Gabala

Things to do in Gabala

Search attractions or local attractions & tours
Search

Explore top experiences

Top 10 attractions in Gabala

View all Attractions
Gabaland Amusement Park

Gabaland Amusement Park

3.1
Gabala · 10.7km from downtown
Yeddi Gozel Waterfall

Yeddi Gozel Waterfall

3.1
Gabala · 10.9km from downtown
Sheki Khan's Palace
No. 1 of Best Things to Do in Azerbaijan

Sheki Khan's Palace

6.7
4.8/5
10 reviews
Sheki Khan's Palace is tucked away in the fortress courtyard on the high ground in the northeast of the old city of Sheki, and was once the summer palace of the Sheki Khan. This two-story building, along with the pool and old plane trees in the courtyard, has been preserved and later converted into a museum. It is not large in size, over 30m long and less than 10m wide. The layout of the upper and lower floors is the same, with three rooms lined up in a row, connected by a south-facing open corridor. The first floor was where the Khan received guests and handled affairs, while the second floor was for the family's living and entertaining. The outer walls are decorated with geometric patterns made of dark blue, turquoise, and ochre tiles. The interior walls are covered with murals, featuring patterns of flowers in vases and plants, and in the halls upstairs, you can also see entire scenes of hunting and warfare. A distinctive attraction here is the stained glass window called Shebeke, where thousands of pieces of colored glass are embedded into fine wooden grids. The entire structure uses no glue or nails, relying entirely on interlocking wood pieces, creating a display of shimmering light when sunlight passes through.Sheki City · 59.4km from Gabala
Gabala Ancient City Walls

Gabala Ancient City Walls

2
Gabala · 9.2km from downtown
Old City Baku
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Azerbaijan

Old City Baku

6.5
4.8/5
66 reviews
Old City Baku is the historic core of Baku, enclosed by ancient city walls. Its history is generally believed to date back at least to the 12th century, though some scholars suggest its origins can be traced as far back as the 7th century. The Old City is adjacent to the Caspian Sea, with cobblestone streets winding along the slopes. Local families still live deep within the alleys, where old buildings, workshops, and residences stand side by side. Walking through them, you can both sense the weight of the historical sites and encounter the vibrant local life of Baku. The charm of the Old City is also hidden in its small alleys. In the Middle Ages, it was a frequent stop for caravans. The Multani Caravanserai and Bukhara Caravanserai, which hosted merchants from India and Central Asia, still stand today. The alleys are lined with carpet workshops, handicraft shops, and souvenir stalls, as well as many traditional restaurants serving local dishes like pilaf and kebabs.Azerbaijan · Baku
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape
No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Baku

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

6.4
5.0/5
9 reviews
Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape is located in the semi-desert hills southwest of Baku and is an open-air site famous for its prehistoric rock carvings. The petroglyphs are concentrated on three exposed rocky hills, including Boyukdash and Kichikdash. Dating from the Upper Paleolithic tens of thousands of years ago to the Middle Ages, themes such as hunting, bullfighting, group dancing, camel caravans, and the sun and stars are superimposed on the rock surfaces. The carvings of reed boats with rows of rowers are particularly striking, resembling later Nordic longships. Scattered among the rocky hills are caves, settlements, and burial sites once inhabited by ancient people; the cave known as "Seven Beauties" features paintings of women participating in hunting. The "Gaval Dash" (tambourine stone) at the entrance is a long stone slab that produces a crisp sound similar to a tambourine when struck with a small stone, serving as a natural percussion instrument left by ancient people. The Latin inscription at the foot of Boyukdash Mountain, created by a Roman legion centurion in the 1st century AD, is a rare piece of evidence of Roman presence reaching the shores of the Caspian Sea. A petroglyph museum is located next to the entrance, using unearthed artifacts and video materials to recreate scenes of prehistoric life. You can visit the exhibition first before heading up the mountain to explore the rock carvings.Azerbaijan · Baku
Flame Towers
No. 2 of Night Attractions in Azerbaijan

Flame Towers

5.4
4.8/5
5 reviews
The Flame Tower is composed of three towers and is the tallest building in Baku. It is named after its appearance that resembles a flame. The project, designed by the American architecture firm HOK, is currently used as a luxury residential apartment, an office building and a hotel (Fairmont Baku Flame Towers Hotel and Resort). These three huge "tongues of fire" can be seen in almost any corner of Baku (it is recommended to watch on the coast of Baku), and they are very conspicuous. Whenever night falls, the tower body, which completely covers the LED screen, will show a variety of effects, just like a beating flame, showing the vigorous vitality of modern Baku.Azerbaijan · Baku
Həzrə Türbələri Kompleksi

