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Gabala
Forests, lakes and cable cars in the Caucasus
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
- Currency
- AZN
- Time zone
- UTC+4
- Country
- Azerbaijan
A green resort town in the foothills of the Greater Caucasus, with cable cars, lakes and waterfalls about three and a half hours from Baku.
- Baku
- Ganja
- Sumgait
- Mingachevir
- Sheki
Quick facts
- Country
- Azerbaijan
- Capital
- Baku
- Region population
- 100,000
- Population of Azerbaijan
- 10.2M
- Country area
- 86,600 km²
- Official language
- Azerbaijani
- Currency
- Azerbaijani Manat (AZN) · 1 USD ≈ 1.7 AZN
- Time zone
- UTC+4
- Calling code
- +994
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 800 m
- Plugs
- C / F · 220V
- Emergency numbers
- 112 · 102 · 103
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 5° | 6° | 11° | 17° | 22° | 27° | 30° | 29° | 24° | 17° | 11° | 6° |
| Low | -3° | -2° | 2° | 7° | 11° | 15° | 18° | 17° | 13° | 8° | 3° | -1° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$46
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$105
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$240
Top things to do
- ≈ $25
Tufandağ cable cars
Gondolas up the Caucasus foothills for forest views in summer and skiing in winter.
- Half day
- Tufandağ
- Good for kids
- Free
Nohur Lake
A calm lake below wooded mountains with rowing boats and lakeside tea houses.
- Half day
- Lakes and forests
- Good for kids
- Free
Yeddi Gözəl waterfall
The 'Seven Beauties' falls in a forest gorge, reached by a short walk and steps.
- Half day
- Lakes and forests
- Good for kids
- ≈ $20
Gabaland amusement park
A family park with rides and a lake in the town, busy in summer holidays.
- Half day
- Gabala town
- Good for kids
- ≈ $10
The road from Baku: Shamakhi and Lahij
Stop at the Juma Mosque of Shamakhi and, with a detour, the copper-making village of Lahij.
- Full day
- Gabala town
Before you go
Entry and visas
Many visitors apply for an e-Visa on the official ASAN portal, evisa.gov.az; citizens of some countries, including several GCC states, get a visa on arrival. Stays over 15 days require registration with the State Migration Service; hotels usually do this for you.
Official websiteFrom the airport
Most visitors drive or take a bus from Baku (about 3.5 hours); Gabala's small airport has a few flights, mostly seasonal.
Getting around
Sights are spread out along the mountain roads: rent a car, hire a driver or use hotel shuttles.
Local tips
- Summer weekends are busy with visitors from Baku and the Gulf.
- Mountain weather changes quickly; bring a jacket.
- Carry cash for lakeside cafés and parking.
- Combine Gabala with Sheki, about 1.5 hours away.
Areas worth knowing
- Gabala town
- Lakes and forests
- Tufandağ
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on September 2, 2026. The advice includes warnings against travel to some areas. Read it before booking.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in Azerbaijan
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Sources: ASAN Visa (official e-Visa portal) · Azerbaijan Tourism Board