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Tours From Baku.

Gabala and Shamakhi in One Day from Baku

The old capital, a hillside of domed tombs and the green foothills of the Greater Caucasus — the whole northern road in one long day.

  • Duration12 hours
  • Live tour guideEnglish, Russian, Turkish
  • GroupPrivate tour
5.0 1 reviews See all reviews →

Highlights

  • North out of Baku
  • Shamakhi and the Juma mosque
  • Yeddi Gumbez
  • Lunch on the road
  • Gabala
  • Back to Baku

Overview

Gabala is 225 km from Baku, which is too far for a comfortable half-day and exactly right for a long one. The road passes through Shamakhi, so the day picks up two very different places: a capital that kept being flattened by earthquakes, and a resort town under the tree line.

Shamakhi

For six centuries this was the seat of the Shirvanshahs, and it has been destroyed and rebuilt more times than any other town in the country. The Juma mosque here is one of the oldest in the Caucasus. Just outside it stands Yeddi Gumbez — the seven domes — a group of stone mausoleums for the last khans, roofless now and standing in open grass.

The road up

After Shamakhi the landscape changes quickly. Vineyards give way to hazelnut orchards, and the Greater Caucasus ridge comes into view on the right and stays there. This is the stretch of the day people remember.

Gabala

The town itself is modern; what people come for is around it — the ridge, the lakes, the cable car up to Tufandag, and the old village of Nij nearby. Which of these fits depends on the season and the light, so the guide sets the last part of the day when you get there rather than promising it in advance.

What the day is like

Twelve hours, of which five or six are driving. It is a full day and it suits people who would rather see the country than only the capital. Groups are capped at 18; the same trip can be booked privately for your own party.

Where else this road goes: Sheki from Baku: The Khan's Palace, the Caravanserai and the Silk Road, or Lahij from Baku: A Copper Village Above the Girdiman Gorge. Everything we run is on the day trips page.

Getting there on your own: 225 km from Baku by road. How to Get from Baku to Gabala compares a car with a driver, the intercity bus and a guided day.

Duration
12 hours
Max Group Size
Group of up to 18
Language
English, Russian, Turkish
Pickup
1 Azerbaijan Avenue, Baku (parking)

More on this area: Gabala Day Trip from Baku · Shamakhi Day Trips from Baku · Day Trips from Baku

Itinerary

  1. North out of Baku

    The plain flattens out and then starts climbing. Roughly two hours to the first stop.

  2. Shamakhi and the Juma mosque

    The old capital of Shirvan, and a mosque founded in the eighth century — rebuilt after each of the earthquakes that kept levelling the town.

  3. Yeddi Gumbez

    Seven domed tombs of the Shamakhi khans on a slope above the road. Ten minutes on foot, and the best view back over the valley.

  4. Lunch on the road

    A stop somewhere between the two towns. Not included in the price — pay for what you order.

  5. Gabala

    The afternoon in the foothills: the ridge, the lakes and whichever of the local sites the season favours.

  6. Back to Baku

    Two and a half to three hours, arriving in the evening.

Meeting point

1 Azerbaijan Avenue, Baku (parking)

Frequently asked questions

How far is Gabala from Baku?
About 225 km by the Shamakhi road — two and a half to three hours each way without stops.
Why does the tour take twelve hours?
Because the distance is real. Five to six hours of the day are spent driving; the rest is split between Shamakhi, Yeddi Gumbez and Gabala itself.
Can it be done as a private trip?
Yes. The same day runs privately for your own group at a fixed price for the vehicle rather than per seat.
Is the cable car included?
No. Where the group goes up Tufandag, tickets are bought on the spot — the guide will tell you the current price before you decide.
What is the best season?
Late spring and early autumn. The road is open year-round, but the ridge is only visible on a clear day and the orchards are worth seeing in leaf.
How long does the Gabala tour take?
The tour takes approximately 12 hours.
Where does the tour depart from?
The tour departs from 1 Azerbaijan Avenue, Baku (parking).
What languages is the tour available in?
The tour is available in English, Russian, Turkish.
How much does the tour cost?
Pricing starts at ₼ 69 per person. The final price depends on your group size and the date you choose.
How do I book this tour?
You can book directly on this page — choose your date and number of travellers and confirm. Our team will then reach out to confirm the details.

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  • S
    Sara · Oviedo, Spain
    ★★★★★ · 04 Oct 2026

    We had a wonderful day on the Gabala and Shamakhi tour. Everything was well organized, from the pickup to the different places we visited. We really enjoyed seeing the beautiful landscapes around Gabala, especially the mountains and nature. Shamakhi was also very interesting and added a nice historical side to the trip. The whole day was comfortable and enjoyable, and the service was excellent. We would definitely recommend this agency to anyone visiting Azerbaijan and looking for a good day trip from Baku.

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