+ 3 h

Baku (Baki)

Azerbaijani

• 220 volts
• Travel adapter required for plug types C and F

Banks

9.30 am - 5.30 pm (Mon - Fri)

Shops

9.00 am - 7.00 pm (Mon - Sat)

• 1 January: New Year’s Day
• 8 March: International Women’s Day
• 20-24 March: Novruz Bayramı (Spring Festival)
• 9 May: Victory Day
• 28 May: Republic Day
• 26 June: Armed Forces Day
• 18 October: National Independence Day
• 12 November: Constitution Day
• 17 November: National Revival Day
• Eid al-Fitr (end of Ramadan) – Date varies
• Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice) – Date varies
• 31 December: Day of Solidarity of Azerbaijanis Around the World

The following documents are required to enter Azerbaijan:

• A Swiss passport that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the end of the stay.

• Swiss citizens require a visa to enter Azerbaijan. For stays of up to 30 days, this can be conveniently applied for online via the Azerbaijani visa portal.

• For planned stays of more than 15 days, travellers must register with the State Migration Service of Azerbaijan immediately after arrival. When staying at a hotel, this formality is usually handled by the hotel.
• Travellers whose passports contain Armenian visas may be subject to more intensive checks when entering Azerbaijan and may potentially be refused entry.

• Minors: A travel authorisation is recommended for minors travelling alone, with only one parent or without their parents.

As of: November 2024

Azerbaijan has a remarkable variety of climates due to its diverse geographical regions:

• Coastal regions along the Caspian Sea: These areas have a subtropical climate, with warm summers where temperatures are often around 30°C and mild winters of around 5°C.
• Central highlands and inland regions: These areas have a continental climate with hot summers, where temperatures can reach up to 35°C, and colder winters, when temperatures may fall to -5°C.
• Greater and Lesser Caucasus: In these mountain regions, summers are cool and winters are very cold. Average summer temperatures are around 20°C, while winter temperatures can fall as low as -20°C.

Best time to travel to Azerbaijan:

• City trips: Spring (April to June) and autumn (September to November) are ideal for exploring cities such as Baku, as the weather is mild and the extreme summer temperatures are avoided.
• Hiking and nature: Late summer (August to September) is ideal for hiking in the Caucasus, as temperatures are more pleasant and the landscape is particularly vibrant.
• Winter sports: Winter (December to February) offers good conditions for skiing and other winter sports in the mountain regions, where there is generally sufficient snow.

• Using a mobile phone in Azerbaijan may incur roaming charges. Travellers are advised to check the applicable roaming fees before departure and, where necessary, purchase a suitable roaming package to reduce costs.
• Free Wi-Fi is available in restaurants, cafés, hotels and many public spaces.
• To reduce roaming charges, it is advisable to purchase a prepaid SIM card in Azerbaijan, offering affordable mobile internet and local calls.

• Icheri Sheher (Baku Old City) - This historic fortified city is known for its well-preserved medieval architecture, including the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Maiden Tower.
• Flame Towers - Three striking skyscrapers that shape Baku’s skyline and are spectacularly illuminated at night.
• Gobustan National Park - A UNESCO World Heritage Site featuring prehistoric petroglyphs and mud volcanoes.
• Mud Volcanoes - Azerbaijan is home to around half of the world’s mud volcanoes, offering a unique natural spectacle.
• Palace of the Sheki Khans - A magnificent example of Azerbaijani architecture featuring impressive stained glass and intricate wood carvings.
• Ateshgah (Fire Temple) - A historic temple near Baku that was used by fire worshippers of different faiths.
• Yanar Dag (Burning Mountain) - A natural gas flame that burns continuously on a hillside and is particularly impressive at night.
• Naftalan Oil Resort - Known for its therapeutic crude-oil baths, which have been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
• Palace of the Shirvanshahs - An architectural gem in Baku’s Old City that reflects the history and culture of Azerbaijan.
• Quba - This city is known for its picturesque landscapes, apple orchards and proximity to the majestic Caucasus Mountains.

Azerbaijani cuisine is characterised by rich flavours and a wide variety of traditional dishes that reflect cultural influences from the Caucasus and the Middle East. Azerbaijani food is known for its diverse and often generous dishes, which are traditionally enjoyed in a convivial atmosphere.

Rice and spices: Plov is also a central element of Azerbaijani cuisine. Its ingredients vary by region and often include saffron and dried fruit, which give the dish a distinctive sweetness.

Soups and stews: Dovga, a yoghurt soup with herbs and sometimes meatballs, is particularly popular and is served both hot and cold.

Meat dishes: Kebab is a staple, with various types of meat marinated and grilled over an open flame, often served with fresh salads and flatbread.

Filled pastries: Kutab, a thin flatbread filled with minced meat, pumpkin, or herbs and cheese, is a popular snack or accompaniment to main meals.

Sweet dishes: Pakhlava, a sweet layered pastry made with dough, nuts and honey, is particularly popular during the Novruz festival.

Markets: Food markets in Azerbaijan, such as Taza Bazar in Baku, offer an abundance of fresh produce, local cheeses, herbs and spices that form the basis of Azerbaijani cuisine.

