Naftalan 3-Day Itinerary

A day-by-day plan for Naftalan: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.

Day 1

Arrive & Explore the Highlights

Morning
Naftalan Oil Baths Public Garden

A landscaped park surrounding the main oil bath complex. Benches, fountains, and paths lined with pine trees and rose bushes. Locals come here to walk and chat.

🕐 Open 24 hours

Free entry

💡 Bring your own water bottle – the only café nearby is overpriced for tourists.

Hotels near Naftalan Oil Baths Public Garden →
Afternoon
Healing Oil Fountain (Naftalan Oil Monument)

A small monument featuring a flowing oil fountain — actually crude oil from the local fields. Unusual and oddly photogenic, with a plaque explaining the town's oil history.

🕐 24 hours

Free entry

💡 The oil is thick and dark, so don't lean in too close. It's safely enclosed, but the smell is strong.

Hotels near Healing Oil Fountain (Naftalan Oil Monument) →
Evening
Where to eat

Lalə Şadlıq Sayarı · ££

Laçın Kafe · ££

Day 2

Deeper Into Naftalan

Morning
Naftalan Museum of Local History

A small museum covering the town's history, with a focus on the development of the naphtalan oil industry. Exhibits include old photographs, medical equipment from the Soviet era, and geological sampl

🕐 09:00-17:00, closed Monday

💡 The staff speak limited English, but they're happy to show you around. A donation of a few manat is appreciated but not required.

Midday
Central Park (Heydar Aliyev Park)

The main town park with fountains, a small amphitheatre, and shaded walkways. Good for a quiet stroll or sitting on a bench with a book.

🕐 06:00–22:00

💡 Look for the chess tables near the eastern entrance — locals play most afternoons, and you can often join in if you nod and smile.

Afternoon
Naftalan Soviet Mosaic Wall

A large, faded mosaic on the side of a former sanatorium building, depicting a worker with an oil drill and a dove. One of the few remaining Soviet-era art pieces in the town.

🕐 Visible from the street at all times

💡 It's on the north-facing wall, so best photographed in the morning. Part of the mosaic has crumbled; be careful not to walk on fallen tiles.

Late afternoon
Naftalan Oil Baths (Public Park Area)

The landscaped grounds around the main spa complex, with walking paths, benches, and a small lake. Free to wander; the oil baths themselves are paid.

🕐 24 hours

💡 Best in late afternoon when the light hits the lake. Locals come here to walk dogs and chat — it's a good spot for people-watching.

Evening
Dining tonight

Samovar Kafe

Kafe

Day 3

Final Favourites & Departure

Morning
Soviet-era Oil Worker Housing

A row of crumbling but still-occupied apartment blocks built in the 1950s for oil field workers. Mosaic murals and rusting ironwork show the fading Soviet aesth

💡 This is a residential area – keep to the pavement, don't enter buildings, and be respectful of residents' privacy.

Midday
Naftalan City Park (Heidar Aliyev Park)

A larger park with a central fountain, a war memorial, and a children's playground. Few tourists come here – it's mainly families and pensioners in the evenings

💡 The small teahouse near the fountain sells decent black tea and biscuits for under 1 manat. Cash only.

Final meal

1001 Gecə Şadlıq Sarayı

Çay Evi

Getting Around Naftalan

Baku to Ganja Train, Then Taxi to Naftalan From 12 AZN (train) + 20 AZN (taxi) 210 min

The overnight sleeper from Baku is a good choice, arriving Ganja early. From the station, grab a Bolt taxi to Naftalan—about 20 AZN. The train is reliable in mild weather, but delays happen in winter.

Local Taxi from Naftalan Bus Station to Hotel From 3 AZN 10 min

No meter system here. Agree the fare before getting in—3 AZN is the standard for this short ride. For walking, it's 1.5 km along Nəsimi Street, but roads are dusty.

Airport Transfer from Ganja International Airport From 40 AZN 60 min

Pre-arrange via the hotel for a fixed rate around 40 AZN. Drivers from the airport rank often ask for 60–70 AZN; haggle or use Bolt app if available.

Shared Taxi (Marshrutka) from Ganja to Naftalan From 5 AZN per person 60 min

Bargain hard for shared taxis—locals pay 5 AZN. These run along the M2 highway; they’ll drop you at the hotel entrance if you ask. Not great for large luggage.

Baku Intercity Bus to Naftalan From 7 AZN 300 min

Buy the ticket at the terminal kiosk; no advance booking online. Sit on the left side for views of the Ganja plain. The bus drops you near the central roundabout—head northwest on Heydar Aliyev Street.

Intercity Bus from Baku to Naftalan From 8 AZN 360 min

Buses are basic but reliable. From Naftalan bus station, take a taxi (3 AZN, 10 mins) to Çinar Otel. Book your return ticket a day ahead—afternoon services fill up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 3 days enough for Naftalan?

Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Naftalan Oil Baths Public Garden and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.

What is the best time to visit Naftalan?

See our full best time to visit Naftalan guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.

Where should I stay for this itinerary?

A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Çinar Otel Spa Naftalan, Qarabağ Resort Otel, Ağ Bina Otel \ Naftalan. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.