Həzrə Türbələri Kompleksi

1.6
Gabala · 13.6km from downtown
Palace of the Shirvanshahs
No. 5 of Best Things to Do in Azerbaijan

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

5.1
5.0/5
19 reviews
Palace of the Shirvanshahs is located on a high hill in Old City Baku and is a palace complex left behind by the Shirvanshah dynasty of Azerbaijan. Most of the main buildings were completed in the 15th century, and the Murad Gate was added to the east side in the 16th century. The entire complex is built of light-colored limestone and is divided into two courtyards based on the terrain. The council hall, royal mausoleum, mosque, bathhouse, and reservoir are laid out in sequence within the same enclosed space, incorporating residential, administrative, religious, and funerary functions. The main structure is a two-story stone building, with dozens of rooms connected by several narrow spiral stone staircases. You can enter the octagonal domed hall through an intricately carved gate. In the center of the council hall courtyard stands an octagonal pavilion surrounded by pointed-arch arcades, with exquisite stone carvings on the lintels. The lower courtyard contains the royal mausoleum and a mosque with a minaret, as well as the octagonal mausoleum of the court Sufi scholar Seyid Yahya Bakuvi, commonly known as the Dervish Mausoleum. Further down are the remains of the bathhouse, which is half-buried underground with only its domes visible, and the underground reservoir. Today, it has been converted into a museum, displaying archaeological finds such as coins, copperware, weapons, musical instruments, and carpets, as well as a restored model of the Old City's layout. When visiting, be sure to pay attention to the stone-carved lintels at the entrances of each building, as clues about their dates and purposes are mostly hidden there. Looking back from the upper courtyard platform, you can also overlook the layered rooftops of the Old City.Azerbaijan · Baku
Maiden Tower
No. 6 of Best Things to Do in Azerbaijan

Maiden Tower

5
4.5/5
44 reviews
Maiden Tower is located at the southeast corner of Old City Baku, adjacent to the Caspian Sea. It is a cylindrical stone tower built around the 12th century, with eight floors inside and stone walls at the base several m thick. It is featured on the 10-manat banknote and is considered one of the symbols of Azerbaijan. It has now been converted into a museum, with exhibits detailing the urban evolution of Baku from ancient times to the present. The second floor also houses an ancient well, which research suggests was used to collect rainwater. Despite being right next to the sea, the water is fresh. You can climb to the top along the spiral stone staircase built into the wall to overlook the stone alleys and minarets of the Old City, and gaze out at the expansive waters of Baku Bay and the seaside boulevard. The lighting is particularly good in the evening. After dark, the tower lights up, making it a highly recognizable feature of the Old City's nightscape.Azerbaijan · Baku

Experiences you can't miss in Gabala

Featured Day tours in Gabala

View all Day tours
1-day tour to Shamakhi and Gabala in Azerbaijan [Depart from Baku + Daily departures + Hotel pickup]
󱌍
5.0/5
· 1 review
Duration: 5.8 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$66.67
Shamakhi And Gabala Tour
󱌍
4.8/5
· 454 reviews· 24 booked
Duration: 12–13 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
22 consecutive positive reviews
FromUS$25.00
Gabala and Shamakhi Day Trip from Baku with Tufandag and Seven Beauties Waterfall
󱌍
Duration: 4.6 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$27.78
Baku: Shamakhi and Gabala Trip
󱌍
4.8/5
· 13 reviews· 22 booked
Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$23.73US$24.98
From Baku: Gabala-Shamakhi Tour/Lunch/(Free City-Night Tour)
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 12–14 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$46.52US$48.97
Gabala + Shamakhi tour (by Old City Tours)
󱌍
4.2/5
· 63 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$59.00
Sheki Day Tour from Baku: Khan Palace, Caravansarai and Hanging Bridge
󱌍
5.0/5
· 2 reviews
Duration: 2.5 hrs
English
Free cancellation
Instant confirmation
Book now for tomorrow
FromUS$46.67

Featured Outdoor experiences in Gabala

View all Outdoor experiences
Baku :Gabala Private Day Tour from Baku: Explore Majestic Mountains, Nohur Lake & Tufandag From Baku
󱌍
FromUS$69.58
Baku: Guba Shahdag Candy Cane Tour Lunch and Laza included
󱌍
4.9/5
· 704 reviews· 35 booked
Duration: 10–11 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
30 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$28.87US$30.39
From Baku: Guba & Khinalig & Candy Mountains (Private or Group)
󱌍
4.9/5
· 41 reviews
Duration: 12 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
95.1% of travelers recommend
FromUS$39.00
Baku: Sheki Day Trip
󱌍
5.0/5
· 6 reviews
Duration: 13 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
5% off
Limited-time sale
FromUS$33.23US$34.98
Gabala & Shamakhi Nature Tour (Group or Private)
󱌍
4.7/5
· 56 reviews
Duration: 10–11 hrs
Free cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
96.4% of travelers recommend
FromUS$59.00

Free things to do in Gabala

More ways to travel from Gabala

What travellers say about Gabala

user-avatar
LikeGor6 February 2020
5.0
This is also a worthwhile tourist attraction in Azerbaijan. The air is fresh and the environment is pleasant. There are exquisite buildings and magnificent murals, which is one of the highlights of this trip.