• Greetings: In Azerbaijan, it is customary to shake hands when greeting someone. Among close acquaintances or friends, hugs or kisses on the cheek may also be common.
• Saying please and thank you: Politeness is highly valued in Azerbaijan. Saying “please” and “thank you” in the local language (“zəhmət olmasa” for “please”, “təşəkkür edirəm” for “thank you”) is greatly appreciated and shows respect towards local people.
• Clothing: The dress code is relatively conservative, particularly in rural areas and at religious sites. In Baku and other urban centres, clothing tends to be more Western and modern, but it is advisable to bear in mind that overly revealing clothing may be considered inappropriate.
• Dining etiquette: At mealtimes, it is customary to serve older people first. Azerbaijanis place great importance on hospitality and often offer more food than guests can eat. It is polite to accept the offer, even if you only try a small amount.
• Smoking: Smoking is not permitted in many public areas, including restaurants and on public transport. Designated smoking areas are often available.
• Tipping: In restaurants and hotels, it is customary to leave a tip of around 10% if service is not already included in the bill. For taxis, it is customary to round up the fare.

• It is advisable to avoid tap water and drink bottled or filtered water instead in order to reduce health risks.
• Since 2023, Azerbaijan has officially been recognised as malaria-free.

• No mandatory vaccinations are required for entry into Azerbaijan.

• Make sure that you and your children are up to date with the standard vaccinations recommended in the Swiss vaccination schedule of the Federal Office of Public Health. Vaccination against hepatitis A is recommended and, for longer stays or particular exposure, also against hepatitis B, typhoid and rabies. Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) may be recommended for summer stays in the Caucasus region.

• Outside the capital Baku, medical care in Azerbaijan is often inadequate. Rapid assistance in the event of injury or serious illness, including medical transport or first aid, is not always guaranteed. In addition, only a limited number of doctors and nurses speak English, which can make communication more difficult.
• It is strongly recommended to take out comprehensive travel health insurance before travelling, including cover for emergency repatriation.
• Although most medicines are readily available in Azerbaijan, it is advisable to bring essential medication with you, especially if you have specific medical needs.

• Keep informed about the current situation through the media before and during your trip and stay in contact with your tour operator.
• Travel to the Karabakh region and areas bordering Armenia is strongly advised against. This applies to the area extending from the tri-border point between Azerbaijan, Iran and Armenia in the south, along the Aras River, to the tri-border point between Azerbaijan, Georgia and Armenia in the north.
• The crime rate is generally low. However, isolated assaults may occur at night, particularly near bars, clubs and the entrances to residential complexes.
• Occasional opposition demonstrations and protests can lead to heightened security measures and, in some cases, violent clashes, particularly when gatherings are unauthorised. Travellers are advised to avoid such events.

• Further information on the current security situation can be found on the website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA).

As of: November 2024

• An international driving permit is required and must be presented together with your national driving licence.
• Fuel supplies can be unreliable in remote areas. Outside the capital, many roads are in poor condition. The often risky behaviour of road users increases the risk of accidents, and particular caution is advised at night.
• A CH sticker and warning triangle are mandatory.
• To hire a car, drivers must be at least 24 years old and have held a valid driving licence for at least one year. Drivers under 25 are required to pay an additional fee.

• Blood alcohol limit: 0.0 ‰.

• Long-distance trains: Azerbaijan’s railway network offers long-distance services connecting major cities such as Baku, Ganja and Quba. These trains are designed for longer journeys and offer both seated and sleeper accommodation.

• Regional trains: In addition to long-distance services, regional trains connect smaller towns and communities to the wider rail network. These trains are generally more simply equipped.

• Buses: Bus services are widespread in Azerbaijan and are a key form of local public transport. Buses serve both urban and rural areas and offer an affordable way to travel around the country.

• Metro: The Baku Metro is the backbone of public transport in the capital. It has several lines serving key parts of the city and provides a fast and efficient alternative to surface transport.

• Tickets: Tickets for public transport can be purchased at railway stations, bus terminals and ticket machines. In Baku, a rechargeable “BakıKart” can also be used and is valid on buses, trolleybuses and the metro.

There are no direct flights from Switzerland to Azerbaijan. However, connections with stopovers are available. The main airports in Azerbaijan are:

• Heydar Aliyev International Airport (GYD), Baku: The largest and busiest airport in Azerbaijan. It offers numerous international and domestic flights.

• Ganja International Airport (KVD), Ganja: The country’s second-largest airport, offering regional services as well as some international flights.

• Nakhchivan Airport (NAJ), Nakhchivan: Primarily serves domestic flights and connects the Nakhchivan exclave with the rest of Azerbaijan.

The main national airlines operating in Azerbaijan are Azerbaijan Airlines (also known as AZAL), which is also the country’s largest airline, and Buta Airways, a low-cost subsidiary of AZAL.

International airlines offering flights to Azerbaijan include Turkish Airlines, LOT, Lufthansa, Qatar Airways and FlyDubai.

8 (wait for the tone) 10 41 (omit the zero from the Swiss area code)

• Police: 102
• Fire brigade: 101
• Ambulance: 103

Nizami Street 96E (Landmark I building)
AZ1010 Baku
Tel.: +994 12 437 38 50
Email: baku@eda.admin.ch

• The country is located in an earthquake-prone area.

• Photographing military installations and public buildings (airports, bridges, etc.) is prohibited.

• Drug laws are very strict.
• Police and military checks are frequent. It is therefore advisable to carry a copy of your passport and visa or residence permit at all times.
• In Azerbaijan, drones may only be imported and used with permission from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Without this authorisation, drones will be confiscated by customs.