can check the schedule here.
Families with kids can benefit from hiring a private car with a driver, as it’s cheap and convenient. You can explore Quba and the villages around it with ease. A guided day tour is also a great option for families, though it’s a bit expensive.
Getting Around Quba
If you don’t have your vehicle, it’s best to hire a taxi to explore the places in Quba and book a private car with a driver to travel further to Xinaliq or Laza from Quba.
Where to Stay in Quba
If you are not exploring Quba as a day trip and plan to extend your stay in Quba to visit the nearby mountain villages like Xinaliq and Laza, there are quite a few nice accommodation options.
Gold Hotel Quba and House in Quba are good options close to the center. However, if you’ve your vehicle and can afford to stay a bit farther from the city, Quba Palace Hotel & Golf Resort, Quba Vadi Chalet Hotel, and Shahdag Hotel & Spa are the best choices.
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