Weekend in Qabala

A central park with fountains, benches, and shaded paths. Good for a short stroll or a break from shopping.

Tip: Best in late afternoon when locals gather. You can buy corn from street vendors nearby.

Central park with fountains, shaded benches and a small lake with paddle boats (5 AZN for 20 minutes). Kids' playground and cafes nearby. Good for a quiet afternoon stroll.

Tip: The best time is late afternoon when locals come out. Grab a tea from the kiosk by the lake – 0.50 AZN for a glass.

A modest museum displaying archaeological finds from the Qabala region, including pottery, coins, and old photographs.

Tip: Entry is free, but the signboards are in Azerbaijani only. Use a translation app on your phone.

Small but well-curated museum with artefacts from the ancient Caucasian Albanian capital of Qabala, including coins, pottery and tools. Exhibits have English labels.

Tip: Ask the guard to turn on the English video in the back room – it covers the site's history in 10 minutes. Donate what you can, as entry is free.

A calm lake surrounded by green hills, with a few cafes and walking paths. Locals come here to picnic.

Tip: Bring your own snacks and a blanket, as cafe prices are steep. Arrive before 10am for the quietest time.

A clear, blue-green reservoir ringed by mountains. The bank is free to walk along – you'll see families picnicking and fishermen. No facilities except a small car park.

Tip: Bring your own picnic and water. No shade at the lake, so take a hat. It's a 20-minute taxi ride from centre; negotiate 10 AZN return with waiting time.

Seven cascading waterfalls in a forested gorge. The main drop is about 15m high. The walk from the car park is 1.5km on a marked trail – muddy after rain.

Tip: Wear trainers, not sandals. The best photos are from the wooden bridge mid-way up. Combine with a trip to the nearby 'Fairy Tale Forest' for a full day out. Entry is free, but parking costs 2 AZN.

A series of seven small waterfalls in a forested gorge. The hike is short but steep in parts.

Tip: Wear sturdy shoes and bring water. The best time is spring when snowmelt swells the flow.

A large amusement park with rides and games, popular with families. Entry is free, but rides cost extra.

Tip: Go on a weekday afternoon to avoid queues. The Ferris wheel gives good views of the town and mountains.

A gondola ride up Mount Tufan with panoramic views of the Greater Caucasus. You can walk around the upper stations and meadows for free once you're up, but the cable car ticket is

Tip: Go early on a weekday to avoid queues. The last car down is at 18:00, so plan your hike back down if you want to save the return fare.