June – August
Summer in Azerbaijan
Baku is hot and the Caspian beaches fill up — but drive north and Gabala, Quba and the Shahdag range stay cool, green and festival-loud.
Weather
30–38°C lowlands, cool in the mountains
Crowds
High on the coast
Best for
Beaches, mountains, festivals
Note
Baku is hot — head north
Baku in high summer is hot and humid (often 30–38°C), so this is the season to move: to the Caspian beach resorts north of the city (Nabran, Bilgah), or up into the Greater Caucasus where Gabala, Quba and the Shahdag/Tufandag highlands stay fresh and green. The Gabala International Music Festival brings orchestras to the mountains, evenings are long, and the alpine villages like Khinalug are finally open.
Season highlights
- ◆Caspian beach days at Nabran and Bilgah
- ◆Cool mountain air and lakes around Gabala
- ◆Gabala International Music Festival
- ◆Khinalug — one of Europe's highest continuously inhabited villages
Popular summer tours
Gabala & Nohur Lake
Full day · from Baku
Quba & Khinalug mountain village
Full day
Northern Azerbaijan — Quba to Sheki
3 days
Popular summer activities
Caspian beaches (Nabran & Bilgah)
Warm-water swimming and beach resorts north of Baku.
Shahdag & Tufandag cable cars
Ride the mountain gondolas for cool air and big views.
Gabala Music Festival
Classical and world music beneath the Greater Caucasus.