Sheki Khan's Palace

user-avatar
Ekaterina Soloveva11 March 2025
5.0
Tips:Reasons to Recommend:Baku is a unique city that combines rich history and modernity. Here is an example of a three-day Baku vacation plan:-- Day 1: Historical Center and Old TownMorning:1. Icheri Sheher (Old Town)Start your day with a walk around the Old Town. Visit the Palace of the Shirvanshahs and the Minaret of the Miniature Mosque. Walk along the narrow streets and look at the ancient buildings.2. Breakfast CafeEnjoy breakfast at one of the cafes with local cuisine. Try pita or dolma.Afternoon:3. M

Old City Baku

user-avatar
水漫三楼12 July 2026
5.0
The Gobustan Rock Art and Cultural Landscape, located on the western side of Khobstan, Azerbaijan, about 40 miles from the capital Baku, comprises three rock plateaus, with a core area of ​​537 hectares. The landscape preserves over 6,000 rock paintings dating from 5,000 to 20,000 years ago, depicting scenes of prehistoric human activity, animals, warfare, and religious dances. The area also contains Paleolithic to medieval settlement sites and burial remains, showcasing the trajectory of human settlement from the Wet Period to the Middle Ages. This region was part of the Shamaki District from 1930 to 1943 and from 1960 to 1990, and was renamed to its current name upon restoration in 1990. In 1966, the area was designated the Gobustan National Reserve and a National Historic Landscape of Azerbaijan, with the aim of protecting its natural and cultural heritage, including ancient sculptures and mud volcanoes. In 2007, it was inscribed on the World Heritage List according to cultural heritage criteria, its rock carvings documenting the connection between hunter-gatherer civilizations and the ancient Wet Period environment. Located between the Buyukdash, Kichikdash, and Jingirdagh mountains, this protected area is part of the larger Gobustan Protected Area, with a buffer zone of 3,096.34 hectares. The heritage site contains the easternmost known Roman soldier stone inscription and musical stones that produce sounds similar to hand drums. A museum at the entrance showcases the region's history through audiovisual materials and replicas of rock paintings.

Gobustan Rock Art Cultural Landscape

user-avatar
翟海勇周雯瑾21 March 2020
5.0
The Flame Hotel is a classic building in Baku! It is very beautiful and majestic! Also known as the Flame Towers. You can overlook the Caspian Sea! The hotel is a five-star hotel, more modern and with newer facilities than the Four Seasons Hotel.

Flame Towers

user-avatar
Karen晓喵12 February 2020
5.0
Located at the highest point of the old city of Baku, the Shirvanshah Palace was built in the 15th century and is a shining pearl in the history of Azerbaijan architecture. The main entrance of the palace is decorated with a gatehouse and is located on the west side of the palace. The stairs of the gatehouse lead to the high octagonal hall with a dome. In 2000, the Shirvanshah Palace was listed as a World Cultural Heritage along with the old city of Baku.

Palace of the Shirvanshahs

user-avatar
zinnia_61529 November 2024
4.0
One of the oldest buildings in the old city, it is adjacent to the Caspian Sea coast. It has 8 floors and each floor window has defense facilities. It is also one of Azerbaijan's national business cards. Bending your waist and hunching your back, walking on the high and low steps, you may bump your head if you are not careful [covering your face J The city walk in the old city of Baku can consume enough calories

Maiden Tower

Popular cities near Gabala

Frequently asked questions

When choosing a tour, start with how much time you have and the kind of experience you're looking for. Trending options right now include 1-day tour to Shamakhi and Gabala in Azerbaijan [Depart from Baku + Daily departures + Hotel pickup], Shamakhi And Gabala Tour, and Gabala and Shamakhi Day Trip from Baku with Tufandag and Seven Beauties Waterfall. Check the real-time availability and itinerary before you book.

As of 19 October 2026, the reference price for day tours and activities in Gabala is around USD 23.73 – USD 415.21. Rates vary by duration, group size, transport, tickets, meals, and any special admission requirements. Before you book, please confirm the billing currency and whether the price is quoted per person or per group.

Get help anytime, anywhere within 30 secondsContact customer support

Change and cancellation policies vary by attractions and tours. Please check the product details page for more information.

Ticket prices may vary between weekdays and weekends, as well as during peak and off-peak seasons. When booking with Trip.com, you can also use Trip Coins to get extra savings. For more tips on booking discounted tickets, please visit Trip.com for the latest information.